Preparations for the Rafah border crossing, but Israel reports that there is no ceasefire for now

Israel: “Don’t ask us to stop, stay with us”

“My mission and that of everyone sitting in this room is to bring the abductees home. “You must call your governments and ask them to stand with Israel.” Gal Hirsch, the government official responsible for the fate of the Israeli hostages in Gaza, said this at a meeting at the State Department with more than 100 foreign ambassadors and diplomats. “For years – Hirsch continued in a statement from the ministry – you have been criticizing us for our determined fight against terrorism, but do not ask us to stop. As you hug your children tonight, think of the children who were massacred and kidnapped in Gaza.” “.

Hezbollah fires on military bases, Israel responds

New exchange of fire on the border between Israel and Lebanon. Hezbollah said it attacked “five bases” of the Jewish State Army, which in turn attacked targets in southern Lebanon. Haaretz reports it.

New warning sirens in central Israel and Tel Aviv

For the second time in a short period of time, air alarm sirens sounded in central Israel, including the greater Tel Aviv area. Immediately after the alarm, the explosions of the missiles intercepted by the Iron Drome could be heard.

WHO, help Gaza within 24 hours, otherwise there will be a catastrophe

There are only 24 hours left to provide vital assistance to the people of the Gaza Strip before a “catastrophe” occurs in the Gaza Strip. This is stated by the World Health Organization.

Warning sirens in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem

Warning sirens sounded in Tel Aviv and central Israel about the arrival of rockets from Gaza. The tracking systems also reported the same alarm in Jerusalem.

Netanyahu: “We will triumph over the Hamas-Hezbollah-Iran axis”

“We will triumph because our existence is at stake in this region full of dark forces,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netayahu. “Hamas,” he continued, “is part of the evil axis that consists of Iran and Hezbollah. Their goal is to plunge the Middle East into an abyss of chaos.” “There are many questions about the catastrophe that overwhelmed us ten days ago. We will investigate every aspect,” he concluded.

UNRWA: “Gasoline and medical equipment stolen in Gaza City”

UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, said self-identified Hamas members “seized gasoline and medical equipment” from their base in Gaza City. “Our staff – he provided further details regarding the removal of the assets. Fuel and other UNRWA materials will be retained exclusively for humanitarian purposes and any other use will be strongly condemned.”

The Iranian attack on Gaza will lead to a long war on multiple fronts

In a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin today, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi warned that “the ongoing siege, killings of women and children and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip” will lead to “a long war on various fronts.” Mohammad Jamshedi, deputy chief of staff of the Iranian presidency, wrote this on X, quoted by Interfax.

The Kremlin is again calling for an immediate ceasefire

Russia today again called for an “immediate ceasefire” in the Middle East. This was stated by the President’s foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov, citing Russian authorities.

Iran: Hamas ready to release hostages if raids stop

Hamas would be willing to release around 200 hostages if Israel stopped attacking the Gaza Strip. This was said by Iranian Foreign Minister spokesman Nasser Kanaani, quoted by the Times of Israel. However, there are currently no signs that Hamas has taken a position to this effect. According to Hanani, members of the Palestinian faction said that they are “ready to take the necessary measures to release the civilians held by the resistance groups, but that they believe that such measures require preparations that are impossible given the daily bombardment.” of the Zionists against various parts of Gaza”.

Mortuaries collapse, bodies in ice cream trucks in Gaza

As hospital morgues collapse, ice cream vans in Gaza are being used to store the bodies of bomb victims. Numerous videos and photos of doctors and volunteers laying down the bodies wrapped in white sheets are circulating on social media. “The hospital morgues are small and cannot accommodate all the bodies these days,” explains a doctor in front of one of the vans, “which is why we are forced to use the ice freezers or food carts from the companies in the area” to preserve the bodies. We are completely breaking down.”

The Israeli army continues to strike in the Gaza Strip

The Israeli army said it had carried out dozens of attacks on the Gaza Strip in recent hours. Among the targets hit were Hamas headquarters, mortar launching sites and a number of military bases, the military spokesman said. In addition – he added – also the command center of Alì Qadi, the person responsible for the massacre in the Israeli border kibbutzim on October 7th. Qadi was killed in a targeted raid in Gaza two days ago.

“Dozens of unidentified bodies buried in a mass grave in Gaza,” the Gaza government press office said

Dozens of unidentified bodies were buried in mass graves in the city of Gaza, the head of the Hamas-controlled government press office Salama Marouf announced, CNN reported. “As dozens of other martyrs arrived, children, infants, women, men, the elderly, we were inclined to fulfill our just and moral duty towards these martyrs and bury them,” Marouf said. “We have prepared a mass grave in the emergency grave for bury those who have not been identified.” Videos posted on social media and verified by CNN show dozens of bodies wrapped in white plastic being taken from Gaza’s Shifa Hospital to a burial site , where they were buried in orderly rows, writes the American broadcaster.

Egypt: “Israel is responsible for not opening the Rafah border crossing”

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said the Israeli government has not yet taken the necessary steps to allow the opening of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt. The Guardian writes it. Shoukry said Cairo would like to keep it open. This morning there was a movement of UN vehicles at the border, but the crossing was still closed, the newspaper recalls.

Tajani: “Today we hope to get the 10-12 Italians who lived there out of the Gaza Strip”

“Today we hope to get the 10-12 Italians who lived here out of the Gaza Strip,” Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told Isoradio Rai. The Foreign Minister recalled today’s meeting with the King of Jordan and emphasized that rescuing the hostages is Italy’s top priority. “Through the Arab countries, we are doing everything we can to ensure that Hamas gets a message in favor of the release of the hostages. “There are three Italians who were supposed to serve as hostages of Hamas or other parallel organizations, a couple and a boy who took part in the rave, but of course we are committed through our diplomacy to the release of all the hostages.”

“First and foremost, we must prevent Italians from becoming involved in this war. That is why we have repatriated as many pilgrims and tourists who were in Israel as possible, we are over a thousand,” Tajani recalled.

“We are working and trying to ensure that Arab countries can convince Hamas to release the hostages. We are working to ensure that there is no escalation, neither Iran nor Lebanon are involved in this situation: Jordan is a key country that has always played a role.” “very positive role for stability” and the King of Jordan is “an important conversation partner for us”. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said this upon his arrival at Palazzo Chigi to meet Jordan’s King Abdallah. “I am convinced,” he concluded, “that Italy’s actions can also be increasingly decisive for the release of the hostages and the reduction of tensions in the Gaza Strip.”

Preparations in Rafah have been completed, but no transit yet

At the Rafah crossing, officials have completed all preparations for the opening, but so far no humanitarian aid has entered Gaza from Egypt and no foreign or Palestinian dual nationals have crossed the Sinai Desert. Local sources report that “the situation is currently static”.

Pizzaballa, children as hostages? I am ready to offer myself for exchange

Am I ready for an exchange? Anything, even if it can lead to freedom and bringing the children home is not a problem. On my part, absolute availability.” This is how Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, responded in an online meeting with a group of journalists to the question of whether he was ready to offer himself for an exchange for the release of the children held hostage He continued: “We have agreed to at least try to bring back the hostages, at least some of them. That’s what we’re trying to do.” That’s very difficult because mediation requires interlocutors. And right now we can’t talk to Hamas.”

There are 199 hostages in the hands of Hamas

The Israeli army has so far informed the families of 199 hostages in Gaza. Military spokesman Daniel Hagari announced this in a press conference. He specified that Israel was making “a national effort of the highest priority” in this regard, including using intelligence information. The army has so far informed 295 families of soldiers killed in the conflict with Hamas, he added.

Mattarella, Middle East in flames due to Hamas’ cowardly attack

“The Middle East is once again in flames due to a cowardly attack that has already managed to push the spiral of horror and violence to unprecedented levels,” said President Sergio Mattarella in an interview with the FAO.

The head of state also said that using water and hunger as tools of war was “a crime” and that Moscow’s decision to withdraw from the grain deal was “unholy.” The president also highlighted the worrying increase in international tensions, recalling that the Middle East is on fire due to the “cowardly attack” by Hamas.

Egypt is preparing to receive wounded Palestinians

Muhammad Abdel Fadil Shousha, Governor of North Sinai, received Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Health, in the city of Bir al-Abd this morning; The Health Minister’s visit includes the inspection of some hospitals in the governorate and the inspection of ambulances to ensure that the hospitals are ready to receive injured Palestinians from Gaza and to respond to any requests in the health and medical sectors in North Sinai. The governor spoke of increasing the level of preparedness in hospitals and medical units, providing emergency medicines and blood, and supporting hospitals with medical staff to receive injured Palestinians. He then explained that aid deliveries to Gaza had come to a standstill in the meantime due to the resumption of Israeli attacks on various areas of the Gaza Strip.

UN: “There are not enough body bags for the dead in Gaza”

“There are not enough body bags for the dead in Gaza.” This is what the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reports in its latest report on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. “For the fifth consecutive day, Gaza remained without electricity, pushing vital services such as health, water and sanitation to the brink of collapse and increasing food insecurity.” The UN recalls that the population of Gaza has “severely limited access to drinking water.” . The situation of the displaced people is also difficult. UNRWA reiterates that over a million people, almost half of Gaza’s total population, have been displaced. Among those forced to leave their homes, “600,000 are in the central area, in Khan Yunis and Rafah,” and of these “nearly 400,000 are in UNRWA facilities.” A number, the agency explains, “well beyond our ability to significantly help, even with space in our shelters, food, water or psychological support.” The agency says 14 UNRWA staff were killed, but “the number is likely higher,” and that there are 23 confirmed reports of facilities hit by Israeli airstrikes.

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt was opened

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt was opened. Local sources reported that logistical preparations are currently underway to introduce humanitarian aid into Gaza and allow the departure of foreign citizens and Palestinians with dual nationality. In the last few hours, the barriers blocking the crossing have been removed on the Egyptian side. The Gaza Red Crescent, the local equivalent of the Red Cross, says aid includes medicine, blankets, mattresses and drinking water supplies.

Hamas Ministry of Health, 2,750 dead in Gaza, over 9,700 injured

The death toll in Gaza has risen to 2,750: this was announced by the Hamas Ministry of Health, citing Haaretz. According to the same source, there are over 9,700 injured.

Israel: “There is no ceasefire at the moment”

“At the moment there is neither a ceasefire nor the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza in exchange for the escape of foreign citizens”: this was announced by the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, commenting on previously published news about the Rafah border crossing (between…). Egypt and Gaza) opens at 9 a.m. local time, in Italy at 8 a.m.

Israel begins expelling civilians on the border with Lebanon

After the firefights of the last few days, the Israeli Defense Ministry decided to evacuate the population living near the border with Lebanon, less than 2 kilometers away. A statement from the ministry said there were a total of 28 locations, including the city of Metulla. Yesterday, attacks from Lebanon in the area killed two Israelis, a soldier and a civilian. Also yesterday, the military authorities banned entry into a four kilometer deep strip along the entire border with Lebanon.

UN, 14 UNRWA staff killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza

Fourteen staff of the United Nations Humanitarian Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) were killed in Israel’s attacks on Gaza, the agency’s head, Philippe Lazzarini, said during a press conference last night. The Guardian reports on it. The world has “lost its humanity,” Lazzarini continued, commenting on the situation in the Gaza Strip. He added that he organized the press conference to “raise the alarm” that his Gazan colleagues could no longer provide humanitarian assistance in the enclave.

“The Rafah border crossing will be open for the departure of foreigners from this morning”

An official from the Palestinian Embassy in Washington, Kamel Khatib, quoted by NBC, announced that foreigners and Palestinians with foreign nationality will be able to leave Gaza through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt starting at 9:00 a.m. local time (8:00 a.m. local time) this morning with Italy ), when humanitarian aid will also arrive in Gaza. According to Israeli media, the border crossing will remain open for five hours.

“At the moment there is neither a ceasefire nor the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza in exchange for the escape of foreign citizens”: this was announced by the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, commenting on previously published news about the opening of the Rafah border crossing (between Egypt and Gaza) at 9 a.m. local time, 8 a.m. in Italy.

Israeli raid in West Bank, Palestinians killed

At least one Palestinian was killed in an Israeli military strike in the occupied West Bank city of Jericho this morning. Al Jazeera reports on it. The broadcaster states that several Israeli raids have also been reported in East Jerusalem, Nablus, Bethlehem and Hebron in the last few hours. According to Al Jazeera sources, dozens of Palestinians were arrested during the operations.

The UN: “Electric autonomy of Gaza hospitals will end in 24 hours”

The United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) predicts that fuel reserves in hospitals across the Gaza Strip will only last “for another 24 hours.” In his latest update on the situation on the Strip, Ocha warns that “stopping backup generators would endanger the lives of thousands of patients in hospitals.”

Israeli air strikes on Gaza at night, several casualties

A “huge fireball” has been reported in Gaza after “several air strikes” by the Israeli army in the last few hours that “resulted in the deaths of several people,” Al Jazeera correspondents report

Israeli UN envoy tells CNN: ‘We don’t want to occupy Gaza’

In his speech, Israeli UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan followed the words of American President Joe Biden, who said in an interview with the CBS television program “60 Minutes” that an occupation of the Gaza Strip would be “a serious mistake.” “We have no interest in occupying Gaza or staying there, but since we are fighting for our survival and the only way – as the US President himself has defined – is to destroy Hamas, we must do whatever is necessary to destroy their potential,” he said. The Israeli ambassador told CNN journalist Kaitlan Collins.

Biden, Israel’s occupation of Gaza would be a ‘big mistake’

US President Joe Biden considers an Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip to be “a big mistake” and said on the television show “60 Minutes” that Hamas does not represent all Palestinians. The Washington Post reports on this and anticipates the content of an interview with the US President that will be broadcast soon.

“I think it would be a big mistake,” Biden said in response to a question from journalist Scott Pelley on CBS. “Hamas and the extreme elements of Hamas do not represent the entire Palestinian people,” said the US president. Biden reiterates that Hamas must be completely eliminated, but there must also be a path to a Palestinian state. However, the president says he does not believe Israel will pursue that path at this time. “But I believe that” the Jewish state “understands that a significant part of the Palestinian people does not share the opinion of Hamas and Hezbollah,” the American president added to “60 Minutes.”

American President Joe Biden has condemned the murder of the six-year-old Muslim boy stabbed to death near Chicago, denouncing this “terrible act of hate” which, according to US police, is linked to the war between Israel and Hamas stands. The child suffered 26 stab wounds and died in hospital. The 32-year-old mother is expected to survive, according to a statement from the Will County Sheriff’s Office in Illinois, which called the attack “heinous.” In a statement, Biden confirmed that the woman was the boy’s mother and said her “Palestinian Muslim family came to America seeking what we all seek: a refuge to live, learn, and live in peace.” pray. This terrible act of hate has no place in America and contradicts our core values: the freedom to pray without fear, the freedom to believe and the freedom to be,” the American president added.

Asked whether the time has come for a ceasefire in the Middle East, US President Joe Biden says there is a “fundamental difference” between the Israelis killed in the Hamas attack and the Palestinians killed in the Israeli counterattack. The Jewish state “is hunting a group of people who committed barbarism as grave as the Holocaust,” Biden explains. “And that’s why I think Israel has to respond. They must attack Hamas. Hamas is a bunch of cowards. They hide behind the civilian population.” They set up their headquarters where there are civilians, buildings and the like. But I am sure that the Israelis will do everything in their power to avoid killing innocent civilians.”

US President Joe Biden reiterated that there is “no clear evidence” of Iran’s involvement in the Hamas attack on Israel, confirming statements made by US officials last week. In an interview on CBS’ “60 Minutes,” Biden explains: “Iran consistently supports Hamas and Hezbollah, but there is no evidence at this time whether they had prior knowledge or helped plan the attack.”

US and Israeli officials, meanwhile, are discussing the possibility of an upcoming visit by US President Joe Biden to Israel at the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Portal writes on its website, citing a source familiar with the matter. The American news site Axios also writes, citing three Israeli and US officials, that Israel and the US are discussing a possible visit by the US President to Israel “at the end of the week”. For its part, the White House simply emphasizes that it has no announcements to make about new trips by the president, reports the Times of Israel.

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