1 of 1 Israeli soldiers during an operation on the territory of the Gaza Strip Photo: Israel Defense Forces/AP Photo/Image Alliance Israeli soldiers during an operation on the territory of the Gaza Strip Photo: Israel Defense Forces/AP Photo/Image Alliance
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Thursday evening (2) that it has completely surrounded Gaza City, the enclave from which the terrorist attacks by the Islamic terrorist group Hamas began on October 7, leaving more than 1,400 dead in Israeli territory.
“Soldiers have completed the siege of Gaza City, the center of the terrorist organization Hamas,” Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said.
In response to the statement, Hamas’ armed wing, the Ezzedine alQassam Brigades, said Gaza was a “curse” for Israel and that its soldiers would return home “in black bags.”
After nearly four weeks of conflict, the death toll in Gaza exceeded 9,000, including 3,760 children, according to local authorities.
The number of children killed in the IsraelHamas conflict is more than six times higher than the 560 casualties recorded by the United Nations (UN) in 19 months of war in Ukraine.
American and Arab leaders, as well as American allies such as Jordan, increased pressure on Israel to ease the siege on the enclave.
Also this Thursday, the US House of Representatives, controlled by Republican Party members, passed a bill providing $14.3 billion in aid to Israel. But Democratic lawmakers who control the Senate have already warned that the project should not move forward.
Blinken travels to the Middle East
This Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to travel to Israel and Jordan at the suggestion of President Joe Biden to negotiate a “pause” due to the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The aim would be to enable the entry of aid for Palestinians and the evacuation of more foreigners and the injured around 800 people have left the Gaza Strip area in the last two days.
Israel did not immediately respond to Biden’s proposal. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously indicated that he should not accept calls for a ceasefire at the moment: “We are moving forward. Nothing will stop us,” he said.
Last weekend, Netanyahu declared that the conflict in the Gaza Strip had entered its second phase with the expansion of military operations on the ground.
The aim, according to the Israeli prime minister, is to destroy the military capabilities and control that Hamas exercises in Palestinian territory and to rescue the more than 200 hostages kidnapped earlier this month.
Brazilians try to leave Gaza
The Brazilian Embassy in Palestine is coordinating with the Egyptian and Israeli authorities to repatriate 34 people who have asked for help leaving Gaza, including 24 Brazilians and 10 Palestinians who want to immigrate. Of these, 18 are already in the city of Rafah on the border with Egypt and 16 in Khan Yunis, ten kilometers away.
But to date, Brazilians are not on the list of foreign citizens or people with dual nationality who are allowed to leave the Gaza Strip via the border crossing with Egypt.
The Rafah crossing, the only exit from the Gaza Strip not controlled by Tel Aviv, was opened for the first time this Wednesday after an agreement was signed between the governments of Egypt and Israel, mediated by Qatar and in coordination with the United States.
While Brazil is still eliminated, the second list of countries that can withdraw their citizens includes Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, South Korea, Croatia, the United States, Greece, the Netherlands, Hungary, Italy, Macedonia, Mexico, Switzerland, Sri Lanka and Chad.
Since the start of the war, Brazilian Air Force (FAB) aircraft have already transported 1,445 people and 53 animals in an operation coordinated with the Defense and Foreign Ministries. This Thursday, another flight with 32 passengers arrived in the country from the West Bank.
The majority of people allowed to leave the Palestinian enclave 400 names in all are Americans, following personal pressure from Biden. On Wednesday, the Democrat said that “thanks to American leadership,” safe passage for the wounded and foreigners was guaranteed.
Germany bans activities related to Hamas
Also this Thursday, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced the ban on all activities related to Hamas and also banned a Palestinian network active in the country called Samidoun, which held commemorative events to commemorate the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th.
The ban on activities related to Hamas in Germany was announced by Chancellor Olaf Scholz on October 12th and will come into force with the Interior Ministry’s order this Thursday. Hamas is considered a terrorist organization by the European Union as well as Germany, the United States and other countries.
Samidoun is a Palestinian network that operates in Germany under the names Hirak Palestine Youth Mobilization Youth Movement (Germany) and Hirak eV
According to the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), she is connected to the radical Palestinian organization PFLP (Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine), which defends the armed struggle against Israel.