Israel must accept a two-state solution to end the war and ensure its security, European foreign ministers stressed on Monday, January 22, ahead of a meeting at which they would meet separately with their Israeli and Palestinian counterparts. “We want to build a two-state solution. Let’s talk about it,” started European diplomacy chief Josep Borrell, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his rejection of “Palestinian sovereignty.” Several ministers stressed that a two-state solution, Palestinians and Israel, was the “only solution.” In this context, Israel's refusal to find such a solution is “worrying,” said new French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné. Follow our live stream.
Sébastien Lecornu visits Israel. Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu meets families of Hamas hostages on Monday before meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and several War Cabinet members to discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip and the risks associated with escalation in the region.
Israeli attacks on Khan Younes. On the night of Sunday to Monday, witnesses reported deadly Israeli attacks on Khan Younes and even fierce fighting between soldiers and Hamas fighters. Outside Gaza, in northern Israel, near the border with Lebanon, anti-missile sirens sounded overnight, according to the Israeli army.
Hamas announces its “version of the facts” on October 7th. The Palestinian Islamist movement acknowledged that “mistakes may have been made” in the “chaos” caused by the “sudden collapse of the security and military apparatus” on the Israel-Gaza border. However, he denied deliberately targeting civilians, except “accidentally and during confrontations with the occupying forces.” However, published videos show gunmen killing indiscriminately on Israeli soil.
Hostage families ask for consent. That night, relatives of the hostages and supporters gathered near Benjamin Netanyahu's official residence in Jerusalem to demand an agreement for their release. “We are hearing about a proposal from the United States, Qatar and Egypt. We ask our government to listen, sit down at the negotiating table and decide whether to accept this or another agreement that would suit Israel,” said Gilad Korenbloom, whose son is a hostage in Gaza, local sources said.