by D. Frattini, correspondent; L. Cremonesi and A. Nicastro, correspondents; Online editorial team
The latest news from Sunday November 5th on the war between Israel and Hamas, live. Gallant: “We will get to the top of Hamas and eliminate him.” USA: “Exit of foreigners from Gaza blocked”. Pope Francis calls for ceasefire: “I ask you to stop in the name of God”
• It is the 29th day of the war: According to Hamas, almost 9,500 Palestinians have died; 1,400 Israeli; 241 hostages in Gaza.
• Israeli Defense Minister: “We will kill the head of Hamas.”
• US doubts about Israel: Background to Blinken’s new trip.
• The words and acronyms to understand the conflict: Here is the glossary.
• The history of the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis, explained here.
12.19 p.m. – Call from Pope Francis: “I ask you to stop in the name of God: cease fire”
“I ask you in the name of God to stop: to cease fire”: this is what the Pope said during the Angelus prayer when he spoke about the situation in Israel and Palestine and asked to “prevent the conflict from spreading.” “The situation in Gaza is very serious,” the Pope reminded. “Release the hostages, there are many children among them,” he added. “Let us think of all the children caught up in this war,” “let us pray that they have the strength to say enough is enough.”
12:09 p.m. – Israel: “Hamas rocket launchers discovered at children’s games”
The Israeli army said it discovered “a Hamas rocket launch site near a children’s pool, as well as shooting pits and rocket launchers in an old children’s playground” during the fighting in Gaza. “This – said the spokesman – is further evidence that Hamas deliberately uses civilian structures and civilians themselves, including children, as human shields for its operations.”
12:02 p.m. – Blinken to Abu Mazen: US commitment to life-saving aid in Gaza. The President of the PNA calls for an immediate “ceasefire”.
During the meeting in Ramallah in the West Bank, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Palestinian President Abu Mazen that Gaza residents should not be “forcibly displaced.”
During the meeting, the US Secretary of State reaffirmed “the United States’ commitment to providing life-saving humanitarian assistance and resuming essential services.” This was reported by a spokesman for the US State Department, quoted by the BBC.
Blinken and Abbas discussed efforts to “restore calm and stability” in the West Bank, including the need to “stop extremist violence against Palestinians and hold those responsible accountable.”
The Secretary of State also reaffirmed that the United States remains “committed to promoting equal dignity and security for both Palestinians and Israelis” and expressed the United States’ determination to work toward “the realization of the Palestinians’ legitimate hopes for creation “To work towards a Palestinian state.”
Palestinian Authority President Abu Mazen told Blinken that there must be an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza so that humanitarian aid can enter the strip: his spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh told Portal. The United States has so far resisted calls for a ceasefire, arguing that it would give Hamas time to regroup and preferring a “humanitarian pause.”
11:34 a.m. – French Foreign Minister Colonna: “Humanitarian break necessary in Gaza”
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna called on Sunday for an “immediate” humanitarian pause in the war between Israel and Hamas. “An immediate, permanent and observed humanitarian pause is absolutely necessary and must be able to lead to a ceasefire,” Colonna told reporters during a visit to Qatar.
Francesca Basso and Viviana Mazza explained the difference between “humanitarian pause” and “ceasefire” here.
11:16 a.m. – According to the WHO, there have been 102 attacks “on health services” in the Gaza Strip since October 7: 39 buildings were damaged and 31 ambulances were hit
The World Health Organization (WHO) in Palestine has released an updated bulletin saying it has documented 102 attacks on health facilities in the Gaza Strip since October 7.
A post on social media said: “Since October 7, WHO has documented 102 attacks on health care in the Gaza Strip.” “The attacks caused 504 casualties, 459 injuries, damage to 39 buildings and hit 31 ambulances,” it said it further. “More than half of the attacks on health facilities and more than half of the hospitals damaged took place in Gaza City. Healthcare is not a goal. “The WHO calls for the active protection of the civilian population and health care,” emphasized the WHO.
10:57 a.m. – Evacuations from Gaza through the Rafah border crossing suspended, but humanitarian aid transit continues
The evacuation of citizens with dual passports and seriously injured people from the Gaza Strip via the Rafah border crossing – which connects the Palestinian territory with Egypt – has been suspended since Saturday.
Egyptian sources told Portal the suspension was due to Israel’s November 3 attack near Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest in Gaza City. An ambulance that Tel Aviv said was being used by Hamas militants was hit during the raid.
However, in recent days, an American official told the New York Times that the evacuation of the wounded had been slowed by Hamas adding some of its men to the wounded lists in an attempt to get them out of Gaza. “Now,” explains our Jerusalem correspondent Davide Frattini, “he is trying the same step and preventing the passage from opening when there is no guarantee of ambulances.” The Israelis say they are being used by terrorists. There is no way out and no one can leave the Strip for now.”
Despite the halt in the evacuation of people, humanitarian aid continues to be transported from Rafah: another 30 trucks carrying humanitarian aid, food, water and medicine arrived in the Gaza Strip on Saturday evening, bringing the total since the siege began to 20% 451.
10:49 a.m. – The meeting between Binken and Abu Mazen has begun in Ramallah
The meeting between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Palestinian President Abu Mazen began in Ramallah in the West Bank. Haaretz reports it. It is the first meeting between the two since the conflict between Israel and Gaza.
10:13 a.m. – Netanyahu suspends the minister who spoke of a “nuclear bomb.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suspended Minister of Jewish Tradition Amichay Eliyahu “from all government meetings until further notice.” This was announced by the Prime Minister’s Office. Eliyahu is a leader of the far-right Jewish Power party. Their leader Itamar Ben Gvir commented that it was just “a metaphor.” “However, it is clear to everyone,” he added, “that it is necessary to destroy Hamas and bring the hostages home.”
9:44 a.m. – The families of the hostages are also calling for Minister Eliyahu to resign
In Israel, the families of the hostages are raising their voices against the far-right minister Amichai Eliyahu, who raised the possibility of using the atomic bomb in Gaza: “It is a shocking statement that violates all principles of morality and the Jewish and Israeli conscience.” An Israeli government minister who calls for the killing of all those abducted and missing must pay a price today.”
9:05 a.m. – Controversy over Israeli Minister Eliyahu’s words about the atomic bomb in Gaza. Netanyahu: “I have no connection to reality”
Controversy in the government of Benjamin Netanyahu following the statements of the Minister of Cultural Heritage, Amichai Eliyahu, who, in a radio interview, replied to the (provocative) question “Should we drop a nuclear bomb on all of Gaza?”: “This is one of those probability” As the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronot reports, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately dismissed the statements as “words outside of reality” and said: “Israel and its army operate according to the highest standards of international law to avoid harm to the civilians involved and to us “I will do this until victory.” For Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid, Eliyahu is “irresponsible.” Lapid called the statement “shocking and crazy.” And he called on Netanyahu to oust him immediately “this morning” .
After heavy criticism, she backed down: “It is clear to anyone with sense that the words about the atomic bomb were metaphorical,” Eliyahu explained. And then to At the same time, it is clear that the State of Israel is obliged to do everything possible to bring the hostages home alive and healthy.”
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Eliyahu, a member of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, made the controversial statements about nuclear weapons during an interview with Kol Barma radio. “We would not provide humanitarian aid to the Nazis. “There are no uninvolved people in Gaza,” the minister said in an interview. At that point, the journalist asked him: “So should we drop a nuclear bomb on all of Gaza?” When it was later pointed out to him that the 240 citizens kidnapped on October 7 were also in the Palestinian enclave, he replied: “We are praying and hope for their return, but the war also has its price.”
8:31 a.m. – Biden hints at progress on humanitarian pause
US President Joe Biden said some progress had been made in securing the so-called “humanitarian pause” in the fighting in the Gaza Strip. His Secretary of State Antony Blinken is dealing with the same issue during his mission in the Middle East (analyzed here by Federico Rampini). After visiting Israel and then Jordan, he met with the foreign ministers of several Arab countries to discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip. Blinken is now expected in Türkiye.
The US has been working on a humanitarian pause for weeks. The American goals remain – as Francesca Basso and Viviana Mazza explained – from day one the return of the hostages and the prevention of an expansion of the conflict in the region, the support of Israel, including in the destruction of Hamas, but the protection of the Palestinian civilian population. It is not clear for now what Biden means when he speaks of progress: the president limited himself to answering “yes” to reporters who asked him whether there had been progress
8:13 a.m. – This is how the Israeli army advances into Gaza
How is the Israeli advance in the Gaza Strip going?
Satellite photos published in some international media make it possible to reconstruct the movements of the armed forces. Bulldozers escorted by tanks pave the way to Hamas “nests.” By clashing with militiamen hidden in buildings, bunkers and tunnels, the Israelis are able to pinpoint some positions, which are then attacked by planes, drones and tanks. The Hamas fighters, in turn, respond with the mobility guaranteed by the tunnels and attack the Israelis by firing RPG rockets at close range at the armored vehicles, causing damage.
The Israeli army is currently pursuing three goals: open corridors, eliminate pockets of resistance and create temporary outposts. Guido Olimpio explains how the operation works in this detailed analysis
7:52 a.m. – Israel says it has hit 2,500 targets since the ground operation began in Gaza
The Israeli army said it has hit over 2,500 targets in Gaza since the ground operation began, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reports.
6:49 a.m. – The Israeli army announces: another four hours for the evacuation of the northern Gaza Strip
The Israeli army announced today that it will give civilians in the northern Gaza Strip more time to flee to the southern coastal area.
Specifically, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it will allow Gaza residents to evacuate to the south of the Gaza Strip on Sunday via certain roads indicated on a map. The main route for evacuation will be Salah Al-Deen Street, with a window between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. local time. Avichay Adraee, IDF spokesman, told the Arab media.
The army also tried to ensure a safe corridor for the civilian population on Saturday afternoon. However, the Israeli troops came under fire from Hamas.
5:35 a.m. – New clashes between Palestinians and the army in the West Bank
There were further clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians in the West Bank on Saturday night. This is reported by the Jerusalem Post, citing Palestinian sources. The clashes occurred in Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarem and other places: three Palestinians were injured in Nablus, one Palestinian was injured in Jenin and another was arrested in a raid in the city.
3:54 a.m. – Attack on refugee camp in Gaza, “at least 51 dead”
The Israeli army has attacked the Maghazi refugee camp in the center of the Gaza Strip. This is reported by the Palestinian news agency Wafa – as the website Ynet reports. The attack occurred on the night of Saturday to Sunday. Initially there was talk of 51 victims. The toll was later corrected to 47.
3:40 a.m. – Israeli army: “Hamas is hiding in the tunnels and preventing civilians from reaching safety”
“While Hamas prevents civilians from fleeing to safety in the south of the Gaza Strip, it hides in its intricate network of terror tunnels.” The Israeli army writes this on X, adding that its troops “during operational activity in the north “The Gaza Strip has discovered several access points to the tunnels.”
While Hamas prevents its civilians from reaching safety in the southern Gaza Strip, Hamas hides in its intricate network of terror tunnels.
IDF forces discovered several access points during operational activities in the northern Gaza Strip. pic.twitter.com/vovapYD4Xn
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 5, 2023
3:28 a.m. – United Nations alert, nearly 1.5 million displaced in Gaza
Almost 1.5 million people in Gaza have been displaced from their homes. Of these, 710,275 have found refuge in 149 UNRWA facilities, 122,000 people are accommodated in hospitals, churches and public buildings, 109,755 people have sought refuge in 89 schools and the rest are staying with host families. The data was provided by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
“Overcrowded accommodation – we read in a statement – continues to pose serious health risks.” Damage to water and sanitation infrastructure, as well as the limited availability of fuel to pump water, pose additional risks to public health. Several cases of acute respiratory infections, diarrhea and chickenpox have already been reported among people in UNRWA shelters.” In addition, “around 530,000 people have found refuge in 92 UNRWA facilities in the southern governorates of Deir Al Balah, Khan Younis and Rafah areas: The Shelters have exceeded their capacity and cannot accommodate new arrivals. “Many displaced people are seeking safety by sleeping on the streets.”
3:01 a.m. – Media, today Blinken meets Abu Mazen in Ramallah
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) in Ramallah today. It will be the top American diplomat’s first trip to the West Bank since the outbreak of war. A Palestinian official told the Times of Israel.
02:45 a.m. – Gaza, the Rafah border crossing is closed again. There is a dispute over ambulances: “Hamas uses them”
(by Davide Frattini, Jerusalem Correspondent) The Rafah Gate has remained closed, it is now a narrow alley between the concrete blocks built by the Egyptians. In the last few days, a thousand Palestinians with foreign passports, including Italian ones, and the most seriously injured have passed through here. You can’t pass here if the Hamas bosses don’t put your name on the list, if it doesn’t have the consent of the Israelis and the Arab soldiers guarding the crossing written next to it. The mechanism was blocked yesterday, it is not a question of diplomacy, it is war.
Read the full article here.
2:24 a.m. – Gallant: “We will reach the Hamas leader in Gaza and eliminate him”
“We will reach the top of Hamas, we will eliminate Yihia Sinwar. And I say to the people of Gaza: ‘If you reach him before us, the war will be shortened.'” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said this in a press conference in Israeli Defense Ministry, referring to the Hamas leader in Gaza.
02:04 a.m. – US doubts about Israel: Background to Blinken’s new trip
(by Federico Rampini) There is not only a disagreement between the United States and Israel over the humanitarian pause demanded by Washington – and rejected by Benjamin Netanyahu – to provide aid to the people of Gaza. Even more important is the distance between the two allies. “Endgame” is sought: the long-term strategic goal that is achieved after military operations. In other words: Who will govern Gaza? This is the most important problem facing America in its diplomatic approach to Israel and the Arab world. The White House’s request to Benjamin Netanyahu to ensure that Israeli military actions are contained, limit civilian casualties and provide pauses in fighting to ensure that food, medicine and gasoline reach the population of the Gaza Strip achieve is well known. But it’s not just that.
Read East|West by Federico Rampini here.
1:24 a.m. – USA: “Hamas blocks the exit of foreigners after the ambulance raid”
Hamas will prevent foreign citizens from leaving Gaza until Israel ensures that ambulances from the Palestinian enclave can reach the Rafah border crossing into Egypt. An American official familiar with the situation told CNN. The militiamen’s decision came after Israel admitted hitting an ambulance outside Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, underscoring that Hamas transports militiamen and weapons in emergency vehicles. According to an official source on the Egyptian side, more than 700 foreign citizens were expected to leave Gaza via Rafah today.
00:52 – Video: the outburst of the Palestinian journalist who announces the death of his colleague
He was reporting live on television from Nasser Hospital in the southern Gaza Strip about the Palestinian victims of the Israeli bombings when journalist Salman al-Bashir had to announce the death of a colleague, Mohammed Abu Hatab. 49 years old, correspondent for Palestine TV, a station of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, Hamas’s political rival. According to reports from the Palestinian agency Wafa, the journalist was among 11 victims of an attack on their home in the southern Gaza Strip. Searching for words to describe what Abu Hatab’s loss meant to him and the broadcaster, Al-Bashir collapsed with emotion, erupting in an on-air outburst and removing his bulletproof vest.
12:32 a.m. – Hamas: 60 hostages missing after Israeli raids
After the latest Israeli bombing, 60 Hamas hostages are missing in Gaza. This was stated by the group’s armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, citing the online agency Portal. Spokesman Abu Ubaida also said on Telegram that the bodies of 23 Israeli hostages were still found among the rubble of buildings destroyed in the raids.
00:10 – Demonstrations for Palestine in Washington, Berlin and Paris
From Washington to London, from Berlin to Paris. There were demonstrations for Palestine in many cities. Thousands of people gathered in Paris to call on Israel to halt all military operations in the Gaza Strip. Thousands of people also in Germany, in the center of Berlin and in Düsseldorf and in London. Even in the United States, thousands of people gathered at the march in Washington to demand a ceasefire in Gaza.
November 5, 2023 (modified November 5, 2023 | 12:20)
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