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War between Hamas and Israel
Future of Gaza, release of hostages, Palestinian sovereignty… The Israeli prime minister and Hamas, which is in power in the Palestinian enclave, expressed their differences through the media.
Published on January 21, 2024 9:29 p.m
Reading time: 3 minutes
Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip at nightfall on January 21, 2024. (AFP)
Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas led the offensive through the media. In a video broadcast on Sunday, January 21, the Israeli Prime Minister stated that he “categorically” rejects the conditions proposed by the organization governing the Gaza Strip for the release of the Israeli hostages held since the terrorist attacks of October 7. While the Jewish state authorities make the cessation of attacks on Palestinian territory conditional on the release of the hostages, the far-right prime minister said he “categorically rejects the conditions for the surrender of the Hamas monsters” who demand “the end.” from the war, the withdrawal of our troops from Gaza” and “the release of all murderers and rapists imprisoned in Israel”.
This statement from Benjamin Netanyahu came after Hamas released a 20-page document in which the organization specifically called for “an immediate end to Israeli aggression against Gaza and to the murders and ethnic cleansing against the entire population of Gaza.”
Regarding the situation in the territory after the war, Hamas said it “categorically rejects any international or Israeli project aimed at the future of the Gaza Strip.” The day before, the Israeli prime minister reiterated his rejection of any form of “Palestinian sovereignty”. A speech that tested Israel's relations with its main American ally and supporter, the proponent of the “two-state” solution.
Hamas offers its “version” of the October 7 attacks
For the first time, Hamas addressed the October 7 terrorist attacks in detail. In a 20-page document released on Sunday, January 21, the Gaza Strip ruling organization said it wanted to present “its version of the facts.” While the attackers primarily targeted kibbutzim near the Palestinian enclave and a music festival, Hamas says it “did its best not to harm civilians” despite admitting “mistakes.”
According to an AFP count based on official Israeli figures, these attacks resulted in the deaths of 1,140 people, mostly civilians. Around 250 people were taken hostage in the attack, which was unprecedented in its violence and scale, and Israel says 132 people are still held captive on Palestinian territory.
One death in Lebanon strike attributed to Israel
According to the official Lebanese agency (ANI), one person was killed on Sunday in a drone strike in southern Lebanon that was blamed on Israel. “The attack on a car in Kafra left one person dead and others sustained moderate and minor injuries,” the media reported, mentioning “an Israeli drone.” Since the October 7 attacks, there have been daily exchanges of fire on the Israeli-Lebanese border between the Israeli army and the Lebanese Hezbollah, which supports its ally Hamas.
Hamas condemns new attacks
The Palestinian terrorist organization reported dozens of airstrikes and artillery attacks in the Gaza Strip on Sunday and said Israeli forces had attacked the area around Nasser and Al-Amal hospitals in the southern city of Khan Younes, now the epicenter of military operations. At the same time, the Israeli army is carrying out several operations in the West Bank, Hebron, Qalqilya and Jenin, the Palestinian news agency Wafa said.
Since the beginning of the Israeli air and ground offensive in the small area, the Hamas Ministry of Health on Sunday determined a death toll of 25,105.
The United Kingdom is strengthening its position in the Red Sea
Britain's Ministry of Defense announced on Sunday that the country will upgrade anti-aircraft batteries currently used by the Royal Navy to shoot down enemy drones over the Red Sea. The total cost of this modernization is estimated at 405 million pounds (around 471 million euros), as attacks by Yemen's Houthis threaten global trade.
Food deliveries expected in Gaza
Israel will allow the delivery of flour to the Palestinian enclave through the port of Ashdod, halfway between Tel Aviv and Gaza, but has not yet announced an exact date for these deliveries. The country said it wanted above all to “maintain control of security” in the Palestinian enclave.
“President [Joe Biden] “Welcomes the Israeli government's decision to authorize the delivery of flour for the Palestinian population directly through the port of Ashdod,” the White House said on Friday.