Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has again ruled out a ceasefire without the release of the hostages, saying he wants to “dispel all sorts of idle rumors.”
The war between Israel and Hamas entered its 33rd day on Wednesday, November 8, and there is no respite in the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has once again ruled out a ceasefire without the hostages being released. Franceinfo takes stock of the day’s most important developments.
Netanyahu again rules out a ceasefire without the release of hostages
While sources spoke of Qatar-led negotiations toward a ceasefire and the release of certain hostages, Benjamin Netanyahu spoke of “rejecting all sorts of idle rumors” during a meeting with West Bank settlers. The Israeli prime minister has once again ruled out a ceasefire without the release of all Israelis and foreigners imprisoned by Hamas.
More than 240 people were kidnapped in Israel and taken to Gaza by Hamas commandos on October 7. Among these hostages are several foreigners, including ten Americans.
The G7 calls for “humanitarian breaks and corridors”
G7 foreign ministers meeting in Tokyo called for the establishment of “humanitarian breaks and corridors” in Gaza to protect civilians, while reaffirming Israel’s right to “defend” itself against Hamas.
The G7 countries have retained less strong terminology than calling for a ceasefire or ceasefire. These humanitarian “breaks and corridors” are intended to enable the “urgent” delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory, the evacuation of civilians threatened by the fighting and the release of hostages held by Hamas, their joint statement said.
Thirteen NGOs are calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza
Thirteen NGOs, including Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and Amnesty International, called on French President Emmanuel Macron and other leaders and officials expected to attend an international humanitarian conference in Paris on Thursday to do “everything in their power to do to achieve an immediate ceasefire”. in the Gaza Strip. They also call for “ensuring the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and compliance with international humanitarian law.”
Signatories also include Action Against Hunger, CCFD-Terre Solidaire, the Norwegian Refugee Council, Handicap International, Médecins du Monde, Oxfam France, the French NGO Platform for Palestine, Première urgentence international, UOSSM-International and War ChildUK.
Almost 50,000 civilians are fleeing the southern Gaza Strip
According to the Israeli army, nearly 50,000 Gazans fled on Wednesday from the north to the south of the territory through the “evacuation corridor” that its troops had secured for a few hours a day since Sunday.
“They are leaving because they understand that Hamas has lost control of the north and the situation is safer in the south. There is a safe area where medicine, water and food are available,” the Israeli army spokesman said. Daniel Hagari added during his daily press conference that the corridor would reopen on Thursday.
The Hamas Ministry of Health reports a death toll of 10,569
The Hamas Ministry of Health in Gaza said on Wednesday that 10,569 people have been killed in Israeli bombings since the war began on October 7. The deaths registered so far include 4,324 children and 2,823 women. No on-site source or image can support this assessment.
Three militants killed in Israeli strikes in Syria
Three pro-Iranian fighters were killed in Israeli airstrikes on positions in Syria of the Lebanese Hezbollah, an ally of the Syrian regime and Hamas, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (OSDH) reported.
These attacks took place “on Hezbollah farms and other sites near Aqraba and Sayyida Zeinab” in the suburbs of Damascus, said Rami Abdel Rahman, the NGO’s director. According to the same source, Israel also attacked Syrian air defense installations in the south of the country.