Israel is experiencing its most dramatic day since October 7th. A real “Black Monday” with 24 soldiers killed in the Gaza Strip, 21 of them in a single Hamas operation in which a rocket was fired at a group of soldiers who were preparing explosives to demolish two buildings in central Gaza. Three others died in ongoing fighting in Khan Younis, where the IDF has concentrated its operations. “We have experienced one of the most difficult days since the outbreak of war and I cry for our heroic fallen soldiers,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “In the name of our heroes, we will not stop fighting until there is absolute victory.” For his part, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized that “overthrowing the fighters requires us to achieve the goals of the war.” Meanwhile, the testimony of two former Hamas hostages before the Knesset has exposed the horror of their imprisonment. Aviva Siegel spoke about sexual violence against women and men in the tunnels under Gaza.
The woman said the girls were given “inappropriate” “doll” clothes with which the militiamen “can do whatever they want.” While the families of the hostages continue to clamor for efforts to secure their release, there remains a long distance between Hamas and Israel over a possible ceasefire. The White House said the United States was engaged in “serious discussions” about a humanitarian pause and Qatar and Egypt were also continuing mediation work, but no concrete results were currently seen. According to information leaked from Cairo, Hamas rejected Israel's proposal of a two-month ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of the hostages. Hamas responded by demanding a permanent halt to the military operation and the withdrawal of Israeli troops. The Jewish state government maintained its position and reiterated that Israel would not accept any agreement that would see Hamas retain control of the Gaza Strip.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also spoke about the situation at a meeting with his Palestinian counterpart Riad al-Maliki in New York. The head of Russian diplomacy stressed the importance of a “quick end to the bloodshed” and the resumption of the peace process on the basis of the resolution providing for “the creation of the State of Palestine within the borders of the capital in East Jerusalem” in 1967, may he be in peace and security Israel lives.” Even in the Red Sea, where the US and UK have continued their attacks, the situation remains tense. Houthi rebels said London and Washington's actions would not go “with impunity and without response.” The White House spoke of “goals achieved,” while Iran sent a “grave message and warning to the Americans.” Tehran said the attacks in Yemen were “a strategic mistake” and “a threat to peace and security in the region.”