After canceling the Mossad chief's trip to Qatar to resume talks on a possible second deal to release prisoners, family members said they were “shocked” and demanded an “immediate explanation” from the prime minister. Israeli military operations continue, another soldier dies. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman stressed that the military would use a “creative variety of options” to destroy the tunnels built by underground Palestinian militiamen in the Gaza Strip
Israel, humanitarian break in the Rafah district south of Gaza
Cogat – the Israeli military and civil authority that governs the areas – has announced that the army will hold a “humanitarian tactical pause” in the al-Salam suburb of Rafah, south of the Strip, until 2pm today (1pm in Italy). The pause, it was explained, is intended to “give the civilian population the opportunity to replenish their food and water supplies.”
Israel is still fighting fiercely north and south of Gaza
Heavy fighting between the Israeli army and Hamas continues in the north and south of the Gaza Strip. This was announced by the military spokesman, after which yesterday evening a team of Israeli paratroopers located and destroyed a firing position in a school complex of the militiamen of the Shujaia battalion of Hamas. In Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip, he continued, soldiers from the elite Maglan unit found and destroyed a number of weapons, two tunnel entrances and a launch site. Even in Jabalya – the spokesman added – the troops destroyed terrorist infrastructure.
A Palestinian poll found that Hamas's popularity increased after July 10
According to a survey by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PCPSR), Hamas's popularity has increased significantly in the last two months (particularly in the West Bank), while support for the Palestinian Authority has decreased.
72% of respondents said Hamas' decision to launch the attack on October 7 was “right.” 85% said they had not seen videos documenting Hamas' atrocities against Israeli civilians. In addition, 70% are certain that Israel will not achieve its war goals and two-thirds believe that Hamas will retain control of Gaza.
007 USA, almost 50% of Israeli bombs on Gaza are not precision bombs
Almost half of the air-to-surface munitions Israel has used in the war against Hamas in Gaza since October 7 were not precise, meaning they were unguided weapons, also called “dumb bombs”: That's the conclusion of a new assessment by US intelligence, according to what CNN exclusively writes today.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence's assessment was reported to the US broadcaster by three sources who had seen it. The document states that 40-45% of the 29,000 air-to-surface munitions deployed by Israel so far were unguided, while the rest were precision-guided munitions.
Unguided munitions are generally less precise and can pose a greater threat to civilians, especially in an area as densely populated as Gaza, CNN comments, highlighting that the speed at which Israel is using “dumb bombs” is contributing to the dramatic increase in numbers could contribute to civilian casualties.
The broadcaster recalls that US President Joe Biden said last Tuesday that Israel was involved in “indiscriminate bombing” in the Gaza Strip. Asked for comment on the US intelligence assessment, Israel Defense Forces spokesman Nir Dinar told CNN: “We do not comment on the type of ammunition used.”
For his part, Major Keren Hajioff, an Israeli spokesman, said: “As an army committed to international law and a moral code of conduct, we dedicate enormous resources to minimize the harm to civilians that Hamas has forced to play the role of a human being to play.” Shields. Our war is against Hamas, not against the people of Gaza.” However, some experts told CNN that if Israel uses unguided munitions on the scale suggested by the United States, it undermines Israel's claim that it is trying to minimize civilian casualties .
Wafa, the number of Palestinians killed in Jenin rises to 3
The number of Palestinians killed in armed clashes in Jenin last night during a three-day Israeli army operation has risen to three. This was announced – quotes the Wafa agency – by the local Ministry of Health, according to which “a young man died as a result of the injuries he sustained as a result of the ongoing aggression of the Israeli occupation.”
Gaza: Another Israeli soldier is dead, bringing the total to 116
The Israeli army announced in a statement today that a 38-year-old reservist was killed in fighting in the Gaza Strip yesterday. This latest casualty brings the death toll of Israeli soldiers in the ground offensive against Hamas to 116. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) statement, cited by local media, also said that another soldier was seriously injured in the same incident and was taken to hospital .
Gaza: Austin hears gallant, continued US support for Israel
According to a statement from the Pentagon, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin spoke by telephone with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant last night to highlight the United States' “enduring support” for Israel's efforts against Hamas. In the phone call, Austin explained that the Palestinian Islamist movement “will never be able to repeat the October 7 attacks” against the Jewish state, as we read in a statement published on X by the same US secretary. Austin also reiterated the need to protect civilians during military operations and to increase the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza. He also condemned the actions of Lebanon's Hezbollah “threatening communities in Israel” and called for “calm” on the border between the two countries.
Gaza: IDF, we will use “many creative ways” to destroy tunnels
The Israeli army will use a “creative variety of methods” to destroy Hamas tunnels, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari said when asked last night whether the IDF was flooding the underground passageways of Palestinian militants. “Some of these routes consist of tactical activities, the use of tools to get the terrorists out of the tunnels, and permanent destruction so that 'such passages' can no longer function,” Hagari said. “The more options, the better: it is wrong to give the enemy information about when and where,” the IDF spokesman added.
Gaza: Media, Mossad chief's trip to Qatar canceled due to hostages
Israel has canceled a planned trip by its foreign intelligence chief to Qatar to resume talks on a possible second deal to release Hamas hostages, a source close to the negotiations confirmed to CNN. Mossad director David Barnea will not travel to the Qatari capital Doha, where previous prisoner exchange talks have taken place, the source told the American broadcaster. Yesterday, Israeli broadcaster Channel 13 reported that the Israeli War Cabinet under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had canceled the Barnea mission.
Gaza: Families of hostages, Netanyahu declares termination of negotiations with Hamas
Family members of Israeli hostages held in Gaza say they are “shocked” at the news that Israel's War Cabinet has decided not to send the Mossad chief to Qatar to negotiate a new deal with Hamas and are demanding an “immediate explanation.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The local media reported about it.
Read the full article on ANSA.it