Israel’s army accuses Hamas of violating the ceasefire. More hostages are released. All information in the news blog.
The most important things at a glance
Hamas terrorists crossed the border into Israel on October 7 and carried out massacres. Since then, Israel has been attacking targets in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. This live blog informs you about the current developments:
Hamas: Three journalists killed in Israeli strikes
8:49 p.m.: Three journalists were killed in Israeli attacks on Friday, according to Hamas, following the resumption of fighting between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas. According to the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip, it is a cameraman who worked for the Anadolu News Agency, his brother and another cameraman.
Anadolu News Agency is a state news agency in Türkiye. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently described Israel as a “terrorist state” and the terrorist organization Hamas as a “liberation organization.” According to media reports, some journalists were also said to have worked with Hamas on October 7th.
With the current deaths, 73 journalists have been killed since the war began, Hamas said. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), at least 57 journalists and media workers have died since the start of the war.
Israeli army confirms death of five hostages
8:47 p.m.: The Israeli army has confirmed the deaths of five hostages kidnapped by the terrorist organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The relatives have been informed and the body of a hostage has been returned to Israel, said army spokesman Daniel Hagari. In the past few days, the army and police have informed the families of the hostages Elijahu Margalit, Maja Goren, Ronen Engel and Arje Zalmanovitz about their deaths.
Palestinians: 178 dead since fighting resumed
7:52 p.m.: According to Palestinian health authorities, 178 Palestinians have been killed since fighting resumed in the Gaza Strip. There are also 589 injured by Israeli attacks. The information could not be independently verified until recently. The health authority in the Gaza Strip is subordinate to the terrorist organization Hamas.
Israel wants to get rid of UN aid office representative
7:35 p.m.: Israel wants to get rid of the representative of the UN emergency relief office Ocha for the Palestinian territories, Lynn Hastings. The Israeli authorities have informed them that Hastings’ visa, which expires in December, will not be extended, says UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric. “UN personnel do not overstay visas”. However, when asked, the spokesman did not say whether Hastings would be replaced or continue to work in her role outside the Palestinian territories.
During the Gaza war, Israel repeatedly expressed its displeasure with Hastings. Ocha, in turn, had repeatedly criticized the inadequate access for humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. The United Nations depends on cooperation with Israel in order to be able to bring as many supplies as possible to the war zone.
Hamas: Offers to hand over killed family
7:32 p.m.: In talks about extending the ceasefire and further releasing hostages, Hamas said it offered to hand over the remains of a kidnapped mother and her two young sons. “Hamas has also offered to hand over the bodies of Bibas’ family and release her father for burial, along with two Zionist prisoners,” the terrorist organization said.
The fate of the kidnapped family moves people in Israel, especially because of the ten-month-old baby Kfir Bibas. Hamas’s armed wing said in mid-week that the baby, along with his mother Shiri and four-year-old brother Ariel, were killed in an Israeli airstrike before the ceasefire came into effect. The Israeli army said it was checking the information, but has not yet confirmed Hamas’ information. You can read more about the family here.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office tells AFP that Israel “will not engage with Hamas propaganda-based reports.” The Israeli army had previously said that Hamas had “full responsibility for the safety of all hostages.”
