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:
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.”
Israel is probably planning a buffer zone around the Gaza Strip
7.30 p.m.: According to insiders, Israel has informed several Arab states about plans to set up a buffer zone around the Palestinian territory after the war in the Gaza Strip. This zone should be on the Palestinian side, as the Reuters news agency learned from Egyptian and other circles in the region. According to three insiders, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia were informed. Non-Arab Turkey was also informed.
Israel had indicated that it was considering establishing a buffer zone. According to the insiders, the plans have now been presented to the states mentioned as part of a future security solution for the Gaza Strip. “Israel wants this buffer zone between the Gaza Strip and Israel from north to south to prevent Hamas or other extremists from entering or attacking Israel,” says a regional security official.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s foreign policy adviser, Ophir Falk, says the plan is more detailed. A three-stage process is envisaged, which includes the destruction of Hamas and the demilitarization and de-radicalization of the Gaza Strip. “A buffer zone could be part of the demilitarization process,” he says. High-ranking Israeli security sources say a buffer zone is being examined. The dimensions of any such zone are unclear.
