A balance sheet revised upwards again. France now deplores the death of 35 French victims in the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel, the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs announced in a press release on Thursday, October 26. A previous report reported 31 French people dead in these attacks. “Nine compatriots are still missing. It is now confirmed that some of them are hostages of Hamas,” specifies the ministry. Follow our live stream.
224 hostages held in the Gaza Strip, according to IDF. In his daily press briefing, Daniel Hagari, the spokesperson for the IDF, the Israeli army, updated the number of hostages held by Hamas on Thursday. Israeli services know with certainty that 224 hostages are in Gaza. This figure could increase further, according to the Israeli army. The latest report showed 222 hostages.
Tribute to the very young Israeli hostages in front of the Eiffel Tower. Thirty empty strollers were installed near the Eiffel Tower in Paris on Thursday. Each bore the photo of a baby, child or teenager held hostage by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, since the October 7 attacks in Israel. “We want this to touch everyone’s heart and conscience”declared Yonathan Arfi, president of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France (CRIF) who initiated this action.
Hamas announces death toll of more than 7,000. The Hamas health ministry on Thursday readjusted its figures, saying that 7,028 people, including 2,913 children, had been killed since Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip began on October 7. As a reminder, the terrorist organization’s attacks in Israel have left more than 1,400 dead. No on-site source or image can support this assessment.
Meeting of the Twenty-Seven. European leaders discuss a call for a “humanitarian break” to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip during a summit in Brussels. On the situation in the Middle East, the Europe of Twenty-Seven is traditionally divided between the most pro-Palestinian member states, such as Ireland and Spain, and the most fervent defenders of Israel, such as Germany and the ‘Austria.
Land incursion into northern Gaza. Before dawn on Thursday, the Israeli army “carried out a targeted raid with tanks in the northern Gaza Strip, as part of its preparations for the next stages of the fight”according to a military press release. On Wednesday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the preparation of a ground offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Divisions within the UN Security Council. Two competing draft resolutions, one Russian and one American, were rejected on Wednesday. The American resolution was blocked by Russian and Chinese vetoes, receiving 10 votes for, 3 against (Russia, China and the United Arab Emirates) and two abstentions.
An Israeli strike against Lebanon. The Israeli army announced that its planes had struck Lebanon in retaliation for the launch of a surface-to-air missile. Since the Hamas attack, daily clashes have pitted Lebanese Hezbollah and its allies against Israeli forces on Lebanon’s southern border.