what to remember from Wednesday, June 5

Egypt, the United States and Qatar, which play the role of mediators, are continuing their efforts towards a ceasefire.

Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire targeted the center of the Gaza Strip on Wednesday June 5, almost nine months after the start of the war between Israel and Palestinian Hamas, in retaliation for the October 7 terrorist attacks in the Hebrew State. At the same time, mediators are redoubling their efforts to find a solution to the conflict, almost a week after the announcement of a plan “overall” ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave. Here’s what to remember from the day.

Operations in the central Gaza Strip

The Israeli army is now intervening in the center of the Palestinian territory, after launching a ground offensive in Rafah, in the south of the enclave, in early May. During the night, a strike near the entrance to the al-Boureij camp and artillery fire southeast of nearby Deir al-Balah left several people dead, according to witnesses.

Loading their meager belongings onto vehicles, carts and wheelchairs, displaced people fled the al-Boureij camp on Wednesday in search of a safe place, AFP correspondents reported. The al-Aqsa hospital in Deir al-Balah has received since Tuesday “at least 70 dead and more than 300 injured, mostly women and children, following Israeli strikes on central areas of the Gaza Strip”according to Médecins sans Frontières (MSF). “The situation is unsustainable”declared on X Karin Huster, MSF coordinator for Gaza.

The Israeli army confirmed that it was carrying out operations in al-Boureij and Deir al-Balah, and had “eliminated” several members of Hamas.

Efforts continue towards a ceasefire

Egypt, the United States and Qatar, which play the role of mediators, are continuing their efforts for a ceasefire, a few days after the announcement by American President Joe Biden of a road map proposed, according to him, by Israel.

Hamas political leader Ismaël Haniyeh reiterated the movement’s demands on Wednesday. He will study “seriously and positively” any proposal based on “a complete stop” of the Israeli offensive, “a total withdrawal” Israeli from Gaza and “an exchange of prisoners”, did he declare.

Netanyahu “ready for a very intense operation” on the border with Lebanon

On another front, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel was “ready for a very intense operation” on the border with Lebanon, where Hezbollah exchanges daily fire with the Israeli army, in support of Hamas.

After these remarks, the US State Department warned of a “escalation” in Liban, “which would significantly harm security” of Israel. The UN also said “very worried” tensions on the Israeli-Lebanese border, and called on the different parties to de-escalate.

Nine Israeli soldiers injured in the south of the country

Nine Israeli soldiers were injured, two of them seriously, in the explosion of munitions on a military base in the south of the country, the Israeli army announced on Wednesday, which launched an investigation into this matter. Questioned by AFP, the Israeli army did not provide further details on the nature of the explosives involved.