The Israeli Prime Minister on Wednesday ruled out any ceasefire without the release of the hostages, saying he wanted to “dispel all kinds of vain rumors”.
The war between Israel and Hamas entered its 33rd day on Wednesday November 8 and no respite is expected in the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has once again ruled out any ceasefire without the release of the hostages. Franceinfo takes stock of the main developments of the day.
Benjamin Netanyahu once again rules out any ceasefire without the release of hostages
The Israeli Prime Minister once again ruled out any ceasefire without the release of the hostages, saying he wanted “dispel all kinds of vain rumors” as information circulated about negotiations led by Qatar. His speech came during a meeting with representatives of West Bank settlers, according to a statement from his office.
More than 240 people were kidnapped and taken to Gaza on the day of the unprecedented attack carried out on October 7 by Hamas commandos on Israeli soil. Several foreigners, including ten Americans, are among these hostages.
Thirteen NGOs call for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza
Thirteen NGOs, including Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and Amnesty International, called French President Emmanuel Macron and other leaders and officials expected in Paris on Thursday for an international humanitarian conference, “to do everything in their power to obtain an immediate ceasefire” in the Gaza Strip. They also call for “guarantee the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and respect for international humanitarian law.
Among the signatories also include Action Against Hunger (ACF), CCFD-Terre Solidaire, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Handicap International, Médecins du Monde (MDM), Oxfam France, the French NGO Platform for Palestine, Première Urgence Internationale (PUI), UOSSM-International and War Child UK.
50,000 civilians flee from north to south of Gaza
The Israeli military says nearly 50,000 Gaza residents fled Wednesday from the north of the Strip to the south through the “evacuation corridor” secured by its troops for the second consecutive day, according to its spokesperson.
“They are leaving because they understand that Hamas has lost control of the north and the situation is more secure in the south. There is a secure area where medicine, water and food are available,” Daniel Hagari said during his daily press briefing, adding that the corridor would be open again on Thursday.
In Syria, three pro-Iranian fighters killed by Israeli raids near Damascus
Three pro-Iranian fighters were killed in Israeli airstrikes targeting positions of Lebanese Hezbollah, an ally of Damascus, and the Palestinian movement Hamas, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (OSDH) reported.
These strikes occurred “on farms and other sites belonging to Hezbollah near Akraba and Sayeda Zeinab”, said Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the OSDH. Israel also struck Syrian air defense sites in the south of the country, according to the same source.
G7 calls for “humanitarian breaks and corridors” in Gaza
The G7 foreign ministers pleaded in Tokyo for the establishment of “humanitarian breaks and corridors” in Gaza to protect civilians, while affirming Israel’s right to “to defend oneself” against Hamas.
These “breaks and corridors” humanitarian measures, a less strong terminology than a ceasefire or a truce, must allow the delivery “urgent” humanitarian aid in the Palestinian territory, the evacuation of civilians threatened by the fighting and the release of hostages held by Hamas, according to the joint declaration of the G7 ministers.
Hamas Health Ministry announces death toll at 10,569
The Palestinian Hamas Health Ministry announced on Wednesday that 10,569 people had been killed in Israeli bombardments on the Gaza Strip since the war began on October 7. Among the deaths recorded to date are 4,324 children and 2,823 women, according to the Ministry of Health. No on-site source or image can support this assessment.