what to remember from Thursday, December 7

After an initial phase in the north of the Palestinian territory, the Israeli army extended its operations to the south, where fighting is raging.

The fighting continued on Thursday, December 7 in and around the largest cities in the Gaza Strip, two months after the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, triggered on October 7 by the attack of the Palestinian Islamist movement. After an initial phase in the north of the Palestinian enclave, the Israeli army extended its operations to the South. Hundreds of thousands of civilians are now trapped there, cornered in an increasingly cramped territory. Here’s what to remember from this day.

Heavy fighting continues in Gaza

In the north, dozens of Israeli tanks and armored vehicles entered the old city of Gaza. Further south, in Khan Younes, the Israeli army announced that it had “killed Hamas terrorists and struck dozens of terrorist targets”. Israel has recorded a total of 89 soldiers killed since the start of its offensive in Gaza, according to a new report. The death toll from the Hamas government’s Ministry of Health rose further, reaching 17,177 deaths in the Gaza Strip in two months, 70% of whom were women or minors. A count that franceinfo is unable to confirm, due to lack of independent verification.

Joe Biden speaks to Netanyahu about ‘absolute need to protect civilians’

American President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that it was essential to protect civilians, the White House announced Thursday evening, following a telephone exchange. “The president insisted on the absolute need to protect civilians and separate the civilian population from Hamas, including through corridors allowing people to move safely out of demarcated combat zones”, explained a press release. A sign that the United States is changing its tone with its Israeli ally.

Palestinians arrested filmed in underwear

Israeli television channels broadcast videos showing dozens of Palestinians in their underwear, blindfolded, under the guard of Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip. The images caused a heated controversy on social networks. “We are investigating and verifying who is linked to Hamas and who is not”while Israeli soldiers hunt “terrorists who are still hiding in [des] tunnels like cowards”reacted the spokesperson for the Israeli army, Daniel Hagari, during a press briefing.

A civilian killed in Israel by a missile

An Israeli civilian was killed in northern Israel by an anti-tank missile fired from southern Lebanon, according to the Israeli army and emergency services. “If Hezbollah chooses to gamble on war in general, then it will divert the flames of war from Gaza and Khan Yunis to the cities and south of Lebanon”declared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressing the Lebanese movement supporting Hamas, in a video published on Hezbollah fighters and more than 14 civilians, according to an AFP count.

Israeli army suppliers in Europe targeted by coordinated protests

Activist groups have coordinatedly blocked several sites of European companies accused of supplying technological or military equipment to the Israeli army. In Denmark, a banner “Stop the genocide” was deployed in front of a site of the arms company Terma Group. In France, the independent media La Luciole reported a temporary blockage of the Paris headquarters of the Exxelia company, which notably manufactures sensors used in missiles.

Antonio Guterres warns of a risk of “collapse” of public order

Concern is growing among UN officials. “With the constant bombings of the Israeli armed forces, and with no shelter or the minimum to survive, I expect a total breakdown of law and order soon due to the desperate conditions”, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday, calling for a humanitarian ceasefire. Nearly 1.9 million people, or around 85% of the population, have been displaced by the war in the Gaza Strip according to the UN. The civilian population is forced to flee towards Rafah, on the Egyptian border.