Fighting between the Israeli army and Palestinian Hamas still rages on Friday, February 2, in the Gaza Strip despite “firsts” signs suggesting a new truce and the release of hostages, after almost four months of war. During the night, witnesses reported Israeli raids in the center and south of the Palestinian enclave, particularly in the area of Khan Younes, the second city in the territory where Israeli operations have been concentrated in recent weeks. Follow our live stream.
A demonstration in Tel Aviv to free the hostages. This mobilization took place Thursday evening, after Hamas gave a “first positive confirmation” to a proposal for a humanitarian pause in Gaza and the release of hostages, a solution “approved” also by Israel, according to Qatar, which is acting as mediator in these negotiations.
The remains of American soldiers returning to the United States. The bodies of William Jerome Rivers, Kennedy Ladon Sanders and Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, soldiers killed by a drone attack near the Syrian border, will be received with military honors at Dover Air Force Base. Joe Biden will be present at the airport.
Diplomatic tensions between Belgium and Israel. The Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hadja Lahbib, announced on the night of Thursday to Friday that she had summoned the Israeli ambassador to Belgium after strikes that “destroy” the offices of the Belgian development agency in the Gaza Strip. “Targeting civilian buildings is unacceptable.” she pleaded.