Many Palestinian prisoners released by Israel have returned “traumatized” in the Gaza Strip after suffering “a trial”, declared the head of the UN refugee agency (UNRWA) on Monday March 4. Philippe Lazzarini also assured that there is an internal report from the agency, not made public, relating to “hundreds of prisoners released” by Israel, via the Kerem Shalom crossing point. The agency had earlier in the day accused Israeli authorities of committing acts of “torture, ill-treatment, abuse and sexual exploitation” against some of its employees arrested in the Gaza Strip since October 7. Follow our live stream.
The Israeli army denies UNRWA’s accusations. In a press release, the army denounces “blanket and unfounded accusations of sexual abuse of detainees in Israeli armed forces facilities”. She also accuses UNRWA of using “more than 450 terrorists” of the Islamist movement Hamas and other organizations in the Gaza Strip. Earlier in the day, the Israeli Foreign Minister called his ambassador to the United Nations on his X account to denounce the “silence” by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on alleged sexual violence by Hamas during the October 7 attacks.
Kamala Harris says ‘deep concern’ for Gaza. US Vice President Kamala Harris, in a statement released by the White House, “urged Israel to take action” to increase the entry of aid into the territory threatened by famine.
Negotiations on a truce continue. For the third consecutive day, discussions resume in Cairo (Egypt). Egyptian, American and Qatari mediators are trying to reach a compromise in order to obtain an agreement before the start of Ramadan. “I will not stop pushing for an agreement guaranteeing the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas”said Joe Biden in a tweet published overnight.