The United States believes that Iran could launch as soon as “this week” a “series of significant attacks” against Israel, White House spokesman John Kirby said Monday, August 12. He said the topic was discussed during a meeting Monday between President Joe Biden and his French, German, Italian and British counterparts. He acknowledged that if such an attack were to occur, “This could certainly have an impact on the discussions” planned for Thursday on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, accompanied by the release of Israeli hostages held there. Follow our live report.
The Israeli military says its strike on a school killed 31 Islamist fighters. This new bombing, which occurred on Saturday, was denounced by the international community. Palestinian aid workers assure that this strike caused 93 deaths, including “75 have been identified”with among them “11 children and six women”.
France, the United Kingdom and Germany call for a ceasefire. They warn “Iran and its allies” against all “new escalation” of the conflict. “The fighting must stop immediately and all hostages still held by Hamas must be released.”the leaders of the three countries said in a joint statement, echoing the call of their American, Egyptian and Qatari counterparts “to the immediate resumption of negotiations”.
Hamas demands implementation of the “Biden plan”. Hamas on Sunday demanded the implementation of a plan presented at the end of May by US President Joe Biden for a truce in Gaza. “rather than conducting more negotiations”. On May 31, the American president announced a plan, presented as coming from Israel, providing, in a first phase, for a six-week truce accompanied by an Israeli withdrawal from the densely populated areas of Gaza. The release of hostages held in the Palestinian territory and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel was also included.
Israel says it is ready to resume negotiations. A few days ago, the mediating countries had called for the resumption of talks on a truce in Gaza on August 15, as well as the release of the hostages. Israel agreed, but Hamas did not clearly say whether it would participate, seeming to prefer the implementation of the “Biden plan.”