what to remember from January 21, 2024

Future of the Gaza Strip, release of hostages, Palestinian sovereignty… The Israeli Prime Minister and Hamas, in power in the Palestinian enclave, displayed their disagreements through the media.

Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas led the offensive through the media. Speaking in a video released on Sunday (January 21), the Israeli Prime Minister said he rejected “categorically” the conditions proposed by the organization in power in the Gaza Strip, with a view to the release of Israeli hostages, held since the terrorist attacks of October 7. While the authorities of the Jewish state condition the cessation of strikes on Palestinian territory on the release of the hostages, the far-right Prime Minister said he rejected “categorically” “the conditions of capitulation of the monsters of Hamas” who demand “the end of the war, the withdrawal of our forces from Gaza” And “the release of all murderers and rapists”detained in Israel.

This statement from Benjamin Netanyahu came after Hamas published a 20-page document in which the organization notably required“an immediate end to Israeli aggression on Gaza, killings and ethnic cleansing committed against the entire population of Gaza.”

Regarding the situation in the territory after the war, Hamas has declared that it rejects “categorically any international or Israeli project aimed at deciding the future of the Gaza Strip.” The day before, the Israeli Prime Minister had reaffirmed his opposition to any form of “Palestinian sovereignty”. A speech which tested Israel’s relations with its main American ally and supporter, supporter of the solution to “two states”.

Hamas delivers its “version” of the October 7 attacks

For the first time, Hamas returned in detail to the terrorist attacks of October 7. In a 20-page document shared on Sunday, January 21, the ruling organization in the Gaza Strip says he wants to deliver “his version of the facts”. While the attackers notably targeted kibbutzim close to the Palestinian enclave and a music festival, Hamas claims “having done his best to avoid harming civilians”, while recognizing “errors”.

According to an AFP count based on official Israeli figures, these attacks resulted in the deaths of 1,140 people, the majority civilians. Around 250 people were taken hostage during this attack, unprecedented in its violence and scale, and, according to Israel, 132 people remain captive on Palestinian territory.

One dead in Lebanon in strike blamed on Israel

A drone strike blamed on Israel left one dead on Sunday in southern Lebanon, according to the official Lebanese agency (ANI). “The strike, which targeted a car in Kafra, killed one person, and others suffered moderate and minor injuries”reported the media, mentioning “an Israeli drone”. Since the October 7 attacks, there have been daily exchanges of fire on the Israeli-Lebanese border between the Israeli army and Lebanese Hezbollah, which supports its ally Hamas.

Hamas denounces new strikes

The Palestinian terrorist organization reported dozens of airstrikes and artillery attacks in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, saying Israeli forces had targeted the area around Nasser and Al-Amal hospitals in the southern city of Khan Younes. now the epicenter of military operations. At the same time, the Israeli army is carrying out several operations in the West Bank, in Hebron, Qalqilya and Jenin, indicated the Palestinian news agency Wafa.

Since the start of Israel’s air and ground offensive on the small territory, the Hamas Ministry of Health established a death toll of 25,105 on Sunday.

The United Kingdom strengthens its position in the Red Sea

The British Ministry of Defense announced on Sunday that the country will upgrade anti-aircraft batteries currently used by the Royal Navy to shoot down hostile drones over the Red Sea. The total cost of this upgrade is estimated at 405 million pounds (around 471 million euros), as attacks by Yemen’s Houthis threaten global trade.

Food deliveries expected in Gaza

Israel will allow shipments of flour to be delivered to the Palestinian enclave via the port of Ashdod, halfway between Tel Aviv and Gaza, but has not yet announced a precise date for these deliveries. The country said it wanted above all to keep “security control” in the Palestinian enclave.

“President [Joe Biden] welcomes the decision of the Israeli government to authorize the delivery of flour for the Palestinian population directly via the port of Ashdod”the White House declared on Friday.