Strikes continue to intensify on the Gaza Strip, as the UN calls for a ceasefire.
The conflict between Hamas and Israel continues to escalate. While the Israeli army has increased the pace of its strikes on the Gaza Strip, the UN calls for a “immediate humanitarian ceasefire”. The United States is demanding the release of all the hostages in Gaza, before any possible discussion. Only two female hostages were released this Monday, October 23. Here’s what to remember from the day.
Israel intensifies its strikes on the Gaza Strip
Israel intensified its strikes on Monday on the Gaza Strip where more than 5,000 people have been killed according to Hamas since the start of the war 17 days ago. The Jewish state also affirmed that it was continuing its preparations before a ground offensive.
War between Hamas and Israel: how is the IDF preparing its offensive?
War between Hamas and Israel: how is the IDF preparing its offensive? – (France 2)
This prospect worries the international community, which fears an escalation of the conflict. Iran, an ally of Hamas, has warned that the situation risks becoming “uncontrollable” in the Middle East, transformed into a “powder keg”.
Since October 15, the Israeli army has called on civilians in the north of the Gaza Strip, where the bombardments are most intense, to flee to the south. But the strikes also continue to affect the south, close to the Egyptian border, where the displaced are massed by the hundreds of thousands.
Two new hostages were released by Hamas
Two new hostages were released by Hamas, the International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed on Monday October 23. These are two women, says the armed wing of Hamas in a press release. They were released “for pressing humanitarian reasons”, adds Hamas without specifying their nationality.
Hamas claims that this release took place thanks to the mediation of Qatar and Egypt. The ICRC states that it has “facilitated the release of two additional hostages by transporting them out of Gaza”. This release comes three days after that of two Americans. The ICRC also played a role in this first release. Around 220 Israeli, foreign or binational hostages have been identified by Israel.
The UN calls for a “ceasefire” in Gaza, the United States procrastinates
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights called, Monday, October 23, for a “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” in Gaza, calling on leaders to make “courageous choice”. “Humanity must come first”insisted Volker Türk, emphasizing that “Far too many civilians, including many children, have already lost their lives on both sides.”
For their part, the United States demanded the release of all hostages in Gaza, before any possible discussion of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Finally, France calls for a “humanitarian truce” to enable the distribution of aid in the Gaza Strip, which “could lead to a ceasefire”, declared Élisabeth Borne before the National Assembly.