Benjamin Netanyahu has ruled out any ceasefire, while his army continues to advance in the Gaza Strip. An Israeli soldier was also released by Hamas.
The war between Israel and Hamas is in its 24th day, Monday October 30. After the unprecedented attack of the Islamist movement on October 7 on Israeli soil, the Jewish state is now relentlessly bombing the Gaza Strip. For several days, it has also been carrying out land operations there. While part of the international community is calling for a ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refutes this scenario, believing that it would amount to “to surrender to Hamas”, he said Monday. Here’s what to remember from the day.
Israel rejects ceasefire
Benjamin Netanyahu ruled out any ceasefire in the war in the Gaza Strip, which he said would be “a surrender to Hamas”. “Calls for a ceasefire are calls for Israel to surrender to Hamas. This will not happen”he said, during a press conference in Tel Aviv, urging the international community to join his country in demanding the release “immediate and unconditional” hostages held in Gaza.
Washington, Israel’s ally, also considered that a ceasefire was not “the correct answer for now”while being favorable to “humanitarian breaks”according to John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council.
The United States also claimed to have put pressure on Israel to restore internet access in the Gaza Strip, cut off on Friday during intense Israeli bombardments. “We are satisfied that they have taken steps in this direction”reacted the spokesperson for the State Department, Matthew Miller.
The Israeli army continues to advance in the Gaza Strip
The Israeli prime minister also said the army was making progress “methodically, step by step” in the Gaza Strip. Israeli tanks notably carried out an operation on the edge of Gaza city. In response, Hamas’ military wing claimed to have fired anti-tank shells at “two armored vehicles” participating in the incursion, reporting “intense fights” in the north of the territory.
UN concerned about current aid system in Gaza
Humanitarian aid, which arrives in dribs and drabs in Gaza via the Rafah border post with Egypt, “is nothing compared to the needs of more than 2 million people trapped in Gaza”said the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.
“Let’s be clear: the handful of convoys authorized through Rafah are nothing compared to the needs of more than 2 million people trapped in Gaza”launched Philippe Lazzarini, calling on the members of the Security Council for help and demanding a “immediate humanitarian ceasefire”. For its part, Washington considers it possible to arrive “in the coming days” to bring in “100 trucks per day” humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli soldier released
Israeli authorities announced they had released a female soldier held captive in the Gaza Strip. During the night from Sunday to Monday, “Soldier Ori Megidish was released during a ground operation after being kidnapped by the terrorist organization Hamas”specified the internal security service and the Israeli army in a joint statement.
Hamas also published a video of three women presented as hostages. In this 76-second video, broadcast by Hamas media, they appear facing the camera, sitting on plastic chairs. One of the three calls on the Israeli Prime Minister to conclude an exchange of prisoners with the Palestinian movement to obtain their release. The latter described the video as “cruel psychological propaganda”while urging the international community to join his country in demanding the release “immediate and unconditional” of all the hostages.
A German-Israeli woman, Shani Louk, was at the same time announced dead by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.