On the 29th day of the conflict, the hypothesis of a ceasefire remains compromised, due to lack of support from the United States.
No respite envisaged for the Gaza Strip. While the Israeli government rejects the idea of “humanitarian breaks”, first demanding the release of the hostages captured by Hamas, the United States is for the moment speaking out against a ceasefire. Despite the complaints of Arab countries in particular, the head of American diplomacy, Antony Blinken, rejected this idea which, according to him, would only “keep Hamas in place”. Franceinfo takes stock of the main developments of the day.
Evacuations on hold after slow exits
“Nearly forty French people and their families” were able to leave Gaza on Saturday through the Rafah border crossing (Egypt), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in a press release. “They were supported by the French embassy and the teams from the Crisis and Support Center”specifies a press release, which adds that evacuations will continue “over the next few days.”
But on Saturday in the second part of the day, the Hamas government suspended the evacuation of foreigners and dual nationals to Egypt due to Israel’s refusal to let wounded Palestinians leave for Egyptian hospitals, told AFP a person responsible for administering the crossing points.
Balance sheets that continue to grow
According to the latest report released by Hamas on Saturday, 9,488 people, mainly civilians, have been killed in the Gaza Strip since October 7, in retaliatory bombings by Israel. According to Israeli authorities, at least 1,400 people died on the Israeli side, the majority of them civilians killed on the same day of the attack perpetrated by Hamas. The Israeli army also said that at least 341 soldiers had been killed since October 7.
Thirty-nine French people died in Hamas attacks, according to a new report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Nine people are still missing, and “it is now confirmed that some of them are hostages of Hamas”said the ministry in a press release.
Israeli chief of staff visits Gaza
A significant movement. Israeli Chief of Staff General Herzi Halevi inspected his troops in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, according to the army. At least 29 IDF soldiers have been killed since the start of the ground operation in the enclave, launched on October 27. If the objectives of this incursion remain to be clarified, the Israeli Ministry of Defense has warned that it wants “find” And “eliminate” Yahya Sinouar, the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
UN strongly condemns Israeli bombing of Gaza ambulance
The United Nations condemned the bombing of an ambulance which left fifteen people dead the day before in Gaza. Regarding this strike, the Israeli army claims to have targeted members of Hamas using the vehicle, which the Palestinian Islamist organization denied.“I am horrified”declared UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a press release, adding that “the images of bodies scattered in the street in front of the hospital are heartbreaking”. The Palestinian Red Crescent clarified on Saturday that one of its vehicles had been hit “by a missile from Israeli forces”. And this while he was about two meters from the entrance to Al-Chifa hospital, the largest in Gaza, where thousands of displaced people have found refuge.