what to remember from Sunday March 3

Negotiations have resumed in Cairo, Egypt, with a view to obtaining a truce between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Negotiations resumed on Sunday March 3 in Cairo (Egypt) with a view to obtaining a truce between Israel and Hamas during Ramadan in the Gaza Strip. Deadly Israeli bombings continue on this Palestinian territory in the war sparked by an unprecedented Hamas attack on Israeli soil on October 7. Pope Francis has also called for guaranteeing “safe access” for humanitarian aid for the population of the Gaza Strip, threatened with famine according to the UN. Franceinfo takes stock of the highlights of this day.

Talks underway in Cairo, Egypt

Representatives of Hamas, Qatar and the United States were in Cairo (Egypt) on Sunday to “start a new round of negotiations” with a view to a truce in the Gaza Strip, according to the pro-government Egyptian media Al-Qahera. Egypt, Qatar and the United States, who act as mediators in this conflicthave been trying for weeks to obtain a ceasefire between the two parties and the release of dozens of hostages.

Questioned by the Israeli channel Canal 12, Gideon Sa’ar, member of the Israeli War Cabinet, estimated on Sunday March 3 that Hamas was not “not interested” by an agreement on the release of hostages.

Pope Francis calls for “safe access” to humanitarian aid

Pope Francis called on Sunday to guarantee “safe access” humanitarian aid for the population of the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory threatened by famine according to the UN. “I carry in my heart every day, with pain, the suffering of the population in Palestine and Israel due to the ongoing hostilities,” he declared in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, encouraging “the continuation of negotiations for an immediate ceasefire”.

A new assessment of 30 410 people killed in the Gaza Strip

The Hamas Ministry of Health announced a new toll of 30,410 people killed in the Gaza Strip since the start of the war between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement. He also reported, in a statement, 90 deaths in the last 24 hours and a total of 71,700 injured in the Palestinian territory since the start of the war on October 7.

Italian warship shoots down drone in Red Sea

An Italian destroyer shot down a drone heading towards it on Saturday March 2 in the Red Sea. Yemeni Houthi rebels carry out frequent attacks in this area against ships in support of Palestinians in Gaza, the Italian Defense Ministry announced.

“The drone, presenting characteristics similar to those already used in previous attacks, was six kilometers from the Italian ship, and was flying towards it”said the ministry in a press release. In an interview Sunday at Corriere della SeraDefense Minister Guido Crosetto denounced the Houthi attacks which constitute “a serious violation of international law”.

Israel will modify its song to guarantee its participation in Eurovision

Israel will change the lyrics of the song with which it intends to compete at Eurovision to erase anything that could be perceived as political and thus guarantee its participation, announced the Israeli Broadcasting Company (KAN). After initially threatening to withdraw if its song was not accepted as is, the public group said it had finally rallied to the opinion of Israeli President Isaac Herzog who “suggested to make necessary adjustments”.

“October Rain” does not explicitly mention the bloody attack carried out by Hamas on October 7 in southern Israel. But according to Israeli media and observers, his words leave no room for doubt.