More than a week after the outbreak of the conflict, the total number of victims stands at 2,670 dead in the Gaza Strip, according to Hamas, and more than 1,400 people killed in Israel, according to the Israeli government.
What future for Gaza and its population? Israel continued to mobilize its troops on the outskirts of the Gaza Strip on Sunday, October 15, in preparation for a probable ground offensive against Palestinian Hamas. This prospect raises fears of a spread throughout the region, while tension increasingly rises on the border between Israel and Lebanon. France will continue “his efforts to avoid a conflagration”, assured the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna. Here is what to remember from this new day of conflict.
The human toll continues to rise
Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip killed 2,670 people, or 455 more in 24 hours, according to a new report released by the Palestinian health authorities, after the increase in bombings on this territory controlled by Hamas. The Israeli army announced the death of a third military leader of the Islamist movement in its strikes. According to residents, the south of the territory, where Gazans are trying to find refuge, is not spared from the bombings.
The toll also rose in Israel, where “more than 1,400 people were killed”, according to the Israeli government, which had identified 1,300 on Saturday. The Israeli army said it had contacted the families of 155 hostages to inform them of the situation, updating a report which previously showed 126 captives in the hands of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. France reported 19 deaths and 13 missing among its nationals.
Northern Gaza empties ahead of possible offensive
Israel announced that it had resumed water distribution in the south of the Gaza Strip on Sunday, after seven days of a cutoff ordered in retaliation for the Hamas attack. This decision, taken jointly with the United States, “will push the civilian population towards the south of the strip”, estimated the Israeli government. Israel has urged residents of the northern Palestinian territory, around 1.1 million people out of a total population of 2.4 million, to flee to the south. About a million people have already been displaced across the Gaza Strip in a week, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees reported.
>> “We don’t think we’re going to survive”: in Gaza, the ordeal of residents who left to take refuge in the south of the Palestinian territory
The Israeli army said it was waiting for “political decision” to carry out a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, which it has been shelling relentlessly since October 7. “We will have discussions with the political level”she clarified, confirming that she was preparing for a “next step” of his retaliatory operation. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant recalled the “determination” of the Hebrew State “to destroy the enemy”. An army spokesperson assured Saturday evening that the attack would not start on Sunday, for humanitarian reasons linked to the evacuation of civilians.
The UN warns of a “humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees has warned of a “unprecedented humanitarian disaster” underway in the Gaza Strip. “Not a drop of water, not a grain of wheat, not a liter of fuel has been allowed to enter Gaza in the last eight days”lamented its leader, Philippe Lazzarini, believing that “Gaza gets strangled”.
The exodus of Gazans towards the South and the expected ground offensive in this territory placed under strict siege by Israel are causing criticism and concern within the international community. The Israeli incursion into the Gaza Strip “could lead to genocide of unprecedented proportions”, warned the bosses of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki. While recognizing Israel “the right to defend oneself against the monstrosity of Hamas”France called for this response “farm” And “strong” either also “just”. “In Gaza as elsewhere, humanitarian law must be respected”pleaded the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna, in unison with a press release to this effect from the leaders of the 27 EU countries.
The world fears an “escalation” in Lebanon and elsewhere
During a telephone interview with the Iranian president, Emmanuel Macron “warned” Ebrahim Raïssi “against any escalation or extension of the conflict” between Israel and Hamas, “especially in Lebanon”affirmed the Elysée. “Iran, given its relations with Hezbollah and Hamas, has a responsibility” And “must do everything possible to avoid any regional conflagration”insisted the French presidency, after Tehran mentioned “the prospect of a widening of the conflict” in the event of an Israeli offensive in Gaza. The United States has said it fears a “escalation” and an “possible involvement of Iran” in the conflict.
Tension is rising dangerously on the border between Lebanon and Israel, where deadly clashes are increasing between Lebanese Hezbollah and the Israeli army. On Sunday, an Israeli civilian was killed by a missile attack claimed by Hezbollah. The IDF responded by targeting Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. The Shiite movement then claimed responsibility for a new attack in northern Israel, saying it had “killed and injured several enemy soldiers”. “We are not interested in a war in the north, we do not want an escalation of the situation”declared the Israeli Minister of Defense, specifying however that “if Hezbollah chooses the path of war, it will pay a very heavy price”.