What to remember from the day of September 2

Thousands of Israelis demonstrated again to demand an agreement on the release of the hostages. The announced general strike was unevenly followed and suspended earlier than expected by the courts.

Thousands of Israelis demonstrated across the country to demand an agreement from the government of Benjamin Netanyahu on the release of the hostages, Monday, September 2, a few days after the discovery of the lifeless bodies of six hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The Jewish state also continued its military operation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Here is what to remember from Monday, September 2.

Massive demonstrations and “general strike” with uneven coverage

Thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets again, following mass demonstrations in several cities across the country, to demand an agreement from the government allowing the return of the hostages. “We want this government to cease to exist, we want elections, and above all we want it to sign an agreement to free the hostages and end this war which is terrible for both sides.”Barak Hadurian, a 56-year-old engineer, told AFP at a protest in Tel Aviv.

The Israeli trade union Histadrut had also called for a “general strike” to increase pressure on the government. Several major cities, including Tel Aviv and Haifa, followed the call and announced the closure of municipal services, and several banks and many universities were at a standstill, according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. Disruptions were also recorded at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, where departures partially resumed in the morning after two hours of total interruption.

But the movement was unevenly followed on Monday, with several municipalities, including that of Jerusalem, not following the order. The Tel Aviv Labor Court, seized by a minister in Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, finally ordered the end of the strike at 2:30 p.m., arguing that it “it was clear that it was a political strike” and that the trade union center had not “no economic argument”.

Israel continues operations in Gaza and the West Bank

In parallel with its offensive in the Gaza Strip, the Hebrew state continued its military operation launched Wednesday in the West Bank, a Palestinian territory separated from the Gaza Strip and occupied by Israel since 1967. Strong explosions were heard Sunday near the Jenin refugee camp from which a thick cloud of smoke rose. At least 24 Palestinians, mainly fighters, have been killed in the West Bank since the start of the operation.

The UN Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian Territories, Italy’s Francesca Albanese, said that the “Israel’s genocidal violence” in Gaza “risks spreading out of Gaza and throughout the occupied Palestinian territory”The independent expert, who was mandated by the UN Human Rights Council but does not speak on behalf of the organisation, has repeatedly accused Israel of “genocide” Palestinians in Gaza. “Israeli apartheid targets Gaza and the West Bank simultaneously, as part of a comprehensive process of elimination, replacement and territorial expansion.”she accused in a statement.

Benjamin Netanyahu “asks forgiveness” from families of hostages found dead in Gaza

“I apologize for not bringing them back alive. We were close but we didn’t succeed.”the Israeli prime minister said at a news conference. He added that the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas “will pay a very high price”and that the hostages had been “executed (…) by shooting them in the back of the head”.

Netanyahu also said Israel should retain control of the “Philadelphia Corridor,” a strip of land along the Gaza Strip’s border with Egypt. “The achievement of war objectives passes through the Philadelphia corridor”the Prime Minister said, while this issue constitutes a sticking point in the negotiations for a ceasefire agreement with Hamas.

UK announces partial suspension of arms exports to Israel

London has announced the imminent suspension of around thirty export licenses to Israel, out of the 350 that exist. “The list of [exportations] suspended includes important components used in the composition of military aircraft, including fighter jets, helicopters and drones, as well as items facilitating ground targeting”Foreign Secretary David Lammy explained to the British Parliament.

“There is a clear risk [que ces armes] are used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law [à Gaza]“justified the British official. However, “This is not a general ban [ni d’un] embargo”and the United Kingdom “will not be able to rule on whether Israel has violated international humanitarian law”the minister said.