The Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has listened to US concerns about the military operation in Rafah. This was stated by US President Joe Biden in an interview with ABC News, as reported by Israeli media. “I think he heard me. They wanted to enter […] Rafah […] at full force, invade all of Rafah, go into the city, take it out, move, move with all their might. They didn’t do it,” Biden responded to a question from the broadcaster. “And what they did – referring to the road map – was to agree to a significant deal.” The Israeli army struck “Hezbollah military structures in the areas of Jabal Rezlane, Ramyeh, and Kfarkela” in southern Lebanon overnight.
The Israeli Finance Minister – and leader of the far-right ‘Religious Zionism’ party – Bezalel Smotrich has once again called for Israeli settlements in Gaza once Hamas is defeated. “Our heroic fighters and soldiers – he said – are destroying the evil of Hamas and we will occupy the Gaza Strip. To be honest, where there are no settlements, there is no security,” Smotrich said at an event for the inauguration of a religious center in Nitzan in southern Israel, emphasizing that the next center should be built in “Gush Katif,” the term for the Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip from which Israel withdrew in August 2005.
Agency ANSAGantz’s ultimatum to Netanyahu to stay in the government expires tomorrow – News – Ansa.it
He called for a plan for the future of Gaza and the war (ANSA)
Qatar has threatened to close Hamas’ political office in Doha if the group does not accept the ceasefire agreement proposed by the United States and Israel, reported by CNN, citing a US official.
US officials are urging Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey to increase pressure on Hamas, the broadcaster writes.
According to two of them, the US has asked several countries to threaten to freeze the bank accounts of Hamas members and limit their ability to travel freely in the region.
The broadcaster notes that US officials have publicly called on the group to accept previous ceasefire proposals but emphasizes that there has never been a comprehensive pressure campaign characterized by specific demands on individual countries as part of the Biden administration’s efforts to achieve a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
Agency ANSA‘Despite negotiations, Israel does not give in on anything’ – Middle East – Ansa.it
An Egyptian security source denounces: ‘A month after the takeover of Rafah, crossing closed to aid and wounded’ (ANSA)
Temporary Port in Gaza Back in Operation
The temporary port for delivering aid to Gaza has been repaired after the storm that partially destroyed it and is back in operation, announced the Pentagon.
Netanyahu’s Cabinet: “Not Yet Time for an Investigation into October 7th”
“The time is not yet ripe” for a state commission of inquiry into the government’s handling of Hamas’s terrorist attack on October 7th. This was stated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs in response to a request from State Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara. “Israel – Fuchs explained, as reported by the media – is in the midst of a fierce war and the time is not yet ripe to investigate the entire war and what preceded it.”
Hamas Health Ministry: Deaths in Gaza Reach 36,731
The death toll in Gaza has risen to 36,731, with at least 77 in the last 24 hours, according to the Hamas Health Ministry. The injured are 83,530, according to the same source.
Israel: ‘IDF Continues Operations in Central and Southern Gaza’
The Israeli army continues to operate in the center and south of the Strip, targeting militants and infrastructure used by terrorist groups in the area.
Blinken to Arrive in Israel Next Monday
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will arrive in Israel next Monday as part of ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages.
Reproduction reserved © Copyright ANSA
