Breaking News: “Women and children among the 40 dead”. The response: “Only militants”. An Italian-Israeli soldier killed
By: Marta Serafini – Corriere della Sera
Published Date:
Tel Aviv – A row of bodies wrapped in white shrouds. A mother begging her deceased son to hold her hand; a young man wrapped in bandages crying beside a corpse; a boy, with a face covered in dust and blood, staring at the floor of a blood-stained hospital while people scream around him.
The Gaza Strip still burns: the Israeli forces’ attack, launched with two small-diameter US bombs Gbu-39, has claimed at least 40 lives – as reported by CNN – in the night between Wednesday and Thursday against the second and third floor of the al-Sardi school between Deir al-Balah and the Nuseirat camp.
A place where 6,000 souls had taken refuge, according to the United Nations. An operational center of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, according to the IDF, which announced targeting “20 or 30” militants who were members of the October 7th commando in an operational center.
“No civilian casualties,” declared the military spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner, while the United Nations also mentioned women and children among the dead and 170 Unrwa buildings – mostly schools – hit with 450 displaced killed and 1,500 injured since the war began.
Many of the bodies were brought to the al-Aqsa hospital in Deir al-Balah. Karin Huster, head of Doctors Without Borders in Gaza, described it as “a ship sinking in absolute chaos,” referring to a healthcare facility already overwhelmed by a constant influx of ambulances since the raids began in the heart of the Strip.
An apocalyptic scene, a deadly trap, with the Rafah crossing still closed, preventing the evacuation of the injured, even the most critical cases.
These pictures and news might not sit well with some of Europe gearing up for elections. From Brussels, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, called for “an independent investigation” into the raid, and Spain, the first European state, joined the cause promoted by South Africa at the International Criminal Court against Israel for alleged genocide and war crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.
From Cairo, where negotiations are underway, the word “standstill” bounces back. With a slight opening. Yesterday afternoon, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry received Brett McGurk, White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, and Egyptian broadcaster Al-Qahera News leaked information about Hamas leaders seriously and positively considering the proposed ceasefire, with a formal response expected in the coming days.
A small step forward compared to morning reports when, based on press leaks, Hamas seemed determined to reject US President Joe Biden’s proposal, concerned that Israel might resume fighting after the initial hostage releases.
A point that still remains on the table, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar allegedly informing the mediating countries of his refusal to disarm or sign any agreement that requires it.
He remains firm on signing an agreement for the release of hostages only if Israel commits to a permanent ceasefire.
From Gaza to Cairo, all the way to the Israel-Lebanon border. IDF chief Major General Ori Gordin announces that Israel has “completed preparations” for a confrontation with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
A “limited war” in Lebanon that could prompt Iran to intervene, as described by Axios, citing Israeli and American sources, outlining a nightmare scenario for the Biden administration, convinced that calm cannot be restored to the Israel-Lebanon border without a Gaza ceasefire.
Also falling victim in the midst of these exchanges of fire between the IDF and Hezbollah is a 39-year-old Italian-Israeli reservist, Refael Kauders, killed in a Hezbollah attack in northern Israel.
“I have just spoken with the family, active in the Italian community in Israel, to convey condolences on behalf of the entire government,” explains Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
As the evening falls, 17 countries, including the USA and others with their citizens held hostage by Hamas, issue a joint appeal – yet another – urging Israel and Hamas to “accept any necessary final compromises to conclude the agreement.”
