This is the first time in two decades that an Israeli Prime Minister has made an official visit to Gaza, where over 14,000 people have been killed in the ongoing war. Netanyahu had promised to resume the war with full force once the truce period expires.
The first group of 13 Israelis are expected to be released from Hamas captivity at 4 pm (local time) on Friday in exchange for 39 out of 150 Palestinian prisoners. The truce marks the first cessation of hostilities in the Israel-Hamas war that has gone on for nearly 50 days.
Israel-Hamas War Updates: As per the deal, Hamas is expected to release 50 hostages it abducted on October 7 in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. The hostage release was expected to take place on Thursday, but both parties need to sign onto a document for it to take place.
Since the war broke out, China has been repeatedly calling for an immediate ceasefire and even offered to mediate peace talks based on the 'two-state solution'. Moreover, China has refrained from condemning the Hamas attack and doesn't consider it a terrorist organisation.
After a long haul of over 40 days, Israel and Hamas have agreed on a four-day ceasefire in the ongoing conflict. The decision has been made to allow the release of 50 hostages held in Gaza in exchange for 150 Palestinians jailed in Israel. Other than that, the entry of humanitarian aid into the besi
US President Joe Biden had also indicated progress in the deal between Israel and Hamas for a temporary ceasefire in the devastating war in Gaza, in exchange for 50 hostages. Hamas captured nearly 240 hostages during their unprecedented brutal attack on October 7.
In a press conference, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said that Israel has accused Tehran of diverting the attention from the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Netanyahu's statement comes after White House National Security Council Spokesperson Adrienne Watson said the US is working hard to broker a deal between Israel, the US and Hamas to free hostages held in Gaza in exchange for a five-day pause in fighting.
After previously emphasising that Israel has the right to defend itself, Trudeau on Tuesday urged the Jewish state to exercise 'maximum restraint' to avoid killing civilians. Netanyahu responded by saying that it was Hamas, not Israel who was targeting innocent civilians.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) claimed that troops of the 7th Armored Brigade and Golani Infantry Brigade have captured several Hamas governmental buildings including the Gaza Parliament.
Israel's military confirmed clashes outside the hospital, but Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari denied Shifa was under siege. He said troops will assist on Sunday in moving babies treated there and said “We are speaking directly and regularly” with hospital staff.
Police estimated that some 3,00,000 people took part, snaking their way through the city from Hyde Park to the US Embassy about 5 kilometres away. Later, London police said it arrested 82 people at one location to prevent a breach of the peace.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the IDF forces have completed the encirclement of the city of Gaza and Hamas has no place to hide in the northern Gaza Strip.
Macron underscored that there was “no justification” for bombing “these babies, these ladies, these old people” in the war against Hamas. Speaking to BBC on Friday, Macron condemned the terror attack on Israel, and reiterated his call for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The World Health Organization said that 20 of Gaza's 36 hospitals are no longer functioning, including a pediatric hospital that stopped operations after a reported Israeli strike in the area. “If there is a hell on earth today, its name is northern Gaza,” the UN humanitarian agency said.
Amid speculations, Netanyahu made clear that though Israel had no intention of occupying Gaza, it did envision a radically reshaped territory free of Hamas. “What we have to see is Gaza demilitarized, deradicalized and rebuilt,” he said.
The war has already come at a staggering cost, and Israel unleashed another wave of strikes across the territory on Tuesday. Entire city blocks have been reduced to rubble, and around 70% of Gaza’s 2.3 million people have fled their homes.
It is worth mentioning this is a key question-- who will rule Gaza if IDF wipes out Hamas from the region? With the latest statement by Netanyahu, it is now clear that Israeli Defence Forces would rule the disputed region after the war concludes.
In the north of the Gaza Strip, Israeli ground forces backed by relentless airstrikes have encircled Gaza City, the base of Hamas' power, since the weekend. They cut the strip in half and sought to drive Palestinians from northern Gaza as troops advanced.
During the call, Biden and Netanyahu discussed the necessity to ramp up humanitarian deliveries in the Gaza Strip, where 10,000 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes. Biden reiterated his support for Israel while emphasising the need to protect Palestinian civilians.
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