Israel is experiencing its most dramatic day since October 7th. A true ‘Black Monday’ with 24 soldiers killed in the Gaza Strip, 21 in a single action carried out by Hamas which launched a rocket at a group of soldiers preparing explosives to demolish two buildings in the center of Gaza. Three others died in ongoing fighting in Khan Younis, where the IDF has concentrated its operations. “We are experiencing one of the most difficult days since the beginning of the war and I cry for our fallen heroic soldiers – said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – in the name of our heroes we will not stop fighting until absolute victory”. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, for his part, stressed that “the fall of combatants requires us to achieve the objectives of the war”. Meanwhile, testimony given to the Knesset by two former Hamas hostages brought to light the horror of their arrest. Aviva Siegel spoke about sexual violence against women and men in the tunnels under Gaza.
The woman said the girls are given “inappropriate” “doll” clothes with which the militiamen “can do whatever they want.” Although the families of the hostages continue to call for efforts to free them, there remains a large distance between Hamas and Israel regarding a possible ceasefire. The White House said that the United States is engaged in “serious discussions” to obtain a humanitarian pause and that Qatar and Egypt are also continuing their mediation work, but at this time no concrete results are visible. According to what leaked from Cairo, in fact, Hamas rejected the Israeli proposal for a two-month ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of the hostages. Hamas responded by calling for the permanent suspension of the military operation and the withdrawal of Israeli troops. The government of the Jewish State remained firm in its position, reiterating that Israel will not accept any agreement that includes Hamas remaining in command of the Gaza Strip.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also spoke about the situation, meeting with his Palestinian counterpart, Riyad al-Maliki, in New York. The head of Russian diplomacy underlined the importance of a “quick end to the bloodshed” and the resumption of the peace process based on the resolution that provides for “the creation of the State of Palestine within the borders of the capital in East Jerusalem of 1967, which he lives in peace and security with Israel.” Even in the Red Sea, where the United States and United Kingdom have continued their attacks, the situation remains heated. The Houthi rebels have said that the actions of London and Washington will not go “unpunished and without response.” The White House spoke of “goals achieved,” while Iran sent a “serious message and warning to Americans.” According to Tehran, the attacks in Yemen are “a strategic error” and “a threat to peace and security in the region”.
Source: IL Tempo
John Cameron is a journalist at The Nation View specializing in world news and current events, particularly in international politics and diplomacy. With expertise in international relations, he covers a range of topics including conflicts, politics and economic trends.
