Biden: “Actions in Gaza Strip are excessive”
Given the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, US President Joe Biden has sharpened his tone towards the Israeli government, describing the armed forces’ actions against the Islamist Hamas as disproportionate. “I believe that the response in the Gaza Strip has been exaggerated,” Biden said at the White House on Thursday evening (local time). There are many innocent people who are starving, in distress, or even dying. “That has to stop.”
The day before, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had struck a remarkably critical tone during a visit to Israel, urging Israel’s leadership to do more to protect civilians in the Gaza war. The dehumanization Israel experienced during October’s Hamas massacre “cannot be a license” to dehumanize others, Blinken said. The daily sacrifices that military operations demanded from the innocent civilian population are “still too high.”
On October 7, terrorists on behalf of Hamas carried out a devastating massacre in Israel, mainly against civilians. Since then, Israel has been waging war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The high number of civilian casualties in the Gaza war and the disastrous living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have led to sharp international criticism of Israel’s actions.
The UN fears a humanitarian catastrophe like the Israeli attack on Rafah
In light of reports of a suspected impending Israeli military offensive in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned of a humanitarian catastrophe and consequences for the entire region. “Half the population of the Gaza Strip is now crammed into Rafah with nowhere else to go. Reports that the Israeli army plans to attack Rafah next are alarming,” Guterres wrote on news platform X, formerly Twitter. “Such action would further exacerbate the humanitarian nightmare and could have unforeseen consequences for the entire region.” The US government also warned of a large-scale offensive. “We believe that a military operation at this time would be a catastrophe for these people,” said John Kirby, communications director for the National Security Council. “We would not support that.”
Demonstrations in Israel over a possible hostage deal with Hamas
Meanwhile, a number of people in Israel demonstrated for and against a possible hostage deal with Hamas. In Jerusalem, thousands protested against negotiations with Israel’s enemies and against a continuation of the Gaza war, several Israeli media reported. At the same time, hundreds of people protested in Tel Aviv for an agreement to secure the release of hostages still held in the Gaza Strip. Israel’s war cabinet met on Thursday evening to discuss a possible deal with Hamas. Protesters accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of taking his political survival more seriously than the fate of the hostages. Netanyahu’s right-wing extremist coalition members are now threatening to collapse the governing coalition if the prime minister makes concessions to Hamas as part of a hostage deal.
Contact with Hamas leader Sinwar is said to have been broken
According to a report in the Israeli media, senior Hamas members have not had contact with the leader of the Islamic organization in the Gaza Strip for several weeks. Jihia al-Sinwar was also not involved in Hamas’s recent response to Israel over an international mediation proposal for a hostage deal, Israeli broadcaster Kan reported. Accordingly, Sinwar fears that his hideout in the Gaza Strip could be discovered through surveillance of all communications. The information cannot be independently verified.
EU military operation: the area of operations should include the sea off Iran
The EU’s naval operation in the Middle East, which is about to begin, could also protect merchant ships from potential threats from Iran. According to information from the German news agency, the decision for Operation Aspides shows that European warships must escort not only the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, but also the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. are used. All three of these sea areas are located off the coast of Iran. The primary objective of the EU operation is to protect merchant ships against attacks by the militant Islamist Houthis from Yemen.
The Israeli army attacks the commander of Hezbollah in Lebanon
The Israeli army says it has attacked a senior Hezbollah commander from the air in southern Lebanon. The army said this was in response to rocket launches from Lebanon towards Israel, in which Israel was alleged to have been involved. The Iran-allied Hezbollah militia reported several injuries as a result of the Israeli airstrike. One person is in “critical condition”. An Israeli drone directly hit a car in the town of Nabatieh, Lebanese security circles said. There were two people in the car.
What will be important on Friday?
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) meets US President Joe Biden in Washington. In addition to the war in Ukraine, the focus will also be on the situation in the Middle East. During their conversation, Scholz and Biden will likely look to the future: What will happen next for Israel and the Palestinians after the Gaza war? Both support a two-state solution. But which path could lead to this is currently completely unclear. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
