The Israeli army removed tanks from al-Shifa hospital. The army vehicles left the hospital complex, which they had entered two weeks earlier. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) fired shells to cover the retreat of the tanks and left the al-Rimal neighborhood to head southwest of Gaza city, towards the Tel al-Hawa district. The IDF have not yet officially confirmed the withdrawal. The Hamas-run Gaza Strip’s Health Ministry said it had discovered dozens of bodies in the hospital. “The bodies of martyrs, some in a state of decomposition, were found in the complex and around the hospital”, says the ministry in a press release, specifying that there is “very significant” material damage on all the Shifa buildings.
He announced that he had completed “targeted operations” at Shifa hospital in Gaza City and to have “exited” the complex. The military spokesperson announced this according to which the soldiers “killed terrorists in close combat, located numerous weapons and intelligence documents throughout the hospital, preventing harm to civilians, patients and medical teams”.
Also in Gaza City – according to the same source – “a helicopter hit a Hamas military complex equipped with explosive traps”.
In Khan Yunis, IDF commandos – added the military spokesperson – are operating in the al-Amal area where “terrorists were killed in close combat and others were captured”.
Video Gaza, the Al-Shifa hospital in ruins after the withdrawal of the Israeli army
Hamas has apologized for the first time to the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip for the suffering caused by the war, in a long statement published last night on his Telegram channel. The Palestinian Islamist movement “apologizes” for the difficulties caused by the conflict against the Israeli army which has lasted for almost six months. But he also reiterates the desire to continue this war which, according to Hamas, must allow “victory and freedom” to be achieved for the Palestinians. The movement in power in the Strip has sent “a message of thanks to the Palestinian people”, whose “exhaustion” it recognizes. Hamas insisted on measures it tried to put in place to alleviate the difficulties, in particular attempts to “control prices” within the limits of its capabilities “given the ongoing aggression”. It also said it was communicating with “all components” of Gaza society, citing other armed movements, “popular committees” and “families” to “solve the problems caused by the occupation” of Israel.
There has been “some progress” in ongoing indirect negotiations in Cairo between the parties on the release of the hostages. An Israeli source said this to the Times of Israel, adding that the talks “will intensify considerably in the coming days. Cairo – according to the site – is taking on an increasingly greater role given the growing Israeli dissatisfaction with Qatar’s mediation effectiveness and the real desire to put pressure on Hamas. The same source underlined that the negotiations will reflect on the announced operation in Rafah, in southern Israel. “The two issues – he said – are closely connected”.
Israeli negotiating team will not return from talks ‘without a deal’. This was supported by the Forum of the families of the hostages who made an appeal to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underlining that they “are with him”. “Mr. Prime Minister – it is written in the appeal – we families of the hostages speak on behalf of all Israeli citizens and the Jewish people who understand that the ransom of prisoners is sacred. We ask you: instruct the negotiating team not to return without an agreement Grant the murdered hostages the honor of a dignified burial on Israeli soil. We are with you!”
With the death yesterday of Sergeant Major Nadav Cohen in combat in Gaza, the toll of soldiers killed since October 7 rose to 600 last in the Strip, in Israel and in the Palestinian Territories. The number of those killed since the start of ground operations in Gaza is 256, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced this morning. Around 32,800 Palestinians have died in the Strip since October 7, according to the local Hamas-run Ministry of Health.
The United States and Israel will hold a virtual meeting today to discuss the Biden administration’s alternative proposals to the military invasion of Rafah, Israeli and US officials told Axios. The meeting will take place via a secure video conference, according to the US news website’s sources. Israeli officials quoted by Axios said holding a virtual meeting was a way for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “save face” and discuss Rafah with the White House without sending a delegation to Washington, as the United States had requested instead. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is expected to lead the American side in the meeting, which will be attended by representatives of the Pentagon, the State Department and US intelligence agencies. Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi will lead the talks on the Israeli side, with the participation of senior defense and intelligence officials. An Israeli Axios source announced that a second meeting will take place in person as early as next week.
Benjamin Netanyahu underwent “successful” hernia surgery, reports the office of the Israeli prime minister. Netanyahu is “fit and starting to recover”, it was specified at the end of the operation performed last night under general anesthesia. In the same hours, thousands of Israelis demonstrated in Jerusalem to demand the resignation of the prime minister and the release of the hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Yesterday the Palestinian Islamist movement said it still considered Israel’s position “too distant” to “make progress” in the negotiations. Netanyahu claimed for his part that it is Hamas that has hardened its positions on the terms of a truce.
Media, ‘Haniyeh’s sister arrested in southern Israel’
The sister of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was arrested in southern Israel on suspicion of “contacts with operatives of the Islamic faction and support for acts of terrorism”. According to the police – quoted by the media – the 57-year-old woman was arrested in a joint operation with the Shin Bet, the internal security service.
According to the same source, documents, telephones and other evidence were found in her home linking her “to serious security violations”.
Police have not released the name of Haniyeh’s sister who was arrested. The leader of the Hamas political bureau – according to media – has two brothers and eight sisters. Three of these are married to Israeli Bedouins, therefore have Israeli citizenship and live in Tel Sheva, in the Negev. Last February – it was recalled – one of them gave birth to a premature baby and received life-saving treatment from doctors. Ismail Haniyeh, 62, is married with 13 children and normally lives in Qatar.
Families hostages, ‘negotiators must not return without the agreement’
The Israeli negotiating team will not return from the negotiations “without a deal”. This was supported by the Forum of the families of the hostages who made an appeal to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underlining that they “are with him”.
“Mr. Prime Minister – it is written in the appeal – we families of the hostages speak on behalf of all Israeli citizens and the Jewish people who understand that the ransom of prisoners is sacred. We ask you: instruct the negotiating team not to return without an agreement Grant the murdered hostages the honor of a dignified burial on Israeli soil.
We are with you!”.
Israel, ’10 Hezbollah targets hit in southern Lebanon’
Tensions remain high between Israel and Lebanon. Israeli warplanes hit 10 “Hezbollah terrorist targets” in the Rachaya Al Foukhar area of southern Lebanon. The military spokesperson announced this according to which the objectives include “weapons depots, launch sites and terrorist infrastructures”.
2 of the 3 Israelis injured in the attack are in serious condition
Two of the three Israelis killed in a Palestinian stabbing attack that took place last night in a shopping center in Gan Yavne, central Israel, have been hospitalized in serious conditions. The media reported it, adding that the two, both aged in their twenties, were hit in the head. The third injured person is not in serious condition.
The attack – according to the police – was carried out by Palestinian Mumeen Khalil (19 years old) from the village of Dura, near Hebron, in the West Bank, who entered Israel illegally. Khalil – according to the same source – was killed by the reaction of security agents immediately after the attack.
Last night was the second attack in one day in Israel: the first happened in Beer Sheva, in southern Israel.
Hamas apologizes to the population for suffering during the war
Hamas apologized for the first time to the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip for the suffering caused by the war, in a long statement published last night on its Telegram channel.
The Palestinian Islamist movement “apologizes” for the difficulties caused by the conflict against the Israeli army which has lasted for almost six months. But he also reiterates the desire to continue this war which, according to Hamas, must allow “victory and freedom” to be achieved for the Palestinians.
The movement in power in the Strip has sent “a message of thanks to the Palestinian people”, whose “exhaustion” it recognizes. Hamas insisted on measures it tried to put in place to alleviate the difficulties, in particular attempts to “control prices” within the limits of its capabilities “given the ongoing aggression”. It also said it was communicating with “all components” of Gaza society, citing other armed movements, “popular committees” and “families” to “solve the problems caused by the occupation” of Israel.
Israel, 600 soldiers killed since 7 October
With the death yesterday of Sergeant Major Nadav Cohen in combat in Gaza, the toll of soldiers killed since 7 October in the Strip, Israel and the Palestinian Territories rose to 600. The number of those killed since the start of ground operations in Gaza is 256, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced this morning. Around 32,800 Palestinians have died in the Strip since October 7, according to the local Hamas-run Ministry of Health.
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