Israel-Hamas War Highlights: 'Just And Lasting' Peace Is Possible In Middle East, Macron Says
Israel-Hamas War Highlights: Hello and welcome to the live blog on the Israel-Hamas War. Follow this space for all the live and latest updates.
The United States has consented to supply two Iron Dome batteries to Israel, as reported by a defense official and a US official to CNN on Wednesday. It remains unclear whether these batteries, owned by the US Army, have already been shipped. Notably, an agreement for the US to acquire two Iron Dome batteries was reached in 2019, with delivery taking place in 2020, according to the US Army.
The UK government is in discussions regarding the possibility of implementing "humanitarian pauses" in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which would allow the delivery of aid. However, a wholesale ceasefire is not on the table, as it is believed that such a move could primarily benefit Hamas, as stated by a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday, CNN reported.
Prime Minister Sunak informed Parliament that a Royal Air Force aircraft carrying 21 tonnes of aid for Gaza departed from the UK to Egypt on Wednesday morning. Details regarding the logistics of aid delivery from Egypt to Gaza were not specified during the announcement.
Additionally, the Prime Minister's spokesperson conveyed Sunak's disagreement with remarks made by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, emphasizing that there is "no justification for Hamas' attack."
President Macron, following his meeting with King Abdullah II, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express his conviction that "a just and lasting peace is possible in the Middle East." He underscored that France is actively engaged in efforts to combat terrorism, safeguard civilian populations, and ensure the legitimate aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians are duly considered. Macron hailed Jordan as an indispensable partner in this shared pursuit of peace.
The Jordanian Royal Hashemite Court, through a post on X, revealed that King Abdullah II emphasized the urgent need to halt the conflict in Gaza. He stressed that the global community must promptly address this imperative concern. King Abdullah II's stance aligns with broader international calls for de-escalation and peaceful resolutions to ongoing conflicts in the region.
Air India has extended the suspension of its scheduled flights to Tel Aviv till November 2 amid the continuing tensions between Israel and militant group Hamas, PTI reported.
Israel attacked 'on a large scale' Hamas military infrastructure overnight (Tuesday) in the Gaza Strip, including tunnels, barracks, and weapons stores
On declaring Hamas a terrorist organisation in India, Israel's Ambassador to India, Naor Gilon says "We spoke to the relevant authorities also here. It's not the first time we speak about it. We understand the problems of terror threats of each other. I think it's a natural thing. It's not something that we are putting pressure on. We are asking because I think it's something that is due because of our shared war on terror. We raised it after the attack and we are still in dialogue. We are speaking always with India. It’s a friendly talk. We are not having battles on anything. We see eye to eye on a vast majority of things, on counter-terrorism for sure, but also in other strategic issues..." (ANI)
Israel's Ambassador to India, Naor Gilon says "Prime Minister Modi was among the first leaders in the world to come out with a clear statement...I think that that set a very strong tone of clear condemnation of terrorism. It's important to us because India is a very close ally. India is also a very important moral voice in the world and when it comes to terror, India is also coming from the point of view of someone who knows what they're talking about being victims for so many years of terrorism..." (ANI)
UN chief Guterres says 'shocked' by 'misrepresentations' of his Hamas remarks that infuriated Israel, AFP reported.
The United Nations agency responsible for Palestinian refugees issued a dire warning on Wednesday. It stated that, unless there are immediate deliveries of fuel, it will soon be forced to significantly reduce its relief operations throughout the Gaza Strip, AP reported. This region has been under a blockade and has endured devastating Israeli airstrikes since Hamas militants initiated an attack on Israel over two weeks ago.
Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, expressed hope for a potential breakthrough in negotiations for the release of hostages held by Hamas. During a news conference with Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan, Al Thani stated, "If we can facilitate an understanding between the two parties, we may see some progress in the near future." He also confirmed that negotiations are currently ongoing, CNN reported.
Israel will cease issuing visas to UN officials due to comments made by Secretary-General António Guterres regarding the Middle East crisis, according to Israel's UN Ambassador. Guterres, in his remarks to the Security Council on Tuesday, mentioned that the October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel "did not happen in a vacuum", CNN reported.
The Israeli Navy forces intercepted and thwarted an infiltration bid by a group of Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip into Israel via the sea and killed several terrorists on Tuesday, The Israel Times reported.
The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas is affecting the economies of nearby countries, the managing director of International Monetary Fund told a Saudi investor forum on Wednesday, reported AFP. "You look at the neighbouring countries -- Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan -- there the channels of impact are already visible," Kristalina Georgieva said.
Israeli air strikes kill eight Syria troops, said state media, news agency AFP reported.
“This council has a responsibility to denounce member states that arm, fund and train Hamas or any other terrorist group that carries out such horrific acts. Let's not forget that among the more than 1,400 people that Hamas killed on October 7 were citizens from more than 30 UN member states, including many of the members around this very table. The victims included at least 33 American citizens...As President Biden has made clear from the outset of this crisis, while Israel has the right, indeed the obligation, to defend itself," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at UN Security Council, reported ANI.
Israel stepped up its airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, news agency AP reported. As per health officials, hundreds of Palestinians were killed in the last 24 hours and medical facilities were shut down because of bomb damage and lack of power.
Israeli army on a raid in the occupied West Bank early on Wednesday came under fire by a group of Palestinians whom the military targeted with a drone strike, the Israeli military said, Reuters reported.
Israel calls for resignation of UNSG Antonio Guterres after he tells Security Council Hamas attacks did not happen in vacuum, PTI reported. Guterres on Tuesday had alleged "violations" of international law in Gaza and urged an immediate ceasefire as Israel pounded the Palestinian territory in response to Hamas attacks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the soldier on Tuesday that a ground offensive "is coming" amid a growing sense of military delay, CNN reported.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday that all acts of terrorism are "unlawful and unjustifiable," drawing a parallel between terrorist attacks by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba in Mumbai and Hamas in Israel, and that the Security Council must denounce member states that arm, fund, and train terrorist groups, news agency PTI reported. Blinken made the statements while speaking at a Security Council ministerial meeting on the Middle East crisis after the October 7 attack on Israel by Gaza-based Hamas terrorists.
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen stated on Tuesday that he will not meet with UN Secretary-General António Guterres after the UN head criticised Israel's bombardment of Gaza.
Ambassador of Israel to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan tweets "The UN Secretary-General, who shows understanding for the campaign of mass murder of children, women, and the elderly, is not fit to lead the UN. I call on him to resign immediately..."
The Israel Defence Forces stated on Tuesday that it dropped leaflets in Gaza, asking to people for any information on the captives held by Hamas, CNN reported.
As Israel prepares to launch a ground incursion into Gaza, a French presidential palace source said Tuesday that such an operation will be "difficult to carry out in accordance with" international humanitarian law.
The chief of staff of the Israel Defence Forces stated that while attempts would be made to offer access to gasoline in Gaza when needed to relieve the humanitarian situation, the fuel will "not be allowed" to reach Hamas, CNN reported.
As many as 704 people in Gaza have been killed in the last 24 hours, the Palestinian Ministry of Health stated in an issued statement Tuesday.
On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron suggested a worldwide alliance to battle terror organisations using a methodology comparable to the war against ISIS, CNN reported.
Macron compared Hamas to ISIS and al Qaeda "in action and intention." Speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he denounced the "pure hate" and "pure violence" of the October 7 assaults on Israel.
According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's conflict against Hamas "could be a long war," CNN reported.
Yocheved Lifshitz, who was released on Monday by Hamas, informed reporters on Tuesday that she "went through hell" in Gaza. Lifschitz, an 85-year-old grandmother, was imprisoned in Gaza for more than two weeks before being freed and flown back to Israel late Monday evening.
Live map services - Google Maps and Waze live traffic updates have been temporarily suspended in response to the Israel-Hamas war.
"As we have done previously in conflict situations and in response to the evolving situation in the region, we have temporarily disabled the ability to see live traffic conditions and busyness information out of consideration for the safety of local communities,” Google says.
French President Macron meets Israeli counterpart Herzog:
Herzog says Iran "playing with fire in Lebanon, adding "If Hezbollah will drag us into war, it should be clear that Lebanon will pay the price. Lebanon cannot be a sovereign member of the international community, its citizens carrying a Lebanese passport, but when it comes to attacking Israel, they are not responsible."
Macron said: "The first objective should be the release of all hostages without any distinction." He added, "I want to make sure you are not left alone in this war on terrorism...because I speak on behalf of a country which experienced terrorist attacks, and you were there. And I think this is our duty to fight against this terrorism, without any confusion, without enlarging the conflict."
French President Emmanuel Macron, who arrived in Israel on a solidarity visit, met President Isaac Herzog. According to the Times of Israel, he said: "We are committed to overcome, and we are committed to destroying our enemies."
"The situation is extremely complicated and fragile,” says Herzog, adding that "we are demanding the full and immediate release of all our citizens."
"There is no difference between Israeli citizens and someone who holds another citizenship," he added.
The United States has finalised a draft on Israel for approval at the United Nations. It said the new draft is the final one and could be voted on as early as Tuesday afternoon.
According to Al Jazeera, the draft says Israel has a right to defend itself and seeks Iran to stop exporting weapons to armed groups. The draft is four pages long and contains 18 points. Two of these points are new.
1. Any movement of people must be voluntary, safe and consistent with international law. This is important because it is the US essentially saying that any movement of people should not be forced.
2. It calls for all necessary measures, such as humanitarian pauses, to allow for humanitarian aid. The US had not agreed to that previously. It is something that many UN Security Council members wanted added and the US has clearly relented on that.
According to a report in Times of Israel, a prominent Arab Israeli actor, Maisa Abd Elhadi, is detained by police after she allegedly expressed her support for the Hamas assault on Israel.
Over 2,000 children are among the 5,087 people killed in Gaza in Israeli attacks since October 7, says health ministry, reports Al Jazeera.
Two elderly hostages released by Hamas have been airlifted to an Israeli hospital in Tel Aviv.
French President Macron arrives on a solidarity visit to Israel. Earlier, officials said the visit includes a call for resuming a “genuine peace process” for the creation of a Palestinian state and “halting the colonisation” of the West Bank with Israeli settlements.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday held separate meetings with Jewish and Arab American community leaders to discuss the ongoing Gaza war.
The State Department said, "In both discussions, the Secretary condemned Hamas’ horrific terrorist attacks against Israel, reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to Israel’s security, outlined his recent engagements and travel to the Middle East, and described the United States’ efforts to see to it that all civilians are protected and to prevent the widening of the conflict."
Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James Glynn, the former US commander of Marine Forces Special Operations Command, is in Israel to counsel the Israel Defense Forces amid an expected Gaza ground offensive action, reports CNN citing an official familiar with the matter.
Israeli forces has arrested a senior leader of the Palestinian group Hamas in the occupied West Bank following a night raid of his home, reports Al Jazeera.
US President Joe Biden welcomed the release of two more hostages by Hamas in his latest call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The White House, in its readout, said Biden "welcomed the release of two additional hostages from Gaza earlier today, and reaffirmed his commitment to ongoing efforts to secure the release of all the remaining hostages taken by Hamas – including Americans – and to provide for safe passage for US citizens and other civilians in Gaza."
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it struck Hezbollah posts in Lebanon in several air strikes on Monday night. It claimed to have hit a military compound, a military post and an observation post in southern Lebanon used by Hezbollah.
A train driver in London was suspended for apparently leading passengers in a chant of “free, free Palestine,” Times of ISrael reported citing officials. The driver has been temporarily removed from duty til the completion of a probe.
Hamas has released two more hostages from its custody, reported CNN citing officials. The two women have arrived in Egypt at the border with Gaza, according to Egypt's state-affiliated Al-Qahera News.
French President Emmanuel Macron is likely to call for the “resumption of a genuine peace process” for the creation of a Palestinian state when he visits Israel on Tuesday, his office told the French news agency, reports AFP.
Background
Israel-Hamas War Highlights: Hello and welcome to the live blog on the Israel-Hamas War. Follow this space for all the live and latest updates.
The death toll in Gaza increased substantially on Monday, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, after Israel said it had attacked hundreds of targets in the enclave in one of the largest attacks in recent days. The Israeli military also announced it had bombed Hezbollah sites in Lebanon, and Hamas targets in Gaza overnight for the last few days.
Meanwhile, US President Biden spearheaded an international diplomatic push to keep the violence from engulfing other countries in the area. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in the occupied West Bank, at least 5,087 people have been killed and 15,273 have been injured in Gaza since October 7.
Israel conducted limited nighttime raids on Palestinian militants in Gaza and unleashed airstrikes on fighters it said were gathering to repel a larger Israeli assault on Monday. According to Wael Abu Omar, the spokesperson for the crossing at the Hamas-run Gaza interior ministry, a third convoy of trucks bringing humanitarian supplies has entered Gaza through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. He stated the caravan had 20 vehicles after 34 trucks passed over the weekend.
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Iran's foreign minister, met with Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad officials today to discuss Iran's support for them and Palestinians trapped in the crossfire in Gaza, according to Iranian state media. According to Iranian state media, Hamas' chief political officer, Ismail Haniyeh, assured Amir-Abdollahian that the terrorist group is determined to continue fighting Israel and has the situation under control.
According to Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the IDF's top spokesperson, the Israeli military has contacted the relatives of 222 persons taken on Oct. 7 during Hamas's raid. On Sunday, he gave the number 212. According to Hagari, the captive count has increased as the army has gathered more intelligence and identified the numerous foreign people who have been taken.
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