The ground operation in Gaza against the Hamas terrorist movement now seems imminent. “Targeted operations” with tanks in the enclave were carried out overnight, the army announced Thursday October 26. “During the night, the army carried out a targeted raid with tanks in the northern Gaza Strip, as part of its preparations for the next stages of the fight,” according to a statement from the military spokesperson. The soldiers “left the area” at the end of the operation, he added.
“We are preparing a ground incursion,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday. “When, how, how much, and the considerations that we take into account, I cannot go into detail,” he added, while the Israeli army recalled 360,000 reservists massed on the borders of the Gaza Strip .
Since the unprecedented deadly attack by Hamas on October 7, the Israeli army has relentlessly bombarded the small territory of 362 km2 where 2.4 million Palestinians are crowded together, also subject to “a total siege” which deprives them of water, food and electricity.
Macron will organize a tribute for French victims
Emmanuel Macron will organize “in the coming weeks” a tribute for the French victims of the unprecedented attack carried out by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas in Israel, the presidency announced to AFP on Thursday. “This tribute will take place at the monument dedicated to the victims of terrorism at Les Invalides,” added the entourage of the Head of State, referring to the statue “Word carried in memory of the victims of terrorism”. The date of this tribute has not yet been specified.
Israeli army announces strike against Lebanon
The Israeli army announced Wednesday evening that its planes had struck Lebanon in retaliation for the launch of a surface-to-air missile. “Recently, the Israeli army’s air defense network intercepted a surface-to-air missile fired from Lebanon at an Israeli army drone,” the army said in a statement. “In response, Israeli army planes struck the origin of the launch,” she added.
Israel warned of consequences for civilians in Gaza of its military operations
Israel, which has sworn to put an end to Hamas, sees warnings multiply about the consequences of its military operations for the civilian populations in Gaza. Launching a “massive” land offensive in the Gaza Strip, already besieged and relentlessly shelled by the Israeli army, would be an “error”, French President Emmanuel Macron ruled on Wednesday in Cairo.
And if American President Joe Biden is not in favor, as it stands, of a ceasefire, as demanded by the United Nations and many countries, he also warned his ally on Wednesday. Israel must do “everything possible to spare civilians,” he said Wednesday. Many countries are calling for a humanitarian pause in the bombing carried out by Israel.
Gathered at summit, the 27 debate a call for a “humanitarian pause” in Gaza
European leaders will discuss a call for a “humanitarian pause” to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip on Thursday October 26 during a two-day summit in Brussels. The heads of state and government are expected in Brussels early this afternoon. On the situation in the Middle East, the Europe of 27 is traditionally divided between the most pro-Palestinian member states, such as Ireland and Spain, and the most fervent defenders of Israel, such as Germany and the ‘Austria.
UN chief ‘shocked’ by ‘biased representation’ of his comments on Hamas
Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary General, strongly criticized by Israel on Tuesday, said he was “shocked” on Wednesday at the “biased representation” of his comments on Hamas. “As I began my remarks yesterday, I clearly said, quote: ‘I unequivocally condemned the horrific and unprecedented terrorist acts of Hamas in Israel on October 7. Nothing can justify the deliberate killing, injuring and kidnapping of civilians, nor the firing of rockets on civilian targets.
WHO urges Hamas to release all hostages
The WHO on Wednesday urged Hamas to provide proof of life of the hostages it is holding and to release them all “for health reasons”.
United States: a resolution in support of Israel
The American House of Representatives, freshly equipped with a new president after weeks of deadlock, adopted a resolution on Wednesday in support of Israel. The text, affirming the support of the United States for the Jewish state which “defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists”, was approved by 412 yes (10 no).