War in Israel: Current Developments – Video

Rafah Border Crossing:

A large crowd has gathered at the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, anticipating its potential opening. Trucks carrying humanitarian aid have caused a traffic jam in the area. Currently, the crossing remains closed.

Contradictory Reports:

Earlier, Reuters reported that the crossing would open at 9 AM, along with a 5-hour ceasefire. However, this statement was contradicted by Hamas and later by the Israeli government.

Upcoming Diplomatic Efforts:

• German Chancellor Scholz plans to visit Israel on Tuesday.
• China’s special envoy for Middle East affairs, Zhang Jun, will visit the region this week to facilitate peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians.

UN’s Urgent Appeal:

The UN Human Rights Office has stressed the urgent need to halt the fighting to enable the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Over a million people have already evacuated their homes. Diplomatic efforts are underway, with the UN Secretary-General maintaining constant contact with all parties involved.

President Biden’s Perspective:

President Joe Biden believes that any move by Israel to reoccupy the Gaza Strip would be a “big mistake.” He supports the complete elimination of Hamas while emphasizing the importance of progressing towards the creation of a Palestinian state.

Escalation Near Lebanon:

Israel has announced the evacuation of residents within a two-kilometer zone near Lebanon. Recent days have seen ongoing clashes between the Israeli army and Hezbollah, raising concerns about potential intervention in the conflict.

Casualties and International Response:

• The Israel Defense Forces report that casualties resulting from the Hamas attack have exceeded 1,400 people.
• U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced the reopening of the Rafah border crossing, located on the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. Coordination between the United States, the United Nations, Egypt, and Israel is underway to provide assistance to those in need.
• Israeli President Isaac Herzog revealed that Hamas has created a special manual for hostage-taking, which was found on the body of one of the militants. The manual details various stages of kidnapping, including instilling fear, blindfolding hostages, using electric shock devices, and executing anyone perceived as a threat. It also advises terrorists to use hostages as human shields, emphasizing the absence of distinctions based on religion, race, or gender.
• More than 1,000 people are missing under the rubble of destroyed buildings in the Gaza Strip. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, at least 2,670 people have been killed since October 7th, with over 9,600 others wounded.
• An Israeli military representative reported that 155 prisoners are being held in the Gaza Strip.
• UN peacekeeping forces reported a rocket hitting their headquarters in southern Lebanon, though no injuries were reported.

Resumption of Water Supply in Gaza:

Israel has resumed the supply of water to the Gaza Strip. This was announced on television by Jake Sullivan, an advisor to the President of the United States.

Jake Sullivan’s Statements:

• “Today, I have been in contact with my Israeli colleagues. In the past hour, they informed me that they had resumed the delivery of water to the southern part of the Gaza Strip. This issue has been at the center of discussions over the past few days.”
• “The United States will work with Israel, the United Nations, Egypt, and Jordan to ensure that the population of the Gaza Strip has access to food, water, housing, and medicine.”
• “The ultimate measure of success will be the long-term security of the Jewish state and the Jewish people. This means their ability to eliminate the threat that Hamas poses to Israel.”
• “Hamas does not care about the well-being of the Palestinian people. The Palestinian people in Gaza truly deserve leadership that will allow them to live in peace, dignity, and safety.”
• “The U.S. government, the Biden administration, is doing everything possible to confine this conflict to the Gaza Strip and prevent it from spreading beyond its borders.”
• “There is a risk of escalation of this conflict, the opening of a second front in the north, and of course, Iran’s intervention. This is a risk that we have been mindful of from the very beginning. That’s why Biden is acting swiftly to send an aircraft carrier to the Eastern Mediterranean and deploy planes to the Persian Gulf, as he wants to send a very clear signal of deterrence to any state or country seeking to exploit the war in the Middle East.”
• “We are very focused on ensuring the safe exit of all American citizens in the Gaza Strip to Egypt.”