'The war can wait': Israel hostage families 'building pressure' on govt for ceasefire, hostage deal
Issued on: 23/01/2024 -
05:21 Video by: Jean-Emile JAMMINE
Israel has proposed to Hamas via Qatari and Egyptian mediators a pause in fighting of up to two months as part of a deal to free all the hostages being held in Gaza, the US news site Axios reported Monday. The report, citing unnamed Israeli officials, said the deal would take place in multiple stages, the first of which would see the release of women, men over 60 and those in critical medical condition. Subsequent phases would involve the release of women soldiers, younger civilian men, male soldiers and the bodies of dead hostages. The officials said the deal would also see the release of an as yet undetermined number of Palestinian prisoners being held in Israel, but not all of them. The proposal does not include promises to end the war, but it would involve Israeli troops reducing their presence in major cities in Gaza and gradually allowing residents to return to the territory's devastated north. The officials said the deal was expected to take around two months to implement. With 132 hostages still in Gaza and pressure mounting to reach a ceasefire deal, FRANCE 24's Jean-Emile Jammine is joined by Gershon Baskin, Israeli Negotiator, Columnist, Speaker, Social / Political Activist, Founder and Director of IPCRI, the Israeli-Palestinian Public Policy Institute.
Netanyahu under pressure over Israel troop losses, hostages
Jerusalem (AFP) – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a mounting crisis after Israel's worst day of troop losses in the Gaza war as well as growing protests over his failure to bring hostages back.
Issued on: 23/01/2024 -
United Nations boss slams Netanyahu for refusal of two-state solution to war in Gaza
António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General speaks during the High-Level Segment for Heads of State and Government session at the United Nations climate summit in Dubai on December 2, 2023.
Jerusalem (AFP) – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a mounting crisis after Israel's worst day of troop losses in the Gaza war as well as growing protests over his failure to bring hostages back.
Issued on: 23/01/2024 -
Questions are being asked about Israel's military strategy in Gaza after troop losses
© RONEN ZVULUN / POOL/AFP
The military's strategy in the Palestinian territory is under intense scrutiny following the death of 24 troops on Monday, Israel's biggest one-day loss since its ground offensive in Gaza started in late October.
Among those killed were 21 reservists, who died in a single incident.
The incident, which saw rocket-propelled grenade fire hit a tank and two buildings the soldiers were trying to blow up, was deemed a "disaster" by Netanyahu.
Emmanuel Navon, a lecturer at Tel Aviv University, told AFP the troop losses "affect everybody, because almost everybody in the country has a son or brother or a relative (fighting in Gaza)".
Israelis would now be increasingly asking "what is the strategy... Do we really keep going until we finish Hamas?", he added.
At the same time, splits have emerged in Netanyahu's war cabinet following protests in Tel Aviv and outside his Jerusalem home, where relatives of hostages staged a rally Monday chanting "everybody and now" to urge the return of captives.
"The current mood in the war cabinet is very bad," said Julia Elad-Strenger, a lecturer at Bar-Ilan University near Tel Aviv.
Netanyahu's steadfast vow to eliminate the Palestinian militant group Hamas in response to the October 7 attack is increasingly seen within the cabinet as incompatible with returning hostages held in Gaza, experts told AFP.
- War cabinet divided -
Two members of the five-person war cabinet, Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot, have rejected Netanyahu's stance that only military pressure on Hamas will allow the return of hostages, the experts said.
"According to Netanyahu there can be no victory with Hamas left standing, according to Gantz and Eisenkot there can be no victory with hostages lost," said Reuven Hazan, a professor of political science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
The military's strategy in the Palestinian territory is under intense scrutiny following the death of 24 troops on Monday, Israel's biggest one-day loss since its ground offensive in Gaza started in late October.
Among those killed were 21 reservists, who died in a single incident.
The incident, which saw rocket-propelled grenade fire hit a tank and two buildings the soldiers were trying to blow up, was deemed a "disaster" by Netanyahu.
Emmanuel Navon, a lecturer at Tel Aviv University, told AFP the troop losses "affect everybody, because almost everybody in the country has a son or brother or a relative (fighting in Gaza)".
Israelis would now be increasingly asking "what is the strategy... Do we really keep going until we finish Hamas?", he added.
At the same time, splits have emerged in Netanyahu's war cabinet following protests in Tel Aviv and outside his Jerusalem home, where relatives of hostages staged a rally Monday chanting "everybody and now" to urge the return of captives.
"The current mood in the war cabinet is very bad," said Julia Elad-Strenger, a lecturer at Bar-Ilan University near Tel Aviv.
Netanyahu's steadfast vow to eliminate the Palestinian militant group Hamas in response to the October 7 attack is increasingly seen within the cabinet as incompatible with returning hostages held in Gaza, experts told AFP.
- War cabinet divided -
Two members of the five-person war cabinet, Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot, have rejected Netanyahu's stance that only military pressure on Hamas will allow the return of hostages, the experts said.
"According to Netanyahu there can be no victory with Hamas left standing, according to Gantz and Eisenkot there can be no victory with hostages lost," said Reuven Hazan, a professor of political science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Israeli troops carry the coffin of a fellow soldier killed fighting in the Gaza Strip
© Menahem Kahana / AFP
Eisenkot, whose son died fighting in Gaza, gave an interview last week in which he split from Netanyahu's long-held position.
"It is impossible to return the hostages alive in the near future without an agreement (with Hamas)," he told Israeli broadcaster Channel 12.
Netanyahu has vowed "total victory" over Hamas in response to the unprecedented attack by its fighters on October 7 that resulted in the deaths of about 1,140 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.
The militants seized about 250 hostages and Israel says around 132 remain in besieged Gaza, including the bodies of at least 28 dead hostages, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli data.
In response to the attack, Israel has launched a relentless offensive in Gaza that has killed at least 25,490 people, around 70 percent of them women, young children and adolescents, according to the latest toll issued Tuesday by Gaza's health ministry.
'Worst point'
Netanyahu has rejected suggestions that his government should hold another round of talks with Hamas to reach a similar deal to one struck in November that led to the release of 80 Israeli hostages.
Under that deal, brokered by Qatar, the United States and Egypt, a seven-day humanitarian pause was agreed that allowed aid deliveries into Gaza, while hundreds of Palestinian prisoners were released in exchange for hostages.
The Israeli premier doubled down on his refusal to enter talks with Hamas on Sunday, saying: "The conditions demanded by Hamas demonstrate a simple truth: there is no substitute for victory."
Netanyahu said Hamas had set conditions for the release of more hostages that included an end to the war, withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and guarantees that the group will stay in power.
Experts said they expected the Israeli premier to continue the war as a tactic to remain in power, even as pressure to change course mounts.
"I think he has made a decision to keep this war going and not just for his political interests, but endless war is his strategy in general," said Mairav Zonszein, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group.
Eisenkot, whose son died fighting in Gaza, gave an interview last week in which he split from Netanyahu's long-held position.
"It is impossible to return the hostages alive in the near future without an agreement (with Hamas)," he told Israeli broadcaster Channel 12.
Netanyahu has vowed "total victory" over Hamas in response to the unprecedented attack by its fighters on October 7 that resulted in the deaths of about 1,140 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.
The militants seized about 250 hostages and Israel says around 132 remain in besieged Gaza, including the bodies of at least 28 dead hostages, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli data.
In response to the attack, Israel has launched a relentless offensive in Gaza that has killed at least 25,490 people, around 70 percent of them women, young children and adolescents, according to the latest toll issued Tuesday by Gaza's health ministry.
'Worst point'
Netanyahu has rejected suggestions that his government should hold another round of talks with Hamas to reach a similar deal to one struck in November that led to the release of 80 Israeli hostages.
Under that deal, brokered by Qatar, the United States and Egypt, a seven-day humanitarian pause was agreed that allowed aid deliveries into Gaza, while hundreds of Palestinian prisoners were released in exchange for hostages.
The Israeli premier doubled down on his refusal to enter talks with Hamas on Sunday, saying: "The conditions demanded by Hamas demonstrate a simple truth: there is no substitute for victory."
Netanyahu said Hamas had set conditions for the release of more hostages that included an end to the war, withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and guarantees that the group will stay in power.
Experts said they expected the Israeli premier to continue the war as a tactic to remain in power, even as pressure to change course mounts.
"I think he has made a decision to keep this war going and not just for his political interests, but endless war is his strategy in general," said Mairav Zonszein, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group.
Israelis have been staging protests calling for a deal to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza © AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP
"As far as Netanyahu is concerned, if the war lasts beyond 2024 that's better for him politically because it gets October 7 further away from us and it gives him a chance to rebuild," said Hazan of Hebrew University.
"Right now he is at the worst point in his entire career," said Hazan.
© 2024 AFP
"As far as Netanyahu is concerned, if the war lasts beyond 2024 that's better for him politically because it gets October 7 further away from us and it gives him a chance to rebuild," said Hazan of Hebrew University.
"Right now he is at the worst point in his entire career," said Hazan.
© 2024 AFP
24 Israeli soldiers killed in largest military loss suffered in war with Hamas
Smoke billows during Israeli bombardment over Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, on Monday, the same day 21 Israeli soldiers were killed when a building they were in collapsed following an explosion. Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Twenty-four Israeli soldiers were killed and several others were injured in central Gaza on Monday, the Israel Defense Forces said, the largest military loss suffered by the Middle Eastern country since its war against Hamas began in October.
"A terrible day," IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said in a statement on X.
"Many of our reserve warriors lost in the last 24 hours. We're determined. May their memories be a blessing."
Twenty-one of the soldiers were killed when a two-story building they were in collapsed at around 4 p.m. as a result of an explosion, IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a Tuesday night statement.
Smoke billows during Israeli bombardment over Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, on Monday, the same day 21 Israeli soldiers were killed when a building they were in collapsed following an explosion. Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Twenty-four Israeli soldiers were killed and several others were injured in central Gaza on Monday, the Israel Defense Forces said, the largest military loss suffered by the Middle Eastern country since its war against Hamas began in October.
"A terrible day," IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said in a statement on X.
"Many of our reserve warriors lost in the last 24 hours. We're determined. May their memories be a blessing."
Twenty-one of the soldiers were killed when a two-story building they were in collapsed at around 4 p.m. as a result of an explosion, IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a Tuesday night statement.
He said the soldiers were removing Hamas buildings and infrastructure near the Gaza border with the Israeli kibbutz of Kissufim when mines they had laid detonated.
A preliminary investigation has found that explosion occurred as Hamas fired rocket-propelled grenades, one of which hit a tank guarding the soldiers inside the building while a second hit the building itself, setting off the explosives, which caused the structure to collapse, Hagari said.
Most of the soldiers died as a result of the explosion, he said, adding two people in the tank were also killed.
Three other soldiers were killed in separate incidents.
The IDF has released the names of the deceased, stating their families have been notified.
"War has a very painful and heavy price," Hagari said. "The dedicated reservists, who stood up for the flag, sacrificed the most precious of all, for the security of the State of Israel and so that we can all live here safely."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel described Monday "one of the most difficult days" of the war.
"The IDF has launched an investigation into the disaster. We must draw the necessary lessons and do everything to preserve the lives of our warriors," he said in a statement on X, while vowing to continue the war against Hamas.
"In the name of our heroes, for the sake of our lives, we will not stop fighting until the absolute victory."
War Cabinet member Benny Gantz called on the nation to remain united in the face of the tragedy and remember "the heavy price we are forced to pay for such a just war."
"Especially today, we are sending strength to all IDF soldiers and their commanders," he said in a statement. "We are all behind you."
According to the IDF's website, more than 550 Israeli soldiers have died in the war that started Oct. 7 when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people with some 240 more taken hostage.
The Hamas-controlled Palestinian Ministry of Health states that more than 25,000 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, have died in the three-month-old war.
Palestinian families flee Khan Younis in Gaza I/10
Palestinian families flee Khan Yunis on the coastal road leading to Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on January 22, 2024.
A preliminary investigation has found that explosion occurred as Hamas fired rocket-propelled grenades, one of which hit a tank guarding the soldiers inside the building while a second hit the building itself, setting off the explosives, which caused the structure to collapse, Hagari said.
Most of the soldiers died as a result of the explosion, he said, adding two people in the tank were also killed.
Three other soldiers were killed in separate incidents.
The IDF has released the names of the deceased, stating their families have been notified.
"War has a very painful and heavy price," Hagari said. "The dedicated reservists, who stood up for the flag, sacrificed the most precious of all, for the security of the State of Israel and so that we can all live here safely."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel described Monday "one of the most difficult days" of the war.
"The IDF has launched an investigation into the disaster. We must draw the necessary lessons and do everything to preserve the lives of our warriors," he said in a statement on X, while vowing to continue the war against Hamas.
"In the name of our heroes, for the sake of our lives, we will not stop fighting until the absolute victory."
War Cabinet member Benny Gantz called on the nation to remain united in the face of the tragedy and remember "the heavy price we are forced to pay for such a just war."
"Especially today, we are sending strength to all IDF soldiers and their commanders," he said in a statement. "We are all behind you."
According to the IDF's website, more than 550 Israeli soldiers have died in the war that started Oct. 7 when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people with some 240 more taken hostage.
The Hamas-controlled Palestinian Ministry of Health states that more than 25,000 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, have died in the three-month-old war.
Palestinian families flee Khan Younis in Gaza I/10
Palestinian families flee Khan Yunis on the coastal road leading to Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on January 22, 2024.
Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI | License Photo
United Nations boss slams Netanyahu for refusal of two-state solution to war in Gaza
António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General speaks during the High-Level Segment for Heads of State and Government session at the United Nations climate summit in Dubai on December 2, 2023.
File Photo by COP28/ UN Climate Change/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Antonio Guterres, the director-general of the United Nations, blasted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday after he twice refused in recent days to accept a two-state solution to the dispute over land claimed by Palestinians and Israelis.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden -- who has stated that the U.S.-backed Israel has a right to defend itself in the wake of the October 7 attacks by the Iran-backed militant group Hamas -- seemed to indicate that the same promise of security might not be offered to the Palestinian state.
"There are a number of types of two-state solutions," Biden told reporters after a call with Netanyahu. "There's a number of countries that are members of the U.N. that are still -- don't have their own military; a number of states that have limitations, and so I think there's ways in which this can work."
Hamas has stated that its attack last year came after raids on the Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of Islam's holiest sites, by Israeli Police and violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers, leading to the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians in a decades-long conflict that has been on-and-off since before the Israeli state existed.
In his remarks, Guterres said that the denial of the right to full statehood for Palestine, which is already recognized as a nation by most countries around the world, is "unacceptable."
"The right of the Palestinian people to build their own state must be recognized by all," Guterres said.
But some high-ranking Israeli politicians don't agree, like Itamar Ben-Gvir -- who lives in an illegal Israeli settlement in Palestine's West Bank."I do deny a Palestinian state," Ben-Gvir said on Twitter on Saturday. "Always!" His post was liked by nearly 3,000 people as of Sunday morning.
Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Antonio Guterres, the director-general of the United Nations, blasted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday after he twice refused in recent days to accept a two-state solution to the dispute over land claimed by Palestinians and Israelis.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden -- who has stated that the U.S.-backed Israel has a right to defend itself in the wake of the October 7 attacks by the Iran-backed militant group Hamas -- seemed to indicate that the same promise of security might not be offered to the Palestinian state.
"There are a number of types of two-state solutions," Biden told reporters after a call with Netanyahu. "There's a number of countries that are members of the U.N. that are still -- don't have their own military; a number of states that have limitations, and so I think there's ways in which this can work."
Hamas has stated that its attack last year came after raids on the Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of Islam's holiest sites, by Israeli Police and violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers, leading to the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians in a decades-long conflict that has been on-and-off since before the Israeli state existed.
In his remarks, Guterres said that the denial of the right to full statehood for Palestine, which is already recognized as a nation by most countries around the world, is "unacceptable."
"The right of the Palestinian people to build their own state must be recognized by all," Guterres said.
But some high-ranking Israeli politicians don't agree, like Itamar Ben-Gvir -- who lives in an illegal Israeli settlement in Palestine's West Bank."I do deny a Palestinian state," Ben-Gvir said on Twitter on Saturday. "Always!" His post was liked by nearly 3,000 people as of Sunday morning.
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