2023-10-16 14:45:45
The Israeli Army indicated this Monday that 199 people were kidnapped by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas in its bloody attack on October 7, according to a new report.
This considerably increases the number of captives in the enclave, which was initially estimated between 130 and 155, based on information released by the militia, although the real number may be higher.
“We have informed the families of 199 hostages,” military spokesman Daniel Hagari declared in a press conference on Monday, confirming that they have clarified the identity of the hostages registered so far.
Nearly 2,750 people were killed by Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, according to an updated balance published this Monday by the Hamas Ministry of Health.
The Israeli offensive, in retaliation for the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, continues in Gaza and also left “more than 9,700 injured,” according to the Hamas ministry.
German Chancellor to travel to Israel on Tuesday
The head of the German Government, Olaf Scholz, will travel to Israel this Tuesday (10/17/2023) to express his solidarity with the country, after the lethal offensive by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas on October 7, as revealed on Monday by the German press and the Israeli.
Several German media, such as the newspaper Bild and the television network n-tvciting government sources, announced the visit, the first by a foreign head of State or Government to the country, since the start of hostilities 10 days ago.
Eleven Palestinian journalists killed in conflict between Hamas and Israel
Eleven Palestinian journalists have died in the Gaza Strip since the start of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began after the Islamist movement’s attack on Israeli soil on October 7, the Palestinian journalists’ union declared this Monday (10/16/2023).
In a statement, the union, based in the occupied West Bank, also indicated that “20 journalists were injured as a result of the Israeli aggression” in Gaza.
An invasion by Israel “will make things worse”
The president of the Munich Security Conference, Christoph Heusgen, expressed concern that an Israeli ground offensive in Gaza, which has been expected since last weekend after the Hamas terrorist attack, could further worsen the situation in humanitarian terms. and politicians.
“The invasion will make things worse,” Heusgen warned in an interview with the German radio station Deutschlandfunk.
British Foreign Secretary urges Israel to show ‘restraint’
British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly urged Israel to show “restraint” in the offensive against Gaza, marking a change of tone by the British Government.
“It has to be in Israel’s interest to avoid civilian casualties and Palestinian casualties, because Hamas clearly wants to turn this into a broader Arab-Israeli war or, indeed, a war between the Muslim world and the world at large. None of us, including Israel, wants that to happen,” Cleverly said in an interview with Sky News on Sunday.
Israel and Hamas deny reports of ceasefire
Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, considered terrorist by the European Union and the United States, denied this Monday that there was a ceasefire, on the tenth day of a conflict that has already left thousands dead.
“There is no ceasefire or entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza in exchange for the departure of foreigners,” the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a short statement, following information that spoke of a truce to allow the use of the crossing. of Rafah, which connects the Gaza Strip with the Egyptian Sinai.
Izzat al Rishq, Hamas spokesman, also declared that the information circulating in some media was not “true.”
Egypt will open passage with Gaza for aid and departure of foreigners, according to sources
Egypt will open this Monday (10/16/2023) the Rafah crossing, which connects the Gaza Strip with the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula, for the entry of humanitarian aid and the exit of foreigners from the Palestinian enclave, which is in a “catastrophic” situation. “by Israel’s bombings in retaliation for the surprise terrorist attack by the Islamist Hamas, Egyptian security sources told EFE.
“The crossing will be opened today, but there is no confirmation of the time,” said the sources, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of this issue, which has been negotiated with the United States.
Israel evacuates civilians on the border with Lebanon
Israel announced this Monday (10/16/2023) the evacuation of the inhabitants of the towns along its northern border with Lebanon, after closing the area following exchanges of fire that have already left five dead.
In a joint statement, the Ministry of Defense and the Israeli Army announced “the implementation of a plan to evacuate the inhabitants of northern Israel who live less than two kilometers from the Lebanese border to accommodation financed by the State.”
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