Gaza resident wave white flags as they head south
(IDF)
The IDF Arabic language spokesperson said on Wednesday that thousands of Gaza residents headed calls and were heading south via the humanitarian road that was secured for them on Wednesday between 10 am and 2 pm, as it had been in the past two days. Some of the people were seen carrying white flags.
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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that Israel cannot run Gaza, but there may be a transition period following the end of the current conflict. "Gaza cannot be continued to be run by Hamas. That simply invites repetition of October 7 ... It's also clear that Israel cannot occupy Gaza," Blinken told reporters after a G7 foreign ministers meeting in Tokyo. "Now, the reality is that there may be a need for some transition period at the end of the conflict ... We don't see a reoccupation and what I've heard from Israeli leaders, is that they have no intent to reoccupy Gaza."
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Britain's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at G7
(Photo: Eugene Hoshiko / EPA /POOL)
British Foreign Minister C reiterated Britain's support for a two-state solution and said a move towards a peace-loving leadership in Palestine is the most desired outcome in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The IDF on Wednesday said 22-year-old Jonathan Chazor is the latest fatality of the fighting in Gaza, bringing the total number of soldiers killed since the land incursion began to 33. Israel police said the thus far, one month after the murderous Hamas attack on Israel, 843 bodies were identified. Earlier the IDF said Chief Sgt. (Res.) Yaakov Ozeri was killed.
The IDF said its forces killed Mohsen Abu Zina, who was an expert in developing strategic weapons and rockets used by Hamas terrorists, in a raid overnight.
The U.S. House of Representatives voted late on Tuesday to censure Democrat Rashida Tlaib for "promoting false narratives" on the Hamas Octber 7 attack on Israel and “calling for the destruction of the state of Israel,” in a 234 to 188 vote after 22 Democrats joined most Republicans.
U.S. President Joe Biden said on Tuesday evening that he asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a pause in fighting in Gaza during a call on Monday. A White House spokesperson previously said the two leaders discussed the potential for "tactical pauses" in fighting in Gaza for humanitarian reasons and possible hostage releases during their conversation on Monday. Meanwhile, Axios reported that Biden has told Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu that a three-day fighting pause could help secure release of some hostages.
At the same time the White House said that U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized in a call with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Tuesday the importance of protecting civilian lives and respecting international humanitarian law, the White House said in a statement.
The White House also indicated that the United States would oppose a reoccupation of Gaza by Israel's military in post-conflict Gaza. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters Tuesday that the U.S. is talking to Israel about "the day after the war" in Gaza and that Hamas "cannot be part of this equation." Kirby also acknowledged that "Hamas has genocidal intentions against the residents of Israel." Kirby said that Israel and the United States are friends and do not have to agree on every single issue. He also noted that more Americans are expected to be among the foreign citizens who leave Gaza through the Rafah crossing.
The United States does not support any forced relocation of Palestinians outside of Gaza and this is not something that Washington is pursuing or is on the table, U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said at a daily news briefing on Tuesday. Patel also said Washington was opposed to any re-occupation of Gaza by Israel.
He was responding to a question about comments by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu telling ABC television Israel will "for an indefinite period" have the overall security responsibility for the Palestinian enclave.ir defenses intercepted a “suspicious aerial target” identified approaching Israeli airspace from Lebanon, the IDF said on Tuesday.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and government minister Benny Gantz made three separate statements Tuesday
(Photo: Dana Koppel)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a nationally televised address Tuesday evening that "we have eliminated thousands of terrorists above and below the ground. Hamas is discovering that we are reaching places it never thought we would reach."
Netanyahu also referred to the northern border: "If Hezbollah chooses to enter the war, it will make the mistake of its life." Netanyahu emphasized that there will be no cease-fire without the return of the hostages.
He said to the families of the hostages: "We are working on all fronts to return your loved ones home. The military action is an essential part of this effort."
Tuesday evening saw two massive barrages of rockets fired on Tel Aviv and other central Israeli cities. One rocket hit a home in the affluent town of Savion, causing extensive damage. Rocket parts also rained down on Rishon LeTzion, causing damage.
First published: 07:40, 11.07.23