French President Macron: Stability of Middle East will only be possible if Israel also allows for political approach to the conflict with Palestinians
French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday proposed that the existing international coalition fighting against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria could be widened to also include the fight against Hamas in Gaza.
"France is ready for the international coalition against Daesh in which we are taking part for operations in Iraq and Syria to also fight against Hamas," Macron told reporters alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.
He added that "Stability of Middle East will only be possible if Israel also allows for political approach to the conflict with Palestinians.
He also said that 'We share with Israel the challenge of having to deal with hostages taken by Hamas,' and 'We call for liberation of all hostages.' 'Terrorism is France's and Israel's common enemy,' he went on.
Macron also called on Hezbollah and Iran not to take risk of regional escalation. 'The fight against terrorism must be without mercy but not without rules,' he added.
'Hamas are the new Nazis, they threaten Europe too:' Netanyahu says alongside Macron
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, welcomes French President Emmanuel Macron before their talks in Jerusalem, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. Emmanuel Macron is traveling to Israel to show France's solidarity with the country and further work on the release of hostages who are being held in Gaza. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, Pool)Credit: Christophe Ena /AP
IDF spokesman: There is no shortage of fuel in the Gaza Strip, Hamas uses it for its own needs
The IDF spokesperson published an aerial photo of diesel tankers near the Rafah crossing in the Gaza Strip, and claimed that Hamas uses the fuel for fighting while complaining about a lack of fuel for humanitarian needs.
An IDF spokesperson, in Arabic, said that Hamas "continues to claim that it has no ability to supply fuel to the hospitals and bakeries and civilians. Hamas-ISIS steals the diesel fuel from the civilians and transfers it to tunnels, launchers and senior officials. This is what Hamas' priorities seem to be. Residents of Gaza, do not make any demands of Israel. Your address is Sanwar (Baghdadi), Daf and other senior Hamas officials who brought Gaza to the abyss."
According to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, seven hospitals cannot provide medical services due to a lack of and malfunctions in the electricity connection. The ministry called on residents of the Gaza Strip to deliver diesel fuel to the hospitals to fuel the generators that supply them with electricity. Over the weekend, UN agencies announced that medical facilities in the Gaza Strip "no longer have fuel and are operating on the limited amounts they have been able to get."
'I went through hell:' 85-year-old Yocheved Lifshitz recounts Hamas captivity upon release
Yael Lifshitz, hostage released on Monday from Hamas captivity in Gaza.Credit: Tomer Appelbaum
85-year-old Yocheved Lifshitz, resident of kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel, upon release from Hamas captivity, gave a statement at Ichilov hospital in Tel Aviv. "I went through hell that we never thought it would get to this," she said about the terror attack of October 7. "They went rampant in our kibbutz. I was taken hostage. They laid me on a motorcycle and sped through a thicket." She added that those who took her beat her with sticks during the ride, and she got hurt in the ribs and had trouble breathing. Her watch and jewelry were taken from her, according to her statement.
"They blew up the electronic fence, that special fence that cost 2.5 billion dollars to build but didn't help with anything," Lifshitz went on. "Masses mobbed our homes. They beat people, took some hostage. They didn't distinguish between young and elderly, it was very painful. They brought us to the entrance to the tunnels. We arrived in the tunnel and walked for kilometers on wet dirt. There is a giant system of tunnels, like spiderwebs."
Lifshitz added: "When we got there they told us that they are believers of the Quran, that they won't harm us, and we will like in the same living conditions as them in the tunnels. We started walking in the tunnels, the dirt is damp and everything is always damp and humid. We reached a hall with 25 people in it, after 2–3 hours they separated five of the people from my kibbutz Nir Oz. They guarded us closely."
She also said that the kidnappers brought a doctor that gave them medical treatment and medicine to those who needed it. According to her statement, the hostages were treated well and the kidnappers were friendly. "We lay on mattresses, they made sure everything was sanitary," she said. "They made sure we wouldn't get sick, and we had a doctor with us every two or three days."
She said that one of the hostages who had fallen off the motorcycle and wounded his arms and legs received medical care. "The paramedic visited him every day and cleaned him up for an hour and a half. The doctor sent him antibiotics, after four or five days he still wasn't better, so the doctor changed his antibiotics. Then he started to get better."
"There were five of us, and each one of us had someone guarding them," she added. "They treated us well, took care of all the details… female hygiene. They cleaned our toilets, they cleaned! They cleaned with Lysol, so we won't get diseases, they were worried of a plague." When asked if the kidnappers tried to talk with the hostages, Lifshitz answered: "We told them - no politics. But they talked about all sorts of stuff. They were very friendly to us."
"They divided us into groups according to place of residence, took care of all our needs," she described. "To their credit, they kept us very clean. They made sure we ate, we ate the same food they did - pitta bread with white cheese, processed cheese and cucumber."
Regarding the surprise attack on October 7, Lifshitz said that the residents in her Kibbutz were harmed by the IDF's and Shin Bet's lack of knowledge. "We were the government's scapegoats," she said. "We were deserted by the government three weeks earlier. [The Hamas] schooled us, so to speak. Masses came to the roads, they lit our fields on fire, sent balloons that would start fires in our fields. The IDF didn't take it seriously. Suddenly on Saturday morning when everything was quiet, they bombarded us, then swarms invaded the expensive fence, opened the Kibbutz doors, it was very unpleasant."
When asked about the documentation of the moment of her release which shows her shaking the hand of one of the Hamas kidnappers, Lifshitz said: "They treated us gently and looked after us. They were ready for this, they had been preparing for a while. They had everything women would need and men would need. Even shampoo and conditioner."
Beforehand, hospital manager Ronni Gamzu said that Lifshitz and Nurit Cooper, 79, who was released with her, are to be admitted and monitored for the time being. "In the next day or two one of the hostages may be discharged and one will stay to complete medical treatment," added Gamzu. "We are taking care of their mental and medical state, all done in contact with their families."
UN Palestinian refugee agency calls for unimpeded flow of aid to Gaza
United Nations and Red Crescent workers prepare the aid for distribution to Palestinians at UNRWA warehouse in the Gaza Strip, on Monday.Credit: Hassan Eslaiah /AP
The United Nations Palestinian refugee agency called for an unimpeded flow of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
"We call for an unimpeded and continuous flow of humanitarian assistance and medical assistance to continue coming into Gaza," said Tamara Alrifai, spokesperson for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). "The trucks that have come in so far are just a trickle in the face of the immense needs of people on the street."
World Bank president: Israel-Gaza war has made world more dangerous
World Bank President Ajay Banga in Marrakech, Morocco, October 15, 2023.Credit: SUSANA VERA/ REUTERS
World Bank President Ajay Banga said on Tuesday the world was in a more dangerous place and that it was not business as usual as a result of the Israel-Gaza war.
Banga was speaking to reporters at the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Italy's Foreign Minister: The explosion at Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza was not caused by an Israeli missile
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks as he attends a press conference in Cairo, Egypt, earlier this month.Credit: Mohamed Abd El Ghany/REUTERS
Italy's foreign minister said an explosion at a hospital in Gaza City last week was not caused by a missile fired by Israel and also questioned the death toll reported by Palestinian officials.
"We need to avoid the negative impact of propaganda because that missile that was said to have caused 500 deaths, in reality it was around 50 people…. was not launched by Israel," Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said.
The Gaza health ministry has put the hospital death toll at 471. Tajani did not say what evidence his comments were based on.
Netanyahu meets with Macron in Jerusalem
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanaynu and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Jerusalem, on Tuesday.Credit: Kobi Gidon/GPO
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with French President Emmanuel Macron in his office in Jerusalem. At the end of their private conversation, the two will participate in an extended meeting in which, among others, Israel's National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi, and the military secretary Major General Avi Gil will take part, as well as Macron's advisors. They are then expected to make a statement to the media.
Yocheved Lifshitz's son says she was held hostage with about 60 other people, if everyone there is in the same condition there is room for optimism
Arnon, the son of Yocheved who was released on Monday from Hamas captivity, told Israeli news site Walla that "she was together with 50-60 other people in the same place. If everyone is there in the same situation, there is room for optimism. She and [my] father were separated, he was in another place, and we hope that he will also return healthy as soon as possible."
IDF Spokesperson: A significant humanitarian effort is being built in southern Gaza; we must not show complacency despite decrease in rockets towards Israel
IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari repeated his call to the residents of the northern Gaza Strip to move south to the Gaza River area and stay there, saying that "a significant humanitarian effort is being built with Egypt and the U.S." in this area. Hagari emphasized that Israel is focusing its attacks on the heart of Gaza City and the neighborhoods in the northern part of the strip.
Hagari also said that in recent days, fewer rockets have been fired from Gaza towards Israel, but warned against becoming complacent. "This is a choice of the enemy, an attempt to put us to sleep. There are still launch capabilities from Gaza, our defense is not airtight," he said.
Macron tells Herzog: These people were killed 'just because they were Jewish'
French President Emmanuel Macron, left, meets Israel's President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023.Credit: Christophe Ena /AP
President Macron tells Herzog, speaking of the attacks on October 7, that "These people were killed just because they were Jewish and because they want to live in peace."
He also said that he seeks to express France's "solidarity today and tomorrow," and that he shares in Herzog's view "that there should be the immediate release of hostages without any distinction," adding that "I want you to be sure that you are not left alone in this war against terrorism."
He added, "We passed several messages to other potential terrorist groups wanting to join this operation," and that France has "passed very clear messages to Hezbollah and discussed it with them."
Herzog tells Macron: We are not looking for a confrontation on our northern border
Speaking at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, Israel's President Isaac Herzog told French President Emmanuel Macron that "Hezbollah is playing with fire. The empire of evil that is backing them and is working to destabilize the region is playing with fire."
Herzog added that Israel is "not looking for a confrontation on our northern border," saying that "If Hezbollah will drag us into war, Lebanon will pay the price."
Start of academic year postponed to December due to war
The Committee of University Heads announced that the opening of the academic school year will be postponed to the beginning of December, at the earliest. This is in light of the war, and the high percentage of reservists among students and faculty.
Macron says 30 French nationals killed in Hamas attack
French President Emmanuel Macron met with the families of missing and murdered individuals who hold French citizenship. In a tweet, Macron said he came to Israel to express solidarity with them, stating, "We and Israel are bound to each other in bonds of mourning."
According to Macron, during the terrorist attack on October 7, 30 French citizens were killed, and nine others were abducted by Hamas.
Israel Police arrest actress after posting a photo of Gaza border breach with the caption: 'Let's go Berlin style'
Police arrested actress Maisa Abd Elhadi, a resident of Nazareth, on suspicion of publishing words of praise and incitement to terrorism. According to the police announcement, Elhadi was arrested following posts she uploaded to social networks of a photo of the breaching of the border fence in Gaza along with the words "let's go Berlin style."
Analysis | Israel plays a nerve-wracking waiting game ahead of a Gaza ground offensive
Israeli tanks on the Gaza border on Monday.Credit: Ilan Assayag
As Israel heads into the 18th day of the war, the delay leaves a window of opportunity for a deal to free hostages, but comes with concerns of a further escalation with Hezbollah and Iran, as well as doubts about the nature of the ground maneuver required and the results it may be able to achieve.
Even though public support and legitimacy for a ground incursion that could lead to Israeli losses is still at a peak after the horrendous terror attack perpetrated by Hamas, the crisis of trust between the government and the military and within the government itself is worsening.
Qatari leader says Israel 'shouldn't be given a greenlight for unconditional killing'
Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, center, speaks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, left, and Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit in a summit in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday.Credit: /AP
Qatar's ruling emir on Tuesday urged the international community not to grant Israel "unrestricted authorisation to kill" Palestinians in its fight against Hamas, in what he called a dangerous escalation that threatens global security.
"We say enough. Israel shouldn't be granted an unconditional green light and unrestricted authorisation to kill," Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani said in an annual speech to open the Gulf Arab state's advisory Shura council, his first public comments since Qatar began its most recent efforts to mediate between Israel and Hamas.
Since then, wealthy gas-producer Qatar has had an open dialogue with both Israel and Hamas which has brought about the release of four hostages held by Hamas, including two Israeli women on Monday.
"We call for a serious regional and international stance against this dangerous escalation that we are witnessing, which threatens the security of the region and the world,” Sheikh Tamim said.
"We do not accept double standards and acting like the lives of Palestinian children aren't accounted for, as if they don't have faces or names."
Yocheved Lifshitz' daughter: my mother and father were not together when they were held by Hamas
Yocheved Lifshitz with her grandchildren at a hospital in Tel Aviv, on Monday night.Credit: From the Instagram of Daniel Lifshitz
Sharon Lifshitz, the daughter of Nir Oz resident Yocheved Lifshitz, who was released on Monday from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip, said that her mother and father – who was also kidnapped and not released – were not together when they were held by Hamas.
In an interview with Channel 12 News, Yocheved's daughter said that "they were treated well, they had a doctor according to what I understood, she looks fine." According to Gadi Amichai, Yocheved's nephew, "she said that they took her on a motorcycle, with one terrorist sitting in the front and one in the back," and that she "knows that she was in the [city] of Abasan al-Kabira, which is close to Nir Oz, and after that she doesn't know where she was."
At least 10 British nationals killed in Israel-Hamas war, UK minister says
At least 10 British nationals have been killed in the conflict between Israel and Hamas and a further six remain missing, junior British finance minister Victoria Atkins told Times Radio on Tuesday.
Macron meets Israeli-French nationals who have lost loved ones, families of hostages
French President Emmanuel Macron hugs a woman as he meets Israeli-French nationals who have lost loved ones, as well as families of hostages, at Ben Gurion airport on Tuesday.Credit: Pool/Reuters
Israel's Health Ministry says 278 injured people are hospitalized, 40 of them in serious condition
The Health Ministry announced that 278 people are hospitalized with injuries in Israel, of which 40 are in serious condition, 164 are in moderate condition and 74 are in mild condition.
IDF says it killed three Hamas commanders, attacked more than 400 military targets in Gaza in the past day
The IDF spokesperson announced it has assassinated three deputy Hamas commanders in Hamas overnight. It was also reported that in the last day, fighter jets struck more than 400 military targets in the Gaza Strip, including Hamas operational headquarters and assembly areas, including armed operatives who were preparing to attack Israel.
France's President Emmanuel Macron arrives in Israel
French President Emmanuel Macron arrives at Ben Gurion airport on Tuesday.Credit: POOL/Reuters
French President Macron landed in Israel, and is expected to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister Isaac Herzog and families of hostages held in Gaza.
RECAP: Here's what you need to know on day 18
Here’s what you need to know as we enter day 18 of the Israel-Hamas war:
■ Two Israeli women were released from Hamas captivity on Monday evening. They are Yocheved Lifshitz, age 85, and Nurit Cooper, age 79, both from Kibbutz Nir Oz. The Israeli government thanked Egypt and the Red Cross for their part in securing the release of the hostages.
■ The White House said Iran was in some cases "actively facilitating" rocket and drone attacks by Iranian-backed proxy groups on U.S. military bases in Iraq and Syria.
■ French President Emmanuel Macron will land in Israel on Tuesday morning for meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials.
■ A delegation of the families of hostages held captive by Hamas will be at the United Nations at the same time as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, to protest for their release.
■ Tensions on the northern border continued to rise with rocket fire from Lebanon toward the northern Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona, which lightly wounded two. The Israeli army continued to strike Hezbollah military targets and infrastructure in Lebanon overnight.
■ Rocket fire from Gaza towards Israeli cities and towns persisted, with sirens sounding in communities near the border on Monday afternoon. Two drones from Gaza entered Israeli airspace and were intercepted by a military helicopter and an air defense system.
■ According to the Hamas-controlled health ministry in Gaza, 5,182 Palestinians in both Gaza and the West Bank have been killed since the start of the war.
■ A United Nations human rights expert urged any lawyer advising the Israeli military to refuse to grant legal authorization to actions that violate international law. The UN's humanitarian office also warned that Gazans have been suffering an increase in incidence of diseases like chicken pox, scabies and diarrhea due to poor sanitation conditions and consumption of water from agricultural wells.
Biden reaffirms support for Israel, underscores need to sustain a flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza
U.S. President Joe Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu early Tuesday morning, reaffirming “his commitment to ongoing efforts to secure the release of all the remaining hostages taken by Hamas – including Americans – and to provide for safe passage for U.S. citizens and other civilians in Gaza,” according to a readout of the conversation provided by the White House.
Biden also “underscored the need to sustain a continuous flow of urgently needed humanitarian assistance into Gaza.”
The two leaders agreed to speak again in the coming days, according to the White House.
France’s Macron to visit Israel, Ramallah on Tuesday
French President Emmanuel Macron will land in Israel on Tuesday morning for meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials. He will be met at Ben-Gurion Airport by representatives of the French nationals killed in the fighting or being held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Macron will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, as well as members of the Israeli war cabinet and opposition leaders, before travelling to Ramallah where he will meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.