Post by account_disabled on Feb 17, 2024 22:32:01 GMT -5
Israel faced local protests and calls for a ceasefire by some of its European allies and also at home on Sunday after a series of shootings, including that of three hostages, following 10 weeks of war in Gaza. Protesters are calling on the government to renew hostage negotiations with the Palestinian armed group Hamas, which it has vowed to destroy. Israel could also face pressure to reduce combat operations when US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visits this week. Washington has expressed growing concern about civilian casualties, although it continues to provide vital military and diplomatic support. The air and ground war has devastated much of northern Gaza, killing thousands of civilians; Many are crammed into overcrowded shelters and tents and survive on a trickle of humanitarian aid.
About 1.9 million Palestinians —nearly 85% of Gaza's Europe Mobile Number List population—have fled their homes. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel “will continue to fight until the end” with the goal of eliminating Hamas, which sparked the war with its Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. The militants killed aboupeople that day, mostly civilians, and captured dozens of hostages. Netanyahu vowed to bring back the estimated 129 hostages still in captivity. Israeli media reported that David Barnea, head of the Israeli spy agency Mossad, met over the weekend with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who has mediated with Hamas, to discuss the resumption of the conversations. The body of Alon Shamriz, mistakenly killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, is lowered into the grave during the funeral at Kibbutz Shefayim, near Tel Aviv.
AFP Photo Meanwhile, Gaza remained under a communications blackout for the fourth straight day, the longest of several blackouts during the war, which aid groups say is complicating rescue efforts. In a sign of desperation, dozens of Palestinians surrounded aid trucks after they crossed the Rafah crossing into Egypt, to take away the cargo. They survive thanks to a trickle of humanitarian aid . Israel said that starting Sunday, U.N. aid trucks could enter Gaza from a second location, Kerem Shalom. Separately, military officials said Saturday that the three hostages were mistakenly shot dead by Israeli troops. They tried to give signals that they did not represent any danger.