Israeli forces launched new bombings in the Gaza StripThe Palestinian movement Hamas indicated this Friday, at a time of high tension after Iran threatened retaliation following the attack on its consulate in Syria, attributed to Israel.
The tenacious Israeli offensive in response to Hamas attack on October 7 Gaza continues to give no respite, subject to a siege that has the population on the brink of famine, according to the UN.
For its part, Qatar, Egypt and the United States, which are mediating to achieve a truce, await the response of Israel and Hamas to his latest proposal for a cessation of fighting that would also allow the release of Israeli hostages held captive in Gaza.
Hamas reported that dozens of houses and residential buildings were attacked with explosives in the Nuseirat refugee camp and that dozens of bombings hit Al Zahra, Al Mughraqa and Al Maghazi, in the center of the Gaza Strip.
In the Al Daraj neighborhood, 25 people died in a bombing that hit a family's home.
“The situation is terrible and continues to get worse. The bombing has not stopped and continues,” said Imad Abu Shawish, 39.
In addition to the conflict in Gaza, concerns are growing about a eventual regional escalation after Iran accused Israel of being responsible for the bombing of its consulate in the Syrian capitalon April 1 in which seven Guardians of the Revolution died, two of them generals.
The United States warned of the danger of an Iranian attack or its related groups and General Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of the United States Central Command for the Middle East (Centcom), traveled to Israel.
Washington restricted the movement of its personnel in Israel due to the threat and This Friday, France recommended its citizens refrain from traveling to Iran, Lebanon, Israel and the Palestinian Territories. For its part, the German airline Lufthansa suspended its flights to and from Tehran.
– Escalation of threats –
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant spoke Thursday with Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin about the preparation for an Iranian attack against Israel.
“If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will respond and attack Iran,” warned Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz.
He US President Joe Bidenreiterated his “strong” support for Israel, despite the tensions between the Democratic president and the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, due to their differences over management of the war in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Ali Khamenei, supreme leader of Iran — Israel's archenemy and Hamas ally — reiterated Wednesday that Israel “will be punished.”
The White House warned Iran that it should refrain from attacking Israel and Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on his counterparts in China, Turkey and Saudi Arabia to try to deter Tehran.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged the United States to play a “constructive” role in the Middle East, Beijing reported after Wang's conversation with Blinken.
But Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian defended the “need” for Tehran to respond after the bombing of its consulate, in talks with his counterparts from Germany, Australia and the United Kingdom.
– “We must occupy Rafah” –
The conflict in the Palestinian territory broke out on October 7 after the Hamas attack on southern Israelwhich left 1,170 dead, mostly civilians, according to an AFP count based on Israeli figures.
In response, Israel vowed to “annihilate” Hamas and launched an offensive that It has already left 33,634 dead in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-ruled territory's Health Ministry.
The Islamist movement took during its assault 250 hostages, of which 129 remain in Gaza, including 34 believed to have died, according to Israeli authorities.
Basem Naim, a senior Hamas leader, warned Thursday that the group needs “sufficient time and security” to locate the hostages, something key for the truce negotiations. According to Naim, the hostages are “in different places, in the hands of different groups.”
Hundreds of Israelis demonstrated on Thursday night in front of Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem to call for the offensive to continue.
“We must occupy Rafah as soon as possible, to emerge victorious from the war,” said Dimitri, a 42-year-old teacher, who during the march defended the operation announced by the Israeli prime minister against that town in southern Gaza. There, 1.5 million Palestinians survive, crowded together, most of them displaced by the current conflict.
By Belal ALSABBAGH with Gaël BRANCHEREAU in Jerusalem
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