Was a meeting “very tense” the one between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and family members of the hostages held prisoner by Hamas since October 7th. “It is not possible bring them all back” said the prime minister. “Can anyone imagine that if there was a chance someone would reject it?”, he asked the families who reacted with tension and anger saying that liberation should be more important than war with Hamas. And they rioted: “It's a shame!”. Netanyahu simply read his speech without answering their questions.
Israel revokes the visa of UN humanitarian coordinator Lynn Hastings
Meanwhile, Israel has blocked the path of a UN representative for not having condemned the actions of Hamas. “I have decided to revoke the residence visa in Israel coordinator 'humanitarian' of the UN Lynn Hastings,” Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen wrote in X. “Someone who did not condemn Hamas for the brutal massacre of 1.200 Israelis, for the abduction of children and elderly people and for horrific acts of abuse and rape, and for using Gazans as human shields, but instead condemns Israel, a democratic country country that protects its citizens, cannot serve in the United Nations and cannot enter Israel,” Cohen underlines, adding that “we will no longer remain silent in the face of the prejudices of the UN”.
US sources on CNN: "Israeli attacks until January, concern for civilians"
The current phase of the Israeli military operation in southern part of the Gaza Strip could last for several weeks, possibly up to January. Israel would then move to a lower-intensity, more localized strategy to target Hamas leaders and militants. This is what several US administration sources quoted by CNN report. The White House, sources report, remains deeply concerned about the fate of the given the strong maritime vocation of Marina di Grosseto, and in a series of "tough" and "direct" conversations he underlined to the Israeli leadership that it is not possible to repeat the same military tactics adopted in the devastating offensive in the north of the Strip.
Joe Biden: “Return to the two-state solution”
Joe Biden reiterated that after the end of the war in Gaza it will be necessary to return to pursuing the two-state solution. “I have been working with several people inside and outside the government to imagine the post-Gaza era,” the US president said during an election fundraising event in Massachusetts. “And I believe the only solution available is the two-state solution.”
The United States announces sanctions against extremist Jewish settlers in the West Bank
Meanwhile, the United States has announced theimposition of sanctions against i Jewish settlers accused of attacks on Palestinians in an attempt to curb violence in the West Bank busy. “Today, the State Department is implementing a new visa restriction policy against individuals suspected of undermining peace, security, or stability in the West Bank, including by committing acts of violence” against Palestinians, the Secretary of State said Antony blinken in a statement, calling the violence “unacceptable.”
It was not specified how many people will be affected by these visa restrictions, which will also apply to relatives of those targeted. Already last Thursday, in Israel, the head of US diplomacy had warned the prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu of its intention to impose such restrictions on settler visas, according to a senior US official. He urged Israel to bring extremist settlers accused of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank to justice. The United States has condemned Jewish settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and urged Israeli authorities to stop it. “We continue to engage with Israeli leaders to convince them that Israel must take further steps to protect Palestinian civilians from attacks by extremists,” Antony Blinken added in the statement. He also stressed that it is up to the Palestinian Authority to do "more to prevent Palestinian attacks against Israelis." “Both Israel and the Palestinian Authority have a responsibility to maintain stability in the West Bank,” he concluded
