After discussions in Beirut with a view to obtaining a truce between the Israeli army and Hezbollah, the special envoy of the American president, Amos Hochstein, is expected this Thursday in Israel, where he is due to meet the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu , at 12:30 p.m. (10:30 a.m. GMT).
On Thursday, the Civil Defense of the Gaza Strip announced the death of 22 people killed overnight by an Israeli strike on a neighborhood in Gaza City (north).
“We confirm that 22 martyrs were transferred (to hospitals) after a strike targeting (a) house (…) in Sheikh Radwan,” Mahmoud Bassal, spokesperson for the organization, told AFP.
Another strike that occurred around midnight (10 p.m. GMT) in the area of Beit Lahia and Jabalia (north) left dozens dead, according to medical sources.
“Total stop of the aggression”
The United States, Israel’s ally, on Wednesday, November 2, prevented the UN Security Council from calling for an “immediate, unconditional and permanent” ceasefire in Gaza, despite international calls for an end of the conflict which caused a disastrous humanitarian situation in the territory.
In Lebanon, Israel launched into open war on September 23 after a year of cross-border shooting, and the Israeli army has been carrying out incursions into the south of the country since September 30.
The American ambassador to Beirut, Lisa Johnson, presented last Thursday to the Lebanese Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, and the head of Parliament, Nabih Berri, a 13-point plan providing for a 60 day truce and the deployment of the army in southern Lebanon.
In this context, envoy Amos Hochstein went to Beirut on Tuesday where he declared that a solution was “within reach” but that it was up to the belligerents to “decide”.
Israel “cannot impose its conditions on us”, warned Hezbollah leader Naïm Qassem on Wednesday in a pre-recorded speech, adding that he demanded “a total cessation of aggression” in Lebanon.
According to Israeli media, Mr. Hochstein landed in Israel on Wednesday evening and spoke with Ron Dermer, Minister of Strategic Affairs and confidant of the Israeli Prime Minister.
Netanyahu warned Monday that Israel “will carry out military operations” against Hezbollah even in the event of a truce.
“Destructive war”
Meanwhile, Israeli bombing continues in Lebanon.
The Lebanese National Information Agency (Ani) reported Thursday three strikes in Haret Hreik, a neighborhood in the southern suburbs of Beirut, “causing the destruction of several buildings.”
According to the same source, other strikes targeted several sectors in the south of the country during the night, including the important town of Khiam, located approximately six kilometers from the border.
On Thursday morning, the army’s Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, issued calls to evacuate residents of three areas near the southern city of Tyre.
“Our nation is suffering from a destructive and barbaric war waged by the Israeli enemy,” the commander-in-chief of the Lebanese army, General Joseph Aoun, said Thursday, on the eve of the 81st anniversary of the country’s independence.
“Efforts to achieve a ceasefire are intensifying,” assured the general.
(With AFP)
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