► Washington shows “cautious optimism” about the conclusion of a truce
The United States said on Tuesday, December 17, that it was demonstrating “cautious optimism” regarding the prospect of reaching a truce in the Gaza Strip, after more than a year of devastating conflict between Israel and Palestinian Hamas.
“I think cautious optimism is a good way to characterize it, although greatly moderated by realism”US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told the press, as Hamas describes the negotiations for a truce organized in Doha as “serious and positive”.
► Negotiations for a truce are “serious and positive”, assures Hamas
The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas said talks in Qatar for a truce in the Gaza Strip were “serious and positive”the day after the arrival in Doha of an Israeli delegation to meet mediators.
“Hamas affirms that in light of the serious and positive discussions taking place today in Doha under the auspices of our Qatari and Egyptian brothers, it is possible to reach an agreement for a ceasefire and an exchange of prisoners (hostages held in Gaza and Palestinian detainees by Israel, Editor’s note) if the occupation stops imposing new conditions”Hamas said in a statement.
► The “resistance” is not over, promises the Iranian supreme leader
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said Israel and the United States had “totally wrong” to think that the“axis of resistance” supported by Tehran had collapsed with the fall of Syrian leader Bashar Al Assad.
“With the developments in Syria, the crimes committed by the Zionist regime, the crimes committed by America and the help others are giving them, they thought the resistance was over”declared Ali Khamenei. “They are completely wrong”he said during a speech broadcast by state television.
► Gaza: the Israeli army announces the death of two soldiers
The Israeli army announced the death of two of its soldiers in the south of the Gaza Strip.
Commander Moshiko Maxim Rozenwald, 35, a member of a combat engineering unit, and another soldier were killed during a « incident »indicates a succinct military press release without specifying the circumstances of their death. According to Israeli Army Radio, the two soldiers were killed following the collapse of a dilapidated building.
► Israel Katz wants to maintain total freedom of action for the army in Gaza
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said he wanted a “total freedom of action” for his country in the Gaza Strip following the ongoing war in this Palestinian territory.
“After eliminating Hamas’ military and governmental power in Gaza, Israel will exercise security control over Gaza with complete freedom of action”he wrote on X, specifying that it was a personal position.
Israel Katz explained that the governance of the Gaza Strip should be “just like in Judea and Samaria”the name that Israel gives to the West Bank, Palestinian territory that it has occupied since 1967.
► A complaint filed in France against a Franco-Israeli soldier
A new complaint for torture, war crimes, genocide and complicity against a Franco-Israeli soldier who is the author of a video showing men presented as Palestinian prisoners in degrading conditions has been filed in Paris , announced human rights organizations.
A first simple complaint was filed at the beginning of September by the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (Pnat), competent in matters of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Pnat considered that the facts appeared “insufficiently characterized”.
“Our organizations are becoming civil parties to combat the inertia of the prosecution”affirm in their press release the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and its Palestinian and French member organizations Al Haq, Al Mezan, Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) and the Human Rights League (LDH).
► WHO warns of “appalling” conditions in Gaza hospital
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Monday that a humanitarian team had managed to reach one of the only functioning hospitals in the northern Gaza Strip, and found conditions there “terrible”.
The Kamal Adwan hospital is located in Beit Lahia, in the north of the Gaza Strip where the Israeli army has been carrying out military operations for several weeks, the objective of which, according to it, is to prevent the regrouping of Hamas fighters.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told X that after several attempts, a team managed to access the site “two days ago, amid hostilities and explosions near the hospital”.
“The conditions in the hospital are simply appalling”he denounced, explaining in particular that “Recent attacks have further damaged oxygen supplies, generators and broken windows and doors of patient rooms”.
► Israeli officials in Doha to discuss ceasefire
Israeli officials have arrived in Doha for talks on a Gaza ceasefire and an exchange of hostages and prisoners between Israel and Hamas, a source close to the talks said.
“Israeli technical team in Doha to discuss ceasefire and Gaza hostage deal”said this source on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussions. She added that the meetings were taking place “between Israeli and Qatari work teams” and that they aimed to bring together the positions of the different parties.
These discussions follow a visit to Doha last Wednesday by the head of Mossad, the Israeli foreign intelligence service, David Barnea, according to the same source, but there is no indication that he is participating in the current talks.
