Fighting continues in the Israel War. But negotiations with Hamas regarding the release of hostages and a ceasefire are ongoing. The news ticker.
- Israel wants to expand its offensive: Hamas in Rafah in the army’s sights – Baerbock worried
- rocket over that Red Sea spotted: Israel reports missile was shot down
- The information processed here about the war in Israel and the fight against Hamas in the Gaza Strip come from local and international media and news agencies. Much of the information cannot be independently verified.
Update from February 3rd, 4:40 p.m.: Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has warned Israel against a military offensive in the southernmost part of the Gaza Strip. “To act now in Rafah, in the last and most crowded place, as announced by the Israeli Defense Minister, would simply be unjustifiable,” the Green politician told dem Editorial network Germany. “The majority of the victims are women and children. Let’s just imagine: they are our children.”
The newspaper Times of Israel According to reports, the Israeli army intends to expand its fighting against Hamas. The military will also reach and destroy the Hamas brigade in Rafah, just as it is currently dealing with the Hamas battalions in the area of the southern city of Khan Yunis, the newspaper quoted Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant as saying on Thursday evening. Baerbock now said that she was shocked to hear about this announcement. “I and our American partners have been making it clear to the Israeli government for some time that the people of Gaza cannot disappear into thin air.”
Israel attacks targets in Lebanon
Meanwhile, Israel’s military says it has once again bombed targets belonging to the Shiite militia Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The airstrikes came after artillery shelling of areas in northern Israel, the army said dpa on Saturday with. It was said that the projectiles fired by Hezbollah fell on an uninhabited area.
Israeli fighter jets then attacked Hezbollah observation posts in the towns of Marwahin and Aita al-Shaab. In the village of Jarun, a command center where Hezbollah fighters were staying was bombed. An artillery firing position from which Israel had previously been fired upon was also hit.
Hostage relatives plan demonstrations in Israel
Update from February 3rd, 12.30 p.m.: This evening, families of the hostages in the hands of Hamas are again planning large demonstrations across Israel. According to a report by the Times of Israel Some of these demonstrations are intended to call for new elections with the slogan “The hostages are in mortal danger.” Accordingly, there should be demonstrations critical of the government in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Beersheva and Eilat. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is repeatedly accused of continuing the war only for personal interests instead of reaching a deal for the release of the hostages. According to Israeli media, Netanyahu is worried about his political survival as his right-wing populist government no longer has a majority in polls.
Dozens of Hamas militants killed: Israel’s army discovers another weapons depot
Update from February 3rd, 9 a.m.: The Israeli army claims to have killed dozens of Hamas militants in clashes in the north and center of Gaza. The army said this in its latest statement on the ground operation in the Gaza Strip. It was also said that several anti-tank missiles were also destroyed.
A Hamas cell that fired an anti-tank missile at Israeli troops was eliminated in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis. Weapons, rocket launchers and grenades were also seized from a building in the city.
Update from February 3rd, 7 a.m.: Apparently, internal differences in Hamas are preventing the signing of a hostage deal, which is also supported by the USA. This was reported by the US newspaper Wall Street Journal (WSJ) citing U.S. officials. Accordingly, Hamas leaders in Gaza, such as Yahya Sinwar, want to sign the deal, which provides for a 6-week ceasefire and the gradual release of all hostages. However, Hamas leaders in exile in other countries would demand more concessions from Israel and further negotiations for a permanent ceasefire.
War in Israel: Negotiations over hostage deal continue
Update from February 2nd, 9:05 p.m.: There is further movement in the negotiations for a ceasefire in the Israel war. The US sends Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to the region. He is expected to continue diplomatic efforts in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar and Israel to “reach an agreement that includes the release of the hostages and a humanitarian pause,” according to a statement from the US State Department.
Update from February 2nd, 7:53 p.m: Another Hamas representative has commented on negotiations for a ceasefire in the Israel war. This is reported by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. They will respond “very soon” to an offer that is supposedly from Israel.
Meanwhile, France is also joining in the efforts for a new ceasefire in the Israel war. Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne will travel to the Middle East on Sunday. The minister in President Emmanuel Macron’s government is planning visits to Egypt, Jordan, Israel, the Palestinian Territories and Lebanon. The French Foreign Ministry announced this on Friday.
New hopes for a ceasefire in the Israel war
First report from February 2nd: Tel Aviv – The radical Islamic group Hamas has signaled its willingness to release more hostages from the Gaza Strip. A senior representative of the terrorist group said they were working on a multi-stage agreement with Israel. In exchange for the hostages that Hamas fighters kidnapped from Israel in the attack on October 7th, they are demanding a ceasefire lasting several days and a pause in the Israeli offensive in Gaza. Osama Hamdan, one of the leaders of the terrorist group, who is currently said to be in Beirut, said this in an interview with the Lebanese television station LBCI.
According to Hamdan, in exchange for more hostages in the Israel war, Hamas is demanding the release of two terrorists captured in Israel: Marwan Barghouti, who is said to have planned several terrorist attacks during the second Intifada, and Ahmad Saadat, head of the terrorist group “Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.” Both are sitting according to the Times of Israel currently serving long prison sentences.
Negotiations for a ceasefire in the Israel war are ongoing
According to Hamdan, Hamas, which started the war in Israel with its attack on October 7, rejects short-term ceasefires. “We tried temporary ceasefires and it turned out that the Israelis do not respect these ceasefires but always violate them,” Hamas said.
Israel has also agreed to temporary ceasefires. In return, the country is demanding that Hamas release the remaining hostages from the Gaza Strip. However, Benjamin Netanyahu’s government rejects a complete end to the military operation in the Gaza Strip.
Qatar is currently also involved as a mediator for negotiations on a ceasefire in the Israel war. There is already “an initial positive confirmation from Hamas” about a possible agreement, a spokesman for the Qatari Foreign Ministry said, according to the news agency DPA on Thursday.
Israel reports rocket launch over Red Sea
Meanwhile, fighting in the Israel War continues on multiple fronts. The Israeli army reported firing a rocket over the Red Sea. The missile was intercepted by the Arrow air defense system as it entered Israeli airspace, the military said on Friday. It was initially unclear who was responsible for the shooting. Israeli media suspected the Houthi rebels in Yemen were behind the rocket attack. (dil with agencies)