Hamas reports dozens of deaths after Israeli air strikes – including hostages. Meanwhile, Joe Biden makes a proposal. All information in the news blog.
The most important things at a glance
CDU leader Merz for security zone in the south of Lebanon
11:02 a.m.: CDU leader Friedrich Merz is in favor of creating a “security zone” in the south of Lebanon because Hezbollah’s attacks on northern Israel have already been going on for months. “Here in the north of the State of Israel, very close to the border with Lebanon, you can see the consequences of terror,” said the CDU chairman during a visit to Israel’s northern border, which was initially kept secret for security reasons.
“A kibbutz that is no longer inhabited, a school in which no students are taught anymore, a place where a rocket hit, fired a few hundred meters from here, from Lebanon by Hezbollah,” said Merz during his visit in Kibbutz Sasa near the northern border. “That’s the reality, that’s the everyday life of the people who are still here. One can only hope that Israel and its allies will be able to set up a security zone here, far into the south of Lebanon, so that security really returns here “
China calls for end to Israeli military operations in Rafah
9:36 a.m.: China calls on Israel to end military operations in southern Gaza. China is very concerned about developments in the Rafah region and rejects any action that harms civilians, the Beijing Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday. Israel should “cease its military operations as quickly as possible” and do everything possible to prevent a major humanitarian catastrophe.
Israel: Dozens of armed Palestinians killed in Gaza
8:40 a.m.: According to the military, Israeli units have killed dozens of armed Palestinians in fighting in the center and south of the Gaza Strip within 24 hours since Monday. More than 30 gunmen were killed in Khan Yunis alone. The city is not far from Rafah, which lies on the border with Egypt and is increasingly becoming the focus of the Israeli military offensive against the terrorist organization Hamas.
Report: Israel proposes tent cities for population in Rafah
7:56 a.m.: According to a media report, Israel is proposing to accommodate the hundreds of thousands of residents of the city of Rafah in tent camps. The Israeli army is planning a military offensive on the city in the south of the Gaza Strip.
The Wall Street Journal, citing Egyptian officials, reports that Israel is proposing to set up 15 camps with 25,000 tents each to evacuate the city. Rafah had a population of around 300,000 before the war and is now severely overcrowded with more than a million internally displaced people.
Biden: At least six-week ceasefire in the Gaza Strip
12:22 a.m.: US President Joe Biden is calling for an initial six-week ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Biden said after talks with Jordan’s King Abdullah in Washington that the US was working with allies in the region on an agreement to halt the fighting. This should make it possible to free the hostages in the Gaza Strip and expand humanitarian aid.
The agreement should begin with a break in fighting for at least six weeks. During this time you can then take the time to “build something more permanent”. Abdullah renewed his call for a comprehensive ceasefire. “This war must end,” he said.
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Head of Palestinian relief organization refuses to resign
6:43 p.m.: The head of the criticized United Nations Palestinian Relief Agency (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, rejects a resignation demanded by Israel. “No, I have no intention of resigning,” Lazzarini said at a press conference after a meeting of EU development ministers in Brussels. “We have a government that is calling for resignation. Maybe there are other voices, but I haven’t heard any other government.”