The conflict in the Middle East can be “an element of division” In France “if we manage this situation badly”, declared Thursday, October 19, Emmanuel Macron to an AFP journalist, on the sidelines of an impromptu exchange with young people in Paris. Asked if he planned to visit Israel, the head of state reaffirmed that he would do so “when (it will) be useful”. “If I go to the region, it is to try to provide a useful solution”, he said. Follow our live stream.
The toll of French victims killed in Hamas attacks against Israel has increased further, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday. “France deplores the tragic deaths of new French nationals, bringing the toll of French victims to 28”, declared Anne-Claire Legendre. She clarified that “seven compatriots are still missing”, some of whom are hostages of Hamas.
New assessment in the Gaza Strip. At least 3,785 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas on October 7, according to the latest report given by the Palestinian Islamist movement’s Ministry of Health. At least 1,524 children are among the dead, according to this report, which also shows 12,493 injured.
Humanitarian aid will be able to enter the Gaza Strip no earlier than Friday. DHumanitarian aid trucks have been parked at the gates of the territory for several days. The American and Egyptian presidents “agreed on the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip via the Rafah crossing, in a sustainable manner”, Cairo reported. However, this aid will probably not arrive before Friday due to work to be done on the road, destroyed by Israeli bombing.
The Palestinian Authority calls for an ICC investigation. While Israelis and Palestinians accuse each other after the deadly explosion at al-Ahli hospital in Gaza Tuesday evening, “the Palestinian State has deposited [mercredi] a file before the ICC [Cour pénale internationale]“specified its representative in France, Hala Abou Hassira.