:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/liberation/PC742DOB6ZE2REOISRW4GZYBZY.jpg "Joe Biden puts pressure on Netanyahu, death of a Hamas leader… News from the conflict in the Middle East this Friday, July 26 – Libération")
Each day, Liberation highlights the most significant news related to the conflict between Hamas and Israel and the broader Middle East situation.
Joe Biden urges Benjamin Netanyahu to ‘finalize’ Gaza ceasefire agreement
US President Joe Biden on Thursday urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “finalize” an agreement for a ceasefire in Gaza, according to a report from their meeting in Washington. “President Biden emphasized the importance of bridging the remaining gaps, finalizing the deal as soon as possible, bringing the hostages home, and achieving a lasting end to the war in Gaza,” the spokesperson stated. “It’s time” for the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas to “be concluded,” US Vice President Kamala Harris also remarked on Thursday after her meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister, affirming that she had voiced her “deep concern” regarding civilian casualties. “We cannot ignore these tragedies. We cannot afford to become desensitized to the suffering, and I will not remain silent,” added the Democratic presidential candidate.
Israel prepares for ‘decisive offensive’ against Hezbollah
An Israeli army commander stated on Friday that troops stationed in the north of the country, along the Israeli-Lebanese border, were getting ready for a “decisive offensive” against Hezbollah after months of cross-border skirmishes. “We have already eliminated over 500 terrorists in Lebanon, the vast majority of whom are linked to Hezbollah,” said Israeli General Ori Gordin. “When the time comes for our offensive, it will be decisive,” he noted. Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran, claims that its attacks on Israel since October 8 are intended to aid Hamas.
UAE advocates for ‘temporary international mission’ in Gaza
The United Arab Emirates called on Thursday for the “deployment of a temporary international mission” in the Gaza Strip, which has been devastated by nine and a half months of conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas. The Minister of State for International Cooperation of the Emirates, Reem al Hashimy, stated, “The pursuit of peace and security, as well as an end to human suffering, must commence with the establishment of a temporary international mission in Gaza,” as reported by the official Emirati news agency WAM. This mission would be tasked with “effectively responding to the humanitarian crisis,” “establishing public order,” and “laying the groundwork for reunification” between the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank “under a single legitimate Palestinian Authority,” she added. Since the internal conflicts in June 2007, the Palestinian leadership has been split between the Palestinian Authority of Mahmoud Abbas, which holds limited power in the West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967, while Hamas governs the Gaza Strip.
Hamas leader in West Bank dies in Israeli custody
A leader of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas in the West Bank has died while in Israeli custody, according to Palestinian authorities and the organization. Mustafa Muhammad Abu Ara, 63, passed away after being transferred from his prison in southern Israel to a hospital, according to a joint statement from the Palestinian Authority’s Prisoners Department and the Prisoners Club, a Palestinian NGO advocating for prisoners. Mustafa Muhammad Abu Ara had been arrested in October while suffering from severe health issues, the source noted. While in custody, he was reportedly subjected to torture and starvation, they added. “We mourn the death of our leader and prisoner Sheikh Mustafa Muhammad Abu Ara and hold the occupying forces responsible for his assassination through intentional medical negligence,” Hamas condemned in a statement. The Israeli army has yet to respond.
Gaza: Saint Hilarion Monastery added to World Heritage in Danger list
The Saint Hilarion Monastery, situated in the Gaza Strip, has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Danger due to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, the UN educational, scientific, and cultural organization announced on Friday via its X account (formerly Twitter). “This decision acknowledges both the exceptional universal significance of this site and the responsibility to safeguard it against imminent threats,” the UN organization explained in a press release, as its World Heritage Committee convenes in New Delhi. “In light of the imminent threats to this heritage amid the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, the World Heritage Committee has enacted the emergency procedures outlined in the World Heritage Convention,” the statement specifies. “Located on the coastal dunes of the municipality of Nousseirat, the remains of the Saint Hilarion Monastery / Tell Umm Amer represent one of the oldest monastic sites in the Middle East, dating back to the 4th century,” UNESCO states on its website.
180,000 displaced in four days around Khan Younès
The United Nations reported widespread displacement in Khan Yunis, where the Israeli army is conducting operations. Approximately 182,000 Palestinians have been compelled to leave central and eastern Khan Yunis since Monday due to “the intensification of hostilities” leading to “new waves of internal displacement throughout Gaza,” the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated. It added that “Hundreds of others remain stranded in eastern Khan Yunis.” The Israeli army, for its part, reported that it had “eliminated around 100 terrorists” in Khan Younis since commencing its operation four days ago.
Updated at 8:30 p.m. with the announcement of a decisive Israeli offensive against Hezbollah; at 9:45 p.m. with the number of displaced individuals in Khan Younes.
Each day, Liberation selects the most important news concerning the war between Hamas and Israel and the conflict in the Middle East.
Joe Biden Calls on Benjamin Netanyahu to ‘Finalize’ Gaza Ceasefire Deal
US President Joe Biden on Thursday called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “finalize” an agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza, according to a report following their meeting in Washington. “President Biden expressed the need to close the remaining gaps, finalize the deal as soon as possible, bring the hostages home, and bring a lasting end to the war in Gaza,” a White House spokesperson stated. “It’s time” that the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas “be concluded,” US Vice President Kamala Harris echoed following her own discussions with Netanyahu, emphasizing her “deep concern” regarding civilian casualties. “We cannot look away from these tragedies. We cannot afford to become numb to the suffering and I will not remain silent,” added Harris, a key figure in the ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Israel’s ‘Decisive Offensive’ Against Hezbollah Coming
An Israeli army commander announced Friday that troops stationed along the Israeli-Lebanese border are gearing up for a “decisive offensive” against Hezbollah, following months of ongoing cross-border engagements. “We have already eliminated more than 500 terrorists in Lebanon, the vast majority of them belonging to Hezbollah,” said Israeli General Ori Gordin. He promised that “when the time comes and we go on the offensive, it will be a decisive offensive.” Hezbollah, known to be supported by Iran, has claimed that its attacks on Israel since October 8 are in solidarity with Hamas.
UAE Proposes ‘Temporary International Mission’ in Gaza
On Thursday, the United Arab Emirates proposed the “deployment of a temporary international mission” to the Gaza Strip, which has been ravaged by nearly ten months of war between Israel and Hamas. Emirati Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem al Hashimy stated that achieving “peace and security and an end to human suffering must begin with the deployment of a temporary international mission to Gaza.” The proposed mission would be tasked with “responding effectively to the humanitarian crisis,” maintaining “public order,” and “paving the way for reunification” of Gaza and the occupied West Bank “under a single legitimate Palestinian Authority,” she added. The Palestinian leadership has been in division since the June 2007 conflict, with the Palestinian Authority governing parts of the West Bank while Hamas remains in control of Gaza.
West Bank Hamas Leader Detained in Israel Dies
A leader of Hamas in the West Bank, Mustafa Muhammad Abu Ara, aged 63, died in Israeli custody, Palestinian authorities and the organization reported on Friday. He was transferred from a prison in southern Israel to a hospital before his death, as stated in a joint release from the Palestinian Authority’s Prisoners Department and the Palestinian NGO, the Prisoners Club. Abu Ara had been detained since October under serious health conditions, with reports claiming that during his confinement he was subjected to torture and deprivation of proper nutrition. Hamas condemned this incident, stating, “We deplore the death of the leader and prisoner Sheikh Mustafa Muhammad Abu Ara and hold the occupation responsible for his assassination through deliberate medical negligence.” The Israeli military has not yet responded to these allegations.
Gaza: Saint Hilarion Monastery Listed as World Heritage in Danger
The Saint Hilarion Monastery, located within the Gaza Strip, has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Danger amid the ongoing conflict. This announcement was made via the UN’s educational, scientific, and cultural organization’s X account (formerly Twitter). “This decision recognizes both the exceptional universal value of this site and the duty to protect it in the face of imminent dangers,” read a press release from UNESCO. The committee specified that this emergency measure was taken given the threats faced by the 4th-century monastic site, situated on the coastal dunes of the municipality of Nousseirat.
180,000 Displaced in Four Days Around Khan Younès
According to UN reports, significant mass displacements are ongoing in Khan Younis, where the Israeli army is currently conducting military operations. Approximately 182,000 Palestinians have been compelled to evacuate central and eastern parts of Khan Younis since Monday. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted that “the intensification of hostilities” led to “new waves of internal displacement across Gaza.” The Israeli army confirmed it had “eliminated about 100 terrorists” in Khan Younis during the first four days of its operation amidst the large displacement of civilians.
Updated at 8:30 p.m. with the announcement of a decisive Israeli offensive against Hezbollah; at 9:45 p.m. with the number of displaced people in Khan Younes.
