The Israel-Hamas conflict continued to have new developments yesterday when Israel strongly attacked Hamas at both ends of Gaza; Israel calls on the UN agency to conduct an internal investigation; Hamas releases new video of hostages; Israel strongly airstrikes Hezbollah; UN officials warn of Gaza situation in winter.
On January 26, the conflict between Israel and the Islamic armed movement Hamas (controlling the Gaza Strip, Palestine) continued to escalate.
According to the latest data from the Gaza Strip health administration, Israel-Hamas conflict left more than 26,000 people dead and more than 64,400 injured.
Israel attacks Hamas at both ends of the Gaza Strip
. The Israel Defense Forces said fighting continued deep inside the city of Khan Younis. The Israeli Air Force launched a major attack. The 98th Division killed dozens of Hamas members, according to the newspaper The Times of Israel.
Accordingly, Israeli forces said that its warplanes attacked a number of Hamas locations in the Khan Younis City area, including apartments used by Hamas members, weapons warehouses, and checkpoints. police stations and gathering yards.
At Khan Younis, Israeli forces said the Paratroopers Brigade discovered five Hamas members entering a building and launched an air strike against them.
Nearby, the Maglan unit directed aircraft to attack four Hamas members.
Meanwhile, the Givati Brigade destroyed a six-man Hamas unit with artillery and tanks.
In northern Gaza, Israeli forces said warplanes attacked several Hamas sites, including a building, an anti-tank weapons launch site and a tunnel. In addition, the 5th Brigade used artillery and tank shelling to kill several Hamas members in the area.
The Israeli Navy also supported ground forces by attacking several points on the Gaza coast.
. Israeli forces called on people in some areas west of Khan Younis city to evacuate to the al-Mawas area in southern Gaza.
. Radio Able to (Israel) reported that the Israel Defense Forces warned Israeli leaders that Hamas had begun to reestablish civilian governance in areas of northern and central Gaza – where some Israeli forces had withdrawn. Go.
According to the Israel Defense Forces, recently, municipalities once controlled by Hamas have begun to provide services to Gazans again.
Radio Able to Quoting two Israeli security sources, the Israeli government’s decisions help create space for Hamas to restore civilian rule in parts of Gaza. According to these sources, the above issue was discussed at a cabinet meeting on January 25, but the Israeli government has not yet made a related decision.
. On January 26, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said it expected the United Nations (UN) Agency for Palestinian Refugee Assistance (UNRWA) to open an urgent internal investigation, after the agency fired the employees who were identified as Palestinian refugees. believed to be related to the attack by Hamas on Israeli territory on October 7, 2023.
“It is important that UNRWA conduct a thorough internal investigation into the activities of Hamas and other terrorists within its ranks, to ensure that its humanitarian activities are not exploited” – stated a statement from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
UNRWA has not commented on the proposal of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Previously, UNRWA announced that the agency had “immediately” terminated the contract with the employees allegedly involved in the attack on October 7, 2023. UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini said they are opening an investigation and anyone involved will be held responsible, “including criminal prosecution”.
Notable developments in the situation of hostages held by Hamas
. Hamas’s Al Qassam Brigade has just released a video showing three female Israeli hostages. According to the station CNNthis move by Hamas aims to increase pressure on Israeli leaders, in the context of news that a hostage agreement is being negotiated.
Hostages held by Hamas appeared in a video on January 26. Photo: TELEGRAM
The video was released on Telegram, opening with an image of an hourglass with a picture of 3 female hostages on it and the words: “Time is running out before it’s too late. More than 107 days have passed.” The video then continues with the hostages sending messages.
In the video, the hostages called on the Israeli government to find a way to save them. CNN suggests that these hostages may have had to speak under duress.
. US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said negotiations to release hostages held by Hamas are ongoing. He said these negotiations were productive but did not reach the level of success.
“We are hopeful about the progress of the negotiations, but I don’t think things will progress” – Mr. Kirby said.
Mr. Kirby said that on January 26, US President Joe Biden discussed with Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi and Qatari leaders about the ongoing hostage negotiations. According to Mr. Kirby, the US is doing “everything possible, creating favorable conditions to reach a hostage agreement – just like we did in November 2023”.
Mr. Kirby said that Mr. Brett McGurk – White House coordinator for the Middle East – will return to the US on January 26, after meetings in the region. Mr. Kirby described the above meetings as “good discussions”.
Israel strongly airstrikes Hezbollah
On the morning of January 26, the Israel Defense Forces launched airstrikes on locations of the armed group Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
Specifically, the Israeli side said warplanes attacked two locations in the village of Beit Lif – an area run by Hezbollah members and one location in the Deir Aames area.
During the day, Hezbollah said four of its members were killed. Since the conflict in Gaza broke out, the total number of Hezbollah members killed is 171.
Also on January 26, a number of rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israeli territory. Israeli forces said they shelled rocket launch sites.
UN officials are concerned about the situation in Gaza during the cold winter
Mr. Ajith Sunghay – the head of the UN human rights department responsible for monitoring Gaza and the West Bank – warned that cold winter weather in Gaza was making the land “completely uninhabitable” after months of conflict. suddenly.
“I am concerned that more civilians will die” – Mr. Sunghay said.
People next to the bombed area in Rafah (southern Gaza) on January 25. Photo: AFP
Mr. Sunghay said his office is also concerned about the impact of rain and cold weather in Gaza.
“This is entirely predictable at this time of year and risks making people uninhabitable. Most people do not have warm clothes or blankets. In northern Gaza – where Israeli forces continue to attack, we have almost no access, and cannot even provide basic humanitarian aid,” Mr. Sunghay said.