Gaza “deserted” and population “starving”

To better understand the latest developments in the conflict between the Palestinian Islamic movement Hamas and Israel, 20 minutes Take stock every evening. Between strong announcements, diplomatic breakthroughs or dramatic outcomes of battles, here are the highlights of the day.

Fact of the day

Half of all buildings in the Gaza Strip are damaged and the Palestinian territory is in “exile” after the four-month Israeli-led war against the Islamist movement Hamas, the UN estimated on Wednesday. A report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) underlines that it will take billions of dollars to make the narrow strip of land habitable again.

UNCTAD researchers established the extent of the damage by using high-resolution satellite images and comparing images from before and after October 7 – once Israel launched an incessant shelling of Gaza following an unprecedented operation carried out by Hamas in Israeli territory on that date. The report was finalized in late November, less than two months into the conflict.

Number of days

3. These are the number of phases included in a proposed cease-fire agreement with Israel in Gaza vetted by Hamas. The Palestinian Islamic Movement said on Tuesday it was considering an offer made by mediators at a recent meeting in Paris. Hamas is demanding a full cease-fire as a precondition for any agreement, particularly on the release of Israeli hostages. Israel rejects any ceasefire until the Islamic Movement, which it considers a terrorist organization like the United States and the European Union, is eliminated.

Our file on the war between Hamas and Israel

Day’s punishment

” “I call on all Member States to guarantee the continuity of UNRWA’s life-saving work. » »

UN chief Antonio Guterres and his humanitarian affairs coordinator Martin Griffiths on Wednesday defended the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) as the “backbone” and “heartbeat” of aid to Gaza, after Israel accused some of the agency’s staff of complicity with Hamas.

Today’s trend

The Israeli army launched deadly new attacks on the Gaza Strip on Wednesday and engaged in intense fighting with Palestinian Hamas, as international mediators worked to secure a new ceasefire in the devastating war. The population of the besieged Palestinian territory is “starving”, they are being “pushed to the brink”, condemned Michael Ryan, an official of the World Health Organization (WHO), almost four months after the start of the war, a major humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

US diplomatic chief Anthony Blinken, who is facing efforts for a new ceasefire, will return to the Middle East “in the coming days”, a US official said, without specifying which countries he would visit. Israeli ground fighting and airstrikes have killed 150 people in the Gaza Strip in 24 hours, according to Hamas’ health ministry on Wednesday.