What to remember from Sunday 4 February

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Sunday that the Jewish state’s army had destroyed “17 out of 24 battalions” of Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli army continued its attacks on the Gaza Strip on Sunday, February 4, nearly four months after it began its operations in the Palestinian enclave, in retaliation for a Hamas attack in Israel on October 7. On Sunday, the IDF again bombed Khan Younes, south of the territory, where, according to Israel, the leaders of the Islamist movement in power in Gaza are hiding.

Rafah, a few kilometers to the south, was also targeted in the airstrikes, according to an AFP reporter. The city is now home to more than 1.3 million people who have fled fighting and bombing in the rest of the Gaza Strip, according to the UN.

In 24 hours, at least 127 people were killed in the Palestinian enclave, Hamas’ health ministry said. The Israeli army also announced the death of a soldier on Sunday, bringing its military casualties to 225.

According to Israel, “17 out of 24 battalions” of Hamas were destroyed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Sunday that the Jewish state’s army had destroyed “17 out of 24 battalions” Hamas in the Gaza Strip. “Most of the rest are in the southern Gaza Strip and Rafah and we will take care of them”added the head of the Israeli government. “The pressure on Hamas is working. (…) They are in a difficult situation and we are hitting them hard”, Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant Judge. A few days ago, the latter announced that the city of Rafah would be the next military objective in the Palestinian enclave.

The IDF claims to have invested in the main compound of Hamas

On Sunday, the Israeli army announced that it had seized a compound used by Hamas to prepare for an October 7 attack in Israel. These were made More than 1,160 dead, mostly civilians, according to an AFP count based on official Israeli figures. “‘Al-Qadsiya’ Complex Served as Training Center for Hamas to Train Terrorists”It describes kibbutz entrances, military bases and distinctive models of Israeli armored vehicles, the army said in a statement.

The soldiers also entered the office of Mohammed Sinwar, one of the commanders of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas. He is the brother of Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, and is believed to have masterminded the October 7 attack.

A new diplomatic journey for Antony Blinken

On the diplomatic front, negotiations to reach another cease-fire lasted more than a week in late November. It allowed the release of nearly a hundred hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinians detained by Israel.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, whose country is a major supporter of Israel, is due to leave Washington for the Middle East on Sunday to support the talks. The head of American diplomacy must visit Qatar, Egypt, Israel, the occupied West Bank and Saudi Arabia.

Stefan Sejourn travels to Cairo

The new head of French diplomacy, Stéphane Sjourne, is also on a regional tour in connection with similar talks. The Foreign Minister met his counterpart Sameh Shoukry and Egyptian President Abel Fatah El-Sisi in Cairo (Egypt) on Sunday.

France works “In favor of a ceasefire, but we must also prepare for the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza with a new regime”, he declared on the sidelines of a meeting with Sameh Shoukry. Paris “rejected” But everything “Forced Displacement” The Gazan population blockaded in Rafah towards Egypt, underlined Stephane Sejourn.

The Houthis vowed to respond to the attacks on Washington and London

On Sunday, Houthi rebels vowed to retaliate against US-British strikes on areas under their control in Yemen. LThe air forces of the United States and the United Kingdom took the target on Saturday “36 Houthis Targeted in 13 Locations in Yemen” The attacks are in response to attacks by Iran-backed rebels on merchant ships in the Red Sea. Despite the intensification of US action, the Houthis continued their attacks in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, saying they were targeting ships belonging to Israel. “in unity” With the Palestinians in Gaza.