Israeli shelling kills 52 in Gaza
Gaza's Civil Defense announced this Thursday that 52 people have died, "since dawn," in several strikes and shelling by the Israeli army across the Palestinian territory. According to Mohammad al-Mughayyir, an official from the first aid organization, three of these victims "were notably waiting to receive humanitarian aid". Earlier, an initial report of 23 deaths indicated that 8 children "had been killed following Israeli airstrikes targeting a gathering of citizens in front of a medical center in the city of Deir el-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip". When questioned, the Israeli army did not immediately comment on these new bombings.
Washington sanctions UN Special Rapporteur for Palestinian Territories
The head of American diplomacy announced on Wednesday that the United States would soon impose sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian Territories in Geneva. Marco Rubio notably criticized on X Francesca Albanese's "illegitimate and shameful efforts to incite the International Criminal Court to take action against American and Israeli officials, companies and leaders," particularly against the Israeli Prime Minister. In response, the President of the Human Rights Council, Switzerland's Jürg Lauber, stated this Thursday that he "regretted" the American decision.
Truce agreement still under discussion
Hamas announced Wednesday evening that it had agreed to release 10 Israeli hostages, after the Israeli Prime Minister expressed optimism about a truce agreement in Gaza. "Although negotiations remain difficult due to the occupation's intransigence, we continue to work seriously with mediators [Qatar, United States, Egypt] to overcome obstacles," the Islamist movement said, referring to the indirect negotiations in Doha with Israel that began on Sunday. "In order to bring about the success of these efforts, the movement has shown the necessary flexibility and has agreed to release ten prisoners," it added in a statement. Of 251 people abducted during the October 7 attack, 49 are still held in Gaza, 27 of whom have been declared dead by the Israeli army.
EU announces agreement with Israel to expand humanitarian aid to Gaza
The European Union has reached an agreement with Israel to expand humanitarian aid to Gaza, announced the head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, on Thursday. "This agreement means that more crossing points will be opened, that more aid and food trucks will enter the Gaza Strip," Kaja Kallas said on X. The agreement also means that "vital infrastructure will be repaired and humanitarian workers will be protected," Kaja Kallas explained. The agreement provides for the reopening of Jordanian and Egyptian aid routes and the "possibility of distributing foodstuffs through bakeries and public kitchens throughout the Gaza Strip," according to the text. Fuel deliveries for humanitarian organizations will also resume, "up to an operational level." "We count on Israel to implement all agreed measures," Kaja Kallas added, specifying that they would come into force "in the coming days."
Source: Libération, 07/10/25