NU.nl regularly provides you with an overview of the situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories. At this time: Israel has not yet begun the expected ground attack on the northern Gaza Strip. Moreover, Western Palestinians live between hope and fear on the border between Egypt and Gaza.
Developments in Israel and the Palestinian territories follow each other in quick succession. So we list the latest events for you several times a day. Subscribe to the “Gaza Conflict Update” tag to receive notification when we publish another overview.
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The deadline set by Israel for evacuation from the northern Gaza Strip ended on Saturday at 3 p.m. (Dutch time). The expected ground attack has not yet materialized.
The Israeli army announced that it was preparing for a large-scale attack. This includes considering attacks from the air and sea, as well as a large-scale ground attack.
According to the Israeli army, forces across the country are on alert for the next steps in the war. The statement clearly indicates a large-scale ground attack. Analysts expected that Israel would launch this attack earlier on Saturday, after the deadlines for evacuating the residents of the Gaza Strip expired.
The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is “untenable”
Meanwhile, it is estimated that more than one million people have already fled the conflict zone. They are moving south, where they hope to cross the border with Egypt. Israel is expected to begin the attack in the north.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip threatens to become “untenable.” “There is no electricity, water or gasoline in Gaza,” said UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths. “Food is becoming scarcer and scarcer.”
It calls on other countries to send assistance. The World Health Organization has already done this, but this aid cannot reach Gaza yet because Egypt is keeping its borders closed for the time being. The European Commission announced that the humanitarian aid budget for Gaza will triple to 75 million euros.
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Will the Rafah crossing be opened or not?
Many Western refugees and Palestinians are on their way to the so-called Rafah border. This is Gaza’s border with Egypt. The United States and other countries are negotiating with Egypt and Israel, among others, to open those borders temporarily and safely.
On Saturday, there were conflicting reports about the temporary opening of the Rafah crossing. For example, Reuters reported that the United States struck a deal, but later weakened it into a “potential agreement.” Other media also reported the existence of agreements. Germany is also said to be working on arranging something.
BuZa provides little information about the Dutch in Gaza
A Dutch Foreign Ministry spokesperson told NU.nl that the Dutch Foreign Ministry is aware of the reports. “Together with international partners, we are doing everything we can through diplomatic channels to get the Dutch out of there. We are in contact with the Dutch stuck there as much as possible about this matter.” Boza says that it is in the interest of the Dutch in Gaza that she will not provide any further information about them.
According to Canadian media, the temporary opening of the borders will not take place. Israel has reportedly informed several Western embassies that there will be no opening of the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip.
Prime Minister Netanyahu visits forces on the Gaza border
Today, Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Israeli border area with the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu visited the soldiers stationed there. He also went to kibbutzim Be’eri and Kfar Azza, where Hamas violently invaded last weekend and killed civilians.
In a video clip posted on social media, Netanyahu can be heard addressing a number of soldiers. “Are you ready for what’s coming? Because there will be more to come,” he says. What exactly he meant by that remains unclear.
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