Israel continues to wait for Hamas’s response to its latest truce offer in Gaza, in an environment marked by internal and external tension due to the crisis in the strip. Meanwhile, silence continues on the part of the terrorist group, which announced that it will send a delegation to Cairo to continue discussions on the Israeli proposal.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned in Jerusalem that a possible ground invasion of Rafah in Gaza would complicate relations with Saudi Arabia. And he reiterated the importance of reaching a ceasefire agreement as soon as possible, reported the Efe news agency.
International pressures mount as the Israeli offensive in Gaza claims lives, with 34,622 people killed to date.
In the midst of this context, Turkey confirmed the breaking of commercial relations with Israel in retaliation for the actions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Gaza. While Israel responded by reducing all economic relations with Turkey in the strip and the Palestinian National Authority.
“Unfortunately, Netanyahu has reacted cruelly towards children, women and the elderly. They can’t do anything. The entire West works with Israel. Faced with this, we can no longer hold out and we have taken measures,” said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
To that, Israel responded: “Erdogan, the dictator who dreams of being sultan, works in the service of Hamas, violates the agreements and wants to harm Israel, but in reality he harms the Palestinians he intends to help.”
On the other hand, Colombia made official the breaking of diplomatic relations with Israel in rejection of what President Gustavo Petro called “genocide” in Gaza. The Colombian government announced that it will coordinate the departure of Israeli diplomats in the country.
Internally, disagreements within the Israeli government persist, with sectors opposing a truce with Hamas. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich once again called for a military invasion against Rafah, while he threatens to leave the government if an agreement is reached with the Palestinian group.
Despite the opposition, a poll published this Friday shows that 54% of Israelis support an agreement with Hamas for the release of the hostages, while 38% favor a military invasion of Rafah. These data reflect the division of opinion in Israel on the best way to address the situation in Gaza.
More than 34,600 dead, according to Hamas
The death toll in Gaza as a result of the Israeli offensive reached 34,622, with an increase of 26 deaths in the last few hours. These deaths, which include several children, were reported by local hospitals and confirmed by the Ministry of Health, under Hamas control.
As reported in a statement, the Israeli occupation carried out three deadly attacks against families in the strip during the last day, leaving 25 dead and 51 injured. Due to the devastation caused by the bombings, there are numerous bodies trapped under the rubble and in areas that are difficult to access for emergency services.
Additionally, the ministry detailed that throughout the 210 days of the Israeli military offensive, a total of 77,867 people have been injured.
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