Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Israel's counterattack on the Palestinian Hamas group in the Gaza Strip has entered its 100th day. Violence did not only occur in Gaza, but also spread to the West Bank (West Bank), the Israel-Lebanon border, and a number of other areas in the Middle East such as the important waters of the Red Sea.
The conflict has created a humanitarian disaster for the 2.4 million people in Hamas-controlled Gaza and reduced much of the coastal area to rubble. Here are 5 recent developments compiled CNBC Indonesia from various sources on Monday (15/1/2024).
Number of Death Victims Reaches 24 Thousand
Report Anadolu Agency (AA), said as many as 24,100 Palestinians had been killed as a result of Israeli attacks. Meanwhile around 60,834 were injured.
“Israeli occupation (forces) carried out 12 massacres against families in the Gaza Strip, resulting in 132 fatalities and 252 injuries over the past 24 hours,” the ministry said in a statement.
According to the UN, 85% of Gaza's population has become refugees amid shortages of food, clean water and medicine. Meanwhile, 60% of infrastructure in the region was damaged or destroyed.
According to Al Jazeera data, as of January 12, at least a total of 93 journalists had been killed since the Israel-Gaza war began on October 7. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), 86 Palestinians, 3 Lebanese journalists and 4 Israeli journalists were killed.
New Round of Hostage Release Negotiations
Negotiations to obtain the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza by Hamas have entered a new phase. The new twist signals an end to months of deadlock and raises hopes among the hostages' relatives.
Launch Guardian, according to related sources, new details emerged in recent days regarding the deal that allows medicines, such as essential prescription drugs. This is to reach the hostages, along with increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza.
On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister (PM) Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed the agreement, which will come into effect this week. Negotiators are currently discussing how to send medicine and aid to Israel and Hamas.
Some 250 hostages were captured by Hamas during their unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, according to Israeli data. At least 130 others remain in custody.
Xi Jinping's New Order
China called for a large-scale and authoritative peace conference on the ongoing war in Gaza. This was conveyed by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a meeting in Egypt at the weekend.
“China calls for holding a larger-scale international peace conference,” Wang quoted Guardian.
“More authoritative and effective formulation of a specific timetable and roadmap for the implementation of the 'two-state solution', and support for the immediate resumption of Israeli Palestinian peace talks,” he added.
Meanwhile a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday that the roadmap should be “binding”. However, when it will be held has not been determined.
“Regarding the time and place of the conference and where the conference will be held, I think it needs to be determined by all parties through consultations,” Mao Ning said at a regular press conference in Beijing, as quoted Reuters.
“China also welcomes the UN's active role in this matter,” he said.
This is not the first time China has opened its voice regarding Gaza. At the end of 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping, in telephone communications with French President Emmanuel Macron, emphasized that the two-state solution must be implemented immediately.
“The main priority is to prevent the Palestinian-Israeli situation from getting worse. Especially the emergence of a more severe humanitarian crisis in the besieged Palestinian region of Gaza,” he said, as published by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the time.
It is known that since the war broke out China has often spoken out about resolving the conflict. China itself now plays an important role in resolving a number of Middle East problems, such as mediating the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran until the two countries reopen relations in mid-2023.
Conflict Spreads to Other Areas
As Israel bombards Gaza, it also increases its attacks and arrests in the occupied West Bank. Tensions are also high with neighboring countries.
The Lebanese Hezbollah group and the Israeli army exchange fire almost every day along Israel's northern border with Lebanon. The killing of a senior Hamas leader in a suspected Israeli attack in Beirut also raised concerns about the wider conflict.
Meanwhile, from Yemen, Houthi rebels began targeting international ships linked to Israel in the Red Sea, one of the most important routes for global trade. The Houthis promised not to stop until war actually occurred.
Responding to the Houthi aggression, the United States (US) and Britain launched a large-scale attack on Yemeni territory. Most recently, the Houthis reportedly attacked US warships in the Red Sea with drones.
Israeli President Scorned When Asking for Help
Pressure is mounting on Israeli officials to bring back 136 people believed to still be held captive in Gaza. President Isaac Herzog was also booed at a large event in Tel Aviv, when he asked for help regarding this matter.
He tried to attract international sympathy on national television. But the crowd shouted, “Now! Now!” and mocked his speech, according to reports Times of Israel.
“I call on the entire nation to do your part. This is not just our fight. This is a battle for the whole world. Stand with life and liberty. Stand with freedom and democracy, against barbarism and hatred,” Herzog said asking people to stop booing him.
Israel Ignores All US Orders
America continues to ask Israel to reduce deadly attacks on civilians in Gaza. However, Israel's leadership has decided to “continue its high-intensity campaign throughout January”.
Report The Washington Post, citing six unnamed US officials. They say Israel ignored all US requests to reduce the intensity of its attacks as the number of civilian casualties soared.
The executive vice president at the Center for International Policy, Matt Duss, said the US could take steps to cut $3.8 billion in annual military aid. This, he said, was one way for Israel to participate.
“If President (Joe Biden) is really frustrated, he has a lot of tools he can use. Promising unconditional support no matter what happens is not a good way to get someone to do something different,” Duss said.
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