What Is Happening In Gaza On The 54th Day of War
The war has reached a four days truce and an extended two days pause. Here is the key events that is happening today, Wednesday November 29, the 54th day of bloody war.
Gaza
Israel opened fire at Palestinian boat at Deir el-Balah shores, said correspondent of Israeli Walla, Amir Bohbot.
תקרית ירי שנייה בחופי רצועת עזה לוחמי חיל הים פתחו באש לעבר סירה של פלסטינים שניסה לצאת אל הים הפתוח מחופי מדיר אל בלאח. הסירה שבה אל החוף
— Amir Bohbot אמיר בוחבוט (@amirbohbot) November 29, 2023
Earlier Al Jazeera reported about Israeli gunboats shelling coast of Khan Younis of southern Gaza. IDF warned Palestinians about returning to north Gaza and said, “it is prohibited to approach within kilometer of the border. Entry into the sea is prohibited”.
A daily message to the residents of Gaza after the extension of the temporary operational pause:
⭕️ Do not try moving to northern Gaza, which is considered a war zone. You can only move to the south of Wadi Gaza via the Salah al-Din Road.
⭕️ It is forbidden to approach within… https://t.co/8HMjHJ3xcA
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 29, 2023
Hostage Release
A sixth batch of hostages is expected to be released today. Israeli news outlets revealed that Benjamin Netanyahu’s office received names of hostages slated for release. On Tuesday, 12 hostages were released in exchange of 30 Palestinian prisoners, said International Committee of the Red Cross and Qatar. The 10 Israeli hostages include 10 Israeli and 2 Thai citizens. The total number of Israeli hostages released has become 81 and Palestinians is 180 since the beginning of truce.
Israeli Defence Force called Hamas a “cruel terrorist organisation” for torturing the hostages. On its X (formerly twitter), IDF said they retrieve the hostages back either “during the ceasefire or through continued combat”.
We will get our hostages back. pic.twitter.com/vtYetMD7aH
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 29, 2023
While 180 Palestinians were released from the Israeli prison, around 133 Palestinians in West Bank were arrested by the Israeli occupation force, as per the Palestinian prisoner associations.
Humanitarian aid
United States said the country provided around 24,500kg (54,000 pounds) of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
United Nations humanitarian agency OCHA said while most of the humanitarian south of Wadi Gaza, only few entered to northern Gaza. The UN agency also said the aid entering Gaza are “insufficient to meet the extensive needs”.
Seizing opportunities presented by the current humanitarian pause, aid organizations are stepping up efforts to provide maximum support to those in need across #Gaza. But the situation is still dire, and much more is needed.
More in Flash Update #53:
🔗https://t.co/3x3T1dQnRL pic.twitter.com/VE48yWTyUe
— OCHA oPt (Palestine) (@ochaopt) November 29, 2023
WHO warned about high risk of spreading infectious diseases among the 1.8 million people of Gaza who were displaced.
🚨Gaza is at high risk of explosive outbreaks of infectious diseases.
❌Intense overcrowding and the disruption of health, water, and sanitation systems are exacerbating the situation.
🫘 Food shortages are making people weak from hunger and more likely to get sick. @WHO… pic.twitter.com/WPsKCqTe4m
— WHO in occupied Palestinian territory (@WHOoPt) November 28, 2023
Military Raids
The occupation continues its deadly raids in West Bank. The Jenin city of West Bank is being raided, tear gas and stun grenades were thrown at neighbourhoods and medical attentions were required for the residents.
Palestinian news agency WAFA reported about the presence of Occupation forces installed around Jenin Medical Complex. Apart from Jenin, Al-Askar refugee camp in Nablus and Ramallah were also targeted, as reported by Al Jazeera.
International Day Of Solidarity
United Nations observes International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian people on November 29 and arranged an exhibit titled “Palestine – a Land with a People” at UN headquarters visitors’ lobby in New York.
On Tuesday’s International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, @antonioguterres stresses the urgent need for a long-term humanitarian ceasefire, unrestricted aid access and the release of all hostages. https://t.co/GdleyPSMsm pic.twitter.com/ARtUY20LFY
— United Nations (@UN) November 29, 2023
Marches and protests were scheduled to take place today in South Africa, Bangladesh, Germany, Lebanon, Norway Brazil, Canada and Belgium. A special meeting will take place at UN Palais des Nations of Geneva “commemorating the International Day of Solidarity with Palestine”.
Diplomatic Side
Qatar hosted heads of Israel’s Mossad and Central Intelligence Agency of United States on Tuesday for talks, said Al Jazeera.
Rashida Talb, Palestinian American Congresswoman called for the release of all hostages and prisoners through a statement released on X.
My statement calling for the release of all hostages and Palestinian political prisoners. pic.twitter.com/VtHYFiZpit
— Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) November 29, 2023
US President Joe Biden on X claimed the reason of Hamas attack on October 7th as Hamas’ fear of “Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in peace”.
Hamas unleashed a terrorist attack because they fear nothing more than Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in peace.
To continue down the path of terror, violence, killing, and war is to give Hamas what they seek.
We can’t do that.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) November 28, 2023
Wang Yi, Chinese Foreign Minister will chair a high-level Security Council meeting today. The meeting is scheduled to discuss “the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”.
