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Over 800 deaths in Israel and attacks on Lebanon – an overview of the most important events of the day.
The victims: In Israel, the death toll following the attack by the radical Islamic Palestinian group Hamas has risen to at least 900, Israeli media unanimously report. Around 2,600 people were injured. Hamas also abducted around 150 people from Israel to the Gaza Strip on Saturday, it is said. According to rescue workers, 260 mostly young participants were killed by terrorists at a music festival in the Negev Desert alone. At least 560 deaths and 2,900 injuries have been reported from the Gaza Strip. The Ministry of Health there announced this after Israeli air strikes.
Legend:
After the massacre at the music festival: Dozens of cars lie burned on the side of the road near the festival site.
AFP
The attacks from and on Lebanon: Israel’s army has attacked targets in Lebanon with attack helicopters, the Israeli military said. This was in response to suspected intruders from Lebanon. Soldiers said they had shot several armed suspects who had advanced into Israel from its northern neighbor. The radical Islamic Al-Kuds Brigades have claimed responsibility for attacking Israel from Lebanon. This is part of a larger push, according to the Islamist organization.
The repatriation of Swiss citizens from Israel: The airline Swiss is flying Swiss citizens home from Israel on Tuesday. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (EDA) announced this on its website. The special flight from Tel Aviv to Zurich is aimed primarily at local Swiss people, the FDFA continued. On Saturday, Swiss canceled flights to Israel until and including Monday.
Switzerland’s reaction: In response to the violent attacks on Israel, Switzerland will set up a task force. Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis announced this at a press conference. This should allow Switzerland to react quickly and in a coordinated manner to developments, the Ticino native told the media. The task force included specialists in legal issues, consular affairs, security issues, humanitarian assistance, crisis management and communications. Ambassador Maya Tissafi, head of the Mena department (Middle East and North Africa region), will take the lead.
The demand of Swiss politics: In Switzerland, pressure is increasing to ban Hamas and classify it as a terrorist organization. In addition to the SVP and the FDP, the demand was raised by the Swiss Association of Jewish Communities, the Platform of the Liberal Jews of Switzerland (PLJS) and the GRA Foundation against Racism and Anti-Semitism. Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis told the media that the Federal Council lacks the leeway to classify Hamas as a terrorist organization. But that does not mean that there are no instruments against terrorism. He could imagine the same approach to Hamas as to the terrorist network Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Both had been banned by law. The Federal Council will take up the issue.
Legend:
Since Saturday, Israel has been defending itself against attacks by the radical Islamic Palestinian group Hamas, such as here with rocket defense systems in the Israeli city of Ashkelon. (October 9, 2023)
Reuters/ AMIR COHEN