Update on the situation at 8 p.m.
- Israeli army says it bombed more than 200 targets in the Gaza Strip
“In recent hours, Air Force planes have attacked a series of terrorist targets throughout the Gaza Strip, in the North and South, in Khan Yunis and Rafah. Some of the attacks were led by ground forces present in the Gaza Strip.announced the general staff of the Israeli army on Telegram.
- Hamas reports 178 killed in Gaza Strip
The health ministry in the Gaza Strip, administered by Hamas, reported 178 dead and 589 injured on Friday due to Israeli raids which resumed after a week of truce.
- Israeli army confirms death of five hostages
“In recent days, the IDF [Forces de défense israéliennes] and police informed the families of Eliyahu Margalit, Mia Goren, Ronen Engel and Aryeh Zalmanovich of their deaths”, said army spokesperson Daniel Hagari. The latter had previously announced the discovery of the body of another hostage, Ofir Sarfati, in the Gaza Strip as well as his repatriation to Israel.
- The United States remains “focused” on the hostage file, assures the American Secretary of State
The United States remains “fully focused on getting feedback from everyone [les otages] at home, their release, an issue that I addressed today”US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday after talks with the foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain in Dubai on the sidelines of the COP28.
- Two dead reported in southern Lebanon after Israeli bombardment
An Israeli bombing killed two civilians in Houla, southern Lebanon, it was announced on Friday the National Information Agency. Hezbollah, for its part, claimed responsibility for several salvos of rockets fired towards Israeli military positions and a “group of enemy soldiers, in the vicinity of the Jal Al-Allam position”near Naqoura.
- Israeli army commander meets with general staff to take stock of situation
General Herzi Halevi, commander of Israeli forces, gathered members of the General Staff on Friday to assess the situation “as the start of the second part of the war approaches”announced Daniel Hagari on.