Battle | Development aid for Palestinians resumes

Israel says it has forced several Hamas terrorists to surrender. EU Commission President van der Leyen wants to punish migrants. All information on news blog.

Hamas terrorists entered the territory of Israel on October 7 and carried out massacres. Israel has been attacking targets in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip ever since. This news blog keeps you updated on current developments:

9:01 pm: According to a media report, the US is delaying the sale of 20,000 M16 assault rifles to Israel. “Axios” news website, citing two US government sources, has raised concerns over attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

8:39 PM: Hamas says it sees any deal without the Palestinian Authority as an illusion. “We are open to any idea or initiative that could end the (Israeli) occupation and open the door to putting the Palestinian home in order in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip,” Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said in a televised address.

2:52 pm: The federal government is resuming development cooperation with the Palestinian territories that was suspended following a major Hamas attack. The Development Ministry (BMZ) in Berlin says that in a review, the control mechanisms have proven to be robust. “No signs of misuse were observed,” explains the BMZ.

The ministry said the restart was an important signal of Germany’s support to alleviate the suffering of the people in the Gaza Strip and stabilize the difficult situation in the West Bank and neighboring Jordan and Lebanon. The foundations for building a future Palestinian state with effective institutions must also be created with a vision of a two-state solution. Germany sees its commitment to stability and opportunities in the Palestinian territories as an expression of its special historical responsibility for Israel’s security and as a contribution to a peace settlement.

All local partner organizations will be examined individually and in a multi-phase process. “In addition to contacts with Hamas and other organizations listed as terrorist groups, a detailed investigation is conducted to determine whether statements or actions of a potential partner organization speak against funding,” the ministry explains. “This includes, in particular, calls to hatred and violence, denial of the right to exist of the State of Israel, and anti-Semitism. In addition, no programs are funded by organizations involved in the BDS movement (“Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions” against Israel).”

1:53 pm: Several videos show Israeli soldiers behaving in a despicable manner in the Gaza Strip. It shows soldiers ransacking private homes in Gaza, destroying items in a toy store and burning food in a truck. The video shows a dance troupe of army men chanting racist slogans and dancing in a circle.

The videos appear to have been uploaded by soldiers while in Gaza. The Israeli military has vowed to take disciplinary action. She talks about individual cases.

Critics see the videos as reflecting a national mood that is too pro-war in Gaza and shows little sympathy for the plight of civilians in Gaza. Dror Sadot, a spokesman for B’Tselem, an Israeli human rights group that has long documented Israeli abuses against Palestinians, said “the inhumanity from above rubs off on the soldiers.”

1:44 pm: EU Commission President Ursula van der Leyen supports punishing “extremist settlers” behind attacks in the West Bank. “Violence by radicalized settlers threatens prospects for lasting peace. And it could increase regional instability,” he told the plenary session.

“That is why I am in favor of punishing those responsible for the attacks in the West Bank. They must be held accountable. This violence has nothing to do with the fight against Hamas and it must stop,” van der Leyen continued.