Israeli defence minister talks about ‘destruction’ of tunnels in Gaza
Israel’s defence minister says the country’s “great challenge” after the captives are returned is the “destruction of all of Hamas’s terror tunnels in Gaza” by the army and through “the international mechanism to be established under the leadership and supervision of the United States”.
“This is the primary significance of implementing the agreed-upon principle of demilitarizing Gaza and neutralizing Hamas of its weapons,” Israel Katz posted on X. He said he has instructed the Israeli army to “prepare for carrying out the mission”.
Here we go, indefinite occupation and incursions. Israel already fabricated tons of tunnels and underground Hamas complexes to 'justify' their attacks on hospitals and schools. They'll just keep doing the same thing to continue the occupation.
Preparations under way for release of captives, prisoners
Logistical preparations are under way for the release of the captives held in Gaza.
Members of the International Committee of the Red Cross will be the ones who will receive the captives and then hand them over to the Israeli army. Medical staff will be ready to receive them, to give them the first check-up and then transport them into Israel proper.
There also are preparations to receive Donald Trump. The US president will arrive at around 9am local time [06:00 GMT], and then the first thing he’s going to do is to meet with the families of the captives.
It’s going to be a very emotional day. The emotions will be very raw, and they will also remind the families of the accusation that Netanyahu could have done this at least a year ago.
Meanwhile, families of Palestinian detainees who have been informed that their sons will be released to the occupied West Bank have also been warned against any kind of celebrations. They will not be allowed to receive well-wishers and to raise any flags or to celebrate the freedom of their sons.
We don’t know when these prisoners will be released. We don’t know when the 1,700 Palestinians disappeared from Gaza will be released back to the Gaza Strip.
Those details are really heavily guarded by Israel, and they all depend on the release of Israeli captives – so it’s going to be a long day for the families of Palestinian detainees and the disappeared.
‘Extremely slow process’ as aid trickles into Gaza
At least 400 trucks, designated by the Egyptian Red Crescent, and another 100 from UN agencies, and about 50 carrying fuel are expected to arrive in Gaza.
The process remains extremely slow, with Israeli inspections delaying convoys at the border. Empty trucks have been seen lining up near the middle area of Gaza, where the aid is expected to enter.
Palestinians have been waiting months for humanitarian supplies. Most of Gaza’s population depends entirely on this aid. People are not waiting only for food, but also for tents, mobile shelters, solar panels and desperately needed medical equipment and medicines – items largely unavailable for the past two years.
Residents say they have been deprived of even the most basic necessities. Queues for clean water and food stretch through neighbourhoods, as people hold pots and containers hoping for supplies.
Some signs of normal life are slowly returning. A few bakeries have reopened, and small markets are beginning to operate again.
But Gaza’s economy remains shattered, most people have lost their savings, have no access to bank accounts, and are completely dependent on humanitarian aid to survive.
