by Francesco Matera
The Israel-Hamas War continues with a single variable: the lives of 130 Israeli hostages still in the hands of the militiamen. After the killing in Gaza by IDF soldiers of three Israelis kidnapped on 7 October, anger is growing. And while Hamas warns that “there will be no other hostage deal until Israel stops the aggression“, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is lapidary: “Let's continue until the end, nothing will stop us".
In the meantime, diplomacy and intelligence are acting under the table to bring home around 130 Israeli citizens still in the hands of the jihadists.
The head of the Mossad he had a meeting yesterday in Oslo with the Prime Minister of Qatar, the Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to negotiate release. Before him, the Minister of Defense Gallant he had meetings with military and intelligence leaders. In the evening, the War Cabinet met to discuss developments.
The tragic mistake of the Israeli soldiers who killed three of those kidnapped in the Strip, mistaking them for terrorists despite the white flag and the cry for "help", sparked protests in Tel Aviv, where thousands of people took to the streets to protest against the government demanding immediate release.
The pressure also increases Joe Biden to the United States for the return of the American hostages. The director of the CIA, Bill Burns, and the Egyptian intelligence minister are working to find an agreement based on the talks between the head of the Mossad and Qatar.
The situation not only involves the lives of the approximately 130 hostages, including several soldiers, but also the consensus of national and international public opinion which is starting to open its eyes to the horrors on both sides. Meanwhile, the war continues in the Strip, with bombings and clashes with jihadists, thus increasing the risk of causing further victims among the hostages.
Meanwhile, an alleged member of the Mossad has been killed in Iran as the conflict in the region intensifies, with the United States having shot down Yemeni Houthi drones in the Red Sea. Many commercial and tourist ships are avoiding the routes from the Suez Canal to the Red Sea, thus driving up the prices of goods due to the choice of other longer and, therefore, more expensive routes. The Suez Canal connects the Mediterranean to the Red Sea and is the shortest sea route between Asia and Europe.
A military task force to protect ships
The allies of the United States (for now France and England) are considering sending one naval task force to protect ships in the Red Sea and the National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, said that the US could immediately establish escorts along that maritime trade route considered vital. Italy would have given its availability to be part of the task force, reserving the right to decide on the size of the contribution.
Maritime companies suspend travel on the route that crosses the Red Sea
The shipping company MSC has decided to temporarily stop its journeys through the Suez Canal to protect the lives of its sailors, it said in a statement. One of the container ships of the world's leading cargo company, whose full name is Mediterranean Shipping Company, was attacked the other day by a drone while in the Red Sea. All crew members of the “MSC Palatium III” are safe and sound, the company said in a statement.
However, the vessel suffered damage from a fire and was withdrawn from service. After this incident, the MSC fleet will no longer pass through the Suez Canal until the area becomes safe again. The new route plans to circumnavigate Africa along the Cape of Good Hope route. Trips will therefore last several days longer.
Other companies, such as Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd and CMA CGM, have also decided to avoid the Suez Canal.
Subscribe to our newsletter!