Ambulance convoy hit by airstrike, Israel sets conditions for 'temporary ceasefire', US promotes goal of establishing Palestinian state

On November 3, the Hamas-controlled government in Gaza announced that an Israeli attack hit an ambulance convoy, killing several people in the area near Al-Shifa hospital.

Bệnh viện Al Shifa ở thành phố Gaza sáng đèn ngày 24/10. Các bệnh viện ở Gaza đứng trước nguy cơ đóng cửa vì thiếu nhiên liệu. (Nguồn: EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

Al Shifa Hospital in the Gaza Strip lights up on October 24. (Source: EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

Israeli forces reportedly attacked “an ambulance convoy transporting wounded people” from Gaza City towards the Rafah border crossing in the south.

Meanwhile, the Hamas-run health authority in Gaza confirmed that “several citizens were killed and dozens injured in an Israeli attack at the entrance to Al-Shifa hospital” – the largest medical facility in the region in Gaza City.

More than 23,500 people have been injured across Gaza in four weeks of fighting, while the death toll has exceeded 9,200, the agency said.

On the same day, November 3, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that his country would not accept a "temporary ceasefire agreement" in the conflict with Hamas if the other side did not release the hostages taken from Israel to Gaza.

Speaking after meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Tel Aviv, Mr. Netanyahu shared: “We are continuing (to fight) with all our strength and Israel will reject the temporary ceasefire agreement if it does not include the release of our hostages.”

In another development on the same day, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Israel's security will only be guaranteed through the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with Israeli leaders, Mr. Blinken stated: “Two states for two peoples. Again, that is the only way to ensure long-term security for a democratic Israel.”

In addition, the US Secretary of State asked for protection for journalists in Gaza as they cover the war between Hamas and Israel.

The top US diplomat also believes that a “humanitarian ceasefire” could be an important mechanism to protect civilians. According to Mr. Blinken, this was an important area of discussion with Israeli leaders during his meetings that same day.

The US secretary of state stressed that the humanitarian ceasefire would allow more humanitarian aid convoys to reach Gaza and help countries pursue the goal of releasing hostages, but said the exact details of this had not yet been established.

Regarding the conflict, also on November 3, the French Foreign Ministry said that the French Institute in Gaza was attacked by an Israeli airstrike, but no staff were injured at the site.

The ministry has asked the Israeli government to provide more information about the attack on the facility.

On the same day, November 3, the Japanese government said that it will provide additional aid of about 65 million USD to civilians in the Gaza Strip, in the context that this territory is facing an increasingly serious humanitarian crisis due to intense bombardment by Israel.

According to the Japanese Foreign Ministry, Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa made the commitment during talks with her Palestinian counterpart Riad Malki in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

Last October, Ms. Kamikawa announced Tokyo's $10 million humanitarian aid to Gaza.

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