The Israeli military continues to carry out heavy airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by the Islamic group Hamas, and is increasingly willing to invade the ground, and security experts said a ground invasion could begin as early as a few days.
In response, Hamas has called for protests to coincide with Friday, when Muslims hold mass prayers, and tensions are increasing.
* We will update the movement of the 13th (Japan time) from time to time.
table of contents
Israeli pundit: "Hostages are secondary"
Hostage family reveals heartbreaking remembrance
table of contents
table of contents
Israeli pundit: "Hostages are secondary"
Hostage family reveals heartbreaking remembrance
In retaliation for Hamas' large-scale attack on the Israeli side on the 7th of this month, the Israeli military continued to carry out heavy airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, which is effectively controlled by Hamas, on the 12th.
According to the health authorities of the Gaza Strip, 1537,1500 people have died so far, including many children.
The Israeli military is also conducting a mopping up operation of Hamas fighters who have invaded the Israeli side and has so far found the bodies of more than 1200,12 fighters.
Meanwhile, attacks by Hamas are continuing, with Israel claiming that at least <>,<> people have been killed so far.
Under these circumstances, the Israeli military has deployed a large-scale force around the Gaza Strip and is strengthening its stance of not hesitating to invade the ground.
An Israeli expert familiar with security told NHK on the <>th that "the ground invasion will begin as soon as it is ready," and pointed out that the ground invasion could begin as early as a few days.
In response, Hamas has called on Palestinians and surrounding Arab countries to protest on Friday, when Muslims hold mass prayers, and tensions are increasing.
Israeli pundit: "Hostages are secondary"
Ephraim Imvar, director of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategic and Security Research, an expert on Israeli security, said of the timing of the Israeli invasion on the ground: "Depending on the size of the invasion, it will start as soon as it is ready, it may launch a surprise attack, it may take time to strain Hamas," noting that it could begin as early as a few days.
Regarding the many hostages held by Hamas, he said, "From the point of view of military operations, hostages are only secondary, and while small units may move to rescue the hostages, the main goal is the extinction of Hamas' military capabilities," and analyzed that the presence of hostages is unlikely to deter Israel from invading the ground.
Commenting on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, which Israel has been blockading, and the international community is expressing concern, he said: "We have experienced this before, and the international community has always been passive and shows sympathy for Gaza, but does nothing. I think there is a limit to international public opinion," he said, pointing out that it would not affect the Israeli decision.
"In the Middle East, being seen as weak invites aggression, and one of the reasons Hamas is attacking Israel now is because of the turmoil in our internal affairs. Hamas assesses Israel as weak and that's why it has attacked it. Restoring deterrence is the key to Israel's survival," he said, arguing that the retaliatory operation was also necessary for Israel's self-defense.
ICRC "We are in contact with Hamas"
Regarding the number of people being held hostage, Carboni, Director of the Middle East Operations Bureau of the ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross, told Reuters in Switzerland on the 12th, "We are currently in contact with Hamas and are calling for an obligation to treat the hostages humanely."
"The ICRC must play the role of a neutral mediator," he said, adding that he would work with Hamas for the unconditional release of the hostages.
On the other hand, Mr. Carboni expressed concern about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, saying, "We are preparing for the worst, but we don't know how bad it will be."
Hostage family reveals heartbreaking remembrance
As Israel, which continues its military operations against the Islamic organization Hamas, is increasingly refusing to refrain from a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip, the families of hostages captured by Hamas spoke to NHK and expressed their heartbreak.
The interviewees were Karina Alieb's family in Jerusalem.
Karina, 19, who was drafted into the army in October last year and had been serving at an Israeli military base along the border with the Gaza Strip since January, is believed to have been detained after the base was attacked by Hamas on May 10.
A video her family found on social media that appears to have taken place after the Hamas attack showed Karina lying limp in her car with two other women.
On the bed in Karina's bedroom at home were pictures of herself and letters from friends who were aware of her safety, and her sister Sasha was holding Karina's favorite stuffed animal and praying for her safety.
Sasha said, "I think the mission near the Gaza Strip was scary, but my sister had a strong sense of responsibility and thought it was for the good of the country.
Five days after her disappearance, Karina's safety is still unknown, and the three family members say they can't eat and sleep well at night.
At home, I keep the TV on all day, waiting for new information about Karina and the other hostages.
On the other hand, I am saddened to see the Israeli government trying to advance hardline military operations such as ground invasions against Hamas.
Alberto's father said with tears in his eyes, "I don't know if it's a good idea to go ahead with the ground invasion, all I want is for my daughter to come home safely."
"Instead of just bombing and blockading the Gaza Strip, we should think about the civilians, and we should start negotiations to release the hostages first. They were asking for a call to take action to free the hostages.
UK hostage families hold press conference "Release hostages and defuse the situation"
Two British nationals who say their families in Israel were taken hostage in an attack by the Islamic organization Hamas held a press conference in London to call for the release of the hostages and a breakthrough.
In Israel, more than 2 people, including foreigners, have been held hostage in the Hamas attack, and British public broadcaster BBC reports that 100 Britons, including children, have been killed or missing.
Under these circumstances, two British nationals who said their families had been taken hostage held a press conference at a hotel in London on the 17th.
Sharon Lifshitz, whose parents in their 2s were abducted by Hamas, tearfully said: "They took a lot of things from us, and my 12-year-old mother was taken out of bed with the oxygen device removed to put her on a motorcycle or something."
Noam Sagi, whose 80-year-old mother is being held hostage, called for the support of the international community, saying, "I am here because I need to ask for help to free my children, mothers and the elderly."
In an interview with NHK after the press conference, Sagi said of his hope for the governments, "I don't think the release of the hostages will work if the situation escalates, and I hope that we can find a way out of the situation through negotiations."
NATO shows solidarity with Israel but seeks balance
NATO = North Atlantic Treaty Organization held a defense ministers' meeting at its headquarters in Belgium on the 12th, and Israeli Defense Minister Galante explained online the status of the attack by the Islamic organization Hamas and Israel's retaliatory operation.
According to NATO, Secretary General Stoltenberg expressed solidarity with Israel at the meeting, stating that NATO would condemn the attack by Hamas in the strongest terms.
Asked at a press conference after the meeting about his perception of Israel's retaliatory operations, Stoltenberg said: "War has rules and needs to be balanced, and many Member States have unequivocally condemned and emphasized this point while explicitly condemning the massacres and violence by Hamas."
At a press conference the day before, Stoltenberg said that "it is important to do everything possible to prevent the loss of innocent civilian lives" regarding Israel's response, and urged Israel to exercise restraint while recognizing the right to defend itself.