Brigades Al-Qods Announce Killing of 11 Leaders and Members in Gaza Escalation

In Gaza, the Brigades al-Qods announced the killing of 11 of their leaders and members during the “recent escalade militaire menée par Israël.”

Anadolu Ajansı reported that the victims included “6 commandants supérieurs,” “un commandant de terrain,” and “4 membres” of the missiles unit and the security apparatus of the Brigades al-Qods, according to a communiqué published by the group.

Al-Jazeera Net

The Anadolu Ajansı account also said that “Samedi soir, l'accord de cessez-le-feu entre les factions palestiniennes de Gaza et Israël est entré en vigueur,” after mediation by Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations.

It added that over the previous five days, Israeli fighters carried out “des centaines de raids,” killing “33 Palestiniens,” including “6 enfants et 3 femmes.”

Anadolu Ajansı further stated that Palestinian armed factions fired rocket salvos targeting Israeli cities and villages including “Tel-Aviv et Jérusalem.”

In parallel, the Times of Israël described Israel’s military preparations for a ground offensive in southern Gaza, saying the IDF was preparing to deploy “two reserve brigades” for missions in the Gaza Strip ahead of a Rafah offensive.

The Times of Israël reported that the IDF was preparing to deploy “two reserve brigades” for missions in the Gaza Strip ahead of an offensive on Rafah.

It identified the brigades as the “679th Armored Brigade Yiftah” and the “2nd Infantry Brigade Carmeli,” and tied their expected tasks to central Gaza areas under Israeli control.

Al-Jazeera Net

The report said the move would let the “troops of the Nahal Brigade” join the rest of the “162nd Division” to prepare for “future operations, including offensives planned in Rafah and in central Gaza.”

It said the brigades would be placed under the “99th Division,” which had been tasked with the “Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza.”

The Times of Israël described one brigade’s deployment on an “east–west belt” and the other’s mission securing “a jetty built by the United States” to facilitate humanitarian aid.

Brig. Gen. Itzik Cohen told the public Kan channel that “Hamas should know that when the IDF enters Rafah, it would be wise to raise its hands to the sky and surrender.”

The Times of Israël said “The international community, including the United States, warned that an assault on the city could significantly worsen the already catastrophic humanitarian situation.”

“Gaza: les Brigades al-Qods annoncent le meurtre de 11 de leurs dirigeants et membres - Parmi les victimes figurent 6 commandants supérieurs, un commandant de terrain et 4 membres, selon un communiqué publié par les Brigades Nour Mahd Ali Abu Aisha 14 Mai 2023•Mise à jour: 17 Mai 2023 Gazze AA / Gaza / Nour Mahd Ali Abu Aish Les Brigades al-Qods, branche armée du Mouvement du Jihad islamique, ont déclaré dimanche que 11 de leurs dirigeants et membres dans la Bande de Gaza avaiet été tués lors de la récente escalade militaire menée par Israël”

Anadolu Ajansı

It reported Egypt warned Israel not to enter Rafah and quoted the Egyptian state information service saying such action would entail “large-scale human massacres, many injuries and substantial destruction.”

The same report included Brig. Gen. Itzik Cohen’s threat that “Rafah will no longer be the Rafah we know today... There will be no ammunition left, and there will be no hostages.”

Anadolu Ajansı placed the Brigades al-Qods’ announcement within a timeline where a ceasefire entered into force after mediation by Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations.

Al-Jazeera Net, citing Yedioth Ahronoth, described “six Israeli military brigades” operating inside Gaza on a rotating basis as a sign of a “prolonged and intensified presence.”

It added that Israeli forces were building “dozens of these points” for a “stable security zone” and concentrating efforts on the northern front where Hezbollah “continues to shell residential areas and northern forces.”

Le Parisien said activists planned “to release on Friday into the sky an armada of helium-filled balloons to disrupt the aerial demonstrations during the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget.”

It reported “Seven ultra-left activists” were heard in custody on Saturday and that “Six suspects were arrested at dawn Friday in the Île-de-France region.”

L'Humanité

The article said an arrest occurred Saturday morning at the “anti-war” village near the Bourse du Travail in Bobigny (Seine-Saint-Denis), where a demonstration called by “more than 100 organizations against Israel's participation in the Paris Air Show” began.

Le Parisien said the investigation would determine offenses including “attempted destabilization of airspace and disruption to the movement of aircraft.”

It described a scenario that could have prevented planes from landing and perhaps even “Emmanuel Macron's presidential aircraft,” with Macron due to land on the Bourget tarmac Friday aboard a “military A400 aircraft.”

Le Parisien also reported that Palestine Action entered the Royal Air Force base at Brize Norton to sabotage two military Airbus Voyager aircraft, spraying red paint on the engines and causing damage with crowbars.

Al-Jazeera Net, citing Yedioth Ahronoth, said “Six Israeli military brigades are currently operating inside the Gaza Strip on a rotating basis,” and described this as signaling a “prolonged and intensified presence.”

“They planned to release on Friday into the sky an armada of helium-filled balloons to disrupt the aerial demonstrations during the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget”

Le Parisien

It said Brigade 205 “recently concluded a two-month intensive combat tour,” and it described Israeli forces shifting to “permanent deployment points” between the border and the “Yellow Line.”

Le Parisien

Anadolu Ajansı framed its Gaza account around a ceasefire timeline, saying the ceasefire entered into force after mediation by Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations, while also reporting “des centaines de raids” over the previous five days.

The Times of Israël focused on operational steps for Rafah, describing the deployment of the “679th Armored Brigade Yiftah” and the “2nd Infantry Brigade Carmeli.”

It said “The fighting has displaced about one million Gazan civilians to Rafah” and described Israel purchasing “40,000 tents” each capable of housing “10 to 12 people.”

Le Parisien tied its Europe-based arrests to plans “to denounce Israel's participation in the Paris Air Show, seen as an arms showcase.”