In an open letter: International film directors: What is currently happening in Gaza is a massacre of enormous proportions

The French newspaper Liberation published an open letter in which a group of directors, including Israeli Nadav Lapid, called for a ceasefire in Gaza, the establishment of humanitarian corridors, and the release of hostages.

The directors stated in their letter that the October 7 attack led Israelis and Palestinians into a new cycle of killing and cruelty. 

They stressed that what is currently happening in Gaza is a massacre of enormous proportions, killing thousands of women and children and depriving an entire people of their rights.

The letter adds, "There is no chance for survival. We demand an immediate halt to the bombing in Gaza, the establishment of humanitarian corridors, the provision of assistance and material resources demanded by all international organizations, and the release of hostages."

The newspaper reported that, in addition to Israeli director Nadav Lapid, the letter was also signed by Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki (“Falling Leaves”), Oscar-winning Japanese director Ryosuke Magochi (“Mr. Yusuke’s Driver”), and French director Claire Daney, who this year chaired the organization "Mr. Yusuke", French director Arthur Harari (who wrote the screenplay for "Anatomy of a Fall") and others, including Jewish directors.

Clashes continue in the Gaza Strip for the 85th day  in light of the continued intense Israeli bombing of various cities in the Strip, amid a worsening humanitarian catastrophe, while the level of escalation increases on the Lebanon and Yemen fronts.

The number of victims in the Gaza Strip has exceeded 21,000 and more than 55,000 injuries have been reported  since the seventh of last October.

The Israeli army also announced   that more than 500 soldiers were killed in the battles in the Gaza Strip.

Niger Foreign Ministry: We have Russian weapons and we need to develop cooperation in several fields

Nigerien Foreign Minister Bakary Yaw Sanjar confirmed his country's use of Russian weapons, indicating that there is no Russian army on the territory of Niger, and that the country's army can defend the territory independently.

Minister Sanjar told the "Novosti" agency: "Currently our relations with Russia are manifested in military cooperation, because all the weapons in our possession are Russian-made."

He added: "That is, we need to maintain relations with the Russian Federation in order to keep these (weapons), but we do not have any (Russian) army on our land. We do not need this, Our army can defend its lands by itself."

The Foreign Minister pointed out that his country expelled the French army from its territory without any intention to invite other soldiers here.

He explained that Niger currently needs to develop relations in the fields of intelligence, weapons and logistics, but not in the field of the armed forces.

It is noteworthy that the Prime Minister of Niger, Ali Mohamed Al-Amin Zein, confirmed in a previous interview with the “Novosti” agency that Russian weapons helped him confront armed groups. and that his country wants to strengthen cooperation with Russia.

He added: "Once again, it must be said that Niger and Russia are cooperating again, and we are trying to move forward in all areas of the economy and security."

The Prime Minister noted that military equipment, previously purchased from Russia, allowed the country's authorities to confront armed groups more effectively.