MIDDLE EAST NEWS: Opening of Rafah border crossing, Baerbock supports two-state solution, and more

The Rafah border crossing is to be temporarily reopened today to allow foreigners from the Gaza Strip to travel to Egypt. The authorities in Gaza announced this. The evacuations were suspended on Friday because sick and injured people could not be safely transported to Rafah. Only people with foreign passports are allowed to leave the Gaza Strip. These now include over 280 Germans and their relatives. | November 12, 2023 3:40 am

The Federal Government wants to continue to advocate for a two-state solution in the Middle East. Only the peaceful coexistence of Israel and a Palestinian state can guarantee long-term security for both sides, said Foreign Minister Baerbock during a visit to Tel Aviv. She has not supported calls for a ceasefire. Baerbock said Israel is fighting Hamas to protect its own people. The Arab League and other states had previously called for a stop to the Israeli attacks and proposed an international peace conference. | November 12, 2023 3:40 am

There will soon be a Veterans Day in Germany. Politicians from the SPD and the Union told the “Tagesspiegel” that there was a broad majority in the Bundestag in favor of the introduction. The traffic light factions would clarify the final details next week. Veterans Day is intended to honor the achievements of former soldiers. The Union proposes November 12th as the date, on this day in 1955 the Bundeswehr was founded.| November 12, 2023 3:40 am

There have been large pro-Palestinian demonstrations in several European capitals. According to authorities, there were 300,000 people on the streets in London, the organizers say 800,000. According to police, there were also several hundred counter-demonstrators in the city center and over 100 arrests were made. A good 20 people took part in Brussels and around 16,000 people in Paris. According to the police, there were around 6,000 participants at a pro-Palestinian rally in Berlin-Kreuzberg. No major incidents were reported. | November 12, 2023 3:40 am

The church parliament of the Evangelical Church in Germany meets today for its annual meeting in Ulm. The so-called synod deliberates on political and social issues for three days. It also covers legal and financial questions for the EKD. A central topic on Tuesday will be dealing with sexual violence within the Evangelical Church. | November 12, 2023 3:40 am

Divers have begun exploring the freighter “Verity,” which sank in the North Sea. They want to determine whether there are still bodies in the stricken vessel and what condition the ship is in. It sank after a collision with a larger freighter on October 24th. Four people have been missing since then. A diving ship has been anchored at the scene of the accident south of Heligoland since the afternoon. A tractor secures the work. | November 12, 2023 3:40 am

Because of a possible bomb defusal, around 5,000 people in Braunschweig had to leave their homes by 9 a.m. Rail travelers are also affected: The long-distance trains are to be rerouted and they will not stop in Hildesheim, Peine and Helmstedt for a few hours, as the railway announced. Two unexploded bombs from the Second World War are suspected to be south of the Bürgerpark. | November 12, 2023 3:40 am

After around 34 hours, a major police operation in Brandenburg came to an end. In the town of Vieritz in Havelland, a man barricaded himself in his house and fired at emergency services with a submachine gun. According to police, the man was found dead shortly after midnight. The exact circumstances are not yet known. The operation had been running since Friday afternoon. The police were on site with a large contingent. A woman and a child were able to leave the house last night. The background is apparently a dispute with the youth welfare office. | November 12, 2023 3:40 am

Bochum and Cologne drew 1-1 in the evening game of the Bundesliga. Cologne remains bottom of the table. Also played: Bayern – Heidenheim 4:2 Stuttgart – Dortmund 2:1 Augsburg – Hoffenheim 1:1 and Darmstadt – Mainz 0:0. The evening game of the Second League between Hertha and Karlsruhe ended 2-2. | November 12, 2023 3:40 am

Rain in areas tonight. From around 600 to 800 meters there is also snow. Lows 8 to 2 degrees. Very cloudy during the day, partly foggy, occasional rain. There are also cheerful stretches from Franconia and Saxony to the Lower Rhine. Highs 2 to 11 degrees. Cloudy on Monday. In the north-east, some sun along with showers. 5 to 16 degrees. Rainy on Tuesday. Loosening possible in some areas. 6 to 15 degrees. | November 12, 2023 3:40 am