An Israeli soldier was killed and another seriously injured in a stabbing attack at a mall in northern Israel. The attacker was shot dead by the soldier before succumbing to his own wounds. The incident comes amid heightened tensions in Israel following the ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza.
The US has revised its proposed ceasefire and hostage-release deal for Gaza, aiming to reconcile the conflicting positions of Israel and Hamas. The revised proposal, based on President Biden’s earlier framework, focuses on negotiation points during the initial ceasefire phase. While Israel supports the deal, Hamas has shown resistance, rejecting the proposal as lacking meaningful progress. The US is working with Qatar and Egypt to facilitate a compromise, but a senior Hamas official has dismissed the revised proposal as offering nothing new.
Israel has dismissed a UN-backed report highlighting catastrophic hunger in Gaza, claiming it is misleading and biased. The report, published by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), stated that 495,000 Gazans are facing severe food insecurity, while another 745,000 are in a food emergency. Despite some improvement in the north, the report warns of a worsening situation in the south, attributed to the May hostilities in Rafah.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused the Biden administration of significantly reducing weapons deliveries for Israel’s war effort in Gaza, a claim denied by the US. This public spat highlights growing strains between the two allies, driven by concerns over civilian casualties and Israel’s military tactics in Gaza. While the US continues to support Israel’s goals, the war has tested the relationship and created political pressure on both sides.
Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant is set to visit Washington for critical talks on the ongoing Gaza war and escalating tensions with Lebanon’s Hezbollah. The visit comes amidst concerns over US arms supply to Israel and growing protests against the government’s handling of the conflict.
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will travel to the UAE on Sunday to discuss bilateral issues with his counterpart, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The visit is expected to include deliberations on the situation in Gaza and a review of the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and the UAE.
Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York delivered a fiery speech at a rally, accusing his opponent and AIPAC of supporting genocide in Gaza and using U.S. tax dollars to kill innocent civilians. Bowman, a vocal critic of the Israeli government, faced criticism for his stance and was accused of plagiarism from his 2019 dissertation. The rally also featured an endorsement from Sen. Bernie Sanders, who called for unity against the ‘oligarchy’ despite potential differences in opinion.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on the Biden administration to resume its planned weapons deliveries to Israel, expressing concern over a perceived delay in military aid. He made the request during a meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken last week, stating that it is ‘inconceivable’ for the U.S. to withhold crucial resources while Israel battles Hamas in Gaza. The request comes as the Biden administration faces criticism from House Republicans over a recent $404 million aid package for Gaza, with concerns about the potential for Hamas to benefit from the funds.
Anti-government protests have escalated across Israel, fueled by dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership during the ongoing Gaza conflict. Demonstrators are calling for immediate elections, a ceasefire, and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The protests highlight deep divisions within Israeli society over the war’s objectives, Netanyahu’s handling of the crisis, and the influence of his far-right coalition partners.
The United States has imposed sanctions on the Israeli extremist group Tsav-9 for obstructing the delivery of life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza. Tsav-9, which emerged from a Facebook group of Israeli army reservists and settlers, has been engaging in violent activities to block humanitarian aid shipments, vandalizing and burning aid trucks, and attacking drivers. The group’s actions have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where access to food, medical supplies, and other essential goods is critical. The sanctions freeze Tsav-9’s assets under US jurisdiction and prohibit Americans from engaging in transactions with the group. The move aims to isolate the group financially, deter similar extremist activities, and urge the Israeli government to address the group’s actions within its borders.
