The Kerem Shalom border crossing between Israel and Gaza was targeted again on Wednesday by rocket fire, lightly injuring an Israeli soldier. The crossing was reopened on Wednesday morning after being closed for three days following a Hamas rocket attack that killed four soldiers. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has said that the crossing remained closed and that the closure is crucial for UNRWA, the main aid agency operating in Gaza.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer faced a confrontation by anti-Israel protesters while celebrating her daughter’s college graduation at a local restaurant. The protesters accused the United States of participating in genocide by supporting Israel and questioned Whitmer’s actions regarding the Palestinian children. Despite being interrupted, Whitmer responded calmly and condemned the situation in Gaza as heartbreaking. The incident has sparked controversy, with some criticizing Whitmer for not speaking out sooner against anti-Israel rhetoric.
In response to ongoing anti-Israel protests on college campuses, a group of House Republicans has introduced a bill that would send anyone convicted of unlawful activity on campus to Gaza for at least six months. The bill, introduced by Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), specifically targets illegal activity that occurred after Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas militants invaded Israel. The bill is unlikely to pass in the Democrat-controlled Senate, but it highlights the heightened tensions over Israel’s war with Hamas.
The Biden administration has temporarily halted shipments of two types of precision bombs to Israel due to concerns about their potential use in the Israeli ground operation in Rafah, where over a million civilians have sought shelter. The administration is reviewing the proposed transfers of the bombs, particularly the 2,000-pound bombs that can have significant impact in urban areas, and has emphasized that the pause in shipments is not related to recent supplemental appropriations passed for Israel.
Despite Hamas’ acceptance of a ceasefire proposed by Egypt and Qatar, the Israeli military has launched targeted strikes against the militant group in Rafah, southern Gaza. The strikes followed approval from Israel’s war cabinet. A Palestinian security official reported that Israeli tanks had entered Rafah, reaching close to the Egyptian border. Hamas’ Al-Aqsa TV stated that Israeli officials had informed Egypt of the planned withdrawal of troops after completing the operation. The Israeli military operation in Gaza has forced over a million people to flee to tents and apartments in Rafah. Israel views Rafah as Hamas’ last stronghold but the United States has expressed opposition to a full-scale invasion without a credible strategy for safeguarding civilians.
The Biden administration has reportedly been considering the option of resettling Palestinian refugees from Gaza, but this has been met with strong opposition from Republican senators. In a letter led by Senator Joni Ernst, 34 Republicans demanded that President Biden cease such plans. They expressed concerns about the potential security risks associated with accepting refugees who may have terrorist ties or sympathies. The White House has not directly confirmed but stated that it has been helping American citizens and vulnerable individuals leave Gaza for medical treatment and humanitarian assistance. However, the administration has emphasized that it categorically rejects any forced relocation of Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed optimism that Hamas would embrace Israel’s ‘extraordinarily generous’ proposal to cease offensive operations in Gaza in exchange for the release of hostages. Blinken emphasized that Hamas holds the key to a ceasefire, urging them to make the right decision swiftly. He highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and emphasized the need for a ceasefire and hostage release to create space for a more equitable and sustainable solution.
Moran Stella Yanai endured a harrowing 54-day captivity in Gaza after being captured by Hamas gunmen in October 2022. The 40-year-old jewellery designer recounted her ordeal in a recent interview, describing the terrifying moments when she was seized while hiding in a potato field and the subsequent ordeal she faced. Yanai was moved to seven different locations during her captivity and faced constant threats of violence, but she remained resilient and protected her own story. Yanai’s account sheds light on the horrors endured by hostages in Gaza, including sexual assault and psychological torture.
Pro-Palestinian Columbia students have filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the university, alleging discrimination and mistreatment in response to their protests over the Gaza conflict and against the university’s policies toward Palestinian students. The complaint, filed with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), claims that Columbia has failed to protect Palestinian students from harassment and abuse, and has retaliated against them for their activism.
Education ministers have presented a united front, demanding an additional $12 billion in public school funding from the federal government over the next decade. States like Victoria and New South Wales have expressed concerns that the proposed conditions would burden teachers with more administrative tasks, reducing their time with students.
