The Arab League has revoked the terrorist designation of Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based Iran-backed group, amid fears of the Israel-Hamas war spilling over into Lebanon. The decision is seen as a policy shift to initiate communication with Hezbollah and could be aimed at stabilizing regional tensions. This move comes as tensions rise in the region and countries urge citizens to leave Lebanon.
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.
Thousands of Israelis took to the streets across the country on Thursday, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and fresh elections. The protests, which saw large gatherings outside Netanyahu’s residences in Caesarea and Jerusalem, were fueled by public anger over the government’s handling of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the ongoing hostage crisis. Demonstrators, including families of the hostages, accused Netanyahu of prioritizing his political survival over securing the release of those held captive by Hamas.
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 Nations has released its first in-depth report on the October 7 attack in Gaza, finding that both Israel and Hamas committed war crimes. The report details the deaths and displacement of thousands of Palestinians, as well as the captivity of hundreds of Israeli hostages by Hamas. Furthermore, the report highlights the systematic attack on the civilian population of Gaza, as well as the denial of humanitarian aid, resulting in the starvation of its inhabitants.
Hamas has accepted the United Nations ceasefire resolution that aims to end the Israeli assault on Gaza, according to senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri. The resolution calls for negotiations between Hamas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Abu Zuhri stated that the US must ensure that Israel abides by the resolution, exchanging hostages for detainees and withdrawing troops. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed hope following Hamas’s acceptance of the resolution, stating that it is a “hopeful” sign. The UN Security Council unanimously passed the US-backed resolution (with Russia abstaining) on Monday, endorsing a three-part ceasefire plan that includes an initial six-week ceasefire, exchange of captives, establishment of a lasting ceasefire, and reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
The UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a ceasefire proposal between Israel and Hamas, outlining a path towards a permanent end to the conflict in Gaza. The proposal was drafted by US President Joe Biden and welcomed by Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, and the Palestinian Authority. The deal envisages a stage-wise ceasefire, with the ultimate goal of a complete cessation of hostilities. Israel, however, has stated that it will only end the war when Hamas is completely defeated, leaving open the possibility of a temporary ceasefire. Russia abstained from voting on the proposal, expressing concerns about its vague parameters.
Noa Argamani, a 26-year-old Israeli citizen, has been freed from captivity in Gaza after 245 days. She was abducted during a music festival in October 2022 and held captive by Hamas. Argamani was reunited with her family on Saturday after a daring rescue operation by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The rescue operation also freed three other hostages. Argamani’s return was celebrated by thousands of Israelis, who have been demanding the release of all remaining captives.
Israeli forces successfully rescued four hostages from the central Gaza Strip in a complex daytime operation. The rescued individuals, identified as Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv, were abducted during the Nova music festival on October 7. Following their rescue, the hostages were transported to a hospital for medical examinations. The operation is part of Israel’s broader efforts to secure the release of hostages taken by militants amid the ongoing conflict in the region.
The United Nations Secretary-General has listed Israel’s military among global offenders for committing violations against children in 2023, prompting outrage from Israel and further straining its relationship with the UN. Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, militant groups that have engaged in armed conflict with Israel, will also be included on the list. The decision comes despite Israel’s longstanding assertion of having a highly moral military.
