Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have killed at least 131 Palestinians in the past 48 hours, including a family of seven. A hospital was also hit, and Lebanon reported at least 11 deaths from an Israeli strike in Beirut. The conflict, sparked by Hamas’ October 2023 attack, shows no signs of abating, with both sides entrenched in their positions.
Senior Hamas figures, including Khalil al-Hayya, have left Doha, Qatar, following the suspension of Qatari mediation efforts for a Gaza ceasefire. Their new locations remain undisclosed, but reports suggest Turkey may be a potential base, given its stance on Hamas. This move comes amidst Israel’s intensified military operations in Gaza and potential shifts in US policy.
A bipartisan bill seeking to explicitly ban any immigrants tied to Hamas or involved in the recent attack on Israel from entering the United States has been introduced by Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.). The bill, the No Immigration Benefits for Hamas Terrorists Act, aims to prevent individuals associated with Hamas from entering the U.S. and receiving immigration benefits, drawing opposition from members of the ‘Squad’ who deem it unnecessary and redundant.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called on Israel to implement ‘real and extended pauses’ in the fighting in Gaza to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. The call comes as a 30-day deadline set by the US to improve conditions in the region has passed. While acknowledging Israel’s efforts to address the humanitarian crisis, Blinken insists that more needs to be done, particularly regarding extended pauses in fighting and allowing commercial trucks and residents to return to their homes after Israeli operations. The Biden administration has also confirmed that it will not limit arms transfers to Israel, despite earlier threats, due to what it considers ‘good but limited progress’ on aid delivery. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with thousands of casualties and a worsening humanitarian crisis.
Mia Shem, a former hostage of Hamas, has publicly criticized the lack of international support during her 50-day captivity in Gaza. Shem, a dual Israeli-French national, specifically questioned the absence of aid from the Red Cross and the United Nations, recounting a harrowing experience of physical pain, abuse, and psychological trauma. Shem’s statements highlight the ongoing plight of hostages held in Gaza and demand action from the international community.
Qatar, under pressure from the US, has asked Hamas leaders to leave the country, marking a significant shift in its policy. The move comes after Washington deemed Hamas’s rejection of a hostage release deal as unacceptable, rendering their presence in Qatar untenable. This development highlights the complexities of the ongoing conflict and the evolving dynamics between key players in the region.
Iran’s top advisor, Ali Larijani, has cautioned against a rash response to Israeli airstrikes, urging a strategic and calculated approach. He highlighted Israel’s aim to draw Iran into a direct conflict, emphasizing the need for a rational response to avoid falling into their trap. Larijani’s statement comes amidst escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, following a series of retaliatory strikes in October.
While Donald Trump’s victory in the US Presidential election sparked a flurry of congratulatory calls from world leaders, reactions in West Asia were more muted, ranging from outright dismissal to cautious optimism. Iran, for example, declared that the election results held no significance, while Hezbollah expressed skepticism about any meaningful change in US policy towards Israel. The Palestinian Authority, however, welcomed Trump’s victory, hoping for US support for their aspirations.
In a rare humanitarian move, over 100 patients suffering from trauma injuries and chronic diseases will be evacuated from Gaza on Wednesday. The evacuation, which includes children, comes amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The WHO calls for sustained medical evacuations, citing thousands awaiting transfer.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has dealt significant blows to both Hamas and Hezbollah, uncovering and dismantling an underground weapons manufacturing facility in Gaza and eliminating a key Hezbollah commander in Lebanon. The IDF released footage of the Hamas facility and confirmed the death of Jaafar Khader Faour, the commander of Hezbollah’s missile unit, who was responsible for numerous rocket attacks on Israel.
