House Speaker Mike Johnson is expected to formally invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address a joint meeting of Congress in the coming weeks. The invitation comes despite recent tensions between the Biden administration and Israel, including public breaks on issues such as the International Criminal Court’s warrants against Netanyahu and the Israeli military’s actions in Gaza.
The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has taken a deadly turn with Israeli airstrikes on a refugee camp in Rafah, killing over 45 people, including children. The attacks have sparked global outrage and condemnation on social media, with an AI-generated image of “All Eyes on Rafah” going viral. Despite multiple attempts at mediation by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, peace talks between Israel and Hamas remain at a standstill.
Tensions between Israel and Hamas flared up on Sunday, resulting in a series of Israeli airstrikes on Rafah in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. The strikes, which targeted Hamas militants, left at least 35 people dead and numerous others injured, including women and children. The Israeli military justified the strikes as based on precise intelligence and claimed the killing of two senior Hamas officials. The strikes came amid heightened tensions following the International Court of Justice’s order for Israel to cease its operations to protect civilians.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) criticized President Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict, accusing him of betraying the U.S.-Israel alliance. Stefanik, who addressed the Israeli Knesset, emphasized the strong support from House Republicans for Israel, contrasting it with Biden’s perceived equivocation. She also defended her past speech in Jerusalem and highlighted the House’s passage of legislation criticizing Biden for pausing a bomb shipment to Israel.
India has once again expressed its strong opposition to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, condemning the civilian deaths and calling for international law to be respected. India also reiterated its support for Palestine’s bid for full UN membership and urged the conflicting parties to engage in direct peace negotiations as soon as possible.
An Indian national working with the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UN DSS) was killed in an attack in Gaza, marking the first international casualty for the organization since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The victim was traveling in a UN vehicle when it was struck, resulting in another DSS staff member being injured. UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack and called for a full investigation, while also expressing condolences to the deceased staff member’s family.
Rachel Goldberg-Polin, the mother of American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, has voiced her concerns over the continued captivity of 132 hostages by Hamas militants in Gaza. She emphasized the urgent need for creative solutions to end the suffering of both Gazan civilians and the hostages. Goldberg-Polin also expressed her belief that the U.S. should not be considered a neutral negotiator in the conflict, as American citizens were also victims of the October 7 attack that sparked the ongoing war. Despite warnings against a major military assault on Rafah, considered the last refuge for Hamas and civilians fleeing violence, Israeli forces have been engaged in intense battles in the area.
US President Joe Biden stated at a fundraiser on Saturday that a ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict could be achieved as early as “tomorrow” if Hamas released its Israeli hostages. Biden remarked that Israel has indicated a willingness to end the conflict if Hamas complies with the demand.
Over the past few weeks, more than 30 US universities have witnessed protests against Israel’s war with Hamas. These demonstrations have sparked fierce clashes, leading to a heavy police presence on campuses. Police have forcibly dispersed protesters, prompting concerns about excessive force. Columbia University and the City University of New York have been particularly impacted, with hundreds of arrests and allegations of rough treatment by officers. University presidents are facing criticism for calling in police, while students demand the right to peaceful protest.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to launch an incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah despite ongoing cease-fire negotiations with Hamas. The threat comes as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in Israel to advance the truce talks. Netanyahu’s comments are meant to appease his nationalist governing partners, who oppose a deal that would prevent an attack on Rafah. The international community has warned Israel against any offensive that puts civilians at risk, with over half of Gaza’s population sheltering in Rafah.
