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.
Colombia is poised to enact a ban on coal exports to Israel in a bid to pressure the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the conflict in Gaza. The move follows Colombia’s severance of diplomatic ties with Israel over the Gaza conflict and is seen as a further step in Colombia’s effort to exert international pressure. However, the proposed ban has sparked controversy within Colombia, with the private mining association arguing that it would violate international trade agreements and undermine market confidence and foreign investment.
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.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged an immediate end to hostilities between Lebanon and Israel, expressing concern over the possibility of a wider conflict. The situation along the demarcation line between the two countries has become increasingly tense in recent days, with exchanges of artillery fire between Hezbollah and Israel. Both groups have ties to Iran and are considered allies. Guterres emphasized the need for a ceasefire, warning that continued fighting could have catastrophic consequences for the region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address a joint session of Congress on July 24, highlighting America’s solidarity with Israel. The invitation was extended by congressional leaders despite ongoing political divisions regarding Israel’s military actions against Hamas in Gaza. The event is expected to underscore the divisions within Congress, particularly among Democrats, regarding Netanyahu’s handling of the conflict. Some Democrats have criticized Netanyahu’s strategy and are expected to boycott the address. Netanyahu’s visit comes after strained relations between the US President and the Israeli leader in recent months.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to deliver a highly anticipated and potentially divisive speech before a joint session of the US Congress on July 24. The address comes amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas war that has sparked political divisions in the United States. Netanyahu’s appearance is sure to provoke protests and highlight the growing rift within the Democratic Party over the prime minister’s war strategy.
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have intensified, raising concerns of a full-scale war. Hezbollah, an Iran-aligned militant group, opened a battlefront with Israel in October, following a deadly Israeli raid in Gaza. Israel has warned it is prepared for a military operation along its border with Lebanon. The US has cautioned against escalation, fearing it could harm Israeli security. The UN has expressed concern and called for de-escalation. The conflict has displaced thousands along the border and is being fueled by Hezbollah and Hamas attacks on Israeli military installations.
The White House is still awaiting a response from Palestinian Islamist group Hamas regarding Israel’s ceasefire proposal, which was presented by President Biden and relayed by Qatar. CIA Director Bill Burns is scheduled to meet with Qatari mediators to discuss the proposal further. Hamas has stated that it will not accept any agreement unless Israel agrees to a permanent truce and complete withdrawal from Gaza. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintains that permanent peace is impossible without the eradication of Hamas. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in thousands of deaths and widespread destruction.
The Maldives has implemented a ban on Israeli passport holders, following pressure to protest the ongoing Gaza conflict. The government has also launched a national fundraising campaign in solidarity with Palestine. The ban follows a decline in Israeli tourism to the Maldives, with an 88% drop in the first four months of this year compared to the same period last year.
