A student encampment at UC Berkeley has grown to include 40 tents, with students demanding an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the boycott and divestment of companies that profit from the colonization of Palestine. The encampment is a reflection of the growing awareness among students about the oppression faced by Palestinians and the need for solidarity.
Israeli forces are preparing to launch a ground offensive in Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip considered Hamas’ final stronghold. The move has been met with warnings from the US and Egypt, who fear it would lead to a humanitarian crisis. However, Israeli officials say they are fully prepared to take Rafah and have purchased tents to house civilians who will be evacuated.
The conflict between Iran and Israel, which escalated recently with the exchange of airstrikes, has a long and complex history. The animosity dates back to 586 BC when the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the first Jewish temple and took the Jewish people captive. Over the centuries, the hostility has continued, despite periods of relative peace. Today, Iran considers Israel an “existential threat” and has pursued nuclear weapons capabilities to counter it. Israel, on the other hand, views Iran’s proxies in the region, such as Hezbollah and Hamas, as a security threat and has carried out airstrikes against them. The recent exchanges of airstrikes between Iran and Israel mark a new escalation in the conflict and have raised concerns about the potential for further escalation.
Hamas has released a video purporting to show 23-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American hostage held captive in Gaza since October 7, 2022. In the video, Goldberg-Polin is seen gravely wounded, missing a hand, and describes the hostages’ living conditions as “hell”. He implores Israeli officials to prioritize the hostages’ release and expresses concern for their deteriorating health conditions. Hamas’s Telegram account posted the footage, highlighting Goldberg-Polin’s criticism of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s crisis management and the military’s failed attempts to secure the captives’ release. The video has garnered attention as Goldberg-Polin’s family and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum campaign group advocate for his safe return.
Texas state troopers and UT Austin police prevented a student protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza on Wednesday. The Palestine Solidarity Committee had planned to occupy the lawn outside Gregory Plaza, but law enforcement blocked their path. The protest came after Texas Governor Greg Abbott criticized Ivy League universities for their support of the pro-Palestinian movement.
Yahya Sinwar, the enigmatic leader of Hamas, continues to orchestrate operations against Israel despite facing challenges. Allegedly living in constant hiding, Sinwar’s leadership is described as disconnected from his fighters. Hostage families and organizations claim to have witnessed him emerging from Gaza tunnels, further fueling speculation about his elusive nature.
President Biden has signed into law a $86 billion aid package that provides $60 billion to Ukraine, $26 billion to Israel and the Palestinians, and includes pressure on Chinese-owned TikTok to sell its U.S. operations within nine months. The package passed the Senate Tuesday after receiving House approval Saturday, despite some objections from Republicans over the Ukraine aid and Democrats over the military funding for Israel.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has threatened to intervene if President Biden imposes sanctions on an Israeli military battalion over alleged misconduct in the West Bank. The Biden administration is reportedly considering sanctions on the Netzah Yehuda battalion, a unit largely comprised of ultra-Orthodox nationalist Jews, following incidents leading up to Hamas’ October 2022 attack on Israel, including the arrest and subsequent death of a Palestinian American man. The possible sanctions have drawn criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli government, who have urged the State Department to reconsider. Johnson said he received written assurances from White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan that the sanctions would not affect funding for Israel and that the administration would be judicious in its approach.
US President Joe Biden has signed a package of bills granting $95 billion in financial and military assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific region. The aid package includes $61 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel, and $8 billion for the Indo-Pacific. The package also includes a nine-month window for the TikTok video-sharing application to sell its stakes in the US or face a complete ban. The aid package for Ukraine was passed despite opposition from some members of Congress who believe that the war is unwinnable.
Over 40% of Americans disapprove of the $95 billion foreign aid package recently signed into law by President Biden. The bill allocates $61 billion for Ukraine aid, $24 billion for Israel and humanitarian aid in Gaza, and $8 billion for other allies against China. While a majority of Democrats support the package, only 36% of independents and 30% of Republicans approve. The bill’s passage followed months of negotiations and bitter fights, with conservatives opposing the measure. Despite the passage of the bill, Speaker Mike Johnson’s approval rating remains low, with 21% of voters approving of his job performance.
