US, Israeli intelligence agencies claim diminished Hamas has switched to full insurgency in Gaza
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government are under pressure from Washington to agree to a ceasefire plan to end the war, which began on October 7 when Hamas fighters stormed into southern Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and seizing over 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
Experts: Hamas’ post-Gaza war plan includes reconciliation with ruling Fatah party in Palestine to buy time to rearm
Western states support the idea of post-war Gaza being run by a revamped Palestinian Authority (PA); the administration led by Abbas that has limited self-rule over patches of the West Bank. Based in Ramallah, the PA is broadly acknowledged globally as representing the Palestinians and receives security assistance from the United States and the EU.
Netanyahu rubbishes calls for permanent peace as mediators urge Israel and Hamas to finalise Biden’s Gaza peace plan
The US, Egypt and Qatar have been seeking for months to mediate an end to the war, but a deal has proven elusive. The proposal, Biden said, also “creates a better ‘day after’ in Gaza without Hamas in power”. He did not elaborate on how that might be achieved. The Iranian-backed Islamist group has given no indication it might step aside or disarm voluntarily.
Gaza war: Hamas welcome US’ three-phase proposal for a permanent ceasefire, Israel dithers
Hamas said it was ready to engage “positively and in a constructive manner” with any proposal based on a permanent ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces, the reconstruction of Gaza, a return of those displaced, and a “genuine” prisoner swap deal if Israel “clearly announces commitment to such deal”.
Israel seizes Gaza’s entire border with Egypt, ignores UN court orders to halt attacks in Rafah
The World Court said Israel had not explained how it would keep evacuees from Rafah safe and provide food, water and medicine. Its ruling also called on Hamas to immediately and unconditionally release hostages taken from Israel on October 7.
Netanyahu accused of invoking antisemitism to shift focus from his own problems at home
Israelis have been jarred by the global rise in antisemitism, and many view the swell of criticism against Israel as part of the rise. They see hypocrisy in the world’s intense focus on Israel’s war with Hamas while other conflicts get much less attention.
Biden administrations sticks with Israel despite Rafah killings that have been condemned worldwide
Recent deaths in Rafah have tested President Joe Biden’s promise to withhold weapons from Israel if the US ally made a major invasion of Rafah that put displaced persons there at risk.
EU consider punitive sanctions against Israel on the eve of Spain, Ireland recognising Palestinian state
Spain, Ireland and Norway plan to make official their recognition of a Palestinian state on Tuesday. While dozens of countries have recognised a Palestinian state, none of the major Western powers has done so, and it is unclear how much of a difference the move by Ireland, Spain and non-EU member Norway might make on the ground. The recognition, however, is a significant accomplishment for the Palestinians, who believe it confers international legitimacy on their struggle.
Israeli airstrikes kill 35 in Rafah as tally of Palestinians killed crosses 36,000 in 8-month Gaza war
Israel says it wants to root out Hamas fighters holed up in Rafah and rescue hostages it says are being held in the area, but its assault has worsened the plight of civilians and caused an international outcry.
Palestinians doubt World Court ruling will end their plight in Gaza as Israel intensified attacks
Hamas fighters killed some 1,200 people in Israel in the October 7 attack and abducted around 250 more, according to Israeli tallies. Gaza health authorities say more than 35,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli retaliatory offensive which has laid waste to much of the enclave.
