Large protests in Tel Aviv continued for a third consecutive night as Israelis called for a cease-fire deal to bring home remaining hostages held in Gaza. The Israeli military reported six hostages were killed by captors in Gaza as troops closed in on their location, increasing public pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu to secure their release. The U.S. is working with Egypt and Qatar on a new cease-fire proposal, and the UN Security Council plans to discuss the ongoing war. Additionally, the Justice Department filed charges against Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar for his role in the Oct. 7 attack.
The Israeli military announced the killing of a Hamas militant, Ahmed Fozi Wadia, who was responsible for a grenade attack that killed a father in front of his children. The attack by Hamas-led militants on Oct. 7 resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the taking of 250 hostages, triggering the ongoing war in Gaza. The conflict has lasted 11 months and claimed more than 40,000 lives. The justice system is taking steps to hold those responsible for the violence and provide justice for the victims and their families.
Former members of Netanyahu’s cabinet criticized his insistence on retaining control over Gaza’s border with Egypt. They emphasized the importance of focusing on bringing hostages home safely rather than maintaining control over the border. Netanyahu’s office dismissed the criticism, while protesters in Tel Aviv continued their calls for a cease-fire deal to secure the release of hostages. It is estimated that Hamas is holding around 65 living hostages, in addition to the remains of 35 others.
The White House is working on a new cease-fire and hostage deal proposal with Egypt and Qatar to end the conflict in Gaza. The recent executions of hostages by Hamas have added urgency to the negotiations, though the outcome remains uncertain. The UN Security Council is set to discuss the Israel-Hamas war following the killing of six hostages in Gaza. Disagreements among council members highlight the complex nature of the conflict and the challenges in finding a resolution that satisfies all parties.
A brawl among soccer fans in Israel raised concerns about racism in the sport, with police arresting 12 fans who disrupted a game by fighting on the field. The incident occurred amidst heightened tensions in the country due to recent events, including the killing of hostages in Gaza. The Israeli Prime Minister criticized the UK government’s decision to suspend some arms exports to Israel, calling it shameful and vowing to continue the fight against Hamas. Meanwhile, efforts to vaccinate children in Gaza against polio have shown promising results, with more than one-quarter of the targeted population vaccinated in the first two days.
In other news, US Marines in Turkey had their shore leave canceled after two Marines were attacked during a port visit in Izmir. The USS Wasp, stationed in the eastern Mediterranean, is prepared to support Israel in case of an escalation in the Gaza conflict. Lufthansa announced the resumption of flights to Tel Aviv, signaling a potential return to normalcy in the region. Overall, the developments reflect the ongoing challenges faced in the Israel-Hamas conflict and efforts to find a peaceful resolution.
