Israel is set to open new routes for humanitarian deliveries into Gaza, including the reopening of the Ashdod Port and access to the Erez Crossing. US President Joe Biden urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to allow more aid trucks into Gaza following the deaths of seven aid workers. The US National Security Council supports Israel's plan to increase aid flow into Gaza, emphasizing the importance of protecting civilians and aid workers. However, the timeline for opening these routes remains uncertain.
The US President Joe Biden has announced in his State of the Union address that the US military will lead an emergency mission to establish a temporary port in Gaza to deliver additional humanitarian aid to civilians, aiming to provide food, water, medicine, and temporary shelters with the capacity for hundreds of truckloads of assistance each day. The decision reflects Biden's frustration with Israel's handling of the military operation in Gaza and signals a shift in US strategy towards ensuring aid reaches Gaza despite the ongoing crisis.
U.S. President Joe Biden plans to address the need for better protections for humanitarian workers and an increase in food shipments into Gaza during a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after seven World Central Kitchen aid workers were killed in an Israeli attack.Celebrity chef Jose Andres expressed emotional distress over the targeted attack on his food aid workers. The U.S. and Israel have been discussing Israel's threat of a broad offensive in Rafah, aiming to root out Hamas militants without harming civilians. Negotiations for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, involving the release of hostages by Hamas, are also ongoing.
President Joe Biden's upcoming call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will showcase the contradiction in US policy towards the conflict in Gaza. While expressing frustration over civilian casualties and demanding changes, the US remains staunch in supporting Israel, planning an $18 billion F-15 warplane sale. Fears of regional escalation due to Israeli actions, including a strike in Syria attributed to Israel by the US, add pressure to the call. Biden faces domestic pressure to end the conflict before the election, while Netanyahu may seek to prolong it to avoid potential losses in elections.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces Israel's return to cease-fire negotiations with Hamas after previous failed attempts. The United States, Qatar, and Egypt have been involved in mediation efforts, but no agreement has been reached. Netanyahu rejects Hamas' demands for a hostage release and vows to continue military operations until the militant group is destroyed. The conflict in Gaza escalates with Israeli airstrikes and casualties, leading to concerns about humanitarian crises and international calls for aid access. Tensions in the West Bank rise, and discussions about potential military operations in Gaza intensify between Israel and the United States.
US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held their first phone call in a month amidst warnings of a potential famine in northern Gaza. Aid agencies report that about 70% of the population in the region faces catastrophic hunger. The EU blamed Israel for the crisis, calling it "entirely man-made." White House adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed the call and mentioned discussions about US concerns regarding a possible military operation in Gaza. The US cautioned against a major ground operation in Rafah, fearing civilian casualties and worsening the humanitarian crisis.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved a new round of Gaza ceasefire talks to take place in Doha and Cairo amidst stalled negotiations following a UN Security Council resolution for an immediate ceasefire. The war between Hamas and Israel, initiated by Hamas' attack on Israel resulting in casualties on both sides, continues with little progress in negotiations. Meanwhile, tensions rise as the U.S. expresses concerns over Israel's plans to invade Rafah and the situation escalates at the Gaza-Egypt border crossing and in the diplomatic efforts to prevent full-scale war between Israel and Lebanon.
Hamas senior leader Osama Hamdan stated that a ceasefire in Gaza, including Israel's withdrawal and aid to the people, is a priority before any prisoner exchange. He accused Israel of stalling negotiations and emphasized the conditions for a ceasefire, including aid and reconstruction. Egypt and Qatar proposed a six-week ceasefire with the exchange of 40 Israeli hostages for 400 Palestinian prisoners. US President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of a ceasefire, stating that Israel has agreed to a rational offer and the decision is now with Hamas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel's military is preparing to launch an attack on Rafah, a city in Gaza, as truce negotiations are ongoing in Egypt. Netanyahu approved a ground attack plan earlier in March, with the aim to evacuate the population before targeting Hamas battalions in Rafah. The UN and various countries have cautioned against the catastrophic consequences for civilians. Israeli forces have also continued raids in northern Gaza, targeting locations like the Al-Shifa Hospital. Meanwhile, negotiations in Cairo persist amidst ongoing heavy Israeli strikes in the Palestinian enclave.
Sen. Bernie Sanders warns President Joe Biden of political consequences if military aid to Israel continues without conditions. Sanders urges more pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to allow humanitarian aid in Gaza. Polls show Americans disapprove of Israels actions, with growing protests against Bidens Israel policy within the Democratic Party.
Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed seven workers from World Central Kitchen, leading to the suspension of operations by three aid providers including WCK and Anera. The Israeli government is being criticized internationally for the killings and for restricting humanitarian aid. Famine is looming in Gaza with half the population on the brink of starvation. The UAE is also reportedly suspending operations in Gaza. The UN's Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) expresses concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The Gaza Strip is experiencing a humanitarian crisis as a result of the Israel–Hamas war. The crisis includes both a famine and a healthcare collapse. At the start of the war, Israel implemented a complete blockade on the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in significant shortages of fuel, food, medication, water, and essential medical supplies. This siege resulted in a 90% drop in electricity availability, impacting hospital power supplies, sewage plants, and shutting down the desalination plants that provide drinking water. Widespread disease outbreaks have spread across Gaza.Heavy bombardment by Israeli airstrikes caused catastrophic damage to Gaza’s infrastructure, further deepening the crisis. By mid-November, Israel had dropped the equivalent of two nuclear bombs on Gaza. The Gaza Health Ministry reported over 4,000 children killed in the war's first month. UN Secretary General António Guterres stated Gaza had "become a graveyard for children."Organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, the Red Cross, and a joint statement by UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the UN Development Programme, United Nations Population Fund, and World Food Programme have warned of a dire humanitarian collapse. On November 8, UN Human Rights chief Volker Turk described the Rafah Crossing as "gates to a living nightmare."
Despite no natural disaster or crop failure, Gaza is on the brink of famine after six months of war. Israel's destruction of Hamas' de facto state and challenges in establishing civilian rule have contributed to the rapid deterioration. Aid efforts face obstacles, including Israeli airstrikes killing workers, leading to suspensions. Over 1 million people are at risk of hunger by July, with children already dying from malnutrition. Israel denies restrictions on aid flow, citing challenges in accessibility and blaming Hamas for diverting aid.
Israeli media commentators sharply criticize Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for strained relations with US President Joe Biden, leading to a rare US abstention in a UN Security Council vote on a ceasefire resolution. Netanyahu's handling of the situation is described as delusional, putting Israel's future and strategic alliance with the US at risk. Calls for Netanyahu's resignation intensify amid concerns over the impact on Israel's international relations and US arms transfers. Biden's shift in stance is attributed to disagreements over Gaza, new settlements, and managing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
US President Joe Biden expresses outrage and heartbreak over the IDF drone attack in Gaza that killed seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen charity, including citizens from Australia, Britain, Poland, and a dual US-Canadian citizen. Biden criticizes Israel for not doing enough to protect aid workers and civilians in Gaza, with over 200 aid workers killed since the conflict began. Leaders worldwide, including UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, demand accountability and urgent investigations into the attack.
Israeli troops have pulled out of al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City after a raid two weeks ago, where the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) suspected Hamas was using it as a base. Witnesses reported heavy fighting and tanks surrounding the facility during the raid. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed 21 patient deaths in the hospital, expressing concern over the deteriorating conditions and lack of supplies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the soldiers' efforts, describing the hospital as a "terrorist lair." Tensions rise between the U.S. and Israel over Netanyahu's plans, while the region faces escalating conflicts.
Airstrikes by Israel in Gaza killed seven members of a humanitarian convoy from World Central Kitchen, leading to criticism from Biden and demands for improved security procedures from aid organizations. Israel claims the strikes were unintentional and has pledged to investigate. Aid operations were suspended by some organizations in response, with calls for Israel to avoid harming aid workers. Over 200 humanitarian aid workers and 100 journalists have been killed since the conflict began on 7 October, making it one of the deadliest conflicts for these groups.
Israeli forces bombed a tent camp inside the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital compound in central Gaza, killing two Palestinians in what seemed to be a targeted strike. Palestinians were seen carrying wounded individuals after the attack, with an aircraft later airdropping humanitarian aid over northern Gaza. In response, protests against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and calls for the release of hostages held by Hamas occurred in Tel Aviv, Israel.
An armed conflict between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups has been taking place chiefly in and around the Gaza Strip since 7 October 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel from the Gaza Strip. After clearing Hamas militants from its territory, the Israeli military embarked on an extensive aerial bombardment of the Gaza Strip followed by a large-scale ground invasion beginning on 27 October. Clashes have also occurred in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and with Hezbollah along the Israel–Lebanon border. The hostilities constitute the fifth war of the Gaza–Israel conflict since 2008 and are part of the broader Israeli–Palestinian conflict. They are considered to be the most significant military escalation in the region since the Yom Kippur War 50 years earlier.The Hamas offensive involved 3,000 militants breaching the Gaza–Israel barrier and attacking Israeli communities and military bases. During this attack, 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals were killed, while 253 Israelis and foreigners were taken captive to the Gaza Strip. The attack was proclaimed as a response to the continued Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements, the prospect of Arab–Israeli normalization, and the plight of Palestinian refugees and prisoners. In response, Israel declared a state of war, tightened its existing blockade of Gaza and launched one of the most severe bombing campaigns in history, before commencing the ground invasion on 27 October. Israeli forces laid siege to Gaza City on 2 November and moved south to attack Khan Yunis a month later on 3 December; both sieges remain ongoing. Israel's next objective is the capture of Rafah. An estimated 6,000-12,000 militants have been killed during the conflict, and Israel has lost over 200 soldiers during its invasion. A United Nations resolution calling for a humanitarian pause passed on 15 November; the seven-day truce took effect at the end of that month.A humanitarian crisis has developed in the Gaza Strip, with healthcare in a state of collapse, shortages of food, clean water, medicine and fuel due to the blockade, electricity and communications blackouts, and potential famine conditions. More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza during the conflict, including over 12,300 children and 8,400 women. Nearly all of Gaza's 2.3 million population have been internally displaced. The widespread civilian deaths have led to accusations of war crimes against both Israel and Hamas. In February 2024 576,000 people were "facing catastrophic levels of deprivation and starvation", stated The United Nations. More than 100 Palestinians were killed by Israeli troops that opened fire when huge crowds raced to pull goods off an aid convoy.The war has had significant international repercussions. Popular protests that primarily call for a ceasefire have occurred across the world. Israel's actions have been denounced by the Islamic world and much of the Global South; South Africa launched an International Court of Justice case alleging that Israel committed genocide. Israel has however received significant support from its traditional Western allies, especially the United States, which vetoed multiple UN Security Council resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire. In response, Iran-backed militias have attacked American military bases in the Middle East, while the Yemeni Houthi movement attacked commercial ships they alleged were linked to Israel, incurring a military response from a number of countries.
On the evening of 27 October 2023, Israel launched a large-scale invasion of the Gaza Strip, with the stated goals of eliminating and destroying Hamas, a military and political movement which led an attack against Israel earlier in October, and to free hostages taken by Hamas. Following the attack, Israel declared a state of war, tightened its blockade, ordered the evacuation of the northern Gaza Strip, and launched "Operation Swords of Iron".More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the start of the Israeli operation, including over 12,500 children and 7,000 women, with another 7,000 people missing and presumed dead under the rubble of destroyed buildings. By mid-December Israel had dropped 29,000 munitions on Gaza, destroying or damaging 70 percent of homes in the Strip. Experts say that the scale and pace of destruction in Gaza is among the most severe in recent history. During the invasion, Israel destroyed at least a third of Gaza's homes and hundreds of cultural landmarks, and desecrated dozens of cemeteries in the strip.A severe humanitarian crisis has developed, with healthcare in a state of collapse, shortages of food, clean water, medicine and fuel due to the blockade, electricity and communications blackouts, and the UN warning of potential famine. It was widely reported that there is "no safe place in Gaza" as Israel struck areas it had previously told Palestinians to evacuate to. The widespread civilian deaths have led to accusations of war crimes against both Israel and Hamas. Nearly all of Gaza's 2.3 million population have been internally displaced and around 250,000–500,000 Israelis were internally displaced, while thousands of Palestinians have been detained by Israel, and Israel has stated it lost 225 additional soldiers in its invasion as of 4 February 2024.As a result of the invasion, South Africa instituted proceedings against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ), charging that Israel was guilty of committing a genocide, and requesting that the ICJ render provisional measures of protection.
During a speech in North Carolina, US President Joe Biden acknowledged the concerns of pro-Palestinian protesters who interrupted him by shouting about healthcare in Gaza, stating that "Everybody deserves healthcare". Biden asked the audience to be patient with the protesters and admitted that they had a point, emphasizing the need for more care in Gaza. This incident occurred amidst US-Israel tensions, with Biden pressuring Israeli PM Netanyahu to allow more aid into Gaza and criticizing Israel's military campaign.
The Gaza–Israel conflict is a localized part of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict beginning in 1948, when 200,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled from their homes, settling in the Gaza Strip as refugees. Since then, Israel has fought 15 wars against the Gaza Strip. The number of Gazans killed in the most recent 2023 war — 27,000 — is higher than the death toll of all other wars of the Arab-Israeli conflict.Israel fought four wars against the Egyptian-administered Gaza Strip: 1948 Palestine War, border attacks of 1949–1956, first occupation of Gaza during the Suez Crisis and the capture of Gaza in 1967. During the first occupation, 1% of Gaza Strip's population was either killed, tortured or imprisoned by Israel. Following two periods of low-level insurgencies, a major conflict between Israelis and Palestinians erupted in the First Intifada (523 Gazans killed). The 1993 Oslo Accords brought a period of calm. But, in 2000 the Second Intifada erupted. Towards the end of the Second Intifada, Israel disengaged from Gaza in 2005, Hamas won the 2006 election and seized control of Gaza in 2007.In 2007, Israel imposed a land, air and sea blockade of the Gaza Strip, turning it into an "open-air prison". The blockade was widely condemned as a form of collective punishment, while Israel defended it as necessary to stop Palestinian rocket attacks. Hamas considered it a declaration of war. A 2008–2009 Israeli invasion of Gaza resulted in more than 1,000 deaths and widespread destruction of homes, schools and hospitals. A 2012 Israeli operation also killed more than 100 people.In 2014, Israel invaded Gaza in a major war that resulted in the deaths of 73 Israelis (mostly soldiers) and 2,251 Palestinians (mostly civilians). The invasion resulted in "unprecedented" destruction, damaging 25% of homes in Gaza city and 70% of homes in Beit Hanoun. After 2014, notable events in the conflict included the "Great March of Return" (2018-2019) and clashes in November 2018, May 2019 and November 2019. The 2021 crisis saw 256 Palestinians and 15 Israelis killed.On October 7, 2023, Palestinian militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people (mostly civilians). Israel responded with bombing Gaza Strip and launching an invasion that has killed more than 29,000 Gazans as of February 2024.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will undergo surgery for a hernia after it was discovered during a routine checkup. Justice Minister Yariv Levin will temporarily fill his role during the procedure. The surgery comes amidst thousands of Israelis rallying for Netanyahu to resign. Additionally, two Palestinians were killed and 15 injured in an Israeli airstrike on a tent camp in central Gaza. The strike targeted a Hamas command center, and Israel argues that hospitals in Gaza are used by militants. The Archbishop of Canterbury called for action to help those affected by the conflict, including the children of Gaza.
Former President Donald Trump stated in an interview that Israel needs to swiftly finish its conflict with Hamas to achieve victory and regain support, criticizing the prolonged duration and negative impact on public perception. Trump emphasized the importance of ending the conflict promptly to restore normalcy and peace, highlighting concerns about Israel's public relations strategy. He also criticized the release of tapes showing buildings being destroyed, attributing Israel's loss in the public relations war to such actions. Trump's remarks come amid ongoing tensions and criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israel faced international criticism after an airstrike killed 7 aid workers in Gaza, prompting the Israeli military to acknowledge the mistake and pause operations by the World Central Kitchen in Gaza. Former Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau criticized President Biden for not changing his Israel policy despite private anger over the strike, highlighting divisions within the Democratic Party over US support for Israel amidst ongoing military operations against Hamas.
More than 60% of housing units have been destroyed in Gaza Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza has killed tens of thousands, caused a humanitarian catastrophe and raised the chances of a wider conflict across the Middle East. Here are some facts about the territory: The Gaza Strip is situated at the southeast corner of the Mediterranean, 45 km (25 miles) long and at most 10 km (6 miles) wide. It is wedged between Israel to the north and east, and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula to the south. Formerly part of British-mandate Palestine, the Gaza Strip emerged as a territory during the 1948 war of Israel's creation, when invading Egyptian forces established control over the sliver of territory. Israel occupied the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Middle East war, along with the West Bank.
Thousands of Israelis are demanding early elections as they accuse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prolonging the conflict with Hamas to cling to power and obstructing a deal to retrieve Israeli captives from Gaza. Security forces have been forcefully dispersing protests outside Netanyahu's residence. Public dissatisfaction with Netanyahu's handling of the war on Gaza is evident, with 57% rating his performance as poor. The sentiment among the public and experts is that Netanyahu prioritizes his political survival over leading effectively. While many want Netanyahu replaced, there is a consensus on not ending the Gaza conflict yet.
The Erez Crossing (Hebrew: מעבר ארז), also known as the Beit Hanoun Crossing (Arabic: معبر بيت حانون), is a border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Israel. It is located at the northern end of the Gaza Strip, between the Israeli kibbutz of Erez and the Palestinian town of Beit Hanoun.Presently, it is the sole crossing point for individuals (as opposed to cargo) between the Gaza Strip and Israel by land, and is the second option for Gazans when the Rafah Crossing with Egypt is closed. Usage of the Erez Crossing is restricted to Palestinians living under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian National Authority, Egyptian citizens and nationals, and international aid officials. Israel permits Palestinian residents to travel via Erez in "exceptional humanitarian cases" with other exceptions in place for students and sportsmen travelling abroad, as well as merchants. The Erez Crossing is managed by the Israel Defense Forces, unlike the Karni Crossing and the Kerem Shalom Crossing that are both managed by the Israel Airports Authority. The blockade of the Gaza Strip has had a significant impact on the crossing point, which is an opening in the Israeli Gaza Strip barrier.
Gaza ( GAH-zə; Arabic: غَزَّة, romanized: Ġazzah, IPA: [ˈɣazza] ), also called Gaza City, is a Palestinian city in the Gaza Strip. Before the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, it was the most populous city in the State of Palestine, with 590,481 in 2017.Inhabited since at least the 15th century BCE, Gaza has been dominated by different peoples and empires throughout its history. The Philistines made it a part of their pentapolis after the ancient Egyptians had ruled it for nearly 350 years. Under the Roman Empire, Gaza experienced relative peace and its Mediterranean port flourished. In 635 CE, it became the first city in the Palestine region to be conquered by the Rashidun army and quickly developed into a centre of Islamic law. However, by the time the Crusader states were established in 1099, Gaza was in ruins. In later centuries, Gaza experienced several hardships—from Mongol raids to severe flooding and locust swarms, reducing it to a village by the 16th century, when it was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire. During the first half of Ottoman rule, the Ridwan dynasty controlled Gaza and the city went through an age of great commerce and peace. The municipality of Gaza was established in 1893.Gaza fell to British forces during World War I, becoming a part of Mandatory Palestine. As a result of the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, Egypt administered the newly formed Gaza Strip territory and several improvements were undertaken in the city. Gaza was occupied by Israel in the Six-Day War in 1967, and in 1993, the city was transferred to the newly created Palestinian National Authority. In the months following the 2006 election, an armed conflict broke out between the Palestinian political factions of Fatah and Hamas, resulting in the latter taking power in Gaza. The Gaza Strip was then subject to an Israeli-led, Egyptian-supported blockade. Israel eased the blockade allowing consumer goods in June 2010, and Egypt reopened the Rafah Border Crossing in 2011 to pedestrians.The primary economic activities of Gaza are small-scale industries and agriculture. However, the blockade and recurring conflicts have put the economy under severe pressure. The majority of Gaza's Palestinian inhabitants are Muslim, although there is also a Christian minority. Gaza has a very young population, with roughly 75% under the age of 25. The city is currently administered by a 14-member municipal council.As of March 2024, as part of the Israel–Hamas war, the Israeli army has bombed large portions of the city and surrounding areas of the Northern Gaza Strip, destroying many buildings and infrastructure. Almost all residents have fled or been evacuated to Southern Gaza, or killed as a result. Therefore, previous recorded or estimated population numbers have become outdated.
The Gaza Strip ( ; Arabic: قِطَاعُ غَزَّةَ Qiṭāʿ Ġazzah [qɪˈtˤɑːʕ ˈɣaz.za]), or simply Gaza, is a polity and the smaller of the two Palestinian territories (the other being the West Bank). On the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Gaza is bordered by Egypt on the southwest and Israel on the east and north.The territory came into being when it was controlled by Egypt during the 1948 Arab–Israeli war, and became a refuge for Palestinians who fled or were expelled during the 1948 Palestine war. Later, during the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel captured and occupied the Gaza Strip, initiating its decades-long military occupation of the Palestinian territories. The mid-1990s Oslo Accords established the Palestinian Authority (PA) as a limited governing authority, initially led by the secular party Fatah until that party's electoral defeat in 2006 to the Sunni Islamic Hamas. Hamas would then take over the governance of Gaza in a battle the next year, subsequently warring with Israel.In 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew its military forces from Gaza, dismantled its settlements, and implemented a temporary blockade of Gaza. The blockade became indefinite after the 2007 Hamas takeover, supported by Egypt through restrictions on its land border with Gaza. Despite the Israeli disengagement, the United Nations (UN), the International Committee of the Red Cross, and many human-rights organizations continue to consider Gaza to be held under Israeli military occupation, due to what they consider Israel's effective military control over the territory; Israel disputes that it occupies the territory. The land, sea, and air blockade prevents people and goods from freely entering or leaving the territory, leading to Gaza often being called an "open-air prison." The UN, as well as at least 19 human-rights organizations, have urged Israel to lift the blockade. Israel has justified its blockade on the strip with wanting to stop flow of arms, but Palestinians and rights groups say it amounts to collective punishment and exacerbates dire living conditions.The Gaza Strip is 41 kilometres (25 miles) long, from 6 to 12 km (3.7 to 7.5 mi) wide, and has a total area of 365 km2 (141 sq mi). With around 2 million Palestinians on approximately 365 km2 (141 sq mi) of land, Gaza has one of the world's highest population densities. More than 70% of Gaza's population are refugees or descendents of refugees, half of whom are under the age of 18. Sunni Muslims make up most of Gaza's population, with a Palestinian Christian minority. Gaza has an annual population growth rate of 1.99% (2023 est.), the 39th-highest in the world. Gaza's unemployment rate is among the highest in the world, with an overall unemployment rate of 46% and a youth unemployment rate of 70%. The population has one of the highest literacy rates in the world. Gaza has throughout the years been seen as a source of Palestinian nationalism and resistance.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan postponed his important trip to Saudi Arabia to discuss normalizing relations with Israel after suffering a cracked rib. The injury was a result of a minor accident, not foul play. The Biden administration had been looking to broker a landmark agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel, with potential discussions on a mutual defense treaty, civil nuclear program assistance for Saudi Arabia, and Israel's commitment to a Palestinian state. The trip delay comes amidst efforts to revitalize talks following a Hamas attack in October.
Social media users have been spreading false claims that Israel blamed Hamas for the deaths of seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen in Gaza, when in fact, Israeli officials have not made such statements. The Israeli military confirmed that the deaths were a result of an IDF strike, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledging an unintended strike in Gaza. Posts on social media featured footage of the vehicle hit by the airstrike, but there is no evidence to support the claim of a Hamas roadside bomb.
A new diplomatic crisis has erupted between Poland and Israel after the death of a Polish aid worker in Gaza, where Israel claimed the killing was a mistake following a misidentification. The Polish President denounced the Israeli ambassador's comments as outrageous, with demands for an apology and compensation for the victim's family. Tensions have heightened with Poland summoning the Israeli ambassador for a meeting, impacting relations that have been on the mend after disputes over Holocaust education and restitution claims.
Jacob Flickinger, a 33-year-old American-Canadian aid worker, was one of seven charity workers killed by an IDF airstrike in Gaza while distributing aid. He was planning to leave the region for Egypt due to safety concerns. Jacob, described as a loving husband and new father, had been volunteering with the World Central Kitchen. His death has sparked international outrage and raised questions about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's response to recent attacks in the region.
Israel has recently carried out some of its largest and deadliest strikes on Syria, targeting Iranian forces and senior military commanders in Damascus. Israel's frequent air strikes on Syria have been ongoing for over a decade, taking advantage of the country's chaos post-civil war. With various factions controlling different parts of Syria, Israel continues to exploit the situation to launch attacks. The strikes have intensified since 2017 to combat rising Iranian and Hezbollah influence. Iran, Lebanon's Hezbollah, and Syria are allied against Israel and the United States, leading to heightened tensions and escalations in the region.
Former MI6 head Alex Younger expressed concerns over the collateral risks of Israel's actions in Gaza and criticized the UK government for continuing arms sales to Israel, despite calls to suspend them. Senior lawyers and judges warned of breaches of international law, and Conservative MPs advocated for stopping arming Israel after international aid workers, including British citizens, were killed in an Israeli airstrike. Former national security adviser Mark Lyall Grant highlighted the changing facts, including a potential risk of genocide in Gaza. The UN Security Council's ceasefire resolution was not adhered to by Israel, leading to a humanitarian crisis in the region.
The Gaza War, also known as Operation Cast Lead (Hebrew: מִבְצָע עוֹפֶרֶת יְצוּקָה), also known as the Gaza Massacre (Arabic: مجزرة غزة), and referred to as the Battle of al-Furqan (معركة الفرقان) by Hamas, was a three-week armed conflict between Gaza Strip Palestinian paramilitary groups and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) that began on 27 December 2008 and ended on 18 January 2009 with a unilateral ceasefire. The conflict resulted in 1,166–1,417 Palestinian and 13 Israeli deaths. Over 46,000 homes were destroyed in Gaza, making more than 100,000 people homeless.A six month long ceasefire between Israel and Hamas ended on 4 November, when the IDF made a raid into Deir al-Balah, central Gaza to destroy a tunnel, killing several Hamas militants. Israel said the raid was a preemptive strike and Hamas intended to abduct further Israeli soldiers, while Hamas characterized it as a ceasefire violation, and responded with rocket fire into Israel. Attempts to renew a truce between Israel and Hamas were unsuccessful. On December 27, Israel began Operation Cast Lead with the stated aim of stopping rocket fire. In the initial air assault, Israel attacked police stations, military targets including weapons caches and suspected rocket firing teams, as well as political and administrative institutions, striking in the densely populated cities of Gaza, Khan Yunis and Rafah. After hostilities broke out, Palestinian groups fired rockets in retaliation for the aerial bombardments and attacks. The international community considers indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian structures that do not discriminate between civilians and military targets as illegal under international law.An Israeli ground invasion began on 3 January. On 5 January, the IDF began operating in the densely populated urban centers of Gaza. During the last week of the offensive (from 12 January), Israel mostly hit targets it had damaged before and struck Palestinian rocket-launching units. Hamas intensified its rocket and mortar attacks against mostly civilian targets in southern Israel, reaching the major cities of Beersheba and Ashdod for the first time during the conflict. Israeli politicians ultimately decided against striking deeper within Gaza amid concerns of higher casualties on both sides and rising international criticism. The conflict ended on 18 January, when the IDF first declared a unilateral ceasefire, followed by Hamas' announcing a one-week ceasefire twelve hours later. The IDF completed its withdrawal on 21 January.In September 2009, a UN special mission, headed by the South African Justice Richard Goldstone, produced a report accusing both Palestinian militants and the Israeli army of war crimes and possible crimes against humanity, and recommended bringing those responsible to justice. In 2011, Goldstone wrote that he does not believe that Israel intentionally targeted civilians in Gaza as a matter of explicit policy. The other authors of the report, Hina Jilani, Christine Chinkin, and Desmond Travers, stated that no new evidence had been gathered that disputed the report's findings. The United Nations Human Rights Council ordered Israel to conduct various repairs of the damages. On 21 September 2012, the United Nations Human Rights Council concluded that 75% of civilian homes destroyed in the attack were not rebuilt.
Poland's Foreign Ministry has called in the Israeli ambassador following the death of a Polish man, who was among the seven World Central Kitchen aid workers killed in an Israeli airstrike. Deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Szejna said the "new situation in Polish-Israeli relations and the moral, political and financial responsibility" for the incident would be discussed with the ambassador. Comments from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the ambassador, Yacov Livne, on the incident have caused disquiet in Poland..
The Gaza–Israel barrier (sometimes called the Iron Wall) is a border barrier located on the Israeli side of the Gaza–Israel border. The Erez Crossing, in the north of the Gaza Strip, is the only crossing point for people and goods coming from Israel into the Gaza Strip; there exists a second crossing point in the barrier, called the Kerem Shalom border crossing, which is exclusive for the crossing of goods coming from Egypt, as Israel does not allow goods to go directly from Egypt into Gaza through the Egypt–Gaza border.A fence along the border was first constructed by Israel in 1971 as a security barrier, and has been rebuilt and upgraded since. It was constructed by Israel to control the movement of people as well as goods between the Gaza Strip and Israel, which it could not achieve by normal border crossings.There is also one crossing along the Egypt–Gaza border, the Rafah Crossing, though it is limited to the crossing of people; as per Israel's demand, any cargo or goods that are to enter Gaza must go through Israel, usually through the Kerem Shalom border crossing.
Israeli authorities are blocking GPS signals across Israel to disrupt incoming missiles and drones, following rising tensions with Iran after a strike on Iran's consulate in Syria. The Israel Defense Forces are on high alert, with soldiers serving in combat units having their leave halted. Iranian response is expected, possibly on Quds Day, leading to GPS disruptions in major cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Iran has vowed to retaliate for the attack on its consulate, further escalating the conflict.
Human Rights Watch condemns an Israeli air attack on a residential building in central Gaza on October 31, 2023, stating that it was an apparent war crime. The attack killed 106 people, including 54 children, and HRW's investigation found no evidence of a military target nearby, making the attack unlawfully indiscriminate. The group called for governments to suspend weapons transfers to Israel and support the International Criminal Court's investigation in Palestine.
Opposition parties in the UK are demanding the Conservative government to release legal advice on whether Israel violated international humanitarian law in Gaza. Over 600 British jurists, including retired judges, urge the government to suspend arms sales to Israel. The UK is facing pressure from its allies to halt weapon exports due to casualties in the Gaza conflict. The calls to end arms sales intensified after Israeli airstrikes killed aid workers, including Britons, with Israel claiming it was a misidentification.
As of 29 February 2024, over 30,000 people (29,782 Palestinian and 1,410 Israeli) have been killed in the Israel–Hamas war, including 88 journalists (83 Palestinian, 2 Israeli and 3 Lebanese) and over 136 UNRWA aid workers.On 7 October 2023, 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals, including 764 civilians, were killed, and 248 persons taken hostage during the initial attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip. Since then, over 29,782 Palestinians (the majority of whom were women and minors) in the Gaza Strip have been killed according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The Gaza Health Ministry does not distinguish between combatant and civilian casualties in its reports. The IDF estimated 12,000 Hamas combatants were killed as of 19 February 2024. A further 382 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank by Israel military and settlers. Casualties have also occurred in other parts of Israel, as well as in southern Lebanon, and Syria.
First Lady Jill Biden has reportedly been privately urging President Joe Biden to stop the war in Gaza and dismissed a poll showing former President Donald Trump leading in six swing states. During an appearance on "CBS Mornings," she emphasized her confidence in President Biden's re-election prospects despite the polling results.
The 2014 Gaza War, also known as Operation Protective Edge (Hebrew: מִבְצָע צוּק אֵיתָן, romanized: Miv'tza Tzuk Eitan, lit. 'Operation Strong Cliff'), and Battle of the Withered Grain (Arabic: معركة العصف المائكول, romanized: Mʿa-rakkat Al-ʿasf Al-Ma’kool) was a military operation launched by Israel on 8 July 2014 in the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory that has been governed by Hamas since 2007. Following the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank by Hamas-affiliated Palestinian militants, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) initiated Operation Brother's Keeper, in which some 350 Palestinians, including nearly all of the active Hamas militants in the West Bank, were arrested. Hamas subsequently fired a greater number of rockets into Israel from the Gaza Strip, triggering a seven-week-long conflict between the two sides. It was one of the deadliest outbreaks of open conflict between Israel and the Palestinians in decades. The combination of Palestinian rocket attacks and Israeli airstrikes resulted in over two thousand deaths, the vast majority of which were Gazan Palestinians. This includes a total of six Israeli civilians who were killed as a result of the conflict.The Israeli military operation aimed to stop rocket fire into Israel from the Gaza Strip. Conversely, Hamas' attacks aimed to bring international pressure onto Israel with the strategic goal of forcing the latter to lift the Israeli–Egyptian blockade of the Gaza Strip; among its other goals were to end Israel's military offensive, obtain a third party to monitor and guarantee compliance with a ceasefire, release Palestinian political prisoners and overcome its isolation. According to the BBC, Israel launched airstrikes on the Gaza Strip in retaliation to the rocket attacks by Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), and other Palestinian militant groups.On 7 July, after seven Hamas militants died in a tunnel explosion in Khan Yunis that was caused either by an Israeli airstrike (per Hamas, Nathan Thrall, BBC, and a senior IDF official) or an accidental explosion of their own munitions (per the IDF), Hamas assumed responsibility for rockets fired into Israel, and subsequently launched 40 more rockets towards Israel. The Israeli aerial operation officially began the following day, and on 17 July, it was expanded to include a full-scale ground invasion of the Gaza Strip with the stated aim of destroying Gaza's tunnel system; the Israeli ground invasion ended on 5 August. On 26 August, an open-ended ceasefire was announced. By this time, the IDF reported that Hamas, PIJ, and other Palestinian militant groups had fired 4,564 rockets and mortars into Israel, with over 735 projectiles having been intercepted mid-flight and shot down by Israel's Iron Dome. Most Gazan mortar and rocket fire was inaccurate, and consequently hit open land; more than 280 projectiles had landed within the Gaza Strip, and 224 had struck residential areas. Palestinian rocketry also killed 13 Palestinian civilians in Gaza, 11 of them children. The IDF attacked 5,263 targets in the Gaza Strip; at least 34 known tunnels were destroyed and two-thirds of Hamas's 10,000-rocket arsenal was either used up or destroyed.Between 2,125 and 2,310 Gazans were killed during the conflict while between 10,626 and 10,895 were wounded (including 3,374 children, of whom over 1,000 were left permanently disabled). Gazan civilian casualty estimates range between 70 percent by the Gaza Health Ministry, 65 percent by the United Nations' (UN) Protection Cluster by OCHA (based in part on Gaza Health Ministry reports), and 36 percent by Israeli officials. The UN estimated that more than 7,000 homes for 10,000 families were razed, together with an additional 89,000 homes damaged, of which roughly 10,000 were severely affected by the bombing. Rebuilding costs were calculated to run from US$4–6 billion over the course of 20 years. 67 Israeli soldiers, 5 Israeli civilians (including one child) and one Thai civilian were killed while 469 Israeli soldiers and 261 Israeli civilians were injured. On the Israeli side, the economic impact of the operation is estimated to have had an impact of NIS 8.5 billion (approximately US$2.5 billion) and a GDP loss of 0.4 percent.
The Israeli–Palestinian conflict is an ongoing military and political conflict in the Levant. Beginning in the mid-20th century, it is one of the world's longest-continuing conflicts. Key areas of the conflict include the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the status of Jerusalem, Israeli settlements, borders, security, water rights, Palestinian freedom of movement, and the Palestinian right of return.The conflict has its origins in the arrival of Jewish immigrants and settlers to Palestine in the late 19th and 20th centuries and the advent of the Zionist movement. The local Arab population opposed Zionism, primarily out of fear of territorial displacement and dispossession. The Zionist movement garnered the support of an imperial power in the 1917 Balfour Declaration issued by Britain, which promised to support the creation of a "Jewish homeland in Palestine". Following World War I, Mandatory Palestine was established, and tensions grew into open sectarian conflict between Jews and Arabs. In 1936, an Arab revolt erupted demanding independence, which the British suppressed.The 1947 United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine triggered the 1948 Palestine war, which saw the expulsion and flight of most Palestinian Arabs, the establishment of Israel on most of the Mandate's territory, and the control of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank by Egypt and Jordan, respectively. In the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel occupied the West Bank and the Gaza Strip (which became known as the Palestinian territories), which is now considered to be the longest military occupation in modern history, and has drawn international condemnation for violating the human rights of the Palestinians.The conflict has claimed many civilian casualties, mostly Palestinian, since its inception. Various attempts have been made to resolve the conflict as part of the Israeli–Palestinian peace process, alongside efforts to resolve the broader Arab–Israeli conflict. Progress towards a negotiated solution between the Israeli government and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was made with the Oslo Accords of 1993–1995. The majority of recent peace efforts have been centred around the two-state solution, which involves the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. Public support for a two-state solution, which formerly enjoyed support from both Israeli Jews and Palestinians, has dwindled in recent years. Official negotiations are mediated by the Quartet on the Middle East, which consists of the United Nations, the United States, Russia, and the European Union. The Arab League, which has proposed the Arab Peace Initiative, is another important actor, along with Egypt and Jordan. Since 2006, the Palestinian side has been split between Fatah dominating the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and Hamas that gained control of the Gaza Strip. Attempts to remedy this have been repeated and continuing. Since 2019, the Israeli side has also been experiencing political crisis. The latest round of peace negotiations began in July 2013 but were suspended in 2014. Since 2006, Hamas and Israel have fought five wars, the most recent of which began in 2023 and is ongoing as of March 2024.
During the first months of the war in Gaza, deaths were counted through a network of computers connecting morgues across the territory. It was a system that, in the years beforehand, had won the trust of human rights groups, the UN and the World Health Organisation. But amid repeated Israeli attacks on hospitals and chronic fuel shortages, this system has now effectively collapsed. Of the eight major hospitals responsible for collating morgue data, just three are still providing information to the health ministry. As a result, the morgue monitoring system is now only capturing a small fraction of deaths across the territory.
Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. ( , BY-dən; born November 20, 1942) is an American politician who is the 46th and current president of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 under President Barack Obama and represented Delaware in the United States Senate from 1973 to 2009.Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Biden moved with his family to Delaware in 1953. He graduated from the University of Delaware before earning his law degree from Syracuse University. He was elected to the New Castle County Council in 1970 and to the U.S. Senate in 1972. As a senator, Biden drafted and led the effort to pass the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act and the Violence Against Women Act. He also oversaw six U.S. Supreme Court confirmation hearings, including the contentious hearings for Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas. Biden ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988 and 2008. In 2008, Obama chose Biden as his running mate, and he was a close counselor to Obama during his two terms as vice president. In the 2020 presidential election, Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris, defeated incumbents Donald Trump and Mike Pence. He is the oldest president in U.S. history, and the first to have a female vice president.As president, Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recession. He signed bipartisan bills on infrastructure and manufacturing. He proposed the Build Back Better Act, which failed in Congress, but aspects of which were incorporated into the Inflation Reduction Act that he signed into law in 2022. Biden appointed Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. He worked with congressional Republicans to resolve the 2023 United States debt-ceiling crisis by negotiating a deal to raise the debt ceiling. In foreign policy, Biden restored America's membership in the Paris Agreement. He oversaw the complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan that ended the war in Afghanistan, during which the Afghan government collapsed and the Taliban seized control. He responded to the Russian invasion of Ukraine by imposing sanctions on Russia and authorizing civilian and military aid to Ukraine. During the Israel–Hamas war, Biden announced military support for Israel, and condemned the actions of Hamas and other Palestinian militants as terrorism. In April 2023, Biden announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination in the 2024 presidential election.
The Port of Ashdod (Hebrew: נמל אשדוד) is one of Israel's three main cargo ports. The port is located in Ashdod, about 40 kilometers south of Tel Aviv, adjoining the mouth of the Lachish River. Its establishment significantly enhanced the country's port capacity. It handles the largest volume of cargo containers annually (1.525 million TEU in 2017) of all Israeli ports. Ships carrying humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip also unload their cargo at Ashdod.
Benny Gantz, a member of Israel's war Cabinet, has called for early elections in September to renew trust in the government and bolster international credibility, opposing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's stance. Gantz's National Union party is forecast to become the strongest parliamentary group if elections were held today. The pressure for early elections has grown, with protests demanding release of hostages and a change in leadership. US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also pushed for elections to replace Netanyahu, citing concerns about his leadership aligning with far-right extremists.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to shut down news network Al Jazeera under a new law allowing the government to ban foreign networks deemed to threaten national security. The law gives the prime minister and communications minister authority to temporarily close international media outlets, sparking concerns about media coverage of the war in Gaza. Netanyahu accused Al Jazeera of bias for Hamas, leading to criticism from rights groups like the Committee to Protect Journalists. Al Jazeera denounced the decision, stating it won't halt its reporting despite the accusations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a political crisis as the ultra-Orthodox community, known as the Haredim, is at the center of controversy over their military draft exemption. The issue has sparked resentment among secular and conventionally religious Israelis, with 70% of the population supporting the end of exemptions. Netanyahu's coalition is at risk as he must choose between alienating ultra-Orthodox factions or secular supporters. The demographic growth of the ultra-Orthodox community and their societal impact, particularly during the Gaza war, have raised concerns about Israel's future.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF; Hebrew: צְבָא הַהֲגָנָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל , lit. 'The Army for the Defense of Israel'), alternatively referred to by the Hebrew-language acronym Tzahal (צה״ל), is the national military of the State of Israel. It consists of three service branches: the Israeli Ground Forces, the Israeli Air Force, and the Israeli Navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security apparatus. The IDF is headed by the Chief of the General Staff, who is subordinate to the Israeli Defense Minister.On the orders of David Ben-Gurion, the IDF was formed on 26 May 1948 and began to operate as a conscript military, drawing its initial recruits from the already-existing paramilitaries of the Yishuv—namely Haganah, the Irgun, and Lehi. It was formed shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence, and has participated in every armed conflict involving Israel. In the wake of the 1979 Egypt–Israel peace treaty and the 1994 Israel–Jordan peace treaty, the IDF underwent a significant strategic realignment. Previously spread across various fronts—Lebanon and Syria in the north, Jordan and Iraq in the east, and Egypt in the south—the IDF redirected its focus towards southern Lebanon and its occupation of the Palestinian territories, the Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. In 2000, the IDF withdrew from Southern Lebanon and in 2005 from Gaza. Conflict between Israel and Islamist groups based in Gaza, notably Hamas, has continued since then. Moreover, notable Israeli–Syrian border incidents have occurred frequently since 2011, due to regional instability caused by the Syrian civil war.Since 1967, the IDF maintains a close security relationship with the United States, including in research and development cooperation, with joint efforts on the F-15I, the Tactical High-Energy Laser, and the Arrow defense systen, among others. The IDF is believed to have maintained an operational nuclear weapons capability since 1967, possibly possessing between 80 and 400 nuclear warheads.
The Arab–Israeli conflict is the phenomenon involving political tension, military conflicts, and other disputes between various Arab countries and Israel, which escalated during the 20th century. The roots of the Arab–Israeli conflict have been attributed to the support by Arab League member countries for the Palestinians, a fellow League member, in the ongoing Israeli–Palestinian conflict; this in turn has been attributed to the simultaneous rise of Zionism and Arab nationalism towards the end of the 19th century, though the two national movements had not clashed until the 1920s.Part of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict arose from the conflicting claims by these movements to the land that formed the British Mandatory Palestine, which was regarded by the Jewish people as their ancestral homeland, while at the same time it was regarded by the Pan-Arab movement as historically and currently belonging to the Arab Palestinians, and in the Pan-Islamic context, as Muslim lands. The sectarian conflict within the British Mandate territory between Palestinian Jews and Arabs escalated into a full-scale Palestinian civil war in 1947. Taking the side of the Palestinian Arabs, especially following the Israeli Declaration of Independence, the neighbouring Arab countries invaded the by-then former Mandate territory in May 1948, commencing the First Arab–Israeli War. Large-scale hostilities mostly ended with ceasefire agreements after the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Peace agreements were signed between Israel and Egypt in 1979, resulting in Israeli withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula and the abolition of the military governance system in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, in favor of Israeli Civil Administration and consequent unilateral annexation of the Golan Heights and East Jerusalem.The nature of the conflict has shifted over the years from the large-scale, regional Arab–Israeli conflict to a more local Israeli–Palestinian conflict, which peaked during the 1982 Lebanon War when Israel intervened in the Lebanese Civil War to oust the Palestinian Liberation Organization from Lebanon. With the decline of the 1987–1993 First Intifada, the interim Oslo Accords led to the creation of the Palestinian National Authority in 1994, within the context of the Israeli–Palestinian peace process. The same year, Israel and Jordan reached a peace accord. In 2002, the Arab League offered recognition of Israel by Arab countries as part of the resolution of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict in the Arab Peace Initiative. The initiative, which has been reconfirmed since, calls for normalizing relations between the Arab League and Israel, in exchange for a full withdrawal by Israel from the occupied territories (including East Jerusalem) and a "just settlement" of the Palestinian refugee problem based on UN Resolution 194. In the 1990s and early 2000s, a ceasefire had been largely maintained between Israel and Syria, while limited warfare continued in Lebanon against Iranian proxy militias. Despite the peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan, the interim peace accords with the Palestinian Authority and the generally existing ceasefire, until the mid-2010s the Arab League and Israel had remained at odds with each other over many issues. Among Arab belligerents in the conflict, Iraq and Syria are the only states who have reached no formal peace accord or treaty with Israel, with both supporting Iran.The Syrian civil war reshuffled the situation near Israel's northern border, putting the Syrian Arab Republic, Hezbollah and the Syrian opposition at odds with each other and complicating their relations with Israel, upon the emerging warfare with Iran. The conflict between Israel and Hamas-ruled Gaza, is also attributed to the Iran–Israel proxy conflict. By 2017, Israel and several Arab Sunni states led by Saudi Arabia formed a semi-official coalition to confront Iran. This move and the Israeli normalization with Gulf states was marked by some as the fading of the Arab–Israeli conflict.
The Erez Crossing bombing was a suicide bombing which occurred on January 14, 2004, at the pedestrian/cargo terminal Erez Crossing located on the Israeli Gaza Strip barrier. Four Israelis were killed and 10 people, including four Palestinians, were injured in the attack.Hamas and the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claimed joint responsibility for the attack.
The White House cancelled a Ramadan iftar meal after Muslim Americans declined the invitation in protest of President Joe Biden's support for Israel's actions in Gaza. The event was nixed due to many people choosing not to attend, leading to a smaller meal for Muslim government staffers and a separate meeting with a few Muslim American community figures. This cancellation reflects Biden's struggle to address growing discontent in US Arab and Muslim communities over his support for Israel, with critics warning of potential electoral consequences in the upcoming presidential election.
US President Joe Biden signed a 1.2-trillion-US dollar funding package into law, providing funding for various departments through fiscal year 2024 and avoiding a federal government shutdown. The package allocates funds for Homeland Security, with a total of 1.659 trillion dollars for the government until September. This legislation followed months of stopgap measures and narrowly averted shutdowns. Senate passed the bill after missing the deadline, with Biden urging additional national and border security funding for approval.
US President Joe Biden pledges to rebuild collapsed Baltimore bridge, a vital shipping hub with over a million containers passing through annually. The port is shut for maritime and road traffic after a container hit the bridge. Diversions and delays will incur high costs and logistic changes for the eastern seaboard. Rebuilding the bridge quickly is crucial, estimated to cost over $600 million, significantly higher than the original 1970s cost of $60 million.
Iranian protesters are seeking revenge against Israel following a missile strike that destroyed Iran's consulate in Syria's capital, resulting in the death of seven people, including two IRGC generals. Iranian Ambassador to Syria, Hossein Akbari, has vowed to respond with equal force to Israel's attack, stating that Iran will not let the actions go unanswered. Syria's Foreign Minister condemned the attack as unjustified, marking a notable heightening of tensions between Israel and Iran.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban revealed that former US President Donald Trump stated he would not provide financial support for the war in Ukraine during a meeting in Florida. Orban believes Trump's clear vision can help end the conflict. Trump's team did not comment on Orban's claims. Orban, who maintains ties with the Kremlin, praised Trump's tough stance and hopes for his return to power. US President Joe Biden criticized the meeting, highlighting concerns over potential waning US support for Ukraine and NATO if Trump returns to office.
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