After a delay in the launch of a new humanitarian aid initiative for Gaza, and amid disturbing footage of looting, senior Israeli political officials now claim the new framework will begin operating as early as Monday.
Then-Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi told Netanyahu rescuing October 7 hostages was 'impossible' in war's first hours for fear that residents would lynch them.
The New York Times found that initial discussions of the plan's framework occurred in late 2023 during private gatherings of aligned officials, military officers and business figures with strong Israeli government connections.
The model includes taking control of most of the Gaza Strip within three months. Five divisions will participate: four offensive and one defensive, with flexibility to pause operations for a potential hostage deal.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization claimed it was behind "the barrage launched toward Ashdod and Ashkelon." The IDF' Arabic-language spokesperson issued a warning to residents of northern Gaza, stating: "The IDF will strike with great force any area from which rockets are launched."
In a rare press conference, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken questions from the press for the first time since December. “There are 20 hostages alive and 38 dead,” Netanyahu said. “We are prepared for a temporary ceasefire.”
The erroneous statement, which first aired on BBC Radio 4's Today program, subsequently spread across international media outlets and even reached parliamentary discussions.
The activists are protesting the continued delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip while 58 hostages remain in the hands of the terrorist organization Hamas. “No aid until they’re home,” they declared. The protest comes a day after more than 90 supply trucks entered Gaza.
Former Hamas captive Eliya Cohen, who was released in a deal in February, spoke Tuesday evening at the Israeli-American Council (IAC) gala event in New York, addressing the moment of his release and the painful separation from Alon Ohel, who remains in Hamas tunnels.
Head of the Israeli left-wing party, The Democrats, made controversial comments during radio interview. Netanyahu, others slam comments as "echoing the most despicable antisemitic blood libels," prompting calls for an apology to IDF soldiers.
