Israel has given preliminary approval to a proposed agreement with Lebanon, pending cabinet approval, despite ongoing Hezbollah rocket attacks. While some Israeli reservations remain regarding operational freedom, border demarcation, and France’s role, officials express optimism for a final agreement within days, spurred by a U.S. envoy’s ultimatum. The intense Hezbollah rocket fire, the highest since the conflict began excluding one day, is viewed by some as a show of force aimed at securing concessions before a potential ceasefire. Israel has responded with airstrikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon.
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Israeli-Moldovan Rabbi Zvi Kogan, who ran a kosher grocery store in Dubai, was found murdered in what Israel declared a heinous antisemitic terror attack. The Israeli government vowed to pursue justice for Kogan’s death, though details surrounding the killing remain scarce. Tensions in the region, fueled by recent conflicts and Iran’s involvement, are cited as a potential contributing factor, prompting Israel to warn its citizens against non-essential travel to the UAE. The Emirati government acknowledged Kogan’s disappearance but offered no comment on the Israeli designation of the death as a terrorist attack.
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Despite facing strong opposition from the White House and Senate leadership, Senator Sanders’s effort to halt arms sales to Israel during the Gaza crisis failed. His resolutions, which sought to block the sale of various munitions, garnered minimal support, with not a single Republican vote and less than half of the Democratic caucus voting in favor. This vote reflects the deep partisan divide on the issue and highlights the ongoing debate surrounding U.S. military aid to Israel amidst the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. The resolutions were ultimately defeated, demonstrating the continued strong support for Israel within the Senate, despite concerns raised by some about human rights violations and the ongoing conflict.
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During a Montreal protest coinciding with a NATO summit and further student-led pro-Palestinian demonstrations, clashes erupted between protesters and police. Three arrests were made for alleged assault on officers and obstruction of police work. Protesters engaged in vandalism, including setting vehicles ablaze and throwing projectiles at police. The demonstration, initially peaceful, escalated after an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was burned.
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An Israeli airstrike has reportedly killed Ali Mussa Daqduq, a senior Hezbollah commander. Daqduq was previously captured by U.S. forces for his role in the sophisticated 2007 Karbala attack, a raid on a U.S.-Iraqi military complex that resulted in the deaths of five American soldiers. Despite his capture and subsequent release by Iraqi authorities, Daqduq remained a key figure in Hezbollah. Details surrounding the airstrike remain scarce, though a senior U.S. defense official confirmed the death.
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Charges against Xavier Roa, a pro-Palestinian protester arrested under Nassau County’s Mask Transparency Act, were dismissed due to insufficient evidence. The Act, enacted in response to antisemitic incidents, prohibits masking to conceal identity but includes exemptions. Roa’s lawyer argued the law is unconstitutionally vague and prone to abuse, while the dismissal is viewed as a victory for civil liberties. Roa’s arrest, the first under the Act, sparked criticism for potentially silencing pro-Palestinian voices.
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Following the October 7th massacre near Mefalsim, Israeli forces, guided by intelligence from multiple agencies, eliminated five Hamas and PIJ operatives responsible for the attack. This included high-ranking commanders such as Jihad Mahmoud Yehia Kahlout and Muhammad Riyad Ali Okel. The strikes, conducted in Beit Lahiya and Deir al-Balah, targeted terrorist infrastructure and prioritized minimizing civilian casualties through precautions like aerial surveillance and evacuation warnings. The IDF emphasized the importance of verifying information from reliable sources, noting past inaccuracies in Palestinian media reports.
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The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Secretary Yoav Gallant, along with Hamas leader Mohammed Deif, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. The warrants stem from the October 2023 Gaza war, with Netanyahu and Gallant accused of “the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare” and crimes against humanity. Deif is accused of similar crimes related to the Hamas attacks. Israel rejects the court’s jurisdiction and denounces the warrants as antisemitic. The ICC rejected prior legal challenges from Israel before issuing the warrants.
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A Hezbollah rocket barrage hit the Western Galilee, with one rocket striking a kindergarten in Acre, causing significant damage but no casualties as children had recently left. Acre’s mayor subsequently closed all schools indefinitely, defying Home Front Command guidelines due to safety concerns and a lack of sufficient bomb shelters. This action followed a speech by Hezbollah’s Secretary-General threatening further attacks on Israel unless a ceasefire is reached, amidst ongoing, albeit delicate, negotiations brokered by the U.S. Simultaneously, the IDF continues its operations in Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure and operatives.
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In response to the ongoing hostage crisis stemming from the October 7th Hamas attacks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a $5 million reward per hostage for information leading to their release. This initiative, announced alongside Defense Minister Katz, aims to incentivize Palestinians to aid in securing the freedom of the 101 hostages still held by Hamas, including seven Americans. Netanyahu concurrently reiterated Israel’s commitment to eliminating Hamas’s power in Gaza and vowed to continue military operations until this goal is achieved. However, the effectiveness of the reward program is already being questioned, with some families expressing skepticism. Peace talks remain stalled, despite previous mediation attempts by Qatar and Egypt.
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John Q. Hosedrinker