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☆ Israeli Supreme Court orders government to stop funding religious schools that defy enlistment
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Mick Krever | Lauren Izso | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The Israeli Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the government to stop funding religious schools whose students defy the country’s mandatory military service, posing one of the most serious threats to date for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition. Netanyahu relies on two Ultra-Orthodox parties – Shas and United Torah Judaism – to maintain a governing coalition. But the exemption has never been enshrined in a law that the Supreme Court views as equitable, and for years has been carried out by patch-work government mandates. After decades of rulings on the subject, the Supreme Court told the government that it was illegal for the government to both fund yeshivas and exempt their students from conscription. In a ruling late Thursday, the Supreme Court said that starting on April 1, the government could no longer transfer funds to yeshivas whose students did not receive legitimate deferments.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, Benny Gantz, “, Ariyeh Deri, ” Young, Yitzhak Goldknopf, ”, Gantz Organizations: CNN, Shas, United, –, National Unity Party, Justice, Court Locations: Israel, The State

☆ Israeli cabinet members say they oppose Ultra-Orthodox conscription plan in threat to coalition government
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( Mick Krever | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Tel Aviv CNN —Two of the three members of Israel’s war cabinet signalled their opposition to government proposals on the recruitment of ultra-Orthodox men into the military, setting up a potential collapse of the government coalition. An outline of the Israeli government’s plans for reforming the exemption emerged over the weekend, but it appears as though the government will once again attempt to delay that legislation. “I will not be a party to any proposal that is not agreed upon by all parts of the coalition. Malach said that “there is a high chance that the Supreme Court will say that it’s not acceptable.”A longstanding debateIsrael has, since its founding, exempted Haredim from mandatory military service. In 1998, the Supreme Court ripped up the longstanding exemption, telling the government that allowing Haredim to get out of conscription violated equal protection principles.

Persons: “, Yoav Gallant, ” Gallant, Benny Gantz, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Gantz, –, Netanyahu –, ”, ” Gilad Malach, Malach, Haredim, Knessets, Netanyahu, Gallant, ” “ Organizations: Tel, Tel Aviv CNN, Israeli, ”, CNN, Channel, Kan, “, National Unity, Israel Democracy Institute Locations: Tel Aviv, Washington, Israel

☆ Opinion: What to make of Schumer’s scathing speech on Netanyahu
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-17 | by ( Opinion Aaron David Miller | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

So, is Schumer’s speech likely to have a major impact in Israel or on Biden administration policy? One way to read the impact of Schumer’s speech is that it will give the administration the political space to toughen up its policies toward the Netanyahu government. How Schumer’s speech will impact Israel and the US-Israeli relationship is hard to predict. Just look at the Republican reaction to Schumer’s speech. In an interview with CNN, Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell said Schumer’s speech was a contradiction of US policy.

Persons: Aaron David Miller, ” Miller, Chuck Schumer, ” that’s, Howard Beale, Benjamin Netanyahu, ‘, Schumer, Biden, Netanyahu, “ atta, Yair Lapid, Naftali Bennett, ” Benny Gantz, Schumer “, “, ” Gantz, We’re, Donald Trump, Trump, Will Biden, Joe Biden, It’s, that’s, he’s, Israel –, Schumer won’t, George H.W, Bush, State James Baker, Yitzhak Rabin’s, Yitzhak Shamir, Rabin, Bill Clinton, Shimon Peres, Peres, John Boehner, Sen, Itamar Ben Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, Mitch McConnell, can’t, ” Organizations: Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, Democratic, Republican, CNN, “, Likud, State, Republican Party, Democrat, Hamas, Biden, Israel, White, GOP, Republicans, West Bank Locations: East, Israel, Washington, “, Gaza, Arab, Michigan, Qatar, Iran, Jerusalem, America

Look no further than the close and historically complicated relationship that American presidents and congressional leaders have negotiated with Israel leaders over the last 75 years. Obama declined to invite Netanyahu to the White House during the visit, with White House officials saying that holding such a visit so close to Israel's election would be inappropriate. The standard Obama set for a White House visit wasn't one Bill Clinton subscribed to years earlier. The bigger the ally's economy, the less likely American leaders are to meddle openly in its elections. “There are moments when American leaders want to and need to speak out and have their say.

Persons: Chuck Schumer, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Mitch McConnell, Schumer, ”, Mike Johnson, Benny Gantz, Netanyahu, Schumer's, Netanyahu —, “, —, Aaron David Miller, Donald Trump, John Boehner, Boehner, Barack Obama's, Obama, wasn't, Bill Clinton, Clinton, Shimon Peres, Peres, Edward Frantz, meddle, ” Frantz, November's, Donald Tusk, Tusk, Andrzej Duda, Johnson, Biden, Viktor Orbán, Orbán, Trump, David Pressman, Jake Sullivan, ” Sullivan, Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, George H.W, Bush, ” Miller Organizations: WASHINGTON, — Republicans, Democratic, Republican, Israel, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, U.S, White, Israeli, University of Indianapolis, November's Biden, Trump, NATO, Polish, Biden, Republican House, Hungarian, White House Locations: Gaza, Israel, East, United States, Ukraine, Russia, Hungary, U.S, Hungarian, ” Hungary, Budapest, Sinai, Suez

☆ Opinion | Words Over Deeds: Why Biden Isn’t Pressuring Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Aaron David Miller | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

One could be forgiven for thinking that President Biden’s tough words on the Israel-Hamas war in his State of the Union address and his MSNBC interview on Saturday was the beginning of a much more critical U.S. policy toward Israel. Nonetheless, far from presaging a major shift in policy, the president’s words and the vice president’s meeting were more likely part of the now familiar passive-aggressive approach the administration has deployed against the most extreme right-wing government in Israel’s history. But he has consistently refused to impose any serious consequences on Israel. The “I’m unhappy with Israel but won’t do much about it” policy is Mr. Biden’s policy — driven by the president’s pro-Israel sensibilities, politics and the policy choices he faces in dealing with the current war. At the same time, Mr. Biden surely knows that there are costs both at home and abroad for allowing Mr. Netanyahu to run roughshod over U.S. interests and values.

Persons: Biden’s, Kamala Harris’s, Benny Gantz, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Netanyahu, Biden, I’m Organizations: MSNBC, West Bank, Palestinian Locations: Israel, Gaza, presaging

☆ US not anticipating Israeli forces to enter Rafah at the start of Ramadan
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( Mj Lee | Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The Biden administration is not anticipating that Israeli forces will imminently expand their military operations into Rafah, two US officials told CNN, with the holy month of Ramadan set to begin Monday for most Muslims. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that regardless of a deal, he plans to send the military into Rafah. “Once we begin the intense action of eradicating the Hamas terrorist battalions in Rafah, it’s a matter of weeks, if not months. Families are already living with severe shortages of food, water, medicine and shelter, and the daily risk of being killed. CIA Director Bill Burns, who has led US efforts, was back in the Middle East last week meeting with Qatari, Egyptian and Israeli counterparts.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Benny Gantz, Ramadan, Benjamin Netanyahu, “ We’ll, We’re, ” Netanyahu, Axel Springer, “, Joe Biden, ” Biden, Netanyahu, ”, Bill Burns, –, John Kirby, CNN’s Mitchell McCluskey, Michelle Shen Organizations: CNN, Hamas, MSNBC, Politico, United Nations, CIA, Biden White, National Security, House Locations: Rafah, Washington, Gaza, “, it’s, Israel

☆ The 'special relationship' under pressure: Are Biden and Netanyahu on a collision course over Gaza?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

US President Joe Biden (L) and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) meet in Tel Aviv, Israel on October 18, 2023. "The relationship [between Biden and Netanyahu] is absolutely terrible." A report by Politico in early February cited unnamed Biden administration officials describing the president calling Netanyahu a "bad f—ng guy." Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz (L) meets US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York, at the US Capitol on March 05, 2024. Gantz reportedly faced a barrage of harsh questions and critiques from the administration over Israel's handling of the Gaza war.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, Israel's, Yasser Qudih, Netanyahu, Hussein Ibish, Benny Gantz, Chuck Schumer, Roberto Schmidt, Axios, Gantz, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Mostafa Bassim, Nimrod Novik, Novik, Ashraf Amra, I've, Ibish, Yonatan Freeman, Israel, Freeman Organizations: GPO, Getty Images, Anadolu Agency, Getty, White, Israeli, Biden, Palestinian, United Nations, Israel, Anadolu, West Bank, U.S, Gulf States Institute, CNBC, Politico, Capitol, AFP, Prime, Islamic Center of Detroit, Defense, Israel Policy Forum, Bank, Israel's Hebrew University, Christian Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, Anadolu, Gaza, Rafah, Gaza's, Washington, New York, Michigan, United States, Palestinian, Gaza City, Jerusalem, U.S, Saudi Arabia

☆ How a brief exchange in a call explains the strained Biden-Netanyahu relationship
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Mj Lee | Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Netanyahu bristled at recent media coverage citing anonymous Biden administration officials who said that the US was actively making plans for a post-Netanyahu government. When asked for comment on the exchange, an official in the prime minister’s office rejected the characterization of the call. Still, they insisted, the Biden-Netanyahu relationship remains more or less the same – precisely because their divergent worldviews were never a secret. That will continue.”Even if their relationship remains in many ways consistent, the backdrop is drastically changed and the stakes dramatically higher. Still, Netanyahu’s political standing was a subtext to the visit to Washington this week of Benny Gantz, a member of the Israeli war cabinet and Netanyahu’s chief political rival.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu bristled, Netanyahu, Biden swatted, Israel, Biden, ” Biden, ”, “, Bibi, it’s, Benny Gantz, Gantz, Kamala Harris, Jake Sullivan, Netanyahu’s, Harris, John Kirby, Privately, Ramadan, isn’t Organizations: Washington CNN, CNN, Democratic, Netanyahu, Biden, Air Force One, National Security, White House, State Department, Pentagon, Netanyahu’s, White, Camp David Locations: Gaza, Israel, Netanyahu Israeli, United States, Washington, Pennsylvania, East Jerusalem

☆ Why ultra-Orthodox conscription could threaten Israel’s coalition
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Mick Krever | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

In Israel’s nascent days, Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion agreed with Haredi rabbis to exempt from military service 400 men studying in religious schools, or yeshivas. Now, those piecemeal attempts to maintain the Haredi exemption may be running out. When the government came to power in late 2022, forming the most right-wing coalition in Israel’s history, the Haredim sensed an opportunity. The Israeli military has had a significant number of soldiers wounded in Gaza and has instituted massive call ups. It’s no longer just politics.”A delicate momentSome in the Haredi political leadership, perhaps recognizing the delicate political moment, have been generally cautious in defining a position.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu’s, ” Yohanan Plesner, David Ben, Gurion, Israel –, Haredim, Knessets, IDI, Yoav Gallant, ”, Netanyahu, – Benny Gantz, –, ” Gantz, Plesner, ” Moshe Roth, Ofer Shelah, Yitzhak Goldknopf, Ari Kalman, “, doesn’t, Bnei Brak, Roth, Nechemia, it’s, It’s Organizations: CNN, Israel Democracy Institute, IDI, Israel’s, Institute for National Security Studies Locations: Israel, United States, United Kingdom, Gali Baharav, Gaza, Bnei

☆ A Popular Israeli Leader’s Meeting in London Sends a Message to Netanyahu
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Mark Landler | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s war cabinet, met David Cameron, Britain’s foreign secretary, in London on Wednesday, he got a sharp message that Israel must do more to allow humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza. It was the kind of minister-level meeting that would normally draw modest attention amid the flurry of high-level diplomacy that has enveloped the Israel-Hamas war. But Mr. Gantz and Mr. Cameron are no mere functionaries. Mr. Gantz, a former chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, is a popular political rival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Mr. Netanyahu expressed deep displeasure at what he viewed as an unsanctioned trip by a would-be Israeli leader. Mr. Cameron, a former prime minister, has enjoyed uncommon latitude as foreign secretary, speaking out forcefully on issues like Gaza and the war in Ukraine on international trips, where he is often treated as though he were still in his old job.

Persons: Benny Gantz, David Cameron, Gantz, Cameron, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Mr Organizations: Israel Defense Forces Locations: London, Israel, Gaza, Ukraine

CNN —When top Biden administration officials conveyed their frustrations over the “unacceptable and unsustainable” situation in Gaza to Benny Gantz, they were delivering their message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin’s Netanyahu’s chief political foe. According to an Israeli official, Gantz emerged from those meetings with deep concerns and some surprise about the state of US-Israeli relations over the war in Gaza. Gantz was surprised by how critical the White House was about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and a potential military offensive into Rafah, an Israeli official said. “Help us help you,” was the message, according to an Israeli official. “We’ve raised these things before, but there’s greater urgency now on the humanitarian front,” the administration official said.

Persons: Benny Gantz, Benjamin’s Netanyahu’s, Kamala Harris, Antony Blinken, Gantz, Netanyahu, Biden, Netanyahu government’s, Joe Biden, ”, Harris, Jake Sullivan, ‘, “ We’ve, Blinken, “, we’re, Matthew Miller, Gantz “ Organizations: CNN, Biden, Israel, State Department, Government, ” Locations: Gaza, Washington, Israel, US, Rafah

☆ Children starve to death in Gaza as Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal sticking points remain
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

However, a high-ranking Hamas official did not immediately respond to a CNN question about whether the militant group had responded to Israel’s conditions. Children starving to deathIn northern Gaza, children are starving to death and others fighting for their lives as critical supplies are held up from reaching those in need. One recent incident exposed the particularly desperate situation in northern Gaza. “Humanitarian aid agencies like UNICEF must be enabled to reverse the humanitarian crisis, prevent a famine, and save children’s lives,” UNICEF’s Adele Khodr said in a statement Sunday. UNICEF said it was aware of at least 10 children dying due to dehydration and malnutrition in recent days at Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza.

Persons: Israel, Kamala Harris, ”, ” Harris, Harris, Benny Gantz, Kamal Adwan, Dr, Ashraf Al, ” UNICEF’s Adele Khodr, Khodr Organizations: CNN, Hamas, Nations, Crisis, Palestinian Ministry of Health, Kamal, UN, United Nations, UNICEF Locations: Gaza, Cairo, Israel, United States, Washington

Vice President Kamala Harris, who has emerged as one of the leading voices for Palestinians in closed-door meetings, pressed for a pause in fighting in Gaza with a member of Israel’s war cabinet, Benny Gantz, at the White House on Monday afternoon, according to the White House. The vice president emphasized the urgency of securing a hostage deal and reducing the humanitarian crisis that has unfolded alongside Israel’s war against Hamas in response to attacks on Oct. 7. She praised Israel’s “constructive approach” to seeking a six-week cease-fire but urged the government to do more to allow desperately needed humanitarian aid to reach those in need in Gaza. “The vice president expressed her deep concern about the humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the recent horrific tragedy around an aid convoy in northern Gaza,” a White House description of the meeting said. It added that “she urged Israel to take additional measures in cooperation with the United States and international partners to increase the flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza.”The meeting came as the United States said it would continue airdrops of food that began on Saturday in an effort to confront what humanitarian groups say is a crisis for the more than one million displaced Palestinians in Rafah, in southern Gaza, as Israel prepares to deploy ground forces there.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Benny Gantz, Israel’s, “, Harris, Biden’s, ”, Biden Organizations: White Locations: Gaza, ”, Israel, United States, Rafah, Palestinian

☆ Kamala Harris urges Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire, pushes Israel on aid to Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris called for an "immediate ceasefire" in Gaza in her remarks on March 3, 2024, but reiterated that Israel has "a right to defend itself." "Given the immense scale of suffering in Gaza, there must be an immediate ceasefire," Harris said at an event in Selma, Alabama. Washington has insisted the ceasefire deal is close and has been pushing to put in place a truce by the start of Ramadan, a week away. A view of new humanitarian aid after arriving to the northern Gaza Strip from sky with parachutes in Northern Gaza, Gaza on March 02, 2024. The Egyptian army had announced Saturday airdropping a new aid batch to areas in the northern Gaza Strip.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Israel, Elijah Nouvelage, Harris, Let's, Abed Zagout, Benny Gantz, Antony Blinken, Amos Hochstein, Daniel Hagari, Muatasem Salah, Biden, Omar Qattaa Organizations: Getty, Palestinian, Anadolu, U.S, Hamas, Reuters, White, . U.S, Ministry of Health Locations: Gaza, Israel, Selma , Alabama, Rafah, Cairo, Washington, ., Beirut, Lebanese, Northern Gaza

☆ Cargo Ship Struck by Houthis Sinks in Red Sea, U.S. Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Mike Ives | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

She is scheduled to meet with Benny Gantz, a member of the Israeli war cabinet, in Washington on Monday. Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to meet with Benny Gantz, a member of the Israeli war cabinet, in Washington on Monday, according to a White House official and a spokesman for Mr. Gantz. Mr. Gantz, who visited Washington last year, is also scheduled to meet separately with Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser, his office said in a statement, as well as with members of Congress and pro-Israeli lobbyists. It was unclear whether Mr. Gantz’s visit had the full backing of the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Mr. Gantz’s office said he had updated the prime minister on his visit so as to coordinate talking points.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Benny Gantz, Gantz, Harris, Biden, Israel, Jake Sullivan, Gantz’s, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: Monday, White, White House, United, Reuters, Palestinian, Mr Locations: Washington, Gaza, Israel, court, United States, Rafah

Harris also echoed calls by President Joe Biden for a six-week ceasefire — a proposal that would allow for the release of hostages held by Hamas and a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Months after the brutality, the Voting Rights Act was signed into law. The vice president also said that “the fight for freedom is not over,” pointing to efforts to curb voting rights, reproductive rights and the ability to live free of gun violence. Harris’ visit to Selma marked the fifth time she has participated in the annual civil rights pilgrimage. She attended as a senator in 2018, as a presidential candidate in 2020, and as vice president in 2022.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Harris –, ” Harris, Benny Gantz, ”, Harris, Joe Biden, Let’s, Biden, “ Selma, Edmund Pettus Bridge, billy, Harris ’ Organizations: CNN, Hamas, Sunday, Republican Locations: Gaza, Israel, Selma , Alabama, Washington, United States, Selma, Montgomery, Alabama

☆ Harris Calls for an ‘Immediate Cease-Fire’ in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Erica L. Green | More About Erica L. Green | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday called for an “immediate cease-fire” in Gaza, saying that Hamas should agree to the six-week pause currently on the table and that Israel should increase the flow of aid into the besieged enclave amid a humanitarian crisis. Her tone, sharper and more urgent than President Biden’s in recent days, showed the White House’s building frustration with Israel. “People in Gaza are starving,” Ms. Harris said. She also said that Israel must do more to allow for the flow of aid into Gaza, including opening borders, lifting any unnecessary restrictions on aid deliveries and restoring services to Gaza. “The Israeli government must do more to significantly increase the flow of aid,” she said.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Harris’s, Biden, Benny Gantz, Biden’s, “, Ms, Harris, Israel, ”, Gantz Organizations: Biden, White Locations: Gaza, Israel, Selma, Ala, Israel ., States

CNN —The Israelis have “basically accepted” a six-week ceasefire proposal in Gaza, a senior Biden administration official told reporters Saturday. On Thursday, a Hamas official warned, however, that the negotiations could be affected. Negotiators from the US, Israel, Egypt and Hamas are expected to attend, a diplomatic source familiar with the discussions said. Discussions between Israel and Hamas would be indirect, in separate rooms. Israel has asked Hamas for a list of the hostages, including who is living and who is dead.

Persons: “, Ramadan –, –, Joe Biden, ” Biden, Giorgia Meloni, It’s, Kamala Harris, Benny Gantz, Harris, Gantz, Jake Sullivan, Biden, there’d, it’s, CNN’s MJ Lee, Oren Liebermann Organizations: CNN, Biden, Hamas, White, Italian, Gaza, Command Locations: Gaza, Israel, Gaza City, Paris, Doha, Qatar, Egypt, Cairo, Qatari

☆ Gaza death toll: More than 30,000 killed since Israel-Hamas war began, health ministry says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The US proposed a “temporary ceasefire” at the United Nations earlier this month, but has vetoed calls for an immediate halt in the conflict. Gaza’s health ministry does not distinguish between civilians and fighters but has said in recent updates that around 70% of the casualties are women and children. Israel estimates about 10,000 Hamas fighters have been killed since October 7, when Israel declared war on the militant group. More than 1,200 people in Israel were killed during Hamas’ attacks on that day, and more than 250 were kidnapped and taken hostage in Gaza. CNN cannot independently verify the casualty tolls in Gaza or the Israeli estimates of Hamas fighters killed.

Persons: Israel, Benny Gantz, Ramadan, ” Gantz, Israel’s, Joe Biden, Biden, Netanyahu, ” Carl Skau, there’ll, “ Organizations: CNN, Hamas, United Nations, Ramadan, Conference, Major, Jewish, Israel Defense Forces, UN, UN Humanitarian Affairs, Food Programme, UN Security Locations: Gaza, Israel, Rafah, United States, Gaza’s, Jerusalem, Egypt, Qatar

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, ceasefire talks, humanitarian crisis
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Israel will take measures to protect civilians if it expands military operations in Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah, a military spokesperson said Tuesday. Hagari said a safer zone will be made for civilians before conducting any large-scale military operation and that Israel must create conditions "of food, humanitarian aid, medicine, hospitals, field hospitals. So there will be conditions for the population if we act." Some context: Israel has vowed to wipe out Hamas, the Islamist group that controls Gaza, in response to its deadly October 7 attacks. Earlier this month, Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz warned that Israeli forces will expand military operations in Rafah if hostages held by Hamas are not returned by the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, expected to begin March 10 or 11.

Persons: Daniel Hagari, Hagari, Benny Gantz, John Kirby, Israel’s Organizations: Israel Defense Forces, CNN, White, National Security Locations: Israel, Gaza's, Rafah, Rafah —, Gaza

According to Israeli officials, about 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza. Qatar and Egypt have been acting as intermediaries between Israel and Hamas, which do not negotiate directly. The talks had appeared to stall last week, after discussions held in Cairo failed to reach a breakthrough. Mr. Kirby said Mr. McGurk intended to press the Israeli war cabinet for its plans for its military operation in Rafah. Israeli and U.S. officials have argued that an immediate cease-fire would allow Hamas to regroup and fortify in Gaza, and reduce the pressure for making a deal to release hostages held in the territory.

Persons: Biden’s, Benjamin Netanyahu, David Barnea, William Burns, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim, Abbas Kamel, Ismail Haniyeh, Haniyeh, Israel’s, Netanyahu, Benny Gantz, Brett McGurk, Yoav Gallant, “, Brett, ”, John Kirby, McGurk, Mr, ” Mr, Kirby, Gallant, Adam Sella, Cassandra Vinograd Organizations: Qatari, White, Mr, National Security Council, United, Security Locations: U.S, Paris, Gaza, Israel, Thani, Qatar, Egypt, Cairo, Gaza’s, Rafah, Tel Aviv, United States

☆ Oil prices lower as senior Israeli official sees signs of progress on hostage deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Crude oil futures were slightly lower Thursday as a senior Israeli official sees initial signs of progress toward a deal to release hostages held in Gaza and as the market awaits for U.S. inventory data. The West Texas Texas Intermediate contract fell 47 cents, or 0.6%, to $77.44 a barrel. White House Middle East envoy Brett McGurk will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Thursday to discuss efforts to free hostages held by Hamas. A temporary ceasefire in exchange for releasing hostages in Gaza would potentially reduce the risk of the conflict engulfing the Middle East and disrupting crude supplies. Futures are down less than 1% week to date, after crude rallied last week on escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Persons: Brent, Benny Gantz, Brett McGurk, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: West Texas Texas Intermediate, Hamas, U.S . Energy Information Agency Locations: Gaza, East

☆ Oil prices slipped as traders wait for more insight on when Fed might cut rates
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Crude oil storage tanks are seen from above at the Cushing oil hub, in Cushing, Oklahoma, March 24, 2016. Crude oil futures fell slightly Wednesday as the market waits for further indication of when the Federal Reserve might cut interest rates. The minutes could provide further insight on when the central bank plans to cut interest rates. Lower interest rates typically stimulate economic growth which fuels crude oil demand. White House Middle East envoy Brett McGurk is heading to Cairo Wednesday to continue talks on a temporary Gaza ceasefire in exchange for Hamas releasing hostages.

Persons: Brent, John Evans, PVM, Brett McGurk, Biden, Israel, Benny Gantz, Ramadan Organizations: West Texas Intermediate, Federal Reserve, Federal, White Locations: Cushing , Oklahoma, East, U.S, Israel, Lebanon, Iran, Islamic Republic, Cairo, Gaza, Rafah

☆ Israel’s Druze Arabs, fiercely loyal to the state, feel let down after ‘paying with their blood’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Lianne Kolirin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

About a million-strong, the global Druze community is largely spread across Israel, Lebanon and Syria. Some 130,000 Israeli Druze live in the Carmel and Galilee in the country’s north. There have been rumblings of discontent since 2018, when tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Tel Aviv to protest Israel’s controversial “nation-state” law. “The (nation-state) law didn’t affect our identity – it affected our sense of belonging,” he said in a video call with CNN. “The Druze community has no dream to have a country – we don’t want it, we don’t believe in it.

Persons: Alim Abdallah, Abdallah, we’d, ” Abdallah’s, Mona, Mona Abdallah Saad, “, ” Mona, ”, Alim Abdallah Saad, Adam, Maya, ” Abdallah, CNN hasn’t, Col, Salman Habaka, Be’eri, Habaka, Gadeer Kamal, Kamal, ‘ I’m, I’m, ’, Corinna Kern, Anwar Saab, It’s, Omri Eilat, Ariel Schalit, Benny Gantz, Bejamin Netanyahu, Bibi –, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, 300th Baram Regional Brigade, Washington DC, Jewish Agency for, Reuters ‘, Saab, University of Haifa, Druze Heritage Center, National Unity, Israeli Locations: Lebanon, Israel, Yanuh, Lebanese, Syria, Carmel, Galilee, Golan, Egypt, Israel’s, Hala, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Druze, Washington, Jewish Agency for Israel, Iran, Isfiya, Yanuh Jat

☆ Negotiators race to secure Israel-Hamas hostage and ceasefire deal ahead of Ramadan
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Mj Lee | Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Looming over the hostage deal discussions is the threat by Israel to launch an offensive into Rafah in southern Gaza, where around 1.5 million displaced Gazans have fled. Israel appears dug inAs Israel appears dug in its position, negotiators expect Hamas to again respond in the coming days. The first hostage deal in late November saw the return of dozens of hostages taken captive by Hamas on October 7 and a week-long truce. Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, have continued to argue that “complete victory” is needed over Hamas. Supporting Tuesday’s UN resolution, proposed by Algeria, in the middle of the ongoing hostage talks would have jeopardized the ceasefire talks, White House said.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Ramadan, Israel, ”, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Joe Biden’s, Brett McGurk, Bill Burns ’, ” Gal Hirsch, Majed Al, Ansari, ” Al, Benny Gantz, White, “, John Kirby, – Organizations: CNN, Israel, CIA, Munich Security, Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “ Qatar, United Nations, UN, Senior, United Nations Security Locations: Israel, Gaza, Rafah, Qatar, Egypt, United States, Cairo, Doha, Algeria

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