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☆ U.S. Sends a Top General to Israel Amid Fears of Iranian Strikes
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | Eric Schmitt | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The United States dispatched its top military commander for the Middle East to Israel on Thursday, after President Biden stated that, despite recent friction, American support for Israel “is ironclad” in the event of an attack by Iran. Iran’s leaders have repeatedly vowed to punish Israel for an April 1 strike in Syria that killed several senior Iranian commanders. Israel has put its military on alert, and Mr. Biden said on Wednesday that Iran was threatening a “significant” attack. Gen. Michael E. Kurilla, the American commander, will coordinate with Israel on what is widely expected to be imminent retaliatory action by Iran and will also discuss the war against Hamas in Gaza and humanitarian aid operations there, according to officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel acknowledged on Thursday that Israel was facing “challenging times,” noting that “in the midst of the war in Gaza” his country was “also prepared for scenarios involving challenges in other sectors.”

Persons: Biden, Israel “, Israel, Michael E, Benjamin Netanyahu, “ Organizations: United, Israel Locations: United States, East, Israel, Iran, Syria, American, Gaza

☆ Israel Announces New Operation Against Hamas, After Killing Top Leader’s Sons
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Israeli military announced what it called a precise operation to kill members of Hamas in Gaza on Thursday, a day after a strike there killed relatives of one of the group’s most senior leaders. Ismail Haniyeh, who leads the political wing of Hamas from exile, said three of his sons had been killed in the Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza on Wednesday. The Israeli military said that the three Haniyeh sons it killed — Amir, Mohammad and Hazem — were active in Hamas’s military operations, Amir as a cell commander and his brothers as lower-level operatives. One of the brothers was also involved in holding hostages, the Israeli military said, without specifying which one. The strike came as international negotiators work to broker a cease-fire in Gaza and secure the release of hostages held in the enclave.

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, Haniyeh’s, — Amir, Mohammad, Hazem —, Amir Organizations: Hamas Locations: Gaza

☆ Iran and Israel Exchange New Threats After Strike on Iranian Commanders
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Iran and Israel traded fresh threats on Wednesday amid heightened concerns over how and when Tehran might retaliate for an Israeli strike in Syria last week that killed several senior Iranian commanders. The leadership of Iran has repeatedly vowed to avenge the deadly April 1 strike on an Iranian Embassy building in Damascus. U.S. officials have said they were bracing for a possible Iranian response, and Israel put its military on alert. The response from Israel’s foreign minister, Israel Katz, was swift: “If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will react and attack in Iran,” he wrote in Farsi on X.Israel has not publicly taken responsibility for the strike in Damascus, but several Israeli officials have confirmed its involvement to The New York Times. Israel has been trading fire with Iran-backed militant groups since the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7 ignited the war in Gaza.

Persons: Israel, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Eid, ”, Israel Katz Organizations: Iranian Embassy, New York Times, Analysts Locations: Iran, Israel, Tehran, Syria, Iranian, Damascus . U.S, Damascus, Gaza

An Israeli airstrike on Wednesday killed three sons of one of the most senior leaders of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, who said the strike would not weaken the group’s negotiating position or its resolve in its fight against Israel. Mr. Haniyeh, who leads the Hamas political bureau from exile, is a longstanding leader of the group. He is also engaged in the stalled negotiations with Israel through international mediators who are seeking to broker a cease-fire and secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. “The enemy is delusional if it thinks that by killing my children, we will change our positions,” Mr. Haniyeh said in a statement. “We shall not give in, no matter the sacrifices.”

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, Haniyeh, ” Mr, ” Organizations: Israel Locations: Israel, Gaza

☆ Biden Says Netanyahu Is Making ‘a Mistake’ in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Biden has again criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and called his approach to the war in Gaza a “mistake,” underscoring how the conflict has strained relations between the two close allies. Tensions between the Biden administration and Israel’s government have risen as the death toll in Gaza has climbed. In an interview that was recorded last week and aired Tuesday night on Univision, Mr. Biden again referred to the strike as “outrageous” and said he did not approve of Mr. Netanyahu’s approach. I don’t agree with his approach,” Mr. Biden said, echoing remarks he made last month. On that call, President Biden threatened to condition future support for Israel on how it addressed his concerns about civilian casualties and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Persons: Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, ”, Netanyahu’s, Mr, Netanyahu, Chris Cameron Organizations: Univision, Mr, Associated Press, Israel Locations: Gaza

☆ Israel Vows to Enable More Aid for Gaza; Blinken Says ‘Real Test Is Results’
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said that the United States was looking for “results” in response to news that Israel would open up more routes for aid to flow into Gaza. The Israeli decision to allow aid to enter through new routes came after President Biden made it clear in a call with the Israeli prime minister on Thursday that U.S. support for Israel would depend on its next steps to alleviate a humanitarian crisis in the enclave. Mr. Blinken called Israel’s agreement to establish new aid routes “positive developments” on Friday, but he immediately added that the United States would be “looking to see” if Israel would make allowing more aid into the enclave a priority. One measure of Israel’s commitment, he said, will be “the number of trucks that are actually getting in on a sustained basis.”“The real test is results, and that’s what we’re looking to see in the coming days and the coming weeks,” he told a news conference in Brussels on Friday, adding, “Really, the proof is in the results.”

Persons: Antony J, Blinken, Biden, ” Locations: United States, Israel, Gaza, Brussels

☆ Biden Chides Netanyahu, Threatening to Pivot U.S. Policy
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +13 min

During a 30-minute call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, President Biden went further than ever in pressing for change in the military operation. “President Biden emphasized that the strikes on humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable,” according to a White House summary of the call. But Mr. Kirby would not outline specific metrics for judging Israel’s response or what Mr. Biden would do if not satisfied. Mr. Biden called himself “outraged and heartbroken” over the incident and made a point of calling Mr. Andrés to express his condolences. Bibi obviously doesn’t care what the U.S. says, its about what the U.S. does.”Jon Favreau, a former chief speechwriter for Mr. Obama, was even more derisive of Mr. Biden.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, President Biden, Biden, “, Netanyahu, ”, Fatima Shbair, Antony J, Blinken, ” Mr, Biden’s, Chris Coons, Mr, Coons, Kamala Harris, Jake Sullivan, Biden “, Mohammed Saber, John F, Kirby, emboldening, John Hannah, José Andrés, Andrés, Zomi Frankcom, Damian Soból, Barack Obama, Bibi, ” Ben Rhodes, Obama, ” Jon Favreau, doesn’t, ‘, ’, aggravation, Jill Biden, Joe, Katie Rogers, David E, Sanger, Lara Jakes Organizations: Israel, Hamas, Credit, Associated, NATO, Democratic, CNN, Republican, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Iran, Central Kitchen, Shutterstock, Jewish Institute for National Security of America, Biden, Mr, Israel Defense Forces, White Locations: Gaza, Israel, Rafah, Brussels, Michigan, Washington, Delaware, Jerusalem, Iran, Syria, United States, “ Hamas, Haiti, Cyprus, U.S, “

Lalzawmi Frankcom’s text message was short and sweet: a heart emoji reply at 10:38 p.m. on Sunday to her friend Josh Phelps, who had sent along photos of their humanitarian work together on a reservation in South Dakota. Ms. Frankcom, an Australian known as Zomi, had a big day ahead on Monday. She and her colleagues from World Central Kitchen in Gaza were waiting for a ship to arrive at their newly built jetty so that they could unload hundreds of tons of sorely needed humanitarian aid. They “were so excited, like they were going to a wedding,” said Shadi Abu Taha, whose brother, Saif, was among them. Israeli strikes hit their convoy that night, killing Ms. Frankcom and six of her colleagues from World Central Kitchen, the charity group founded by the chef José Andrés that has been delivering millions of meals in Gaza.

Persons: Josh Phelps, Frankcom, Deir al Balah, ”, Shadi Abu Taha, Saif, José Andrés Locations: South Dakota, Gaza, Rafah, Deir

☆ Middle East Crisis Israeli Military Takes Responsibility for Strike That Killed 7 Aid Workers
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Ben Shpigel | Cassandra Vinograd | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +8 min

A car used by World Central Kitchen that was hit by a strike in Deir al Balah in the central Gaza Strip. The Israeli military had been informed of the aid workers’ movements, the charity said. The World Central Kitchen logo could be seen on items inside the charred interiors of the northernmost and southernmost cars. Mr. Abutaha and other World Central Kitchen workers were thrilled to have the opportunity to unload the desperately needed food aid. The World Central Kitchen aid ship is headed back to Cyprus.

Persons: Deir al Balah, José Andrés, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, ”, Erin Gore, Anthony Albanese, Zomi, Penny Wong, Damian Sobol, Wojciech Bakun, Zomi Frankcom, Associated Press David Cameron, John Chapman, James Henderson, James Kirby, Chapman, Henderson, Jacob Flickinger, Saif Abutaha, Abutaha, Shadi, “, Cameron, Israel “, Jamie McGoldrick, Haitham Imad, Mr, Netanyahu, ” Mr, Herzi Halevi, Daniel Hagari, Jennifer, Theodoros Gotsis, Gotsis, Patrick Kingsley, Rawan Sheikh Ahmad, Gabby Sobelman, Matina, Lauren Leatherby, Nader Ibrahim, Kim Severson Organizations: Central Kitchen, The New York Times, ”, ., Free Place Foundation, Associated Press, BBC, James Kirby . Local, Royal Marines, Palestine Red Crescent Society, Central, West Bank, Najjar, United Nations, Agence France, Cypriot Locations: Deir al, Gaza, Spanish, Deir al Balah, Al, Rashid, Palestinian, United States, Canada, Australia, Britain, Poland, Australian, Polish, Przemysl, British, James Kirby . Local British, Palestine, Egypt, Israel, Rafah, Cyprus, Cypriot, Larnaca

☆ Protest Outside Netanyahu’s Jerusalem Home Turns Into ‘Riot,’ Police Say
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

The Israeli police clashed with antigovernment protesters outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s home in Jerusalem on Tuesday night, which was the third day of demonstrations calling for early elections and his ouster. Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Jerusalem since Sunday, when a planned four-day antigovernment protest began outside Israel’s Parliament, the Knesset. Many protesters have camped out in tents outside the Knesset, where the demonstrations have swelled each evening. The protest and an authorized march started peacefully on Tuesday night but then turned into an unbridled “riot,” according to the Israeli police force. It said in a statement that hundreds of rioters had tried to break through barriers near Mr. Netanyahu’s house but were blocked by the police.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Netanyahu’s Locations: Jerusalem, Israel’s

☆ Iran and Israel Have a Long History of Clandestine Attacks
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

For decades, Israel and Iran have fought a shadow war across the Middle East, trading attacks by land, sea, air and in cyberspace. Iran has largely used foreign proxies to strike Israeli interests, while targeted assassinations of Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists have been a key part of Israel’s strategy. Israel’s strike in the Syrian capital, Damascus, that killed three top Iranian commanders on Monday was the most brazen attack in years, raising fears of a wider confrontation. That would be particularly dangerous in a region already in turmoil on multiple fronts, including Israel’s war in Gaza, cross-border skirmishes between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and attacks by Yemen’s Houthi militia against Western interests in the Red Sea. An escalation between Israel and Iran would also risk further entangling the United States, given the presence of American troops in the region.

Persons: Yemen’s Locations: Israel, Iran, Damascus, Gaza, Lebanese, Red, United States

☆ Outside Israel’s Parliament, Protesters Explain Why Netanyahu Must Go
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Hundreds of small silver tents were clustered on the pavement outside Israel’s Parliament in Jerusalem on Monday, stretching at least a city block. Many had Israeli flags taped to their roofs, along with stickers bearing slogans. Many of them believe he has put his political survival ahead of the broader interests of the Israeli people. Another night of protest was not long off, and the encamped demonstrators were resting and preparing. When asked why he had camped out overnight, Haggai Schwartz, 47, said there were “too many issues” with the current Israeli government.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Haggai Schwartz, — Locations: Israel’s, Jerusalem

☆ Netanyahu will undergo hernia surgery at an important moment.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-31 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | Johnatan Reiss | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel will undergo surgery on Sunday night to treat a hernia, his office said in a statement. The operation comes at a time when Mr. Netanyahu is under mounting pressure as the war in Gaza drags on and international calls for a cease-fire grow louder. Mr. Netanyahu’s office said on Sunday that he had been diagnosed with a hernia during a “routine examination” on Saturday night. The prime minister decided in consultation with his doctors to have an operation, it said in a statement, adding that the surgery would take place on Sunday evening “under full anesthesia.”“Justice Minister Yariv Levin will be temporarily taking over his duties,” the statement said. Mr. Levin is a longtime stalwart in the prime minister’s Likud party.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Netanyahu, Yariv Levin, Levin Organizations: “, Likud Locations: Gaza

Israeli troops and Hamas fighters waged deadly battles in and around two of the Gaza Strip’s major hospitals on Thursday as the Israeli government came under growing pressure at home and abroad to moderate its approach to a war that has devastated the enclave. Fighting raged for the 11th day at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City in an area Israeli forces first seized in November. The clashes illustrated the difficulty the Israelis are having in keeping control of places they had already taken as Palestinian militants melt away and then return. In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, increasingly unpopular and facing criticism on multiple fronts, met for the first time with the families of kidnapped soldiers being held in Gaza, who accused him before the meeting of ignoring their plight for nearly six months. The soldiers’ relatives had largely remained silent in public while other families of captives spoke out, many of them saying the prime minister should agree to a truce with Hamas if that was what it would take to free their relatives.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: Shifa Locations: Gaza, Al, Gaza City, Israel

Hezbollah militants fired dozens of rockets into northern Israel from Lebanon on Wednesday, in what they said was retaliation for an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon overnight. The militants’ barrage came as pro-Palestinian protesters turned up the pressure on the government in neighboring Jordan to sever ties with Israel. It also came as the United States said a previously canceled meeting with an Israeli delegation in Washington to discuss a planned offensive into the southern Gazan city of Rafah would be rescheduled. For months, Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed group based in Lebanon, has traded fire with Israeli forces across the border, and on Wednesday, the Israeli military said its forces had targeted a “significant terrorist operative” near the town of al-Habbariyeh in southern Lebanon. Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, which said the Israeli strike had hit an emergency medical center and killed seven paramedics, denounced it as “unacceptable.”

Persons: ” Organizations: Lebanon’s Ministry of Health Locations: Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, United States, Washington, Gazan, Rafah, Iranian, al, Lebanon’s

☆ Middle East Crisis Hezbollah and Israel Trade Fire Across Lebanon Border
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | Hwaida Saad | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

Remarks by Mr. Gallant and Mr. Austin before the meeting underscored the divide. Image People recovering items from their homes after Israeli airstrikes in Rafah, Gaza, on Tuesday. Speaking with reporters after his meeting with Mr. Austin, Mr. Gallant said Israel would not be deterred in its war aims. And Mr. Gallant said he and Mr. Austin talked about the urgency of efforts to recover more than 100 hostages still held by Hamas and the increasingly dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “We discussed the humanitarian efforts in Gaza — not only in terms of bringing the aid in but the real issue of distribution,” Mr. Gallant said.

Persons: Yoav Gallant, Lloyd J, Austin III, Benjamin Netanyahu, Gallant, Austin, Mr, ”, Mohammed Salem, Israel, Gallant —, William J, Burns, —, Netanyahu, Linda Thomas, Greenfield, Angela Weiss, Burns — Organizations: U.S ., Pentagon, ., Reuters, senior Defense Department, Biden, Apache, Hamas, Mr, . Security, Agence France Locations: Gaza, Rafah, U.S, Washington, Egypt, Israel, ”

☆ Domestic Politics Drive Divisions Between Biden and Netanyahu
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

Relations between President Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel appear to have sunk to a new low, with both men pressed hard by domestic politics and looming elections. Mr. Netanyahu, however, allowed his defense minister, Yoav Gallant, to remain in Washington for talks. In a recent interview, Mr. Ben-Gvir, the national security minister, accused Mr. Biden of tacitly supporting Israel’s enemies. Mr. Biden called it “a good speech” without endorsing the call for new elections. But Mr. Biden is far more popular in Israel than Mr. Obama was and a serious break with Washington would deeply undermine Israel’s security and its future.

Persons: Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Mr, Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, Itamar Ben, Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, Nadav, Ben, ”, Yahya Sinwar, “, ” Mr, Biden “, Smotrich, Chuck Schumer, Washington, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton —, Obama, Aaron Boxerman Organizations: Security, West Bank, Mr, Palestinian, U.S . Congress, Israel, United, Washington Locations: Gaza, United States, Washington, Rafah, Israel, New York

☆ Middle East Crisis Israeli and U.S. Defense Ministers to Meet in Washington With Tensions High
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Victoria Kim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

For the increasingly tense U.S.-Israel relationship, the fallout from passage of the U.N. cease-fire resolution was immediate, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that he would not send a planned high-level delegation to Washington for meetings with U.S. officials. But on Monday, when the Security Council took up a less strongly worded resolution, calling for a cease-fire for the holy month of Ramadan, the U.S. representative abstained, allowing the measure to pass. Mr. Gallant, before meeting with Mr. Sullivan, gave no sign Israel would agree to a cease-fire. He reiterated the administration’s position that before going into Rafah, Israel must have a detailed plan to protect, shelter and feed the civilians there. The U.N. resolution and the American role in it drew angry responses from far-right elements of Israel’s government.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, Netanyahu, “, Mr, Israel’s, John F, Kirby, ”, ” Mr, Yoav Gallant, Jake Sullivan, Antony J, Blinken, Lloyd J, Austin III, Gallant, Sullivan, Austin, Patrick Ryder, General Ryder, Itamar Ben, Gvir, Eric Schmitt, David E, Sanger, Cassandra Vinograd Organizations: United, Security, U.S, White, National Security Council, Pentagon, . Security, Palestinian, Security Council Locations: Israel, Washington, Rafah, Gaza, United States, ”

☆ Questions Persist as Israel Signals Support for More Aid for Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Israel has endorsed three new aid efforts over the past week — a ship carrying food approaching the coast off Gaza; airdrops by foreign countries; and an initial convoy of six trucks crossing directly from Israel into northern Gaza, where aid agencies say hunger is severest, for the first time since Oct. 7. The public signaling from Israeli officials follows increasingly urgent calls from the United States and other allies for Israel to do more to alleviate the humanitarian crisis wrought by its invasion. The United Nations has warned parts of Gaza are on the brink of famine. “There’s a limit to how much opprobrium Israel is willing to take and stand behind and say we are in the right,” she said. Aid organizations and U.N. officials say the new efforts are too small and inefficient to meet the enormous needs of Gazan civilians.

Persons: Dahlia Scheindlin, “, ” Organizations: United Nations, Aid Locations: Gaza, Israel, United States, Israeli

The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah fired more than 100 rockets into northern Israel on Tuesday morning, according to Israel’s military. Israel’s military said its fighter jets had retaliated by striking a number of sites linked to Hezbollah in Lebanon. The group is a key ally of Hamas, whose Oct. 7 attacks on Israel led to the war in Gaza. Since Israel’s bombardment of Gaza began, Hezbollah has been firing rockets into northern Israel on a near-daily basis. The Israeli military regularly responds with strikes against Hezbollah-linked targets inside Lebanon.

Persons: Hassan Nasrallah, Khalil al, Euan Ward, Adam Sella Organizations: Hamas’s Locations: Lebanese, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Lebanon’s Bekaa, Cairo, United States, Egypt, Qatar, Iran

☆ U.S. Military Ship Has Set Sail to Help Build Pier Off Gaza for Aid
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

The U.S. military said on Sunday that a ship had set sail carrying equipment to build a floating pier on Gaza’s coast, part of a Biden administration effort to deliver aid to the enclave by sea and help ease its hunger crisis. The administration’s plan for a pier and causeway, announced last week, could eventually help deliver as many as two million meals a day for residents of Gaza. On Sunday, the U.S. military said that an Army ship, the General Frank S. Besson, had set sail from a base near Norfolk, Va., a day earlier. The Israeli military will help coordinate the installation of the pier, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, a spokesman for the Israeli military, said on Saturday. They are trying to deliver the first sea shipment of food and humanitarian supplies to Gaza.

Persons: Biden, Frank S, Besson, “ Besson, Daniel Hagari, José Andrés, Helene Cooper, Gaya Gupta, Aaron Boxerman Organizations: U.S, Pentagon, Army, Seventh Transportation Brigade, United Nations, Aid, European Union, United Arab, United Locations: Gaza, Norfolk, Va, U.S, Israel, Britain, United Arab Emirates, Spanish, Cyprus, Larnaca

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

The United States on Tuesday cast the sole vote against a United Nations Security Council resolution that would have called for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, saying it feared it could disrupt hostage negotiations. It was the third time Washington wielded its veto to block a resolution demanding a stop to fighting in Gaza, underlining America’s isolation in its continued, forceful backing of Israel. Over four months of war, Israel has come under increasing international pressure over the scope and intensity of its campaign against Hamas in Gaza, with many leaders decrying the high civilian death toll. Algeria’s U.N. ambassador, Amar Bendjama, lashed out at the United States on Tuesday, telling the Council that the veto “implies an endorsement of the brutal violence and collective punishment inflicted upon” the Palestinians. He said “silence is not a viable option, now is the time for action and the time for truth.”

Persons: U.N, Amar Bendjama, ” Organizations: United Nations Security, Israel, Hamas Locations: States, Gaza, Washington, Israel, United States

☆ Israel Orders New Evacuations in Northern Gaza as U.N. Suspends Food Deliveries
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | Matthew Mpoke Bigg | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Israel’s military ordered two neighborhoods of Gaza City to evacuate on Tuesday amid signs of hunger and mounting desperation in the northern part of the enclave at a time when the focus of Israel’s offensive has shifted south. The evacuations came as the World Food Program halted deliveries in the north on Tuesday, describing scenes of chaos as its teams faced looting, hungry crowds and gunfire in recent days. The fiercest fighting and most intense bombing has in recent weeks shifted south to areas around Khan Younis and Rafah. But the evacuation order from Israel’s military on Tuesday for the Zaytoun and Turkoman neighborhoods of Gaza City raised the possibility of further military moves in the north. Another convoy on Monday “faced complete chaos and violence due to the collapse of civil order,” the statement added, saying that several trucks were looted and a driver was beaten.

Persons: “ Organizations: Food, United Nations Locations: Gaza City, Khan Younis, Rafah, Northern Gaza

☆ U.S. Vetoes U.N. Resolution Calling for a Cease-Fire in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | Matthew Mpoke Bigg | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

For a third time, the United States on Tuesday vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, claiming that the resolution would jeopardize a hostage-release deal. The United States is working on a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, along with Egypt and Qatar. The United States on Tuesday vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution put forth by Algeria that would have called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. Humanitarian agencies, U.N. officials and other diplomats have argued that without a cease-fire, humanitarian aid at the scale that Gaza needs is not possible. The United States said that the resolution would jeopardize Washington’s negotiation efforts with Qatar and Egypt to broker a deal that would release hostages from Gaza in exchange for a temporary humanitarian cease-fire.

Persons: you’ve, Washington, ”, Linda Thomas, Greenfield, Amar Bendjama, Israel, Biden’s, Zhang Jun Organizations: United Nations Security, Hamas, United, United Nations, U.S, Security Locations: United States, Israel, Egypt, Qatar, Gaza, Algeria, U.S, Rafah, Brazil, Russia, China

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