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☆ Israel warns Lebanon of prospect of ‘all-out war’ as U.S. seeks to de-escalate hostilities
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-19 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

TOPSHOT - Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli airstrike on Zibqin in southern Lebanon on June 12, 2024. Israel and Hezbollah, which controls much of Lebanon, have been trading fire since October in parallel with the Jewish nation's war campaign against Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. In an all-out war, Hezbollah will be destroyed and Lebanon will be severely hit." "I remind you that, according to the United Nations, there is no territorial dispute — no territorial dispute — between Lebanon and Israel," Israeli government spokesman David Mencer said during a Tuesday press briefing. Security concerns have driven thousands of Lebanese and Israeli civilians to flee their border-facing settlements.

Persons: Sami Taleb Abdullah, Rafael, Yona Yahav, Israel Katz, " Katz, David Mencer Organizations: Israel Defense Forces, Palestinian, Hamas, Lebanese, Ministry of Health, IDF, CNBC, Reuters, Foreign, Hezbollah, United Nations Locations: Lebanon, Gaza, Israel, Lebanese, Jouaiyya, Metula, Haifa

☆ New Zealand prime minister hitches ride on commercial plane after jet breaks down
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Lilit Marcus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

But an Air New Zealand plane had a very different reason for making an unplanned stop yesterday – they were picking up the country’s prime minister after his government aircraft broke down. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and a group of prominent business leaders were en route to Tokyo for a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. They were traveling on a Royal New Zealand Defense Force plane, which stopped in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea to refuel. Luckily, one of the 50-some business leaders in the delegation was Air New Zealand (ANZ) CEO Greg Foran. Coincidentally, Luxon, who was elected in 2023, spent seven years as the CEO of Air New Zealand before getting into politics.

Persons: Christopher Luxon, Fumio Kishida, couldn’t, Greg Foran, Luxon, Judith Collins, ” Collins, “, Jacinda Ardern, country’s Scott Organizations: CNN, Zealand, Japanese, Royal New Zealand Defense Force, Boeing, Air New Zealand, ANZ, Port Moresby, Kiwi, Newstalk ZB, “, country’s Locations: ., Tokyo, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Auckland, New Zealand, Antarctica, Italian

Beirut CNN —Israel warned Hezbollah on Tuesday of the prospect of “all-out war” after the Lebanese militant group published a 9-minute video, purportedly taken by a drone, showing Israeli military and civilian locations in several Israeli cities. “In an all-out war, Hezbollah will be destroyed, and Lebanon severely beaten,” he added. Those locations include a number of sensitive areas, including at least two military installations: a base in northern Haifa and the port of Haifa. The drone also flew over the oil tanks that sit north of Haifa, the Haifa airport and several residential areas. Hezbollah has said in the past that it will only stop firing on Israel if Israel stops the war in Gaza.

Persons: Beirut CNN — Israel, Israel Katz, ”, Rafael –, Katz, Hassan, Nasrallah, Wim Zwijnenburg, AlMayadeenNews, Yona Yahav, ” Yahav, ” Ibrahim Mousawi, Israel, Amos Hochstein Organizations: Beirut CNN, Hezbollah, Iron, Israel Defense Forces, CNN, PAX, Reshet Bet, Haifa “, Haifa ”, Northern Command, US Locations: Beirut, Lebanese, Lebanon, Haifa, Israel, Gaza, “, China, India, Iran, Haifa Port

A truck carrying aid for delivery into Gaza drives through the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Israel, on June 17. Netanyahu then contacted his military secretary and said this was unacceptable, until he was assured the fighting in Rafah would continue. It raises the question of where the “tactical pause” order originated, but it’s expected to continue. Israeli security minister Ben Gvir — a leading right-wing member of the country’s cabinet — condemned the pause. Fighting and deadly strikes: Fierce fighting and airstrikes have rocked Rafah as the Israeli effort to destroy Hamas in Gaza continues.

Persons: Nathan Frandino, Salah, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Ben Gvir —, —, ”, Ahmed Radwan Organizations: Israel Defense Forces, United Nations Relief, Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, CNN, Rafah Civil Defense Locations: Gaza, Israel, Rafah, Kerem, Kerem Shalom

☆ Israel warns of 'devastating consequences' as spike in fire with Lebanon risks wider conflict
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-17 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Smoke and flame rise after Hezbollah carried out a missile attack on Safed city, northern Israel on June 12, 2024. Over the past week, Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has ramped up hostilities and cross-border missile attacks against targets in northern Israel, according to Israel Defense Forces and the Hezbollah-aligned al-Manar news outlet. It comes amid a ramp-up in attacks by Hezbollah in recent weeks following repeat offensives against its neighbor since October. "Hezbollah's increasing aggression is bringing us to the brink of what could be a wider escalation, one that could have devastating consequences for Lebanon and the entire region," Hagari added. "Israel will take the necessary measures to protect its civilians, until security along our border with Lebanon is restored.

Persons: Sami Taleb Abdullah, Taleb Abdullah, Israel, Daniel Hagari, Hagari, HoweveHezbollah, Sheikh Naim Qassem, Amos Hochstein, Joe Biden, Biden, Houthi —, Iran —, Yahya Sare'e Organizations: Hezbollah, Israel Defense Forces, Hamas, IDF, CNBC, Lebanese, Washington, U.S, NBC News Locations: Safed, Israel, Lebanon, Iran, Tehran, Gaza, Lebanese, Jouaiyya, Red

☆ Plummeting fertility rates are making Asian countries worry about running out of soldiers
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-17 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewEast Asia has some of the world's lowest fertility rates, forcing countries in the region to think hard about how to maintain their military strength. This is particularly concerning given the rise in tensions between North and South Korea, and between China and the US. China, Japan, and South Korea have fertility rates below the global replacement rate — resulting in declining populations. South Korea's fertility rate was 0.72 in 2023, the lowest in the world, compared to the global average of 2.2, according to The Lancet. Hughes said that, like South Korea, Japan has been left thinking about how automation and AI can mitigate the worst effects of a shortage of an army-age population.

Persons: —, Ramon Pacheco Pardo, Pardo, Chris Hughes, Hughes, They've, it's, China's Organizations: Service, Business, KF, VUB, Brussels School, Governance, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, South Korean, North, - Defense Forces, University, Warwick, Self - Defense Forces, Japan Times, Liberation Army, Nikkei Asia Locations: Asia, North, South Korea, China, Japan, Korea's, VUB Korea, Vrije, North Korea, Korea, Israel, Pardo, Ukraine, Russia

☆ Israeli military knew how Hamas planned to take hostages weeks before October 7: report
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-17 | by ( Grace Eliza Goodwin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewThe Israeli military knew about Hamas' plans to attack southern Israel weeks before October 7 — even how many hostages the militant group planned to capture, according to a report from Israeli public broadcaster Kan. The officials even had intel on how Hamas intended to treat the hostages in certain extreme circumstances and what rules Hamas set for executing hostages, Kan reported. That oversight prevented top Israeli intelligence leaders from doing anything about the internal report detailing Hamas' plans, Kan News reported. Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking hundreds hostage, many of whom are still being held in captivity. The exact number of hostages Hamas took is unclear, but Israel has estimated it was around 240, with about 116 still in Gaza, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Persons: —, Kan, Israel, Israel's Organizations: Service, Kan, Israel Defense Force's, Business, Southern Command, Gaza, intel, Kan News, The New York Times, Hamas, Times, Wall Street Journal Locations: Israel, Israel Defense Force's Gaza, Gaza, The

☆ Russia's war in Ukraine began in Crimea. It could end there, too, defense experts say.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-16 | by ( Cameron Manley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Read previewIf there is one place Ukraine is winning in the war against Russia, it's Crimea, experts say. Ukrainians have since referred to the Black Sea peninsula as "occupied Crimea," and Zelenskyy has continually stated that any peace agreement must see it returned to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukraine, which lost its traditional naval fleet during the annexation of Crimea, has targeted Russia's Black Sea fleet with great success using sea drones. Ukraine even claimed to have sunk the Black Sea Fleet's flagship, the Moskva. "Crimea allows for power projection over the rest of the Black Sea.

Persons: —, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Vladimir Putin, Olga Khvostunova, ", Zelenskyy, Elina Beketova, Russia's, VASILY MAXIMOV, Maria Snegovaya, Beketova, Putin, Dmitry Pletenchuk, OLGA MALTSEVA, Catherine the Great, Snegovaya, Alexei Volkov, DVIDS Frederik Mertens, Ukraine's, Budanov Organizations: Service, Business, Eurasia, Foreign Policy Research, Federal Assembly, NATO, Centre for, Fleet, Getty, Center for Strategic, Studies ', Eurasia Program, Black, Ukraine, Security, Anadolu Agency, Directorate of Intelligence, Guardian, UK Ministry of Defence, MoD, Getty Images, National Union of Hospitality Industries, Reuters, Wing Public Affairs, Hague, Strategic Studies Locations: Ukraine, Russia, it's Crimea, Crimea, Sevastopol, Moskva, AFP, Studies ' Europe, Kerch, Ukraine's, Ukrainian, Rostov, Crimean, Russian, Saki

☆ Israel announces ‘pause’ along southern Gaza route to allow in aid but no let up in Rafah offensive
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-16 | by ( Abeer Salman | Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Jerusalem CNN —The Israeli military has announced a “tactical pause” of military activity along a route in southern Gaza to allow aid to be distributed but stressed that there would be no let up in fighting in and around Rafah in southern Gaza. A bottleneck of aid has built up at Kerem Shalom amid airstrikes and fighting in much of southern Gaza. It will be run in coordination with international organizations, it said, as part of efforts to increase volumes of aid reaching Gaza. Egyptian trucks carrying humanitarian aid make their way to the Gaza Strip at the Kerem Shalom crossing on May 30, 2024. Those are Kerem Shalom on Gaza’s southern border and Western Erez in the north.

Persons: Salah, Kerem Shalom, Al Bayuk, Khan Younis, ”, “, Amir Cohen, Kerem, Western Erez Organizations: Jerusalem CNN, IDF, European Hospital, Israel Defense Forces, Ministry of Health, Logistics, Shore Locations: Jerusalem, Gaza, Rafah, Kerem, Khan, Israel, Palestinian, Gaza’s, Western, Ashdod

☆ Eight Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza in one of the deadliest single incidents for Israeli forces since October 7
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-15 | by ( Lauren Izso | Ibrahim Dahman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Eight Israeli soldiers were killed in southern Gaza on Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces says, in one of the deadliest single incidents involving its troops since October 7. Ahmed Radwan, the media officer of Rafah Civil Defense, said they had received appeals to collect bodies and the injured but it was difficult for civil defense crews to access the area. Elsewhere, at least 14 people were killed, including seven children, in Israeli strikes on central Gaza, the Civil Defense Directorate in Gaza said. The conflict in Gaza began after the Hamas attacks of October 7, which killed around 1,200 people. Since then at least 37,296 people have been killed in Israel’s offensive in Gaza, according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Health in Gaza.

Persons: Al Qassam, “, Israel Katz, ”, Ahmed Radwan Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, IDF, Al, Al Qassam Brigades, Rafah Civil Defense, Hamas, Civil Defense, Ministry of Health Locations: Gaza, Tal al, Rafah, ”, Israel

☆ Opinion: The fanatical Hamas leader who calls the shots
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Peter Bergen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —In February, the Israeli Defense Forces released a grainy video showing the back of a man they identified as Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’ leader in Gaza. Since the video didn’t show Sinwar’s face, there was no independent confirmation that the shadowy figure was indeed the Hamas leader. Former Israeli dentist Yuval Bitton, who treated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in an Israeli prison, speaks during an interview in his house in Kibbutz Shoval, Israel, February 5, 2024. While he was in prison, Sinwar admitted that he had killed several Palestinians who he believed were collaborating with the Israelis. While he was in prison, Sinwar became the leader of his fellow Hamas inmates, according to The Washington Post.

Persons: Peter Bergen, ”, Osama bin Laden, CNN —, Yahya Sinwar, It’s, Sinwar, Ali Jadallah, Joe Biden, hasn’t, ” Sinwar, Yuval Bitton, Amir Cohen, Bitton, Peter Bergen Sinwar, Biden, Antony Blinken, “, Gilad Shalit Organizations: New, Arizona State University, Apple, Spotify, CNN, Israeli Defense Forces, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Hamas, Wall Street, New York Times, Reuters, Israel Hayom, The Washington Post, Sinwar, Israel, Gaza Health Ministry Locations: New America, Gaza, Israel, Gaza City, East, Kibbutz Shoval, Israeli

CNN —Israeli troops have used a medieval-style catapult to toss fireballs across the border into Lebanon, as fighting ramps up between Israel and the Iran-backed Islamist group Hezbollah. The trebuchet, a rotating arm with a sling attached to launch a projectile, has rarely been used since the 16th century. Kan said the trebuchet was probably used to burn shrubbery, making it easier for Israeli forces to identify militants attempting to reach the border. More than 53,000 Israelis have been evacuated from the north since hostilities began in October, the IDF told CNN. In Lebanon, more than 94,000 people have been displaced from the border area, according to the country’s health ministry.

Persons: Kan, Hernán Cortés, Israel, Hassan Nasrallah Organizations: CNN, Hezbollah, Israel Defense Forces, Aztecs, IDF Locations: Lebanon, Israel, Iran, Lebanese, Syrian, Spanish, Tenochtitlán, Mexico, Cross, Gaza

☆ Palestinian groups demand inspection of Israeli prisons as detainees are released with chronic health problems
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Kareem Khadder | Tim Lister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The Palestinian Legislative Council in Gaza has demanded international inspections of Israeli detention centers, after the release of a number of prisoners this week who appeared frail and thin after several months in detention. Among those released was the Council’s former Speaker, Aziz Dweik, who had been held for nine months, accused of affiliation with Hamas. Most of the approximately 30 prisoners released from the Negev and Ofer prisoners this week were administrative detainees, who had not been charged with any offenses. One of them, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society, was Saed Abu Shanab from Tulkarm, who had spent 21 years in Israeli prisons. The Prisoners’ Society said in April that the vast majority of detainees released suffered from health problems “which required the transfer of some of them to the hospital immediately upon their release.”

Persons: Aziz Dweik, Dweik, Ofer, Abu, ” Organizations: CNN, Palestinian Legislative, Hamas, Israel Defense Forces, Palestinian Prisoners ’ Society, ’ Society Locations: Gaza, Negev, Abu Shanab, Tulkarm, Israel

The Israeli military said forty rockets were fired at northern Israel and the occupied Golan Heights on Thursday, causing at least ten fires that teams are working to extinguish. The rockets were fired from northern Lebanon, with Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah claiming responsibility for their launch. The group said it targeted six Israeli military barracks using Katyusha and Falaq rockets and used three drones to target bases. Hezbollah's massive rocket barrage: Thursday's launches came after more than 200 rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel Wednesday, according to the IDF. The group on Tuesday confirmed the death of Talib Sami Abdullah, known as Abu Talib, and three other fighters.

Persons: Israel's Magen David, Talib Sami Abdullah, Abu Talib, Talib Organizations: Israel Defense Forces, IDF Locations: Israel, Golan, Lebanon, Iran, Lebanese

Beirut, Lebanon CNN —The fate of the 120 remaining hostages in Gaza is crucial to any deal to end the protracted and bloody conflict between Israel and Hamas. But a senior Hamas official has told CNN that “no one has an idea” how many of them are alive, and that any deal to release them must include guarantees of a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. People walk among debris, aftermath of Israeli strikes at the area, where Israeli hostages were rescued on Saturday, in Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, on Sunday, June 9. Hamas' Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar attends a meeting with members of Palestinian groups in Gaza City on April 13, 2022. Israel believes that more than 70 hostages of the more than 100 who are still held in Gaza to be alive.

Persons: Osama Hamdan, Yahya Sinwar, Antony Blinken, Sinwar, Hamdan, Joe Biden, Blinken, ” Blinken, Abed Khaled, ”, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu “, Jack Guez, ” Sinwar, Ali Jadallah, Netanyahu, “, … Organizations: Lebanon CNN, Hamas, CNN, NBC, ”, Wednesday, United Nations Security, Reuters, White, Israel Defense Forces, European Union, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Israel, Wall, IDF Locations: Beirut, Lebanon, Gaza, Israel, Lebanese, Doha, Israeli, Jerusalem, AFP, United Kingdom, Hamas, Gaza City, American

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war, Gaza ceasefire talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-12 | by ( Jessie Gretener | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

A rocket is seen in the sky above northern Israel on June 12. ReutersTensions at Israel's northern border are again flaring, with Israel's military reporting more than 160 rockets being fired on Wednesday from Lebanon. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said no injuries have been reported, with warning sirens sounding across towns nearby the border. The military capability of the Lebanese group is expansive, with the group boasting more than 100,000 fighters and reservists. The group is also believed to possess 150,000 rockets that could overwhelm Israel’s defenses if an all-out war breaks out.

Persons: Israel Organizations: Reuters, Israel Defense Forces, IDF Locations: Israel, Israel's, Lebanon, Lebanese, Gaza, Jouya, Iran

CNN —A United Nations inquiry into the first few months of the war in Gaza has found both Israel and Hamas committed war crimes and grave violations of international law, in the body’s first in-depth investigation into the October 7 attacks and the ensuing conflict. Rockets are launched by Hamas from the Gaza Strip towards Israel on October 7, 2023. Hatem Moussa/APIn the first 2.5 months of the conflict, the commission found, Israel committed war crimes as well as crimes against humanity – the latter defined as a widespread, systemic attack directed at a civilian population. The International Criminal Court announced last month it was seeking arrest warrants for several top Hamas and Israeli leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. “It is imperative that all those who have committed crimes be held accountable,” said commission chair Navi Pillay.

Persons: Hatem Moussa, Israel, –, Israel’s, maiming, Benjamin Netanyahu, ”, Netanyahu, West Bank –, …, Said Khatib, Mahmud Hams, Nir, Itamar Ben Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, Benny Gantz, Yoav Gallant, Gilad Erdan, Erdan, Anwar Organizations: CNN, United, The United Nations Commission, Rockets, AP, Criminal, Palestinian, West Bank, Getty, Al, Israel Defense Forces, UN, Gaza, National, Finance, UN Human Rights, Palestinian Authority, Hamas, Human Rights, Israel, UN Security Council, Assembly, United Nations Relief, Works Agency, Anwar Amro, UNRWA, Navi Pillay Locations: United Nations, Gaza, Israel, Gaza City, Rafah, AFP, Aqsa, Israel’s, Palestinian, United States, Lebanese, Beirut, East Jerusalem

CNN —The family of one of the hostages rescued in an Israeli operation over the weekend has said that he experienced psychological abuse over the hands of his Hamas captors during the eight months that he was held in Gaza. The operation was only the third Israeli rescue of hostages held in Gaza and has been celebrated in Israel. So he feels obliged to pass this goodness on to the next person and help get others [hostages] out.”Kozlov, 27, was among the rescued hostages. Israel launched its war in Gaza following the Hamas attacks of October 7, when militants killed about 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostage. Since then, the Israeli campaign has killed more than 37,000 people, according to the ministry of health in Gaza, and triggered a humanitarian crisis.

Persons: Andrey Kozlov, Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Shlomi Ziv, Kozlov, Kozlov’s, Mikhail Kozlov, “ Israel, “, Israel ”, Israel, ” Mikhail, ” “, ”, Andrey, Dmitry, Mikhail, ” Dmitry, ” Kozlov, Itai Pessach, ” Pessach, Keren Munder, –, pita, Merav Mor, Munder, Adina Moshe Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, Nova, Israeli Army, Reuters, UN Locations: Gaza, Israel, Russian

☆ Chiquita Held Liable for Deaths During Colombian Civil War
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Jorge Valencia | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A jury in South Florida has ruled that Chiquita Brands is liable for eight killings carried out by a right-wing paramilitary group that the company helped finance in a fertile banana-growing region of Colombia during the country’s decades-long internal conflict. The jury on Monday ordered the multinational banana producer to pay $38.3 million to 16 family members of farmers and other civilians who were killed in separate episodes by the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia — a right-wing paramilitary group that Chiquita bankrolled from 1997 to 2004. The company has faced hundreds of similar suits in U.S. courts filed by the families of other victims of violence by the paramilitary group in Colombia, but the verdict in Florida represents the first time Chiquita has been found culpable. The decision, which the company said it planned to appeal, could influence the outcome in other suits, legal experts said.

Persons: Chiquita bankrolled Organizations: Chiquita Brands, Monday, United Self - Defense Forces, Chiquita Locations: South Florida, Colombia, Florida

☆ Australian billionaire proposes secure gate system to supply aid to Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Brisbane, Australia CNN —An Australian billionaire is offering to build a secure gate system on the Israel-Gaza border that he says could allow 10,000 metric tons of food aid to be delivered each day to starving Palestinians. He’s also committed $5 million to improve the Jordanian humanitarian land corridor by building storage warehouses to allow more aid to pass to Gaza. Cargo trucks carrying humanitarian aid move through security inspections before crossing into the Gaza Strip, in Kerem Shalom, Israel on March 14. The IDF has repeatedly said hundreds of trucks carrying humanitarian aid have been entering the Gaza Strip, but aid organizations say the supplies are not reaching civilians in need. The passage of aid into Gaza has become gridlocked by Israeli inspections, and in some cases the temporary closure of access points.

Persons: Australia CNN —, Andrew Forrest, Antony Blinken, He’s, ” Forrest, Minderoo, Forrest, Israel, Fortescue, Marcus Yam Organizations: Australia CNN, Minderoo Foundation, United Nations, US, CNN, Cargo, Los Angeles Times, Israel Defense Forces, Ministry of Health, IDF, United Nations Security, Systems, NET, US Agency for International Development Locations: Brisbane, Australia, Israel, Gaza, Jordan, Egypt, Kerem Shalom, airdrops

☆ Israel thrust between far-right support and Gaza cease-fire, as Netanyahu rival quits war cabinet
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-10 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Amir Levy | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesIsrael's war cabinet minister Benny Gantz resigned from the emergency government, dealing a decisive blow which is expected to entrench Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deeper into a far-right support base that opposes a cease-fire in Gaza. A former chief of staff of the Israeli Defense Forces, centrist Gantz co-founded and led the National Unity party that joined Netanyahu's emergency government after the outbreak of the Gaza war. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Cabinet minister Benny Gantz during a press conference in the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv , Israel , 28 October 2023. And the prime minister himself. Around 1,200 people were killed in Israel, Israeli official figures say, since the start of the Gaza conflict.

Persons: Benny Gantz, Amir Levy, Benjamin Netanyahu, Gantz, Netanyahu, Regrettably, Yoav, Gallant, entreat Gantz, Yair Lapid, Gadi Eisenkot, Lapid, Eran Etzion, Etzion, Jack Guez, Nimrod Goren, Goren, Itamar Ben Organizations: Getty, entrench, Israeli Defense Forces, National Unity, Gaza, Palestinian, Hamas, Reuters, Defense, Criminal, Gaza's Ministry of Health, Israel's National Security Council, CNBC, Ultra, Sheba Tel, HaShomer Medical Centre, Afp, Middle East Institute, U.S, Jewish Power Party Locations: Gaza, Tel Aviv, Israel, Rafah, Sheba, Ramat Gan, of Israel

Biden administration officials have discussed potentially negotiating a unilateral deal with Hamas to secure the release of five Americans being held hostage in Gaza if current cease-fire talks involving Israel fail, according to two current senior U.S. officials and two former senior U.S. officials. The Biden administration has said it believes Hamas is holding five American hostages who were abducted during the Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel. The officials did not know what the U.S. might give Hamas in exchange for the release of American hostages. Earlier this week, Israeli officials estimated that some 120 hostages are still being held by Hamas and that 43 of them have died in captivity. Over the weekend, four Israeli hostages kidnapped from the Nova music festival were rescued in an operation conducted by the Israel Defense Forces.

Persons: Biden, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Alexander, Sagui Dekel, Chen, Hersh Goldberg, Polin, Omer Neutra, Keith Siegel, Itay Chen, Judy Weinstein, Gad Haggai, Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, Bill Burns, Brett McGurk Organizations: Hamas, U.S, Qatari interlocutors, White, Nova, Israel Defense Forces, NBC News, National, CIA Locations: Gaza, New York City , New York, Israel, Qatari, U.S

CNN —Three hostages rescued by the Israeli military during a deadly raid in Gaza were held captive by a journalist, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) alleged Sunday, without providing evidence to support their claim. More than 200 people were killed in the Israeli raid, according to Gazan authorities. The four rescued hostages are in “good medical condition” and are receiving medical attention, according to the IDF. More than 70 hostages held in Gaza since Hamas’ deadly surprise attack on October 7 are believed to be alive. More than 100 hostages were freed under a temporary truce last year, while Israel has rescued seven hostages by military means.

Persons: Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, Shlomi Ziv, Abdallah Aljamal, Noa Argamani, Aljamal, Ramy Abdu, Israel, Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera’s, ” Aljamal, Aljamal’s, “, Argamani Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, Nova, IDF, Human Rights, Al, Palestine, Foreign Ministry, Palestinian Ministry of Labor, Residents, Aqsa Martyrs Hospital Locations: Gaza, Al Jazeera, Qatar, Al, Aqsa, Israel

Eyewitnesses also said that they saw Israeli forces in disguise – dressed as Hamas fighters or civilians. The Israeli military denied using civilian vehicles, but declined to say whether the officers conducting the rescue were disguised as militants or dressed as Palestinian civilians. The Israeli military had previously used civilian clothing as a tactic in its operations. But soon after the mission got underway, Israeli soldiers and militants began to exchange fire, according to eyewitness accounts and statements from the Israeli military. A senior Biden administration official tells CNN that Israeli forces did not use an aid truck in the operation.

Persons: Mercedes, –, “, ” Khalil Al Tirawi, Mercedes van, — Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, Shlomi Ziv, Noa Argamani’s, Adm, Daniel Hagari, ”, Argamani, Arnon Zamora, Al Tirawi, Abdullah Jouda, ” Jouda, ” Hagari, Fadi Thabet, Trevor Ball, Richard Weir, ” Al Tirawi, Nidal Abdo, Zamora, Yaron Finkelman, that’s, Jake Sullivan, CNN’s Dana, ” Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Hagari, Alex Marquardt Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, Nova, Israeli Security Agency, IDF, ” CNN, National Police, Hamas ’, Al, CNN CNN, Mercedes, Human Rights Watch, Biden, Southern Command, Union, Sheba Medical, Ichilov Locations: Nuseirat, Gaza, Israeli, Jabalia, Al Jazeera, Argamani, United States, Israel, U.S, “ State, Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv

☆ How Israel’s operation to rescue four hostages from Gaza unfolded
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-09 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | Benjamin Brown | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Israel’s operation to rescue four hostages took weeks of preparation and involved hundreds of personnel, its military said. Israel heavily bombarded central Gaza as it carried out the operation, killing more than 200 Palestinians and wounding many others, according to Gaza hospital officials. “Israeli forces have been preparing for this rescue mission for weeks. The special operation was months in the making, and Israeli forces prepared by building models of the apartments the hostages were being held in to train in, Hagari said. But on the ground in Gaza, Palestinians described scenes of carnage following the strikes that led up to the rescue.

Persons: – Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, Shlomi Ziv –, Daniel Hagari, Hagari, Jehad, ”, ” Hagari, Nidal Abdo, Ori Megidish, Fernando Marman, Louis Har, Mahmoud Abbas, “, Abbas Organizations: CNN, Staff, Nova, Palestinian, Israel Defense Forces, IDF, Israel, Saturday, United Nations, UN Security Council, UN Locations: Gaza, Israel, Nuseirat, Rafah, Palestinian

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