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☆ White House says Israeli troop reduction does not signal new strategy: 'They're tired'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-07 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. national security spokesperson John Kirby speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., March 25, 2024. National Security Spokesman John Kirby on Sunday said that Israel's decision to pull some troops out of Southern Gaza does not appear to indicate a shift in military strategy. However, he added in a separate interview, that after the IDF forces leaving Khan Younis have finished its "rest and refit," the White House does not know what the next military step would be. "What they'll do with those troops after the rest and refit, I can't speak to," Kirby said on CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday. "All I can do is say what I said before: We don't support a major ground operation in Rafah.

Persons: John Kirby, Kirby, Khan Younis, Biden, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's, Michael Horowitz Organizations: White, National Security, Israel Defense Forces, Israeli, IDF, Le Beck, NBC News, CBS Locations: Washington , U.S, Southern Gaza, Gaza, Israel, Rafah

The 30-minute conversation was the two leaders’ first phone call since an Israeli strike killed seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen in Gaza. The killings have set off a furor inside the White House and Biden has been described as reaching a new level of frustration with Israel’s campaign. “President Biden emphasized that the strikes on humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable,” the White House said in a statement shortly after the call wrapped. Blinken said Israel should not stoop to the level of Hamas in its response to the group’s October 7 attacks. Blinken acknowledged the World Central Kitchen strike was not the first time Israel has killed aid workers in the conflict.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s, ’, Biden, “, ” Biden, Israel, Antony Blinken, ”, John Kirby, Kirby, Blinken, ” Blinken, haven’t, ” Kirby, Biden’s, Democratic Sen, Chris Coons –, CNN’s Sara Sidner, Netanyahu, Jennifer Hansler, Donald Judd Organizations: Washington CNN, Israeli, National Security, White House, Central Kitchen, Capitol Hill, Democratic, CNN, Israel, Hamas Locations: Gaza, Israel, Brussels, Blinken, United States, Rafah

☆ US awaits Netanyahu’s response after Biden’s ultimatum
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Despite repeatedly expressing its frustration with Israeli tactics, the White House has been unwilling or unable to impose any leverage on the prime minister. There was no immediate response from the prime minister, who held a cabinet meeting after the call that he used to warn that Israel will defend itself against Iran. The Israeli prime minister is a consummate Washington player and has been engaging with Biden’s Republican foes on Capitol Hill, in an alliance that could increase political complications for the president if he creates deeper fractures with the Israeli prime minister. If Biden eventually assesses his warnings are falling on deaf ears, his credibility will depend on him publicly imposing a cost on the Israeli prime minister. But Biden’s political imperatives and the increasing humanitarian price of the war in Gaza mean he’s approaching a fateful crossroads.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Biden, –, Antony Blinken, Delaware Sen, Chris Coons, Blinken, Israel, John Kirby, Israel –, fulsomely, Biden didn’t, Leon Panetta, CNN’s Jake Tapper, ”, Independent Sen, Bernie Sanders, Tapper, “, ” Sanders, ” Netanyahu’s, ” Netanyahu, ” Kirby, Mike Johnson Organizations: CNN, Arab, Israel, Israel Defense Forces, Democrat, White, Democratic, White House, National Security Communications, Independent, Hamas, Islamic, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, United, Washington, Republican, GOP Locations: Israel, Gaza, United States, Delaware, Palestinian American, Brussels, Washington, Vermont, Iran, Islamic Republic, Damascus, Rafah

☆ Biden and Netanyahu call comes amid extreme mutual tensions and political pressure
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

The conversation will also take place with both leaders under enormous domestic pressure and amid signs their political priorities are irreconcilable. Biden badly needs the war to end to ease anger among progressives that is threatening his weakened political coalition ahead of November’s election. The backdrop to the call is US fury over the killings of seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen in an Israeli strike in Gaza. And the killings of the aid workers threatens to halt a vital lifeline needed to mitigate famine in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip. The strike on Damascus also heaped more domestic political pressure on Biden from inside the Democratic Party.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Benjamin Netanyahu, ’, Biden, Netanyahu, It’s, Xi Jinping, Biden’s, ”, Israel, John Kirby, José Andrés, “, Rishi Sunak, Donald Trump, Thaer Ahmad, Nahreen Ahmed, ‘, Biden “, Benny Gantz, Ro Khanna, Mark Esper, ” Esper, CNN’s Jake Tapper, Netanyahu – Organizations: CNN, Israeli, National Security Communications, Hamas, World, Reuters, Navy, America, Gaza Health Ministry, Israel Defense Forces, Republicans, Capitol, British, Democratic, White, Black, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Democratic Party, ”, Democrats, California Democrat, Americans, Iranian Locations: Gaza, Israel, Rafah, Washington, Syria, China, America, Britain, Australia, Canada, Wisconsin, Michigan, Palestinian American, Palestine, Damascus, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Iranian, Damascus –, United States, Lebanon, California, Jordan

☆ House Speaker Mike Johnson remains undecided on best path ahead on Ukraine aid
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Lauren Fox | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —House Speaker Mike Johnson is pledging to act on Ukraine aid when lawmakers return to Washington next week, but behind the scenes the Louisiana Republican is still undecided on the best path forward and keenly aware of his narrow majority and the threat to his speakership that looms. “He’s got a gun to his head right now,” Rep. Don Bacon, a swing-district Republican, said of the speaker. Greene and Johnson are expected to talk later this week, but the Georgia Republican has remained steadfast in her opposition to Ukraine aid. Given fierce conservative opposition and a narrow margin, it’s possible Johnson could need to bring any Ukraine aid bill to the floor under a suspension of the rules. In recent days, Johnson has also floated the idea of easing natural gas exports, but it’s not clear that would do much to assuage conservative backlash against Ukraine aid.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, “ He’s, ” Rep, Don Bacon, Churchill, ” Johnson, Mitch McConnell, –, Mike McCaul, “, Mike, Chip Roy, Matt Gaetz, I’ve, he’s, they’d, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Greene, ” Greene, ”, Brian Fitzpatrick, Fitzpatrick, It’s, John Kirby, CNN’s Haley Talbot, Manu Raju Organizations: CNN —, Louisiana Republican, ”, Republican, GOP, Republican Rep, Fox News, CNN, Georgia Republican, Democratic, House, White, National Security Communications Locations: Ukraine, Washington, Louisiana, Russia, Israel, Taiwan, Texas, Pennsylvania, Gaza

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war, UN Security Council passes Gaza ceasefire resolution
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Tensions between the US and Israel were further exposed on Monday when Washington stood aside and allowed the UN Security Council to pass a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The US decision to abstain from the vote prompted Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cancel a scheduled trip to the US by two of his top advisers, two Israeli officials said. US and Israeli officials were expected to discuss alternatives to a planned Israeli military ground offensive in Rafah, southern Gaza. Despite US pressure, Netanyahu is determined to launch a ground offensive into the Gazan city, where about 1.4 million people are sheltering in dire conditions. Here are the latest developments in the conflict:

Persons: Washington, Benjamin Netanyahu, We’re, John Kirby, Netanyahu Organizations: UN Security Council, Israel’s, National Security Locations: Israel, Gaza, Rafah, Washington, Gazan

☆ Trump criticizes Israel for releasing photos and videos of its devastating war in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

In an interview Monday, the presumptive Republican Party presidential nominee called on Israel to "finish up" its war in Gaza, saying the country is "losing a lot of support" around the world. Trump has only voiced his opinion on the war in Gaza fairly recently. Back in early March, he called into the "Fox & Friends" show on Super Tuesday, urging Israel to "finish the problem." In the interview Monday, Trump criticized Israel for making "a very big mistake" with photos showing its widespread air raids and bombing campaigns on the strip. AdvertisementSince Israel began its full-scale war against Hamas in Gaza, it has killed more than 32,000 people, mainly women and children, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump, Israel, that's, Trump, would've, Jack Guez, MAHMUD HAMS, Linda Thomas, Greenfield, Netanyahu, Linda Thomas Greenfield, John Lamparski, John Kirby, Kirby Organizations: Service, Israeli, United Nations, Business, Republican, Fox, Hamas, AFP, Getty Images Trump, Israel, Gallup, UN Security, White, UN, Security, Biden, US National Security Locations: Gaza, Israel, Sderot, AFP, Gaza City, China, Russia, Rafah, United States, New York City, Washington

☆ The US allowed a Gaza ceasefire resolution to pass at the UN. What does that mean for the war?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | Abbas Allawati | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Following several failed attempts over five months of Israel’s devastating war in Gaza, the United Nations Security Council on Monday finally passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire. Israeli officials lambasted the resolution, saying they have no intention of ceasing fire. Israel criticized the language of the resolution, saying it doesn’t firmly tie a ceasefire to the freeing of the hostages held in Gaza. Oren Ziv/AFP/Getty ImagesIs the resolution binding on Israel? After the resolution passed, US officials went to great lengths to say that the resolution isn’t binding.

Persons: doesn’t, ”, United Nations Gilad Erdan, Israel Katz, ” Katz, “, Benjamin Netanyahu, Tzachi Hanegbi, Ron Dermer, Joe Biden, Gabriela Shalev, Louis Har, Oren Ziv, Matthew Miller, John Kirby, Linda Thomas, Greenfield, Zhang Jun, Farhan Haq, VI, VII, Maya Ungar, ” Ungar, Yossi Mekelberg, ” Mekelberg, Ungar, ” Shalev, ” Biden, Dawoud Abu Alkas, Biden, Kamala Harris, Kirby, Yoav Gallant, Lloyd Austin, Shalev, Israel Organizations: CNN, United Nations Security, Hamas, United Nations, Council, Foreign, US, UN, Hebrew, Getty, State Department, White, National Security, Crisis Group, ICG, Chatham House, Security Council, Assembly, Reuters, Washington, Israel’s Locations: Gaza, United States, Israel, Washington, Rafah, Israeli, Tel Aviv, UN, Brussels, East, North Africa, London, Al Shifa, Gaza City, Reuters Israel

CNN —Tensions between the US and Israel were exposed on Monday when Washington stood aside and allowed the UN Security Council to pass a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Its position evolved last week when on Friday, it put forward a ceasefire resolution tied tied to the release of hostages. The US abstention on Monday’s vote allowed the latest resolution to pass, when the other 14 members of the 15-strong council voted yes. While resolutions made by the UN Security Council are legally binding, they can be – and have been in the past – ignored, as the UN enforcement mechanisms are limited. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said a failure to implement the resolution would be “unforgivable.”“The Security Council just approved a long-awaited resolution on Gaza, demanding an immediate ceasefire, and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

Persons: Washington, Benjamin Netanyahu, United Nations Linda Thomas, Greenfield, “, António Guterres, ”, ” Guterres, Tzachi Hanegbi, Ron Dermer, Netanyahu, John Kirby, “ We’re, Israel, Barak Ravid’s, Basem Naeim, “ Israel, ” Naeim Organizations: CNN, UN Security Council, Israel’s, US, United Nations, Security, UN, Twitter, National Security Locations: Israel, Gaza, Russia, China, Washington, Gaza’s, Rafah, ”, Doha

☆ Israel defense minister’s meeting with Lloyd Austin comes at a delicate moment in push for US weaponry
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Gallant will be told that the various cases of weapons sales are being worked on, a senior administration official told CNN. “There is scrutiny, but no policy decision to deny” the provision of additional weapons to Israel, the official told CNN. But the defense secretary’s position on providing weapons to Israel has not shifted much since the war began, officials said. “If there is one, that would be something we would want to hear,” said the senior administration official who added that consequences for ignoring US urgings are increasingly being considered. Austin also told Gallant last week that Israel needs “to consider alternatives to a major ground operation in Rafah,” according to a Pentagon readout of their call.

Persons: Yoav Gallant, Lloyd Austin, Gallant, —, Joe Biden’s, Austin, Jake Sullivan, Antony Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, We’re, John Kirby, Israel, “, Patrick Ryder, ”, ” Gallant, Biden, Netanyahu, ” Kirby, Matthew Miller, ” Miller, ” CNN’s Oren Liebermann Organizations: US, Israel, Pentagon, UN, ” National Security, CNN, Austin, Israel Defense Forces, Foreign, State Department, Congress, Democratic Locations: Gaza, Israeli, Washington, Rafah, Israel, Lebanon, ”

☆ Netanyahu cancels Israeli delegation to U.S. over UN Gaza vote
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said he will not send a delegation as planned to Washington after the United States refrained from vetoing a U.N. Security Council proposal calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. "In light of the change in the American position, Prime Minister Netanyahu decided the delegation would not leave," his office said. The United States abstained from the vote. The high-level delegation was due to travel to Washington to discuss a planned Israeli military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians are taking shelter. "It's shocking irresponsibility from a prime minister who has lost it," Lapid wrote on social media platform X.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Monday, Netanyahu, John Kirby, Kirby, We're, Yoav Gallant, Jake Sullivan, Antony Blinken, Yair Lapid, Lapid Organizations: Major, Jewish, Hamas, Security, . Security, United, White House, House, Washington, Israeli, U.S Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Jerusalem, Washington, States, Gaza, Rafah, United States

☆ Tension between the US and Israel boil as UN ceasefire vote passes and Netanyahu vows to push ahead with Rafah offensive
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The UN passed a vote calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, with the US abstaining for the first time. AdvertisementThe divide between the US and Israel is deepening after the United Nations passed a ceasefire vote, a first for the international body after multiple failed attempts. Tensions began to boil over Sunday night, when Netanyahu publicly threatened to cancel the White House meetings before the UN vote, demanding the US veto the ceasefire resolution. Later the next morning, the UN Security Council passed the resolution, calling for an "immediate ceasefire" in Gaza. Israel continues to deploy soldiers, tanks and armored vehicles near the Gaza border in Sderot, Israel on October 14, 2023.

Persons: Netanyahu, —, Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Mostafa Alkharouf, John Kirby, Kirby, we've, Kamala Harris, Israel, Biden, they've Organizations: UN, Biden, Service, United Nations, White, UN Security, Washington DC, GPO, Getty, UN Security Council, US, Security, US National Security, AFP, Hamas Locations: Gaza, Israel, Rafah, Israeli, Tel Aviv, Anadolu, United States, China, Russia, Sderot, Washington

☆ Russia says 60 dead, 145 injured in concert hall raid; Islamic State group claims responsibility
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Gunmen who opened fire at a Moscow concert hall killed more than 60 people and wounded over 100 while sparking an inferno, authorities said on March 23, 2024, with the Islamic State group claiming responsibility. The prosecutor's office said several men in combat fatigues entered the concert hall and fired on concertgoers. Working to extinguish the blaze continues at Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow, Russia after reports of a shooting incident on March 23, 2024. Working to extinguish the blaze continues at Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow, Russia after reports of a shooting incident on March 23, 2024. An injured woman is transported to an ambulance near the Crocus City Hall concert venue following a reported shooting incident, near Moscow, Russia.

Persons: Stringer, Vladimir Putin, Sergei Sobyanin, Putin, fatigues, Ali Cura, Dave Primov, Primov, Aymenn Jawad, Dmitry Medvedev, Mykhailo Podolyak, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, John Kirby, Maksim Blinov Organizations: Crocus City, Gunmen, Islamic, Afp, Getty, Associated Press, Moscow, Health, Crocus City Hall, Anadolu, Russian, U.S, AP, Soviet Union, Russia's Security, White House National Security Council, Embassy, Sputnik Locations: Russian, Crocus, Krasnogorsk, Moscow, U.S, Afghanistan, Russia, Ukraine, Moscow's, Sinai, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Africa, Soviet, Islamic State, Kaluga, Ingushetia, Russia's Caucasus

The warning was related to the attack on Friday, according to people briefed on the matter. Pro-Kremlin voices immediately seized on the U.S. Embassy’s warning to paint America as trying to scare Russians. And he has been quick to accuse Ukraine of acts of terrorism to justify his invasion of the country. But I would disabuse you at this early hour of any connection to Ukraine.”“Our thoughts obviously are going to be with the victims of this terrible, terrible shooting attack,” he also said. Mykhailo Podolyak, a top adviser to Ukraine’s presidential office, said in a video statement that “Ukraine has absolutely nothing to do” with the attack.

Persons: Vladimir V, Putin, Mr, ”, John Kirby, Maria Zakharova, Washington, Mykhailo Podolyak, Aishvarya Kavi Organizations: U.S, Embassy, State Department, Kyiv, Biden’s National Security Council, White, Reuters, “ Locations: Moscow, America, Russia, Ukraine, Russian, U.S, Washington

☆ White House urges Senate to 'move swiftly' on TikTok bill as lawmakers drag their heels
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-17 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

White House national security adviser John Kirby said Sunday that the Senate should swiftly advance a bill that would force Chinese technology company ByteDance to sell TikTok. The bill passed in the House with overwhelming bipartisan support. The bill passed in a 352-65 House vote on Wednesday. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has made clear that he is in no rush on the TikTok bill. The TikTok bill has also sparked debate outside of Capitol Hill.

Persons: John Kirby, We're, Kirby, Joe Biden, Mike, Gallagher, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Chuck Schumer, Schumer, Bill Cassidy, Ben Cardin, Cardin, Donald Trump, Trump, Mike Pence, Pence Organizations: Foreign, Capitol, White House, Chinese Communist Party, Senate, U.S, Wisconsin Republican, CBS, Press, GOP, Facebook Locations: Washington , U.S, American, China, U.S, D, Capitol Hill, TikTok

☆ Netanyahu’s response to Schumer widens rift in US-Israeli relations
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-17 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

But the gulf in trust and goals between Israel and Hamas has thwarted hopes for a breakthrough for weeks. He’s opposing the people of Israel,” Netanyahu said. Despite a fearsome onslaught in Gaza, Hamas is far from defeated. Latest developments also raise the question of whether Schumer’s stinging criticism augurs a shift to more pressure on Netanyahu from Biden. We support Israel.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, CNN’s Dana Bash, Chuck Schumer –, –, Netanyahu, “, we’re, ” Netanyahu, ”, It’s, Sen, Schumer, he’s, castigate Schumer, snubbing, Joe Biden’s, Biden, Schumer’s, John Kirby, Netanyahu don’t, Kirby, they’ve, Ghazi Hamad, Al, Israel, …, Barack Obama, Donald Trump –, it’s, Republican Sen, Mike Rounds, Michael McCaul, acquiescing, Nancy Pelosi –, Israel –, “ Chuck Schumer’s, ” Pelosi Organizations: CNN, Israeli, Hamas, Union, Democratic, White, National Security Communications, ABC, Republican Party, GOP, Netanyahu’s Likud, Republican, Office, White House, Foreign, Fox, Texas Republican, Democratic Party ”, Israel, Former, California Democrat, World Health, Palestinian Authority Locations: Gaza, Washington, Israel, “ State, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Hamas, York, Rafah, ”, Arabiya, United States, Iran, Dakota, Texas, California

☆ Finland follows France and raises possibility of deploying troops to Ukraine, says report
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Finland's Foreign Minister says the West shouldn't rule out deploying troops against Russia. AdvertisementFinland's Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said the West can't rule out the possibility of deploying troops against Russia, Politico reports. "We are not right now sending any troops and not willing to discuss that," she said. He again said that sending Western troops into Ukraine shouldn't be ruled out, though he said the current situation doesn't require it, AP reported. Despite the Biden administration's firm stance against sending US troops to Ukraine, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby stressed on Friday that the decision ultimately lies with individual nations.

Persons: Elina Valtonen, Macron, —, Valtonen, Emmanuel Macron, Le Monde, Olaf Scholz, Putin, Vladimir Putin, ALEXANDER NEMENOV, Ukraine shouldn't, Jonathan NACKSTRAND, Ivo Daalder, Kurt Volker, John Kirby Organizations: Finland's, Politico, Service, NATO, Stalin's Red Army, Getty, Reuters, AP, NATO Nordic, AFP, Biden, National Security Locations: Russia, Finland, Sweden, Soviet Union, Moscow, Paris, Ukraine, Russian, Swedish, AFP Ukraine, Avdiivka

☆ Israel slams Hamas’ latest Gaza ceasefire proposal as ‘ridiculous’ but says it will send negotiators to latest talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The response from Hamas was long-awaited after discussions over a proposed six-week pause in the fighting appeared to stall. Hamas communicated their latest proposal via mediators Qatar and Egypt on Thursday, two sources familiar with the negotiations told CNN. On Friday, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “Hamas is continuing to hold to unrealistic demands” but announced that an Israeli team would soon be traveling to Doha to further talks. The Hamas proposal included 100 prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli prisons, the diplomat said. Even if both Hamas and Israel are participating in the talks, the two sides would not be in the same room.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, ”, Antony Blinken, Israel, ” Blinken, Bill Burns, David Barnea, John Kirby, we’ve, ” Kirby, CNN’s MJ Lee, Ireland’s, Biden nodded, ” Basem Naim, CNN’s Amir Tal, MJ Lee, Betsy Klein, Abeer Salman Organizations: CNN, Qatar, Hamas, Reuters, CIA, Biden, National Security, White House Locations: CNN — Israel, Gaza, Israel, Egypt, Israeli, Doha, Rafah, Qatar, Jordan

☆ 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 US is dropping aid into Gaza. Here’s why that will do little to ease a humanitarian crisis
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-09 | by ( Niamh Kennedy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The US has joined several other countries in airdropping aid into Gaza, which is grappling with a humanitarian crisis. But despite this advantage, aid agencies say their drawbacks overwhelmingly outweigh their benefits. “Humanitarian workers always complain that airdrops are good photo opportunities but a lousy way to deliver aid,” Richard Gowan, the International Crisis Group’s UN Director said. Aid agencies have consistently said not enough aid is reaching Gaza. “When countries use airdrops and these maritime piers is usually if not always in situations when you want to deliver humanitarian aid into enemy territory.

Persons: We’ve, ” Richard Gowan, Michael Fakrhi, “, ” Fakrhi, John Kirby, ”, ” Kirby, Mahmoud Shalabi, Shalabi, Abdel Qader Al Sabbah, Kerem Shalom, Michael Fakhri, Israel, Dave Harden, ” Avril Benoît, CNN’s Louis Mian, Sana Noor Haq, Nadeen Ebrahim, Lauren Kent Organizations: CNN, UN, Food Programme, Islamic, “, Crisis, White, Medical Aid, Palestinian, Food, US Aid, Biden, MSF Locations: Gaza, warzones, Afghanistan, Islamic State, Iraq, Beit Lahia, Palestinian, Israel, Kerem, Rafah

☆ 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

☆ Images show Palestinians running toward food parcels attached to parachutes as US airdrops begin on Gaza beach
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Cameron Manley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The White House said this was the first of many airdrops to come. Parachutes with food parcels attached descended into the territory from around 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on its website. AdvertisementWhile humanitarian agencies have criticized the Biden administration for the airdrops, saying they are inadequate, White House spokesperson John Kirby said it was the first of many airdrops to come. AdvertisementJordanian army airdrops humanitarian aid in the northern Gaza Strip. "There's a framework deal," a senior White House official told reporters on Saturday.

Persons: —, CENTCOM, Biden, John Kirby, Kirby, Joe Biden, Abo, Axios, Abed Zagout Organizations: Service, US Central Command, AFP, Getty, Royal Jordanian Air Force, Abo Alkas, White House, Getty Images Locations: Gaza, Cairo, Israel, Anadolu, Gaza City, KHATIB, AFP

☆ Russia is building momentum off its Avdiivka win and pushing deeper before Ukraine can get new defenses up
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewRussian forces are slowly advancing deeper into parts of eastern Ukraine, building off their momentum after capturing the war-torn city of Avdiivka nearly two weeks ago. AdvertisementUkrainian soldiers of 47th Mechanized Brigade drives on M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle on Avdiivka direction on Feb. 23, 2024 in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. Photo by Vitalii Nosach/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images"These tactical gains serve primarily to consolidate Russian positions around Avdiivka," the latest update said. Ukrainian soldiers of Brigade 71 fire an artillery in the direction of Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on Feb. 18, 2024.

Persons: —, Vitalii Nosach, Diego Herrera Carcedo, Vladimir Putin's, Avdiivka, John Kirby, Biden, Kirby, aren't Organizations: Service, Business, Avdiivka, Kyiv, 47th Mechanized Brigade, Bradley, Getty, Institute for, Brigade, Bakhmut, Moscow, Directorate of Intelligence, Ministry of Defense, White, National Security, Republican Locations: Ukraine, Avdiivka, Moscow, Ukrainian, Russia, Lastochkyne, Donetsk Oblast, Anadolu, Russian, Ukraine's, Donetsk

☆ 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

☆ Russia relishes NATO disarray after hasty denials of plan to deploy ground troops to Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

The United States, Germany, the U.K., Spain, Poland and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg were among those denying that sending ground troops into Ukraine was an option. She claimed NATO countries' denials that they planned to send their ground troops into Ukraine showed the West had "betrayed Ukraine and will continue to use and betray it," repeating Moscow's baseless claims that Western countries are using Ukraine to destroy Russia. After the conference, Macron said discussions had also covered the possibility of deploying ground troops, although he said there was no agreement on the issue. France was left looking increasingly isolated throughout the day Tuesday, with the White House also distancing itself from Macron's comments. When asked about Macron's comments, Kirby said "well, that's a sovereign decision that every NATO ally would have to make for themselves.

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