Opposition leader says gov’t busy dividing people, not winning Gaza war – Middle East Monitor

SummaryIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged retaliation against the Houthi missile strike near Ben Gurion Airport, which resulted in minor injuries. The Houthis threatened to impose an "aerial blockade" on Israel in response to military actions in Gaza, while Netanyahu indicated that attacks emanate from Iran and promised a response at a chosen time and place. Following the incident, the airport briefly halted flights, and investigations revealed failures in intercepting the missile by Israeli...

The Palestinian government has rejected an Israeli proposal for distributing humanitarian aid in Gaza, emphasizing the need to uphold the role of UNRWA and Palestinian organizations. The government criticized the plan for violating humanitarian principles and called for international pressure on Israel to facilitate aid entry, as ongoing Israeli restrictions since March have led to severe shortages, including food and essential goods. Concerns were raised that the proposed distribution mechanism would exclude vulnerable populations, such...

Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead announced the cancellation of two upcoming shows with Israeli musician Dudu Tassa in the UK due to "credible threats," which has been welcomed by the pro-Palestinian PACBI-BDS movement, who view the events as complicit in the "artwashing" of genocide. In a letter, Greenwood and Tassa expressed disappointment over the censorship and silencing of artists, emphasizing that art should transcend politics and that musicians should be free to perform regardless of their...

Hamas Rejects Ceasefire Talks Amid Growing Humanitarian CrisisHamas has dismissed ceasefire discussions with Israel, citing a "hunger war" as famine looms in Gaza, where military plans for broader assaults are underway following a two-month blockade. Senior Hamas official Basem Naim emphasized the need for global pressure on Israel to halt its actions as nearly all 2.3 million residents face displacement and escalating violence. Meanwhile, international condemnation of Israel's military strategy grows, with calls for ceasefire...

A former Israeli captive, Mia Schem, 23, expressed feeling safer in Gaza than in Israel after her release in a November 2023 prisoner swap. She has also come forward as a plaintiff in a rape case against a well-known personal trainer in Tel Aviv, alleging the use of a date rape drug, though the suspect was released due to lack of evidence despite reportedly failing a polygraph test. A court has imposed a gag order...

The Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) executed a drone attack on the seaport and airport in Port Sudan, resulting in fires and loud explosions, as reported by an Anadolu correspondent. The Sudanese government has not yet commented on the incident, which led to delays and rescheduling of several flights at the airport. This attack marks the third drone strike on Port Sudan city within a 48-hour period, according to local sources. Full Article