| ■ HOSTAGES/CEASE-FIRE: Hamas said that Israel’s renewed military aggression in Gaza « will not bring the hostages back alive; it will risk their lives and kill them, » adding that « the only way to bring them back is through negotiation. » During his meeting with PM Netanyahu at the White House on Monday, U.S. President Trump said that the Gaza war « will stop at some point that won’t be in the too distant future. » Trump recalled his meeting with eight freed Israeli hostages, saying that he asked them: « Was there any sign of love? Did Hamas show any signs of, like, help or liking you? Did they give you a piece of bread extra? Did they give you a meal on the side? Like what happened in Germany. » UN Director General Antonio Gueterres met with relatives of Israeli hostages and condemned Hamas for « brutal kidnapping and horrible treatment, » calling for all hostages to be « released immediately and unconditionally. » Israel’s public broadcaster Kan pulled a promo for its interview with released hostage Liri Albag after she faced a wave of online attacks over her criticism of Netanyahu in the segment. Kan said it removed the promo from its platforms at the Albag family’s request following the backlash, which included « explicit threats against her life, slander, and curses. » A Kan presenter commented: « It is unbelievable that we have to do this, but we at Kan wish to condemn any attempt to harm an IDF soldier, a survivor of captivity, just because she dared to speak out or criticize those who abandoned her. »■ GAZA: The Hamas-controlled Health Ministry reported that 58 people have been killed and 213 wounded in the Strip over the past 24 hours. According to the statement, since the cease-fire collapsed on March 18, 1,449 people have been killed and 3,647 wounded in Israeli strikes on Gaza. During his meeting with Netanyahu, Trump said that Gaza is « important real estate » and that the « U.S. controlling Gaza would be a good thing » and that he envisaged a « freedom zone » outside Gaza where « people won’t be killed, » while calling for other countries to accept Palestinians. Trump also mentioned the « ocean front property » that Israel « gave up » during the 2005 disengagement, commenting that it « didn’t work out. » On Tuesday, Netanyahu said in a video statement that « we are currently in contact with countries discussing the option of absorbing many Gazan residents. It is important because this is what needs to eventually happen. »« As the Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip continues to escalate, a new online trend has emerged among Palestinians in the besieged enclave: a public plea to leave. ‘I Want to Leave the Gaza Strip With My Family’ has become a viral phrase on social media platforms, posted in Arabic, English and even Hebrew. Gazans are tagging humanitarian organizations and UN institutions like the UNRWA refugee agency and the UN Population Fund in hopes that someone – anyone – will respond. While world leaders and regional allies have condemned displacement plans like the U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed ‘voluntary relocation’ of Gaza, it is now Palestinians themselves, overwhelmed by months of bombardment, starvation and hopelessness, who are asking to be allowed to leave » – Nagham Zbeedat IRAN – U.S.: At the White House, next to Netanyahu, Trump announced the start of « direct » talks between the U.S. and Iran « at the highest level » on Saturday. ‘If the talks aren’t successful, Iran will be in great danger, » he added. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi posted on X on Tuesday that indirect high-level talks would be held in Oman, adding: « It is as much an opportunity as it is a test. The ball is in America’s court. »■ LEBANON: An Israeli drone struck in southern Lebanon, outlets in the country reported. ■ WEST BANK: A reserve platoon in the IDF’s Etzion brigade was disbanded and a company commander was dismissed after soldiers vandalized property in the Dheisheh refugee camp. Footage shared on social media showed the soldiers entering homes in the camp, spraying graffiti on walls, overturning furniture, and emptying closets. The IDF said Israeli soldiers shot and killed a Palestinian woman at a main intersection in the West Bank, claiming that she had thrown rocks at civilian vehicles and tried to stab troops stationed nearby before being shot. Settlers torched and vandalized a wedding hall in the village of Bidiya, leaving hateful graffiti in Hebrew that read « Death to Arabs » and « revenge, » according to Palestinian reports. The Israel Police and Shin Bet said they opened a joint investigation into the matter. The IDF condemned the incident, adding that « the army will continue to act determinedly to maintain security and order in the region. » |
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| Israel declared war after Hamas killed at least 1,200 Israelisand wounded more than 3,300 on October 7. In Gaza, the Hamas-controlled health ministry reports that at least 50,695 Palestinians have been killed. Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad hold 59 hostages, soldiers and civilians, dead and alive, including foreign nationals. The war erupted after 10 months of an intense domestic political and social crisis, due to legislation promoted by the Netanyahu government aimed at dramatically weakening Israel’s judiciary and the prime minister’s corruption trial, amid an escalation of violence between West Bank Palestinians and Israeli settlers, the latter empowered by Israel’s most right-wing government ever. |
| From HAARETZ |