Jerusalem did not receive any “announcement or decision from the Bahraini government to recall the countries’ ambassadors,” the ministry said.
Lebanon’s Al Mayadeen satellite television station, which has ties to the Hezbollah terrorist organization, reported that Bahrain recalled Ambassador Khaled Yousif Al-Jalahma and halted economic relations with Israel.
The report cited an announcement made by the Bahraini Council of Representatives, the lower house of the country’s National Assembly. The Bahraini Foreign Ministry did not issue a statement on the matter.
Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian property
In response to a fatal terror shooting in the northern West Bank, Israeli settlers are reported to have set fire to Palestinian shops, cars, and olive groves in the village of Deir Sharf near Nablus. The video shows smoke rising from various locations in the town, and there is evidence of Palestinian olive groves also being set ablaze.
As a protest against the Israeli army's alleged refusal to lock down Nablus following the shooting, settler activists, including rabbis, blocked a key road leading to the city. Clashes ensued with Border Police officers sent to disperse the demonstration, resulting in the arrest of three Israelis on charges of arson and disturbing public order.
US President Joe Biden expressed his support for a humanitarian pause on Wednesday evening in response to a protester's call for a ceasefire.
While addressing a fundraiser in Minneapolis, Biden was interrupted by a person in the audience who identified as a rabbi and urged him to call for an immediate ceasefire.
In response, President Biden stated that he supported a temporary cessation of hostilities to facilitate the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. It's important to note that while he expressed support for a pause, neither Biden nor other administration officials have officially endorsed a ceasefire.
Many Western leaders have also called for a humanitarian "pause" rather than a full ceasefire, emphasizing Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas. The term "pause" implies a temporary halt in fighting to allow aid to reach civilians and potentially aid in the release of hostages, with the possibility of resuming hostilities once aid has been delivered.
The idea of a pause has been discussed by the Biden administration in various contexts, including at the United Nations and in conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, Israel has so far appeared to reject the concept.
The area of London is 1,572.03 km^2
The area of The Gaza Strip is 365 km^2
London population density - 5,598/km^2
The Gaza Strip population density - 6,507/km^2
London children/adults ratio - approximately 25/75
The Gaza Strip children/adults ratio - approximately 50/50
The length of the London underground is 402 km
The length of the terrorist tunnels are over 400 km
The London Underground is located underground in London
The terrorist tunnels are located underground in the Gaza Strip
Hamas Seeks To Incite Hatred Between Jews, Arabs: Israeli President
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has accused the Hamas terrorist group of attempting to provoke hatred between Jewish and Arab citizens amid the ongoing war. Herzog emphasized the need to unequivocally combat these efforts and eliminate enmity, racism, and violence within the population, recognizing the crucial role of Arab citizens in Israel. He also warned against what he referred to as a "psychological campaign" being conducted against Israel and stressed the importance of returning hostages and achieving victory in the ongoing conflict.
The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed that they targeted a Hamas command and control complex in Gaza's Jabaliya refugee camp and eliminated Hamas terrorists in the strike. The IDF accused Hamas of intentionally using civilian buildings to conceal its terror infrastructure, endangering Gazan civilians. The airstrikes have resulted in casualties, and have caused significant destruction in the area. While Israel defended its actions by stating that they targeted a top Hamas commander, Hamas denied the presence of one of its leaders in the camp.
Ghazi Hamad, Hamas Political Bureau are ready to sacrifice the Palestinians:
"We must Teach Israel a lesson, and we will do this again and again. The Al-Aqsa Flood [7th October] is just the first time, and there will be a second, a third, a fourth"
"Will we have to pay a price? Yes, and we are ready to pay it. We are called a nation of martyrs, and we are proud to sacrifice martyrs."
"The occupation must come to an end.", Hamad
"Occupation where? In the Gaza Strip?", reporter
"No, I am talking about all the Palestinian lands.", Hamad
"Does that mean the annihilations of Israel?", reporter
"Yes, of course", Hamad
"On October 7, October 10, October 1000000 - everything we do is justified."
Palestinian officials have said that 76 wounded Gazans and 335 foreign passport holders have been able to exit the territory, bringing the total to more than 400.
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The US has deployed special forces to Israel to aid in the search for hundreds of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Christopher Maier, an assistant secretary of defense, confirmed the presence of commandos while stating that their role is primarily to assist in identifying and securing hostages, including American citizens. The US commandos are working in collaboration with other US agencies, such as the FBI and the State Department, as well as their Israeli counterparts. The deployment is part of efforts to support Israel in addressing the hostage situation and the conflict with Hamas.
At least 245 people abducted when thousands of Hamas terrorists invaded southern Israel in a devastating October 7 attack that also killed some 1,400 people. Most of those being held captive are civilians, and several hold US citizenship. Israel is still tallying the number of people it believes were taken captive, but last week it said that over half — 138 — have foreign passports from 25 countries. Over 200 foreigners or dual nationals were killed or abducted in the onslaught. Thirty-one Americans died, according to the White House, and 13 have been listed as missing.
Strikes on south Gaza: BBC verifies attacks in areas of ‘safety’
We asked if these areas had been struck by IDF forces and whether warnings had been given prior to these attacks.
In its response the IDF said it:
"Cannot provide any further information regarding these specific locations".
"[It had] called on civilians in Gaza to move south for their safety but will continue striking terrorist targets in all parts of Gaza".
"In accordance with international law, the IDF takes precautionary measures in order to avoid damage to the civilian population. These measures include warnings before strikes in cases where it is possible to do so."
Bolivia has cut diplomatic ties with Israel over what it describes as "aggressive and disproportionate" military actions in Gaza.
Deputy Foreign Minister Freddy Mamani said Bolivia called for a ceasefire and would be supplying the blockaded Gaza Strip with aid.
It is the first Latin American country to cut ties with Israel over the war.
The presidents of Colombia and Brazil have also both criticised the actions of Israel in Gaza.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro called for Israel's ambassador to leave the country before stepping back the comments.
Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva urged a ceasefire. Following reports of a new Israeli air strike in Gaza, Lula said on X: "We are seeing, for the first time, a war in which the majority of those killed are children... Stop! For the love of God, stop!"
According to information from Reuters, the General Administration of Crossings and Borders in Gaza, which is under the control of HAMAS like other governing bodies in Gaza, has received a notification from Egyptian authorities indicating their preparedness to permit 81 severely injured residents of Gaza to cross the border.
Historically, Egypt, the only country besides Israel that shares a border with the Gaza Strip, has declined entry to residents from the enclave. However, recent reports from Egyptian sources suggest that, commencing from Wednesday at the Rafah crossing point, Egyptian authorities will initiate the reception of patients from Gaza's hospitals and direct them to Egyptian facilities for further medical treatment.
While one member of the Israeli government expressed support for such a decision today, it's important to note that neither Israel nor Egypt has officially confirmed the adoption of this policy as of yet.
Earlier today, a group of protesters supporting Palestine disrupted the Senate hearing featuring the US Secretary of State. They dipped their hands in red paint and called upon Antony Blinken to advocate for a Gaza ceasefire. These demonstrators interrupted Blinken's testimony multiple times, leading to their removal from the hall by the police.
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Hezbollah — a much more powerful force than the Lebanese national army — has managed the situation “rationally and wisely”
Lebanon is currently gripped by mounting anxiety as the conflict between Hezbollah, the formidable armed group, and Israel appears to be teetering on the brink of chaos. The situation has taken a dangerous turn, with both sides launching strikes deeper into each other's territory, a significant escalation from their previous skirmishes confined to the border region between Israel and Lebanon.
These attacks primarily focus on military installations and combatants, but regrettably, there have also been a few civilian casualties. Most of the villages caught in the crossfire have been evacuated as residents flee to the relative safety of Hezbollah's stronghold in the outskirts of vibrant Beirut, for the time being.
Online activism is on the rise, with a petition gathering over 8,939 signatures, urging the Lebanese government not to be drawn into this war. It cautions against Lebanon becoming another "arena for proxy wars" waged by foreign powers.
Interestingly, some residents are taking a bolder stance, advocating for Lebanon to adopt a more assertive posture in light of the devastating impact of Israel's attacks on Gaza, which has seen a high death toll.
Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, emphasized his efforts to prevent an all-out war despite the escalating tensions along the southern border. He expressed a desire for peace, stating, "The Lebanese have had enough of wars". He added that Hezbollah — a much more powerful force than the Lebanese national army — has managed the situation “rationally and wisely”. But he expressed fear that Lebanon could slide into the war, sparking a wider regional conflict.
“Chaos could engulf the entire Middle East,” he warned.
Israel’s Arrow air defense system has intercepted a surface-to-surface missile launched from Yemen
In a recent development, Israel's Arrow air defense system successfully thwarted an incoming surface-to-surface missile originating from the 'Red Sea area,' as confirmed by the Israeli military.
Meanwhile, a representative for Yemen's Houthi rebels acknowledged their responsibility for launching both ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as deploying aerial drones, all aimed at Israel. Houthi spokesperson Gen. Yahya Sarea, who is linked to the Iran-backed group, declared that these attacks will persist until Israeli actions cease.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) disclosed that they managed to intercept two ballistic missiles, one cruise missile, and numerous drones in the airspace over the Red Sea, all of which were headed towards the city of Eilat which is a typical resort town located at the southernmost tip of Israel. The Israeli Air Force successfully tracked one of the missiles and, in a precision operation, the Arrow system intercepted it “at the most appropriate operational time and location,”, according to statements from the IDF.
Netanyahu says Israel will not agree to a cease-fire; UNICEF says 'more than 420 children are being killed or injured in Gaza every day'
The IDF said Monday it is expanding its ground incursion into Gaza, as the country enters a second phase of its war against Hamas.
Israel has pledged to continue its "large scale, significant strikes" in pursuit of Hamas militants responsible for the Oct. 7 carnage.
The number of people killed by Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip continues to climb, with the Palestinian health ministry in the West Bank saying the death toll has passed 8,000, drawing on data from the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry. The IDF updated the number of hostages held captive by Hamas in Gaza to 239.
UNICEF officials told the UN Security Council during an emergency meeting that "more than 420 children are being killed or injured in Gaza every day."
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini told the council nearly 70% of those reported killed in Gaza were children and women. "Save the Children reported yesterday that nearly 3,200 children were killed in Gaza in just three weeks. This surpasses the number of children killed annually across the world's conflict zones since 2019," Lazzarini said.
IDF commander: Fuel will be allowed to reach Gaza hospitals
In response to a question from the press about fuel supplies to Gaza, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi says fuel will be allowed in for use in hospitals.
“We have not brought fuel in to this point,” he says. “We check the situation in the Strip every day. For over a week they tell us that the fuel in the hospitals will run out, and it hasn’t. Fuel will be transferred, with oversight, to the hospitals, and we will do everything to ensure that it won’t serve Hamas’s military aims.”
Bahrain recalls ambassador to Israel
Bahrain’s parliament said Thursday that it had recalled its ambassador to Israel amid Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip. The parliament also said the Israeli ambassador in Manama had been sent home and that the kingdom had severed economic ties with Israel. Bahrain normalized ties with Israel in 2020 in a US-brokered agreement as part of the Abraham Accords.
Germany bans any Hamas-related activity
Germany has announced the prohibition of activities associated with Hamas, which is already designated as a terrorist organization in the country. Additionally, the activities of the pro-Palestinian group Samidoun's German branch will also be disbanded.
According to Reuters, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated, "I have today completely banned the activities of a terrorist organization whose aim is to destroy the state of Israel."
The decision to ban these organizations comes in the context of concerns about tensions related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict spreading to Europe. In a related incident in Berlin, following Hamas attacks on October 7, the Berlin branch of Samidoun was linked to individuals handing out baked goods in celebration of the attacks on Israel, according to the police.
In Germany, there has been a commitment to a "zero tolerance" approach to antisemitism, with incidents such as Molotov cocktails thrown at a synagogue in central Berlin and the Star of David being found on the facades of buildings where Jews live in the city.
They steal the fuel and keep it to themselves
The primary generator at the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza malfunctioned on Wednesday night, as reported by Dr. Atef Al Kahlout, the hospital's director. Dr. Al Kahlout explained that while a backup generator was operational in certain areas of the hospital, the entire facility experienced a complete shutdown of its electromechanical systems. This outage affected critical components, including the ventilation systems in the operating rooms, the hospital's sole oxygen station, and the refrigerators in the morgue.
Gaza's Indonesian Hospital plays a crucial role in delivering healthcare services to the northern part of the coastal enclave. It serves as the primary medical facility for numerous individuals injured during two days of Israeli airstrikes on the Jabalya refugee camp.
In response to this situation, the IDF stated, "This recorded conversation exposes Hamas’ exploitation of humanitarian resources. They steal the fuel and choose to keep it all to themselves."
On Wednesday, the Israeli military conducted its second airstrike on Gaza's Jabalia refugee camp in two days, resulting in the killing of another Hamas commander. After the strike, Palestinians in Jabalia searched for survivors amidst the rubble, with one witness describing the incident as a "massacre."
The Israeli military claimed that their airstrikes were based on precise intelligence and targeted a Hamas command and control complex, resulting in the death of the head of the Islamist group's anti-tank missile unit, Muhammad A'sar. The military accused Hamas of intentionally locating its infrastructure near civilian buildings, thus endangering Gazan civilians.
United Nations human rights officials expressed concerns that the Israeli operation could potentially constitute war crimes, citing the high number of civilian casualties and the extensive destruction caused by the airstrikes. Gaza authorities provided the figure of 195 casualties from the camp explosion on that Wednesday.
Jordan tells its ambassador to leave Israel over war in Gaza
“The ambassador would only return to Tel Aviv if Israel halted its war on the enclave and ended “the humanitarian crisis it has caused,” the ministry added.
Israel’s ambassador in Jordan, who left two weeks ago amid protests, would only be allowed to return on the same conditions, the ministry added. - Reuters
Israel Goes Unnamed As State From Online Maps In China
During the Israel-Hamas conflict, some top Chinese online map services, such as Baidu and Alibaba, removed Israel's name from their maps. This omission has sparked discussion among Chinese internet users and attracted attention. Both Baidu and Alibaba have not officially explained this change. China initially supported a ceasefire in the conflict but later acknowledged Israel's right to self-defense and offered to coordinate for a comprehensive solution. The conflict continues with ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas, and there is disagreement on the call for a ceasefire.
The Jewish section of the central cemetery in Vienna was desecrated last night
Oskar Deutsch, the head of the Jewish community of Austria, reported, "During the night, a fire was set in the Jewish part of the central cemetery (IV Gate). The anteroom of the ceremonial hall was severely damaged. Swastikas were sprayed on the exterior walls. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident. The fire department and police are currently conducting an investigation." Deutsch also called for a united stand against anti-Semitism and misanthropy, urging an end to attacks on Israel, Judaism, and democracy, as well as the liberation of all hostages.
This disturbing incident occurred the day after the German tabloid newspaper Bild published a significant article addressing the rise of hate in Germany. The article stated, "Since the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel, we are witnessing a new dimension of hatred in our country, directed against our values, democracy, and Germany itself." The article included a manifesto with points opposing aspects of Islam's doctrine, such as:
- "Men are allowed to love men, and women are allowed to love women."
- "The length of a skirt is solely decided by the woman wearing it."
- "Virginity is not a prerequisite for marriage."
Furthermore, the article emphasized the importance of Germany's national interest in Israel's security, given the history of the darkest chapter, and stated, "Supporting the security of the Jewish people is non-negotiable, while criticism of Israel's policies is, of course, allowed."
The initial group of ambulances, transporting injured Gaza residents, has successfully entered Egypt via the Rafah border. At least seven individuals have made this crossing, and more are anticipated to do so. Reports suggest that 88 injured Palestinians are scheduled to depart today, alongside up to 500 foreign nationals.
According to the UK's Foreign Office, the Rafah crossing is expected to remain accessible for limited periods, with strict controls, to facilitate the departure of particular groups of foreign nationals and individuals with severe injuries.
Is there an opportunity for non-injured Palestinians to be rescued as well?
The director general of the Palestine Red Crescent Society has told BBC News that 25 civilians were killed in the attack on the Jabalia refugee camp.
Earlier, the Hamas-run health ministry and a hospital director said at least 50 people were killed.
Multiple casualties, both fatalities and injuries, have been reported within the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza. According to the Hamas-operated health ministry and the director of the nearby Indonesian hospital, the toll currently stands at a minimum of 50 individuals who lost their lives. The ministry attributed the explosion to an Israeli airstrike.
Approximately five hours later, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) officially confirmed that Israeli fighter jets were responsible for the attack on the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza. This attack resulted in the demise of senior Hamas commander Ibrahim Biari and the destruction of Hamas's subterranean infrastructure. Additionally, several other Hamas members who were in the vicinity of the commander, both within the building and underground, lost their lives.
The IDF spokesperson explained that the targeted building's destruction led to the collapse of other nearby structures, all of which were found to have an elaborate infrastructure. According to the IDF spokesperson, this infrastructure was primarily intended for conducting terrorist activities against Israeli forces. The entire infrastructure was obliterated during the attack. The spokesperson also accused Hamas of intentionally employing the civilian population as human shields in a manner that he described as "cruel and brutal."
Speaking at a conference on civil defense in Tehran on Monday, Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri , the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces highlighted the significance of civil defense in sustaining resistance in Palestine. He noted that Palestinian fighters have reported constructing over 400 kilometers of tunnels in the northern part of Gaza. Some of these tunnels are large enough to accommodate vehicles and motorcycles, serving as essential passageways.
Furthermore, General Baqeri pointed out that these tunnels have entrances within the Gaza Strip and extend to positions behind the barriers and Israeli forces.
This is allegedly Ashdod, sixth-largest city in Israel. Located in the country's Southern District, it lies on the Mediterranean coast 32 kilometers south of Tel Aviv and 20 km north of Ashkelon.
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IDF reports ferocious battles deep inside Gaza
The Israel Defense Forces says that in the last few hours, troops are engaged in “fierce battles against Hamas terrorists deep in the Gaza Strip.”
The military says ground and air forces hit several Hamas positions and anti-tank guided missile squads.
According to the IDF, troops have killed dozens of terrorists amid the fighting today, as well as seizing weapons.
IDF: Hamas's key operation center underneath Gaza's largest hospital.
The Shifa Hospital is not only the largest hospital in Gaza but it also acts as the main headquarters for Hamas' terrorist activity.
Also, a vast network of Hamas' military tunnels exists under the Gaza with total length of more than 400 kilometers. Typically, tunnel access points are hidden inside buildings, such as private homes, hospitals or mosques, which impedes their detection via aerial imaging or drones.
This is known as Hamas' human shield.
