Israel war on Gaza live: Rafah fighting rages as political divisions widen

Israeli tanks push deeper into western Rafah in south Gaza, firing shells at displaced people’s tents, with one armoured vehicle blown up by a Hamas-planted improvised explosive device.< . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . /li>
The White House describes Benjamin Netanyahu’s criticism of the suspension of one US weapons delivery to Israel as “vexing” and “disappointing” as the public rift between the two allies continues to intensify.
Israeli forces have carried out deadly air attacks across Gaza over the past 24 hours, including a strike on a home that has killed eight people in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighbourhood.
United Nations experts warn arms manufacturers against transferring weapons to Israel, saying it could make them complicit in violations of international law carried out in Gaza.
At least 37,431 people have been killed and 85,653 wounded in Israel’s war on Gaza since October 7. The death toll in Israel from the Hamas-led attacks stands at 1,139 as dozens of people are still held captive in Gaza.

Ending war in Gaza key to settlement with Hezbollah: Retired Israeli general

Israel Ziv says ending the war in Gaza is key to reaching a settlement with Hezbollah, Israeli Channel 12 reports.

Here are some other points the retired Israeli general made:

The pressure on reserve forces has become unbearable and the political situation is dangerous and deteriorating.
There’s a growing confidence crisis among the public and difficulty in dealing with the problem of those who fled their homes nine months ago.
Israel does not have the ability to withstand more months in light of the bad situation, economic deterioration and political collapse.
Great pressure must be exerted on Hamas, the captives must return, the war in Gaza must end and a settlement in the north must be made.

German FM to travel to Middle East next week

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will visit the Middle East next week as the Gaza war grinds on and fears grow of a wider regional conflict.

A Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said Baerbock will travel to Israel on Monday after a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Luxembourg.

On arrival in Israel, Baerbock – who has visited the region several times since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza – will give a speech at the Herzliya Security Conference.

On Tuesday, she will hold talks with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank.

Baerbock will also meet with the Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz in Jerusalem.

Afterwards, Baerbock will travel to Lebanon for talks with officials in Beirut, including the migration minister.

Baerbock’s discussions with officials would focus on “the war in Gaza and the continuing catastrophic humanitarian situation”, as well as “the question of what a future could look like that allows Israelis and Palestinians to live together in safety”, the ministry spokeswoman said.

The post Israel war on Gaza live: Rafah fighting rages as political divisions widen appeared first on The Muslim News.