Devastation in Gaza as Israel wages war on Hamas
The parents of two dual Israeli-Americans taken hostage on October 7 said the United States government had so far shown more attention and compassion to hostage families than the Israeli government, describing the difference in support as startling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Orna Neutra, the mother of Israeli-American hostage Omer Neutra, told CNN’s Jake Tapper that as a dual citizen of both countries, “the compassion and the attention and the seriousness with which we’ve been addressed over here [in the United States], the difference is startling towards the hostage families. It’s been pretty awful.”
She went on to say that she believed that apart from some fringe members of the Israeli government, most feel it is time to bring the hostages out “right now.”
Ruby Chen, the father of Israeli-American hostage Itay Chen, who was killed on October 7, said that he echoed Neutra’s comments, adding that he never received a condolence call from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after his son’s death was confirmed.
“When I got the awful news, President Biden gave us a condolence call. I am still waiting for that call from our Prime Minister,” Ruby Chen said.
Israel’s Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant said Wednesday the country’s military offensive in Gaza would not be halted for any resumption of ceasefire and hostage release talks with Hamas.
Egyptian, Qatari and American officials were expected to meet in Doha from Wednesday to revive Gaza truce negotiations, according to US and Egyptian officials.
The meetings come after US President Joe Biden on Friday laid out a three-phase proposal— a plan characterized as an Israeli plan — that would pair a release of hostages with a “full and complete ceasefire” in Gaza.
A man has been arrested following an overnight shooting near the US embassy in Lebanon, in Awkar, northeast of Beirut, Lebanese authorities say. The embassy has been shut down to the public following the incident.
A Syrian national was injured after army members deployed to the area responded with fire, the Lebanese army said Wednesday, adding the male suspect was arrested and transferred to a hospital for treatment. Security forces in Lebanon also detained the sibling of the gunman, according to local media.
An investigation is underway, the army said. The gunman who allegedly targeted the embassy was wearing “what appeared to be ISIS insignia,” according to a State Department spokesperson. A source at the embassy in Lebanon previously told CNN they could not divulge information about the gunman’s motivations.
The United States remains “incredibly concerned” about the risk of escalation on the Israel-Lebanon border, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Wednesday.
Meanwhile, at least 10 people were injured in northern Israel on Wednesday following a drone assault from the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon, according to Israeli authorities.
The Israeli military says Hezbollah militants in Lebanon launched at least two explosive UAVs in the attack on northern Israel Wednesday evening. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the attack that came amid an escalation of tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border.
Controversial march:
A controversial annual flag-flying march held by nationalist Israelis through Muslim areas of Jerusalem’s Old City took place on Wednesday. Large crowds of young Israeli nationalists pushed their way through the narrow streets of Jerusalem’s Old City intimidating, and in some cases attacking, Palestinian shopkeepers and journalists, as they marked Jerusalem Day in what has become the traditional fashion.
Israeli police said they detained five suspects for throwing objects toward journalists during the parade.
IDF investigation:
The Israeli military has launched investigations into the deaths of Palestinians who died in Israeli military custody during its offensive in Gaza, an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson has told CNN.
At least 36 detainees have died in Israeli detention facilities since October, according to an IDF statement on Wednesday, including those with previous illnesses or injuries sustained as a result of the fighting. hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs hgs
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