Israel-Hamas War Day 258 |
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A park with a graffiti in support of hostages kidnapped during the deadly October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, in Tel Aviv on Wednesday.Credit: Eloisa Lopez/ REUTERS
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Smoke billows during an Israeli bombardment in southern Lebanon on Wednesday.Credit: AFP
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A sign depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pictured alongside an Israeli flag at a rally in Ashkelon on Wednesday.Credit: Amir Cohen/ REUTERS
U.S. military’s stop-start Gaza pier to resume operations, officials say ■ Religious Services Minister says ministry is preparing itself for cases of mass burial due to possible war in northern Israel ■ CENTCOM says it strikes targets in Houthi-controlled area of Yemen ■ U.S. cancels strategic meeting with Israel on Iran following Netanyahu’s criticism of the Biden administration
U.S. military’s stop-start Gaza pier to resume operations, officials say ■ Religious Services Minister says ministry is preparing itself for cases of mass burial due to possible war in northern Israel ■ CENTCOM says it strikes targets in Houthi-controlled area of Yemen ■ U.S. cancels strategic meeting with Israel on Iran following Netanyahu’s criticism of the Biden administration
Report: Number of living hostages in Gaza could be as low as 50
The number of living Israeli hostages held in Gaza could be as low as 50, according to a Wall Street Journal report, which quotes mediators in the hostage talks and a U.S. official familiar with the details as sources.
The assessment is partly based on Israeli intelligence, and if true, means 66 of the hostages are dead – 25 more than Israel has publicly acknowledged so far.
It’s important to note that unlike Israel’s official data, the Wall Street Journal’s numbers do not include the four hostages held in Gaza prior to October 7: Avera Mengistu, Hisham al-Sayed, and the bodies of IDF soldiers Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul.
IDF operating, exchanging fire in Jenin, West Bank, residents say
Residents of the West Bank city of Jenin say fire is being exchanged between IDF soldiers and armed persons in the city, after large army forces entered it Thursday morning.
Protesters block Route 65 in calls to release the hostages and against the government
Protesters are blocking Route 65 near Caesarea in calls to release the hostages and against the government. Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is held in Gaza by Hamas, is one of the demonstrators.
Protesters against the government block highway in northern Israel
Demonstrators blocking the costal highway near Ma’agan Michael, on Thursday.Credit: Yael Meshulam
Protesters are blocking Route 2, the costal highway, in calls against the government under the banner “stop the government of destruction.” The protest continues one that started in Caesarea Wednesday night, and is expected to reach its peak in a demonstration outside Prime Minister Netanyahu, led by residents of Israel’s north.
Dozens block Tel Aviv Highway, calling to release hostages
Protesters on Ayalon, on Thursday.Credit: Tomer Appelbaum
Dozens of protesters calling for the return of the hostages have blocked Tel Aviv’s Ayalon Highway. Several family members of hostages held in Gaza participated in the demonstration.
Religious Services Minister says ministry is preparing itself for cases of mass burial due to possible war in northern Israel
Religious Services Minister Michael Malkieli said on Wednesday that his office is “busy preparing itself for bigger things in the north.” In an interview on right-wing news outlet Channel 14, Malkieli said “the Religious Services Ministry, that is in charge of all burial processes in Israel – there are some things you don’t say on air – needs to prepare itself for large scenarios.”
When asked if the ministry is preparing itself for the chance of cases of mass burial due to a possible war on the northern front, he replied positively.
U.S. military’s stop-start Gaza pier to resume operations, officials say
The U.S. military’s on-again, off-again floating pier in Gaza is expected to resume operations on Thursday to unload sorely needed humanitarian aid for Palestinians, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Wednesday.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the pier had been re-attached to the shore on Wednesday after being temporarily removed last Friday due to poor sea conditions.
Aid began arriving via the U.S.-built pier on May 17, and the U.N. said it transported 137 trucks of aid to warehouses, some 900 metric tons.
But then rough seas damaged the pier, forcing repairs, and poor weather and security considerations have limited the number of days it has been operational.
U.S. President Joe Biden announced in March the plan to put the pier in place for aid deliveries as famine loomed in Gaza, a Hamas-run enclave of 2.3 million people, during the war between Israel and the Palestinian militants.
The U.S. military estimates the pier will cost more than $200 million for the first 90 days and involve about 1,000 service members.
It is unclear how much longer it will be operational.
Speaking at the Pentagon on Tuesday, spokesperson Air Force Major General Patrick Ryder declined to say when the military might halt its pier operations altogether. He said the pier has so far allowed for a total of over 3,500 metric tons of aid to reach Gaza’s shores.
“With the caveat that this has always been intended to be a temporary pier, I’m not aware at this point of any established date of: ‘This is when we’re going to stop,’” he told reporters.
“And again, taking a step back here, the big picture: Whether it be by land, sea or air, (the United States is) employing all avenues to get assistance into Gaza.”
CENTCOM says it strikes targets in Houthi-controlled area of Yemen
The U.S. military said on Wednesday it had destroyed one ground control station and one command and control node in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.
In a statement, the U.S. military’s Central Command added its forces also destroyed two Houthi drone boats in the Red Sea.
The Iran-aligned Houthis first launched drone and missile strikes in the key waterway in November in what they say is solidarity with Palestinian militants in Gaza. In over 70 attacks, they have sunk two vessels, seized another and killed at least three seafarers.
Cyprus president responds to Nasrallah: ‘Unpleasant statements that don’t reflect reality’
FILE PHOTO: President Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus on Sunday.Credit: Urs Flueeler/Reuters
President Nikos Christodoulides responded to the threat Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah leveled against the country earlier Wednesday, saying “Cyprus remains uninvolved in any military conflicts and positions itself as part of the solution rather than the problem,” the Cyprus Mail news outlet reported.
Speaking to reporters at the University of Cyprus’ graduation ceremony, Christodoulides stressed the country’s role as a “humanitarian facilitator,” according to the report. “Our humanitarian corridor is a testament to our commitment to peace and stability,” he said. “Cyprus is not part of the problem, it is part of the solution.”
Christodoulides said that Cyprus has open diplomatic channels with both the Lebanese and Iranian governments, and assured foreign leaders that his government will address the matter through these channels, according to the report. While he acknowledged that Nasrallah’s remarks were “troubling,” he “refuted any claims suggesting Cyprus’ involvement in military operations.”
“Such statements are not pleasant, but they do not reflect reality. Cyprus is not participating in any military engagements,” Christodoulides said.