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Israel has intensified its attacks in Gaza as countries around the world called for restraint, with the region bracing for Iran and Hezbollah to retaliate over the killing of two top commanders in Iran and Beirut.
Around 15 people have been killed after the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) bombed two schools being used to shelter displaced people in the northern Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian Civil Defence.
Israel’s military said that the attacks were intended to destroy Hamas “command-and-control centres” inside the school compounds in the Tuffah neighbourhood of Gaza City.
In a joint statement late on Thursday, the US and other mediating countries demanded Israel and Hamas to return to ceasefire talks as there is “no further time to waste, nor excuses”.
There are growing reports that Hezbollah is poised to strike Israel “independently” of Iran. Hezbollah are moving more quickly than their more powerful ally in planning their retaliation and are looking to strike Israel in the coming days, CNN reported.
Key Points
- Israel strikes two schools in Gaza
- Hezbollah could strike Israel independently of Iran, intelligence suggests
- Iran warns airlines to avoid its airspace
- British troops in Lebanon on standby for evacuation ‘on same scale’ as Kabul
Israel to send negotiators for 15 August ceasefire meeting
Israel will send negotiators to take part in a 15 August meeting to try to reach a Gaza hostage release and ceasefire deal, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today.
“Following the offer from the United States and the mediators, Israel will send on 15 August the delegation of negotiators to the place to be determined, in order to finalise the details and implement the framework agreement,” Mr Netanyahu’s office said.
The US and other allies have stepped up pressure on Israel and Hamas to negotiate a deal, which is believed to be in its final stages, without wasting any time.
Mediating countries Qatar, Egypt and the US a day earlier invited Israel and Hamas to resume Gaza ceasefire talks on 15 August to close all remaining gaps in a proposed agreement and start implementing it without further delay.
The three countries, which have continued to mediate between both sides to end the war in Gaza, said in a joint statement that the talks could take place in either Doha or Cairo.
Shweta Sharma9 August 2024 07:00 1723181408Frustrated mediators call on Israel and Hamas to resume talks with ‘no excuses’
Leaders of the US, Egypt and Qatar jointly demanded Israel and Hamas to return to negotiations on the Gaza war next week, saying there is no time to waste time or excuses.
The mediators said that “only the details” of carrying out a cease-fire and hostage release remain to be negotiated.
“There is no further time to waste, nor excuses from any party for further delay,” they said in a joint statement. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Thursday that it had accepted the invitation.
Only four to five areas of disagreement over implementation remained to be resolved between the two opponents, a senior US official said. The official cited the timing of a planned swap of Palestinian detainees held by Israel, and hostages held by Hamas, as an example.
Shweta Sharma9 August 2024 06:30 1723176978Pictures of Israeli strike on two schools show injured children
Pictures of injured children and women are emerging from Gaza after Israeli forces bombarded two schools where many displaced Palestinians were taking shelter.
The schools were largely destroyed in the strikes, which Israel claimed was necessary to destroy Hamas command centres set up in the schools.
The IDF said steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians prior to the strike, but around 15 people were killed in the two schools.
Three Columbia University deans resign over antisemitic texts
Three deans of Columbia University have resigned following an investigation over text message exchanges with students, a university spokesperson said.
The messages that took place after en event on campus titled “Jewish Life on Campus: Past, Present, and Future” touched on “ancient antisemitic tropes”.
Cristen Kromm, former dean of undergraduate student life; Matthew Patashnick, former associate dean for student and family support; and Susan Chang-Kim, former vice dean and chief administrative officer, were earlier placed on leave as an investigation proceeded.
The event took place following weeks of protests at Columbia and other campuses around the country over Israel’s war in Gaza, the university administration said in July.
“This incident revealed behavior and sentiments that were not only unprofessional, but also, disturbingly touched on ancient antisemitic tropes,” the university said last month.
Shweta Sharma9 August 2024 05:02 1723176060ICYMI: Israel intensifies Gaza bombardment as Hezbollah and Iran vow retaliation
Israel has intensified its bombardment of Gaza, hitting two schools, killing at least 40 people and ordering sweeping evacuations.
It comes as its allies brace for Iran and Hezbollah to retaliate over the killing of two top commanders in Tehran and Beirut.
Catch up with the latest here from Andy Gregory, in case you missed it:
Israel intensifies Gaza bombardment as Hezbollah and Iran vow retaliation
Israel orders another mass evacuation in eastern Khan Younis and targets two schools it claims are Hamas bases
Mike Bedigan9 August 2024 05:01 1723175340Double missile attack near vessel off coast of Yemen, UKMTO says
A Liberia-flagged Delta Blue vessel reported a double attack on the vessel off Yemen, with missiles falling around the ship, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.
The first attack was launched by two small craft that fired a rocket-propelled grenade which exploded near Delta Blue, 45 nautical miles south of Yemen’s Mokha, UKMTO said.
Hours later, another missile exploded in close proximity to the tanker, UKMTO said.
The Liberia-flagged Delta Blue and its crew were safe, and the ship was proceeding to its next port of call, UKMTO said.
Iran-aligned Houthi militants have launched attacks on international shipping near Yemen since November in solidarity with Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas.
Shweta Sharma9 August 2024 04:49 1723172400Read the joint statement from the leaders of the US, Egypt, and Qatar
The leaders of the US, Egypt and Qatar released a statement on Thursday in which they vowed to “bring immediate relief” to the people of Gaza, those held hostage, and their families.
“The time has come to conclude the ceasefire and hostages and detainees release deal,” the statement read.
“The three of us and our teams have worked tirelessly over many months to forge a framework agreement that is now on the table with only the details of implementation left to conclude. This agreement is based on the principles as outlined by President Biden on May 31, 2024, and endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2735.
“There is no further time to waste nor excuses from any party for further delay. It is time to release the hostages, begin the ceasefire, and implement this agreement. As mediators, if necessary, we are prepared to present a final bridging proposal that resolves the remaining implementation issues in a manner that meets the expectations of all parties.
“We have called on both sides to resume urgent discussion on Thursday, August 15 in Doha or Cairo to close all remaining gaps and commence implementation of the deal without further delay.”
The statement was signed by US President Joe Biden, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and Amir of the State of Qatar HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Mike Bedigan9 August 2024 04:00 1723169700World Central Kitchen honors dead worker
Mike Bedigan9 August 2024 03:15 1723167041What could happen if Iran attacks Israel?
In April following an Israeli attack on the Iranian Embassy compound in Syria, Iran launched 170 bomb-carrying drones, more than 30 cruise missiles and more than 120 ballistic missiles toward Israel.
Israel, the US and other nations shot down many of the projectiles, some of which came from Yemen.
Iran could launch a similar assault, but this time Hezbollah may get involved as the militia seeks revenge for the Israeli strike last week killing senior commander Fouad Shukur.
Such an assault could strain Israeli air defenses, meaning more missile strikes raising the risk of casualties — and of a further escalation experts fear could lead to a wider regional war.
Mike Bedigan9 August 2024 02:30 1723164341Who are Iran’s regional allies?
Iran’s arming began in earnest in the 1980s with Shiite forces in Lebanon fighting against Israel. They became the Hezbollah militia.
The arming expanded with the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein, a longtime foe of Tehran.
Iran strongly backed Syrian President Bashar Assad in his country’s long war. And Iran has continued when the opportunity has arisen, even arming Sunni militants while viewing itself as the world’s defender of Shiite Muslims.
Those relationships are managed by Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, one of the most powerful armed groups in the Middle East.
The militias in Iran’s self-described “Axis of Resistance” include: Iraqi militias, Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Palestinian militant forces and Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
Mike Bedigan9 August 2024 01:45 Newer1 / 5OlderDisclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
