Israel kills at least 63 Palestinians, some of them aid-seekers; drugs smuggled into Gaza; will Int’l Criminal Court survive Trump pressure?; Iran’s nuclear program; West Bank news; more.
At least 22 killed Saturday, including father of nine children recently massacred; more assassinations at aid sites; torture report; Freedom Flotilla ship on its way to Gaza; Israel forbids high level visitors to West Bank; Huckabee mouths off; more.
The annual pogrom in Jerusalem’s Old City included assaults on Palestinians, property destruction, and racist chants. Even when police intervened for a change, the incitement to genocide persisted.
Trump, who campaigned on his record of good relations with Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has spent the past month building out a vision for U.S. policy in the Middle East that appears to be sidelining the country and its leader.
Israel’s cultural and political atmosphere can now justify, or at a minimum, tolerate Jewish aggression against Christians. The US doesn’t seem to care.
Israel brings death to Gaza, Lebanon, US brings death to Yemen; Israel keeps int’l doctors out of Gaza; soldiers shoot at Gaza during Purim ritual; more checkpoints than ever in West Bank; Al Aqsa mosque; the end of Adam Boehler as envoy
Harsh conditions in Gaza, as Trump admin halts almost all foreign aid (Israel is exempt); private US security contractors to run checkpoints in Gaza; countdown to UNRWA departure; West Bank under fire; Pope Francis stays in touch with Gaza; Lebanon news; Harvard; more.
Israeli sources say the involvement of Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, revived Hamas hostage negotiations. While Netanyahu’s government portrays Trump’s actions as leaving him with no alternative, the ultimate decision on the deal rests with the internal dynamics of his coalition.
Israel’s war on Gaza continues to be deadly for children; US diplomat says there’s no famine in northern Gaza because it’s been ethnically cleansed; NYT: yes, Israel enables looting; Israel builds ‘beachfront retreat’ for soldiers committing genocide in Gaza; 10 killed in West Bank; EU leaders know about Israel’s war crimes.
Destruction and death all over Gaza; Pope Francis again berates Israel; Israel violates ceasefire with Lebanon, threatens Hezbollah if it dares to violate same ceasefire.