At least five Israeli soldiers were killed in a friendly fire attack on Wednesday (May 15) in Jabalia in northern Gaza. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) returned to&nbsp;northern Gaza&nbsp;on Monday after it said Hamas had regrouped there. On Wednesday, as the battle intensified between Hamas fighters and Israeli soldiers, some IDF tanks mistakenly opened fire at the soldiers of the 202nd Battalion of the Paratroopers Brigade.

The friendly attack also wounded at least seven other Israeli soldiers. The IDF&nbsp;in&nbsp;a&nbsp;statement&nbsp;said it was investigating the incident.

As per local media reports, the tanks were under extreme pressure and were being targeted with rocket-propelled grenade attacks when the friendly fire attack took place.

<h2>Initial probe</h2>

An initial probe found that some IDF soldiers had occupied a building in the Jabalia refugee camp just a few metres away from the tanks.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Israel-Hamas war: Israeli forces press Gaza offensive from North &amp; South

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The tanks took them as potential threats after they found a weapon in the building and opened fire at them.

<h2>Re-emergence of Hamas in northern Gaza</h2>

The IDF had earlier pulled out of northern Gaza as it shifted its attention towards the southern regions. However, it reentered the&nbsp;region&nbsp;after it said Hamas fighters were springing up there.

The fighting, both in the north and south, has intensified over the last few days. The IDF and Hamas are engaged in an intense battle in Rafah, where about half of Gaza's 2.3 million population took shelter.

Since the outbreak of the battle, some 600,000 people have already fled the city.

<h2>Who are the five soldiers killed?</h2>

The IDF has revealed the names of the five soldiers who&nbsp;were killed&nbsp;in the Wednesday attack.

Sergeant Roy Beit Yaakov, 22, from Eli, was a combat officer in Battalion 202, Paratroopers Brigade.

Sergeant Daniel Chemu, 20, from Tiberias, was a soldier in Battalion 202, Paratroopers Brigade.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwiooLrN_5GGAxWoXGwGHSo6CyAQxfQBKAB6BAgSEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-celebrates-76th-independence-day-in-the-shadow-of-gaza-war-721220" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-celebrates-76th-independence-day-in-the-shadow-of-gaza-war-721220&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiooLrN_5GGAxWoXGwGHSo6CyAQxfQBKAB6BAgSEAE">Israel celebrates 76th Independence Day in the shadow of Gaza war</a>

Sergeant Ilan Cohen, 20, from Karmiel, was a soldier in Battalion 202, Paratroopers Brigade.

Staff Sergeant Gilad Arye Boim, 22, from Karnei Shomron, was a soldier in Battalion 202, Paratroopers Brigade.

Staff Sergeant Betzlel David Shashuah, 21, from Tel Aviv, was a soldier in Battalion 202, Paratroopers Brigade.

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

At least five Israeli soldiers were killed in a friendly fire attack on Wednesday (May 15) in Jabalia in northern Gaza. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) returned to northern Gaza on Monday after it said Hamas had regrouped there.

At least five Israeli soldiers were killed in a friendly fire attack on Wednesday (May 15) in Jabalia in northern Gaza. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) returned to northern Gaza on Monday after it said Hamas had regrouped there. On Wednesday, as the battle intensified between Hamas fighters and Israeli soldiers, some IDF tanks mistakenly opened fire at the soldiers of the 202nd Battalion of the Paratroopers Brigade. The friendly attack also wounded at least seven other Israeli soldiers. The IDF in a statement said it was investigating the incident. As per local media reports, the tanks were under extreme pressure and were being targeted with rocket-propelled grenade attacks when the friendly fire attack took place. Initial probe An initial probe found that some IDF soldiers had occupied a building in the Jabalia refugee camp just a few metres away from the tanks. Watch: Israel-Hamas war: Israeli forces press Gaza offensive from North & South × The tanks took them as potential threats after they found a weapon in the building and opened fire at them. Re-emergence of Hamas in northern Gaza The IDF had earlier pulled out of northern Gaza as it shifted its attention towards the southern regions. However, it reentered the region after it said Hamas fighters were springing up there. The fighting, both in the north and south, has intensified over the last few days. The IDF and Hamas are engaged in an intense battle in Rafah, where about half of Gaza's 2.3 million population took shelter. Since the outbreak of the battle, some 600,000 people have already fled the city. Who are the five soldiers killed? The IDF has revealed the names of the five soldiers who were killed in the Wednesday attack. Sergeant Roy Beit Yaakov, 22, from Eli, was a combat officer in Battalion 202, Paratroopers Brigade. Sergeant Daniel Chemu, 20, from Tiberias, was a soldier in Battalion 202, Paratroopers Brigade. Also read: Israel celebrates 76th Independence Day in the shadow of Gaza war Sergeant Ilan Cohen, 20, from Karmiel, was a soldier in Battalion 202, Paratroopers Brigade. Staff Sergeant Gilad Arye Boim, 22, from Karnei Shomron, was a soldier in Battalion 202, Paratroopers Brigade. Staff Sergeant Betzlel David Shashuah, 21, from Tel Aviv, was a soldier in Battalion 202, Paratroopers Brigade. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. (With inputs from agencies)

Gaza war: Five Israeli soldiers killed in friendly fire after IDF tanks shoot at them

Colonel Vaibhav Anil Kale (Retd), who was murdered while on his way to a hospital in Gaza's Rafah area, lived in Pune and had recently joined the UN as a security service coordinator, according to his family.

Colonel Vaibhav Anil Kale (Retd), who was murdered while on his way to a hospital in Gaza's Rafah area, lived in Pune and had recently joined the UN as a security service coordinator, according to his family. Two days after his body is flown via Cairo, the 46-year-old former Indian army officer's final rites will take place in Pune, according to his brother-in-law Wing Commander Prasant Karde (Retd), who spoke to PTI. Wing Commander Karde, a senior commander of IndiGo, stated that Col. Kale was travelling in a vehicle flying the UN flag when it came under fire. "Vaibhav left the army three years ago and had settled in Pune. He hailed from Nagpur and had studied at the Somalwar high school there," he said. According to him, the former infantry officer chose to enlist in the UN in order to further his career and because he was passionate about working for humanitarian causes. Also read: WHO stands firm on Gaza death toll data despite Israeli criticism; Over 35,000 dead; 60% women and children "While Vaibhav succumbed to bullet injuries, another officer who was with him in the vehicle, is critical and undergoing treatment," said Wing Commander Karde. According to him, Vaibhav's remains are being transported by plane from Cairo and will arrive in Mumbai or Pune, contingent on the flight schedule. Col Kale was on deputation in a UN peacekeeping operation in Congo from 2009 to 2010, according to Wing Commander Karde. "In fact, that stint was a motivation for undertaking the latest UN stint which proved fatal," he stated. The army commander had led the 11 JAK Rifles in Kashmir and served as an instructor at the army's Infantry School in Mhow. "Vaibhav joined the army in 1998 and in his more than two decades long career in the military, had served in the north-east and also in the Siachen glacier. He was a retired deputy commander of Rashtriya Rifles in Kashmir and was a part of counter-intelligence and counter terrorism operations," he said. He is survived by his wife, Amruta, and their two teenage children, son Vedant and daughter Radhika. His brother, Group Captain Vishal Kale, holds a senior position in the Indian Air Force, while his cousin, Colonel Amey Kale, serves in the army. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian Army veteran-turned-UN officer killed in Gaza; family awaits mortal remains

Conflict in Sudan and Gaza pushed the number of internally displaced people (IDPs) worldwide to a record 75.9 million at the end of 2023, an NGO monitor said Tuesday.

The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre said the figure was a new end-of-year high by its count, with the number of people displaced within their own borders having increased by more than 50 percent in the last five years.

The figure was up from 71.1 million at the end of 2022.

While refugees are those who have fled abroad, internal displacement refers to the forced movement of people within the country they live in.

In its annual Global Report on Internal Displacement, the IDMC said that 68.3 million people worldwide were displaced by conflict and violence, and 7.7 million by disasters.

Over the past five years, the number of IDPs resulting from conflict has increased by 22.6 million, with the two biggest increases in 2022 and 2023.

At 9.1 million, Sudan has the highest number of IDPs recorded for a single country since records began in 2008, the monitor said. Almost half of all IDPs live in sub-Saharan Africa.

"Over the past two years, we've seen alarming new levels of people having to flee their homes due to conflict and violence, even in regions where the trend had been improving," said IDMC director Alexandra Bilak.

"Conflict, and the devastation it leaves behind, is keeping millions from re-building their lives, often for years on end."

The monitor also keeps track of the number of internal displacements: each new forced movement of a person within their borders. People can be displaced several times over.

Last year there were 46.9 million forced movements of people – 20.5 million internal displacements by conflict and violence, and 26.4 million by disasters.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sudan-war-millions-displaced-children-in-the-line-of-fire-as-fighting-rages-on-one-year-later-711524">Sudan civil war: Millions displaced, children in the line of fire as fighting rages on after a year</a>

Fighting in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Palestinian territories accounted for nearly two-thirds of new movements of people due to conflict in 2023.

In the Gaza Strip, 1.7 million Palestinians were internally displaced by the end of 2023, with 3.4 million new movements. The bloodiest-ever Gaza war broke out in October last year.

Also watch |&nbsp;Israel-Hamas war | Half of Gaza's population displaced in humanitarian crisis

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Throughout 2023, there were six million forced movements of people caused by the violence in Sudan – more than in the previous 14 years combined.

It is the second-highest number of forced movements within a year after Ukraine's 16.9 million in 2022.

Of the 26.4 million forced movements due to disasters, a third were in China and Turkey as a result of severe weather events and high-magnitude earthquakes.

The IDMC was created by the Norwegian Refugee Council in 1998.

"We have never, ever recorded so many people forced away from their homes and communities. It is a damning verdict on the failures of conflict prevention and peace-making," said NRC chief Jan Egeland.

"The lack of protection and assistance that millions endure cannot be allowed to continue."

Conflict in Sudan and Gaza pushed the number of internally displaced people (IDPs) worldwide to a record 75.9 million at the end of 2023, an NGO monitor said Tuesday.

Conflict in Sudan and Gaza pushed the number of internally displaced people (IDPs) worldwide to a record 75.9 million at the end of 2023, an NGO monitor said Tuesday. The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre said the figure was a new end-of-year high by its count, with the number of people displaced within their own borders having increased by more than 50 percent in the last five years. The figure was up from 71.1 million at the end of 2022. While refugees are those who have fled abroad, internal displacement refers to the forced movement of people within the country they live in. In its annual Global Report on Internal Displacement, the IDMC said that 68.3 million people worldwide were displaced by conflict and violence, and 7.7 million by disasters. Over the past five years, the number of IDPs resulting from conflict has increased by 22.6 million, with the two biggest increases in 2022 and 2023. At 9.1 million, Sudan has the highest number of IDPs recorded for a single country since records began in 2008, the monitor said. Almost half of all IDPs live in sub-Saharan Africa. "Over the past two years, we've seen alarming new levels of people having to flee their homes due to conflict and violence, even in regions where the trend had been improving," said IDMC director Alexandra Bilak. "Conflict, and the devastation it leaves behind, is keeping millions from re-building their lives, often for years on end." The monitor also keeps track of the number of internal displacements: each new forced movement of a person within their borders. People can be displaced several times over. Last year there were 46.9 million forced movements of people – 20.5 million internal displacements by conflict and violence, and 26.4 million by disasters. Also read | Sudan civil war: Millions displaced, children in the line of fire as fighting rages on after a year Fighting in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Palestinian territories accounted for nearly two-thirds of new movements of people due to conflict in 2023. In the Gaza Strip, 1.7 million Palestinians were internally displaced by the end of 2023, with 3.4 million new movements. The bloodiest-ever Gaza war broke out in October last year. Also watch | Israel-Hamas war | Half of Gaza's population displaced in humanitarian crisis × Throughout 2023, there were six million forced movements of people caused by the violence in Sudan – more than in the previous 14 years combined. It is the second-highest number of forced movements within a year after Ukraine's 16.9 million in 2022. Of the 26.4 million forced movements due to disasters, a third were in China and Turkey as a result of severe weather events and high-magnitude earthquakes. The IDMC was created by the Norwegian Refugee Council in 1998. "We have never, ever recorded so many people forced away from their homes and communities. It is a damning verdict on the failures of conflict prevention and peace-making," said NRC chief Jan Egeland. "The lack of protection and assistance that millions endure cannot be allowed to continue."

Gaza, Sudan wars take number of internally displaced people to record 76 million globally

Israel-Hamas war: An Indian personnel with the United Nations was killed in Gaza's Rafah when the vehicle he was travelling in reportedly came under attack in Rafah. This is the "first international" casualty for the United Nations in the Gaza war zone. Another UN staffer was injured in the incident when their vehicle was struck as they travelled to the European Hospital in Rafah.

<h2>Indian UN personnel killed in Gaza: What we know so far?</h2>

The identity of the personnel has not been revealed as yet but the sources cited by the Press Trust of India said he was a former Indian Army personnel. He worked as a member of staff of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS).&nbsp;

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "was deeply saddened to learn of the death of a United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS) staff member and injury to another DSS staffer when their UN vehicle was struck as they travelled to the European Hospital in Rafah" on Monday (May 13) morning.

A statement issued by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General, said that Guterres condemned all attacks on UN personnel and called for a full investigation. Guterres sent his condolences to the family of the fallen staff member.

"With the conflict in Gaza continuing to take a heavy toll – not only on civilians but also on humanitarian workers – the Secretary-General reiterates his urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and for the release of all hostages," the statement added.

In a post on X, Guterres said the UN vehicle was struck in Gaza, "killing one of our colleagues &amp; injuring another." He said that more than 190 UN staff have been killed in Gaza.

"Humanitarian workers must be protected. I condemn all attacks on UN personnel and reiterate my urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire &amp; the release of all hostages," he said.

<h2>Indian personnel killed in Rafah: What happened?</h2>

Responding to questions on the incident during the press briefing, Haq said at this point, "We are in the process of informing the relevant governments and the relevant family members, so I wouldn't share any names or nationalities."&nbsp;

He added that they were "international staff".&nbsp;

Haq confirmed that "this is, in fact, the first international UN casualty."&nbsp;

While there have been international casualties involving workers for the World Central Kitchen in Gaza, Haq said that "of UN staff, I believe I've not been previously aware of an international casualty."&nbsp;

Haq added that the vehicle was headed to the hospital "as part of their regular work, they go to different locations to assess security conditions. And this was the European hospital in Rafah."&nbsp;

When asked for details about how their vehicle was struck, Haq said, "This happened fairly recently. We're still accumulating details. We expect to get reports, including from the relevant authorities."&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israels-gaza-offensive-intensifies-from-north-and-south-un-staff-member-killed-721139">Israel's Gaza offensive intensifies from north and south; Indian UN staff member killed</a>

Haq added that the UN is "going to set up measures for accountability. A lot of that… requires ultimately for an end to the conflict so that we can work these out, but we will be working with the authorities on the ground to get a restitution for all of those who have been killed."&nbsp;

Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on X, "We are devastated to learn about the death" of a UN humanitarian worker and injury of another in Gaza.

"Too many civilian and humanitarian lives have paid the price for this war. Ceasefire and work towards peace," the WHO chief said. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Israel-Hamas war: An Indian personnel with the United Nations was killed in Gaza's Rafah when the vehicle he was travelling in reportedly came under attack in Rafah.

Israel-Hamas war: An Indian personnel with the United Nations was killed in Gaza's Rafah when the vehicle he was travelling in reportedly came under attack in Rafah. This is the "first international" casualty for the United Nations in the Gaza war zone. Another UN staffer was injured in the incident when their vehicle was struck as they travelled to the European Hospital in Rafah. Indian UN personnel killed in Gaza: What we know so far? The identity of the personnel has not been revealed as yet but the sources cited by the Press Trust of India said he was a former Indian Army personnel. He worked as a member of staff of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS). UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "was deeply saddened to learn of the death of a United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS) staff member and injury to another DSS staffer when their UN vehicle was struck as they travelled to the European Hospital in Rafah" on Monday (May 13) morning. A statement issued by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General, said that Guterres condemned all attacks on UN personnel and called for a full investigation. Guterres sent his condolences to the family of the fallen staff member. "With the conflict in Gaza continuing to take a heavy toll – not only on civilians but also on humanitarian workers – the Secretary-General reiterates his urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and for the release of all hostages," the statement added. In a post on X, Guterres said the UN vehicle was struck in Gaza, "killing one of our colleagues & injuring another." He said that more than 190 UN staff have been killed in Gaza. "Humanitarian workers must be protected. I condemn all attacks on UN personnel and reiterate my urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire & the release of all hostages," he said. Indian personnel killed in Rafah: What happened? Responding to questions on the incident during the press briefing, Haq said at this point, "We are in the process of informing the relevant governments and the relevant family members, so I wouldn't share any names or nationalities." He added that they were "international staff". Haq confirmed that "this is, in fact, the first international UN casualty." While there have been international casualties involving workers for the World Central Kitchen in Gaza, Haq said that "of UN staff, I believe I've not been previously aware of an international casualty." Haq added that the vehicle was headed to the hospital "as part of their regular work, they go to different locations to assess security conditions. And this was the European hospital in Rafah." When asked for details about how their vehicle was struck, Haq said, "This happened fairly recently. We're still accumulating details. We expect to get reports, including from the relevant authorities." Also read | Israel's Gaza offensive intensifies from north and south; Indian UN staff member killed Haq added that the UN is "going to set up measures for accountability. A lot of that… requires ultimately for an end to the conflict so that we can work these out, but we will be working with the authorities on the ground to get a restitution for all of those who have been killed." Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on X, "We are devastated to learn about the death" of a UN humanitarian worker and injury of another in Gaza. "Too many civilian and humanitarian lives have paid the price for this war. Ceasefire and work towards peace," the WHO chief said. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian UN staff member killed in Gaza war: What we know so far

Israel reportedly pushed deep into the northern edge of Gaza on Monday (May 13) to recapture an area from Hamas, while in the south, tanks and troops pushed across a highway into Rafah.&nbsp;

A Reuters report said that the ongoing offensive is part of some of the most intense fighting for weeks raging in both the north and south. The ongoing Israeli operations in Rafah, which borders Egypt, have closed a main crossing point for humanitarian aid, worsening an already dire situation.

With hundreds of thousands of people fleeing again due to the prospect of a full-blown invasion of Rafah, the crisis continues to turn dire.

Also watch |&nbsp;Israel-Hamas war: Thousands of Gazans flee Rafah, Jabalia

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Meanwhile, Gaza's health authority appealed for international pressure to reopen access via the southern border for aid, medical supplies and fuel to power generators and ambulances.

"The wounded and sick suffer a slow death because there is no treatment and supplies and they cannot travel," it said.

<h2>UN security staff member killed</h2>

Meanwhile, a foreign UN security staff member, identified as an&nbsp;Indian by the news agency Press Trust of India,&nbsp;was killed on Monday when a&nbsp;UN-marked vehicle travelling to a hospital in Rafah was struck, the first international UN fatality in the Gaza war, a UN&nbsp;spokesperson said, bringing the total death toll of UN personnel to around 190.

In northern Gaza's Jabalia, Israeli forces pushed into an area where they claimed to have dismantled Hamas months ago.

Residents fled along rubble-strewn streets carrying bags of belongings.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hamas-war-netanyahu-says-israel-ready-to-stand-alone-and-will-fight-with-fingernails-719873">Hamas war: Netanyahu says Israel ready to 'stand alone' and 'fight with fingernails'</a>

"We don't know where to go. We have been displaced from one place to the next... We are running in the streets. I saw it with my own eyes. I saw the tank and the bulldozer. It is on that street," one woman, who did not give her name, was quoted as saying by Reuters.

An Israeli air strike on a house in the Al-Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip killed at least eight people, said Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson of the Gaza Civil Emergency Service.&nbsp;

The Palestinian death toll in the war has now surpassed 35,000, with 57 killed in the past 24 hours, according to Gaza health&nbsp;officials, whose figures do not differentiate between civilians and fighters.

(With inputs from agencies)

Israel reportedly pushed deep into the northern edge of Gaza on Monday (May 13) to recapture an area from Hamas, while in the south, tanks and troops pushed across a highway into Rafah.

Israel reportedly pushed deep into the northern edge of Gaza on Monday (May 13) to recapture an area from Hamas, while in the south, tanks and troops pushed across a highway into Rafah. A Reuters report said that the ongoing offensive is part of some of the most intense fighting for weeks raging in both the north and south. The ongoing Israeli operations in Rafah, which borders Egypt, have closed a main crossing point for humanitarian aid, worsening an already dire situation. With hundreds of thousands of people fleeing again due to the prospect of a full-blown invasion of Rafah, the crisis continues to turn dire. Also watch | Israel-Hamas war: Thousands of Gazans flee Rafah, Jabalia × Meanwhile, Gaza's health authority appealed for international pressure to reopen access via the southern border for aid, medical supplies and fuel to power generators and ambulances. "The wounded and sick suffer a slow death because there is no treatment and supplies and they cannot travel," it said. UN security staff member killed Meanwhile, a foreign UN security staff member, identified as an Indian by the news agency Press Trust of India, was killed on Monday when a UN-marked vehicle travelling to a hospital in Rafah was struck, the first international UN fatality in the Gaza war, a UN spokesperson said, bringing the total death toll of UN personnel to around 190. In northern Gaza's Jabalia, Israeli forces pushed into an area where they claimed to have dismantled Hamas months ago. Residents fled along rubble-strewn streets carrying bags of belongings. Also read | Hamas war: Netanyahu says Israel ready to 'stand alone' and 'fight with fingernails' "We don't know where to go. We have been displaced from one place to the next... We are running in the streets. I saw it with my own eyes. I saw the tank and the bulldozer. It is on that street," one woman, who did not give her name, was quoted as saying by Reuters. An Israeli air strike on a house in the Al-Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip killed at least eight people, said Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson of the Gaza Civil Emergency Service. The Palestinian death toll in the war has now surpassed 35,000, with 57 killed in the past 24 hours, according to Gaza health officials, whose figures do not differentiate between civilians and fighters. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian UN staff member killed as Israel intensifies Gaza offensive from north and south

In a baffling statement, United States Senator Lindsey Graham (Republican-South Carolina) compared the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza to the US’ decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan during World War II and told Israel to “do whatever” to finish the military operation it has launched in the blockaded enclave.&nbsp;

<h2>‘Right decision’</h2>

In a recent interview, Graham appeared to justify Israel’s killing of civilians in Gaza as well as the assault on Gaza's city of Rafah, which US President Joe Biden had warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against.&nbsp;

The Republican senator also compared the ongoing war in Gaza to America’s war with Japan nearly eight decades ago while suggesting that Israel would be right to flatten the Gaza Strip, home to some 2.2 million Palestinians because the US did so too in 1945 when it dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Israeli forces press Gaza offensive from North &amp; South

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“So when we were faced with destruction as a nation after Pearl Harbor, fighting the Germans and the Japanese, we decided to end the war by bombing Hiroshima, Nagasaki, with nuclear weapons,” said Graham, in an interview with NBC, on Sunday (May 12).&nbsp;

He also went on to call the decision to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki “the right decision” by the US. The decision in question killed hundreds of thousands of people, mostly Japanese civilians, due to the blasts and the radiation that followed.&nbsp;

“Give Israel the bombs they need to end the war they can’t afford to lose and work with them to minimise casualties,” the Republican senator added. The interviewer, Kristin Welker, attempted to stop him, but he talked over her.&nbsp;

“Why is it okay for America to drop two nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end their existential threat war. Why was it okay to do that? I thought it was okay?” said Graham.&nbsp;

He added, “To Israel, do whatever you have to do to survive as a Jewish state. Whatever you have to do.”

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-un-staff-member-killed-in-gaza-war-what-we-know-so-far-721141">Indian UN staff member killed in Gaza war: What we know so far</a>

Graham was also among the Republicans who criticised the Biden administration’s decision to hold back delivery of high payload munitions to Israel, earlier this month, ahead of an Israeli offensive in Rafah.&nbsp;

<h2>Hamas responds to remarks</h2>

Hamas released a statement calling the Republican senator’s remarks “shocking,” adding that it shows the “deep moral decline and the genocide and colonialism mentality that he harbors,” according to Turkish state-run news agency Anadolu Ajansı.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

In a baffling statement, United States Senator Lindsey Graham (Republican-South Carolina) compared the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza to the US’ decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan during World War II and told Israel to “do whatever” to finish the military operation it has launched in the blockaded enclave.

In a baffling statement, United States Senator Lindsey Graham (Republican-South Carolina) compared the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza to the US’ decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan during World War II and told Israel to “do whatever” to finish the military operation it has launched in the blockaded enclave. ‘Right decision’ In a recent interview, Graham appeared to justify Israel’s killing of civilians in Gaza as well as the assault on Gaza's city of Rafah, which US President Joe Biden had warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against. The Republican senator also compared the ongoing war in Gaza to America’s war with Japan nearly eight decades ago while suggesting that Israel would be right to flatten the Gaza Strip, home to some 2.2 million Palestinians because the US did so too in 1945 when it dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. WATCH | Israeli forces press Gaza offensive from North & South “So when we were faced with destruction as a nation after Pearl Harbor, fighting the Germans and the Japanese, we decided to end the war by bombing Hiroshima, Nagasaki, with nuclear weapons,” said Graham, in an interview with NBC, on Sunday (May 12). He also went on to call the decision to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki “the right decision” by the US. The decision in question killed hundreds of thousands of people, mostly Japanese civilians, due to the blasts and the radiation that followed. “Give Israel the bombs they need to end the war they can’t afford to lose and work with them to minimise casualties,” the Republican senator added. The interviewer, Kristin Welker, attempted to stop him, but he talked over her. “Why is it okay for America to drop two nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end their existential threat war. Why was it okay to do that? I thought it was okay?” said Graham. He added, “To Israel, do whatever you have to do to survive as a Jewish state. Whatever you have to do.” Also Read | Indian UN staff member killed in Gaza war: What we know so far Graham was also among the Republicans who criticised the Biden administration’s decision to hold back delivery of high payload munitions to Israel, earlier this month, ahead of an Israeli offensive in Rafah. Hamas responds to remarks Hamas released a statement calling the Republican senator’s remarks “shocking,” adding that it shows the “deep moral decline and the genocide and colonialism mentality that he harbors,” according to Turkish state-run news agency Anadolu Ajansı. (With inputs from agencies)

US Senator Lindsey Graham suggests Israel should nuke Gaza

An Indian personnel working with the United Nations lost his life in Gaza after his vehicle was targeted in an attack in Rafah, making it the “first international" casualty for the organisation since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Watch in for more details!

Israel war: First international UN staff member killed in Gaza attack, revises total death toll

The United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday (May 12) that an all-out Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip's Rafah would provoke "anarchy" without eliminating Hamas.

The United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday (May 12) that an all-out Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip's Rafah would provoke "anarchy" without eliminating Hamas. "Israel's on the trajectory, potentially, to inherit an insurgency with many armed Hamas left, or if it leaves, a vacuum filled by chaos, filled by anarchy and probably refilled by Hamas," Blinken told CBS News. On being asked whether the US concurred with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement that Israeli forces had killed more civilians than Hamas militants since the war began, Blinken replied simply, "Yes, we do." Speaking to another American media outlet, the US Secretary of State said on Sunday that Washington was continuing to press Israeli leaders to provide a plan for Gaza once the war is finally over. Blinken further said Hamas militants had already returned to certain areas of northern Gaza that Israel had "liberated." Fighting rages across Gaza Blinken remarks came as fighting raged across the Gaza Strip on Sunday. The Israeli military sent tanks into eastern Jabalia in northern Gaza after a night of heavy aerial and ground bombardments, killing 19 people and wounding dozens of others, Palestinian health officials said. Jabalia is the biggest of Gaza's eight historic refugee camps and is home to more than 100,000 people, most of whom were descendants of Palestinians who were driven from towns and villages in what is now Israel during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war that led to the creation the state of Israel. Addressing a press conference, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said, "We identified in the past weeks attempts by Hamas to rehabilitate its military capabilities in Jabalia. We are operating there to eliminate those attempts." Thousands of families were leaving Rafah as the Israeli military pressure intensified. Meanwhile, the armed wing of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad said their fighters attacked Israeli forces in several areas inside Gaza with anti-tank rockets and mortar bombs, including in Rafah. Death toll in Gaza over 35,000 The war between Israel and Hamas began last year when Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians. The Palestinian militant group took hundreds of people as hostages. Israel estimates 128 captives remain in Gaza. It is presumed that 36 of these 128 captives are dead. Israel struck back hard in Gaza, killing thousands of Palestinians and displacing tens of thousands of more. On Sunday, the death toll in the war crossed 35,000, as per the Hamas-run health ministry. (With inputs from agencies)

Gaza war: Israel's Rafah offensive will provoke 'anarchy' without eliminating Hamas, says Blinken

The hopes of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in their war in the Gaza Strip are fading. On Saturday (May 11), United States President Joe Biden said that a truce deal would happen as soon as "tomorrow" if Hamas released the hostages it held captive following its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

The hopes of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in their war in the Gaza Strip are fading. On Saturday (May 11), United States President Joe Biden said that a truce deal would happen as soon as "tomorrow" if Hamas released the hostages it held captive following its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. "Israel said it's up to Hamas, if they wanted to do it, we could end it tomorrow. And the ceasefire would begin tomorrow," Biden said. The Canadian Police on Saturday arrested a fourth person and charged him with the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The arrested man was identified as Amandeep Singh. Earlier the police had arrested three Indian men in connection with the case. In other news, the world is celebrating Mother's Day on Sunday. Click on the headlines to read more: Biden says Gaza ceasefire possible as soon as 'tomorrow' if Hamas releases hostages United States President Joe Biden on Saturday (May 11) said that a ceasefire in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas would happen as soon as "tomorrow" if the Palestinian militant group released the hostages it held captive following its Oct 7 assault. Nijjar killing: Canadian police arrest fourth person and charge him with murder of Khalistani terrorist The Canadian Police on Saturday (May 11) arrested a fourth person and charged him with the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) announced Saturday that Amandeep Singh (an Indian) has been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to murder Nijjar. Meet Anna Jarvis, the Mother's Day 'founder' who fought against its commercialisation The cards have been dispatched, florists are having their time of the year, and you may struggle to find that favourite spot of yours at your favourite restaurant. The second Sunday of May is here, and with that, it's Mother's Day. But do you know that the founder of Mother's Day, Anna Jarvis, fought against its commercialisation and even attempted to have it rescinded. Kidnapping epidemic in Nigeria: Gunmen abduct over 100 during raids on three villages Gunmen raided three villages in northwest Nigeria on Friday (May 10) night, kidnapping more than 100 people, the news agency Reuters reported on Saturday, citing a district official and residents. Alhaji Bala, head of a district in the Birnin-Magaji local government area of Zamfara, told Reuters that gunmen attacked the villages of Gora, Madomawa, and Jambuzu. Watch: China's nuke power in the South China Sea sparks concerns | WION Decodes ×

Morning brief: Gaza war updates; Canada makes fourth arrest in Nijjar killing case; and more

A senior Iranian official said that Tehran would change its nuclear doctrine if Israel continues to threaten its existence amid the ongoing turmoil in West Asia stemming from the war in Gaza. The assertion has triggered newfound fears of a nuclear warfare in the region on boil.&nbsp;

<h2>What is Iran's nuclear doctrine?</h2>

Iran's public position is that it has no plans to obtain nuclear weapons. But the intelligence agencies across the world have long concluded that Tehran intends to obtain a nuclear bomb.&nbsp;

Kamal Kharrazi, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued a sharp threat to Israel by indicating that Tehran might change its nuclear doctrine sooner than expected.&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;Does Iran have nuclear weapons?

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Kamal Kharrazi said to Iran's Student News Network earlier this week, "We have no decision to build a nuclear bomb but should Iran's existence be threatened, there will be no choice but to change our military doctrine."

"Recently, the military officials also announced that if Israel wants to attack nuclear facilities, it is possible and imaginable to revise Iran’s nuclear doctrine and policies and divert from the previous declaration considerations," he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/iran-israel-conflict-what-it-means-for-indias-stakes-in-the-region-711069">Iran-Israel conflict: What it means for India's stakes in the region</a>

Earlier in 2022, Kharrazi had claimed that Iran was technically capable of making a nuclear bomb but had not yet decided whether to build one.&nbsp;

Supreme Leader Khamenei banned the development of nuclear weapons in a fatwa in the early 2000s.

In his latest comment on the matter, Kharrazi said, "In the case of an attack on our nuclear facilities by the Zionist regime, our deterrence will change."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-attacks-israel-in-numbers-what-makes-it-most-sophisticated-attack-on-israel-since-oct-7-711108">Iran attacks Israel: In numbers, what makes it most sophisticated attack on Israel since Oct 7</a>

Iran and Israel have long been arch enemies with Tehran refusing to recognise Israeli existence. But what was a proxy war for decades, became an open confrontation last month after Tehran launched hundreds of missiles and drones against Israel in response to a suspected Israeli attack on an Iranian embassy in Syria's capital Damascus.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A senior Iranian official said that Tehran would change its nuclear doctrine if Israel continues to threaten its existence amid the ongoing turmoil in West Asia stemming from the war in Gaza.

A senior Iranian official said that Tehran would change its nuclear doctrine if Israel continues to threaten its existence amid the ongoing turmoil in West Asia stemming from the war in Gaza. The assertion has triggered newfound fears of a nuclear warfare in the region on boil. What is Iran's nuclear doctrine? Iran's public position is that it has no plans to obtain nuclear weapons. But the intelligence agencies across the world have long concluded that Tehran intends to obtain a nuclear bomb. Kamal Kharrazi, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued a sharp threat to Israel by indicating that Tehran might change its nuclear doctrine sooner than expected. Also watch | Does Iran have nuclear weapons? × Kamal Kharrazi said to Iran's Student News Network earlier this week, "We have no decision to build a nuclear bomb but should Iran's existence be threatened, there will be no choice but to change our military doctrine." "Recently, the military officials also announced that if Israel wants to attack nuclear facilities, it is possible and imaginable to revise Iran’s nuclear doctrine and policies and divert from the previous declaration considerations," he said. Also read | Iran-Israel conflict: What it means for India's stakes in the region Earlier in 2022, Kharrazi had claimed that Iran was technically capable of making a nuclear bomb but had not yet decided whether to build one. Supreme Leader Khamenei banned the development of nuclear weapons in a fatwa in the early 2000s. In his latest comment on the matter, Kharrazi said, "In the case of an attack on our nuclear facilities by the Zionist regime, our deterrence will change." Also read | Iran attacks Israel: In numbers, what makes it most sophisticated attack on Israel since Oct 7 Iran and Israel have long been arch enemies with Tehran refusing to recognise Israeli existence. But what was a proxy war for decades, became an open confrontation last month after Tehran launched hundreds of missiles and drones against Israel in response to a suspected Israeli attack on an Iranian embassy in Syria's capital Damascus. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran issues nuclear bomb threat to Israel amid escalating tensions, raging war

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.<meta name="uuid" content="uuidLXa3RcOjvYbO" />

Muhammad Nimr&nbsp;Qazaat,&nbsp;and his son&nbsp;Youssef, both doctors by profession,&nbsp;were killed in an Israeli air strike on the city of Deir al-Balah in a central area of the Gaza Strip, the war-torn&nbsp;region's&nbsp;civil defence agency said on Sunday (May 12).&nbsp;

In a statement, the civil defence agency said,&nbsp;"The bodies of Doctor Muhammad Nimr Qazaat and his son, Doctor Youssef, were recovered (as&nbsp;they were killed) because of an Israeli raid on the city of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, and&nbsp;they were transferred&nbsp;to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah."

The Israeli military did not comment on the development yet.

<h2>Israel launches fresh strikes in&nbsp;Gaza</h2>

This raid came as the Israeli military launched fresh strikes in the Gaza Strip on Sunday after it expanded an evacuation order for Rafah. Citing witnesses, a report by the news agency AFP said that&nbsp;Israel had carried out strikes in Rafah near the crossing with Egypt on Saturday.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-says-gaza-ceasefire-possible-tomorrow-if-hamas-releases-hostages-720494">Biden says Gaza ceasefire possible as soon as 'tomorrow' if Hamas releases hostages</a>

Also on Saturday, the&nbsp;Israeli military said it called on residents and displaced people in Jabalia, northern&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;to clear out,&nbsp;saying it was returning to operate in the area after it noticed Hamas trying to re-establish its control (of&nbsp;the area).

“In northern&nbsp;Gaza, in the last hour, fighter jets have been striking terrorist targets. This morning&nbsp;we&nbsp;began a temporary evacuation process of the Jabalia area from this area towards the centre of the&nbsp;strip&nbsp;as part of our preparation for a military operation in the area. In recent weeks, we have identified attempts by Hamas to restore its military capabilities in Jabalia&nbsp;and&nbsp;we are working to dismantle these attempts,"&nbsp;Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said.

<h2>Gaza truce deal possible tomorrow if...: Joe Biden</h2>

As the hopes of a ceasefire deal in the Gaza war are fading, United States President Joe Biden said on Saturday that a truce in the war&nbsp;was possible as soon as&nbsp;"tomorrow"&nbsp;if Hamas released hostages.&nbsp;Some 250 people&nbsp;were abducted&nbsp;to the Gaza Strip on October 7 when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel.

Israel has said 128 of them are still held captive in the Palestinian territory. Among them, 38 are presumed to be dead.

Also watch |&nbsp;Future of war: Will private military contractors take over? | WION Decodes

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"There would be a ceasefire tomorrow if Hamas would release the hostages,"&nbsp;US President Biden&nbsp;said at a fundraiser outside Seattle, at the home of a former Microsoft executive, after avoiding the topic at three similar events on Friday.

"Israel said&nbsp;it's&nbsp;up to Hamas, if&nbsp;they wanted to do it, we could end it tomorrow. And the ceasefire would begin tomorrow,"&nbsp;he added.&nbsp;Hamas and Israel have so far failed to reach a ceasefire deal despite repeated rounds of indirect negotiations.

(With inputs from agencies)

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. Muhammad Nimr Qazaat, and his son Youssef, both doctors by profession, were killed in an Israeli air strike on the city of Deir al-Balah in a central area of the Gaza Strip, the war-torn region's civil defence agency said on Sunday (May 12). In a statement, the civil defence agency said, "The bodies of Doctor Muhammad Nimr Qazaat and his son, Doctor Youssef, were recovered (as they were killed) because of an Israeli raid on the city of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, and they were transferred to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah." The Israeli military did not comment on the development yet. Israel launches fresh strikes in Gaza This raid came as the Israeli military launched fresh strikes in the Gaza Strip on Sunday after it expanded an evacuation order for Rafah. Citing witnesses, a report by the news agency AFP said that Israel had carried out strikes in Rafah near the crossing with Egypt on Saturday. Also read | Biden says Gaza ceasefire possible as soon as 'tomorrow' if Hamas releases hostages Also on Saturday, the Israeli military said it called on residents and displaced people in Jabalia, northern Gaza to clear out, saying it was returning to operate in the area after it noticed Hamas trying to re-establish its control (of the area). “In northern Gaza, in the last hour, fighter jets have been striking terrorist targets. This morning we began a temporary evacuation process of the Jabalia area from this area towards the centre of the strip as part of our preparation for a military operation in the area. In recent weeks, we have identified attempts by Hamas to restore its military capabilities in Jabalia and we are working to dismantle these attempts," Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said. Gaza truce deal possible tomorrow if...: Joe Biden As the hopes of a ceasefire deal in the Gaza war are fading, United States President Joe Biden said on Saturday that a truce in the war was possible as soon as "tomorrow" if Hamas released hostages. Some 250 people were abducted to the Gaza Strip on October 7 when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel. Israel has said 128 of them are still held captive in the Palestinian territory. Among them, 38 are presumed to be dead. Also watch | Future of war: Will private military contractors take over? | WION Decodes × "There would be a ceasefire tomorrow if Hamas would release the hostages," US President Biden said at a fundraiser outside Seattle, at the home of a former Microsoft executive, after avoiding the topic at three similar events on Friday. "Israel said it's up to Hamas, if they wanted to do it, we could end it tomorrow. And the ceasefire would begin tomorrow," he added. Hamas and Israel have so far failed to reach a ceasefire deal despite repeated rounds of indirect negotiations. (With inputs from agencies)

Gaza war: Father and son, both doctors, killed in Israeli air strike on Deir al-Balah

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

<meta name="uuid" content="uuid91qceSHr2MLs" />Israel on Saturday (May 11) hit parts of the war-ravaged Gaza Strip&nbsp;including&nbsp;Rafah&nbsp;as&nbsp;the hopes of a truce deal (between Israel and Hamas) were fading away. A report by the news agency AFP said that at least 21 people were killed during strikes in central Gaza and taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah. While&nbsp;in Rafah, there were&nbsp;intense air strikes near the crossing with Egypt.

Other Israel strikes occurred in north Gaza, AFP reported citing witnesses. The strikes came after the Israeli military on Tuesday (May 7)&nbsp;seized and closed the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing -- through which all fuel passes into Gaza -- after ordering residents of eastern Rafah to evacuate.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/egypt-refuses-to-coordinate-with-israel-on-gaza-aid-over-unacceptable-escalation-reports-720478">Egypt refuses to coordinate with Israel on Gaza aid over ‘unacceptable escalation,’ say reports</a>

On Saturday, the military said that&nbsp;troops were fighting "armed terrorists" at the crossing and had found "numerous underground tunnel shafts."&nbsp;

<h2>300k fled Rafah since the initial evacuation order</h2>

Israel said on Saturday that 300,000 people had fled Rafah since an initial evacuation order. Sharing a new evacuation order on X, the Israeli military told Palestinians&nbsp;to go to the "humanitarian zone" of Al-Mawasi, on the coast northwest of Rafah.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AC%D9%84?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#عاجل</a> 🔴 نداء إلى جميع السكان والنازحين المتواجدين في منطقة جباليا وأحياء السلام والنور وتل الزعتر ومشروع بيت لاهيا ومعسكر جباليا وعزبة ملين والروضة, والنزهة, الجرن، النهضة، والزهور - توجهوا فورًا إلى المآوي غرب مدينة غزة! 
 
⭕️تتواجدون في منطقة قتال خطيرة. تحاول حماس إعمار… <a href="https://t.co/oFYipXMajx">pic.twitter.com/oFYipXMajx</a>
— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) <a href="https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1789171670105636971?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2024</a></blockquote>
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"A call to all residents and displaced people in the Jabalia area and the neighbourhoods of Al-Salam, Al-Nour, Tal Al-Zaatar, Beit Lahia Project, Jabalia Camp, Ezbet Mlin, Al-Rawda, Al-Nuzha, Al-Jarn, Al-Nahda, and Al-Zuhour - go immediately to the shelters west of Gaza City!" the post added.&nbsp;

<h2>Death toll in Gaza nears 35,000</h2>

The war between Israel and Hamas began after the Palestinian militant group launched an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7 last year, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians.

Also watch |&nbsp;Future of war: Will private military contractors take over? | WION Decodes

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Israel has said 128 of them are still held captive in the Palestinian territory. Among them, 38 are presumed to be dead.

Israel struck back hard in the Gaza Strip, killing&nbsp;at least 34,971,&nbsp;mostly&nbsp;women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. Thousands of people have&nbsp;been injured&nbsp;in the Palestinian territory.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. Israel on Saturday (May 11) hit parts of the war-ravaged Gaza Strip including Rafah as the hopes of a truce deal (between Israel and Hamas) were fading away. A report by the news agency AFP said that at least 21 people were killed during strikes in central Gaza and taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah. While in Rafah, there were intense air strikes near the crossing with Egypt. Other Israel strikes occurred in north Gaza, AFP reported citing witnesses. The strikes came after the Israeli military on Tuesday (May 7) seized and closed the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing -- through which all fuel passes into Gaza -- after ordering residents of eastern Rafah to evacuate. Also read | Egypt refuses to coordinate with Israel on Gaza aid over ‘unacceptable escalation,’ say reports On Saturday, the military said that troops were fighting "armed terrorists" at the crossing and had found "numerous underground tunnel shafts." 300k fled Rafah since the initial evacuation order Israel said on Saturday that 300,000 people had fled Rafah since an initial evacuation order. Sharing a new evacuation order on X, the Israeli military told Palestinians to go to the "humanitarian zone" of Al-Mawasi, on the coast northwest of Rafah. #عاجل 🔴 نداء إلى جميع السكان والنازحين المتواجدين في منطقة جباليا وأحياء السلام والنور وتل الزعتر ومشروع بيت لاهيا ومعسكر جباليا وعزبة ملين والروضة, والنزهة, الجرن، النهضة، والزهور - توجهوا فورًا إلى المآوي غرب مدينة غزة! ⭕️تتواجدون في منطقة قتال خطيرة. تحاول حماس إعمار… pic.twitter.com/oFYipXMajx — افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) May 11, 2024 × "A call to all residents and displaced people in the Jabalia area and the neighbourhoods of Al-Salam, Al-Nour, Tal Al-Zaatar, Beit Lahia Project, Jabalia Camp, Ezbet Mlin, Al-Rawda, Al-Nuzha, Al-Jarn, Al-Nahda, and Al-Zuhour - go immediately to the shelters west of Gaza City!" the post added. Death toll in Gaza nears 35,000 The war between Israel and Hamas began after the Palestinian militant group launched an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7 last year, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Also watch | Future of war: Will private military contractors take over? | WION Decodes × Israel has said 128 of them are still held captive in the Palestinian territory. Among them, 38 are presumed to be dead. Israel struck back hard in the Gaza Strip, killing at least 34,971, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. Thousands of people have been injured in the Palestinian territory. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel hits parts of Gaza including Rafah as truce deal hopes fade

The United States said on Friday (May 10) that Israel's use of American-supplied weapons may have violated international humanitarian law during its military operation in the Gaza Strip.

The United States said on Friday (May 10) that Israel's use of American-supplied weapons may have violated international humanitarian law during its military operation in the Gaza Strip. This was Washington's strongest criticism of Israel since the Israel-Hamas war began in October last year. However, the Joe Biden administration stopped short of a definitive assessment, saying that due to the chaos of the Israel-Hamas war it could not verify specific instances where use of those weapons might have been involved in alleged breaches. The State Department report with contradictions This assessment came in a 46-page unclassified State Department report to Congress required under a new National Security Memorandum (NSM) that President Joe Biden issued in February. Also read | UN General Assembly votes for granting Palestine new rights, member status The report included contradictions- It listed numerous credible reports of civilian harm and said Israel did not at first cooperate with Washington to boost humanitarian assistance to the enclave. But in each instance, it said it could not make a definitive assessment of whether any breaches of law had occurred. "Given Israel's significant reliance on US-made defence articles, it is reasonable to assess that defence articles covered under NSM-20 have been used by Israeli security forces since October 7 in instances inconsistent with its IHL obligations or with established best practices for mitigating civilian harm," the report said. "Israel has not shared complete information to verify whether US defence articles covered under NSM-20 were specifically used in actions that have been alleged as violations of IHL or IHRL in Gaza, or in the West Bank and East Jerusalem during the period of the report," it added. 'Biden administration ducked all hard questions' Reacting to the report, Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen said the administration had "ducked all the hard questions" and avoided looking closely at whether Israel's conduct should mean military aid is cut off. Also watch | How is Gaza war shaping US politics? × "This report contradicts itself because it concludes that there are reasonable grounds to believe violations to international law have occurred, but at the same time that says they're not finding non-compliance," Hollen said during a press conference. Israel's military conduct in the Gaza Strip has come under increasing scrutiny, and officials at the US State Department have been divided over the issue.

Gaza war: Israel's use of US-supplied weapons may have violated international law, says Washington

Israel on Saturday (May 11) released evacuation orders for Palestinians in several areas of Gaza's southern city of Rafah and asked them to progress towards an expanded humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi, indicating its further plans to expand ground offensive on the city.

Taking to social media platform X, a military spokesperson urged the residents and the displaced living in the Jabalia area of northern Gaza, and 11 other neighbourhoods in the enclave to immediately head to the shelters west of Gaza City. 
 
As per reports, the IDF&nbsp;published a map marking some&nbsp;sectors of the city as “dangerous combat zone” and warned civilians,&nbsp;“Everyone in these areas is risking their lives and the lives of their family members. For your safety — we ask you to evacuate immediately to the humanitarian zone.”

As per the Palestinian news agency WAFA, 24 Palestinians lost their lives after Israeli jets hit several areas in central Gaza.

Despite several humanitarian groups raising alarm bells, and pressure from the United States, Israel has stated that it will progress with its offensive in Rafah, where over one million displaced people have sought refuge during the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

According to the Israeli military, nearly 300,000 Gazans have moved towards Al-Mawasi.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gaza-war-israels-use-of-us-supplied-weapons-may-have-violated-international-law-says-washington-720237">Gaza war: 'Israel's use of US-supplied weapons may have violated int'l law'</a>

<h2>Hezbollah fires salvo of rockets at Kiryat Shmona</h2>

Meanwhile, Hezbollah on Friday (May 10) fired a salvo of rockets from Lebanon targetting the northern city of Kiryat Shmona. In response, the Israeli military launched a series of retaliatory attacks on the militant group's locations.

The army said that nearly 15 missiles were shot down by the Iron Dome, while the rest hit the city and caused extensive damage to property.

As per The Times Of Israel, the footage released from inside the city showed damaged buildings and vehicles that were burned out.

Reportedly, the rockets also prompted massive fires in the hills along Route 90 and 10 firefighting teams were deployed at the scene, said the Israel Fire and Rescue Services.

The Iran-backed militant group released a statement saying that it fired a barrage of "Katyusha rockets” at Israel’s north “in response to the Israeli enemy’s attacks on… civilians, most recently in Tayr Harfa.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Israel on Saturday (May 11) released evacuation orders for Palestinians in several areas of Gaza's southern city of Rafah and asked them to progress towards an expanded humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi, indicating its further plans to expand ground offensive on the city.

Israel on Saturday (May 11) released evacuation orders for Palestinians in several areas of Gaza's southern city of Rafah and asked them to progress towards an expanded humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi, indicating its further plans to expand ground offensive on the city. Taking to social media platform X, a military spokesperson urged the residents and the displaced living in the Jabalia area of northern Gaza, and 11 other neighbourhoods in the enclave to immediately head to the shelters west of Gaza City. As per reports, the IDF published a map marking some sectors of the city as “dangerous combat zone” and warned civilians, “Everyone in these areas is risking their lives and the lives of their family members. For your safety — we ask you to evacuate immediately to the humanitarian zone.” As per the Palestinian news agency WAFA, 24 Palestinians lost their lives after Israeli jets hit several areas in central Gaza. Despite several humanitarian groups raising alarm bells, and pressure from the United States, Israel has stated that it will progress with its offensive in Rafah, where over one million displaced people have sought refuge during the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. According to the Israeli military, nearly 300,000 Gazans have moved towards Al-Mawasi. Also read: Gaza war: 'Israel's use of US-supplied weapons may have violated int'l law' Hezbollah fires salvo of rockets at Kiryat Shmona Meanwhile, Hezbollah on Friday (May 10) fired a salvo of rockets from Lebanon targetting the northern city of Kiryat Shmona. In response, the Israeli military launched a series of retaliatory attacks on the militant group's locations. The army said that nearly 15 missiles were shot down by the Iron Dome, while the rest hit the city and caused extensive damage to property. As per The Times Of Israel, the footage released from inside the city showed damaged buildings and vehicles that were burned out. Reportedly, the rockets also prompted massive fires in the hills along Route 90 and 10 firefighting teams were deployed at the scene, said the Israel Fire and Rescue Services. The Iran-backed militant group released a statement saying that it fired a barrage of "Katyusha rockets” at Israel’s north “in response to the Israeli enemy’s attacks on… civilians, most recently in Tayr Harfa.” (With inputs from agencies)

Israel orders evacuation from more areas in Rafah, presses ahead with ground offensive

Iran on Thursday (May 9) released five Indian sailors on board an Israeli-linked vessel which Tehran had seized on April 13. The ship, MSC Aries, was seized by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps near the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran on Thursday (May 9) released five Indian sailors on board an Israeli-linked vessel which Tehran had seized on April 13. The ship, MSC Aries, was seized by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps near the Strait of Hormuz. The crew (onboard the ship) included 17 Indians. One of the members safely returned to India and the other five would be back home soon. The Indian foreign ministry said that the remaining crew would be released once their contractual obligations were accomplished. Israel on Thursday bombarded areas of the Gaza Strip's Rafah. This development came as United States (US) President Joe Biden issued his starkest warning yet against a full ground invasion of Rafah. In other news from around the world, police fatally shot a US Air Force airman outside his home in Florida. Senior Airman Roger Fortson was shot dead on May 3. The body camera footage from a deputy sheriff who shot the airman was publicly released by the police. Click on the headlines to read more: Iran releases 5 Indian sailors from seized ship Five Indian sailors on board an Israeli-linked vessel which was seized by Tehran were released on Thursday (May 9) and have departed from Iran, said the Indian embassy in Iran. While sharing the details of their release, the Indian Embassy thanked the Iranian authorities for their coordination with the Embassy and Indian Consulate in Bandar Abbas. Despite Biden's warning, Israel continues its invasion of Rafah, kills over 15 in airstrikes Just a day after US President Joe Biden issued his starkest warning yet against a full ground invasion in Rafah, Israel on Thursday (May 9) bombarded areas of the populous city. This comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Biden's threat to withhold weapons from his country if it assaults the Southern Gaza City. US Airman fatally shot by police in Florida The body camera footage from a deputy sheriff who fatally shot a US Air Force member at his home has been publically released by the Florida police. Twenty-three-year-old Senior Airman Roger Fortson was taken to a hospital where he died, according to the officials. Human trial of Elon Musk's Neuralink hits snag as brain chip begins to detach Elon Musk's Neuralink has faced a significant challenge with its first attempt to implant a chip in the human brain. On Wednesday (May 8) the company revealed that its device had started detaching from the patient's brain. Watch | Human trial of Elon Musk's Neuralink hits snag as brain chip begins to detach ×

Morning brief: Iran releases 5 Indian sailors from Israeli-linked ship it seized; Gaza war updates; and more

In the latest,&nbsp;the Ukrainian defence ministry reported that Russia initiated an armoured ground assault in the northeastern Kharkiv region and achieved minor advances. In the midst of protests concerning US policies regarding Gaza, Eric Garcetti, the US Ambassador to India, opted out of a planned meeting at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi on Friday (May 10). Separately,&nbsp;Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, got a warm reception when he left Tihar Jail after being granted bail by the Indian Supreme Court until June 1.

Click on the headlines to read more.

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The Ukrainian defence ministry said Friday (May 10) that Russia has launched an armoured ground attack into the northeast Kharkiv region and made limited gains. Fighting there is ongoing, Kyiv said.&nbsp;

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Amidst protests over US policies on Gaza, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti recently chose to skip a scheduled meeting at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi. Garcetti was invited to address the School of International Studies on April 29, with a focus on the "most consequential relationship of the century: US-India ties."&nbsp; Ahead of the event, the students at the university protested his visit over Washington's policies in Gaza.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/university-of-arizona-police-use-chemical-munitions-to-disperse-student-protestors-720133">University of Arizona Police use 'chemical munitions' to disperse student protesters</a>

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According to authorities, University of Arizona police were compelled to use tear gas or another chemical munition to break up anti-Israel demonstrations on campus.

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Delhi Chief Minister&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-grants-interim-bail-to-delhi-cm-arvind-kejriwal-720049">Arvind Kejriwal</a>&nbsp;received a warm welcome as he walked out of Tihar Jail on Friday (May 10) on bail. Earlier in the day, the Indian Supreme Court granted him interim bail till June 1. Videos showed firecrackers being burst outside his residence.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tourist-stranded-in-pacific-paradise-as-air-vanuatu-suddenly-enters-voluntary-liquidation-720139">Tourists stranded in Pacific paradise as Air Vanuatu suddenly enters voluntary liquidation</a>

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Air Vanuatu, the national carrier of the Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu, entered voluntary liquidation, with authorities unable to confirm when the flights will resume amid Australian travellers and ni-Vanuatu people stranded across the two countries.&nbsp;

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Barron Trump, the youngest son of Donald Trump, who has remained mostly out of public view will make his first appearance in the political arena in July as he completes high school, reported by AFP.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-asks-italians-to-have-babies-calls-for-courageous-concrete-and-long-term-choices-720093">Pope asks Italians to have babies: 'No shortage of little dogs, cats. There is a lack of children'</a>

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Pope Francis on Friday (May 10) urged the Italians to have children. He pressed his campaign to call for long-term policies to help families tackle the issues of falling birth rates and ageing population. He also warned that the country's demographic crisis was threatening the future.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/abu-dhabi-mourns-loss-of-royal-family-member-crown-prince-pays-respects-at-funeral-720145">Abu Dhabi mourns loss of royal family member; crown prince pays respects at funeral</a>

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A young&nbsp;Abu Dhabi royal family member, Sheikh Hazza bin Sultan bin Zayed Al&nbsp;Nahyan passed away on Thursday (May 9), according to the UAE Presidential Court. The cause of his death remains undisclosed. Sheikh Hazza bin Sultan was the son of Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who died in 2019.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hilary-clinton-calls-us-pro-palestinian-protesters-ignorant-of-middle-east-history-720120">Hillary Clinton calls US pro-Palestinian protesters 'ignorant' of Middle East history</a>

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Hillary Clinton, the former US secretary of state, has said that students who support Palestine on college campuses throughout the country lack knowledge of the Israel-Palestine&nbsp;conflict's history.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pak-will-think-of-using-atom-bomb-congress-mani-shankar-aiyars-comments-spark-controversy-720032">Mani Shankar Aiyar sparks controversy with 'Pak can drop atom bomb on India' statement</a>

<img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2018/09/12/41301-650636-578518-mani-shankar-aiyar-2-20180213124222.jpg?imwidth=400" />

Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar suggested that New Delhi should engage in dialogue with Pakistan to avoid any potential consequences, including the use of the atomic bomb by the South Asian neighbour&nbsp;against India.&nbsp;

In the latest, the Ukrainian defence ministry reported that Russia initiated an armoured ground assault in the northeastern Kharkiv region and achieved minor advances.

In the latest, the Ukrainian defence ministry reported that Russia initiated an armoured ground assault in the northeastern Kharkiv region and achieved minor advances. In the midst of protests concerning US policies regarding Gaza, Eric Garcetti, the US Ambassador to India, opted out of a planned meeting at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi on Friday (May 10). Separately, Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, got a warm reception when he left Tihar Jail after being granted bail by the Indian Supreme Court until June 1. Click on the headlines to read more. New front opens in Russia-Ukraine war as Moscow launches surprise offensive The Ukrainian defence ministry said Friday (May 10) that Russia has launched an armoured ground attack into the northeast Kharkiv region and made limited gains. Fighting there is ongoing, Kyiv said. Amid Gaza protests, US ambassador to India Garcetti skips JNU meet Amidst protests over US policies on Gaza, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti recently chose to skip a scheduled meeting at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi. Garcetti was invited to address the School of International Studies on April 29, with a focus on the "most consequential relationship of the century: US-India ties." Ahead of the event, the students at the university protested his visit over Washington's policies in Gaza. University of Arizona Police use 'chemical munitions' to disperse student protesters According to authorities, University of Arizona police were compelled to use tear gas or another chemical munition to break up anti-Israel demonstrations on campus. 'I am back': Arvind Kejriwal receives warm welcome as he walks out of jail on bail Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal received a warm welcome as he walked out of Tihar Jail on Friday (May 10) on bail. Earlier in the day, the Indian Supreme Court granted him interim bail till June 1. Videos showed firecrackers being burst outside his residence. Tourists stranded in Pacific paradise as Air Vanuatu suddenly enters voluntary liquidation Air Vanuatu, the national carrier of the Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu, entered voluntary liquidation, with authorities unable to confirm when the flights will resume amid Australian travellers and ni-Vanuatu people stranded across the two countries. Barron Trump, youngest son of Donald Trump, to make political debut at July's Republican convention Barron Trump, the youngest son of Donald Trump, who has remained mostly out of public view will make his first appearance in the political arena in July as he completes high school, reported by AFP. Pope asks Italians to have babies: 'No shortage of little dogs, cats. There is a lack of children' Pope Francis on Friday (May 10) urged the Italians to have children. He pressed his campaign to call for long-term policies to help families tackle the issues of falling birth rates and ageing population. He also warned that the country's demographic crisis was threatening the future. Abu Dhabi mourns loss of royal family member; crown prince pays respects at funeral A young Abu Dhabi royal family member, Sheikh Hazza bin Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan passed away on Thursday (May 9), according to the UAE Presidential Court. The cause of his death remains undisclosed. Sheikh Hazza bin Sultan was the son of Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who died in 2019. Hillary Clinton calls US pro-Palestinian protesters 'ignorant' of Middle East history Hillary Clinton, the former US secretary of state, has said that students who support Palestine on college campuses throughout the country lack knowledge of the Israel-Palestine conflict's history. Mani Shankar Aiyar sparks controversy with 'Pak can drop atom bomb on India' statement Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar suggested that New Delhi should engage in dialogue with Pakistan to avoid any potential consequences, including the use of the atomic bomb by the South Asian neighbour against India.

Top 10 world news: New front opens in Russia-Ukraine war; Delhi CM Kejriwal gets bail; and more

According to authorities, University of Arizona police were compelled to use tear gas or another chemical munition to break up anti-Israel demonstrations on campus.

The University of Arizona Police said that there was an unlawful gathering at University Park early on Friday morning, advising individuals to "leave immediately" or "avoid the area" completely.

Subsequently, the police department said on X that they used "chemical munition" to clear the gathering.

"Police instructing unlawful assembly to disperse. Chemical munitions deployed. Avoid the area &amp; follow directions of police," they tweeted on X.

"The University of Arizona Police Department is enforcing our campus use policy to remove an unauthorized encampment. A structure made from wooden pallets and other debris was erected on campus property after 5 p.m. in violation of the policy. University officials issued warnings to remove the encampment and disperse. The warnings were ignored," a statement from the college read.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://wionews.com/world/hilary-clinton-calls-us-pro-palestinian-protesters-ignorant-of-middle-east-history-720120" hreflang="en">Hilary Clinton calls US pro-Palestinian protesters 'ignorant' of Middle East history</a>

The statement further stated that in order to safeguard the campus, students, professors, visitors, and university activities, University President Robert C Robbins has implemented a zero-tolerance enforcement strategy.

"Anyone found in violation of the law faces arrest and legal action. To guarantee the security of those attending the Centennial Hall convocation, university officials have taken steps," the statement added.

This came after the riot gear-clad police raid on an anti-Israel camp in Tucson, where they detained many individuals early on Wednesday.

At that time, school administrators were instructed by President Robert Robbins to "immediately enforce campus use policies."

Republican senator from Arizona's 17th District, Justine Wadsack, demanded "mass arrests" in response to the "disorderly" protest.

When questioned by a user of X about whether the demonstrators were "committing actual crimes," she said that many individuals had attacked law enforcement.

Participants, according to her, were "trespassing" and "committing disorderly conduct."

"This is not a peaceful protest when they are trespassing, stealing fencing for barriers, committing disorderly conduct, assaulting police by throwing frozen water bottles at their heads, spraying people with a mixture of CocaCola &amp; yeast while shooting off fireworks!" Wadsack tweeted.

(With inputs from agencies)

According to authorities, University of Arizona police were compelled to use tear gas or another chemical munition to break up anti-Israel demonstrations on campus.

According to authorities, University of Arizona police were compelled to use tear gas or another chemical munition to break up anti-Israel demonstrations on campus. The University of Arizona Police said that there was an unlawful gathering at University Park early on Friday morning, advising individuals to "leave immediately" or "avoid the area" completely. Subsequently, the police department said on X that they used "chemical munition" to clear the gathering. "Police instructing unlawful assembly to disperse. Chemical munitions deployed. Avoid the area & follow directions of police," they tweeted on X. "The University of Arizona Police Department is enforcing our campus use policy to remove an unauthorized encampment. A structure made from wooden pallets and other debris was erected on campus property after 5 p.m. in violation of the policy. University officials issued warnings to remove the encampment and disperse. The warnings were ignored," a statement from the college read. Also read: Hilary Clinton calls US pro-Palestinian protesters 'ignorant' of Middle East history The statement further stated that in order to safeguard the campus, students, professors, visitors, and university activities, University President Robert C Robbins has implemented a zero-tolerance enforcement strategy. "Anyone found in violation of the law faces arrest and legal action. To guarantee the security of those attending the Centennial Hall convocation, university officials have taken steps," the statement added. This came after the riot gear-clad police raid on an anti-Israel camp in Tucson, where they detained many individuals early on Wednesday. At that time, school administrators were instructed by President Robert Robbins to "immediately enforce campus use policies." Republican senator from Arizona's 17th District, Justine Wadsack, demanded "mass arrests" in response to the "disorderly" protest. When questioned by a user of X about whether the demonstrators were "committing actual crimes," she said that many individuals had attacked law enforcement. Participants, according to her, were "trespassing" and "committing disorderly conduct." "This is not a peaceful protest when they are trespassing, stealing fencing for barriers, committing disorderly conduct, assaulting police by throwing frozen water bottles at their heads, spraying people with a mixture of CocaCola & yeast while shooting off fireworks!" Wadsack tweeted. (With inputs from agencies)

University of Arizona Police use 'chemical munitions' to disperse student protesters

Hillary Clinton, the former US secretary of state, has said that students who support Palestine on college campuses throughout the country lack knowledge of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict's history.

Pro-Palestinian protests have been happening on college campuses&nbsp;after Israel attacked Gaza in response to the October 7 attack by Hamas, but in recent weeks, the level of activity has dramatically escalated.

On Thursday, Clinton on MSNBC's Morning Joe said that the continuing protests are being driven by a lack of understanding of "the history of the Middle East," adding that young people are also ignorant of American history.

"I have had many conversations, as you have had, with a lot of young people over the last many months now. They don't know very much at all about the history of the Middle East. Or, frankly, about history in many areas of the world, including in our own country," Clinton said.

Clinton went on to recall her husband, former president Bill Clinton, trying to mediate a "two-state solution" agreement between the Israeli government and the then-dominant Palestinian Authority during the 2000 Camp David Summit.

The former first lady referred to the non-agreement of former Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat as "one of the great tragedies of history" and emphasised that a Palestinian state would have been in place for many years had an agreement been achieved.

Clinton stated that Arafat "wanted" to sign the pact but was "pretty sure he'd be killed" by Hamas militants, citing the assassinations of former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and former Egyptian President Anwar Sadat as examples of extremists pursuing peace.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict's historical settlement efforts were described by the former secretary of state as "a very important piece of history to comprehend if you're going to take any kind of position concerning what's going on right now."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/amid-gaza-protests-us-ambassador-garcetti-skips-jnu-meet-720118" hreflang="en">Amid Gaza protests, US ambassador Garcetti skips JNU meet</a>

Clinton said that pro-Hamas "propaganda" on social media and in the classroom may have tricked college demonstrators, adding that young people are receiving material that frequently has a hidden "agenda" or are without "any kind of context."

"Propaganda is not education. Propaganda, whether it's on TikTok or in the classroom, is actually the opposite of education. Anybody who is teaching in a university, or anyone who is putting content on social media, should be held responsible for what they include and what they exclude," Clinton said.

"So much of what we're seeing—particularly on TikTok—about what's going on in the Middle East, is woefully false. But it's also incredibly slanted: pro-Hamas, anti-Israel. And it is not any place where anyone should go to get information on complex manners, like what's going on there," she added.

(With inputs from agencies)

Hillary Clinton, the former US secretary of state, has said that students who support Palestine on college campuses throughout the country lack knowledge of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict's history.

Hillary Clinton, the former US secretary of state, has said that students who support Palestine on college campuses throughout the country lack knowledge of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict's history. Pro-Palestinian protests have been happening on college campuses after Israel attacked Gaza in response to the October 7 attack by Hamas, but in recent weeks, the level of activity has dramatically escalated. On Thursday, Clinton on MSNBC's Morning Joe said that the continuing protests are being driven by a lack of understanding of "the history of the Middle East," adding that young people are also ignorant of American history. "I have had many conversations, as you have had, with a lot of young people over the last many months now. They don't know very much at all about the history of the Middle East. Or, frankly, about history in many areas of the world, including in our own country," Clinton said. Clinton went on to recall her husband, former president Bill Clinton, trying to mediate a "two-state solution" agreement between the Israeli government and the then-dominant Palestinian Authority during the 2000 Camp David Summit. The former first lady referred to the non-agreement of former Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat as "one of the great tragedies of history" and emphasised that a Palestinian state would have been in place for many years had an agreement been achieved. Clinton stated that Arafat "wanted" to sign the pact but was "pretty sure he'd be killed" by Hamas militants, citing the assassinations of former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and former Egyptian President Anwar Sadat as examples of extremists pursuing peace. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict's historical settlement efforts were described by the former secretary of state as "a very important piece of history to comprehend if you're going to take any kind of position concerning what's going on right now." Also read: Amid Gaza protests, US ambassador Garcetti skips JNU meet Clinton said that pro-Hamas "propaganda" on social media and in the classroom may have tricked college demonstrators, adding that young people are receiving material that frequently has a hidden "agenda" or are without "any kind of context." "Propaganda is not education. Propaganda, whether it's on TikTok or in the classroom, is actually the opposite of education. Anybody who is teaching in a university, or anyone who is putting content on social media, should be held responsible for what they include and what they exclude," Clinton said. "So much of what we're seeing—particularly on TikTok—about what's going on in the Middle East, is woefully false. But it's also incredibly slanted: pro-Hamas, anti-Israel. And it is not any place where anyone should go to get information on complex manners, like what's going on there," she added. (With inputs from agencies)

Hillary Clinton calls US pro-Palestinian protesters 'ignorant' of Middle East history

A Hamas official on Thursday (May 9) accused Israel of carrying out incursions in Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah in order to block talks, which are aimed at finalising a truce in the ongoing Gaza war.&nbsp;

In a statement, Ezzat al-Rishq said that Israel's military operations in Rafah and its border crossing "aim to obstruct the efforts of the mediators". He further added that Hamas, however, was still committed to "accepting the (ceasefire) proposal presented by the mediators".&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Egypt's state-linked Al-Qahera News reported that Hamas and Israeli negotiators left Cairo Thursday "after a two-day round of negotiations" for the truce.&nbsp;

Citing a high-level Egyptian source, the media outlet reported that the efforts by Egyptian, Qatari and US mediators "are ongoing to bring the two sides' points of view closer".&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pro-palestinian-protests-trinity-college-dublin-agrees-to-students-demand-of-divesting-from-israeli-firms-719608">Pro-Palestinian protests: Trinity College Dublin to divest from Israeli firms</a>&nbsp;

Amid truce talks, a heavy plume of smoke was seen coming out of northern Gaza on Thursday shortly before humanitarian aid was airdropped into the area.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In a report by the news agency reuters, footage filmed from southern Israel showed several destroyed buildings including a mosque.&nbsp;Nearby in southern Israel, Israeli soldiers and tanks were deployed.&nbsp;

<h2>UK calls for 'clear plan' for Rafah&nbsp;</h2>

On Thursday, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron issued a message to Israel, stating that the United Kingdom will not back the Rafah operation "without a clear plan to save lives".&nbsp;

Cameron indicated that the UK would not follow the United States in warning Israel that it would halt sales of arms that could be used in an assault on the Gaza city of Rafah.&nbsp;

While speaking to the reporters after a speech in which he urged NATO partners to boost defence spending that there was "a very fundamental difference" between the UK and the US.&nbsp;

He said, "The US is a massive state supplier of weapons to Israel. We do not have a UK government supply of weapons to Israel, we have a number of licences, and I think our defence exports to Israel are responsible for significantly less than one per cent of their total.

"That is a big difference," Cameron added.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/its-just-wrong-biden-issues-most-direct-warning-to-israel-against-rafah-invasion-719507">Israel reacts to Biden's most direct warning against full blown Rafah invasion</a>&nbsp;

<h2>Aid departs from Cyprus&nbsp;</h2>

Cyprus' foreign minister said that a shipment of humanitarian aid left a port in Cyprus on Thursday morning and was on its way to the US-built pier in Gaza. It was the first delivery to the newly built ramp.&nbsp;

The officials said that the US-flagged Sagamore left the port of Larnaca in the morning. US officials have said the vessel will be used to offload supplies onto a floating pier built to expedite aid into the besieged enclave.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;US halts weapons shipment to Israel amid concern over Rafah invasion

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Cyprus opened a sea channel in March to send aid directly to Gaza, where land deliveries have been severely hampered by border closures and Israel's military operation.&nbsp;

The US military has been constructing a temporary pier to boost aid deliveries to Gaza. The Pentagon said on April 29 that cost of the construction will cost Washington at least $320 million.&nbsp;

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told journalists, "That's about our rough estimate right now, approximately $320 million." Singh added, "That's an initial cost for the temporary pier."&nbsp;

Once the pier is constructed, aid will be transported via commercial vessels to a floating platform miles off the Gaza coast. After that, it will be transferred to smaller vessels, brought to the pier and taken to land by truck for distribution.&nbsp;

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A Hamas official on Thursday (May 9) accused Israel of carrying out incursions in Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah in order to block talks, which are aimed at finalising a truce in the ongoing Gaza war.

A Hamas official on Thursday (May 9) accused Israel of carrying out incursions in Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah in order to block talks, which are aimed at finalising a truce in the ongoing Gaza war. In a statement, Ezzat al-Rishq said that Israel's military operations in Rafah and its border crossing "aim to obstruct the efforts of the mediators". He further added that Hamas, however, was still committed to "accepting the (ceasefire) proposal presented by the mediators". Meanwhile, Egypt's state-linked Al-Qahera News reported that Hamas and Israeli negotiators left Cairo Thursday "after a two-day round of negotiations" for the truce. Citing a high-level Egyptian source, the media outlet reported that the efforts by Egyptian, Qatari and US mediators "are ongoing to bring the two sides' points of view closer". Also read: Pro-Palestinian protests: Trinity College Dublin to divest from Israeli firms Amid truce talks, a heavy plume of smoke was seen coming out of northern Gaza on Thursday shortly before humanitarian aid was airdropped into the area. In a report by the news agency reuters, footage filmed from southern Israel showed several destroyed buildings including a mosque. Nearby in southern Israel, Israeli soldiers and tanks were deployed. UK calls for 'clear plan' for Rafah On Thursday, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron issued a message to Israel, stating that the United Kingdom will not back the Rafah operation "without a clear plan to save lives". Cameron indicated that the UK would not follow the United States in warning Israel that it would halt sales of arms that could be used in an assault on the Gaza city of Rafah. While speaking to the reporters after a speech in which he urged NATO partners to boost defence spending that there was "a very fundamental difference" between the UK and the US. He said, "The US is a massive state supplier of weapons to Israel. We do not have a UK government supply of weapons to Israel, we have a number of licences, and I think our defence exports to Israel are responsible for significantly less than one per cent of their total. "That is a big difference," Cameron added. Also read: Israel reacts to Biden's most direct warning against full blown Rafah invasion Aid departs from Cyprus Cyprus' foreign minister said that a shipment of humanitarian aid left a port in Cyprus on Thursday morning and was on its way to the US-built pier in Gaza. It was the first delivery to the newly built ramp. The officials said that the US-flagged Sagamore left the port of Larnaca in the morning. US officials have said the vessel will be used to offload supplies onto a floating pier built to expedite aid into the besieged enclave. Watch: US halts weapons shipment to Israel amid concern over Rafah invasion × Cyprus opened a sea channel in March to send aid directly to Gaza, where land deliveries have been severely hampered by border closures and Israel's military operation. The US military has been constructing a temporary pier to boost aid deliveries to Gaza. The Pentagon said on April 29 that cost of the construction will cost Washington at least $320 million. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told journalists, "That's about our rough estimate right now, approximately $320 million." Singh added, "That's an initial cost for the temporary pier." Once the pier is constructed, aid will be transported via commercial vessels to a floating platform miles off the Gaza coast. After that, it will be transferred to smaller vessels, brought to the pier and taken to land by truck for distribution. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. (With inputs from agencies)

Gaza war: Hamas and Israel teams leave Egypt amid 'ongoing' mediation efforts

After the collapse of the ceasefire agreement that Hamas had previously agreed to, further negotiations are scheduled to begin in Cairo on Wednesday (May 8). Representatives from Hamas and the Israeli delegation have arrived in the Egyptian capital.

Meanwhile, Israel continues to strike Rafah and the Gaza Strip. The UN secretary-general warned that an Israeli attack on Rafah would be 'a strategic mistake, a political calamity, and a humanitarian nightmare'.

Here's a look at the latest updates:

<h2>IDF says&nbsp;30 Hamas militants killed in eastern Rafah operation</h2>

About 30 Hamas militants were killed in eastern Rafah as a result of an operation carried out by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), the Israeli military said as reported by i24news.&nbsp;

<h2>WHO says&nbsp;South Gaza's health services have only 3 days of fuel left</h2>

The World Health Organization reported on Wednesday that there is only enough fuel to run health services in Gaza's south for three more days. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have sought safety in Gaza's south. According to the WHO, a delivery of fuel to the area had been denied on Wednesday.

"WHO has pre-positioned in some supplies in warehouses and hospitals, but without more aid flowing into Gaza, we cannot sustain our life saving support to hospitals," said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. He added that WHO will coninue to provide health services in the area.

<h2>Top foreign officials&nbsp;denounce&nbsp;Israel's military operation in eastern Rafah.</h2>

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wrote on X, “One million people cannot vanish into thin air. They need protection. They urgently need more humanitarian aid. To this end, the Rafah and Kerem Shalom border crossings must be reopened immediately.”

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said on Wednesday that "Australia has been clear about our objections to a major Israeli ground offensive into Rafah, and we have reiterated this to Israel again today."

"The impact&nbsp;on Palestinian civilians from an expanded military operation would be devastating," she added.

Qatar also condemned "in the strongest terms the Israeli occupation forces' bombardment of the Rafah governorate, invasion of the land crossing and threat to displace citizens from shelter and housing centres."

In a post on X, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it "strongly condemns" both the Israeli military's "control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing" and the "attack" on Rafah.

On Tuesday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov called the situation in Rafah as a "humanitarian disaster," as reported by TASS.

<h2>Roughly 50,000 people fled Rafah in the last 48 hours, says UNRWA official</h2>

According to a top official at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), "roughly 50,000 people" have fled the southern Gazan city of Rafah in the previous 48 hours as a result of Israel's evacuation order.&nbsp;

“We tracked roughly 50,000 people departing Rafah in the last 48 hours. We've seen them go to Khan Younis, some have gone to the expanded humanitarian area of Al-Mawasi, others have gone to Deir al-Balah,” the senior deputy director of UNRWA affairs in Gaza, Scott Anderson, told CNN.

Residents of eastern Rafah started to leave on Monday after the Israeli military gave the order to "evacuate immediately" as it launched a military operation in the region.&nbsp;

“We think as the UN that people should choose where they want to go and we will provide aid to them wherever they decide to seek shelter with their families,” he added.

<h2>Police clear&nbsp;encampment from&nbsp;George Washington University,&nbsp;over 30 students arrested</h2>

Shortly after hundreds of demonstrators left the area and marched to the university's president Ellen Granberg's house, US police started clearing up a pro-Palestinian tent encampment at George Washington University in Washington, DC.

According to local media reports, about 30 individuals were arrested when police pepper sprayed several demonstrators as they tried to enter the encampment.&nbsp;

The university's independent student-run newspaper, GW Hatchet, reported "at about 3.30am (10:30 GMT), officers gave demonstrators their third and final warning to move, saying all who remained... in front of the plaza would be arrested."

<h2>African Union&nbsp;criticises&nbsp;Israel's military incursion into Rafah</h2>

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The African Union&nbsp;criticised&nbsp;Israel's military incursion into Rafah in southern Gaza on Wednesday, urging the international community to put an end to "this deadly escalation" of the war.

AU Commission chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat "firmly condemns the extension of this war to the Rafah crossing," a statement read. The statement came after Israeli tanks seized a vital passage for humanitarian aid into the Palestinian territory.

He "expresses his extreme concern at the war undertaken by Israel in Gaza which results, at every moment, in massive deaths and systematic destruction of the conditions of human life," the statement read. "He calls on the entire international community to effectively coordinate collective action to stop this deadly escalation," it added.

<h2>Israel reopens vital Kerem Shalom border crossing for Gaza humanitarian aid</h2>

Israel announced on Wednesday (May 8) that it has reopened the Kerem Shalom border crossing for humanitarian supplies to Gaza, four days after closing it in response to a missile strike that killed four military personnel.

According to the Israeli military, Egyptian lorries carrying food, water, and medication have arrived at the border. The UN raised concern on Tuesday over Israel's "choking off" of Gaza's two main aid arteries.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that he was "disturbed and distressed" by Israel's move. 
 
Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

(With inputs from agencies)

After the collapse of the ceasefire agreement that Hamas had previously agreed to, further negotiations are scheduled to begin in Cairo on Wednesday (May 8). Representatives from Hamas and the Israeli delegation have arrived in the Egyptian capital.

After the collapse of the ceasefire agreement that Hamas had previously agreed to, further negotiations are scheduled to begin in Cairo on Wednesday (May 8). Representatives from Hamas and the Israeli delegation have arrived in the Egyptian capital. Meanwhile, Israel continues to strike Rafah and the Gaza Strip. The UN secretary-general warned that an Israeli attack on Rafah would be 'a strategic mistake, a political calamity, and a humanitarian nightmare'. Here's a look at the latest updates: IDF says 30 Hamas militants killed in eastern Rafah operation About 30 Hamas militants were killed in eastern Rafah as a result of an operation carried out by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), the Israeli military said as reported by i24news. WHO says South Gaza's health services have only 3 days of fuel left The World Health Organization reported on Wednesday that there is only enough fuel to run health services in Gaza's south for three more days. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have sought safety in Gaza's south. According to the WHO, a delivery of fuel to the area had been denied on Wednesday. "WHO has pre-positioned in some supplies in warehouses and hospitals, but without more aid flowing into Gaza, we cannot sustain our life saving support to hospitals," said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. He added that WHO will coninue to provide health services in the area. Top foreign officials denounce Israel's military operation in eastern Rafah. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wrote on X, “One million people cannot vanish into thin air. They need protection. They urgently need more humanitarian aid. To this end, the Rafah and Kerem Shalom border crossings must be reopened immediately.” Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said on Wednesday that "Australia has been clear about our objections to a major Israeli ground offensive into Rafah, and we have reiterated this to Israel again today." "The impact on Palestinian civilians from an expanded military operation would be devastating," she added. Qatar also condemned "in the strongest terms the Israeli occupation forces' bombardment of the Rafah governorate, invasion of the land crossing and threat to displace citizens from shelter and housing centres." In a post on X, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it "strongly condemns" both the Israeli military's "control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing" and the "attack" on Rafah. On Tuesday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov called the situation in Rafah as a "humanitarian disaster," as reported by TASS. Roughly 50,000 people fled Rafah in the last 48 hours, says UNRWA official According to a top official at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), "roughly 50,000 people" have fled the southern Gazan city of Rafah in the previous 48 hours as a result of Israel's evacuation order. “We tracked roughly 50,000 people departing Rafah in the last 48 hours. We've seen them go to Khan Younis, some have gone to the expanded humanitarian area of Al-Mawasi, others have gone to Deir al-Balah,” the senior deputy director of UNRWA affairs in Gaza, Scott Anderson, told CNN. Residents of eastern Rafah started to leave on Monday after the Israeli military gave the order to "evacuate immediately" as it launched a military operation in the region. “We think as the UN that people should choose where they want to go and we will provide aid to them wherever they decide to seek shelter with their families,” he added. Police clear encampment from George Washington University, over 30 students arrested Shortly after hundreds of demonstrators left the area and marched to the university's president Ellen Granberg's house, US police started clearing up a pro-Palestinian tent encampment at George Washington University in Washington, DC. According to local media reports, about 30 individuals were arrested when police pepper sprayed several demonstrators as they tried to enter the encampment. The university's independent student-run newspaper, GW Hatchet, reported "at about 3.30am (10:30 GMT), officers gave demonstrators their third and final warning to move, saying all who remained... in front of the plaza would be arrested." African Union criticises Israel's military incursion into Rafah The African Union criticised Israel's military incursion into Rafah in southern Gaza on Wednesday, urging the international community to put an end to "this deadly escalation" of the war. AU Commission chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat "firmly condemns the extension of this war to the Rafah crossing," a statement read. The statement came after Israeli tanks seized a vital passage for humanitarian aid into the Palestinian territory. He "expresses his extreme concern at the war undertaken by Israel in Gaza which results, at every moment, in massive deaths and systematic destruction of the conditions of human life," the statement read. "He calls on the entire international community to effectively coordinate collective action to stop this deadly escalation," it added. Israel reopens vital Kerem Shalom border crossing for Gaza humanitarian aid Israel announced on Wednesday (May 8) that it has reopened the Kerem Shalom border crossing for humanitarian supplies to Gaza, four days after closing it in response to a missile strike that killed four military personnel. According to the Israeli military, Egyptian lorries carrying food, water, and medication have arrived at the border. The UN raised concern on Tuesday over Israel's "choking off" of Gaza's two main aid arteries. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that he was "disturbed and distressed" by Israel's move. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. (With inputs from agencies)

Gaza war updates: 30 Hamas militants killed in Israel’s Rafah operation, says IDF

An Israeli airstrike killed at least seven people and wounded several others early on Wednesday (May 8) in Gaza City, a local hospital in the blockaded Palestinian enclave said.&nbsp;

The strike on an apartment in Gaza killed seven members of the same family, the Al-Ahli hospital said. Eyewitnesses on Wednesday (May 8) also reported strikes elsewhere in Gaza, more so around Rafah.

The development came after Israel seized control of the Gazan side of the Rafah crossing. After Israel refused to rule out a full-scale invasion of Rafah, international pressure is growing against Israel to pursue a truce.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-forces-take-control-of-gaza-side-of-rafah-crossing-aid-flow-impacted-719023">Humanitarian aid flow impacted as Israeli forces take control of Gaza side of Rafah crossing</a>

Earlier this week, Israeli rockets were fired from the Rafah area of the Gaza Strip towards Kerem Shalom and the Re'im area of southern Israel, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

"The projectiles that were fired toward the area of the Kerem Shalom Crossing are preventing the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The IDF will continue to operate to enable the necessary security conditions to re-open the Kerem Shalom Crossing," the IDF said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel's military operation in Rafah serves dual goals of returning the hostages held in Gaza as well as eliminating Hamas.&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;Israel-Hamas War: Israel provoking famine in Gaza?

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Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s war cabinet, said the Israeli military’s operations in Rafah will "continue and expand as necessary".

Meanwhile, the last remaining operational hospital in Rafah also issued a call for all available medical teams to help with the constant flow of injured individuals arriving at the medical facility.&nbsp;

The hospital medical director, as cited by CNN, said that the remaining field hospitals in the area of an eastern Rafah hospital evacuated on Monday (May 6) following Israeli warnings, and will only be able to provide less than one-third of their previously offered services.

(With inputs from agencies)

An Israeli airstrike killed at least seven people and wounded several others early on Wednesday (May 8) in Gaza City, a local hospital in the blockaded Palestinian enclave said.

An Israeli airstrike killed at least seven people and wounded several others early on Wednesday (May 8) in Gaza City, a local hospital in the blockaded Palestinian enclave said. The strike on an apartment in Gaza killed seven members of the same family, the Al-Ahli hospital said. Eyewitnesses on Wednesday (May 8) also reported strikes elsewhere in Gaza, more so around Rafah. The development came after Israel seized control of the Gazan side of the Rafah crossing. After Israel refused to rule out a full-scale invasion of Rafah, international pressure is growing against Israel to pursue a truce. Also read | Humanitarian aid flow impacted as Israeli forces take control of Gaza side of Rafah crossing Earlier this week, Israeli rockets were fired from the Rafah area of the Gaza Strip towards Kerem Shalom and the Re'im area of southern Israel, according to the Israel Defense Forces. "The projectiles that were fired toward the area of the Kerem Shalom Crossing are preventing the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The IDF will continue to operate to enable the necessary security conditions to re-open the Kerem Shalom Crossing," the IDF said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel's military operation in Rafah serves dual goals of returning the hostages held in Gaza as well as eliminating Hamas. Also watch | Israel-Hamas War: Israel provoking famine in Gaza? × Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s war cabinet, said the Israeli military’s operations in Rafah will "continue and expand as necessary". Meanwhile, the last remaining operational hospital in Rafah also issued a call for all available medical teams to help with the constant flow of injured individuals arriving at the medical facility. The hospital medical director, as cited by CNN, said that the remaining field hospitals in the area of an eastern Rafah hospital evacuated on Monday (May 6) following Israeli warnings, and will only be able to provide less than one-third of their previously offered services. (With inputs from agencies)

Israeli strike in Gaza city kills 7, several reported wounded as humanitarian crisis deepens

India on Tuesday (May 7) began voting in the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections. A total of 93 constituencies across 11 states and Union Territories (UT) are witnessing elections.

India on Tuesday (May 7) began voting in the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections. A total of 93 constituencies across 11 states and Union Territories (UT) are witnessing elections. The war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip rages on with the Israeli army carrying out "targeted strikes" against Hamas militants in eastern Rafah after appealing to civilians to evacuate. In other news from around the world, the US and most European Union nations are boycotting the Kremlin ceremony to swear in Vladimir Putin for a new six-year term as president. Click on the headlines to read Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 3: India in middle of its poll summer as voting begins across 93 seats India is almost exactly in the middle of its seven-phase general election. With the completion of phase-3 voting by the end of Tuesday (May 7) in which 93 constituencies across 11 states and Union Territories are going to polls, a total of 283 of 543 Lok Sabha seats would have completed polling. Israel conducts 'targeted strikes' in Gaza as ceasefire deal remains uncertain The Israeli army carried out "targeted strikes" against Hamas militants in eastern Rafah after appealing to civilians to evacuate. Thousands of people moved to what Israel termed as the "humanitarian area" to the north of Rafah. US and majority of EU nations to skip Putin's inauguration ceremony The US and most European Union nations are boycotting the Kremlin ceremony to swear in Vladimir Putin for a new six-year term as president on Tuesday (May 7). However, some other EU states and France were expected to send an envoy despite a plea by Kyiv. From countdown to letdown: Sunita Williams' third trip to space delayed as Starliner launch is scrubbed Just two hours before blast off, the long-awaited test flight of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft was called off over a technical glitch with the Atlas V rocket. The launch has been postponed for at least 24 hours because of an issue with the Atlas V rocket that was being readied to launch the new astronaut capsule into orbit on Monday (May 6) night. Watch | India, Ghana agree to operationalise UPI link within 6 months ×

Morning brief: India votes in phase 3 of Lok Sabha polls; Gaza war updates, and more

A ceasefire deal in the intensifying war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip hangs on a loose thread, with a fresh round of negotiations taking place in the Egyptian capital city of Cairo on Tuesday (May 7) after ceasefire talks in Doha failed to produce an agreement.

A ceasefire deal in the intensifying war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip hangs on a loose thread, with a fresh round of negotiations taking place in the Egyptian capital city of Cairo on Tuesday (May 7) after ceasefire talks in Doha failed to produce an agreement. Cairo is hosting delegates from Qatar, the United States, and the Palestinian militant group, Hamas to try and reach a comprehensive truce in Gaza, reported Egypt's state-affiliated Al-Qahera News TV, citing a high-ranking source. Qatar had previously said that it would send a delegation to Cairo to resume negotiations and hope that "talks will culminate in reaching an agreement for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The statement comes hours after Hamas said it informed mediators Egypt and Qatar of its "approval of their proposal regarding a ceasefire" in the war, which has been going on for seven months. Also Read | Humanitarian aid flow impacted as Israeli forces take control of Gaza side of Rafah crossing A team of mid-ranking Israeli officials arrives in Cairo to see whether Hamas can be persuaded to shift on its latest ceasefire offer. This comes after the Israeli government said that the proposal was far from Israel's "essential demands", but the government would send negotiators for talks "to exhaust the potential for arriving at an agreement." Meanwhile, Israel has seemingly intensified operations after United Nations agencies, on Tuesday reported that the two main crossings into the southern Gaza Strip are closed, which has virtually cut off any outside aid from entering the enclave. "The two main arteries for getting aid into Gaza are currently choked off," said a UN official referring to the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings, which Israel has closed for aid and people. He added, that the enclave has just a one-day buffer of fuel stocks. "If no fuel comes in for a prolonged period of time it would be a very effective way of putting the humanitarian operation in its grave," said UN agency humanitarian office spokesperson Jens Laerke. Here's a look at the latest updates on the Gaza war, and the upcoming truce talks: 1) A senior Hamas official told AFP that a delegation from the Palestinian group was due to leave for truce talks in Cairo and warned: "This will be the last chance for (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu and the families of the Zionist prisoners to return their children". 2) Netanyahu, in his speech on Tuesday evening, said the Rafah operation is meant to bring back the hostages and to eliminate Hamas and the latest ceasefire deal was "meant to sabotage the entry of our forces into Rafah." 3) The Israeli PM also said that Hamas' latest offer is "very far from Israel’s vital demands" and "cannot accept a proposal that endangers the safety of our citizens and the future of our country." He has instructed the Israeli negotiating team currently in Cairo to "stand firmly". 4) On Tuesday, the Israeli military said that it had captured the Gazan side of the Rafah crossing. Addressing a press conference, an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson said, "We have operational control of the area and the crossing." 5) Israeli government calls on international organisations to evacuate Rafah. UN humanitarian office spokesperson, Laerke said "panic and despair" were gripping the people in Rafah. 6) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Israel to "immediately" re-open the Rafah and Karem Shalom crossings and urged the Jewish state to "stop any escalation". He also said that a "full-scale assault" on Rafah would be a "human catastrophe." 7) Palestinian and Egyptian officials said that Israeli tanks had entered Rafah. Also Read | Pro-Palestinian protesters barred from reaching Met Gala; burn American flag, vandalise WWI memorial 8) The US in its first response to Israel's Rafah operation told Reuters, "We continue to believe that a hostage deal is in the best interest of the Israeli and the Palestinian people; it would bring an immediate ceasefire and allow increased humanitarian assistance into Gaza." 9) Israeli operation in Gaza’s Rafah city marks another war crime by Israel, said Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz, on Tuesday. 10) The Palestinian Authority called on the United States to "intervene immediately" to prevent Israel from invading Rafah, reported the Palestinian news agency WAFA. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Gaza War: Hamas truce offer is ‘very far’ from Israeli demands, says Netanyahu

Hamas said on Monday (May 6) that it had accepted a Gaza ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar, hours after Israel announced a plan to evacuate 100,000 Palestinians from Rafah, hinting at starting its offensive after nearly seven months of war.

Hamas said on Monday (May 6) that it had accepted a Gaza ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar, hours after Israel announced a plan to evacuate 100,000 Palestinians from Rafah, hinting at starting its offensive after nearly seven months of war. Hamas did not share the terms of the truce formally, but a senior Hamas member Khalil al-Hayya said on Monday that the proposal includes a three-stage truce with the goal of a lasting ceasefire. Hayya divulged details to the Qatar-based Al Jazeera channel, stating that each phase would last 42 days. According to him, the deal includes plans for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an exchange of hostages and prisoners. the deal would also guarantee the return of Palestinians displaced by the ongoing war, with the aim of a "permanent ceasefire". Also read: Israeli jets strike two Rafah areas ahead of ground invasion: Hamas Hamas's announcement came moments after the White House said that US President Joe Biden held a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a statement published on its official website, the militant group said, "Ismail Haniyeh, head of the political bureau of Hamas movement, conducted a telephone call with the prime minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and with the Egyptian intelligence minister, Mr Abbas Kamel, and informed them of Hamas's approval of their proposal regarding a ceasefire agreement." After the announcement, a senior Hamas official said that Israel must decide whether it accepts or "obstructs" a truce in Gaza. While speaking to the news agency AFP on condition of anonymity, the official said, "After Hamas agreed to the mediators' proposal for a ceasefire, the ball is now in the court of Israeli occupation, whether it will agree to the ceasefire agreement or obstruct it." Also read: Putin’s nuclear drills orders response to ‘unprecedented’ comments from West: Kremlin Meanwhile, the Times of Israel reported that Israeli officials have warned against accepting the announcement made by the Palestine-based militant group. Israel cautioned that the offer Hamas says it accepted is not the one it agreed to. Officials told networks Kan, 12 and 13 that the terms Hamas accepted are different to what Israel agreed to. The offer Hamas has accepted is apparently made unilaterally by Egypt. It is not being taken seriously in Jerusalem before the details are clarified, the networks mentioned. A senior Israeli official spoke to AFP, reiterating that it was not the "framework" Israel had previously agreed to, but he mentioned that the government was studying the proposal. "We have received the proposal and are reviewing it. It is not the framework that was agreed upon. We are examining it," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity. Celebrations were seen in the streets of Gaza after Hamas claimed to accept a ceasefire agreement. Watch this report: × Rafah evacuation order Despite Hamas saying it had approved the truce proposal, Israel's army late Monday reiterated its call for evacuations in Rafah. "We also call on residents this evening to evacuate," military spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a broadcast address after the Hamas announcement. Hagari added that "airforce aircraft targeted more than 50 terror targets in the Rafah area" throughout the day Monday. Fears are also looming over a possible invasion of Rafah, where more than one million people have sought refuge from months of Israeli bombardment, which will be catastrophic. Meanwhile, the UN rights chief said Monday that Israel's order for Palestinians to evacuate from eastern Rafah in Gaza is "inhumane" and warned that the offensive would push suffering and destruction beyond already "unbearable" levels. Volker Turk further said forcing hundreds of thousands of people to flee to areas with almost no access to aid for survival was "inconceivable". Biden-Netanyahu talks The White House also said that Biden "reiterated his clear position" to Netanyahu after Israel defied US warnings and told Palestinians to evacuate part of the southern Gaza city of Rafah. It added that Netanyahu, meanwhile, "agreed to ensure the Kerem Shalom crossing is open for humanitarian assistance for those in need". Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel cautions after Hamas says it accepts ceasefire proposal of Egypt and Qatar

Hopes for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip are dimming but a fresh round of negotiations will take place in Qatar on Monday (May 6). Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director Bill Burns headed to Qatar's capital Doha for "emergency" discussions on mediation in the war.

Hopes for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip are dimming but a fresh round of negotiations will take place in Qatar on Monday (May 6). Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director Bill Burns headed to Qatar's capital Doha for "emergency" discussions on mediation in the war. Burns would continue to stay in Doha as the truce talks drag on and will head to Israel by Tuesday for talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A Hamas official, meanwhile, said that the group's delegation for truce talks was headed to Doha for consultations. On Sunday, the ceasefire talks in Egypt's Cairo failed to produce a breakthrough. Hamas reiterated that it would not accept a truce that did not completely end the war, accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of "personally hindering" a deal. Also read: Israel shuts key border crossing for aid trucks as Hamas fires rockets Prime Minister Netanyahu, meanwhile, hardened his rejection of Hamas' demands for an end to the Gaza war in exchange for the freeing of hostages, saying on Sunday that would keep the Palestinian militant group in power and pose a threat to Israel. These developments came as 16 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip's Rafah city. The airstrikes came hours after Hamas claimed responsibility for a rocket attack near Rafah which Israeli said killed three IDF soldiers and injured 11 more. Also read | Dozens of Jewish sites receive disturbing bomb threat emails in NYC, says report The conflict between Israel and Hamas started in October last year after Hamas launched an assault in southern Israel in which 1,200 people were killed and 252 taken hostage. Israel responded by striking back hard at the Gaza Strip, killing more than 34,000 people. With the outcome of Monday's truce talks unknown, here's a look at the latest updates: US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on the phone on Monday evening, according to Israeli media. The conversation reportedly lasted half an hour. Gaza officials said Israeli jets have targeted at least two areas in Rafah that the IDF had ordered to be evacuated. "The areas targeted by the Israeli occupation are near the perimeter of Gaza International Airport, the Al-Shuka area, the Abu Halawa area, the Salaheddin street area and the Salam neighbourhood," Gaza civil defence agency spokesman Ahmed Ridwan was quoted as saying by AFP. Another aid official confirmed the strikes. Egypt has reportedly raised its military’s level of preparedness in northern Sinai, which borders the Gaza Strip. EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell on Monday urged Israel to “renounce” the idea of invading Rafah. In a post on social media, he called on both sides to implement UN security council resolution 2728, which demanded “an immediate ceasefire … by all parties leading to a lasting sustainable ceasefire” and also called for “the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages” and “the lifting of all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance at scale”. Hezbollah said it fired "dozens of Katyusha rockets" at an Israeli base in the occupied Golan Heights on Monday in retaliation for a strike in Lebanon's east. Hezbollah fighters launched "dozens of Katyusha rockets" targeting "the headquarters of the Golan Division... at Nafah base", the group said in a statement. The Israeli military on Monday began evacuating Palestinian civilians from eastern Rafah ahead of a threatened assault on the southern Gazan city. The military said that around 100,000 people were being evacuated. According to local media reports, the evacuations were now focused on a few peripheral districts of Rafah from which evacuees would be directed to tent cities in nearby Khan Younis and Al Muwassi. The military said that the east Rafah evacuation was a "limited scope operation," as it began to drop flyers, send text messages, and make phone calls to Palestinians with instructions on the zones that needed to be evacuated, and which routes to take to a designated humanitarian zone. Hamas called the evacuation plan a “dangerous escalation that will have consequences.” At least 16 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip's Rafah, AFP reported on Monday citing medics and first responders. The airstrikes came hours after Hamas claimed responsibility for a rocket attack near Rafah which Israeli said killed three Israeli soldiers and injured 11 more. The Israeli military confirmed the counter-strike, saying it struck the launcher from which the Hamas projectiles were fired, as well as a nearby "military structure." The military said 10 projectiles were launched from Rafah in southern Gaza towards the area of Kerem Shalom, which it said was now closed. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. Also watch | Israel-Hamas war: Families of hostages rally again in Tel Aviv (With inputs from agencies)

Gaza war: Biden speaks to Netanyahu as Israeli jets strike two Rafah areas, 10 key points

Sixteen people were killed in Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip's Rafah city, the news agency AFP reported early Monday (May 6), citing medics and first responders.

Sixteen people were killed in Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip's Rafah city, the news agency AFP reported early Monday (May 6), citing medics and first responders. "The toll of martyrs in Rafah reached 16," emergency first responders told AFP, adding that seven people from one family and nine from another family were killed in the Israeli attacks. Medical sources, meanwhile, confirmed two strikes they said took place at two different locations around Rafah. 'Three Israeli soldiers killed in Hamas attack' The airstrikes came hours after Hamas claimed responsibility for a rocket attack near Rafah which Israel said killed three of its soldiers and injured 11 more. Hamas' armed wing said it fired rockets at an Israeli army base by the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza. Also read | Israel cabinet votes to shut down Al Jazeera offices in country; Hamas reacts The Israeli military confirmed the counter-strike, saying it struck the launcher from which the Hamas projectiles were fired, as well as a nearby "military structure." The military said 10 projectiles were launched from Rafah in southern Gaza towards the area of Kerem Shalom, which it said was now closed for aid trucks going into the coastal enclave. Other crossings remained open. "The launches carried out by Hamas adjacent to the Rafah Crossing ... are a clear example of the terrorist organisation's systematic exploitation of humanitarian facilities and spaces and their continued use of the Gazan civilian population as human shields," the military added. Hamas delegation to be in Qatar for truce talks Sunday's attacks came as hopes dimmed for ceasefire talks between the warring factions. A Hamas official said that the group's delegation for Gaza truce talks in Cairo was leaving for "consultations" in Qatar after public disagreement with Israel intensified over demands to end their seven-month war. Also watch | Future of war: Will private military contractors take over? | WION Decodes × The official, who chose to remain anonymous, told AFP that "the meeting with the Egyptian intelligence minister has ended and the Hamas delegation is leaving for Doha for further consultations." Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said "surrendering" to a demand to end the war would amount to defeat. (With inputs from agencies)

Gaza war: 16 killed in Israeli airstrikes in Rafah following rocket attack by Hamas

Seven months since the October 7 Hamas attack last year, Israel continues to inflict pain on the Palestinians ignoring proportionality, a fundamental principle of the International Laws of Armed Conflict.

Seven months since the October 7 Hamas attack last year, Israel continues to inflict pain on the Palestinians ignoring proportionality, a fundamental principle of the International Laws of Armed Conflict. Nothing seems to stop them. They bash on regardless of a UN resolution to stop the assault, domestic demands from within Israel, gathering angst from the world over, cases at ICJ and ICC or increasing threat of sanctions. Likewise, nothing seems to deter the Houthis from continuing their wanton destruction in the Red Sea in response to the Israeli offensive against Palestinians. Even Operation Prosperity Guardian led by the US Navy, involving several other modern navies has not borne fruit. News that the US has appealed to Iran to rein in the Houthis was bad enough an indicator of the world’s helplessness. Subsequent reports about the US offer to remove the Houthis from a terror list as quid pro quo for peace in the Red Sea prove the world’s impotence in deterring committed adversaries who are willing to die to win their goals. Tim Lenderking, President Joe Biden’s special envoy for Yemen removed any lingering hope when he admitted on April 3 that the US favours a diplomatic solution and that they “know that there is no military solution”. As per media reports, US aircraft carrier Dwight Eisenhower deployed with great fanfare in the Red Sea has left the area and several navies including the US Navy are only escorting high-value ships through the area now. This is an important reality for international trade. The merchant marine has no option but to co-exist with perennial strife in the foreseeable future. As of now, there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Here is why. Several other factors combine with perennial strife to form an uncomfortable new normal for ships at sea. First among them is the inevitable dependence on choke points where ships become easy targets owing to restrictions that constricted spaces and traffic density place on their movements at these points. Second, is the ease of targeting as ship identities, positions and details of their traverse cannot be hidden near choke points and live updates on them can easily be fed to adversaries. Third, is the easy availability of low-cost, over-the-shelf or indigenous technologies and materials that completely preclude any chance the world may have in preventing the unwanted proliferation of modern non-traditional weapons and ordnance delivery platforms. Fourth, is the impending shift of anti-shipping offensives to the underwater realm, buoyed by the success of Ukraine’s surface and below-surface drones which drove the mighty Russian Navy away from the operationally important parts of the Black Sea. Fifth, is the multitude of conflicts and potential conflicts that abound the worldover, mostly embers from the age of European colonialism which can be fanned to infernos at will. That non-state actors dominate several of these conflicts further increases the degree of difficulty for states or global organisations like the UN in resolving them. All these combine well to form a highly incendiary mix in an increasingly right-wing world which is intent on questioning history and undoing the ‘wrongs’ of the past. With no limits on the distance to travel into the past to unearth new grievances, new trouble spots are sure to emerge. What does this mean for the merchant marine? After all, there are no military solutions. A massive whole-world approach that combines diplomatic, technological, economic, social and military measures, that draw deeply from history stands the best chance of success. Though underwater warfare on trade started at the beginning of WW I, it manifested in its most destructive form only in WW II. It is unsettling to recollect that the single largest campaign that ran throughout the duration of WW II was the Battle of the Atlantic, where German U Boats kept sinking Allied shipping. It started at the beginning of the war and ended only when Germany capitulated. How is this relevant today? Firstly, while it was Germany, a formal state, that inflicted losses on the allies with wanton destruction using submarines during WW 2, today it is Houthis, a non-state actor, difficult to be held accountable. Secondly, submarines were large, manned, craft whose deployment and actions were inevitably influenced by the need to provide a reasonable chance of survival to the crew during action. No such baggage restricts anti-ship surface or sub-surface drones. Thirdly, submarines were large enough craft that gave some chance for their adversaries to detect and avoid or destroy them. Small surface or sub-surface drones have much less vulnerability. So what do we do to protect seaborne trade? Firstly, the world must accept that even the best navies have no foolproof solution to protect even themselves from underwater attacks using drones, especially in large numbers. Secondly, we must learn from history. Every material and tactical countermeasure that has been developed from the early part of the 20th century, right up to the lessons of the previous bout of piracy off the Somalian coast needs to be considered for increasing the survivability of ships. Some of these lessons must be incorporated right from the design stage for merchant ships. Thirdly, multi-modal operations need to be developed to reduce dependence on volatile choke points to the extent possible. Fourthly, governments the worldover have to assume direct responsibility and mandate the above steps as these steps cost money and if left to the corporate world they wouldn’t act optimally for profitability considerations. Last but not the least, fighting navies must make serious adjustments to force structuring, operations and training to meet the new threat. Ocean shipping is an international treasure. It is time the world went back to the drawing board to improve the survivability of merchant ships and the military capabilities of navies in handling underwater attacks. However, what must take the utmost preference is the fact that the non-military solutions stand the best chance of bringing lasting solutions. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

International shipping – set for perennial hard times

Negotiations for a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza are under way in Cairo, sources said after a delegation of the Palestinian militant group Hamas arrived in Egypt on Saturday (May 4) for the latest round of talks on a proposed truce and hostage release in Gaza, the news agency AFP reported citing Egyptian media.

Negotiations for a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza are under way in Cairo, sources said after a delegation of the Palestinian militant group Hamas arrived in Egypt on Saturday (May 4) for the latest round of talks on a proposed truce and hostage release in Gaza, the news agency AFP reported citing Egyptian media. The mediators have already rejected Hamas’s demand for Russia, China and Turkey to be the guarantors of a ceasefire deal, reported The National citing sources. The Hamas delegation led by Khalil Al Hayah and including Zahed Gabreen, a confidante of Yahya Sinwar, arrived in Cairo on Saturday to resume the truce talks after months of negotiations failed. Zahed Gabreen, a senior group official and a confidante of Yahya Sinwar, is also in the delegation. According to a source in the Egyptian intelligence service, there has been significant progress in the negotiations between Hamas and Israel, and that the Egyptian mediators have "reached an agreed-upon formula on most points of contention." Also read | Israeli forces will enter Rafah ‘with or without’ Gaza hostage deal, says PM Netanyahu Hamas launched an unprecedented attack against Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the Palestinian militant group took hundreds of Israelis as hostages. This led to Israeli forces striking back hard at the Gaza Strip, killing more than 34,000 people, injuring tens of thousands, and displacing over a million civilians. Here's a look at the latest updates: > A report in the Palestinian Al-Quds newspaper on Saturday said that Hamas would announce its approval of the latest proposal for a ceasefire and hostage release deal in the coming hours. > The latest proposal (in the ceasefire agreement) includes a first phase lasting up to 40 days in which up to 33 of 128 Israeli hostages held in Gaza would be released along with IDF withdrawal from parts of Gaza, a report by the Times of Israel said. > The second phase, which would last for 42 days, would see the release of all other living hostages and the sides completing arrangements for sustainable calm in Gaza. > The third and final phase, which would also last for 42 days, would see an exchange of bodies. Also watch | Future of war: Will private military contractors take over? | WION Decodes × > On Friday, Hamas said in a statement, "We emphasise the positive spirit with which the Hamas leadership dealt with the ceasefire proposal it recently received, and we are going to Cairo in the same spirit to reach an agreement." > The Gaza Health Ministry has denounced the passing of a prominent Palestinian physician in an Israeli detention facility following over four months of imprisonment. In a statement on X, it said that “the torture and assassination” of Dr Adnan al-Barash was the latest example of Israel’s “continued violation of international conventions in dealing with the health sector and medical personnel during its aggression against Gaza”. > On Friday, Hamas also accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of trying to derail the proposed ceasefire, and hostage release deal with his threats to keep fighting the militants. > "Netanyahu was the obstructionist of all previous rounds of dialogue... and it is clear that he still is," a Hamas official told AFP. Al-Amal hospital continues to operate ‘partially’: Red Crescent The Palestine Red Crescent Society shared a video showing a hospital in Khan Younis and the nearby areas damaged by Israeli airstrikes. The video revealed destroyed buildings and lots of rubble everywhere. At least 5 dead in Israeli raid in occupied West Bank The Palestinian Health Ministry stated that Israeli forces allegedly killed five people during a raid on the town of Deir al-Ghusun in Tulkarem district. According to the ministry's Telegram channel, four of those killed were aged between 32 and 45. This report follows the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Deir al-Ghusun after a 15-hour raid that resulted in fatalities. Students in Switzerland join Gaza protests Around 100 students took over a building at Lausanne University as a form of protest against the conflict in Gaza. They called for an halt to scientific collaboration with Israel. Israeli official: Hamas' war end demand 'thwarting' truce efforts In another statement within hours, a diplomatic source once more rejects claims that Israel will accept a hostage-for-truce deal with Hamas, which involves Israel committing to end the conflict in Gaza. The source also refutes reports suggesting Israel will agree to mediators providing assurances for ending the war, as cited by the Times of Israel. Hamas’ Osama Hamdan on ongoing truce talks “We are still talking about the main issues, which are the complete ceasefire and complete withdrawal [of Israel] from Gaza. We hope we can find some positive answers today.” “Unfortunately, there was a clear statement from Netanyahu saying regardless of any ceasefire or not he’ll continue the attack against Rafah – which means there will be no ceasefire. Our understanding to achieve a ceasefire means there will be no more attacks anywhere in Gaza, including Rafah.” “We have to talk about the real position of the United States because that is the main issue that will affect the position of the Israelis, mainly Netanyahu. Guarantees are important, but we need a clear statement that clarifies the positions of each side. Because as we all know, the Israelis are trying every time to get out of their commitments,” Hamdan, a Hamas spokesman, told Al Jazeera over a phone call. (With inputs from agencies)

Gaza war: Negotiations underway in Cairo to secure new ceasefire deal | Top points

Police arrived on the University of South Carolina (USC) campus Sunday morning and cleared away a pro-Palestinian encampment after the school issued a warning to demonstrators.

According to Annenberg Media student reporters, the campus was closed as more than 100 police officers dressed in riot gear encircled the campsite.

This came after the USC official account posted a warning on X early morning, that read, "If you are in the centre of campus, please leave. People who don't leave will be arrested."

Over an hour later, the university announced in another post that the campsite had been evacuated. "The camp at UPC has been removed. "The campus remains closed," the USC Twitter account tweeted on X.

Joel Curran, Senior Vice President of Communications, said in a statement, "Earlier today, the University of Southern California Department of Public Safety (DPS) successfully removed the illegal encampment rebuilt on the university's campus. It was necessary to request the Los Angeles Police Department to respond to provide security as this was carried out peacefully. No arrests have been reported. We want to thank LAPD for assisting DPS in clearing the encampment and restoring normalcy for students and community as quickly and safely as possible. We will share more information with our community later today."

Also read:&nbsp;<meta name="uuid" content="uuidRjlcNc0Qy0rI" /><a href="http://wionews.com/world/police-remove-hijab-of-student-protestor-at-arizona-state-university-amid-gaza-protests-sparks-backlash-717151" target="_blank">Police remove hijab of student protester at Arizona State University, trigger backlash</a>

This comes after the school issued a warning to protesters that their encampment breached school regulations and must be removed.

According to livestream footage from student journalists, the campsite had dispersed as police drew a line to take remaining protesters away and prevent them from re-entering the area. The campsite had restarted after the LAPD detained 93 individuals on April 24.&nbsp;

Student demonstrations have taken place at USC, in response to the war in Gaza and the administration's decision to postpone the valedictorian's commencement speech, which expressed solidarity for Palestinians. The institution made the decision in mid-April, citing safety concerns after receiving threats. Some Jewish organisations had questioned the student's selection as a speaker. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Police arrived on the University of South Carolina (USC) campus Sunday morning and cleared away a pro-Palestinian encampment after the school issued a warning to demonstrators.

Police arrived on the University of South Carolina (USC) campus Sunday morning and cleared away a pro-Palestinian encampment after the school issued a warning to demonstrators. According to Annenberg Media student reporters, the campus was closed as more than 100 police officers dressed in riot gear encircled the campsite. This came after the USC official account posted a warning on X early morning, that read, "If you are in the centre of campus, please leave. People who don't leave will be arrested." Over an hour later, the university announced in another post that the campsite had been evacuated. "The camp at UPC has been removed. "The campus remains closed," the USC Twitter account tweeted on X. Joel Curran, Senior Vice President of Communications, said in a statement, "Earlier today, the University of Southern California Department of Public Safety (DPS) successfully removed the illegal encampment rebuilt on the university's campus. It was necessary to request the Los Angeles Police Department to respond to provide security as this was carried out peacefully. No arrests have been reported. We want to thank LAPD for assisting DPS in clearing the encampment and restoring normalcy for students and community as quickly and safely as possible. We will share more information with our community later today." Also read: Police remove hijab of student protester at Arizona State University, trigger backlash This comes after the school issued a warning to protesters that their encampment breached school regulations and must be removed. According to livestream footage from student journalists, the campsite had dispersed as police drew a line to take remaining protesters away and prevent them from re-entering the area. The campsite had restarted after the LAPD detained 93 individuals on April 24. Student demonstrations have taken place at USC, in response to the war in Gaza and the administration's decision to postpone the valedictorian's commencement speech, which expressed solidarity for Palestinians. The institution made the decision in mid-April, citing safety concerns after receiving threats. Some Jewish organisations had questioned the student's selection as a speaker. (With inputs from agencies)

Police clear pro-Palestinian encampment from USC campus, no arrests reported

Hamas on late Saturday (May 4) said that it would not accept a truce deal that did not completely end the war in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian militant group accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of "personally hindering" a deal.

Hamas on late Saturday (May 4) said that it would not accept a truce deal that did not completely end the war in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian militant group accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of "personally hindering" a deal. On Saturday, a Hamas delegation met Qatari, Egyptian, and US mediators in Egypt's Cairo in the latest bid to halt the war which started in October last year. According to a report by the news agency AFP, a senior Hamas official said on Saturday that the group would "not agree under any circumstances" to a truce that did not explicitly include a complete end to the war, including Israel's withdrawal from Gaza. Also read | Gaza hospital staff questioned by ICC war crimes prosecutors: Report The official, who chose to remain anonymous, condemned Israel's efforts to secure a hostage-release deal "without linking it to ending the aggression on Gaza". Meanwhile, a top Israeli official earlier accused Hamas of "thwarting the possibility of reaching an agreement" by refusing to give up its demand for an end to the war, AFP reported. Thousands of Israelis protest, demand PM should accept truce As the meeting in Cairo took place, thousands of Israelis protested in Tel Aviv, demanding that Netanyahu should accept the truce deal with Hamas that would see the remaining Israeli hostages brought home from Gaza. At the rally, relatives and supporters of the more than 130 hostages still in captivity said anything possible had to be done to bring them home, the news agency Reuters reported. Also watch | Why has Netanyahu failed to secure the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza war so far? × On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, killing 1,200 Israelis and foreigners and hundreds of Israelis were taken as hostages. In response, Israel struck back hard at the Gaza Strip, destroying large swathes of the enclave and killing more than 34,000 people. The latest truce proposal The latest proposal (in the ceasefire agreement) includes a first phase lasting up to 40 days in which up to 33 of 128 Israeli hostages held in Gaza would be released along with IDF withdrawal from parts of Gaza, a report by the Times of Israel said. The second phase, which would last for 42 days, would see the release of all other living hostages and the sides completing arrangements for sustainable calm in Gaza. The third and final phase, which would also last for 42 days, would see an exchange of bodies. (With inputs from agencies)

Will not accept truce deal that doesn't completely end Gaza war: Hamas

A delegation of the Palestinian militant group Hamas will be in Cairo on Saturday (May 4) for Gaza ceasefire talks. Foreign mediators have been waiting for a response from the group to halt the fighting for 40 days and exchange hostages for Palestinian prisoners.

A delegation of the Palestinian militant group Hamas will be in Cairo on Saturday (May 4) for Gaza ceasefire talks. Foreign mediators have been waiting for a response from the group to halt the fighting for 40 days and exchange hostages for Palestinian prisoners. On Friday, Hamas said in a statement, "We emphasise the positive spirit with which the Hamas leadership dealt with the ceasefire proposal it recently received, and we are going to Cairo in the same spirit to reach an agreement." Three Indian nationals have been arrested by Canadian authorities for their alleged involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar, 45, was shot dead last June by masked gunmen in a busy car park in a Vancouver suburb. In other news from around the world, Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit Europe next week for the first time in five years. Xi will be visiting France, Hungary, and Serbia during his tour. Click on the headlines to read more: Gaza war: Hamas delegation to travel to Cairo today for ceasefire talks Palestinian militant group Hamas said on Friday (May 3) that its delegation would travel to Cairo on Saturday to resume Gaza ceasefire talks with Israel. In a statement, Hamas said, "We emphasise the positive spirit with which the Hamas leadership dealt with the ceasefire proposal it recently received, and we are going to Cairo in the same spirit to reach an agreement." Three Indian nationals arrested allegedly in killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar Three Indian nationals have been arrested by the Canadian police on Friday (May 4) in relation to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Nijjar, 45, was shot dead last June by masked gunmen in a busy car park in a Vancouver suburb. Xi Jinping to visit France, Hungary, and Serbia as EU trade tariff dispute heats up China’s president, Xi Jinping, is set to visit Europe next week for the first time in five years. Xi will be visiting France, Hungary and Serbia during his tour. The visit comes as China seeks to prevent a trade war with the EU, amid growing skepticism in the bloc following numerous espionage incidents and China's continued support for Russia during the war in Ukraine. Pro-Palestine protests: Graduation ceremonies at US universities may see walkouts Universities across US are preparing for possible disruptions at graduation ceremonies. Four universities rocked by pro-Palestinian protests will hold graduations this weekend. Watch: Flights to Dubai disrupted as heavy rains return to UAE ×

Morning brief: Hamas delegation in Cairo today for Gaza ceasefire talks, and more

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