Israel will face dire consequences if it sends troops into the besieged Gazan city of Rafah, according to Ehud Olmert, a former prime minister.

Former Israeli PM Ehud Olmert issues stern warning to Netanyahu

If you believe the war that you see on TV is far away and will not affect you, then you should reconsider. Recently, there have been reports of undersea internet cables being damaged in the Red Sea, causing disruptions in internet services in several areas. The Houthis previously warned of potential attacks on these cables, but it is unclear who carried out these damages and where they occurred. The incident raises questions about the Houthis' capabilities and whether another country was involved.

Gravitas | Are Houthis targeting undersea internet cables in the Red Sea? | The new seabed warfare

The families of hostages held in Gaza and their supporters are launching a four-day march from southern Israel to Jerusalem to demand their loved ones be set free.

Israel strikes Hezbollah targets in Lebanon | US considering airdropping aid into Gaza

More than 100 Palestinians have been killed and some 700 others wounded after Israeli troops opened fire on hundreds waiting for food aid southwest of Gaza city. The ministry said the attack was part of Israel’s ongoing “genocidal war”. It called on the international community to “urgently intervene” to forge a ceasefire as “the only way to protect civilians”.

Israel War: Gaza claims Israeli troops fire on crowd at food aid point

Israel war: Families of Israeli hostages demand remaining 134 hostages are brought back soon

Israel War: Dozens killed by Israeli fire in Gaza while collecting food aid

At least 104 people have been killed while waiting for aid in the western part of Gaza city. Palestinian officials have accused Israel of open firing on civilians while IDF says the crowd posed a threat to the troops positioned nearby.

Israel War: At least 104 killed, over 700 injured; Palestinian officials accuse Israel of attack

Israel War: At least 104 Gazans killed waiting for aid

Israeli journalist and film director Yuval Abraham said he is receiving death threats and has canceled his flight home from the Berlin International Film Festival amid backlash to an acceptance speech in which he decried the "situation of apartheid" and called for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Israeli Director Yuval Abraham receives death threats after calling for ceasefire in Gaza

At least 77 people have been killed in an alleged Israeli attack while they were waiting for immediate aid. The Palestinian media office in Gaza has accused Israel of intentionally attacking civilians and killing the people waiting for food in cold blood.

Israel War: US considering airdropping aid to Gaza

<p>At least 103 people were killed in Gaza overnight as enclave’s Health Ministry claimed on Saturday (Feb 24) that the Israeli army targeted families and residential complexes. With this, the death toll in Gaza has risen to 29,600. Nearly 70,000 people have been injured since the conflict began on October 7.</p>

<h2><strong>Details of attack</strong></h2>

<p>The Gazan health ministry claimed&nbsp;at least 10 attacks in residential areas, including the residence of popular Palestinian comedian Mahmoud Za'tar. The attacks resulted in at least 160 injuries, and left several critical.</p>

<p>Israeli military helicopter reportedly fired towards the houses in Deir al-Balah area in central Gaza.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Israel-Hamas war: Palestinian leaders reject Israel's post-war Gaza plan</strong></p>

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<p>“I was against the idea of leaving Gaza, because I love Gaza and I don’t want to leave it, but they are forcing us to leave Gaza looking for safety,” Za'tar was quoted as saying by The National News.</p>

<p>The attack on Za'tar’s house was alone responsible for at least 22 casualties and 50 injuries, the Hamas-run ministry claimed.</p>

<h2><strong>Humanitarian crisis intensifies</strong></h2>

<p>The relentless pounding of the strip has worsened food and water supplies in the enclave.</p>

<p>On Friday (Feb 23), the UN humanitarian agency, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said: “Without adequate food and water supplies, as well as health and nutrition services, the elevated risk of famine in Gaza is projected to increase.”</p>

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<p>The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, said Saturday that Gazans were “in extreme peril while the world watches on”.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw3CsYCe8oTd-z_z-swT2yRy" data-ved="2ahUKEwjX-YbC7MOEAxXPUGwGHay7CbkQxfQBKAB6BAgPEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-israeli-settlements-in-west-bank-inconsistent-with-international-law-us-693300" jsname="YKoRaf">New Israeli settlements in West Bank `inconsistent` with international law: US</a></strong></p>

<p>“No one can claim “I did not know” as the images, footage and voices of unspeakable suffering continue,” the UNRWA said on X.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for shutting down the UNRWA in a two-page document titled, The Day After Hamas, his vision for ‘future Gaza.’</p>

<h2><strong>Efforts underway to strike peace deal</strong></h2>

<p>The attacks came even as mediators met in Paris on Friday to discuss another potential truce between Israel and Hamas. Officials from the US, Egypt and Qatar gathered in Paris, along with Israel's spy chief.</p>

<p><em><strong>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.</strong></em></p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


At least 103 people were killed in Gaza overnight as enclave’s Health Ministry claimed on Saturday (Feb 24) that the Israeli army targeted families and residential complexes.

At least 103 people were killed in Gaza overnight as enclave’s Health Ministry claimed on Saturday (Feb 24) that the Israeli army targeted families and residential complexes. With this, the death toll in Gaza has risen to 29,600. Nearly 70,000 people have been injured since the conflict began on October 7. Details of attack The Gazan health ministry claimed at least 10 attacks in residential areas, including the residence of popular Palestinian comedian Mahmoud Za'tar. The attacks resulted in at least 160 injuries, and left several critical. Israeli military helicopter reportedly fired towards the houses in Deir al-Balah area in central Gaza. Watch: Israel-Hamas war: Palestinian leaders reject Israel's post-war Gaza plan × “I was against the idea of leaving Gaza, because I love Gaza and I don’t want to leave it, but they are forcing us to leave Gaza looking for safety,” Za'tar was quoted as saying by The National News. The attack on Za'tar’s house was alone responsible for at least 22 casualties and 50 injuries, the Hamas-run ministry claimed. Humanitarian crisis intensifies The relentless pounding of the strip has worsened food and water supplies in the enclave. On Friday (Feb 23), the UN humanitarian agency, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said: “Without adequate food and water supplies, as well as health and nutrition services, the elevated risk of famine in Gaza is projected to increase.” Also read: Israel war: G20 has consensus for two-state solution, says Brazil The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, said Saturday that Gazans were “in extreme peril while the world watches on”. Also read: New Israeli settlements in West Bank `inconsistent` with international law: US “No one can claim “I did not know” as the images, footage and voices of unspeakable suffering continue,” the UNRWA said on X. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for shutting down the UNRWA in a two-page document titled, The Day After Hamas, his vision for ‘future Gaza.’ Efforts underway to strike peace deal The attacks came even as mediators met in Paris on Friday to discuss another potential truce between Israel and Hamas. Officials from the US, Egypt and Qatar gathered in Paris, along with Israel's spy chief. 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-Hamas war:100 ‘killed’ in overnight strikes on Gaza residences, claims its health ministry

Israel war: Palestine officials accuse Israel of attack

Israel War: At least 77 Gazans killed while waiting for aid

Israel war: Families of Israeli hostages march to Jerusalem

United States President Joe Biden says he hopes to have a ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza by next Monday as negotiations to halt hostilities and secure the release of captives appear to gather pace.

Israel 'surprised' that Biden specified a date & Hamas 'unaware' of ceasefire agreement: Report

<p>Hezbollah and Israel were involved in a renewed exchange of hostilities on Tuesday (Feb 27), sparked by Israeli airstrikes in east Lebanon a day earlier.</p>

<p>This conflict, which erupted on October 7 between Israel and the Gaza-based Palestinian militant group Hamas, has witnessed continuous clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, a key ally of Hamas.</p>

<p>The recent Israeli raids near Baalbek marked a significant escalation, as they were the first in the area since the commencement of hostilities.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-army-claims-to-have-killed-hezbollah-commander-in-lebanon-strike-690703" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-army-claims-to-have-killed-hezbollah-commander-in-lebanon-strike-690703&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj23K3dicyEAxVYr1YBHX9JDTQ4ChAWegQIARAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2r_ve0yLqExXqwWgXVpQWw" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-army-claims-to-have-killed-hezbollah-commander-in-lebanon-strike-690703" target="_blank">Israel Army claims to have killed&nbsp;<b>Hezbollah</b>&nbsp;commander in Lebanon</a></p>

<p>The Israeli military justified the airstrikes, stating that they targeted Hezbollah's air defences in response to the group's downing of an Israeli drone.</p>

<p>The UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka, expressed concern about the dangerous cycle of violence and urged an immediate cessation of hostilities, emphasising the need to return to a state of ceasefire.</p>

<p>Hezbollah retaliated on Tuesday (Feb 27) by launching a substantial rocket attack on the Meron air control base. In response, Israeli fighter jets conducted airstrikes, destroying a military site and other infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah.</p>

<p>The situation further escalated as Hezbollah targeted the same base again, along with several other Israeli positions, marking the first time since the onset of hostilities.</p>

<p>The exchange of fire has not been confined to the typical border regions, with strikes reaching areas such as Baisariyeh, nearly 30 kilometres from the nearest Israeli boundary.</p>

<p>The clashes resulted in the death of two Hezbollah fighters in east Lebanon on Monday. Later that day, Hezbollah fired 60 rockets at an Israeli base in the annexed Golan Heights.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Israel trades fire with Lebanon's Hezbollah</strong></p>

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<p>The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) issued a warning, noting a concerning shift in the exchanges of fire in recent days.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The statement highlighted an escalation and intensification of strikes, emphasising the potential risk to a political solution. UNIFIL called on all involved parties to halt hostilities, providing space for a diplomatic and political resolution.</p>

<p>Since October, the cross-border exchanges have claimed at least 284 lives on the Lebanese side, predominantly Hezbollah fighters and 44 civilians.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-palestine-war-hezbollah-unlikely-to-join-the-war-unless-iran-wants-it-to-653194" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-palestine-war-hezbollah-unlikely-to-join-the-war-unless-iran-wants-it-to-653194&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjiy-2uicyEAxXQUGwGHfn8DSwQFnoECAMQAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw2ytppoc0jl04fgNiXSQ-BP" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-palestine-war-hezbollah-unlikely-to-join-the-war-unless-iran-wants-it-to-653194" target="_blank">Israel-Palestine War:&nbsp;<b>Hezbollah</b>&nbsp;unlikely to join the war</a></p>

<p>On the Israeli side, 10 soldiers and six civilians have lost their lives, according to the Israeli army. The situation remains tense, with concerns about further escalation and the impact on regional stability.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Hezbollah and Israel were involved in a renewed exchange of hostilities on Tuesday (Feb 27), sparked by Israeli airstrikes in east Lebanon a day earlier. This conflict, which erupted on October 7 between Israel and the Gaza-based Palestinian militant group Hamas, has witnessed continuous clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, a key ally of Hamas.

Hezbollah and Israel were involved in a renewed exchange of hostilities on Tuesday (Feb 27), sparked by Israeli airstrikes in east Lebanon a day earlier. This conflict, which erupted on October 7 between Israel and the Gaza-based Palestinian militant group Hamas, has witnessed continuous clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, a key ally of Hamas. The recent Israeli raids near Baalbek marked a significant escalation, as they were the first in the area since the commencement of hostilities. Also read: Israel Army claims to have killed Hezbollah commander in Lebanon The Israeli military justified the airstrikes, stating that they targeted Hezbollah's air defences in response to the group's downing of an Israeli drone. The UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka, expressed concern about the dangerous cycle of violence and urged an immediate cessation of hostilities, emphasising the need to return to a state of ceasefire. Hezbollah retaliated on Tuesday (Feb 27) by launching a substantial rocket attack on the Meron air control base. In response, Israeli fighter jets conducted airstrikes, destroying a military site and other infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah. The situation further escalated as Hezbollah targeted the same base again, along with several other Israeli positions, marking the first time since the onset of hostilities. The exchange of fire has not been confined to the typical border regions, with strikes reaching areas such as Baisariyeh, nearly 30 kilometres from the nearest Israeli boundary. The clashes resulted in the death of two Hezbollah fighters in east Lebanon on Monday. Later that day, Hezbollah fired 60 rockets at an Israeli base in the annexed Golan Heights. Watch: Israel trades fire with Lebanon's Hezbollah × The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) issued a warning, noting a concerning shift in the exchanges of fire in recent days. The statement highlighted an escalation and intensification of strikes, emphasising the potential risk to a political solution. UNIFIL called on all involved parties to halt hostilities, providing space for a diplomatic and political resolution. Since October, the cross-border exchanges have claimed at least 284 lives on the Lebanese side, predominantly Hezbollah fighters and 44 civilians. Also read: Israel-Palestine War: Hezbollah unlikely to join the war On the Israeli side, 10 soldiers and six civilians have lost their lives, according to the Israeli army. The situation remains tense, with concerns about further escalation and the impact on regional stability. (With inputs from agencies)

Hezbollah and Israel engage in crossfire as UN calls for ceasefire

Will Israel release Marwan Barghouti, the ‘Palestinian Mandela’? Hamas’s demand has cast Barghouti — back into the spotlight at a time when Western and Arab diplomats are debating how to revitalise the Palestinian leadership once the war between Israel and Hamas is over.

Hamas asks for Barghouti's release in hostage-prisoner swap

The Biden administration has given Israel until mid-march to sign a letter of assurances that it will abide by international law while using US weapons and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.

US wants Israeli assurance on using weapons in Gaza, says report

The political spotlight in the US has now shifted to Michigan, where the presidential primary is now in its last leg. President Joe Biden faces protest over Gaza in the Michigan primary contest which is home to a large Arab-American population.

US: Joe Biden faces protest over Gaza | Biden competes with Trump in Michigan Primary

US to Israel: Need assurances on weapons usage, aid

A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in Gaza. Months of war has brought the besieged strip on the verge of hunger and desperation. Despite efforts by multiple negotiators, including the United States, Qatar and Egypt, peace remains elusive. On the ground, the picture is grim, along with rising death toll, there are now mounting concerns over the risk of famine and spread of infectious diseases.

Gaza: UN says no aid delivered in a month, warns of catastrophe

Officials from Israel, Hamas and Qatar have cautioned against US President Joe Biden’s optimism that a hostage-for-ceasefire deal in Gaza could be reached by the end of this week, suggesting that differences remain as negotiators work to secure an agreement. Watch in for more details!

Israel War: Hamas officials 'unaware' of any ceasefire agreement, says report

Israel War: Israeli officials 'surprised' that Biden specified a ceasefire date, says report

Israel War: Israel and Hamas distance themselves from Biden’s optimism on Gaza ceasefire deal

The suspension of funding by a growing number of Western countries for UNRWA for Palestinians has raised questions about the fate of the refugees it serves. WION tells you more in this report.

Gaza one step away from famine, warns UN | Negotiations on, differences remain

<p>"I'm of the view, as you know, &nbsp;that the conduct of the response in Gaza – the Gaza strip – has been over the top."</p>

<p>So said US President Joe Biden in early February as he described efforts to reduce the number of civilian casualties in Israel’s war against Hamas, the militant organisation whose fighters broke through the wall that divides Gaza and Israel and massacred around 1,200 Israelis on October 7 last year.</p>

<p>Israel, West Asia's military superpower, responded with a ferocious bombardment that laid waste to entire cities. Israel followed up air strikes with a ground invasion. By the time Biden made his "over-the-top" remark, the Palestinian death toll was nearing 30,000, mostly women and children.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gaza was plunged into a humanitarian catastrophe, with famine and disease spreading and the medical system collapsed, as hospitals became targets of air strikes. &nbsp;As he ordered his forces into action the day after the Hamas massacre, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said "we are fighting against animals and we act accordingly." &nbsp;</p>

<p>Despite the ferocity of the fighting, the Biden administration bypassed Congress twice to approve emergency weapons sales to Israel. One shipment covered fuses and primers for 155 mm artillery shells worth $147.5 million and the second emergency determination was for 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition worth $107mn.</p>

<p>America’s eagerness to bolster Israel’s fighting capability clashed with repeated statements from the administration on the need to "take every feasible step to prevent harm to civilians."</p>

<p>The perverse logic of the way the US and some of its allies handled the Gaza war did not go unnoticed.</p>

<p>In several interviews in February, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, pointed out the contradictions in unambiguous language.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Referring to Biden’s "over-the-top" complaint, Borrell said at a press conference in Brussels: "Well, if you believe that too many people are being killed, maybe you should supply less arms in order to prevent so many people having been killed."</p>

<p>In the US, similar criticism came from Chris van Hollen, an influential Democratic senator. Washington was sending mixed signals, he said, by bypassing Congressional oversight to send Israel weapons while at the same time telling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reduce the number of civilian casualties.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The United States is not the only country to shrug off humanitarian concerns when it comes to boosting the arsenal of Israel.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On February 20, the British High Court dismissed a legal challenge to the sale of UK weapons to Israel brought by two human rights organisations. They wanted a judicial review of the government’s export licenses for the transfer of equipment Israel could use in its campaign in Gaza.</p>

<p>That covered a wide range of items including components for military radars and targeting equipment as well as parts for combat aircraft and naval vessels. Also in Europe, the government of Spain has come under criticism for selling ammunition to Israel.</p>

<p>On February 27, Biden expressed cautious optimism about the prospect of a ceasefire in Gaza next week after Israeli, Qatari, Egyptian and American negotiators worked on a deal in Paris last week. But a spokesman for Hamas played down suggestions that an agreement was close.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Israel-Hamas&nbsp;war | Gaza Ceasefire soon? Egypt, Qatar, US negotiate another truce</strong></p>

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<p>There is not much time left to avoid yet another bloodbath in Gaza. The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) has drawn up plans to attack the last stronghold of Hamas in Rafah, at the southern tip of the Gaza Strip, which is crowded with more than a million Palestinians who were herded from cities further north.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rafah is so densely packed that military operations avoiding huge civilian casualties are virtually impossible. The IDF has said that while negotiations are proceeding, it will hold back an assault on militants of Hamas in Rafah until March 10, when the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins.</p>

<p>How the war in Gaza develops has major implications for Biden’s chance to win a second term in November’s presidential elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Anger with his handling of Israel is running deep in his Democratic Party and there have been dozens of demonstrations with young Democrats calling him “Genocide Joe” and vowing not to vote for him. In Michigan, home to more Americans of Arab descent than any other US state, thousands wrote in “uncommitted” instead of Biden on Democratic primary ballots on February 27.</p>

<p>In effect&nbsp; a Gaza-linked protest vote, the “uncommitted” campaign was led by Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian-American in Congress. She represents Dearborn, more than half of whose 110,000 inhabitants are of Arab descent, traditionally a solid bloc of Democratic support.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bidens-michigan-primary-win-soured-by-unexpected-uncommitted-votes-694634">Biden's Michigan primary win soured by tens of thousands of 'uncommitted' votes in protest over Gaza war</a></strong></p>

<p>Early results showed that in all of Michigan, more than 24,000 opted for “uncommitted”, a fraction of the 127,000 who stuck with Biden. Whether the Democratic critics of his Gaza handling will still cast protest votes in November’s presidential elections remains to be seen.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But with the margins in November expected to be razor-thin, they could make a painful difference for Biden.</p>


"I'm of the view, as you know, that the conduct of the response in Gaza – the Gaza strip – has been over the top." So said US President Joe Biden in early February as he described efforts to reduce the number of civilian casualties in Israel’s war against Hamas, the militant organisation whose fighters broke through the wall that divides Gaza and Israel and massacred around 1,200 Israelis on October 7 last year.

"I'm of the view, as you know, that the conduct of the response in Gaza – the Gaza strip – has been over the top." So said US President Joe Biden in early February as he described efforts to reduce the number of civilian casualties in Israel’s war against Hamas, the militant organisation whose fighters broke through the wall that divides Gaza and Israel and massacred around 1,200 Israelis on October 7 last year. Israel, West Asia's military superpower, responded with a ferocious bombardment that laid waste to entire cities. Israel followed up air strikes with a ground invasion. By the time Biden made his "over-the-top" remark, the Palestinian death toll was nearing 30,000, mostly women and children. Gaza was plunged into a humanitarian catastrophe, with famine and disease spreading and the medical system collapsed, as hospitals became targets of air strikes. As he ordered his forces into action the day after the Hamas massacre, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said "we are fighting against animals and we act accordingly." Despite the ferocity of the fighting, the Biden administration bypassed Congress twice to approve emergency weapons sales to Israel. One shipment covered fuses and primers for 155 mm artillery shells worth $147.5 million and the second emergency determination was for 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition worth $107mn. America’s eagerness to bolster Israel’s fighting capability clashed with repeated statements from the administration on the need to "take every feasible step to prevent harm to civilians." The perverse logic of the way the US and some of its allies handled the Gaza war did not go unnoticed. In several interviews in February, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, pointed out the contradictions in unambiguous language. Referring to Biden’s "over-the-top" complaint, Borrell said at a press conference in Brussels: "Well, if you believe that too many people are being killed, maybe you should supply less arms in order to prevent so many people having been killed." In the US, similar criticism came from Chris van Hollen, an influential Democratic senator. Washington was sending mixed signals, he said, by bypassing Congressional oversight to send Israel weapons while at the same time telling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reduce the number of civilian casualties. The United States is not the only country to shrug off humanitarian concerns when it comes to boosting the arsenal of Israel. On February 20, the British High Court dismissed a legal challenge to the sale of UK weapons to Israel brought by two human rights organisations. They wanted a judicial review of the government’s export licenses for the transfer of equipment Israel could use in its campaign in Gaza. That covered a wide range of items including components for military radars and targeting equipment as well as parts for combat aircraft and naval vessels. Also in Europe, the government of Spain has come under criticism for selling ammunition to Israel. On February 27, Biden expressed cautious optimism about the prospect of a ceasefire in Gaza next week after Israeli, Qatari, Egyptian and American negotiators worked on a deal in Paris last week. But a spokesman for Hamas played down suggestions that an agreement was close. Also watch | Israel-Hamas war | Gaza Ceasefire soon? Egypt, Qatar, US negotiate another truce × There is not much time left to avoid yet another bloodbath in Gaza. The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) has drawn up plans to attack the last stronghold of Hamas in Rafah, at the southern tip of the Gaza Strip, which is crowded with more than a million Palestinians who were herded from cities further north. Rafah is so densely packed that military operations avoiding huge civilian casualties are virtually impossible. The IDF has said that while negotiations are proceeding, it will hold back an assault on militants of Hamas in Rafah until March 10, when the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins. How the war in Gaza develops has major implications for Biden’s chance to win a second term in November’s presidential elections. Anger with his handling of Israel is running deep in his Democratic Party and there have been dozens of demonstrations with young Democrats calling him “Genocide Joe” and vowing not to vote for him. In Michigan, home to more Americans of Arab descent than any other US state, thousands wrote in “uncommitted” instead of Biden on Democratic primary ballots on February 27. In effect a Gaza-linked protest vote, the “uncommitted” campaign was led by Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian-American in Congress. She represents Dearborn, more than half of whose 110,000 inhabitants are of Arab descent, traditionally a solid bloc of Democratic support. Also read | Biden's Michigan primary win soured by tens of thousands of 'uncommitted' votes in protest over Gaza war Early results showed that in all of Michigan, more than 24,000 opted for “uncommitted”, a fraction of the 127,000 who stuck with Biden. Whether the Democratic critics of his Gaza handling will still cast protest votes in November’s presidential elections remains to be seen. But with the margins in November expected to be razor-thin, they could make a painful difference for Biden.

Israel-Hamas war: To stop the Gaza bloodbath, stop sending Israel arms

The International Court of Justice (ICJ), concluded its historic proceedings on the legality of Israel's 57-year occupation of lands sought by Palestinians for a future state. The majority of voices at the hearing argued against the Israeli government's policies. Watch in for more details!

ICJ Gaza case: Turkey slams Israel, says its occupation is root cause of conflict

Jordan air-drops aid into Gaza with help of French plane, warns of famine amid raging war. Four C-130 aircraft, one belonging to the French armed forces, carried out the air drops.

Israel War: Jordan sends four relief air drops to Gaza

Israel chose not to cut interest rates on monday. The Central Bank remains on high alert for the possibility of a broader war. Inflation fears have also increased on expectations of a rebound economic rebound this year.

Israel Central Bank on alert for risks of a wider war

While U.S. President Joe Biden's optimism on the Gaza truce breakthrough, has been met with pushback, and surprise from all other stakeholders. While Hamas called his remarks 'premature', Israeli officials say they were caught off guard. Will a ceasefire deal that is reportedly close to being inked fall through? On this episode of Gravitas, we decode the facts on the ground.

Gravitas | Gaza breakthrough possible? Biden hopes for ceasefire, Hamas calls it 'premature'

Clouds of smoke could be seen in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley on Monday (February 26) following Israeli airstrikes that killed at least two Hezbollah members, sources in Lebanon said.

Israel strikes Lebanon's Baalbek for first time since Gaza war

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