Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday killed at least 14 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, according to medics, as the military continued its operations against Hamas in the densely populated enclave. The strikes primarily targeted the northern town of Beit Lahiya, where eight people were reported killed, with additional casualties in Gaza City and Jabalia, a refugee camp in northern Gaza.
President-elect Donald Trump has issued a stern ultimatum to Hamas, demanding the release of all hostages held in Gaza before his inauguration on January 20, 2025. Failure to comply, he warned, would result in unprecedented consequences in the Middle East.
Hamas announced readiness for a cease-fire in Gaza on Wednesday, following a truce between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The group stated its willingness to end the 13-month conflict, provided conditions are met, including a halt to Israeli military operations, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the return of displaced residents, and a hostages-for-prisoners exchange.
Israeli warplanes conducted strikes in Beirut’s suburbs and the southern Lebanese city of Tyre on Tuesday as Israel’s security Cabinet prepared to vote on a U.S.-brokered cease-fire proposal with Hezbollah. The deal, aimed at ending over a year of conflict, includes a two-month halt to hostilities. It also requires Hezbollah to withdraw its armed forces from southern Lebanon while Israeli troops return to their side of the border.
The United Nations has declined to renew its contract with Alice Wairimu Nderitu, the Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide, after she refused to claim that Israel committed "genocide," according to the Wall Street Journal.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is to reveal its donors after its defamation lawsuit against a former employee failed, The New York Post reported.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and its former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The United Nations is facing scrutiny for underreporting the use of Gaza hospitals by Hamas for military purposes. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have intensified their operations in northern Gaza to target Hamas, which has since increased tensions between the IDF and the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Tuesday a $5 million reward per hostage for Palestinians who assist in securing the release of Israelis held by Hamas in Gaza. The offer aims to incentivize cooperation from those seeking to escape Gaza’s conflict zones, which have been the site of intense fighting for over a year.
