Former UK foreign secretary #WilliamHague says the decision to go into #Rafah where more than 1m #Palestinians are crammed “represents the most crucial strategic moment since the war,” and the moment #Israel has to choose between those that want to rely wholly on #deterrence and those that believe a #TwoStateSolution is the only route to peace."

Former UK foreign secretary calls for removal of #Netanyahu
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/feb/13/middle-east-crisis-live-updates-israel-gaza-ceasefire-deal-truce-agreement-joe-biden-prevent-rafah-offensive-latest-update-news?page=with:block-65cb39448f08978344f926c1#block-65cb39448f08978344f926c1

Back toot: https://noc.social/@Norobiik/111918823596005885

A #Hamas source has told news agency Agence France-Presse that a delegation is heading to #Cairo to meet Egyptian and Qatari mediators, after Israeli negotiators held talks with the mediators on Tuesday. #Egypt

Mediators are racing to secure a pause to the fighting before #Israel proceeds with a full-scale ground incursion into the #GazaStrip’s far-southern city of #Rafah, where more than 1.4 million #Palestinians are trapped.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/feb/14/middle-east-crisis-live-israel-gaza-cairo-ceasefire-talks-latest-news?page=with:block-65cc766b8f084fe73a994044#block-65cc766b8f084fe73a994044

#Israel #Gaza

About 100 representatives of hostages flew to #TheHague on Wednesday to file a “#CrimesAgainstHumanity” complaint at the international criminal court (#ICC) against #Hamas, reports AFP
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/feb/14/middle-east-crisis-live-israel-gaza-cairo-ceasefire-talks-latest-news?page=with%3Ablock-65cc7bd78f08140417ebb680#block-65cc7bd78f08140417ebb680

#Netherlands argues that #Israel cannot be singled out for an #embargo, because the Dutch government exports parts to all countries in the #F35 programme under a single licence, labelled AV009.

#GazaWar threatens to shut down the West’s fifth-gen fighter programme
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/14/gaza-war-threatens-to-shut-down-the-wests-fifth-gen-fighter-programme

President grants deferral to about 6,000 #Palestinians for next 18 months, citing worsening humanitarian conditions in #Gaza. #Israel

#Biden signs order to shield Palestinians in #US from deportation
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/14/biden-order-shields-palestinians-deportation

Named “#Philadelphi” after a randomly chosen Israeli military code name for what is also called the “#SaladinAxis”, the strategic corridor is a 14 kilometre-long and 100 metre-wide buffer zone. It was set up in accordance with the terms of the 1978 #CampDavidAccords between #Egypt and #Israel.

The ‘Philadelphi Corridor’: A goal for Netanyahu, a red line for Egypt
https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20240214-israel-egypt-philadelphi-corridor-goal-netanyahu-red-line-war

#Israel #Gaza

Hundreds of potential hostages per ship - a nightmare scenario.
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The ships include #Cunard's Queen Mary 2 and P&O Cruises' Arcadia, which were both due to head home to #Southampton via the #SuezCanal and #Mediterranean.

Both ships will now spend an extra seven to 10 days travelling around the southern tip of #Africa and home through the #Atlantic.

Cruises diverted from #RedSea after #Houthi attacks
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-hampshire-68294622?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bmicrosoft%5D-%5Bheadline%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D

The longer transits around the #CapeOfGoodHope are delaying the arrival of the empty vessels going back to #Asia to pick up more #US imports. The delays are impacting the consistency of trade which can impact the supply chain. #MaerskHangzhou

Shipping giant #Maersk says #red Sea vessel diversions could extend into second half of 2024
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/14/shipping-giant-maersk-doesnt-expect-red-sea-transits-anytime-soon.html

Back toot: https://noc.social/@Norobiik/111678651968382137

The strikes were the heaviest since cross-border exchanges began between militant groups in #Lebanon and the #IsraelDefenseForces (IDF) on 8 October, the day after #Hamas’s incursion in southern Israeli in which about 1,200 people were killed.

#Hezbollah vows to retaliate for civilian deaths in Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/15/hezbollah-vows-to-retaliate-for-civilian-deaths-in-israeli-airstrikes-on-lebanon

#Israel has asked the #ICJ to dismiss a request by #SouthAfrica to issue additional emergency measures because of Israel’s plan to extend its offensive in #Gaza into the city of #Rafah. Israel argued that the emergency measures issued three weeks ago already cover “the situation of hostilities in Gaza as a whole”. #TheHague

Israel asks World Court to reject request for Rafah emergency orders
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/israel-asks-world-court-to-reject-request-for-rafah-emergency-orders

Back toot: https://noc.social/@Norobiik/111929845596944516

#Egypt is preparing an area at the #Gaza border which could accommodate #Palestinians in case an Israeli offensive into #Rafah prompts an exodus across the frontier, four sources told news agency Reuters, in what they described as a contingency move by Cairo. #Israel #Gaza

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/feb/16/middle-east-crisis-live-israel-gaza-rafah-hamas-biden-cairo-ceasefire-talks-live-news?page=with%3Ablock-65cf12738f08fee2fe08be3c#block-65cf12738f08fee2fe08be3c

#Israel

Here are some satellite images that show where #Egypt is reportedly setting up an area as a contingency measure along the Egypt-#Gaza border near #Rafah:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/feb/16/middle-east-crisis-live-israel-gaza-rafah-hamas-biden-cairo-ceasefire-talks-live-news?page=with:block-65cf18658f0867c21574db5d#block-65cf18658f0867c21574db5d

With 1.5 million people now in #Rafah, these visuals show how destruction has travelled from north to south, leaving Gazan civilians with nowhere to turn. #Israel #Egypt

How #Gaza’s ‘safe’ city Rafah came to be on the precipice of catastrophe – visualised | #IsraelGazaWar
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/16/how-gazas-safe-city-rafah-came-to-be-on-the-precipice-of-catastrophe-visualised

#Israel #Rafah

A spillover of refugees from #Gaza into #Egypt 'would be a disaster for the future of peace', says #UN high commissioner
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/feb/16/middle-east-crisis-live-israel-gaza-rafah-hamas-biden-cairo-ceasefire-talks-live-news?page=with:block-65cef4dc8f08fee2fe08bd5e#block-65cef4dc8f08fee2fe08bd5e

Sudan is on the verge of becoming a failed nation-state - just like #Yemen.
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Attacks by #Houthi forces against ships in the #RedSea are holding up shipments of vital aid to #Sudan and driving up costs for cash-strapped humanitarian agencies in the east African country, where conflict has put millions at risk of famine. #Israel #Gaza

Houthi attacks in Red Sea having a ‘catastrophic’ effect on aid to Sudan
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/feb/16/houthi-attacks-in-red-sea-having-a-catastrophic-effect-on-aid-to-sudan

#Russia has invited #Hamas and other Palestinian factions including #Fatah to Moscow for talks on the #Israel-Hamas war and other issues in the #MiddleEast

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/feb/16/middle-east-crisis-live-israel-gaza-rafah-hamas-biden-cairo-ceasefire-talks-live-news?page=with:block-65cf4cf58f08dfb189f4e451#block-65cf4cf58f08dfb189f4e451

The #ICJ's judges acknowledged that the recent developments "'would exponentially increase what is already a #HumanitarianNightmare with untold regional consequences'" but, although #Israel needed to act immediately to ensure the safety and security of #Palestinians, that did not require "the indication of additional provisional measures" #TheHague #Rafah

Top #UN court rejects #SouthAfrica request for more #Gaza measures
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240216-top-un-court-rejects-s-africa-request-for-more-gaza-measures

Back toot: https://noc.social/@Norobiik/111938972523289196

Throughout the bloodshed, #Sinwar has managed to stay one step ahead of the Israeli forces pursuing him.

Every day he remains at large is an act of defiance, and the Israeli military has vowed there won’t be many more of them. #Israel #Gaza

Hunt for #Hamas leader #YahyaSinwar heats up after video emerges
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/israel-hamas-war-manhunt-leader-yahya-sinwar-video-tunnels-gaza-rcna139032

#Israel #Gaza #Netanyahu

source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/feb/17/middle-east-crisis-live-nasser-hospital-patients-gaza-hamas-israeli-raid?page=with:block-65d0ab8f8f08dfb189f4f0f6#block-65d0ab8f8f08dfb189f4f0f6

“How can we possibly allow another #Nakba? Have we really lost our minds?”

The #UN special rapporteur on #Palestine has slammed #Netanyahu’s pledge to push on with #Israel’s ground offensive in the city of #Rafah in #Gaza.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/2/18/israels-war-on-gaza-live-palestinians-fleeing-rafah-face-israeli-strikes?update=2715024

Rabbi #JonathanWittenberg created controversy last week with a moving plea about the pain of Israelis after 7 October and the plight of #Rafah’s Gazans. #Israel #UK

#Hamas cruelty, #Gaza’s ordeal and a tide of fear sweeping #Britain’s Jews | #AntiSemitism

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2024/feb/17/hamas-gaza-britains-jews-rabbi-jonathan-wittenberg

Gantz made similar comments on a timeline on Friday, according to the Times of Israel, but otherwise, the Israeli government has not previously specified a deadline for its planned assault on the city where most of the 1.7 million displaced #Palestinians have sought refuge. #Gaza #BennyGantz

#Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, is expected to begin on 10 March.

#Israel indicates timeline for planned #Rafah offensive

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/feb/19/middle-east-crisis-live-israel-gaza-war-latest-news-updates-idf-rafah-attack-hostages-not-released-hamas-benny-gantz-benjamin-netanyahu-un-who-nasser-hospital?page=with:block-65d2d0368f08dfb189f4fe77#block-65d2d0368f08dfb189f4fe77

After the attacks, 200,000 people were evacuated from #Israel's border areas - both the southern border with #Gaza and the northern border with #Lebanon, where the #Iran-backed group #Hezbollah, in support of Hamas, has been exchanging fire with Israeli forces.

'Evacuating was a mistake': Israelis push to return to border homes
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68338551

#UN agency #Unicef has warned the #Gaza Strip is poised to witness an increase in what an official said was “the already unbearable level of #ChildDeaths” due to a worsening #FoodCrisis. #Israel

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/feb/20/middle-east-crisis-live-israel-gaza-yemen-houthi-lebanon-hague-court-justice?page=with:block-65d4650d8f08f68df4ca9a84#block-65d4650d8f08f68df4ca9a84

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The use of anti-ship ballistic missiles (#ASBMs) in the #RedSea has spurred interest in #Asia about the systems used to shoot them down, experts and industry officials say - although #China, with its huge ASBM arsenal, presents a tougher challenge. #Israel #Gaza #Houthi

Red Sea ballistic missile attacks trigger Asian interest in defences
https://www.msn.com/en-au/money/other/red-sea-ballistic-missile-attacks-trigger-asian-interest-in-defences/ar-BB1iDm4A

Though slower than an airborne #SuicideDrone, a #UUV is harder to detect and more likely to hit a slow, vulnerable cargo ship below the waterline - with deadly effect.
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The #Houthis have a new weapon to use in their attacks on ships in the #RedSea; Iranian-made uncrewed underwater vessels, or #UUVs. #Israel #Yemen #Gaza

The Houthis have underwater drones now
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/the-houthis-have-underwater-drones-now/vi-BB1iFdqd?ocid=emmx-mmx-feeds&pc=EMMX01&cvid=9164e7e9dfba47809e0ca30688889d9c&ei=21

The principals of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (#IASC), the coordinating body of global humanitarian organisations, released a statement on Wednesday in which it said “civilians in #Gaza are in extreme peril while the world watches on”. It listed ten requirements “to avoid an even worse catastrophe”. #Israel

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/feb/22/middle-east-crisis-live-israel-gaza-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-65d7092d8f08aff1ffae31bd#block-65d7092d8f08aff1ffae31bd

#UN attempt to deliver 10 convoys of food aid to northern #Gaza over seven days was suspended earlier this week after trucks were looted by crowds, a driver was beaten and gunfire reported amid chaotic scenes. #Israel

Gaza aid deliveries paused amid ‘incredible level of desperation’
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/21/un-agency-pauses-gaza-food-aid-deliveries-after-looting-and-gunfire

The intelligence report, released last week, declared it had “low confidence” in the basic claim that a handful of staff had participated in the attack.

It also cast doubt on accusations that the #UN agency was collaborating with #Hamas in a wider way.

#US intelligence has ‘low confidence’ in some of Israel’s #UNRWA claims, report says | #Israel-#Gaza war
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/22/us-intelligence-unrwa-hamas

The panel of experts said there was evidence of a least two cases of #rape, alongside other cases of #SexualHumiliation and threats of rape. #ReeAlsalem, the UN special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, said the true extent of #SexualViolence could be significantly higher.

Claims of Israeli sexual assault of Palestinian women are credible, UN panel says | #Israel-#Gaza war
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/22/claims-of-israeli-sexual-assault-of-palestinian-women-are-credible-un-panel-says

According to the #Israel Hayom newspaper, the song references the victims of the 7 October #Hamas attacks, with lyrics including: "They were all good children, each one of them."

#Eurovision organiser The EBU said it was currently assessing the song. The contest's rules forbid #PoliticalMessages, in a gesture to neutrality.

Israel's Eurovision entry under scrutiny over alleged reference to Hamas
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-68379762

"There is a tiny, reed-thin chance that something better might come out of this horror show of a war. To grasp it, the #Palestinians need to be free of #Hamas and #Israelis free of #Netanyahu. Every day those men remain in power is a curse on both peoples – who have surely been cursed long enough." #Israel #Gaza

Hamas and Netanyahu are a curse on their peoples. Yet amid the horror, there is a sliver of hope | Jonathan Freedland
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/feb/23/hamas-benjamin-netanyahu-rafah-talks-paris

"The population is fast losing patience with a leadership that they see as fanatical and corrupt, and willing to sacrifice democracy and hostages" #Israel #gaza

Israelis take little heed of global anger. But their contempt for #Netanyahu is growing | Dahlia Scheindlin
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/feb/25/israelis-take-no-heed-of-global-anger-but-contempt-for-benjamin-netanyahu-growing

Vietnamese buddhist monks used to set themselves aflame to protest the #VietnamWar. It's a fatal form of protest with great symbolic power.
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"A video posted online showed a man in a uniform shouting '#FreePalestine' as he burned while identifying himself as an active air force member. The man was reportedly on fire for about a minute before law enforcement put it out." #US #Israel #Gaza

Air force serviceman sets himself on fire outside Israeli embassy in Washington DC
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/25/man-set-himself-on-fire-israel-embassy

The #Houthis have been targeting vessels with connections to #Israel and Western countries, forcing dozens of shipping companies to take a 4,000-mile detour around the continent of #Africa at significantly higher costs and extra shipping days.

Unfortunately, resurging attacks coming from notorious piracy hotspots have shipping companies worried about the new route. #Gaza

#Houthi #RedSea Attacks Are Boon for Pirates as Ships Reroute
https://investingchannel.com/article/607225/houthi-red-sea-attacks-are-boon-for-pirates-as-ships-reroute

#US President #JoeBiden said #Israel has agreed not to engage in military activities during #Ramadan in the #GazaStrip, where it is at war with #Hamas militants, and said the Jewish state risked losing support from the rest of the world as #Palestinians die in high numbers.

Biden also said Israel had committed to make it possible for Palestinians to evacuate from #Rafah in #Gaza's south before its campaign against Hamas. #GazaCeasefire

https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/biden-israel-agrees-to-halt-military-activity-over-ramadan-risks-losing-world-support

#US president appears upbeat as
#Hamas reportedly mulls 40-day
halt in fighting with Palestinian
#prisoners swapped for Israeli
#hostages. Additionally, hospitals and bakeries in #Gaza would be repaired, 500 aid trucks would enter into the strip daily and thousands of tents and caravans would be delivered for shelter. #Israel

#JoeBiden hopeful of #GazaCeasefire by Monday as details of proposal emerge
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/26/israel-gaza-ceasefire-biden

Back toot: https://noc.social/@Norobiik/112002151677836700

Please take note that his sacrifice wasn't in vain - praying he found peace and rest at last.

"Biden’s comments on the ceasefire came hours after an active-duty member of the US air force died after setting himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, to protest against the war in #Gaza." #AaronBushnell #GazaCeasefire #Israel

Back toot: https://noc.social/@Norobiik/111995976903414752

The 46th fleet of the Chinese #PLA has three ships: the guided-missile destroyer Jiaozuo, the missile frigate Xuchang, and the logistics vessel Honghu. This includes 700 crew, with “special forces personnel” and two helicopters.

#China has sought to expand its influence in the Gulf in recent years. #Israel #Gaza

Chinese naval fleet on mission near #RedSea raises eyebrows in #MiddleEast
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-789113