In the second section, concerns about an invasion of Rafah intensify due to the attack on the aid convoy.Austin told Israeli Defense Minister
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke by phone with his Israeli counterpart today, expressing his anger over the World Central Kitchen attack and reiterating his concerns about the pending ground invasion of Rafah.
Austin told Defense Minister Yoav Galant that Israel needs to do more to protect aid workers in the Gaza Strip after “repeated failures to coordinate with foreign aid agencies,” according to a statement from his office. He said there is.
“Secretary Austin said this tragedy reinforced expressed concerns about the possibility of Israeli military operations in Rafah, and specifically focused on the need to ensure the evacuation of Palestinian civilians and the flow of humanitarian aid.” said the Secretary.
Gallant's office also released a summary of the call, saying Gallant expressed sadness over the attack and assured Austin that a thorough investigation was being conducted. He also mentioned a “series of measures” under consideration to increase aid allocation to Gaza.
Investigation into World Central Kitchen convoy attack could take weeks, Israeli official suggests
Israel is conducting a “thorough and transparent investigation” into the strike that killed aid workers at World Central Kitchen this week, a spokesman for the minister's office said.
“We will be transparent and share the results with the public as they become clearer in the coming weeks,” Lakra Karamson said at a press conference today, suggesting the investigation could take some time. did.
A preliminary investigation found that Israeli forces attacked the convoy during a “misidentification” at night. Jose Andres, founder of World Central Kitchen, yesterday refuted the Israeli explanation, pointing out that the convoys were clearly marked and their movements were coordinated with the military. .
The prime ministers of Spain and Australia also recently said that the current explanation was not sufficient.
Biden's meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu came after the president's anger over the attack on an aid truck
WASHINGTON – Today's phone call between Mr. Biden and Mr. Netanyahu was scheduled after an Israeli airstrike that killed seven aid workers in the Gaza Strip, a U.S. official told NBC News. This is the first meeting between the two leaders since the incident.
The official said Biden was “very angry” about the attack. Another U.S. official said the president plans to convey his anger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call today.
The first official said the president's anger was “indicative of a broader problem with how the Israelis are conducting their operations,” adding that the official said that “from the World Central Kitchen (aid workers) “The Israeli military has not been informed of the details of the conflict resolution (regarding those involved).” Or, if it is received, it is ignored. ”
Vice President Kamala Harris is also scheduled to participate in today's conference call, but likely from the road as she is traveling to North Carolina today.
Israeli authorities say they have thwarted an attack that included a plot to assassinate a right-wing minister
TEL AVIV — Israeli authorities announced this morning that they had thwarted a planned terrorist attack against a number of targets, including an assassination attempt on a prominent right-wing minister.
The Shin Bet internal security agency said: “In recent months, the Shin Bet, the IDF, and the Israeli Police have arrested numerous suspects in Israel and the West Bank, including seven residents of the Negev and central Israel.” Stated.
“Among other things, they intended to carry out attacks on Israeli Defense Forces bases and secure facilities, including Ben Gurion Airport and government centers in Jerusalem,” the statement said. “There were even plans to obtain RPG missiles to carry out attacks and assassinate Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir. There were also plans to kidnap IDF soldiers.”
The plan is in its early stages and 10 suspects are currently facing charges in court, it said in a statement.
Ben Gvir thanked “all security forces and all those who took part in the arrest, investigation and prosecution of the RPG plotters,” the spokesperson said.
US shoots down anti-ship missile and drone fired by Houthis
The US military announced that it shot down two drones and an anti-ship ballistic missile launched by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
U.S. Central Command announced this morning that the destroyer USS Gravely was targeted in an attack while patrolling the Red Sea.
It was the latest attempted attack by the Houthis to target international shipping and US forces in the region, with Iran blaming Israel for an attack on its consulate in Syria that killed scores of senior commanders. , which came amid growing concerns of escalation across the region.
Jose Andrés demands answers to WCK tragedy in emotional post
TEL AVIV – Biden is scheduled to hold a key phone call with the Israeli prime minister after an Israeli airstrike on Gaza killed seven aid workers. Chef José Andres, founder of World Central Kitchen, has accused Israel of systematically targeting the group.
Jewish organization launches Holocaust survivor speaker bureau to combat rising anti-Semitism around the world
More than 250 Holocaust survivors have joined an international effort to share their stories of loss and survival with the world as anti-Semitism rises in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel that sparked war in the Gaza Strip. I shared it with middle school students.
The Survivor Speakers Bureau was launched today by the New York-based Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (also known as the Claims Conference). The Speakers Bureau connects Holocaust survivors and students virtually and in-person.
“A Holocaust survivor speaker station of this size and scope is unprecedented,” said Gideon Taylor, president of the Claims Council. “At a time when anti-Semitism is on the rise dramatically, this program tells history and educates for the future.”
During the Holocaust, six million European Jews and other ethnic minorities were murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators.
Death toll in Gaza exceeds 33,000, Ministry of Health announces
The death toll in the Gaza Strip since the start of the Israel-Hamas war now exceeds 33,000, the enclave's health ministry announced this morning.
Approximately 75,668 people were reported injured in the Gaza Strip.
Australia says Israel's explanation for aid worker death is 'not sufficient'
Israel's explanation for the deaths of seven aid workers in the Gaza Strip, including one Australian, is “not sufficient”, Australia's prime minister has said.
Lalzaumi “Zomi” Francom, who works for the U.S.-based charity World Central Kitchen, and six others were traveling in a convoy after delivering food aid to countries such as the United States and Australia. Israel has been blamed for the deadly airstrike.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters in Sydney today: “We need accountability for how this incident happened, but what is not enough is that this is 'just a product of war'. Statements such as these.”
Prime Minister Albanon demanded “full accountability” from Israel, including in a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday.
Israeli military suspends leave for all combat troops following Iranian threat
The Israeli military this morning canceled leave for all its combat troops, amid concerns about escalating relations with Iran following this week's attack on Syria's Tehran consulate that left scores of military leaders dead. be.
The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement: “Following the assessment of the situation, it has been decided to temporarily suspend leave for all combat units of the Israel Defense Forces. The Israel Defense Forces are in a state of war and the deployment of the force is being continuously evaluated. ” he said. requirements. “
The Israel Defense Forces announced yesterday that it had drafted reservists to strengthen the country's air defenses, and Israeli media reported that GPS services had been disrupted in Tel Aviv to avert a possible guided missile attack. It appears to be for the purpose of
