February 9, 2024

Israel’s War Cabinet Discusses Hamas’ Proposal as Protests Held For, Against Hostage Deal – Israel News – Haaretz.com

U.S. State Dept says Israeli military operation in Rafah ‘would be a disaster’ ■ Israeli war cabinet discusses Hamas’ cease-fire proposal; anti-deal protesters gather outside government in Jerusalem ■ U.K. PM will increase measures to crack down on antisemitic and violent protesters ■ Hamas seeks prisoner, hostage exchange and withdrawal of Israeli forces in its 135-day proposal
Updates
Ben Samuels
Ben Samuels
10:52 PM
Biden says he gave ‘hours’ of interviews to Special Counsel ‘days’ after Oct. 7 as he was ‘handling an int’l crisis’
U.S. President Joe Biden said that he “was so determined to give the Special Counsel what they needed” in their investigation into his handling of classified documents that he “went forward with five hours of in-person interviews over two days on October 8th and 9th of last year, even though Israel had just been attacked on October 7th and [he] was in the middle of handling an international crisis.”
The Special Counsel announced Thursday that it would not seek criminal charges against President Biden for allegedly keeping classified documents during his tenure as vice president.
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Haaretz
10:44 PM
New York Times report: U.S. intelligence officers estimate only a third of Hamas fighters have been killed
Senior U.S. military intelligence officers told congress members in recent days that while Israel has damaged Hamas’ military capabilities, it is not close to destroying it, the New York Times reported.
The officers refrained from providing estimates of the number of Hamas fighters killed, but said in private conversations that it looks like only a third of the members of the organization’s military wing have been killed, the report said.
The New York Times report also noted that the officers emphasized the lesson that the U.S. had learned from past wars – that there is no wisdom in counting the number of dead among enemy fighters.
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Haaretz
10:37 PM
RECAP: U.S. says Israeli military operation in Rafah ‘would be a disaster;’ families of U.S. hostages meet with Blinken
Here’s what you need to know on day 125 of the Israel-Hamas war:
■ The U.S. State Department said that an Israeli military operation in Rafah, “in an area where there is sheltering of a million people, would be a disaster.”
■ The Israeli war cabinet met to discuss Hamas’ cease-fire proposal while thousands protested against a hostage release deal outside the Israeli government compound in Jerusalem. In Tel Aviv, hostages’ families and their supporters protested in favor of a deal.
■ The U.S. said it was aware of reports that two U.S. citizens have been detained in Gaza and is seeking additional information, the State Department said.
■ The families of the American hostages held in Gaza met with U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken and voiced their “gratitude” for the administration’s support and “growing unease” that a hostage release deal has not yet been reached.
■ The U.S. Senate advanced a supplemental foreign-aid only bill including $14 billion in assistance to Israel in a 67-32 vote.
■ The Netherlands said it was adding extra security at the Israeli embassy in The Hague.
■ The IDF said five rockets fell in open areas after sirens sounded in northern Israel Thursday night.
Read a full recap of day 125 of the Israel-Hamas war here
Ben Samuels
Ben Samuels
9:41 PM
Families of U.S. hostages meet Blinken in Israel, voice their ‘growing unease’ that a deal hasn’t been reached
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends a meeting with the Israeli president in Jerusalem on Wednesday.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends a meeting with the Israeli president in Jerusalem on Wednesday.Credit: Mark Schiefelbein/AFP
The families of the American hostages held in Gaza met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday as part of his visit to the region.
The hostages’ families said they expressed gratitude for the administration’s “unwavering support and steadfast efforts to bring their loved ones home” during the meeting. They also “voiced frustration that their loved ones are not home and at the pace of the negotiations in light of recent reports suggesting that Hamas has murdered at least 32 out of the remaining 136 hostages.”
The families expressed “growing unease” that a cease-fire and hostage release deal has not been reached. They said it has been “four months since their loved ones were taken hostage” and that they “still have not received any news about their well-being.”
The family members of American hostages Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Keith Samuel Siegel, Itay Chen, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Omer Neutra, and Edan Alexander participated in the meeting.
Ben Samuels
Ben Samuels
8:25 PM
U.S. says Israeli military operation in Rafah ‘would be a disaster’
Displaced children take shelter in a tent camp in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, on Thursday.
Displaced children take shelter in a tent camp in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, on Thursday.Credit: Saleh Salem/Reuters
U.S. State Department Spokesperson Vedant Patel expressed its concern over reports that the Israeli military is planning an operation in the southern Gazan city of Rafah.
“We have yet to see any evidence of serious planning for such an operation,” said Patel, adding that “to conduct such an operation right now with no planning and little thought, in an area where there is sheltering of a million people, would be a disaster.”
“We would not support the undertaking of something like this without serious and credible planning as it relates to the more than a million people sheltering there, as well as without considering the impacts on humanitarian assistance and safe departure of foreign nationals,” continued Patel.
עדי חשמונאי
Adi Hashmonai
8:17 PM
IDF says five rockets fell in open areas after sirens sounded in northern Israel Thursday night
Jonathan Lis
Jonathan Lis, Ran Shimoni
8:15 PM
Israeli war cabinet discussing Hamas’ cease-fire proposal; hostages’ families protest in Tel Aviv
Protesters demanding a hostage release deal in Tel Aviv on Thursday.
Protesters demanding a hostage release deal in Tel Aviv on Thursday.Credit: Itai Ron
Nir Hasson
Nir Hasson
8:14 PM
Thousands protest against hostage release deal in Jerusalem: ‘[Stay] decisive now – don’t fold’
Protesters against a hostage release deal in Jerusalem on Thursday.
Protesters against a hostage release deal in Jerusalem on Thursday.Credit: Noam Revkin-Fenton
Thousands are protesting against a hostage release deal outside the Israeli government compound in Jerusalem in a demonstration that was organized by a number of right-wing organizations.
Eliyahu Libman, whose son Elyakim is a hostage in Gaza, said, “We won’t stop being happy. And we will win.” He also asked to send a message to his son: “Mazel tov! You now have a new nephew, and soon, our heroic reservists will come to rescue you.”
Prof. Israel Aumann, a Nobel laureate in economics, said “A deal that resurrects Hamas is a victory for the enemy,” adding that “My heart is with the hostages’ families and the hostages. But my heart is also with all the bereaved families and the families of the wounded.”
Rabbi Benny Kalmanzon, who lost a child in the war, said that if Israel “gives in” to a deal, “then there won’t be any communities near the border and … Each and every one of us will be a target.”
Dedi Simchi, whose son Guy was killed on October 7, said, “This war that was forced on us due to a terrible failure requires us to win a clear and complete victory,” adding that such a victory would also include the hostages’ return through military pressure, and that Israel must not compromise on destroying Hamas.
Ben Samuels
Ben Samuels, Reuters
8:07 PM
U.S. aware of reports two U.S. citizens detained in Gaza, State Department says
The United States is aware of reports that two U.S. citizens have been detained in Gaza and is seeking additional information, State Department Spokesperson Vedant Patel said on Thursday.
“We have no higher priority than the safety and security of American citizens overseas,” Patel said. “We are aware of these reports and are currently seeking additional information but don’t have any information to share.”
The White House said that the U.S. will talk to its Israeli counterparts on the reports concerning the two U.S. citizens.
Ben Samuels
Ben Samuels
7:54 PM
U.S. Senate advances supplemental foreign aid bill, including $14 billion for Israel
The Senate has advanced a supplemental foreign-aid only bill including $14 billion in assistance to Israel in a 67-32 vote.
The move, known as a cloture vote, is the first positive legislative momentum in the Senate toward providing Israel with emergency aid in the four months since U.S. President Joe Biden unveiled his national security package.
The procedural vote does not mean that the aid is on its way, but it effectively opens the door for debate over the measure.
Sen. Bernie Sanders was the sole non-Republican no vote on advancing the foreign aid package.
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11
Mick
22:38
Both Israelis and Palestinians have strong nationalistic identities tied to their respective narratives and historical claims to the land. This sense of identity fuels the conflict and makes it difficult to find common ground or compromise.
10
elliott
22:12
Netanyahu finds a group from far right coalition spewing dumbfounding statements alleging they want the war to continue despite having families being held hostage. They want the war as a first priority over there own sons and daughter lives. What a insult to humanity, as Jews we Bring ours back! Pronto . Netanyahu needs to leave government, no one In the US wants to work with him. He refuses all progress , The negotiators are perplexed and disappointed with his hostal vugar negative statements everything is ludicrous. Gadi, Benny. Please step up, the US needs a partner to work with and cooperate.
9
Mo
15:09
“Hamas-controlled Gaza health ministry reports at least 27,840 Palestinians killed in Gaza since October 7“
How ironic is it that Israel claims Hamas lost control of civilian administration in Gaza, but yet keeps writing “Hamas-Controlled Health ministry” whenever Palestinian casualties of Israeli bombardment are mentioned. Just in an attempt to delegitimize the claim of high civilian casualties that have been killed in Israeli targeted bombings.
Reply to comment
Matthew
16:48
Mo
It’s not a particularly high number if you compare it to the battles of Mosul and Raqqa, which were similarly deadly but under more favourable conditions of battle.
Kotorita
20:46
Mo
You are so detached from human suffering that try to diminish the magnitude if this massacre. Also make a difference between the conditions where others are killed? The fact that Israel has killed thousands of innocent civilians in other conflicts in less number, but significantly nether the less and the fact that other countries perpetuated genocides larger than this is not an excuse to justify this genocide.
8
Blinker raised concerns to tell Netanyahu
10:58
this and that and commenting that are positive points in Hamas proposal while the latter calls it delusional. It is embarrassing, Abe you are Secretary of State that should be taken seriously.
7
Rosentein
09:38
Part four:
4. If these steps are taken, I guarantee you Netanyahu will accept the truce with Hamas, The remaining Gazan’s lives will be saved, and there will be permanent peace in the Middle East. 5. The Red Sea missiles will stop falling on ships, the Iranian proxies will dismantled in no time, Iran will join the world community, and there will be a beautiful spring across the world.
Reply to comment
Joel
12:31
Rosentein
Kuku Kuku
6
Rosenstein
09:37
Part three: Here is what needs to be done to change his mind: 1. He lied about the rapes by Hamas, burning babies, etc, on 7 October 2013. They were all lies; no proof has been presented in five months. 2. He lied about the only feeding hand to Palestinians UNRWA, that 12 out of their 30,000 employees had cooperated with Hamas on 7 October. That is another lie, and there is no proof or evidence available. 3. He lies because the fake leaders believe him. Now is the time for the fake leaders to become authentic leaders. When Netanyahu lies, his lies should be at least investigated. The fake leaders must stop providing him with bombs, cash, and political support.
5
Rosenstein
09:35
Part two: Netanyahu has a few goals: 1. He has to finish his term as prime minister. 2. He is a step closer to fulfilling his dream of decades of bombing Iran’s nuclear sites and flattening Iran like Gaza. 3. I think Netanyahu believes Biden is surrendered by his foot soldiers. He will have access to any weapons, cash, and political support he needs. Why should he do anything different? 4. I think he wishes he would bomb the hell out of Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and, of course, Iran before his term is over. 5. His government is sitting on pillars belonging to Ben-Gvir, Smotrich, and other fanatics in his cabinet. His decisions are not his.
4
Rosenstein
09:35
Netanyahu has a few goals: Part one: 1. He has to finish his term as prime minister. 2. He is a step closer to fulfilling his dream of bombing Iran’s nuclear sites and flattening Iran like Gaza. 3. I think Netanyahu believes Biden is surrendered by his foot soldiers, and he will have access to any weapon, cash, and political support. Why should he do anything different? 4. I think he wishes he would bomb the hell out of Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and, of course, Iran before his term is over.
3
Harlan
07:38
The United States is still treating its own citizens who comptise 10 percent of the colonists as if the are indigenous, while treating the native Palestinisns as if they are guests who need a separate state (apartheid). But our government knew that solution was unworkable and would only make a real solution impossible from the outset. See the analysis in the FRUS, Volume V, North Africa and the Middle East, 1947, pg 1165. https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AGG4GXS64CTDPL8P/pages/ALWPZX4QBVYLZL8F?view=one
2
Shabak
05:50
Bernie sanders the jew hater
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