White House: No Rafah invasion until Israeli delegation talks alternatives

"We don’t support a major ground operation," White House NSC coordinator John Kirby emphasized on Thursday, as an Israeli delegation is expected to discuss alternatives with top officials in Washington next week.

Palestine

State Department staffer resigns over Biden's handling of Gaza

Annelle Sheline is the second State Department official to publicly resign since Oct. 7, citing the erosion of US credibility on human rights in the Middle East as a result of the war.

Washington Pulse

Hamas’ Haniyeh heads to Iran for second time since Gaza war

Haniyeh's visit comes one day after the UN Security Council passed a resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.

Palestine

What we know about alleged Iran weapons plot in West Bank

Israel said that Iran’s IRGC was working to smuggle explosives into the Palestinian territory.

Israel

Israel’s Gallant kicks off US visit with weapons, Rafah on agenda

Washington still seeks to avert an Israeli operation in Rafah, even as Netanyahu cancels a delegation of top advisers over the US abstention on a UN Security Council vote.

Israel

Gaza's animals not spared from war, suffer starvation, trauma and diseases

With majority of the population displace and the humanitarian conditions worsening, animals in the war-ravaged enclave are subjected to dire conditions as Israeli bombardment continues

Palestine

Hamas' popularity dips 11%, but only 7% of Palestinians blame it for Gaza war

A new poll by a Palestinian research institute found discrepancies between the attitudes of West Bank and Gaza Palestinians the current war, Hamas and a two-state solution.

Palestine

Interview

Van Hollen: Israeli restrictions on Gaza aid 'not currently in compliance' with US policy

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Sen. Chris Van Hollen said he is concerned about the US getting drawn into planning of Israeli military operation in Rafah.

Chris Van Hollen

US Senator

Russia, China veto US-backed UN resolution on Gaza cease-fire

The failed resolution backed an “immediate and sustained cease-fire” and a hostage deal to free the remaining captives.

Palestine

Three reasons behind rare China-Hamas meeting in Qatar

From the location to the timing and the messaging, the China-Hamas meeting on Sunday underscored Beijing's messaging and approach to the Gaza war without, however, elevating its role to a broker in the conflict.

Palestine

Republican House speaker courts Netanyahu amid partisan split on Gaza

If he accepts Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson’s planned invite to speak before Congress, chances are Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will find an even less receptive audience than listened to his 2015 address.

Israel

Rights groups warn US over Israel's assurances on weapons use

In a report to the Biden administration, Oxfam and Human Rights Watch challenged Israel's assertion that it's using US weapons in accordance with international law.

Israel