Israel stepped up attacks on Rafah yesterday in targeted retaliation for Hamas rocket attacks over the weekend. Israeli forces pounded sites in Rafah after ordering about 110,000 Gazans to evacuate the city. This action came after Hamas had offered to accept a temporary cease-fire proposal.
Israeli officials are now reviewing the deal, which experts say has minor wording changes from the one recently presented by Israel and the U.S. The developments have left White House officials scrambling to broker a deal, as Israel’s closest allies, including the U.S., urge it against staging a large ground operation in Rafah. They argue that such an operation would take a heavy toll on civilians who are sheltering there.
Despite these calls, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has rejected them, stating that the war cabinet had decided unanimously to “continue with its action in Rafah.” Analysts believe that invading Rafah would be a necessary step toward the total victory over Hamas that Netanyahu has pledged, and it would also mollify his hard-line coalition partners.
The situation in Rafah has also had a significant impact on education in Gaza. Most of the schools, including all of its universities, have suffered severe damage that makes them unusable. Aid organizations warn that this could harm an entire generation of students.
In other news, Russia has announced military exercises with troops near Ukraine to practice for the possible use of battlefield nuclear weapons. This move has increased tensions with the West, with NATO calling the announcement “irresponsible.” The Kremlin stated that this was a response to comments by European politicians suggesting more Western intervention in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Xi Jinping, China’s top leader, spoke out against criticism of his country’s relationship with Russia during the war in Ukraine while in Paris. He opposed the crisis being used to cast responsibility on a third country and incite a new cold war. Trade issues, including China’s manufacturing boom and flagging domestic demand, were also discussed during the visit.
In lighter news, the biggest night in fashion took place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art with the annual Costume Institute Benefit, also known as the Met Gala. The event featured audacious red carpet looks and a dress code of “Garden of Time,” which led to a variety of interpretations on the red carpet. Protesters also gathered outside the event to protest the war in Gaza, creating a contrasting atmosphere from the glamour inside.
