- Adversaries Persistently Intensify Pressure on Israel from Various Directions
In the contested Gaza Strip, arrangements are being made for a mass inoculation of children against the polio virus, while the Israeli military continues to clash on different fronts. After a new round of shelling from Lebanon, the air force targeted several launch sites belonging to the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia in the southern part of the neighboring nation, as announced by the army during the night. In the occupied West Bank, two alleged terrorists were eliminated in two separate incidents near the settlement of Karmei Tzur.
At a gas station near an Israeli settlement, a car detonated, according to reports. Troops who arrived at the scene subdued a terrorist who had driven the vehicle there and intended to assault security forces, the military revealed. Three soldiers sustained minor injuries. In a different situation, a terrorist drove his car into the settlement. A member of the security team then maneuvered his own car into the attacker's vehicle, resulting in the attacker's demise. Shortly thereafter, a bomb in the attacker's car detonated, according to reports.
The tension in the West Bank has intensified since the commencement of war in the Gaza Strip following a massacre by Islamic Hamas in Israel on October 7, 2023. Since the initiation of a large-scale military operation in the north a few days ago, the Israeli army has taken out 20 militant Palestinians, according to their own counts. Meanwhile, the end of the war in Gaza remains unfathomable. Israel's demand for permanent control of the so-called Philadelphi Corridor in the south of Gaza on its border with Egypt remains one of the main dispute areas in indirect negotiations for a ceasefire.
Netanyahu and Galant Engage in Verbal Warfare
During a meeting of the Israeli security cabinet, there was a heated exchange between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Joav Galant, according to media reports. Galant accused Netanyahu of prioritizing the deployment of soldiers in the border area over the rescue of Israeli hostages, as per Channel 12 and the portal "ynet".
Netanyahu presented numerous maps during the night meeting, demonstrating Israel's plans for deploying its troops at the Philadelphi Corridor. Galant became furious and accused Netanyahu of forcing the maps upon the committee, as reported. Netanyahu then slammed his hand on the table, accused Galant of lying, and put the maps to a vote. "The Prime Minister has the authority to make all decisions. He can also decide to end the lives of all the hostages," Galant apparently retorted.
Polio Vaccination Preparations in Progress
A large majority voted in favor of Netanyahu's stance to retain control over the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. Netanyahu insists on maintaining control of the corridor to prevent weapons smuggling through underground tunnels to Gaza. Egypt denies the existence of such smuggling routes. Meanwhile, polio vaccinations are set to commence in the war-torn region on Sunday.
All parties have apparently given "preliminary commitments to so-called area-specific humanitarian pauses" according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This refers to limited ceasefires. Following a recent case of polio in the Gaza Strip, the vaccination campaign aims to prevent a widespread outbreak of the highly contagious disease.
Netanyahu Clarifies: Planned Breaks in Hostilities Not a Truce
In recent days, Netanyahu reiterated in media reports that the planned temporary pauses in hostilities, each lasting several hours, are not a truce. The last such ceasefire occurred in November 2021, negotiated between the Israeli government and Hamas, during which around 100 hostages were released in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.
Another Tragic Occurrence Befell Aid Convoy in Gaza
Meanwhile, another incident took place involving an aid convoy in the devastated Gaza Strip, following shots being fired at a UN vehicle. The Israeli army alleged that armed individuals seized control of a vehicle at the head of the convoy. An Israeli military response followed, resulting in the deaths of four Palestinians, according to the aid organization Anera.
The Israeli military did not comment on potential casualties. Soldiers reportedly witnessed armed men boarding the lead vehicle of the coordinated Anera aid convoy, the army stated. The presence of these men was not coordinated with authorities. According to the army, weapons were discovered on them.
Anera reported that four men, with experience from previous missions of the dedicated transport company, had joined the convoy after departing from the Kerem Shalom crossing. They expressed concerns about the route's security and warned of potential looting. Anera emphasized that they did not verify the men's identities.
Israel is facing international pressure due to another incident. On Tuesday, soldiers apparently fired at a vehicle belonging to the World Food Programme (WFP) in the Gaza Strip, with no injuries reported. Israel attributed the incident to a communication error between its forces, stated U.S. Deputy UN Ambassador Robert Wood. Since the beginning of the Gaza war nearly eleven months ago, several aid workers have been killed in the region.
The following discussion about the ceasefire negotiations highlighted a disagreement between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Galant: Netanyahu presented maps demonstrating Israel's plans for deploying troops at the Philadelphi Corridor, leading to a heated exchange between the two, as reported by media outlets.
The announced polio vaccination preparations in the Gaza Strip are part of a larger initiative to prevent a widespread outbreak of the disease in the war-torn region, following a recent case of polio in the area. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), all parties have given preliminary commitments to area-specific humanitarian pauses.
