ground assault

Banning UK arms exports to Israel would strengthen Hamas, UK’s Cameron says

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Banning UK arms exports to Israel would strengthen Hamas, UK’s Cameron says

David Cameron stated that stopping British arms sales to Israel if it launches a ground assault on Rafah in the Gaza Strip would strengthen Hamas. Israel ordered Palestinians to evacuate more of the southern city as it prepares for a ground attack, despite U.S. President Joe Biden’s threat to withhold weapons. Cameron believes that Britain should not support an operation in Rafah without a plan to protect civilians. He mentioned that less than 1% of Israel’s weapons come from Britain and are controlled by a strict licensing system. Cameron suggested that changing the approach to arms exports could strengthen Hamas and make a hostage deal less likely.

Israel military begins evacuating Palestinian civilians from Rafah, radio says

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Israel military begins evacuating Palestinian civilians from Rafah, radio says

Israel’s armed forces are evacuating Palestinian civilians from Rafah in preparation for a potential assault on the southern Gazan city. Evacuations are focused on peripheral districts of Rafah, with evacuees being directed to tent cities in nearby Khan Younis and Al Muwassi. The Israeli military has called on Palestinians in eastern parts of Rafah to move to a nearby “humanitarian area” in what appears to be the beginning of a civilian evacuation before a ground assault. Israel claims that victory against Hamas is impossible without taking the city, which is said to harbor thousands of fighters. This operation has raised concerns among Western powers and neighboring Egypt due to the high number of displaced Palestinians in Rafah.

Famine ‘quite possibly’ in some areas of north Gaza, US official says

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Famine ‘quite possibly’ in some areas of north Gaza, US official says

Famine is possibly present in parts of the northern Gaza Strip, with a scarcity of trucks hindering aid distribution.

Israeli strikes on Rafah raise fear assault could begin

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Israeli strikes on Rafah raise fear assault could begin

Israel bombed at least three homes in Rafah overnight, killing 11 people from a family. Residents fear a ground assault could be coming despite a U.N. Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire. In the West Bank, three Palestinians were killed and four wounded by Israeli fire during a raid in Jenin. Israeli forces have imposed a blockade on hospitals in Gaza, claiming they have been used by Hamas fighters. Residents report hearing explosions and seeing smoke coming from buildings inside the medical facility.

Netanyahu coalition under strain after standoff with US over Gaza vote

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Netanyahu coalition under strain after standoff with US over Gaza vote

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing strains within his coalition due to disagreements over proposals to draft ultra-Orthodox Jews into the military. The cabinet meeting to discuss changes to the conscription law was called off, and Netanyahu’s relations with U.S. President Joe Biden worsened after a disagreement over a U.N. Security Council resolution on Gaza. Despite support from his religious-nationalist coalition partners, there is pressure internationally on the government. The divide over the conscription law highlights the longstanding divide between secular and religious Israelis.