Israel-Palestinian Conflict

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing for a decisive military victory to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, according to a diplomatic source quoted Sunday in Hebrew media. The remarks come amid growing public pressure and internal government debate over whether to expand military operations in Gaza, even at the potential cost of endangering the remaining captives.

Questions have been raised about footage of alleged mass starvation in Gaza after The New York Times admitted that an emaciated child displayed on its front page as evidence of famine was suffering from a grim medical condition unrelated to the conflict with Israel.

The Trump administration announced Thursday it will impose sanctions on multiple officials from the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) over what it described as continued support for terrorism and efforts to undermine Israel through international legal channels.

Just days before the Jewish people mark the solemn day of Tisha B’Av–the Ninth of Av–a rare bronze coin dating to the final year before the destruction of the Second Temple has been discovered near the Temple Mount. The coin, bearing the stirring inscription “For the Redemption of Zion,” was minted in Jerusalem during the fourth year of the Great Revolt against Rome (69-70 C.E.). Archaeologists view the find as a powerful echo of Jewish longing for deliverance in the face of overwhelming despair.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Wednesday that Canada will officially recognize a Palestinian state during the United Nations General Assembly in September, aligning with a growing number of Western nations breaking from longstanding diplomatic policy. The move drew immediate condemnation from Israel and raised concerns in Washington about rewarding the terror group Hamas amid ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Israel has delivered a stark warning to Hamas through international mediators: agree to the current ceasefire and hostage release proposal within days, or face the annexation of territory surrounding Gaza’s perimeter. The warning, reported by Channel 13, comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and top advisors met to assess the stalled negotiations and evaluate next steps amid growing impatience in Jerusalem.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Sunday sharply criticized the United Nations, The New York Times, and Hamas for what he called a “complete balagan”–the Hebrew word for chaos–regarding the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza. In a post on X, Huckabee accused the three of spreading propaganda that derailed ceasefire efforts, discredited legitimate aid operations, and ultimately prolonged the suffering of hostages and civilians.

The United States issued a firm rebuke Monday of a United Nations-hosted conference on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, calling the effort a “publicity stunt” that undermines serious diplomatic efforts and emboldens Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu forcefully denied allegations of starvation in the Gaza Strip, labeling the accusations as “a bold-faced lie” during a high-profile address at a Daystar TV conference in Jerusalem, hosted by Pastor Paula White, former head of the White House Faith Office.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Sunday it will begin implementing daily “tactical pauses” in select areas of the Gaza Strip to facilitate the delivery and distribution of humanitarian aid, following mounting international pressure over the growing humanitarian crisis.

Israel says it has started airdrops with humanitarian aid in Gaza to prevent mass starvation in the enclave after the United Nations allegedly refused to distribute food on Israeli terms.

Britain, France, and Germany blamed Israel for the “humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza and demanded that Israel lift “restrictions” on aid.

After nearly three weeks of intensive U.S.- and Qatari-mediated negotiations with Hamas in Doha, both Israel and the United States have recalled their negotiating teams, citing a lack of genuine progress and deep-rooted ideological obstacles from the terror group that continue to stall a potential deal.

In a decisive political statement, the Israeli Knesset voted overwhelmingly Wednesday in favor of a non-binding resolution declaring support for the application of full Israeli sovereignty over Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley — territories comprising what is internationally referred to as the West Bank. The symbolic resolution passed 71-13, reflecting wide backing among the governing coalition and some members of the opposition.

Senior officials from the United States, Israel, and Syria are due to meet Thursday to negotiate urgent security arrangements in southern Syria, after a week of deadly sectarian violence and Israeli military strikes targeting Syrian forces near Damascus.