Netanyahu vows there won’t be a Palestinian state so long as he’s in office, while Joe Biden admits strikes against Yemen’s Ansar Allah aren’t working.
- 24,762 killed* and at least 62,108 wounded in the Gaza Strip.
- 388+ Palestinians killed in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem
- Israel revises its estimated October 7 death toll down from 1,400 to 1,147.
- 550 Israeli soldiers killed since October 7, including 194 since the beginning of the ground invasion, and at least 3,221 injured.**
*This figure was confirmed by Gaza’s Ministry of Health on January 16. Some rights groups put the death toll at more than 31,000 when accounting for those presumed dead.
**This figure is released by the Israeli military.
- Telecom blackout in Gaza continues for eighth day in a row, affecting news coming out of Gaza.
- Israel continues to pummel Gaza, destroying key buildings at al-Isra University, the last institution of higher learning left standing in Gaza.
- Yemen’s Ansar Allah continues to attack ships in Red Sea, Joe Biden admits U.S. strikes ineffective in deterring rebels but vows to continue anyway.
- Embattled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterates opposition to Palestinian state, insists on Israeli control over all territory “west of the Jordan River.”
- Israeli army wraps up 45-hour long devastating raid in Tulkarem refugee camp.
- Israeli army admits to digging up graves and seizing bodies in Gaza, claiming to be searching for dead hostages.
- The Guardian reveals longstanding policies by successive U.S. governments to shield Israel from U.S. laws supposed to prevent U.S. funding of human rights abuses abroad.
- Cases of Hepatitis A soar amid overcrowded and unsanitary conditions in shelters, with organizations warning of worsening health crisis in Gaza.
- Israeli daily Haaretz reports that mental health growing concern among Israeli troops, with high number of soldiers leaving front due to “mental issues.”
- Knesset extends ban preventing Palestinian prisoners from Gaza from meeting with lawyers.
- Extreme right-wing Knesset member Almog Cohen questioned by Israeli police after bragging on social media about beating Palestinian citizens of Israel while serving as police officer in 2013.
Netanyahu publicly rejects US push for Palestinian state
During a combative press conference, Prime Minister Netanyahu rejected the prospect of Palestinian statehood after the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and vowed to resist the United States on the matter. He also denied blindsiding his defense minister over a deal to send medicines into Gaza for Israeli hostages, accused Israeli media of spreading pessimism about the progress of the war, and said Hamas and Iran were hoping to see his government fall and elections held mid-war. On the issue of Palestinian sovereignty, Netanyahu was speaking after a report that the Biden administration is looking past the premier to advance a two-state solution, and after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Israel cannot achieve “genuine security” without a pathway to a Palestinian state
Israel’s Genocide in Gaza Continues
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday rebuffed U.S. calls for a post-war peace process that would lead to Palestinian statehood, “in any arrangement in the foreseeable future — with an arrangement or without one — Israel must have security control over all the territory west of the Jordan,” he said. “This clashes with the idea of sovereignty. What can you do?” Netanyahu added, “I told this truth to our friends, the Americans, and I also blocked the attempt to impose a reality that would harm Israel’s security.” Aaron Boxerman reports for the New York Times.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog outlined a broad vision for the Middle East after the Gaza war, including rebuilding the territory, promoting dialogue between Israel and Palestinians, and normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia. Cristiana Moisescu reports for CNN.
A member of Israel’s war cabinet criticized the prime minister and urged a longer ceasefire with Hamas while stating that Israel had yet to fully realize its military objectives in Gaza, exposing the deep internal divisions in the government. Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot said that Netanyahu carries “sharp and clear” responsibility for Israel’s failure to protect citizens on Oct. 7 and that Israel’s leaders must define a vision for how to wind down the war. Nadav Gavrielov, Aaron Boxerman, and Adam Rasgon report for the New York Times.
Some residents in the northern Gaza Strip say they can walk through their neighborhoods more freely and that gunfire and explosions are becoming less frequent, the latest sign that Israel is scaling back the intensity of its military campaign in the area. Adam Rasgon and Aaron Boxerman report for the New York Times.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) severely damaged a cemetery in Khan Younis in southern Gaza this week, exhuming bodies in what they said was part of a search for the remains of hostages taken by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attacks. Ivana Kottasová, Ibrahim Dahman, Benjamin Brown, Jeremy Diamond, and Muhammad Darwish report for CNN.
Israel says its troops have reached the southernmost area of Khan Younis as they expand operations in the Gaza Strip’s second largest city. The military added that dozens of Hamas fighters had been killed in “close quarter combat.” David Gritten reports for BBC News.
A near-total communications blackout in Gaza has now lasted one week with no signs of abating. A U.N. official said it is “almost impossible” to carry out humanitarian work and emergency services in the territory. Mick Krever, Sana Noor Haq, Eyad Kourdi and Celine Alkhaldi report for CNN.
REGIONAL RESPONSE
The Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the United States said at the World Economic Forum yesterday that any future normalization agreement with Israel would be conditioned on a ceasefire in Gaza and the creation of a pathway toward Palestinian statehood. Barak Ravid reports for Axios.
INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE
Mexico and Chile expressed concerns yesterday over “an escalation of violence” after several months of war between Israel and Hamas in a referral submitted to the International Criminal Court over possible war crimes. Mexico’s foreign ministry said the ICC was the best forum to establish responsibility “whether committed by agents of the occupying power or the occupied power.” Kylie Madry reports for Reuters.
European lawmakers adopted a resolution yesterday calling for a ceasefire in Israel’s war against Hamas, on the condition that Hamas be dismantled and all hostages it holds be released. The resolution is non-binding, but highly symbolic. European lawmakers also called for the revival of a two-state solution and the end of Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. AP News reports.
European Parliament conditions ceasefire on Hamas dismantling and abductees release
The European Parliament has made a groundbreaking decision to tie a call for a ceasefire in Gaza to the condition of dismantling the terrorist organization Hamas and the immediate, unconditional release of all abductees. The resolution, passed with a resounding majority of 312 supporters against 131 opponents, sets a precedent in the European stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict. The European Parliament’s resolution also censures Hamas for its misuse of civilian infrastructure, construction of attack tunnels, and the use of human shields. Additionally, it expresses shock at the considerable wealth amassed by Hamas leaders at the expense of impoverished Palestinian citizens. The resolution goes further by condemning countries that provide financial, material, and operational aid to Hamas. It calls for a thorough investigation to identify the sources of funding and weapon systems of the terrorist organization. This significant diplomatic achievement is attributed, in part, to the vigorous efforts of the Israeli Embassy in the European Union in Brussels, the European Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the embassies in the region.
U.S. RESPONSE
Netanyahu’s comments apparently rejecting a Palestinian state contradict President Biden’s stated position, who has long advocated for a two-state solution. U.S. officials said yesterday that Israel’s apparent dismissal of the idea would not deter them from pressing their Israeli counterparts on the matter. A senior administration official added that Netanyahu has reversed on his hardline positions before, and that his statement Thursday was not necessarily final. Kevin Liptak, Lauren Izso, Jennifer Hansler, Jorge Engels, and Sugam Pokharel report for CNN.
National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby reacted to Netanyahu’s comments yesterday, saying, “We believe that the Palestinians have every right to live in an independent state with peace and security. And the President and his team is going to continue to work on that.”
There is “no way to solve [Israel’s] long-term challenges to provide lasting security, and there is no way to solve the short-term challenges of rebuilding Gaza and establishing governance in Gaza, and providing security for Gaza, without the establishment of a Palestinian state,” Matthew Miller said at a news briefing yesterday. Simon Lewis and Humeyra Pamuk report for Reuters.
Families of Americans thought to still be held in Gaza met with the U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan yesterday to discuss negotiations for the hostages’ release, according to a Biden administration official and the father of one of the hostages. There are six remaining American hostages, all of whom are men, and three of whom were serving in the Israeli military when they were kidnapped. Gaya Gupta reports for the New York Times.Israeli official confirms US working on grand regional bargain to end Gaza war
Apart from ending the current hostilities in Gaza it also envisions normalization between Israel and the Arab world, the release of captives, and a new regime in Gaza.
An Israeli source confirmed Thursday that the Biden administration was currently working on a regional grand bargain that comprises several tenets aimed at long-term stability as part of a post-war reality.
Apart from ending the current hostilities in Gaza it also envisions, normalization between Israel and the Arab world, the release of captives, and a new regime in Gaza.
The plan appears to be part of what Secretary of State Antony Blinken referred to when he said in Davos this week that Israel needed to make tough decisions. The plan is still in a very preliminary stage, and it is unclear how much of it has been formulated into actual text or formulas that could see the war end and a political process replace it.
IRAN-PAKISTAN TENSIONS
Pakistan launched airstrikes against alleged militant hideouts inside Iran yesterday, killing at least nine people as it responded to a similar attack this week by Iran. Munir Ahmed and Jon Gambrell report for AP News.
MILITARY CONFLICT WITH HOUTHIS
The Houthis launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles at a U.S.-owned tanker ship yesterday, U.S. Central Command said, the third such attack in three days. No injuries or damage was reported. The attack followed the U.S. military launching a fifth round of strikes against the group in Yemen in response to attacks in the Red Sea. Yuliya Talmazan reports for NBC News.
President Biden said yesterday that the U.S.-led coalition strikes on the Houthis have not deterred the militant group’s campaign in the Red Sea. “Well, when you say working are they stopping the Houthis? No,” the president said. “Are they gonna continue? Yes.” The Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary added, “We are not at war with the Houthis. Actions we are taking are defensive in nature.” Max Matza reports for BBC News.
Houthi rebels will allow safe passage to Chinese and Russian ships in the Red Sea, a spokesperson for the group told Russian media yesterday, as they continue attacks against commercial vessels in response to Israel’s war in Gaza. Mariya Knight reports for CNN.
| Five Arab countries proposed (Bloomberg) a U.S.-backed plan to donate to reconstruction of the Gaza Strip if Israel works toward Palestinian statehood. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said (NYT) at a news conference yesterday that his vision for control “clashes with the idea of [Palestinian] sovereignty.” A U.S. State Department spokesperson reiterated Washington’s position yesterday, saying there was “no way” to rebuild or provide lasting security in Gaza without establishing a Palestinian state. In Gaza, the West is Enabling the Most Transparent Genocide in Human HistoryThis is extraordinary because the states supporting Israel, above all the United States, have claimed the high moral and legal ground and lectured the states of the Global South about the importance of the rule of law.We need to establish a different context than the one that exists now. That means a different outlook on the part of the Western supporters of Israel. And a different internal Israeli sense of their own interests, their own future. And it’s only when substantive pressure is brought to bear on an elite that has gone to these lengths that it can shake commitments to this orientation.The lengths that the Israeli government has gone to are characteristic of settler colonial states. All of them, including the U.S. and Canada, have acted violently to neutralize or exterminate the resident Indigenous people. That is what this genocidal interlude is all about. It is an effort to realize the goals of maximal versions of Zionism, which can only succeed by eliminating the Palestinians as rightful claimants. It should not be forgotten that in the weeks before the Hamas attack, including at the U.N., Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was waving a map of “the new Middle East” that had erased the existence of Palestine.Undoubtedly, one of Hamas’ motivations was to negate the view that Palestine had given up its right to self-determination, and that Palestine could be erased. Recall the old delusional pre-Balfour Zionist slogan: “A people without land for a land without people.” Such utterances of this early Zionist utopian phase literally erased the Palestinians who for generations lived in Palestine as an entitled Indigenous population. With the Balfour Declaration of 1917, this settler colonial vision became a political project with the blessings of the leading European colonial power. Given post-colonial realities, the Israeli project is historically discordant and extreme. It exposes the reality of Israel’s policies and the inevitable resistance response to Israel as a supremacist state. Israeli state propaganda and management of the public discourse has obscured the maximalist agenda of Zionism over the years, and we are yet to know whether this was a deliberate tactic or just reflected the phases of Israel’s development. |
In Gaza, it’s all black and white, and very simple
The rest of the world has been doing everything to save Palestinian lives, but the West, led by the US, has been thwarting them at every turn.
You really have to wonder about the Western alliance sometimes. Is it cynicism or delusion? As Israel continues its medieval siege of Gaza with its unprecedented killings of women and children
To be sure, much of the West has deliberately shielded Israel from accountability while the US is fully implicated in the carnage. But the rest of the world has done everything – from mass rallies, humanitarian appeals to Israel, and public criticism to UN diplomacy and armed intervention (from the Houthis). It has been trying to do its basic duty to humanity. But the West, led by the US, has been thwarting them at every turn.