As Israel's conflict with Gaza approaches its four-month mark, Chicago has joined the growing list of U.S. cities urging for a permanent ceasefire, adding pressure on President Joe Biden ahead of the upcoming November election to intervene and stop the violence. Following contentious public discussions, the city's council narrowly passed a nonbinding resolution with a 24-23 vote on Wednesday. Mayor Brandon Johnson cast the tie-breaking vote and temporarily cleared the council chambers during the heated session.
While the prospect of a comprehensive ceasefire in the Gaza Strip remains distant, there are emerging signs suggesting the potential for a temporary cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas. This, however, hinges on a pivotal shift in Hamas's public stance, which has steadfastly maintained that it would only consider the release of more Israeli hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire.
Former Defense Secretary Ben Wallace has cautioned that Israel's current tactics in Gaza could perpetuate the conflict for another 50 years. In an article for the Daily Telegraph, the senior Conservative MP expressed concern that Israel's actions risk undermining the legal basis for its actions in the region. Wallace emphasized that a strategy solely focused on military pressure, as advocated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, may not lead to a resolution. While Israel contends that military pressure is essential for victory, Wallace called for a halt to what he characterized as a "crude and indiscriminate method of attack" in Gaza.
Israeli officials have acknowledged that three hostages were mistakenly killed by soldiers in Gaza on Friday. The hostages, Yotam Haim, 28, Samer Talalka, 22, and Alon Shamriz, 26, who were being held by Hamas, had used leftover food to write signs pleading for help. The soldiers breached "rules of engagement" by shooting them, as they were holding a white flag.
In Khan Younis and southern Gaza, Israeli air strikes reportedly resulted in at least 12 fatalities, including attacks on a UN school. The telecommunications blackout, caused by Israeli actions, has impeded rescue efforts in the besieged area. Al Jazeera's Hani Mahmoud highlighted intense firing in the eastern part of Rafah, where displaced Gazans were instructed to move for safety.
Zara has expressed regret for a "misunderstanding" regarding an ad campaign that drew criticism for featuring images reminiscent of the Israel-Gaza war. Following days of backlash on social media and complaints to the UK's advertising watchdog, Zara has removed the remaining pictures. The campaign, titled "The Jacket," depicted a model against backgrounds of cracked stones, damaged statues, and broken plasterboard.
In the midst of escalating conflict in both Khan Younis and the northern region of Gaza, a disconcerting video has emerged on social media, capturing a disturbing scene of numerous Palestinian men detained by Israeli forces. The authenticity of the footage has been verified depicting a distressing tableau where these men, stripped down to their underwear, are seen kneeling on the ground under the watchful eyes of Israeli soldiers. The detention reportedly took place in Beit Lahia, a town situated in the far north of the Gaza strip. While some of these individuals have reportedly been released, the circumstances surrounding their apprehension have given rise to significant concerns.
The UN has characterized the resumption of hostilities between Israel and Hamas as the dreaded nightmare that had been anticipated by all. The temporary ceasefire, which lapsed on Friday, witnessed a blame game between the conflicting parties as they held each other responsible for the renewal of fighting.
Elon Musk and the Israeli government are in a dispute over Musk's offer to provide satellite internet to Gaza. Musk, in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), expressed his willingness to support communications in Gaza for internationally recognized aid organizations using his SpaceX Starlink satellite network. The move came after a blackout in cellular and internet connectivity in Gaza, affecting communication and civilian recovery efforts during heavy aerial bombardment.
In a shocking turn of events, the White House has revealed that a toddler is among the American hostages being held in Gaza. This heartbreaking news has ignited a wave of concern and calls for action from both domestic and international communities.