Abbas Gaza relocation, Israel Hamas conflict, economic challenges
★ ISRAEL & PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES
1.Abbas Pledges to Move Administration to Gaza Despite Risks
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas announced before the Turkish parliament his intention to relocate his administration to Gaza. He declared that this move would happen even if it endangers his life. Abbas emphasized that Palestinian leadership must stand united with Gaza’s people. He stated that their lives are no more valuable than those of children affected by the ongoing conflict. Abbas rejected any solutions that divide Gaza and the West Bank, insisting there can be no Palestinian state without Gaza. His announcement follows meetings with Russian President Putin in Moscow and Turkish President Erdogan in Ankara. Abbas commemorated the recently killed Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh and praised Erdogan’s strong stance against Israel. This declaration comes amid a 10-month Israel-Hamas war, which has resulted in over 40,000 deaths in Gaza.
2.Sinwar Continues to Evade IDF Despite Close Encounter
Israeli forces almost captured Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar during a raid on his Gaza hideout, discovering signs of hasty exit. As IDF soldiers breached the location, they found still-warm coffee, showing just how close they were. The discovery of abandoned weapons highlights the proximity of the encounter, marking another near-miss in this high-stakes pursuit. Hamas official Osama Hamdan noted communication difficulties with Sinwar, complicating ceasefire negotiations and prolonging the conflict.
3.IDF Eliminates 100 Hamas Militants, Destroys Rafah Terror Tunnels
In recent operations in Rafah, Gaza, the IDF’s Givati Brigade eliminated 100 Hamas fighters, destroyed numerous weapons, and dismantled terror infrastructure. Soldiers engaged in firefights with militants barricaded in a civilian neighborhood, ultimately neutralizing them and uncovering an operational tunnel shaft. The IDF also reported locating and destroying booby-trapped buildings and additional hideouts during the operation, significantly weakening Hamas’s presence in the area.
4.Dozens of Settlers Torch Homes and Cars in West Bank Village
Around 50 masked Israeli settlers invaded the Palestinian village of Jit in the northern West Bank, torching at least four homes and six vehicles. Israeli security forces arrived to disperse the attackers, but no arrests have been reported. The incident has sparked outrage, with Labor party chairman Yair Golan condemning the violence as “Messianic Jewish terrorism” aimed at igniting regional conflict. This attack is part of a broader pattern of settler violence in the area, where accountability is rarely enforced.
5.IDF Reveals Hamas Launched Rockets From Humanitarian Area In Civilian Clothes
Hamas launched rockets from near the Humanitarian Aid Route in Khan Yunis, Gaza, toward central Israel on Tuesday, according to an IDF statement. The rockets were fired from tents near humanitarian infrastructure, with militants dressed in civilian clothes. The IAF responded by striking terrorist targets adjacent to the launch site. The IDF noted that Hamas continues to place rocket launchers near civilian and humanitarian sites, endangering both Israelis and Gazans. Over 40 Hamas targets, including sniper and observation posts, were struck throughout Gaza.
6.Haredi Parties Threaten Coalition Exit Over Ben Gvir’s Temple Mount Visit
Haredi parties are considering leaving Israel’s coalition government after National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s visit to the Temple Mount. The visit, which included Jewish prayer at the site, has sparked significant backlash from ultra-Orthodox factions, who claim the visit endangers lives and contradicts religious law. A leading newspaper aligned with United Torah Judaism urged the party to reconsider its role in the government, while discussions are underway on a possible Knesset resolution to reinforce the Chief Rabbinate’s ban on Jews visiting the holy site.
7.Five Palestinian Gunmen Killed, Four Israeli Troops Injured In West Bank Raid
In a 12-hour counter-terrorism operation in the northern West Bank on Wednesday, Israeli forces killed five Palestinian gunmen and injured four soldiers. The raid, conducted by the IDF, police, Shin Bet, and the elite Prison Service unit, targeted terror groups in Tubas, Tamun, and the Far’a refugee camp. Four gunmen were killed in a drone strike in Tamun, while another was killed during clashes in Tubas. The IDF reported seizing weapons, including M-16 rifles and explosive devices, during the operation.
8.Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Talks StallOver Key Unresolved Issues
Key sticking points remain unresolved, including Israel’s demand to maintain control over key areas in Gaza and Hamas’s concern over potential Israeli resumption of hostilities post-ceasefire, Efforts to reach a truce between Israel and Hamas face significant hurdles as negotiations set to resume Thursday have stalled. The proposal, supported internationally, aims to end a 10-month war and release 110 prisoners.
9.Washington And Qatar Urge Success Of Gaza Truce Talks
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani urged all parties to avoid actions that could undermine the upcoming truce talks in Gaza, scheduled to be hosted by Doha on Thursday.
10.Israeli Forces Kill 20 Terrorists, Target Key Hamas Locations in Gaza
Israeli Defense Forces killed 20 terrorists and dismantled a tunnel entrance in Rafah, Gaza. In Khan Yunis, multiple terrorists within Hamas weapon storage facilities were eliminated. The Israeli Air Force also neutralized an Islamic Jihad operative responsible for firing projectiles at IDF troops and Israeli territory. In central Gaza, a terrorist cell was eradicated, and a weapons storage facility was destroyed. Over the past 24 hours, the Israeli Air Force attacked over 30 Hamas terrorist sites, including explosive-rigged structures and underground facilities.
11.El Al Airlines’ quarterly profits soared 150% during the Gaza conflict.
El Al Airlines reported a 150% increase in quarterly profits, reaching $147 million in Q2, up from $59 million the previous year. El Al’s growth is due to near-total control of Israel’s aviation sector after foreign airlines canceled flights during the conflict. As Israel’s national carrier, El Al has capitalized on the reduced competition, bolstering its financial performance despite the challenging environment. The war, which began on October 7, has reshaped the aviation landscape, benefiting El Al significantly.
12.Israeli Economy Faces $67.3 Billion War Cost, Experts Warn of Crisis
The ongoing Gaza conflict has already cost the Israeli economy over $67.3 billion, according to former Bank Leumi CEO Rakefet Russak-Aminoach. The Israeli defense sector seeks an annual budget increase of at least $5.3 billion. The national deficit, nonexistent at the start of 2023, surged to 8.1%, totaling $41.5 billion by July. Despite stable unemployment at 3.2%, international markets are losing confidence. This loss of confidence is indicated by a lowered credit rating and increased risk premiums. Experts warn that without restoring investor confidence, Israel’s economy may spiral into a severe crisis.
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Read about the tragedy of the Israeli strike on Rafah, killing 100 people.
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