HEADLINES - **Intense Israeli Airstrikes Hit Rafah Amid Escalating Conflict with Hamas** Outrage** - **France Defends ICC Independence Amid Controversial Warrants for Israeli and Hamas Leaders** The time is now 07:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report. A new wave of military action has erupted in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Overnight, the Israel Defense Forces launched a series of aggressive airstrikes and artillery attacks targeting the Rafah area in the southern Gaza Strip. Palestinian sources report that the bombardment was intense, marking another escalation in a conflict that has brought significant devastation to the region. The Israeli military has confirmed these operations, stating they are aimed at dismantling Hamas' infrastructure and eliminating threats posed by the militant organization. In a related development, reports have surfaced indicating that Egypt, a key mediator in the region, secretly altered the terms of a hostage negotiation deal after Israel had already agreed to it. According to these reports, the deputy head of Egyptian intelligence presented a revised outline to Hamas without informing Israel, the United States, or Qatar. This revelation has caused considerable anger among Israeli officials and has reportedly led to a furious response from the head of the CIA, who stated, "We were deceived." This development adds another layer of complexity to the already tense negotiations surrounding hostages and ceasefire agreements. Meanwhile, the diplomatic arena has seen significant developments. French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné addressed the parliament, clarifying France's stance on the International Criminal Court's recent actions. This comes after the ICC prosecutor announced his intention to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh, and Muhammad Deif. Séjourné emphasized that while France supports the ICC and its independence, there should be no moral equivalence between the actions of Israel and Hamas. He underscored that while Hamas is a terrorist organization responsible for heinous attacks, Israel is a democratic state that must adhere to international law in its military operations. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz, speaking at an event in Paris, urged France to denounce the ICC's decision, highlighting the importance of international support for Israel during these tumultuous times. On the media front, Israel's Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi has reversed his decision to confiscate broadcasting equipment from the Associated Press. The equipment had been seized under allegations that it was used to broadcast images from southern Israel that exposed troop movements to Al Jazeera. This move had sparked significant backlash, including concerns from the White House and condemnation from the Foreign Press Association. The AP expressed relief at the reversal but remains concerned about the implications for press freedom in Israel. In Gaza, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi has visited troops in Jabaliya, offering encouragement and reiterating the military's commitment to conducting complex operations aimed at retrieving the bodies of hostages. This visit underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the IDF in navigating the densely populated and volatile regions of Gaza. Lastly, there are troubling reports of Israeli settlers, in cooperation with individual IDF soldiers, attacking humanitarian aid trucks destined for Gaza. The Guardian reported that these attacks were allegedly coordinated with intelligence provided by soldiers and police. This has raised serious concerns about the integrity of humanitarian efforts and the role of the military in safeguarding such operations. The IDF has acknowledged disciplinary...