Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2024-05-21 at 11:04
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HEADLINES - **Hostages' Families Demand Urgent Meeting with Netanyahu Amid Stalled Negotiations** - **IDF Thwarts Terror Attack in Jordan Valley, Intensifies Operations in Rafah** - **Minister Ben Gvir Advocates for Israeli Settlements in Gaza, Stirs Controversy** The time is now 11:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report. At this hour, we bring you the latest developments in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, along with related regional events and international reactions. First, the Hostages & Missing Families Forum has issued a pressing demand for an immediate meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the war cabinet. The Forum's letter highlights a nearly two-week lapse in negotiations concerning the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. They insist on the urgent resumption of talks, driven by Israeli initiatives. This appeal underscores the deepening distress and urgency felt by the families of those missing. In a separate incident, an attempted terror shooting targeted an Israeli vehicle in the Jordan Valley earlier today. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have since erected barricades in the area to prevent further incidents. This situation remains fluid, and updates are expected as more information becomes available. Meanwhile, in the Gaza Strip, the IDF has reported significant military activity in the city of Rafah. The Givati Brigade and the 162nd Division have located and detained three armed terrorists emerging from a tunnel shaft. Additionally, IDF troops have discovered and confiscated a cache of weapons, including Kalashnikov rifles and RPG launchers. Over the past day, the IDF claims to have neutralized 20 terrorists in this region. These operations highlight the ongoing intensity of the conflict and the IDF's efforts to dismantle terrorist infrastructure. On the political front, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has made striking remarks regarding the future of Gaza. In an interview, Ben Gvir expressed his willingness to live in Gaza post-war and advocated for the reestablishment of Israeli settlements in the Strip. He suggested that a mass exodus of Palestinians could facilitate a significant influx of Israeli settlers. This stance is a sharp contrast to a Hebrew University poll from last December, which indicated that more than half of Israelis oppose annexing Gaza and reestablishing settlements evacuated during the 2005 Disengagement. Ben Gvir also voiced his expectation to be appointed to the war cabinet and called for a ground operation in Lebanon to dismantle Hezbollah. In other regional news, a muted memorial was held for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, reflecting public dissatisfaction with the regime's policies. Thousands marched in Tabriz to honor the late president, who died in a helicopter crash. This subdued commemoration comes amid widespread discontent over the government's crackdowns on personal freedoms. In the United States, lawmakers are advancing sanctions that could impact those involved in the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant case against Israeli leaders Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. This legislative move reflects ongoing tensions between the US and the ICC, particularly concerning Israeli actions in Gaza. On a different note, State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman has released a report indicating that 60% of IDF equipment purchases fail quality control tests. This revelation is particularly concerning given the prolonged conflict, as equipment failures can have severe consequences on the battlefield. The report calls for improved transparency and accountability in procurement processes to ensure operational readiness and safety. In tragic news from Egypt, at least 10 female farm workers died when a...
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