HEADLINES - **Ceasefire Talks Collapse: Qatari Mediation Hits a Wall Amid Rising Civilian Casualties** - **IDF Intensifies Operations: Focus on Rafah's Smuggling Tunnels as Conflict Escalates** - **ICC Arrest Warrants Stir Controversy: Global Reactions to Charges Against Israeli and Hamas Leaders** The time is now 07:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report. In the latest developments in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, we start with diplomatic efforts and challenges. The Qatari Foreign Ministry, which has been mediating ceasefire talks, announced that negotiations have reached an impasse. The spokesman emphasized the urgency of holding accountable those responsible for civilian casualties, yet refrained from immediate comments on international arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Turning to the situation on the ground, the city of Rafah, located at the Gaza-Egypt border, remains a critical focal point due to its extensive network of smuggling tunnels. These tunnels have long been used to transport goods, weapons, and people, often facilitated by bribery of Egyptian officials. Estimates suggest that around 50 such tunnels are currently operational, although the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have not fully secured the area. The IDF's operations are expected to intensify, aiming to dismantle these tunnels, which are integral to Hamas's logistical capabilities. The ongoing conflict in Rafah underscores the complex interplay between military operations and regional diplomacy, particularly with Egypt, whose cooperation is crucial. In a related development, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant condemned the ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan's decision to seek arrest warrants against him and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside three Hamas leaders. Gallant labeled the move as an attempt to deny Israel the right to defend itself. The ICC's charges against Israeli and Hamas leaders encompass crimes such as extermination, starvation, and deliberately targeting civilians. This development has drawn international reactions, with the United States and United Kingdom criticizing the ICC's decision, while countries like France and China have called for an impartial legal process. This legal maneuver complicates the geopolitical landscape, potentially affecting international travel and diplomatic engagements for the Israeli leaders. On the military front, the IDF has released footage of drones detecting and eliminating a terror squad in the Nur Shams refugee camp in the West Bank. The operation, which involved precision strikes, resulted in the deaths of all members of the targeted group. This event highlights the ongoing security operations beyond Gaza, reflecting the widespread nature of the conflict. In Gaza, the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen. According to the United Nations, approximately 1.1 million people are facing catastrophic levels of hunger, with the territory on the brink of famine. The conflict has displaced around three-quarters of Gaza's population, exacerbating the dire humanitarian situation. Israel's military operations, including airstrikes and ground battles, have focused on areas like Rafah and Jabalia, leading to significant civilian casualties. The World Health Organization reported that Al-Awda Hospital in Jabalia has been under siege, with staff and patients trapped amid ongoing attacks. In a strategic assessment, Israeli defense officials have agreed on a limited military action in Rafah, supported by the Biden administration. This approach aims to minimize civilian casualties and involves a gradual disengagement strategy post-Hamas, with potential involvement from the Palestinian Authority and moderate Arab states. However, this plan faces internal opposition within Israel's political spectrum, particularly from Prime...