On Israel-Palestine, Campus Is Still Getting Discourse Wrong, The Daily Princetonian
Princeton student reporters write, “We can support Israel’s right to exist while criticizing the Netanyahu government’s bloody war in Gaza and occupation of the West Bank. We can support a desperately needed solution to the current war and decades of crisis in which both Israelis and Palestinians have rights to self-determination and autonomy. J Street U believes that Israel’s security and survival depend on a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. ”
J Street Responds to Netanyahu’s Decision to Resume Extensive Airstrikes in Gaza, J Street
J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami writes, “We urge the United States to work urgently to bring the parties back to negotiations. It is vital that we reach either a proposal to temporarily extend the first phase of the ceasefire through the release of more hostages or a truce as negotiations proceed on Phase II and an end to the war. Hamas must release all of the hostages immediately. The Netanyahu government must immediately stop blocking humanitarian aid and commit to negotiations to end the war.”
Israel Resumes War in Gaza With a Series of Massive Airstrikes Against Hamas, Axios
“Israel resumed the war in Gaza with a series of massive airstrikes against what it described as Hamas targets all across the enclave overnight […] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the decision to resume the war was taken ‘after Hamas refused time and again to release our hostages and rejected all the proposals in has been given by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and by the Qatari and Egyptian mediators.’”
Hundreds Killed As Israel Launches a Series of Airstrikes on Gaza, NPR
“Israel launched a surprise wave of overnight strikes in Gaza early Tuesday, killing more than 410 people and injuring hundreds more, according to Gaza health officials, and raising the prospect of a full resumption of war after a nearly two-month ceasefire […] Hamas said five of its senior officials — serving midlevel leadership roles in the Hamas-run government in Gaza — were killed in the strikes along with their families.”
Fewer Than Half of the 59 Hostages in Gaza Are Believed to Be Alive, The New York Times
“The resumption of heavy Israeli strikes in Gaza immediately cast into question the status of the remaining hostages held there by Hamas and other groups — with fewer than half of the 59 left still thought to be alive, according to the Israeli government.”
Hostages’ Families Say Israeli Gov’t ‘Gave Up on Hostages’ by Resuming Gaza Fighting, Haaretz
“The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said [today], following the resumption of fighting in Gaza, that ‘The greatest fear of the families, the hostages and the citizens of Israel has come true – the Israeli government has chosen to give up on the hostages.’ […] Freed hostage Emily Damari, who was abducted from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Azza and was released during the first stage of the hostage and cease-fire deal, took to social media expressing disappointment and heartbreak over the renewal of fighting.”
Justice Department, FBI Launch Task Force To Investigate Oct. 7 Attack on Israel, Axios
“The Justice Department and FBI on Monday launched a task force to investigate Hamas for the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, as well as civil rights violations and antisemitism by anyone who supported the group. The task force will focus on charging and prosecuting perpetrators in the attack, taking over charges brought during the Biden administration against Hamas leadership. The group, called Joint Task Force October 7 (JTF 10-7), will ‘seek justice for the victims’ and address ongoing threats by Hamas and its affiliates.”
Israeli Hardliner Ben-Gvir To Rejoin Netanyahu Government, Reuters
“Former Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who left the government over disagreements about the ceasefire in Gaza, is rejoining the coalition, a joint party statement said on [today], after Israel resumed strikes on the enclave. Ben-Gvir’s return will strengthen Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, which was left with only a thin parliamentary majority following his departure in January.”
Israel’s Newest Army Recruits: the Ultra-Orthodox, The New York Times
Jack Nicas and Adam Sella write, “Last summer, the tensions broke open. Under pressure, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled that ultra-Orthodox men were no longer exempt from service. The military has since sent draft orders to 10,000 Haredi men. Just 338 have shown up for duty. Israel is now confronting one of its messiest and most fundamental dilemmas: Its fastest growing sect won’t serve in the military.”
IDF Inquiry Into October 7 Attack on Nir Oz Finally Sheds Light on Why the Army Never Arrived, Haaretz
Amos Harel writes, “The kibbutz was left completely alone. As former Chief of Staff, Herzl Halevi acknowledged in a conversation with kibbutz members last Thursday, the last terrorist departed Nir Oz approximately 40 minutes before the first troops arrived. According to the inquiry, the killing and wounding of most senior officers in the Gaza Division’s Southern Brigade and subordinate commands, combined with the intensity of the attack across the entire sector, shattered the chain of command and control at Nir Oz and surrounding areas.”
Democracy Is on the Line in Israel and America, The New York Times
Thomas Friedman warns of a potential collapse of the rule of law in both the US and Israel: “Time to stop kidding ourselves, folks. The rule of law is in danger in both America and Israel if some red lines are not drawn and defended right now.”