‘Diplomatic Tsunami’ Nears as Europe Begins to Act Against Israel’s ‘Complete Madness’ in Gaza, Haaretz
“Since Monday, crisis has followed crisis: The leaders of France, the UK, and Canada announced they may consider sanctions against Israel; 25 Western countries issued a joint statement expressing concern over Gaza; the UK government suspended talks on a free trade agreement with Israel; British Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced sanctions on Israeli settlers and summoned Israeli Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely for a formal reprimand.”
Hungry Gazans Left Waiting Despite Ease on Israeli Blockade, The New York Times
“Three days after Israel announced that it would ease its blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza, it appeared on Wednesday that little, if any, of the desperately needed food, fuel and medicine had actually reached hungry Palestinians. Dozens of trucks ferrying supplies have crossed into Gaza at the Israeli-controlled border crossing of Kerem Shalom, according to Israel. But the United Nations has so far been unable to move any trucks from Kerem Shalom to warehouses inside Gaza, in part because of fears of looting, according to a UN official.”
Trump Frustrated by Gaza War, Wants Netanyahu to ‘Wrap it Up’: US Officials, Axios
“US and Israeli officials deny that Trump is prepared to ‘abandon’ Israel, or that he is applying intense pressure on Netanyahu. But they admit there are growing policy differences between a president who wants to end the war and a prime minister who is massively expanding it. ‘The president is frustrated about what is happening in Gaza. He wants the war to end, he wants the hostages to come home, he wants aid to go in and he wants to start rebuilding Gaza,’ one White House official said.”
Yair Golan Defends ‘Baby Killing’ Remarks: ‘Ministers Celebrate Death and Starvation’, YNet News
“‘The war in Gaza began as a justified and necessary response to Hamas’ despicable attack,’ Golan said. ‘But what started as a legitimate campaign has turned into a war with no clear security or national goal, under a failed government.’”
EU to Launch Israel Trade Review as Gaza Crisis Worsens, Politico
“The EU will review its political and economic agreement between Israel and the European Union over the ‘catastrophic’ situation in Gaza, Kaja Kallas said Tuesday. […] ‘The situation in Gaza is catastrophic,’ said Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat. ‘The aid that Israel has allowed in is of course welcomed, but it’s a drop in the ocean.’”
Israeli Hostage Matan Zangauker’s Mental Condition Declining, Refusing to Eat or Talk, Haaretz
“The most recent sign of life from Matan was received just last week. His mental condition has deteriorated in recent months, withdrawing for hours to a corner in the tunnel in which he is being held. His mother, Einav, says ongoing military pressure and continuing loneliness will result in Matan’s death.”
Vermont Senator Wants Trump Pressure on Israel to End ‘Catastrophic’ Gaza Blockade [Interview], NPR
“[The goal of this resolution] is to get aid in,’ Sen. Welch said. ‘It is absolutely appalling what is happening to innocent Palestinians in Gaza. And there are 14,000 babies, according to the UN, that could die in the next 48 hours if aid is not getting in. Children are now literally dying of starvation while being held by their mother or their father.”
New Intelligence Suggests Israel is Preparing Possible Strike on Iranian Nuclear Facilities, US Officials Say, CNN
“Such a strike would be a brazen break with President Donald Trump, US officials said. It could also risk tipping off a broader regional conflict in the Middle East – something the US has sought to avoid since the war in Gaza inflamed tensions beginning in 2023.”
The Uncomfortable Truth: Yair Golan Is Right About What Israel Is Becoming, Haaretz
The Haaretz Editorial Board writes, “Yair Golan spoke a truth that is uncomfortable to the Israeli ear. That is the most accurate explanation for the attack on MK Yair Golan from nearly the entire political spectrum, from the extreme right to the moderate center, in the wake of his remarks on Tuesday. ‘Israel is on the path to becoming a pariah state, like South Africa once was, if it does not return to acting like a sane country,’ the chair of the Democrats party said. ‘A sane state does not wage war against civilians, does not kill babies as a hobby and does not set goals for itself such as the expulsion of a population,’ he added.”
Iran Nuclear Talks Are Running Into Red Lines, Foreign Policy
Keith Johnson writes, “Although US President Donald Trump suggested last week that a nuclear deal with Iran was ‘close,’ that doesn’t actually seem to be the case as both sides are digging in on their respective red lines and appearing to rule out the early possibility of a negotiated solution to the future of Iran’s nuclear program.”
As Israel Starves and Destroys Gaza, It’s Turning Into a Global Pariah, The Washington Post
Ishaan Tharoor writes, “There are glimmers of a reckoning in Washington, too. At a Monday panel event I moderated on prospects for peace in Ukraine, Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colorado) said that the United States has ‘lost a lot of our ability’ to talk about international humanitarian law and human rights on the world stage because of its inconsistency in applying these principles to all conflicts. When it came to Israel, neither the Trump administration nor its Democratic predecessor chose to enforce existing US laws that condition the provision of military aid to foreign countries on matters of human rights. ‘It really undermined our legitimacy and our standing, to this day,’ Crow said.”
Suddenly Trump Is No Longer Buying What Bibi Has Been Selling, The New York Times
Mairav Zonszein writes, “It appears that the White House finally sees Mr. Netanyahu for what he is: A weak Israeli leader with seemingly little or nothing to offer Mr. Trump, who appears more interested in trade, business and a Nobel Peace Prize than in continuing to fund an endless war. That is quite a shift. After Mr. Trump won the election, Mr. Netanyahu saw an ally coming into the White House. […] Whether Mr. Trump will finally compel Mr. Netanyahu to end the war on Gaza is still very much in question, but Israel’s ability to steer the conversation or shape the terms of regional dynamics has been significantly diminished by its dead-end campaign.”