Israel News for 5-9-2024
News Update
An IDF soldier was killed in a Hezbollah mortar attack near the northern town of Malkia yesterday. His name was Staff Sgt. Haim Sabach, 20, of the Border Defense Corps’ 869th Combat Intelligence Collection Unit, from Holon.
An Israeli airstrike this morning killed 4 Hezbollah terrorists riding in a car in southern Lebanon, 11 miles from the border.
Hezbollah rejected a French peace proposal that would require them to withdraw to north of the Litani river and to allow UNIFIL or Lebanese troops to have freedom of movement or operation south of the river.
According to Syrian reports, Israel reportedly struck targets south of Damascus early this morning.
Hamas has reportedly left the negotiations in Cairo, stating that it will only agree to the terms that it proposed, which are totally unacceptable to Israel.
An IDF airstrike eliminated Ahmed Ali, the commander of Hamas’ naval unit in Gaza City. The IDF said that it eliminated 30 terrorists and struck over 100 terror targets on the Gazan side of the Rafah border crossing since Monday.
President Biden threatened to cut off arms shipments to Israel if it proceeds with an invasion of Rafah. He said, “I made it clear to Bibi and the War Cabinet – you will not receive aid if you enter population centers in Rafah.” He emphasized that, for now, Israel has “not yet” crossed his red line and that it is just operating near the border, outside of major population centers. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller also told a press briefing on Wednesday that the US is considering delaying further weapon shipments to Israel. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said, “If we stop weapons necessary to destroy the enemies of the State of Israel at a time of great peril, we will pay a price. This is obscene. It is absurd. Give Israel what they need to fight the war they can’t afford to lose.”
National Security Minister Ben Gvir tweeted, “Hamas <3 Biden”, in response to the Presidents threat to withhold arms shipments. Members of the opposition, including leader Yair Lapid, are calling for the Prime Minister to fire Ben Gvir for the tweet.
Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and Malta, all members of the European Union, are reportedly considering recognizing a Palestinian state on May 21. The UN General Assembly is set to vote, on May 10, on recognizing a Palestinian state. The vote will not have any practical bearing without the approval of the Security Council, which the U.S. is expected to veto.
