Danny Danon Permanent Representative of State of Israel to the United Nations, presents his credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
The indirect negotiations for a Gaza cease-fire resumed on Thursday in Doha, Qatar, despite Hamas’ declaration that it will not attend. Many in Israel believe that after Hamas’ surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7, this may be the last opportunity for an agreement that would free the 115 hostages that Hamas is still holding in Gaza. However, significant gaps between the two sides remain.
Israelis are on edge and waiting for expected retaliation almost two weeks after the purported assassinations of two senior militant leaders by Israel. Hezbollah and Hamas could both launch long-range missiles at much of Israel, causing enormous damage.But they also do not want an all-out war with Israel.
The appointment of Yahya Sinwar as the leader of Hamas has left Israelis even less hopeful about a cease-fire agreement, as they consider Sinwar as an even more extremist figure than his predecessor.
Since Israel-Hamas’ war began, the keffiyeh, a Palestinian symbol, has drawn more attention from around the world. The Arab headdress, which was formerly just a simple article of Bedouin clothing,has taken on symbolic meaning. To some, it represents resistance; to others, it should be outlawed; and to still others, it is a piece of high fashion.
Last week, relatives of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza marked 300 days since the start of the war with marches and meetings, raising the alarm that time is running out as Israel braces for possible attacks by Iran and Hezbollah. With almost 100,000 cases of hepatitis, health officials in Gaza warn of a growing health crisis as the death toll exceeds 40,000.
During his visit to Washington this week to address members of Congress and attend talks at the White House, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced criticism from a press advocacy group. Dozens of journalists have been killed while covering the Gaza war, and some in the media blame Netanyahu for this.
International criticism of Israel’s West Bank settlement policy is growing. Despite Israel’s ongoing settlement expansion, the International Court of Justice ruled last week that Israel’s occupation of the West Bank is illegal.
Thousands of people protested outside the US Capitol on Wednesday, denouncing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his country’s war against Hamas while he was addressing both chambers of Congress.