KEY POINTS
- Haniyeh will reportedly be accompanied to Cairo by a delegation of senior Hamas leaders
- Iranian asylum-seekers plotted to kill Israeli businessmen, Cypriot official said
- Hamas ally PIJ has released a video of two male hostages
It's the 75th day of the Israel-Hamas war. A new report revealed that there were actually 19 countries onboard the Washington-led maritime force in the Red Sea that seeks to deter Houthi attacks, but around half didn't want their move publicized. The U.S., including itself, only announced 10 joiners Tuesday.
The U.S. is reportedly discussing with its allies possible military actions to cripple the ability of Iran-backed Houthis to attack commercial ships in the Red Sea as more shipping companies announced re-routing or total cessation of movement in the area.
Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh will visit Egypt Wednesday to discuss a possible ceasefire in Gaza, marking a significant turnaround in events since the seven-day truce collapsed.
- 'Entire responsibility' of ceasefire issues on Sinwar: Israeli president
- Houthis accuse US-led maritime force of seeking to 'militarize' Red Sea
- Cyprus, Mossad foil alleged Iranian plot against Israelis: Report
- US State Department slams Houthis' 'reckless' attacks
- Israel informs Qatar ready for week-long truce in exchange for 40 hostages: Report
- Haniyeh meets Iran's foreign minister in Doha ahead of Cairo trip
- 'No place' for hate and violence against Jewish communities in Canada: Trudeau
- Yemen, 8 other countries, plus NATO and EU, condemn Houthis' Red Sea rampage
- Gaza Strip suffers another communications blackout
- Mother of 19-year-old hostage says world's response not loud enough
- Haniyeh lands in Egypt for Gaza talks
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it has taken control of the Jabalia camp after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last week that "dozens" of Hamas members from the area were surrendering to Israeli troops.
A vote on Gaza has been delayed for a third day by the United Nations Security Council amid reported "intense" discussions after the U.S. expressed opposition to some wording on the draft resolution.
Over in Israel's northern border with Lebanon, Iran-backed Hezbollah continues to fire toward communities near the border, raising fears of an all-out war to break out during a critical time in the Israeli military's ground operations in Gaza.
Netanyahu spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday to discuss escalating tensions initiated by Yemen's Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, particularly around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
When Hamas operatives raided Israel on Oct. 7 and killed more than 1,200 people, interest in the longstanding Israel-Palestine conflict history spiked as supporters of both parties staged protests worldwide.
Meanwhile, Qatar, for the first time since the first ceasefire deal fell apart, said Tuesday that talks for a new hostage deal with Israel were progressing. The Israeli government and the White House have both reiterated their commitment to freeing the remaining 129 hostages – mostly men and captive soldiers.
Israel considering 'extended' ceasefire: Report
Israeli officials are "considering an extended ceasefire, perhaps lasting two weeks, to allow Hamas to gather these hostages and deliver them to safety," journalist David Ignatius wrote in an op-ed for the Washington Post Wednesday.
He added that the Israeli government may also pledge to withdraw its forces and "conduct standoff operations" after the ceasefire.
The Israeli government has yet to confirm the report, but it has signaled readiness to engage in renewed negotiations regarding the release of hostages.
