KEY POINTS
- Senior Hamas official says killing of 3 American servicemen a warning to Washington
- 'Significant gaps' remain in talks toward a possible ceasefire-hostage deal
- Hezbollah chief tells US to leave Middle East
As tensions in the Middle East continue to reach distressing highs due to disruptions caused by Iranian-backed militias, the Israel-Hamas war rages on and is now in its 115th day.
Three more countries have joined the United States, the United Kingdom and several other nations that first suspended funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) over allegations that some of its personnel were involved in terror activities.
- Trump reacts to killing of 3 US soldiers in Jordan, blames Biden
- UNRWA employee accused of direct participation in Hamas' Oct. 7 massacre
- Iran's foreign minister in Pakistan after tit-for-tat strikes
- Iran executes 4 accused of affiliation with Israel's Mossad
- Houthis claim they attacked US Navy frigate Lewis B. Puller
- 2 slightly injured after launches from Lebanon toward Israeli military base: Local media
- Republican senators press Biden to take military action after 3 US servicemen killed
- Austria suspends UNRWA funding
- US denies Navy ship attacked after Houthis' claim: Report
- Israel approves UN delegation's visit to northern Gaza: Report
- 2 Israeli hostages being held in UNRWA teacher's home: Israel
- Iraq condemns attack in Jordan, calls for end to 'cycle of violence'
- Romania freezes funding for UNRWA pending investigation
- Houthis turn hijacked Galaxy Leader into 'tourist attraction'
The military wing of Fatah, another major Palestinian faction, announced the assassination of a field commander in Gaza by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
U.S. President Joe Biden vowed that there will be a response to the killing of three U.S. servicemen in a drone attack on American forces in Jordan.
In the tension-packed Red Sea, Yemeni Houthi rebels attacked another commercial vessel, this time causing a "major fire" as the ship was carrying Naphtha.
Israel's northern border with Lebanon remains a major point of concern in the international community due to continuing fire exchanges between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, another pro-Iran paramilitary group that, like the Houthis, said attacks targeting Israel were a show of solidarity with Hamas.
In Gaza, the IDF continues to focus its ground and air operations in Khan Yunis, the enclave's second-largest city and a Hamas stronghold that was found to have massive tunnel networks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Hamas' Oct. 7 massacre of more than 1,200 people in Israel will be avenged. He also promised to bring home the remaining hostages taken from Israel amid an outcry among the loved ones of abductees and their supporters.
The war in Gaza, which has already apparently flared up fraught relations between Middle Eastern nations, stems from the violent history of the Israel-Palestine conflict that has dragged both Israeli and Palestinian civilians into chaos.
EU to consider future UNRWA funding after 'very serious allegations'
The European Commission "will determine upcoming funding decisions for UNRWA in light of the very serious allegations made on 24 January relating to the involvement of UNRWA staff in the heinous 7 October attacks," the commission said in a statement Monday.
Also, the commission noted that "no addition funding to UNRWA is foreseen until the end of February."
The EU's statement comes as more countries join the U.S. and UK in halting funding for the agency pending investigation of allegations regarding some UNRWA employees having been involved in the atrocities that started the war in Gaza.
Houthis open hijacked ship for sight-seeing
The Houthis have turned the Galaxy Leader, which they seized in November, into a domestic "tourist attraction," allowing male-only groups to get on the carrier for about a dollar per trip.
The Galaxy Leader's 25-man crew, majority of which are Filipinos, remains in Houthi captivity.
Read the full story here.
Romania freezes UNRWA funding
Another country has joined the growing list of nations temporarily suspending funding to UNRWA pending the investigation results of allegations that some of the agency's staffers had a role to play in Hamas' Oct. 7 massacre in Israel.
No new RO voluntary contribution to #UNRWA until the investigation is finalised. Romania continues to prioritise the needs of t/ Palestinian civilians, especially those affected by the conflict in Gaza. RO coordinates closely with EU & Int'l partners.
— MFA Romania (@MAERomania) January 29, 2024
Iraq condemns killing of US troops
The Iraqi government on Monday condemned the drone attack in Jordan that killed three U.S. soldiers. It said the attack was a threat to regional stability and urged that the "cycle of violence" be ended, as per a statement by Basim Alawadi, the Iraqi government's spokesperson.
He added that Iraq continues to monitor "with great concern the dangerous security developments in the region."
Britain expresses solidarity with US after troops killed
British foreign secretary David Cameron condemned the "attacks by Iran-aligned militia groups against U.S. forces." He did not directly mention where the attacks happened but he also said his country's thoughts were with the families of U.S. servicemen who lost their lives dozens of others who were injured in the attacks.
The UK is a U.S. ally and the countries have carried out joint strikes against Iranian-backed Houthis amid their continuing attacks targeting shipping activities in the Red Sea.
We strongly condemn attacks by Iran-aligned militia groups against US forces. We continue to urge Iran to de-escalate in the region.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) January 28, 2024
Our thoughts are with those US personnel who have lost their lives and all those who have sustained injuries, as well as their families.
2 hostages being held in home of UNRWA teacher: Israel
The Israeli government on Monday said "there are reports of two Israeli hostages being imprisoned in the home of an UNRWA teacher."
What we know about @UNRWA so far:
— Israel ישראל 🇮🇱 (@Israel) January 29, 2024
🔴 12 of their employees were involved in the October 7 massacre
🔴There are reports of two Israeli hostages being imprisoned in the home of an UNRWA teacher
🔴 300 UNRWA employees praised the October 7th massacre
UNRWA has become a front… pic.twitter.com/NrUZtQWcZ0
The allegation comes amid increasing pressure on the relief agency to investigate claims that some of its employees were involved in Hamas' rampage in Israel on Oct. 7.
Israel OKs UN delegation visit to northern Gaza: Report
Israel's war cabinet has approved a visit by a delegation from the United Nations that seeks to determine the needs of residents in northern Gaza, local Ynet reported Monday.
The move reportedly came amid Washington's pressure to allow for the assessment of critical civilian needs in the area.
It is unclear when the visit will take place or who will be responsible for the team's security.
US denies Navy ship attacked: Report
A U.S. defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence-related matters, told Associated Press Monday that there was no reported attack after the Houthis claimed they attacked the U.S. Navy's Lewis B. Puller frigate with a missile in the Red Sea.
Austria suspends UNRWA funding
Austria has joined other countries in halting funding for UNRWA following allegations that some of its employees had a hand in Hamas' Oct. 7 massacre in Israel. The country has called for a "transparent and detailed explanation" of what steps the agency will take next.
Iran denies involvement in Jordan attack
The Iranian government on Monday denied that Iran was involved in the drone attack in Jordan that killed three U.S. servicemen. Foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kan'ani said "resistance groups in the region do not take orders" from Iran, as per the Iranian government's semi-official Mehr news.
Kan'ani's comments came after Biden indicated that Iran and militias it supports were behind the attack.
Protesters calling for hostages' release gather at Kerem Shalom crossing anew
More than a hundred protesters calling for the immediate release of hostages still in Hamas captivity once again gathered at the Kerem Shalom crossing, attempting to block the passage of humanitarian aid trucks entering Gaza, local media reported.
To allow aid entry, Israeli police officers created a human chain to block the demonstrators. This is the sixth straight day that the protesters tried to keep humanitarian aid trucks from entering the enclave.
Kerem Shalom border crossing - Over a hundred protestors have managed to reach the cargo terminal, trying to block with their own body the humanitarian aid trucks from entering the Gaza Strip, and Israel Police officers blocking the protestors with their own body. The area has… pic.twitter.com/yAY9F0C6w3
— Pierre Klochendler (@P_Klochendler) January 29, 2024
The protests come amid mounting pressure on the Israeli government to free more than 130 hostages who have been captive in Gaza since Hamas' Oct. 7 invasion of Israel.
Republican senators pressure Biden to take military action against Iran
Republican leaders are piling pressure on the Biden administration to deliver a military response to Iran following the first U.S. servicemen deaths in the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war started.
South Dakota Sen. John Thune slammed the White House's "half measures and weak posture" that he said ultimately failed to deter Iranian aggression.
God bless our fallen troops, the injured, and their families. We must end Iran’s reign of terror in the Middle East.
— Senator John Thune (@SenJohnThune) January 28, 2024
The Biden administration’s half measures and weak posture have failed to deter and degrade Iran and its proxies.
"The only answer to these attacks must be devastating military retaliation against Iran's terrorist forces, both in Iran and across the Middle East," said Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton.
My statement following the Iran-backed attacks in Jordan that killed three U.S. service members and injured 25: pic.twitter.com/L8ckks5ch4
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) January 28, 2024
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia said it's time "to reestablish deterrence against Iran with a decisive response to these unacceptable strikes."
My heart goes out to the families of the three U.S. service members killed in an Iranian-backed strike on our troops. I am also thinking of the dozens of U.S. service members who were injured in the attacks and am wishing them a speedy recovery.
— Shelley Moore Capito (@SenCapito) January 28, 2024
It’s time to reestablish…
"It is far past time Iran paid the price for its actions," said Montana Sen. Steve Daines.
God bless our troops. We mourn with their families and will always remember their sacrifice.
— Steve Daines (@SteveDaines) January 28, 2024
Mr. President, it is far past time Iran paid the price for its actions. https://t.co/rDBaPZHknr
Other Republican senators had similar statements about the deaths of three U.S. troops.
This is a tragic and avoidable consequence of the appeasement strategy that the Biden administration has shown our adversaries since day one.
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) January 28, 2024
Peace through strength.
My heart breaks for the three American heroes we’ve lost at the hands of Iran’s terror network. These courageous, devoted soldiers were some of the very best among us.
— Senator Katie Boyd Britt (@SenKatieBritt) January 28, 2024
Read my full statement ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/eclNfMrl6W
Heidi and I are praying for the families of the American warriors who were killed this weekend, and for the speedy and full recovery of the dozens who were injured.
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) January 28, 2024
Joe Biden and Biden administration officials made a Day 1 decision not just to appease the Iranian regime, but…
PA held secret meeting in Riyadh to discuss day-after arrangements: Report
The Palestinian Authority held a meeting in Riyadh last week with representatives of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan to discuss Gaza's governance after the war, local Walla reported, citing three sources.
The meeting reportedly focused on how a "renewed Palestinian Authority" can take part in managing the enclave when the war ends.
Israel previously said it was willing to accept a "reformed" PA as the current leadership needed "fundamental" changes so the next generation of Gaza residents will value tolerance and peace.
2 injured in launches from Lebanon: Local media
Two people were slightly injured due to rocket launches from Lebanese territory toward Biranit, an Israeli military base near the border with Lebanon, Israel's national broadcaster Kan reported Monday.
The IDF has yet to confirm if its military camp in the area was attacked.
Israeli army continues Khan Yunis incursion
Israeli ground and air troops continue to attack Hamas targets in Khan Yunis, where many weapons were discovered "a number of armed terrorists" were eliminated in encounters across Gaza's second-largest city, the IDF said Monday in a series of Google-translated posts on X.
במסגרת הפעילות במערב חאן יונס, חיל האוויר בשיתוף מכלול האש של עוצבת הקומנדו תקפו באמצעות כלי טיס שני מבנים ששימשו כתשתיות טרור ובהם שהו מספר מחבלים חמושים שחוסלו>> pic.twitter.com/872zcMY8e4
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) January 29, 2024
Houthis claim attack on US Navy frigate
The Houthis on Monday morning Sana'a time claimed that it fired a missile at the U.S. Navy's Lewis B. Puller frigate Sunday night as the vessel sailed through the Gulf of Aden.
"The targeting process comes within the military measures taken by the Yemeni armed forces in defense of dear Yemen and in confirmation of the decision to support the oppressed Palestinian people," Houthi spokesperson Yahya Sare'e said in a Google-translated statement.
Iranian FM in Pakistan after tit-for-tat strikes
Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian is in Pakistan after tit-for-tat strikes that killed several people on both sides. The international community called for restraint following the attacks.
The two countries have since agreed to allow their envoys to return to their posts after they were recalled due to the strikes.
Read the full story here.
Dossier alleges UNRWA employee directly participated in Oct. 7 massacre
An UNRWA employee has been accused of participating in the hostilities at an Israeli kibbutz on Oct. 7 where 97 people were killed by Hamas militants, the New York Times, which reviewed a dossier submitted by Israel to the White House, reported Sunday.
Another UNRWA employee allegedly helped his son kidnap a woman during the rampage, while one, described as a social worker from Nuseirat, was said to have provided ammunition to Hamas militants on Oct. 7, the report revealed. The same social worker is accused of helping the terror group bring the body of a dead IDF soldier into the Gaza Strip.
UNRWA told the outlet that two of the 12 employees alleged to have either aided Hamas or participated in the Palestinian terror group's Oct. 7 atrocities were dead. Israel described 10 of the accused as Hamas members, while another was allegedly affiliated with Hamas ally, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).
Seven of the accused were said to be UNRWA teachers. Two were described as UNRWA school workers who held non-teaching positions.
Trump blames Biden for attack on US troops
Former president Donald Trump on Sunday blamed the current president for the drone attack that killed three U.S. servicemen in Jordan. He accused Biden of giving Iran "billions of dollars, which the [Iranian] Regime has used to spread bloodshed and carnage throughout the Middle East."
He said the attack wouldn't have happened if he was still the U.S. leader, adding that the world would have peace, but instead, "we are on the brink of World War 3."
The killing of three U.S. soldiers marks the first deaths among American troops since the war in Gaza started.
Israeli warplanes attack Hezbollah buildings
Fighter jets of the Israeli Air Force (IAF) on Sunday struck several Hezbollah assets in southern Lebanon, including paramilitary buildings and observation posts. The strikes were carried out following "a number of launches" from Lebanese territory toward Israel. The rockets fired from Lebanon fell in open areas in Zar'it and Margalit, the IDF said.
מטוסי קרב תקפו לפני זמן קצר מבנים צבאיים, עמדות תצפית ואתרים צבאיים של ארגון הטרור במרחבים מרווחין, א-דהירה, עייתא א-שעב ובמרחבים נוספים בדרום לבנון >> pic.twitter.com/vEObyXlEgu
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) January 28, 2024
Hezbollah leader tells US to 'leave' region
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Sunday threw shade at the deployment of U.S. forces across the Middle East. He questioned if Americans ever wondered why their troops were deployed in foreign countries.
"Why not leave the Middle East and its matters to the people to whom these lands belong," Nasrallah wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
He has been openly critical of the U.S., most especially after the war in Gaza started. He also told the U.S. in November that Hezbollah, which has a much larger weapons arsenal than Hamas, was ready to face the American fleet.
'Significant gaps' remain in hostage deal talks: Israel
A "constructive" meeting to discuss a potential ceasefire-hostage deal was held between David Barnea, chief of Israel's intelligence agency Mossad, and Qatari and Egyptian negotiators, the Israeli prime minister's office said late Sunday.
Talks will continue this week as "there are still significant gaps" in negotiations, the office said in a statement.
This is the first time in weeks that Israel has signaled a somehow positive outcome from mediations for a truce agreement that may see the release of about 130 remaining hostages in Hamas captivity.
Killing of 3 US servicemen a warning: Hamas official
"The killing of three American soldiers is a message to the U.S. administration" that unless the Israeli army's military campaign in Gaza ends, "it must confront the entire nation," senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters late Sunday.
He added that the Gaza war "is capable of exploding the situation in the region."
His comments come amid increasing attacks by Iranian-backed paramilitary groups on U.S. forces stationed in the Middle East.
Joint maritime forces rescue ship struck by Houthi missile: CENTCOM
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on Sunday said a Houthi missile struck M/V Marlin Luanda with an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) in the Gulf of Aden Saturday. The attack caused a "major fire" in one of the cargo holds as the vessel was carrying Naphtha, a highly flammable liquid hydrogen mixture that was supposed to be used for commercial purposes.
Washington's USS Carney, France's Navy frigate FS Alsace, and India's Navy frigate INS Visakhapatnam responded to the scene, "providing critical firefighting material and assistance to the civilian crew, who had depleted their organic firefighting capability."
The attacked vessel and crew are now safe after the fire was extinguished. The ship has since returned to its course.
The U.S. army noted that the latest attack had "nothing to do with the conflict in Gaza" as "neither the vessel nor its crew have any affiliation to Israel." The Houthis, an Iranian-backed rebel militia in Yemen, previously claimed they were only attacking ships owned by Israel, bound to Israel, or those linked to Israel.
Yesterday, the Iranian-backed Houthis struck the Marshall Islands-flagged, Bermuda-owned M/V Marlin Luanda with an Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile (ASBM) in the Gulf of Aden. Marlin Luanda is transporting for commercial use a cargo of Naphtha, a highly flammable liquid hydrogen… pic.twitter.com/BHCCqMltiY
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 27, 2024
Biden vows retribution for killing of 3 US troops in Jordan
The U.S. president on Sunday vowed that he will hold accountable those responsible for the killing of three U.S. servicemen in Jordan in a drone attack that targeted a base that hosted foreign forces.
"We will carry on their commitment to fight terrorism. And have no doubt – we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing," he said. He also revealed that even as an investigation on the attack ensues, "we know it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq."
Read the full story here.
Top military commander assassinated by Israel: Fatah
The Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade, the military wing of Fatah, another party in the Palestinian political scene that's just as popular Hamas, said late Sunday that Israel eliminated Mohammed Dib Salem, its field commander in Gaza, Haaretz reported.
The IDF has yet to confirm the claim.
3 countries join US, others in suspending UNRWA funding
The Netherlands on Sunday announced that it has "halted any future funding of UNRWA" following the announcement of an investigation "that some of its [UNRWA] staff members were involved in the 7 October terrorist attacks on Israel."
Germany followed suit a few hours later, saying that it was temporarily suspending funding for UNRWA as investigations continue over allegations that some staffers of the agency either voiced support for Hamas Oct. 7 massacre or participated in the hostilities.
Until the end of the investigation, Germany, in coordination with other donor countries, will temporarily not approve any new funds for UNRWA in #Gaza - in any case, no new commitments are currently pending. 3/5
— GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) January 28, 2024
The two countries joined Canada, which announced its decision Saturday to "pause all additional funding to UNRWA pending the outcome of the investigation."
Canada unequivocally condemns the October 7th attack on Israel. I am deeply troubled by the allegations relating to some UNRWA employees. I have instructed Global Affairs Canada to pause all additional funding to UNRWA pending the outcome of the investigation. Read my statement: pic.twitter.com/YfEbwhKvzx
— Ahmed Hussen (@HonAhmedHussen) January 26, 2024
Washington and Britain were first to announce the suspension of UNRWA funding following the agency's announcement of a probe into the allegations. The United Nations, which said it was "shocked" by the allegations, has since fired 12 accused of involvement in terrorism.
Other nations that quickly followed Washington's move were Australia, Italy, Finland and Switzerland. The U.S. is UNRWA's top funding supporter, followed by Germany.
