KEY POINTS
- Israel's Itamar Ben-Gvir apologizes for son's post about Biden
- US strikes 2 Houthi surface vehicles in Yemen after joint US-UK strikes
- Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant says Hamas Gaza leadership 'on the run'
On the 123rd day of the Israel-Hamas war, the embattled United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) will be placed under review by an independent group. Tensions continue to run high in the Middle East as a British ship suffered some damage after it was attacked by a drone off of Houthi-controlled Hodeidah in Yemen.
In Israel's northern border with Lebanon, the Iranian-backed terror group Hezbollah lost some of its combatants as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) responded to rocket and missile launches from Lebanese territory.
- Houthis claim attacks on US, British vessels
- Hezbollah claims attack on 4 Israeli army sites
- Chinese envoy criticizes US military actions in Iraq, Syria
- PIJ operative who participated in Kibbutz Nir Oz massacre eliminated: IDF
- Protests resume at Kerem Shalom border crossing
- Argentina's Javier Milei arrives in Israel
- Blinken lands in Egypt to push for ceasefire deal
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in the Middle East for his fifth trip to the tension-packed region. He arrived in Egypt Tuesday to push for a hostage deal and will also visit Qatar and Israel in the coming days.
The loved ones of remaining hostages in Gaza are hopeful that Hamas will soon respond to a proposed ceasefire deal that the Palestinian terror group has been reviewing since last week. A joint group of Israeli and American activists is holding a 136-hour fast near the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) office in Geneva, raising awareness about the plight of some 130 hostages still in Hamas captivity.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to remain steadfast in the country's war goals despite pressure from the international community. His refusal to give in to Hamas' earlier demands for a truce draws from years and years of violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that U.S. President Joe Biden previously said could be resolved through a path to Palestinian statehood.
Netanyahu thanks Milei for keeping his promise
The Israeli president on Tuesday welcomed the Argentine president's arrival in Israel, thanking the latter for keeping his "promise" of moving the Argentine embassy to Jerusalem from Herzliya.
The two leaders will meet Wednesday to discuss "the continued tightening of bilateral relations," as per a statement from Netanyahu's office.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warmly welcomes the arrival in Israel of Argentinian President Javier Milei, who has announced the Argentinian Embassy's move to Jerusalem.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) February 6, 2024
The Prime Minister spoke about this with President Milei after his election, and welcomes the fact that the President has kept his promise.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) February 6, 2024
Prime Minister Netanyahu will meet with President Milei tomorrow and will discuss with him the continued tightening of bilateral relations.
Blinken to meet Egyptian president for truce talks
The U.S. Secretary of State will meet Egypt's Abdel Fatah al-Sisi in a bid to advance talks for a new ceasefire deal. He arrived in Cairo Tuesday following his Saudi Arabia trip.
His meeting with Egyptian mediators come at a critical time as the loved ones of remaining hostages in Gaza press for more action to get the abductees freed.
Argentina's pro-Israel president arrives in Israel
The recently-elected president of Argentina, Javier Milei, who has previously expressed solidarity with Israel, has arrived in Israel for a state visit. Milei previously vowed to move the Argentine embassy from Herzliya to Jerusalem, Israel's capital.
Protesters block humanitarian aid trucks at Kerem Shalom crossing: Local media
Protesters on Tuesday broke through law enforcement blockades at the Kerem Shalom border crossing, attempting to stop trucks carrying humanitarian aid from entering the Gaza Strip, local media reported.
למרות החסימות: מפגינים עצרו את העברת הסיוע ההומניטרי לעזה ממעבר כרם שלום | תיעוד@Itsik_zuarets pic.twitter.com/MSg33wwOii
— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) February 6, 2024
The Kerem Shalom demonstrations stopped for a few days before Tuesday's chaos. Protesters calling for the immediate release of remaining hostages in Gaza have also attempted to block aid entry at the Nitzana crossing and an Israeli port last week.
Merchant ship attacked off Aden: UKMTO
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said Tuesday that it received a report of an "attack" off of Aden, Yemen. An explosion was reported "in close proximity to a merchant vessel" in the area. The ship and its crew are safe.
UKMTO WARNING 028 UPDATE 001
— United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) (@UK_MTO) February 6, 2024
ATTACKhttps://t.co/qlApy9q9pq#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/LBx9fSH93L
PIJ operative who participated in Hamas' Oct. 7 massacre eliminated: IDF
An Israeli strike killed an operative with the Hamas ally the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) who participated in the massacre at Kibbutz Nir Oz on Oct. 7, the IDF said Tuesday.
The assassination was carried out in Deir al-Balah, a city in the central Gaza Strip, the Israeli army said in its latest operational update in the enclave.
IDF troops continue to operate in Gaza:
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 6, 2024
📍 Deir al Balah
An IDF fighter jet eliminated an Islamic Jihad terrorist who took part in the October 7 massacre in Kibbutz Nir Oz.
📍Beit Hanoun
IDF troops identified and eliminated 4 operatives trying to set up observation… pic.twitter.com/dVUieGArOW
Top Israeli minister apologizes for his son's tweet about Biden
Israel's national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Tuesday took to X to apologize for the "grave mistake" his son, Shubal (Shuvael), made on the social media platform.
Shubal on Monday in a since-deleted post, implied that the U.S. president had Alzheimer's. Shubal's post that appeared to raise awareness about the condition was accompanied by a photo of Biden.
"The United States of America is our great friend and President Biden is a friend of Israel. Even if I have a disagreement with his conduct, there is no room, God forbid, for a disparaging style," Ben-Gvir wrote on X, as per a Google translation.
"Respect for humanity is A and B; this is how I educate my children. I apologize for my son's words," he added.
Ben-Gvir is known for his inflammatory remarks regarding Palestinians in the past. He has also rejected the Biden administration's calls for a two-state solution to the never-ending Israel-Palestine conflict.
Hezbollah claims attack on 4 IDF assets
Hezbollah on Tuesday claimed that it attacked four Israeli army assets, including a site in the disputed Shebaa Farms that the Lebanese terror group said was hit with missiles. The IDF's "Yiftah Barracks" was also "directly hit" with missiles, Hezbollah's leader said on X.
The Iranian-backed group has repeatedly said its attacks toward Israel were "in support" Palestinians in Gaza "and in support of their brave and honorable resistance."
Hamas leadership in Gaza 'on the run': Israeli defense minister
Gallant late on Monday said in a press briefing that Hamas' leadership in Gaza, including the terror group's top official in the enclave, Yahya Sinwar, are "on the run."
The Israeli defense minister said Sinwar, in particular, is currently "busy with his personal survival" and was no longer commanding Gaza forces. He also said there were issues between Hamas leaders in the Strip and those abroad, which could mean there is "panic and distress" within the Palestinian militant group's leadership.
US strikes Houthi USVs in Yemen
U.S. forces on Monday struck "in self-defense" two Houthi explosive uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs), the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
The USVs were identified in Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen were struck after American forces determined that they "presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region."
CENTCOM Self-Defense Strikes
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 6, 2024
On Feb. 5, at approximately 3:30 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command forces conducted a strike in self-defense against two Houthi explosive uncrewed surface vehicles (USV).
U.S. forces identified the explosive USVs in Houthi-controlled areas of… pic.twitter.com/WMntzJOnw6
US actions in Middle East prompting new regional issues: Chinese envoy
China's ambassador to the UN, Zhang Jun, said at the Security Council's Open Session on US Airstrikes in Syria and Iraq that Washington's actions in the two Middle Eastern nations were "triggering new regional turbulence," as per CNN.
He said U.S. actions were a grave violation of Iraqi and Syrian sovereignty, calling out what it says was Washington's contradictory signals regarding a regional spillover of the Israel-Hamas war.
Houthis claim attack on US, British vessels
Iran-backed Yemeni Houthi rebels on Tuesday claimed to have attacked two ships of American and British origin in the Red Sea using "suitable naval missiles."
Houthi spokesperson Yahya Sare'e said the first attack targeted what the rebel militia referred to as "the American ship 'Star Nasia.'" The second attack was aimed at "the British ship 'Morning Tide,'" Sare'e said on X. He added that the Houthis will continue to conduct military operations "against all hostile American-British targets in the Arab and Red Seas."
The Star NASIA is a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier, while the Morning Tide is a British-flagged sailing vessel, as per data from Marine Traffic.
As reported earlier, a British vessel was attacked in the Red Sea, causing some damage to the ship's bridge windows. This comes following joint U.S.-UK strikes in Yemen targeting Houthi assets.
Activists calling for hostages' releases now on 2nd day of 136-hour fast
Activists from Israel and the U.S. on Monday kicked off a 136-hour fast near the ICRC headquarters in Geneva, in a bid to raise awareness about the plight of 136 hostages still in Hamas captivity in Gaza.
Activists commence a 136-hour fast in solidarity with 136 hostages
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) February 5, 2024
From Geneva, Rabbi Avidan Freedman and Douglas Hauer tell i24NEWS about their protest: ‘In Jewish tradition, Rabbis would call a public fast at times that are extreme’ pic.twitter.com/YcUmUvIqgV
Blinken meets Saudi Crown Prince
The U.S. Secretary of State on Monday spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, wherein the two discussed efforts to step up humanitarian aid entry into the Gaza Strip.
The two also agreed to continue engaging in diplomacy "to prevent the further spread of the conflict," Blinken wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and I met in Riyadh to discuss efforts to increase urgent humanitarian aid and ensure it gets to those who need it in Gaza. We will continue to engage in diplomacy in the region to prevent the further spread of the conflict. pic.twitter.com/hJ94ZtED6Y
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) February 5, 2024
Blinken is expected to visit Egypt, Qatar and Israel as part of the Biden administration's efforts to push for a ceasefire deal that could free the remaining hostages in Gaza.
Hezbollah announces deaths of 3 fighters
Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah on Monday announced "with great pride and honor" the deaths of three of the Lebanon-based terror group's combatants, who he said "attained martyrdom on the path to Jerusalem."
The announcement came amid continuing fire exchanges between Hezbollah and Israeli forces near the Israeli-Lebanese border.
Independent Review Group to investigate UNRWA: UN chief
UN chief Antonio Guterres late on Monday announced that UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini appointed an independent group to review "whether the Agency [UNRWA] is doing everything within its power to ensure neutrality and to respond to allegations of serious breaches when they are made."
The external review group will be led by French former foreign minister Catherine Colonna, Guterres said in a statement. She will work with three research groups: the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Swedish Raoul Wallenberg Institute, and Norway's Chr. Michelsen Institute.
Guterres' announcement came following an exposé provided by Israel to the U.S. wherein 12 UNRWA employees were accused of directly participating in Hamas' Oct. 7 atrocities.
Read the full story here.
British ship attacked off Houthi-held Hodeidah
A vessel transiting the Red Sea was attacked off Hodeidah in Yemen early on Tuesday, the UKMTO said. A projectile was fired at the ship's port side. The projectile passed over the deck, "causing slight damage to the bridge windows."
UKMTO/WARNING/INCIDENT 027 UPDATE 001 06/FEB/2024
— United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) (@UK_MTO) February 6, 2024
Category: ATTACKhttps://t.co/kEfQRRMntN#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/XqIavtb71a
The attacked vessel was a British ship, as per The Guardian. The ship and its crew are safe.
