KEY POINTS
- Britain 'alarmed' by Jerusalem summit calling for Israeli resettlement in Gaza
- Kataib Hezbollah announces end to attacks against U.S. forces
- UN assessment mission in Gaza could take place soon, official says
It's the 117th day of the Israel-Hamas war, and as intense fighting continues in Gaza's second-largest city, there is growing concern over tensions in the Middle East due to continuing attacks by Iran-backed militias toward Israel and military assets of its main ally, the United States.
The White House's national security spokesperson, John Kirby, said the U.S. will take a "tiered approach" in its response to the killing of three U.S. servicemen in Jordan instead of a single military action.
- Iran warns it will have a 'strong response' to any attack against the country
- CIA chief says Israel, Middle East security relies on 'dealing with Iran'
- Netanyahu has a 4-year post-war plan that includes recognizing Palestinian statehood: Report
- Saudi, Kuwait pledge support for efforts to resolve Red Sea crisis
- Houthis say US, UK battleships within its 'target bank'
- Hamas is reviewing a 3-phase ceasefire proposal: Report
- US expects Iraq to help disrupt funding of Iranian-backed militias
- Authorities detain some protesters at Kerem Shalom crossing: Local media
- Civilians no longer allowed at Nitzana border crossing: IDF
U.S. President Joe Biden has been under increasing pressure from his political rivals to respond with decisive military action in the first U.S. military losses in the region since the war in Gaza started – Washington attributes the attack to Iran and other Iran-backed militias.
Iranian-backed Hezbollah claimed that it attacked the Israeli army's Biranit barracks even as the international community called for restraint in the turbulent Israeli-Lebanese border.
Commercial vessels are still the target of Yemeni Houthi rebels. However, an American destroyer intercepted one missile launched by the Iranian-backed Houthis Tuesday, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
Back in the devastated Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that it flooded Hamas tunnels in an effort to reduce the Palestinian terror group's underground capabilities.
Meanwhile, hopes for a new ceasefire deal in exchange for the release of around 130 remaining in Gaza were dashed after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would reject any proposal that includes the total withdrawal of Israeli troops from the enclave.
More countries, even some that expressed support for Israel's right to self-defense, are calling for a two-state solution as part of the efforts to put an end to the longstanding Israel-Palestine conflict that reached a frenzied point on Oct. 7, when Hamas militants murdered more than 1,200 people in Israel and abducted over 240 hostages.
The live update has ended.
IDF prohibits civilian presence at Nitzana crossing amid protests
The Israeli army on Wednesday announced that the Nitzana border crossing will be closed to civilians amid demonstrations to prevent aid for Gaza from entering Israeli territory for inspection.
Protesters, including some loved ones of remaining hostages in Hamas captivity, have seen an increasing police presence in the Kerem Shalom, thus prompting them to move to the Nitzana border crossing area to continue their demonstrations.
They want humanitarian aid entry into Gaza stopped until Hamas releases over 130 hostages still being held in Gaza more than a hundred days since the war started.
Over a dozen protesters at Kerem Shalom crossing detained
A total of 18 demonstrators at the Kerem Shalom crossing were taken into custody for questioning Wednesday following "clashes" at the area, Israel's national broadcaster Kan reported.
עימותים במעבר כרם שלום: 18 מפגינים עוכבו לחקירה, 137 משאיות סיוע עברו היום לעזה @Itsik_zuarets pic.twitter.com/JNggW3nAJ1
— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) January 31, 2024
Supporters of hostages still in Hamas captivity have been demonstrating at the border crossing for the eighth consecutive day. They are attempting to block the flow of humanitarian aid trucks into Gaza, demanding that the remaining hostages be freed immediately.
US expects Iraq to help block funding of Iran-backed militias: Treasury official
Washington is expecting the Iraqi government's help in identifying and disrupting funding activities for Iranian-backed militias in the country following the deadly drone attack that killed three U.S. soldiers in Jordan, Reuters reported Wednesday, citing a senior U.S. Treasury official who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the agency's regulations.
"These are, as a whole, groups that are actively using and abusing Iraq and its financial systems and structure in order to perpetuate these acts and we have to address that directly," the official said of Iran-backed militants in Iraq.
He said he believes "it is clearly our expectation from Treasury perspective" that more can be done to cooperate in sharing information regarding the movements of the paramilitary groups in Iraq.
Hamas studying 3-phase ceasefire proposal: Report
Hamas is reviewing a three-stage ceasefire proposal that would secure the release of most Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip, Reuters reported, citing sources with knowledge of the plan.
The plan, which has been sent to Hamas' Gaza leaders to obtain their opinion on the matter, was drawn up by U.S., Israeli, and Egyptian intelligence leaders, along with Qatar's prime minister, as per the report.
Hamas told the outlet the men, children, elderly captives and wounded hostages will be freed in the first stage.
Israeli warplanes strike Syrian military infrastructure in retaliatory move: IDF
The Israeli army on Wednesday said it struck "military infrastructure belonging to the Syrian regime" in the Daraa area in southwestern Syria after several launches were detected from Syria toward the southern Golan Heights Tuesday night.
A number of launches from Syria toward the southern Golan Heights were identified last night. In response, IAF fighter jets struck military infrastructure belonging to the Syrian regime.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 31, 2024
In addition, IDF artillery fired toward several locations in southern Lebanon in response to… pic.twitter.com/JOwlSweagw
This comes amid soaring tensions in the Middle East as pro-Iranian militias attack Israel and U.S. military assets across the region.
Saudi, Kuwait release joint statement stressing importance of navigation freedom
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait on Wednesday released a joint statement that stressed "the importance of maintaining the security and stability of the Red Sea region, and respecting the right to maritime navigation therein," as per a Google translation.
Both countries agreed to "fully" support international and regional efforts to resolve "the Yemeni crisis" as Houthis continue to attack commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea.
#الرياض | صدور بيان مشترك في ختام زيارة سمو أمير دولة الكويت للمملكة
— وزارة الخارجية 🇸🇦 (@KSAMOFA) January 31, 2024
Netanyahu's extensive post-war plan includes Palestinian state recognition: Report
The Israeli prime minister has drawn up a comprehensive two- to four-year timeline for the recovery of Gaza, which includes a possible recognition of a Palestinian state, the Jerusalem Post reported Wednesday.
The exclusive report notes that the recognition of a Palestinian state "within the Palestinian territories" will only be achieved if extensive reforms are implemented in Judea and Samaria under functional, educational and terror management outlines for the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Netanyahu's secret plan for a post-war Gaza has reportedly been shared with "official American figures," among them are some businessmen closely connected to the Israeli leader.
US, UK warships within Houthis' 'target bank': Spokesperson
Yahya Sare'e, the Yemeni Houthi rebel militia's spokesperson, said in a statement Wednesday that "all American and British warships in the Red and Arab Seas that are participating in the aggression against our country are within the target bank of our forces."
He said American and British battleships will be targeted according to Yemen's right to self-defense.
His warning came after the U.S. military said it downed a Houthi missile late Tuesday night that was launched toward the Red Sea.
CIA chief says 'dealing with Iran' key to regional security
William Burns, the director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), wrote in a Foreign Affairs magazine article published Tuesday that the key to ensuring security in Israel and the Middle East is "dealing with Iran."
He said the regional instability as triggered by the Israel-Hamas war "emboldened" Iran and it appears "ready to fight to its last regional proxy."
His remarks came as the Biden administration is under mounting pressure to respond to brazen attacks by Iran and paramilitary groups it supports.
Iran issues stark warning against any attack on the country
Amir Saeed Iravani, Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, said the country will deliver a "strong response" to any attack toward Iranian territory, the Iranian government's semi-official Mehr News Agency reported.
His comments were made as the U.S. is expected to respond to the drone attack that killed three American soldiers in Jordan Sunday. The U.S. has largely attributed attacks on its personnel in the Middle East to Iran and Iranian-backed paramilitary factions.
UN mission to Gaza may be deployed soon: State Department spox
U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said at a Tuesday press briefing that the planned assessment mission in northern Gaza may take place in the next few days. He explained that the deployment was delayed "because of a renewed outbreak in fighting in the north."
Conditions on the ground still need to be assessed to ensure safe movement in the area, he added.
Watch the Daily Press Briefing from the State Department. https://t.co/KvHQLF8cGj
— Matthew Miller (@StateDeptSpox) January 30, 2024
Major Iran-backed militia in Iraq announces end to aggression against US forces
Kataib Hezbollah, known as the most powerful Iranian-backed militant group in Iraq, said in a statement Tuesday that it has suspended "military and security operations" against American troops "in order to prevent embarrassment to the Iraqi government."
The group added that it will still "defend" Gaza in different ways and urged other paramilitary factions to conduct "passive defense" should "any hostile American action occurs towards them."
UK criticizes Jerusalem summit that called for Gaza resettlement
The United Kingdom expressed shock over the conference in Jerusalem Sunday that called for Israeli resettlement in Gaza. "The U.K. is alarmed by the conference in Jerusalem calling for the resettlement of Gaza, and that Israeli ministers participated," a statement from the British foreign office said.
"The U.K.'s position is clear: Gaza is occupied Palestinian territory and will be part of the future Palestinian state," the statement said, adding that Palestinians shouldn't be threatened with "forcible displacement or relocation."
This comes as the U.K., which has repeatedly expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself against foreign attacks, has increasingly been pushing for a two-state solution to resolve the decades-long conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.
Netanyahu pours cold water on positive signals toward new hostage deal
The Israeli prime minister in a speech Tuesday said he has been hearing about "all kinds of deals," seemingly referring to ongoing negotiations to secure a new ceasefire deal that will see the release of more hostages.
"We will not withdraw the IDF from the Gaza Strip and we will not release thousands of terrorists. None of this will happen," he reiterated.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at the Bnei David institutions in Eli:
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 30, 2024
"This is not 'another round', neither is it an exchange of blows, nor is it an operation – it is total victory. Nothing less. pic.twitter.com/aG52tVqQox
Earlier in the day, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said that the terror group will not accept a truce agreement that does not involve the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
On Monday, the Israeli government said talks between Israel and Qatari and Egyptian negotiators were "constructive," raising hopes that the warring sides are making progress in reaching a truce deal.
IDF confirms flooding Hamas tunnels
The Israeli army has been implementing new methods in its war against Hamas, "including by channeling large volumes of water into" tunnels dug by the Palestinian militant group beneath the Gaza Strip.
Flooding the tunnels are part of the efforts to neutralize the group's terror infrastructure underground, the IDF said. The method was developed in cooperation with the Israeli Ministry of Defense (MOD) and is "only utilized in locations where it is suitable," the IDF clarified.
The IDF has implemented new capabilities during the war, with the aim of neutralizing underground terrorist infrastructure, including by channeling large volumes of water into them.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 30, 2024
This method was developed in cooperation with the @Israel_MOD, and is only utilized in locations…
US destroyer intercepts Houthi missile: CENTCOM
The U.S. Navy's USS Gravely destroyer intercepted an anti-ship cruise missile launched from Houthi-held areas of Yemen toward the Red Sea late Tuesday night, CENTCOM said.
No injuries or damage were reported due to the incident, the U.S. military added.
On Jan. 30, at approximately 11:30 p.m. (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired one anti-ship cruise missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Red Sea. The missile was shot down by USS Gravely (DDG 107). There were no injuries or damage reported. pic.twitter.com/Wf1OhwPhhW
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 31, 2024
The news comes as U.S.-led coalition forces in the Red Sea continue to patrol the Red Sea amid attacks by the Iran-backed rebel militia in what the group says is a show of support for Palestinians.
Hezbollah claims it attacked IDF barracks
Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah early on Wednesday published footage of what he said was an attack by the "Islamic Resistance" that targeted the Israeli army's Biranit barracks, the IDF's Galilee Division headquarters.
Nasrallah said the attack was carried out using Burkan missiles, a mobile short-range ballistic missile known to be used by another Iranian-backed militia, the Houthis in Yemen.
US won't take 'single action' in response to troops' killing: White House
Kirby said Tuesday in response to questions about Washington's response to the killing of three American troops in Jordan Sunday that the U.S. "will respond in an appropriate fashion and it is very possible that what you'll see is a tiered approach here, not just a single action, but essentially multiple actions."
His comments came after the U.S. president vowed appropriate action to the first military personnel losses that the U.S. suffered in the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war started.
