Gaza Policy Takes a Backseat as Netanyahu Focuses on Political Survival
- Netanyahu faces challenges in Gaza and domestically, struggling to defeat Hamas and address political concerns.
- Over 100 hostages remain in Gaza, and polls suggest potential election loss and legacy damage.
- - Efforts for a peace deal with Saudi Arabia clash with the need to reject a Palestinian state for coalition support.
- Internal conflicts arise over hostage negotiations and cooperation with centrist leaders.
- Public support for a two-state solution declines, and Netanyahu plans to center the election campaign on the Palestinian statehood question.
- Critics argue a lack of a postwar plan hampers military progress, while allies claim Netanyahu prioritizes the country's goals.
- Opinion polls indicate a loss of public faith in Netanyahu, but his history of political resilience is noted.
Read more at: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/01/world/middleeast/netanyahu-israel-gaza-politics-war.html
US Optimistic as Hamas Reviews Three-Stage Proposal in Gaza Hostage Negotiations
- US expresses optimism on a potential Gaza hostage deal.
- Hamas reviews a three-stage proposal for hostage release.
- Qatar and Egypt play intermediary roles in the negotiations.
- Israeli PM Netanyahu insists on "total victory" before troop withdrawal.
- Netanyahu faces pressure from the US and opposition from far-right parties in his coalition.
- The possibility of a deal depends on finding flexibility for a war pause, prisoner release, and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Read more at: https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-784371
Escalation in Yemen: US Launches Strikes on Houthi Drones in Yemen
- US strikes 10 Houthi drones and a ground control center in Yemen, ensuring maritime security.
- Houthis warn of more attacks on US and British warships.
- USS Carney intercepts ballistic missile and downs three Iranian drones.
- Tensions escalate with the Houthis considering US and British interests as legitimate targets.
- Multinational naval task force established to protect Red Sea shipping; EU plans a naval mission.
- US seeks diplomatic and financial pressure on the Houthis, relisting them as "specially designated global terrorists" in January.
Read more at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/1/us-military-targets-10-houthi-drones-in-new-yemen-strikes
Iran's Nervousness Over Proxy Actions and US Response Strategies
- Iranian leaders are nervous about proxy group actions in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, fearing global economic disruption and increased confrontation with the US.
- Over 160 attacks by Iran-backed militants on US forces have occurred since October, including one that killed three American soldiers.
- No expected change in Iran's strategy of supporting proxy attacks to avoid all-out war.
- The Biden administration considers options, including strikes on Iranian assets, in response to the recent attack.
- Proxy militia Kataib Hezbollah suspends attacks on US forces, possibly aiming to de-escalate tensions.
- Iran fears blowback from Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, leading to global economic impact and international pressure.
- The US exploits Iranian anxieties through UN resolutions and joint statements, urging China to use its influence to ease tensions.
Growing Strain as Israel Eyes Control of Gaza's Southern Border with Egypt
- Israel contemplates controlling Gaza-Egypt border, including Rafah crossing, to prevent future Hamas attacks.
- Netanyahu emphasizes securing the Philadelphi Corridor for demilitarization, raising concerns in Egypt over the 1979 peace treaty.
- Egypt warns any Israeli move on the border could seriously impact relations, calling it a red line.
- Accusations of weapons smuggling strain Egypt-Israel relations, impacting their previously stable partnership.
- Israel's potential seizure of the border may affect Egypt's role in mediating between Israel and Hamas.
- The conflict strains Egypt's economy, affecting tourism and shipping income through the Suez Canal.
- Israeli military operations along the Philadelphi Corridor would require Egyptian consent, adding complexity.
U.S. approves F-16 sale to Turkiye, F-35 to Greece after Turkiye ratifies Sweden's entry to NATO
- The Biden administration approved the sale of F-16 fighter jets worth $23 billion to Turkey.
- The sale follows Turkey's ratification of Sweden's NATO membership, contributing to the alliance's expansion.
- A concurrent $8.6 billion sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Greece was also approved.
- Turkey sought the F-16 upgrade and conditioned Sweden's NATO membership on the jet sale's approval.
- Concerns over human rights objections, including from Senators Cardin and Risch, were overcome.
- Turkey's delayed approval of Sweden's NATO membership frustrated the U.S., but the sale signifies progress.
- Sweden's NATO accession now depends on Hungary's approval, with expectations for a swift decision.
Read more at: https://newsth.live/ZjHbcz
How Leaders and Diplomats Are Trying to End the Gaza War
- Top officials from at least 10 administrations are working on complex deals to end the Gaza war and address governance in the aftermath.
- Discussions focus on a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, reshaping the Palestinian Authority, and encouraging Israel to agree to a Palestinian state.
- Talks involve the exchange of hostages, potential leadership changes in the Palestinian Authority, and conditions for Saudi Arabia to establish formal ties with Israel.
- The U.S. is playing a central role in negotiations, addressing challenges like Israel's stance on Palestinian sovereignty and the ongoing military presence of Hamas in Gaza.
- Proposals include a phased release of hostages, overhauling the Palestinian Authority, and exploring Saudi-Israeli diplomatic relations.
- Significant obstacles remain, including Israel's reluctance to allow full Palestinian sovereignty and uncertainties regarding Hamas's role in post-war governance.
- The Biden administration aims to facilitate discussions and ensure constant communication with Israeli and Arab leaders.
Read more at: https://nyti.ms/49bqqpC
Iran launches 3 satellites that are part of a West-criticised programme as tensions rise
- The satellites named Mahda, Kayhan-2, and Hatef-1 have purposes ranging from research to global positioning and communication.
- The Simorgh program had faced five consecutive failed launches before this success.
- The U.S. has criticized Iran's satellite launches, claiming they violate a U.N. Security Council resolution and may contribute to ballistic missile development.
- U.N. sanctions related to Iran's ballistic missile program expired in October 2022.
- The U.S. intelligence community suggests that Iran's satellite launch vehicle development could expedite the timeline for intercontinental ballistic missile development.
- The U.S. government did not immediately acknowledge Iran's recent satellite launch.
Read more at: https://newsth.live/PEK1xu
Israeli Forces Raid Hospital in West Bank, Killing 3 Palestinians Disguised as Doctors
- Israeli forces, disguised as medical staff, conducted a raid in the occupied West Bank's Ibn Sina Hospital.
- Three Palestinians, allegedly linked to an Israeli intelligence operation, were shot and killed.
- The operation aimed at militants hiding in the hospital, according to the Israel Defense Forces.
- Video footage reveals armed individuals in medical attire, sparking controversy over potential violations of international law.
- Palestinian groups, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, condemn the incident as a war crime.
- The IDF chief emphasizes the need to prevent hospitals from becoming battlegrounds but asserts the fight against terrorism.
- Legal analysts suggest the operation may have violated laws of armed conflict due to the use of disguises and potential perfidy.
Read More at: https://wapo.st/42loLLU
Iran Executes Four Accused of Espionage for Israeli Intel Operation
- Iran executes four individuals tied to an alleged Israeli intelligence plot.
- Accused of illegally entering from Iraq to bomb an Isfahan factory linked to Iran's Ministry of Defence.
- The operation, slated for summer 2022, thwarted by Iranian intelligence.
- Ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel, particularly over Iran's nuclear program.
- Israel accuses Iran of supporting militant attacks; Iran alleges Israeli involvement in targeted killings.
Read More At: https://newsth.live/RluM1j
Iran Denies Involvement in US Base Attack; Tensions Rise Amidst Conflicting Claims
- Iran's UN mission refutes any connection to the attack that killed three US service members in Jordan.
- The statement, via state news agency IRNA, points to the ongoing conflict between US forces and regional resistance groups as the root cause.
- US President Biden attributes the drone attack to Iran-backed groups, marking the first lethal strike against US forces since the Israel-Hamas war in October.
- The unmanned aerial drone attack raises tensions and sends shock waves across the Middle East.
- Iran emphasizes its non-involvement, framing the incident as part of reciprocal retaliatory attacks in the broader conflict.
- Conflicting claims and rising tensions highlight the complexities surrounding regional dynamics and the challenges of attribution in the aftermath of such incidents.
Read More At: https://toi.in/Iraden
News bits proofread, compiled and drafted by:
Shubhdayini R. Jandev (M.A. I.R., 2nd Year)
Deepanshi Pathak (B.A. I.R., 2nd Year)
Aita Dey (B.A. I.R., 3rd Year)
Published by:
Alithia Clemency Paul (M.A. I.R., 2nd Year)
