Morning time in the Middle East. Here's what you need to know
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's “credibility as leader” is “at risk,” according to the US intelligence community's unclassified annual threat assessment.
“Distrust in Netanyahu's ability to govern has deepened and widened among the public from already high levels before the war, and we expect major protests to demand his resignation and new elections,” the statement released on Monday said.
Netanyahu has faced fierce criticism within Israel for failing to predict or prevent the October 7 Haas attack, and public opinion polls suggest that many Israelis question whether it would be better to suppress a military strike in response.
The report also warned that Israel would have difficulty defeating Hamas militarily.
“Israel will face continued armed resistance from Hamas in the coming years, and the military will struggle to neutralize Hamas' underground infrastructure, which allows insurgents to hide, gain strength, and surprise Israeli forces,” the report said.
Here are the latest headlines on the conflict:
Humanitarian issues in Gaza: The number of children dying from malnutrition and dehydration is increasing, including two newborn girls who died in northern Gaza on Monday, a pediatrician at Kamal Adwan Hospital said. North Gaza is on the brink of famine if aid is not increased quickly, the head of the UN's World Food Program has said.
Aid in Northern Gaza: A WHO team arrived at Al-Shifa Hospital and provided food, fuel and medical supplies to 42,000 patients. And the US military airlifted “27,600 US food equivalents” and 25,900 bottles of water into northern Gaza. But aerial aid has fallen short of what the region needs, according to Cindy McCain, head of the UN World Food Program, who said 300 truckloads of food are needed to enter the region each day.
Ramadan during war: In Rafah, at 3:30 a.m. local time Monday as people gathered for a pre-Ramadan meal, an Israeli airstrike killed at least three people, journalist Ahmad Hijazi told CNN. In Gaza City, Israeli strikes killed at least 21 people and wounded dozens, according to the head of the emergency department at Shifa Medical Complex. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said those it killed were terrorists in each area.
Calls for a ceasefire: The UN chief called for a ceasefire in Gaza and the lifting of all restrictions on aid delivery ahead of Ramadan. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for a longer ceasefire in the Gaza war “ideally during Ramadan”.
Israel strikes deep into Lebanon: Israeli warplanes hit two Hezbollah compounds in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley in response to airstrikes aimed at the Golan Heights in recent days, the Israeli military said. Considered a Hezbollah stronghold, the valley is 100 kilometers from the Israeli border.
US ignores Israel's plan for Rafah: State Department says Israel has not presented US with humanitarian or military plan for Rafah.
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