• It is the 170th day of the war: «At least 32,552 people killed» in Gaza and 74,518 wounded since October 7.
• Netanyahu: «Israel is preparing to enter Rafah».
• Hamas: «Not very optimistic about a ceasefire agreement».
• WHO: «Famine looms over Gaza».
05.06 am – USA: Israel has not received all the weapons it requested
The highest-ranking US military officer said Israel has not received all the weapons it requested, in part because limiting supplies of some of them could compromise the US military’s preparedness. “Even though we supported them with our endowments, they did not receive everything they asked for,” said General Chief of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Q. Brown quoted by international media. “Part of that is because they’ve asked for things that we don’t have the capacity to provide or are not willing to provide at this time,” Brown said, speaking at an event hosted by the Defense Writers Group. A spokesperson for Brown later specified that the general’s comments referred to “standard practice before providing military aid to any ally and partner” of the US. “We evaluate U.S. stockpiles and any possible impacts on our preparedness in determining our ability to provide the assistance requested,” Capt. Jereal Dorsey said in a statement. “There is no change in American policy: the United States continues to provide security assistance to our ally Israel as it defends itself from Hamas,” Dorsey added.
03.23 am – Syria: «Dozens dead in the Israeli raid on Aleppo»
Syria’s Defense Ministry says several civilians and soldiers have been killed following attacks by the Israeli army and a militant group in the northern city of Aleppo. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights speaks of around 30 deaths.
03.18 am – Al Jazeera: 8 dead in Israeli attack on Maghazi refugee camp
The Arab broadcaster Al Jazeera says that at least eight people have died and several others have been injured in an Israeli bombing that hit a house in the Maghazi refugee camp in the center of the Gaza Strip this evening.
3.15am – Pro-Gaza protesters interrupt Biden’s event in New York
Pro-Gaza protesters disrupted a fundraising event in New York attended by Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. “You have blood on your hands,” shouted one person from the audience while others accused the three US presidents of being “out of their minds”.
02.56 am – Here is the video of the explosions in Aleppo, Syria
02.22 am – Syria, explosions at Aleppo airport: «Israeli attack»
Large explosions are reported in Aleppo, northern Syria, in what is described as an Israeli attack. The attack targeted the city’s main airport, which has been the target of other Israeli attacks in recent years. Unverified videos show a large fireball rising over the city.
02.20 am – USA, 4 drones launched by Houthi rebels destroyed over the Red Sea
US Central Command (Centcom) reports that its forces have successfully destroyed four drones launched by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The drones, explains a note, «were directed against a Coalition vessel and a US warship and were engaged in a self-defense action on the Red Sea. No injuries or damage to U.S. or coalition vessels were reported.”
01.36 am – Islamic Jihad militant admits to having raped an Israeli on 7 October
An Islamic Jihad militant has reportedly admitted raping an Israeli woman during the October 7 massacre and killing civilians. This was reported by the 504 unit of the intelligence directorate of the Israeli Defense Forces. Manar Mahmoud Muhammad Kasem, an officer of the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization’s naval force, was arrested in early March by soldiers of Unit 504 operating under the 98th Division in the Khan Yunis area. In his interrogation, he described in detail the atrocities committed, according to him: «The devil took possession of me, I laid her down, began to undress her and did what I did».
00.42 am – Wafa Agency: 12 dead in Israeli attack on a house in Kahn Yunis
The Palestinian news agency Wafa says at least 12 people died in an Israeli air strike that hit a house near Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip last night. Victims were also reported in Jabalia, in the north of the Palestinian enclave.
00:31 – Political: USA, hypothesis of a multinational force to “stabilize” Gaza
US government officials are exploring options to fund a multinational or Palestinian-led force to “stabilize” Gaza once the Israeli invasion ends. Politico reports this, citing White House and Pentagon officials. The talks include the White House, the Department of Defense and the State Department on the American side and their foreign counterparts, Politico says. “We are working with partners on various scenarios for interim governance and security structures in Gaza once the crisis recedes,” a senior White House official said. The options under discussion will not concern the American presence on the ground. The Pentagon will provide part of the funding, while the rest will come from Washington’s partners, none of which have confirmed participation.
00.30 – Israel: we will promote new initiatives to increase aid to Gaza
«Israel will continue to promote new initiatives and expand existing ones to enable and facilitate the flow of aid to the Gaza Strip in a continuous and extensive manner, by land, air and sea, together with United Nations bodies and other partners in the international community . This includes continued efforts to increase the reach and means of access for such aid, despite operational challenges on the ground and Hamas’ active and abhorrent efforts to commandeer, hoard and steal aid.” This was written by the spokesperson of the Israeli Foreign Ministry Lior Haiat, who also accused South Africa of having made “cynical attempts” to exploit the world court to undermine Israel’s right to self-defense and to obtain the release of the remaining hostages. The International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to take steps to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, including opening more land crossings to allow food, water, fuel and other supplies into the war-torn enclave.
