Australia will recognise the State of Palestine at the UN in September to support a two-state solution, peace in Gaza, and hostage release, the Prime Minister's Office said, citing Palestinian reforms and condemning Hamas and Israeli settlement expansion.
Israeli PM Netanyahu is pushing for a military victory to free hostages in Gaza, saying Hamas isn't interested in a deal. Families of captives oppose expanding the war, warning it endangers hostages' lives, The Times of Israel reported. The Israeli cabinet remains divided on the next steps.
US President Donald Trump on Friday blamed Hamas for the breakdown of Gaza ceasefire talks, signalling support for Israel to escalate its military campaign, CNN reported.
Israeli media report that an official in Jerusalem confirmed tonight that Israel has indeed received the response document from Hamas through the mediators, and that "its details are being studied." No further statement was made.
Zamir expressed concerns during a Sunday night meeting, highlighting that hostages face intensifying torture and grave abuse. "There is serious abuse of the hostages and their situation is grave," he said, according to sources cited by The Times of Israel.
Three Israeli citizens were arrested for using drones to smuggle items like drugs and cigarettes from Israel to the Gaza Strip: Muhammad Sarahin, Sharif Abu Gardoud and Younes Abu Gardoud - all residents of the Bedouin town Mas'udein el-Azazme, located outside of Be'er Sheva.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) since March 18 have intensified precise military operations in Gaza, striking approximately 1,200 terrorist targets--including tunnel networks--using 350 Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter jets.
Israel confirmed on Tuesday the death of Hamas commander Muhammad al-'Ajlah, who was eliminated in an airstrike in the northern Gaza area of Shejaiya on Sunday. Al-'Ajlah is fifth commander of the terror group's Shejaiya battalion killed since the October 7 attacks.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has declared that Israel will not permit a ceasefire without the release of Israeli hostages. The statement warned that if Hamas continued to refuse the terms, "there will be additional consequence.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Saturday marking the second birthday of Kfir Bibas, who has been held hostage since his abduction at just nine months old.