Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel made a bold statement on Tuesday, declaring that the Israeli military will launch a ground offensive in Rafah, with or without a truce with Hamas in Gaza. Netanyahu emphasized that the war will not halt until all of its goals are achieved, including entering Rafah and eliminating Hamas battalions to achieve total victory.
This announcement comes amidst cautious hopes for a Gaza truce and hostage release deal, with Hamas considering a proposal for a 40-day ceasefire and the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Envoys from Hamas returned from talks in Cairo to discuss the proposal, with Egypt awaiting a written response.
In response to the escalating situation, U.S. President Joe Biden urged Egyptian and Qatari leaders to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, calling it the only obstacle to relief for civilians trapped in the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, the U.N. expressed concern over heavy-handed measures taken to disperse pro-Palestinian protests on U.S. university campuses.
Additionally, the head of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees revealed that $267 million in funding remains suspended over allegations that some UNRWA staff participated in a Hamas attack on Israel. While many donor countries have resumed contributions, including new donors like Algeria, others such as the United States have blocked funding until at least 2025.
Despite the challenges, UNRWA has raised over $115 million in private donations in the last six months, ensuring operations until the end of June. However, the agency continues to face financial uncertainty, with the need for ongoing support to provide essential aid to Gaza’s population.