May 09 WATCH: GOP senators respond to Biden threat stopping weapons for Israel for Rafah attack By Zeke Miller, Aamer Madhani, Associated Press The decision drew a sharp rebuke from House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who said they only learned about the holdup from press reports. Continue reading
May 07 Israeli forces take control of Rafah crossing in Gaza, compromising cease-fire talks By Samy Magdy, Melanie Lidman, Lee Keath, Associated Press U.S. President Joe Biden warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu again on Monday against launching an invasion of the city after Israel ordered 100,000 Palestinians to evacuate from parts of Rafah. Continue reading
May 06 Watch 11:01 Israel launches operation into Rafah, says cease-fire agreement not reached with Hamas By Nick Schifrin, William Brangham, Dan Sagalyn It is a delicate and momentous day in the Middle East. The Israeli military says it has launched a new operation into parts of Rafah in southern Gaza. At the same time, the Israeli government says it's continuing negotiations to… Continue watching
May 06 Israel strikes targets in Rafah, hours after Hamas agrees to a cease-fire By Sam Mednick, Josef Federman, Bassem Mroue, Associated Press The high-stakes diplomatic moves and military brinkmanship left a glimmer of hope alive — but only barely — for an accord that could bring at least a pause in the 7-month-old war that has devastated the Gaza Strip. Continue reading
May 06 Biden reiterates concern about Rafah offensive on call to Netanyahu By Zeke Miller, Aamer Madhani, Associated Press President Joe Biden also underscored to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he believes reaching a cease-fire with Hamas is the best way to protect the lives of hostages held in Gaza, according to White House officials, who were not… Continue reading
Apr 30 Netanyahu determined to invade Rafah despite ongoing cease-fire talks with Hamas By Tia Goldenberg, Associated Press With more than half of Gaza's 2.3 million people sheltering in Rafah, the international community, including Israel' top ally the U.S., has warned Israel against any offensive that puts civilians at risk. Continue reading
Apr 21 Israeli leaders criticize expected U.S. sanctions against ultra-Orthodox military unit By Josef Federman, Associated Press The decision, expected as soon as Monday, would mark the first time the U.S. has ever imposed sanctions on a unit inside the Israeli military and further strains relations between the two allies, which have grown increasingly tense during Israel’s war in… Continue reading
Apr 17 Netanyahu dismisses calls for restraint, saying Israel will decide how and when to respond to Iran’s attack By Julia Frankel, Tia Goldenberg, Associated Press Israel has vowed to respond to Iran's unprecedented attack without saying when or how. Continue reading
Apr 14 G7 nations condemn Iran’s unprecedented attack as Israel hails ‘success’ in blocking it By Tia Goldenberg, Associated Press President Joe Biden convened a meeting of the Group of Seven advanced democracies “to coordinate a united diplomatic response.” The participants unanimously condemned the attack and said they “stand ready to take further measures now and in response to further… Continue reading
Apr 10 Biden calls Netanyahu’s approach to war in Gaza a mistake, deepening rift between the two allies By Tia Goldenberg, Wafaa Shurafa, Jack Jeffery, Associated Press Although the flow of trucks has increased since Biden spoke with Netanyahu last week, the U.S. president said Israel should open another access point in Gaza’s north. Continue reading