Basic supplies and aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip
Aid deliveries to the besieged Gaza Strip began two weeks after Hamas attacked Israel.
The United States has urged Israel to delay its ground invasion of the Gaza Strip to encourage hostage negotiations as Hamas may be ready to release dozens of dual-citizen prisoners, U.S. and Israeli officials say.
A U.S. official familiar with the Biden administration’s position told the Associated Press that it was unclear how convincing the U.S. arguments for the delay were to Israeli leadership. However, a senior Israeli military official told the New York Times that Hamas could soon release about 50 people with dual nationality based on talks between the US and Qatar.
The New York Times and CNN, citing Biden administration sources they did not name, said the delay would also allow for an improvement in the flow of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza and allow the U.S. to prepare for attacks on personnel and interests in the region
“Rapid events” since the release of two American women on Friday have prompted the Biden administration to give the Israelis time to negotiate the release of hostages, the Times reports. The US also led the way in establishing a steady flow of aid from Egypt to Gaza. Convoys have been heading into the Gaza Strip since Saturday, but international aid teams say the flow needs to be increased to combat the humanitarian crisis in the territory.
‘A spark of hope’: Second aid convoy arrives in Gaza; Israel expands attack. Live updates
Developments:
∎ Police arrested two people after one of them allegedly fired a shot and another pepper-sprayed pro-Palestinian protesters outside a pro-Israel rally at a banquet hall in the Chicago suburb of Skokie.
∎ The Israel Defense Forces said Monday that 222 families of hostages had been notified, including “a number” of foreigners. The total rose from 212 on Sunday.
∎ The chief executive of next month’s influential European technology conference Web Summit has resigned amid intense backlash after criticizing Israel social mediaIt said: “War crimes are war crimes, even when committed by allies, and should be held accountable for what they are.” Paddy Cosgrave said his comments had become a distraction.
The Biden administration expects the war between Israel and Hamas to expand and US personnel could be targeted, two Cabinet members warned, amid an increasing US military presence in the region. The security concerns were raised just days after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that the U.S. would deploy a strike group to the Persian Gulf and send additional air defense systems to the region. And last week, Austin ordered 2,000 troops to prepare for deployment in the Middle East as tensions have risen since Hamas militants stormed the border in a rampage against Israeli citizens on October 7.
The Biden administration has warned Iran, Hezbollah and other enemies of Israel to stay out of the war. But Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that may not happen.
“What we are seeing is the prospect of a significant escalation in attacks on our troops and our people across the region,” Austin said on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday. He said U.S. troops would do “what is necessary” to ensure they are responsive.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed Austin’s concerns and shared this NBC’s “Meet the Press.”“We believe there is a likelihood of escalation” by Iranian proxies against U.S. forces.
“We are taking action to ensure we can effectively defend our people and respond decisively when necessary,” Blinken said.
Blinken said he doesn’t want to see a second or third front develop, which could happen if Lebanon-based Hezbollah joins the fight.
“We don’t want our forces or our personnel to come under fire,” he said. “But if that happens, we are prepared for it.
Contribution: The Associated Press