Over 31,000 individuals in Gaza have lost their lives since October 7. A Greek naval vessel fired at two drones in the Red Sea. The European Union’s leader accuses Israel of utilizing starvation as a “weapon of war.” In the West Bank, four people were tragically killed due to Israeli forces’ actions.
An Italian court has denied the extradition of a Palestinian suspect to Israel due to concerns over potential human rights violations. The man, identified as Anan Kamal Afif Yaeesh, aged 36, was among three Palestinians arrested in Italy on suspicion of planning attacks in an undisclosed country. Israel sought Yaeesh’s extradition; however, his lawyer presented reports from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch regarding the inhumane treatment of Palestinians in Israeli prisons. The court in L’Aquila agreed with the defense, stating that extradition could lead to “acts violating human rights” for Yaeesh.
The Israeli legislature passes an updated 2024 budget to finance the Gaza conflict:
On Wednesday, Israeli lawmakers provided their final approval for a revised 2024 state budget, which includes additional funding of tens of billions of shekels to support Israel’s battle against Hamas in Gaza. As the conflict continues into its sixth month, the amended budget aims to increase expenditure on defense and provide aid to households and businesses affected by the war. The initial conflict began following Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel on October 7th.
The Knesset, or Israeli parliament, voted 63-55 in favor of the 584 billion shekel ($160 billion) spending package, with an additional 724 billion shekels when accounting for debt repayment. This budget also features increased allocations for health, education, police, and welfare services.
Israeli airstrike on a vehicle in southern Lebanon resulted in the death of a Hamas member, according to a Hamas-affiliated source:
On Wednesday, a drone strike carried out by Israel near the southern Lebanese city of Tyre resulted in the death of a Hamas member from the Rashidieh Palestinian camp, as reported by Israeli and Hamas officials. A Hamas source, who spoke to Reuters, identified the individual as Hadi Mustafa, stating that he was not a high-ranking figure. However, Hamas’s Al Aqsa television claimed Mustafa was a leader in the group’s armed wing.
The Israeli military acknowledged the killing of Mustafa in southern Lebanon and classified him as a “significant” Hamas operative. They accused him of being involved in attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets worldwide. According to two security sources, a Syrian man, who was riding his motorcycle nearby, was also killed in the attack. Initially, these sources mentioned that both fatalities were in Mustafa’s car. All three sources confirmed that the drone involved in the strike was Israeli, and it remained airborne above the site for several minutes after the attack.
Updating the Most Recent Palestinian Casualty Statistics:
In the West Bank, a tragic situation has led to the loss of at least 31,272 lives and caused injuries to over 73,024 individuals. Additionally, more than 8,000 people are currently unaccounted for. In another concerning scenario, occupied West Bank has resulted in the death of at least 432 people and injuries to over 4,650.
Turkey Expresses Support for Aid Drops and Maritime Plan for Gaza, However, It’s Not Considered a Permanent Solution:
Turkey views the humanitarian aid airdrops to Gaza and the maritime aid delivery plan as positive developments, but believes they are insufficient in addressing the fundamental problem, as stated by the foreign ministry spokesman on Wednesday. As a NATO member, Turkey has been highly critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza and has advocated for the prosecution of its leadership for genocide. They have consistently called for an immediate ceasefire, supplied vast amounts of aid, and urged Western nations to pressure Israel for increased assistance.
During a press briefing in Ankara, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Oncu Keceli mentioned that Turkey had sent 9,000 tons of medical supplies, infant aid, and numerous parachutes to Jordan for the air drops. However, he emphasized that these efforts were not enough to alleviate the struggles faced by Gazans.
Keceli commented, “We appreciate the United States’ efforts to find a solution to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza due to global public pressure. Nevertheless, we emphasize that the real source of the problem needs to be addressed.” He further explained that while aiding Gaza through air and sea routes is commendable, focusing on these temporary solutions rather than tackling the core issue seems like an attempt to evade the root of the problem. This perspective was shared with U.S. officials during recent talks in Washington, led by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his delegation.
Keceli added that delivering aid via ground transportation would be more accessible, cost-effective, and efficient in providing long-term relief to the people of Gaza.
The potential suspension of American financial support for the United Nations agency aiding Palestinian refugees could become a long-term decision:
US officials anticipate that the suspension of funding for the primary UN agency supporting Palestinians may become permanent, as Congress faces opposition. Despite this, the Biden administration emphasizes the importance of the aid organization’s humanitarian efforts. In January, the United States, along with over a dozen other countries, temporarily halted their support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). This decision came after Israel accused 12 out of 13,000 UNRWA employees in Gaza of involvement in the October 7 Hamas attack. In response, the UN initiated an investigation, and UNRWA dismissed certain staff members after receiving information from Israel regarding the allegations.
A Greek naval vessel reportedly fired at two unmanned aerial vehicles in the Red Sea:
A Greek frigate participating in the European Union’s maritime mission, named Aspides, in the Red Sea has reportedly fired at two drones and repelled them, according to an official from the Greek Defence Staff. This mission, initiated in February, aims to safeguard the vital trade route through the Red Sea from potential drone and missile assaults by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. These rebels claim their actions are in response to Israel’s invasion of Gaza. Greece has contributed a frigate to this important endeavor.
The European Union’s leader claims that Israel is employing starvation as a tactic in conflict:
The EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, stated that the Gaza humanitarian crisis is not a result of natural causes. He accused Israel of employing starvation as a “weapon of war.” Addressing the UN Security Council on Tuesday, Borrell referred to this situation as a “man-made crisis.” He emphasized that alternative methods of aid delivery, such as by sea or air, are necessary due to the artificial closure of land routes for support. Consequently, starvation is being utilized as a means of warfare.
4 Fatalities Reported in Israeli Forces’ West Bank Operation:
Israeli forces reportedly caused the death of at least four Palestinians, including a young boy, during overnight operations in the West Bank. Among the victims was a teenage boy who was playing with firecrackers, according to Al Jazeera.
