Israel Hamas War the Widening Middle East Conflict

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Justice Department Strips Immunity from UNRWA, Backing Lawsuit by Oct. 7 Victims' Families

In a significant reversal of previous U.S. policy, the Justice Department has declared that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is not entitled to immunity from prosecution, opening the door for a $1 billion lawsuit brought by survivors and families of the victims of the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre.

Under President Biden’s administration, the Justice Department had argued that UNRWA and its personnel were protected by “absolute immunity” under the International Organizations Immunities Act of 1945. However, the Trump administration has now taken a starkly different position.

 

New Topic:

 

 

[Bkk Brian]

It's day 572 of the October 7 Hostage Crisis.

59 hostages are trapped in the dungeons of Gaza. 

24 are presumed alive, but they're at imminent risk of death. 

The Hamas terror state must #LetThemGoNOW🎗️

[Jeff the Chef]

IDF reservists from all branches of the military are campaigning for an end to the war in Gaza.

The Israeli military has threatened to dismiss those who have signed open letters in protest of the conflict.

 

 

[Bkk Brian]

PA leader Abbas: ‘Hamas-affiliated gangs primarily responsible’ for Gaza aid looting
Statement says Palestinian people ‘will not forgive these disgraceful acts committed in such a critical time’

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday issued a statement condemning Israel over its military offensive in the Gaza Strip, but also denouncing the enclave’s Hamas rulers for looting humanitarian aid.

The statement posted to the PA’s official Wafa news agency said Abbas “expressed his categorical rejection and firm condemnation of the looting and theft carried out by criminal gangs targeting warehouses and storage facilities of humanitarian aid designated for the people of Gaza.”

https://www.timesofisrael.com/pa-leader-abbas-hamas-affiliated-gangs-primarily-responsible-for-gaza-aid-looting/

 

United States and Israeli officials are discussing a mechanism to deliver aid to Gaza that bypasses Hamas, an Israeli source familiar with the matter and a State Department official told CNN. The official said an announcement could be made “in the coming days.”

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/03/middleeast/israel-us-aid-talks-gaza-intl

[Bkk Brian]

Hamas should have released the hostages, actually they should never have started this war. 

 

Cabinet-approved plans include ‘conquering Gaza and holding territories,’ official says

The security cabinet last night unanimously approved the operational plan for the next phase of the campaign in the Gaza Strip, which would include the “conquering of Gaza and holding the territories,” says an Israeli official.

The plan presented by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir will see the IDF take control of territory in Gaza, move the civilian population toward the south, attack Hamas, and prevent the terror group from taking control of humanitarian aid.

The security cabinet also approved overwhelmingly a plan to distribute humanitarian aid in Gaza “that would prevent Hamas from taking control of supplies and would destroy its governing capabilities.”

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/cabinet-approved-plans-include-conquering-gaza-and-holding-territories-official-says/

[bannork]

A senior Hamas official told AFP on Tuesday the group was no longer interested in truce talks with Israel after Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday announced a new “intensified” offensive in Gaza that will involve Israeli troops holding on to seized territory and significant displacement of the population.

“There is no sense in engaging in talks or considering new ceasefire proposals as long as the hunger war and extermination war continue in the Gaza Strip,” Basem Naim told the news agency, urging the international community “to pressure the Netanyahu government to end the crimes of hunger, thirst, and killings” in Gaza.

His comments come a day after Israel’s military said expanded operations in Gaza would include displacing “most” of its residents, and amid Israeli strikes on Yemen and Lebanon.

Hamas says no sense in truce talks after Israel’s new Gaza plan, senior official says – Israel-Gaza war live

[bannork]

No food or medical supplies have entered Gaza for nine weeks, and Israeli forces have now seized about 70% of the territory as military buffer or civilian no-go zones, pushing 2.3 million people and aid operations into ever-smaller areas – which are no longer designated as “humanitarian zones”.

Palestinians say the ferocious new military campaign, the unprecedented blockade the seizure of Rafah, and Israel’s announcement that it planned to “conquer” the territory and establish a “sustained presence” there – all instigated since Trump’s return to the White House, and with his blessing – point to only one endgame: that they will be forced out of the strip.

“There is nothing left; I was in Khan Younis recently and there were no signs of Hamas but bombing all the time, the people are already broken, they have not been allowed to leave, almost everyone would leave now if they have the chance,” said a field worker who asked not to be named.

‘There is no life here’: Palestinians say Israel is imposing its Gaza endgame