Israel could postpone an attack on Rafah because of the hostage negotiations. The Houthis claim to have shot down a US drone. More information in the news blog.
The most important things at a glance
Israeli army spokesman: More aid deliveries to Gaza
7:59 p.m.: Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari announces an expansion of aid deliveries to Gaza. The opening of the Israeli port of Ashdod and a new crossing for humanitarian transport in the north of the Gaza Strip should contribute to this, he says. Work is also underway with the US military on a temporary pier so that ships can bring aid supplies ashore. “Getting aid to the people of Gaza is a top priority because our war is against Hamas, not against the people of Gaza,” Hagari said.
Abbas calls on US to prevent Rafah offensive
12:32 p.m.: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called on the US government to prevent an Israeli ground offensive in Rafah in the Gaza Strip. “We call on the United States to call on Israel to stop operating in Rafah, because America is the only country that can stop Israel from committing this crime,” Abbas said at a special meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Saudi Arabia. Arabia.
Reports: Netanyahu fears arrest warrant
12.20 p.m.: According to media reports, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fears that the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague could issue arrest warrants against him and other Israelis. The Israeli government assumes that chief prosecutor Karim Khan could issue international arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Defense Minister Joav Galant and Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi this week, Israeli media reported.
The Criminal Court has been investigating Hamas and Israel for alleged war crimes in the Gaza Strip since 2021. Investigations are also underway into violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank. Netanyahu is extremely concerned about possible arrests that would mean a dramatic deterioration in Israel’s international reputation, the reports said.
200 arrests during clearance of pro-Palestinian protest camps at US universities
7.10 a.m.: Almost 200 arrests were made during the evacuation of pro-Palestinian protest camps at several US universities. Police arrested 100 people on the campus of Northeastern University in Boston alone on Saturday (local time). There were also police operations at universities in the states of Arizona and Indiana.
Report: Israel considers postponing Rafah offensive
1.20 a.m.: According to Israeli media, Israel’s foreign minister has promised to postpone the planned offensive in the city of Rafah in the event of a hostage agreement with the Islamist Hamas. “Releasing the hostages is our top priority,” Israel Katz told Channel 12 on Saturday. The Israeli Kan broadcaster also reported, citing the minister, that Israel was ready to postpone the military operation if a hostage deal was reached.
Hamas says it is currently examining an Israeli proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza war and the release of more hostages. Israel expects a response within 48 hours, according to a Channel 12 report on Saturday.
Doubts about the lawful use of US weapons
12:21 a.m.: According to Reuters information, employees of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken have considerable doubts about the lawful use of US arms supplies by Israel. In an internal ministry document seen by Reuters, senior officials in several departments said they did not view Israel’s assurances that these weapons would be used in accordance with international humanitarian law as “credible or reliable.” “Some parts of the ministry are in favor of accepting Israel’s assurances, others are in favor of rejecting them, and some have not taken a position,” a government official said.
$30 million US drone crashes in Yemen
8:58 p.m.: A US military drone crashed in Yemen. It was an MQ-9 drone, as an official from the US Department of Defense confirmed to the German Press Agency. The incident occurred early on Friday morning (local time). An investigation is ongoing and there is no information about anyone injured. According to the US Congress, the equivalent value of an MQ-9 drone is around 30 million US dollars (around 28 million euros). A common model of MQ-9 drones is known as the “Reaper” (German: “Grim Reaper”).
