Overview

• The Israeli military has expanded its ground operations in Gaza after Chief of Staff Ejal Zamir ordered advances into additional areas.
• The government has repeatedly rejected proposals for a permanent ceasefire, prioritizing military pressure to secure hostage returns and defeat Hamas.
• UN Secretary-General António Guterres demanded an immediate, independent investigation into reports of civilian deaths at a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation distribution center.
• Conflicting accounts from Hamas, the Israeli military and the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation over casualties at a Rafah aid hub underscore challenges in verifying wartime incidents.
• Germany’s coalition is divided over arms exports to Israel, with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul reviewing approvals and SPD’s Reem Alabali-Radovan pressing for sanctions over growing humanitarian concerns.