Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a session of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, in Jerusalem on July 17, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AP

An Israeli parliament vote to oppose a Palestinian state as an “existential threat”, just days ahead of a visit by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington, brought Palestinian and international criticism on July 18.

The 120-member Knesset late on Wednesday passed by 68 votes to nine a resolution that said a Palestinian state on land occupied by Israel would “perpetuate the Israel-Palestinian conflict and destabilise the region”.

The resolution is symbolic but lays down a marker before Mr. Netanyahu’s Washington trip as well as an opinion to be issued by the International Court of Justice over the legality of Israel’s occupation of the West Bank.

“The Knesset firmly opposes the creation of a Palestinian state (on land) west of Jordan,” said the resolution, referring to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which has been devastated by the war unleashed by the October 7 Hamas attacks.

“The creation of a Palestinian state in the heart of the land of Israel would constitute an existential danger for the state of Israel and its citizens, would perpetuate the Israel-Palestinian conflict and destabilise the region.”

It predicted that Hamas would take over the state and turn it into “a radical Islamic terrorist base” seeking to destroy Israel.

The resolution said “promoting” a Palestinian state was “a reward for terrorism and would only encourage Hamas and its supporters” after the October 7 attacks.

The Palestinian Authority said there would be “neither peace nor security for anyone without the establishment of a Palestinian state”. It accused Israel’s ruling coalition of “plunging the region into an abyss”.

The French foreign ministry expressed “consternation” at the resolution that it said was “in contradiction with resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council”.

The Knesset voted by an even larger majority in February against countries unilaterally backing a Palestinian state. Spain, Ireland, Norway and Armenia have since said they recognised a Palestinian state.

The latest Knesset resolution was proposed by a right-wing deputy in opposition to Mr. Netanyahu’s coalition of conservative and far-right parties. However, coalition deputies and some centrist lawmakers voted in favour.

PM Narendra Modi has spoken with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and exchanged views on the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in West Asia. File
| Photo Credit: ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and exchanged views on the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in West Asia.

After his telephonic conversation with Mr. Sisi, PM Modi said that “we share concerns regarding terrorism, violence and loss of civilian lives”.

In a post on X, PM Modi said on Sunday, “Yesterday, spoke with President @AlsisiOfficial. Exchanged views on the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in West Asia.” “We share concerns regarding terrorism, violence and loss of civilian lives. We agree on the need for early restoration of peace and stability and facilitating humanitarian assistance,” he said.

A statement issued by the Egyptian side said President El-Sisi received a phone call from Prime Minister Modi and the two leaders exchanged views on the latest developments in the Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip.

They also discussed the gravity of the continuation of the current escalation, given its formidable impact on the lives of civilians and the threat it poses to the security of the entire region, the statement said.

Spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency, Counselor Ahmed Fahmy, said President El-Sisi confirmed that Egypt is pursuing its endeavours to coordinate regional and international efforts to push towards reaching a ceasefire.

The President warned of the grievous humanitarian and security repercussions of a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, the statement said.

He underscored the critical need for unified international action to find a prompt solution at the diplomatic level, which stipulates reinforcing an immediate humanitarian truce that protects the lives of civilians and allows the instantaneous, sustainable and unfettered delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip, in accordance with the resolution of the U.N. General Assembly in this regard, which was adopted on October 27, it said.

President El-Sisi and Prime Minister Modi expressed relief at the outstanding level of the two countries’ bilateral relations and strategic partnership, the statement said.

They stressed their determination to continue to lead the two countries’ institutions to further strengthen joint cooperation between Egypt and India, the statement issued by the Egyptian side said.

Israeli ground forces operated within the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday, attacking multiple Hamas targets before withdrawing. File
| Photo Credit: AFP

Israeli ground forces operated within the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday, attacking multiple Hamas targets before withdrawing, the military said in a statement on what Israel’s Army Radio described as the biggest incursion of the current war.

Video of the overnight action issued by the military showed armoured vehicles proceeding through a sandy border zone. A bulldozer is seen levelling part of a raised bank, tanks fire shells, and explosions are seen near or amid a row of damaged buildings.

The military statement posted online said the incursion was carried out “in preparation for the next stages of combat”, a possible reference to the large-scale invasion that Israeli leaders have threatened as part of the war to destroy Hamas.

Israel-Hamas war, Day 20 LIVE updates

“The soldiers have since exited the area and returned to Israeli territory,” the military statement added.

Israel began localised ground incursions on Sunday as the war, triggered by an October 7 cross-border rampage by Hamas gunmen, entered its third week. Israel’s Army Radio described Thursday’s incursion as the biggest yet.

There was no immediate comment from Hamas in Gaza.

India sent nearly 6.5 tonnes of medical aid and 32 tonnes of disaster relief material for the people of Palestine.
| Photo Credit: X: Arindam Bagchi/@MEAIndia

India on Sunday became the latest country to rush help to the civilian population of Gaza Strip which is facing blockade and Israeli military operation. The relief material will be delivered to El Arish airbase of Egypt which is located close to Gaza border. 

“An IAF C-17 flight carrying nearly 6.5 tonnes of medical aid and 32 tonnes of disaster relief material for the people of Palestine departs for El-Arish airport in Egypt. The material includes essential life-saving medicines, surgical items, tents, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, sanitary utilities, water purification tablets among other necessary items,” said official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi. 

Israel-Hamas war, Day 16 LIVE updates

Ambassador of Palestine Adnan Abu Alhaija has expressed his appreciation to the gesture and said the blockade of the last fortnight had stopped entry of essential items such as oxygen into the Gaza Strip. “People of Palestine will truly appreciate the Indian assistance as they are in need of urgent help after nearly 15 days of Israeli blockade which stopped electricity, food, medicine and oxygen. India is sending us help even without us asking. This is a great initiative,” said Ambassador Al Haija.

Several countries such as Egypt, Turkey and the U.S. have started sending help to Gaza through the border crossing of Gaza, and Indian goods are expected to reach Gaza through the same route. India has reiterated its support for the two-state solution to end the Israel- Palestine conflict since it flared up on October 7.

New Delhi:

Climate activist Greta Thunberg’s support for Gaza has drawn a sharp response from Israel. On Friday, Greta posted a picture on X, formerly Twitter, in which four activists, including herself, held placards expressing solidarity with Palestine and Gaza.

Reacting to Ms Thunberg’s post, Israel, through its official X handle, took a dig at the climate activist saying that Hamas doesn’t use sustainable materials for their rockets, “which have butchered innocent Israelis”.

“The victims of the Hamas massacre could have been your friends. Speak up,” the post added

Israel also used pictures of three 19-year-old Israelis, who were killed allegedly in a Hamas attack.

.@GretaThunberg, Hamas doesn’t use sustainable materials for their rockets which have BUTCHERED innocent Israelis .

The victims of the Hamas massacre could have been your friends.

Speak up. https://t.co/giHNJxeF6Npic.twitter.com/Z4orsm2UjD

— Israel ישראל ???????? (@Israel) October 20, 2023

The response came after Ms Thunberg, in her post, was seen with a placard that read, “Stand with Gaza.”

Another activist called for a “Free Palestine,” while two other women held placards with messages, “This Jew supports Palestine” and “Climate justice now!”

“Week 270. Today we strike in solidarity with Palestine and Gaza. The world needs to speak up and call for an immediate ceasefire, justice and freedom for Palestinians and all civilians affected,” Greta Thunberg wrote in the caption.

Week 270. Today we strike in solidarity with Palestine and Gaza. The world needs to speak up and call for an immediate ceasefire, justice and freedom for Palestinians and all civilians affected.#FreePalestine#IStandWithPalestine#StandWithGaza#FridaysForFuture
Thread???? pic.twitter.com/0hVtya0yWO

— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) October 20, 2023

Some users, however, came to Ms Thunberg’s defense. They pointed out that her expression of support was for Gaza, not necessarily for Hamas. One user wrote, “Your subconscious and true ideals leaked. She said Gaza, not Hamas. This says a lot. good luck editing this next.”

your subconscious and true ideals leaked. she said gaza, not hamas. this says a lot. good luck editing this next.

— ashen ???? (@notashenone) October 20, 2023

Another person accused Israel of “playing the victim card.” 

Stop playing the victim card

— — GEROMAN — time will tell – ???? — (@GeromanAT) October 21, 2023

A user accused Israel of similar actions and brought up concerns about the environmental sustainability of the air and watercraft used by the IDF in the context of restricting movement and impacting Palestinians in the region. “The air and watercrafts used by the IDF to restrict movement and BUTCHER innocent Palestinians in the largest open-air prison for 75 years aren’t made of sustainable materials,” read the comment.

Ms Thunberg’s statement came 270 weeks after she initiated her Friday school strike, which later ignited the global school strikes movement.

Oh I can do this too.

The air and watercrafts used by the IDF to restrict movement and BUTCHER innocent Palestinians in the largest open air prison for 75 years aren’t made of sustainable materials.

— Talia Jane ‍???? (@taliaotg) October 20, 2023

The United Nations revealed that in just 10 days, around 4,200 people have lost their lives and more than a million people have been forced to leave their homes due to the Israel-Hamas war.

White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan cited the possibility of a new battle front on the Israel-Lebanon border. File

The U.S. said on Sunday it fears an escalation of the war between Israel and Hamas and the prospect of Iran getting directly involved.

Speaking on CBS, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan cited the possibility of a new battle front on the Israel-Lebanon border and added, “We can’t rule out that Iran would choose to get directly engaged some way. We have to prepare for every possible contingency.”

Iran is a long-time backer of the militant group Hamas and of Hezbollah in Lebanon, providing them funding and weapons.

“That is a risk and that’s a risk that we have been mindful of since the start,” Mr. Sullivan said of the prospect of Iran getting involved in the war, which was triggered by the Hamas attack on southern Israel from Gaza last weekend.

“It’s why the President moves so rapidly and decisively to get an aircraft carrier into the eastern Mediterranean, to get aircraft into the Gulf, because he sent a very clear message to any state or any actor that would seek to exploit this situation,” Mr. Sullivan added.

Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the deployment of the second aircraft carrier on Saturday “to deter hostile actions against Israel or any efforts toward widening this war following Hamas’s attack.”

In the eastern Mediterranean, the carrier USS Eisenhower and its accompanying ships will join the USS Gerald R. Ford, which was dispatched after the Hamas attack on October 7.

John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council, also said that the U.S. is concerned about a new front in the war opening on the Israeli border with Lebanon.

“We don’t want to see another terrorist group like Hezbollah widening this and opening fronts to distract against the fight against Hamas,” Mr. Kirby said on the “Fox News Sunday” program.

Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for several rocket attacks on northern Israel since the war between Israel and Hamas erupted.

“Of course, Iran is broadly complicit and this has helped Hamas function and be able to conduct the terrorist attack they have conducted,” Mr. Kirby said.

But he reiterated the U.S. position that it has no intelligence pointing to specific Iranian participation in the Hamas attack.

New Delhi:

As the ongoing war in Israel between security forces and Palestinian group Hamas escalates, a security alert has been sounded in New Delhi in view of potential protests in the national capital, police said. 

Delhi Police personnel will be present on the streets with heavy force during Friday prayers. Security has also been stepped up at Jewish religious establishments and the Israel Embassy. 

This comes after many countries, including the US, UK, France and Germany, heightened security around “potential Jewish targets” and “pro-Palestinian protesters” in view of the escalating violence in Israel. 

Following the bloody attack on Israel by Hamas, France on Thursday banned all pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the interest of public order. Critics of the ban argue that it infringes on freedom of speech and assembly.

More than 1,500 people have been killed in Gaza after Israel retaliated with fury after the surprise land-sea-air attack by Hamas left 1,300 Israelis dead. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, soon after the Hamas onslaught began, declared a “state of war’ and vowed to reduce Gaza to rubble. 

Indian nationals who were stranded in Israel due to the ongoing war were evacuated on the first flight under Operation Ajay, which landed in New Delhi today. 

New Delhi:

Over a thousand killed, buildings destroyed and entire neighbourhoods reduced to rubble – the war in Israel between security forces and Hamas group operatives has had global implications. 

Many countries, including the US, UK, France and Germany, have heightened security around “potential Jewish targets” and “pro-Palestinian protesters”.

Here’s how the war has impacted security around the world: 

United States

Cities across the country, including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Houston, heightened security around synagogues in response to a Palestinian solidarity rally in Manhattan on Sunday. A thousand demonstrators gathered in solidarity with Palestinians, while a few hundred pro-Israel protesters counter-demonstrated.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul denounced the Palestinian solidarity rally as “despicable and morally reprehensible” and directed state landmarks, including the World Trade Center and Niagara Falls, to be illuminated in blue and white – the colours of the Isreli flag. 

United Kingdom

The Scotland Yard has stepped up patrols across London in response to several incidents on social media related to the ongoing conflict in Israel.

The Metropolitan Police condemned the “glorification” of Hamas’s terrorist activities and warned against hate crimes in a statement on Saturday night, following one of the biggest escalations of conflict in the Middle East in decades.

“We are aware of a number of incidents, including those that have been shared on social media, in relation to the ongoing conflict in Israel and the border with Gaza,” the Met Police said in a statement.

“The Met has increased policing patrols across parts of London in order to provide a visible presence and reassurance to our communities. We remain in contact with partners and community leaders to listen to any concerns,” it added.

France

In France, security at synagogues in the cities of Paris, Marseille, Lyon, and Strasbourg had been heightened since late September due to religious holidays.

French authorities ramped up security at Jewish temples and schools across the country, after a Jewish leader warned that the conflict could spill over the country.

France has the largest Jewish population in Europe and the third-largest in the world, with an estimated 500,000 people.French authorities announced that a pro-Palestinian rally scheduled for Monday evening in Lyon would be banned due to the potential for public disorder.

Germany

Germany increased police security at Jewish and Israeli institutions after Palestinian supporters celebrated the attack in the streets of Berlin. The Berlin police shared photos on social media of people celebrating Israel’s attacks with sweet gestures.

German authorities have said they are closely monitoring “potential Hamas supporters” in Islamist circles.

“In Berlin, police protection has been immediately stepped up,” Interior Minister Nancy Faeser told Bild newspaper. “The federal government and the regions are closely coordinating their actions.”

Canada

Thousands of people in Montreal rallied in support of the Palestinian people on Saturday, holding “free Palestine” posters, waving Palestinian flags, and calling for boycotting Israel.

The Canadian police have stepped up security cover in sensitive areas, especially around synagogues. 

“We are also reaching out to community partners to ensure they know we are here to support them,” an Ottawa Police statement said. “Hate Crimes will not be tolerated and will be fully investigated.”

Middle East 

In Iran, large crowds gathered in major cities, such as Palestine Square in Tehran, waving Palestinian flags and cheering Hamas’s offensive, which they called “Al-Aqsa Flood.” Some billboards in the capital even proclaimed, “The great liberation operation has begun.”

In Lebanon, Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Shi’ite group, held a rally in Beirut to express support for Hamas. During the rally, participants chanted “Death to Israel.” Hezbollah also claimed to have fired on Israeli positions in the contested Shebaa Farms border area.

In Iraq, pro-Palestinian protests erupted, with demonstrators burning Israeli flags and chanting anti-American slogans. The demonstrators stamped on and set fire to Israeli flags chanting “No to America, No to Israel”.

New Delhi:

As gun battles raged between Israeli security forces and hundreds of Hamas group fighters in at least 22 locations, Israel’s defence minister Yoav Gallant today issued a threat to “change the face of reality” in Gaza. 

Over 200 Israelis and 232 Palestinians were killed on Saturday in the deadliest escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in decades, after the Hamas group launched a massive rocket barrage and ground, air, and sea offensive, prompting Israel to respond with intense airstrikes.

“Today, we have seen the face of evil. Hamas launched a criminal attack, without distinguishing between women, children and the elderly. It will realise very quickly that it made a grave mistake. We will change the face of reality in the Gaza Strip,” Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant said in a video statement.

היום, ראינו את פני הרוע.

החמאס פתח בהתקפה נפשעת, ללא הבחנה בין נשים, ילדים וקשישים. הוא יבין מהר מאוד שעשה טעות חמורה.

אנחנו נשנה את פני המציאות ברצועת עזה עשרות שנים קדימה.

אזרחי ישראל, במיוחד בשעות קשות אלו, התאזרו בסבלנות וגבו את כוחות הביטחון. pic.twitter.com/psu4BOJg3w

— יואב גלנט – Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) October 7, 2023

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to demolish Hamas strongholds in Gaza, reducing them to rubble, as the conflict continued to escalate.

READ |Explained: Israel-Palestine And A History Of Conflict

Rockets pounded Israel from Gaza from 6:30 am on Saturday, following months of growing violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with the highest death count in the West Bank, occupied by Israel since the 1967 Arab-Israeli conflict, in years.

“Israel is now at war,” Prime Minister Netanyahu declared to the shocked nation Saturday morning, in what was the 50th anniversary of the start of the 1973 Arab-Israeli War.

“I’m telling the people of Gaza: get out of there now, because we’re about to act everywhere with all our force,” he added. “We’ll strike them to the bitter end and avenge with force this black day they brought on Israel and its people.”

US President Joe Biden reaffirmed his “unwavering” support for the US ally, Israel, as the UN Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting for Sunday. He also warned against any adversaries of Israel exploiting the situation.

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New Delhi:

Israel is at war following an unprecedented attack by the Hamas group. Over 5,000 rockets were fired towards Israel from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip in just 20 minutes after it declared Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.

Air raid sirens across Israel shattered the morning silence and the Iron Dome system, one of the best air defence systems in the world, was again in action. In dramatic visuals, the Iron Dome destroyed rockets mid-air and the sky was illuminated with bursts of flares. This time, however, the scale of the attack was unprecedented.

What is the Iron Dome system?

The Iron Dome system is a ground-to-air short-range air defence system deployed in several parts of the country to counter rocket attacks, mortars, artillery shells, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) at short range.

The air defence system has a range of approximately 70 km and has three central components that form a unit, namely; Detection and Tracking radar, Battle Management and Weapons Control and the Missile Launcher armed with 20 Tamir Missiles.

The system has guarded Israel since 2011. During the 2006 Lebanon conflict, thousands of rockets were fired by Hezbollah and several northern areas including Haifa were attacked, killing many. The 2006 attacks prompted Israel to develop its own air defence system.

How Iron Dome Works?

When a rocket is fired toward Israel, the Detection and Tracking radar detects the incoming trajectory and relays the information to the weapons control system, which performs fast, complex calculations to detect the trajectory, speed and expected target of the rocket.

If the incoming rocket is directed towards a populated area or a strategic establishment, the launcher automatically fires the Tamir Missile and the rocket is destroyed mid-air to neutralize the threat. A single battery consists of three-four launchers and Israel has at least 10. The manufacturer of the Iron Dome system – Rafael Advanced Defence System claims it has a success rate of 90 per cent and has over 2,000 interceptions till now.

What Happened This Time?

The near-perfect air defence system found itself overpowered after a barrage of rockets from Hamas. For several years, the terrorist group, Hamas, has been trying to find a weakness in the Iron Dome system. They have been largely successful in doing so by overwhelming the system with a Salvo rocket attack (multiple rockets launched in a short span of time), making it difficult for the control system to intercept all targets. This time, over 5,000 rockets were launched in just 20 minutes.

Hamas is continuously developing its crude rocket technology and over the years it has increased its range to cover major cities of Israel including Tel Aviv and even Jerusalem.

A rocket launched by Hamas is much cheaper than the Tamir missile fired to intercept it. For Israel, the Iron Dome’s worth extends its cost analysis. It has proven itself in the past that it can neutralise targets and save lives.

During a conflict with Hamas in 2012, Israel claimed that 85 per cent of the 400 rockets fired from the Gaza Strip, toward civilian and strategic areas, were countered. During the 2006 Lebanon conflict over

During the 2014 conflict, over 4,500 rockets were fired by Hamas over several days. Over 800 were intercepted and around 735 were shot down, a success rate of 90 per cent.

Upgrade and 2021 Attacks

In 2021, Israel said it had upgraded the system to cope with additional aerial threats including successful interceptions of rocket and missile salvos as well as simultaneous interceptions of multiple unmanned aerial vehicles.

In May 2021, the two-week-long Israel-Palestine conflict, over 1,000 rockets were fired in the initial days and over 4,500 during the entire conflict. During the crisis, officials said the system showed a 90 per cent strike rate against rockets.