Hundreds of former Israeli officials, including past heads of the Mossad and Shin Bet, sent President Donald Trump a letter asking him to force the Israeli prime minister to end military operations in Gaza. The letter said Hamas no longer posed a threat to Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is convinced a deal with Hamas is not possible, and is seeking a decisive military victory in Gaza. Last week, Tel Aviv and Washington said they were unwilling to implement any phased agreement with Hamas, and that all remaining Israeli hostages had to be released at once.
Washington is boosting its military presence on the Korean Peninsula by creating another super squadron near the demilitarized zone. The move comes after North Korea said it would only engage in talks if the US dropped its demand that Pyongyang give up its nuclear weapons.
Ukrainians aged 60 and older can now serve in non-combat roles thanks to new legislation. The elderly Ukrainians will need special approval and get medical clearance before enlisting.
The Canadian prime minister announced that Ottawa would recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly meeting. France, and potentially the UK, also plan to vote for Palestine to become a UN member state.
On Wednesday night, the US Senate voted down two joint resolutions aimed at blocking additional weapons sales to Israel. Both measures were originally introduced by US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in March.
The US has likely positioned nuclear weapons in the United Kingdom for the first time since 2008, according to the Times.
On Tuesday, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf denounced the Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip, likening the Jewish state’s actions to those of Nazi Germany.
