Middle East Crisis

Gaza War
Israel: We have struck targets in central Gaza

The Israeli military, IDF, states that it carried out an attack on Nuseirat in central Gaza on Saturday night. On X, the IDF calls it a “precision strike” that was aimed at a terrorist from Islamic Jihad. Israel claims that the terrorist was planning an attack on Israeli soldiers.

One person was killed and several were wounded, the Times of Israel reports, citing Palestinian media.

The military says that the soldiers on site in the area are there “in accordance with the ceasefire agreement” and promises to continue “eliminating threats” in Gaza.

Egyptian team to find hostage bodies in Gaza

An Egyptian team has arrived in Gaza with vehicles and equipment to help search for the remains of the last 13 hostages, an Israeli defense source tells the Times of Israel.

Israel has given its approval. So far, it has refused to allow foreign aid into Gaza, claiming that Hamas has the ability to find and return the bodies on its own.

Sky News: Israel helps militias fighting Hamas

Four militia groups in Gaza fighting Hamas are receiving direct support from Israel, Sky News reveals. Hossam al-Astal, who leads one of the groups, says that they see themselves as part of a common project to drive Hamas out.

– We are all fighting for the new Gaza. As soon as we have full control of the Gaza Strip, we will gather under one umbrella, he says.

The groups claim to have access to vehicles and ammunition, among other things, through contacts with the Israeli military. The contacts are said to be made through indirect channels and the Palestinian Authority (PA) that governs the West Bank is said to play a key role. The PA has previously denied that it is in contact with the militia groups.

Voices on Gaza
Former CBS boss: Pressured not to cover Gaza

American CBS News owner Paramount has pressured the flagship 60 Minutes editorial team not to cover the Gaza war, according to 60 Minutes' former executive producer Bill Owens.

Paramount's former majority owner Shari Redstone, a strong supporter of Israel, is said to have reacted strongly to a report on Gaza in January. In the piece, American State Department officials criticized Joe Biden's handling of the war.

- She didn't like the piece, Owens says according to The Guardian.

Redstone is not said to have heard from her, but according to Owens, her opinion was clearly communicated by managers lower down the pecking order who said, "You're not doing another Gaza piece, are you?"

- When I said we were going to do it, it was like poking a hornet's nest.