Hezbollah claims responsibility for 8 attacks on Israeli targets
Hezbollah said it conducted eight attacks on Israeli targets today, including a settlement and disputed territory.
The Iran-backed militant group said its weapons damaged buildings in the Shtula settlement, as well as directly hit targets in the Shebaa Farms area. Additionally, Hezbollah said, the crew members of an Israeli tank were killed or wounded in the Israeli town of Metula after being attacked while they were bombing Lebanese villages across from the town.
Another attack saw missile weapons striking a gathering of Israeli soldiers, Hezbollah said. The group did not claim any more deaths or injuries in the other four attacks.
The Israel Defense Forces did not immediately issue a statement in response to the attacks.
ICJ case won’t stop Israel from fighting in Gaza, Netanyahu says
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in remarks today that the case brought by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice will not stop the nation from continuing to fight in Gaza.
“We are continuing the war to its conclusion — to total victory, until we have achieved all of our objectives: the elimination of Hamas, the return of all our hostages and the guarantee that Gaza will never again pose a threat to Israel,” Netanyahu said. “We will restore security, both in the south and in the north. No one will stop us — not The Hague, not the Axis of Evil, nor anyone else.”
South Africa brought the case accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. It could see the ICJ order Israel to stop the fighting.
In a later statement from Netanyahu’s office, the prime minister accused Hamas of executing “attacks against targets in the Middle East, Africa and Europe,” adding “considerable information has been uncovered that proves how the Hamas terrorist organization has acted to expand its violent activity abroad in order to attack innocents around the world.”
The statement said an “in-depth picture of Hamas’s terrorist activities has been revealed” and added that Hamas “draws inspiration from the terrorist activity of the Iranian regime, and like it, aspires to attack Israeli, Jewish and Western targets at any price.”
Israeli security, defense and intelligence forces will continue efforts to prevent Hamas’ attacks worldwide, the statement said.
Marchers in Washington call for cease-fire in Gaza, say women, children and elderly are ‘paying the price’
WASHINGTON — One theme was common among Washington, D.C., protesters who spoke to NBC News today: They want a cease-fire in Gaza now and are calling on President Joe Biden to implement one.
“Nobody should be oppressed. Nobody should be killed indiscriminately,” Hind Abi Akar said. “Be just. Be fair. Cease-fire now and start talking. That’s what we want them to do.”
Nick Cream and Sara Azraq also called for an immediate cease-fire, with Azraq pleading to stop the killing of children in Gaza.
“A lot of innocent children are dying. A lot of kids are dying from starvation, injuries. They don’t even have medicine at the hospitals,” said protester Hannah Abel. “There is no reason for any of this. There should have been a cease-fire a long time ago.”
Mazen Badr said he lost 10 members of his family in the nearly 100 days since Oct. 7, including his mother, whose home in central Gaza was destroyed.
Women, children and the elderly are “paying the price” and “don’t deserve this,” he said, adding that children in Gaza should be afforded the same upbringing as kids in Washington.
Badr called on the Biden administration to “present the truth to your people.”
“Very simple thing. Cease-fire now,” said Alaa Hussein Ali, who said his brother was killed while trying to get water and that more than 100 members of his extended family have died in Gaza.
“We’re just begging President Biden and his administration. Stop the bloodshed. Their blood is in their hands,” Ali said, referring to Biden and Congress. “They all can stop this and we all know that they can stop with the other hand.”
Thousands gather in Tel Aviv for 24-hour rally marking 100 days of war
TEL AVIV — Thousands of people have crowded into “Hostage Square” in Tel Aviv, with thousands more spilling out into the streets to join a 24-hour rally marking 100 days since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack — and for dozens of families, 100 days since their loved ones were taken hostage.
The words “bring them home now” echoed across the square as demonstrators called on the Israeli government and international community to do more to see the more than 100 people still held hostage in Gaza released.
Read More: Global protests mark 100 days since Oct. 7