Benjamin Netanyahu

French President Emmanuel Macron has signaled a significant shift in France's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, stating that recognizing a Palestinian state is no longer off the table. Macron's comments, made on Friday, suggest that Paris may proceed with such recognition if efforts to establish two states through negotiations stall due to Israeli opposition.

Israel launched a new wave of deadly strikes on southern Gaza Thursday after vowing to push ahead with a "powerful" operation in the overcrowded city of Rafah despite growing international condemnation.

The leaders of Australia, Canada and New Zealand on Thursday warned Israel against a potentially "catastrophic" ground offensive in the southern Gazan city of Rafah, amplifying a growing chorus of international concern.

This was reported by the local media, Anatolia reports.
The meeting is attended by CIA Director William Burns, Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel, Qatari prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Mossad chief David Barnes.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has called upon Israel's allies, particularly the United States, to cease arms supplies amidst escalating violence in Gaza. Borrell's bold stance comes in the wake of mounting casualties and humanitarian concerns stemming from Israeli military actions, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Türkiye has expressed its deep concerns over the new Israeli attacks targeting Rafah City and called on the international community to take necessary steps to stop them.

The Health Ministry of Hamas, the governing authority in the Gaza Strip since 2007, has reported a significantly higher death toll from the Israeli military's overnight operation in Rafah, a town located in the southern part of the enclave.

Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant praised a successful rescue mission in Gaza, where two hostages were freed from Hamas captivity amid ongoing airstrikes, according to the Times of Israel. The operation, which unfolded overnight, marked the second such rescue since October 7.

Hamas warned Israel on Sunday that a ground offensive in Rafah, crowded with displaced Gazans, would imperil future hostage releases, as the Hamas-run territory's health ministry said at least 52 people were killed in heavy air strikes before dawn on Monday.

The strikes hit 14 houses and three mosques in different parts of Rafah, according to the Hamas government.

The threat of an Israeli incursion into Gaza's southernmost town of Rafah persisted Sunday, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised "safe passage" to civilians displaced there.

In an interview airing Sunday, Netanyahu reiterated his intention to extend Israel's military operation against Hamas into Rafah.