Hamas says it approved Gaza ceasefire deal as Israel steps up attacks
As the Qatari prime minister visits Egypt, Hamas says the group informed the mediators of approving their proposal for a Gaza ceasefire deal, which would include a 60-day truce.
US President Donald Trump says Israeli captives in Gaza will only be released “when Hamas is confronted and destroyed”.German police crack down on Berlin rally supporting Gaza
German police have once again been filmed assaulting demonstrators in a rally supporting Gaza, this time near the headquarters of the Federal Chancellery in capital Berlin.
Footage shared online showed police violently taking a supporter who was chanting with a microphone. Another protester was also assaulted while security forces accompanied by police dogs tried to arrest him.UN warns agains Israel’s displacement campaign in Gaza City
The UN humanitarian office (OCHA) says Israel’s plans to seize Gaza City could displace thousands of Palestinians “into an overcrowded area in the south of the Strip, which is almost devoid of basic infrastructure and services”, including water, food and medical care.
“The UN reiterates that it will not participate in any forced displacement of the population,” OCHA said in a statement.
“The UN and its partners reiterate their commitment to serve people wherever they are. All civilians must be protected, whether they choose to stay or move. Those who decide to move must have their essential needs met, and they must be able to voluntarily return when the situation allows.”Israel’s war on Gaza at ‘turning point’, army chief says
Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir has addressed a conference held near the borders of Gaza, saying that an “unprecedented” military campaign is ongoing.
“We are at a turning point in the war, preparing to move to the next phase of Operation Gideon’s Chariots, which focuses on deepening the impact against Hamas in Gaza City,” he said.
A day after Zamir approved the Gaza City invasion plans, he said the army has “decisively defeated Hamas in the areas where we operated” and must prepare to continue “operational developments” in Gaza.
“We will continue to act and create the conditions for the release of our abductees.”
Release of Israeli official charged with child sex crimes in US sparks outcry
The Trump administration has denied intervening to ensure the release of Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, a senior Israeli cyber security official who was arrested earlier this month in Nevada as part of an undercover law enforcement operation targeting “child sex predators”.
Alexandrovich’s release and subsequent return to Israel had sparked controversy and speculations that he may have been freed by pressure from the US federal government and Israeli authorities. But today, the US State Department distanced itself from the case.
“The Department of State is aware that Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, an Israeli citizen, was arrested in Las Vegas and given a court date for charges related to soliciting sex electronically from a minor,” the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs said in a statement.
“He did not claim diplomatic immunity and was released by a state judge pending a court date. Any claims that the US government intervened are false.”
Court records from Nevada’s Clark County show that Alexandrovich was charged with luring or attempting to lure a child online to engage of sexual conduct – a felony that carries up to 10 years in jail in the case of a conviction.
Alexandrovich posted a $10,000 bond on August 7, nearly a week before his arrest was publicly announced, according to court records.
While it is common for suspects accused of crimes to be released on bail, it is not clear why Alexandrovich’s passport was not withheld to ensure that he does not flee to Israel.
Defendants with high flight risk are also often put under electronic monitoring when released, but it appears that Alexandrovich was freed with minimal conditions despite the severity of the charge against him.
The Israeli official’s next court appearance is set for August 27.
