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Left-wing politics

Biden Sticks by Israel as Bloody War on Gaza Threatens to Expand

The Biden administration will continue supporting the IDF in the war on Gaza despite divisions within the Democratic Party.

The U.S. airstrike on Baghdad and tensions with Iraq raise concerns that the conflict in Gaza is turning into a multi-front war. [ more ]

WSJ

Opinion | Hamas's Back Is to the Wall

Hamas leaders are resisting fiercely due to limited options for escape

The challenges faced by the IDF in eliminating Hamas are not unique to this conflict [ more ]

www.aljazeera.com

Israel's war on Gaza: List of key events, day 91

Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant introduces day after plan for Gaza.

Former Hamas leader says Israel wants to export crisis through assassination of Hamas deputy chief. [ more ]

www.aljazeera.com

Who were the Hamas officials killed in Beirut?

Senior Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri and other significant Hamas officials were killed in a drone strike in Lebanon.

The attack on a Hamas office in Beirut has weakened Hamas's military capabilities during Israel's war on Gaza. [ more ]

www.aljazeera.com

What does a new phase' in Israel's war on Gaza entail?

Israel announces withdrawal of some troops from Gaza

Uncertainty remains about Israel's ability to topple Hamas [ more ]

english.elpais.com

Hezbollah leader warns Israel against extending war to Lebanon: We will fight without restraint, without rules, without limits'

Hamas' number two, Saleh al-Arouri, was killed in an attack in Beirut, increasing tensions in the region and raising fears of the war spreading beyond Gaza.

Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the attack, while Hamas and Hezbollah have issued warnings of consequences if Israel continues its aggression. [ more ]

WSJ

Hamas Leader Killed in Beirut Was Linchpin of Relations With Iran, Hezbollah

The killing of Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut is a significant blow to the group's top leadership.

Arouri was responsible for aligning Hamas with Iran and Hezbollah. [ more ]

www.aljazeera.com

How will Hamas react to the killing of one of its top leaders?

Israel is accused of killing Hamas's deputy chief, Saleh al-Arouri, in a drone strike in Beirut.

The assassination could lead to an escalation in the Israel-Gaza war.

The involvement of Israel in the strike suggests a new approach to the war. [ more ]

www.aljazeera.com

Israel's war on Gaza: List of key events, day 89

An Israeli drone strike killed senior Hamas official Saleh al-Arouri in Lebanon.

The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting to discuss Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. [ more ]

www.aljazeera.com

Who was Saleh al-Arouri, the Hamas leader killed in Beirut?

The killing of senior Hamas official Saleh al-Arouri in a drone strike in Beirut could lead to retaliation from Hamas and Hezbollah.

Hamas confirmed the death and called it a cowardly assassination by Israel, while Israel has not made a statement about the incident. [ more ]

www.aljazeera.com

Hamas leader killed in Beirut explosion

Senior Hamas official Saleh al-Arouri killed in Israeli drone strike.

Al-Arouri was a key figure in Hamas's political bureau and a founder of the Qassam Brigades. [ more ]

www.nytimes.com

Wednesday Briefing

Hamas deputy head and two leaders of its armed wing were killed in an explosion in Lebanon, attributed to Israel.

Israel is suspected to have carried out the strike in retaliation for a previous attack by Hamas that killed 1,200 people.

Israel's military has begun withdrawing troops from Gaza but heavy fighting continues. [ more ]

WSJ

Israel Reshuffles Forces, Prepares for Long-Term Conflict in Gaza

Israel prepares for prolonged fighting in Gaza

It will take several more months to destroy Hamas's military capabilities [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

Why Labour needs to decide whether to break the consensus on Israel

The Ministry of Defence is prepared to join the US in launching airstrikes against Houthi sites in Yemen, which could test the cross-party consensus in Westminster.

Labour has largely concurred with UK government policy on the conflict between Israel and Hamas, but has strayed on second order issues such as settler violence in the West Bank. [ more ]

www.france24.com

France news

Live: Israel must control Gaza's border with Egypt, says Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu vows to retake control of Gaza Strip's border with Egypt in the ongoing conflict.

An American destroyer shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired from Yemen as it responded to a call for help from a container ship that was hit in a separate strike. [ more ]

moreconflict

www.aljazeera.com

Top Hamas official Saleh al-Arouri killed in Beirut suburb

Senior Hamas official Saleh al-Arouri killed in an Israeli drone strike on Beirut's southern suburb of Dahiyeh.

At least six people killed in the blast carried out by an Israeli drone.

Hamas vows to continue resistance in Gaza despite the assassination of al-Arouri. [ more ]

Spiegel

Germany news

Germany's Role in the Middle East: Foreign Minister Baerbock Sees an Opening for Mediation

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock believes Germany can play a key role as a mediator in the Middle East.

Since the eruption of violence triggered by the Hamas terror attack in October, Baerbock has been preoccupied with the situation in the region. [ more ]

www.aljazeera.com

We'll have more': Palestinians in Lebanon lay killed Hamas leader to rest

Saleh al-Arouri, a top Hamas commander, was laid to rest in Lebanon, with thousands of Palestinians attending his funeral.

Al-Arouri's death is believed to be the result of an Israeli operation, though Israel has not formally taken responsibility. [ more ]

www.aljazeera.com

General strikes across West Bank after assassination of Hamas's al-Arouri

Seven members of Hamas, including deputy head Saleh al-Arouri, were assassinated in southern Beirut, leading to protests and strikes in the occupied West Bank.

The slain Hamas members will be buried in different locations in Lebanon, and many are mourning their deaths.

Saleh al-Arouri's sister describes his passing as a seismic event and praises his humility and strength of character. [ more ]

www.aljazeera.com

Strike on Hamas leader in Lebanon sends tension spiking across Middle East

The UN and France are calling for restraint in the wake of the strike on a Hamas leader in Lebanon.

There are concerns that the conflicts sparked by Israel's war with Hamas could expand further across the region. [ more ]

www.npr.org

Law

Morning news brief

Israel's definition of victory over Hamas

Court documents reveal alleged connections to Jeffrey Epstein

Mexican authorities dismantle a migrant caravan [ more ]

www.npr.org

Law

Morning news brief

Hamas leader killed in explosion in Beirut

Harvard University President Claudine Gay resigns

Jury selection begins in transformative NRA trial [ more ]

www.nytimes.com

Law

Israel-Hamas War: Early Signs Suggest Israel May Avoid Wartime Showdown Over Court Ruling

Israel's Supreme Court ruling challenged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government's authority to limit the judiciary's powers.

Netanyahu's government may delay taking further steps to rein in the court until the war is over. [ more ]

Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles

California Assembly shut down by protest calling for Israeli cease-fire

Protesters shut down the California Assembly with calls for Israel to stop its war against Hamas.

The U.S. response to the war has triggered a generational divide in the California electorate and a schism among Democrats. [ more ]

Truthout

Left-wing politics

FEC Filing Shows AIPAC Made Record Donations to Congress in November

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) donated over $3.7 million to U.S. lawmakers in November, the highest amount given in a single month.

AIPAC aims to convince Congress members to send more aid to Israel for its war against Hamas and to support primary challengers against representatives and senators who are not seen as sufficiently supportive of Israel. [ more ]

WSJ

Opinion | A Dictator Can't Bring Peace to Gaza

Warning against strengthening dictatorship instead of building civil society in Palestine.

Installing Yasser Arafat as dictator was seen as a way to stamp out Hamas. [ more ]

WSJ

Opinion | IDF Faces a Harsh Reality in Southern Gaza

Fighting is fiercer in Khan Younis, and it won't be easy to kill Hamas leaders and rescue hostages.

Khan Younis, Gaza

WSJ

Opinion | Why Hamas Won't Release Hostages

Hamas has turned down two offers for a pause in the fighting, despite them being more generous than previous offers.

Hamas is demanding a complete stop to the aggression before any negotiations can take place. [ more ]

www.nytimes.com

US politics

Hamas Used Gaza Hospital as a Command Center, U.S. Intelligence Says

U.S. spy agencies believe Hamas used Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza to command forces and hold hostages.

Israeli officials said Hamas had built a vast complex under the hospital, making it a legitimate military target. [ more ]

www.npr.org

US news

Israel pulls thousands of troops from Gaza, a possible sign of scaled-back offensive

The Israeli military is pulling thousands of troops out of the Gaza Strip, potentially signaling a new phase of lower-intensity fighting against Hamas.

Israel's Supreme Court struck down a key component of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plan, which had caused divisions and threatened military readiness. [ more ]

HuffPost

US news

Top Hamas Official Killed In Beirut Blast

An explosion in Beirut killed a top official with Hamas and three others.

The blast was reportedly carried out by an Israeli drone, although Israeli officials have not commented. [ more ]

www.npr.org

US news

Up First briefing: Israel Supreme Court ruling; South Korean opposition leader stabbed

Good morning.

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Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day.

Consequence

Music

Radiohead's Ed O'Brien says he's "deep into" next solo album

Ed O'Brien gives an update on his next solo album

Calls for a ceasefire in Israel-Hamas conflict [ more ]

www.france24.com

France news

Live: Israel begins new year under rocket attack as army pounds Gaza

Hamas fired rockets at Israel as the new year began, resulting in overnight strikes that killed at least 24 people in Gaza.

Israel is considering a proposal to allow ships to deliver aid to Gaza through a sea corridor from Cyprus, with the UK, France, Greece, and the Netherlands potentially participating in the plan. [ more ]

www.france24.com

France news

Live: Sombre holiday for Palestinians as Israel bombs Gaza on Christmas

HOUR BY HOUR Palestinians said they felt "no joy" this Christmas as Israel bombed Gaza on Monday, with no end in sight to the war that Hamas says has claimed more than 20,000 lives.

www.nytimes.com

Europe news

Thursday Briefing

Image A man inspecting the rubble from an Israeli strike in central Gaza on Monday.Credit...Adel Hana/Associated Press Skepticism is growing over one of Israel's key objectives: to eliminate Hamas, the Islamist political and military organization that maintains control over the Gaza Strip.

POLITICO

US Elections

John Fetterman doesn't care what you think

But in the last few months, Fetterman has returned to the place where he's most comfortable: as a highly skilled troller.

New York Post