Blinken: Israel-Hamas cease-fire near 'goal line,' final issues being negotiated (2024)

Rocket sirens were activated in southern Israel's Gaza border community Talmei Yosef.

WASHINGTON — Sen. Brian Schatz, a Jewish Democrat from Hawaii, says he will skip Netanyahu's speech.

"Nine months after the atrocities of October 7 and the ensuing conflict, negotiations for a cease-fire and the release of all hostages are ongoing – and that should be the focus," he said.

"Instead, Prime Minister Netanyahu is set to deliver what is clearly a partisan address to Congress just months ahead of our elections. As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I welcome a substantive discussion about the future, not political rhetoric that will do nothing to bring peace in the region. I therefore will not attend Wednesday's address," he added.

Jewish Settlers attacked with sticks two Palestinians, a 38-year-old man and a 58-year-old woman, in the West Bank village of Sha'ab al-Botum south of Mount Hebron. The two suffered head injuries and were transported to a hospital.

The attack happened at the entrance to one of the houses in the village, after the settlers, who herd sheep in the area, entered the village.

Two IDF soldiers were present at the scene, and the Palestinians called for their help. The soldiers then fired a warning shot into the air and the settlers flee.

However predictable, however strong the "Yeah, but there's nothing new here," however nonbinding, the International Court of Justice's ruling on Israel's occupation or administration in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is an unpleasant and dangerous statement.

In fact, it probably eclipsed Israel's worst-case-scenario fears in that it demands that Israel end the occupation as quickly as possible, an occupation that the court deems illegal. When the judges come to this conclusion and demand that Israel pay reparations to the Palestinians, Israel can defy, ignore, ridicule and sanctimoniously attack the opinion all it wants. But this vindicates many countries – foes and friends, detractors and supporters alike.

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Here are the latest updates from day 286 of the war:

■ The International Court of Justice ruled that Israel's occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem was illegal and constituted apartheid on Friday. It called the occupation "de facto annexation"and said it was enacted through "systematic discrimination, segregation and apartheid."

■ Israel's prime minister, cabinet ministers, and lawmakers have categorically condemned the legal opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday. The opinion labeled the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories as "unlawful" and characterized it as "apartheid."

■ A man in his 50s was killed and eight wounded overnight into Friday in a Houthi drone strike on Tel Aviv. According to the Israeli army, the aerial target was identified, but it wasn't intercepted and sirens weren't activated due to human error

■ U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday that a long-sought cease-fire between Israel and Hamas was within sight, saying negotiators were "driving toward the goal line."

■ An Israeli settler shot a Palestinian who threw rocks at him during clashes that had broken out between settlers and locals in the West Bank town of Hawara. Two settlers were arrested on suspicion of attacking soldiers and resisting arrest, the police said.

■ British Foreign Secretary David Lammy took to X Friday, saying that "The humanitarian situation in Gaza is devastating" and that "No other agency but UNRWA can get aid in at the scale needed."

■ The Israeli air force has killed on Friday Adel Hamediya, Hamas' military intelligence officer in Gaza City.

■ Israeli army says it identified at least 70 launches from Lebanon into Israel since Friday morning

■ The Israeli air force has attacked Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, a statement by the IDF said on Friday. A Hezbollah military compound was struck in the village of Ayta ash Shab. Air force fighter jets struck at the southern Lebanon villages of Blida and Hula.

■ German foreign minister calls for Gaza cease-fire, says IDF hits safe zones "again and again."

■ The European Commission said on Friday it would provide the Palestinian Authority with 400 million euros ($435.5 million) in emergency financial support in the coming two months.

An Israeli settler shot a Palestinian who threw rocks at him during clashes between settlers and locals in the West Bank town of Hawara.

The settlers raided the town following the reopening of the local pizzeria, in which a picture of Israeli Esther Cunio, whose home was raided by Hamas on October 7, was put on display.

Several settlers set fire to an olive grove in the area, and a Palestinian ambulance was damaged. Two settlers were arrested on suspicion of attacking soldiers and resisting arrest, police said.