Washington is changing its support. The United States suspended the delivery of a shipment of bombs to Israel last week, a senior American official said Tuesday (May 7). This decision was taken after Israel’s lack of response to the “concerns” from Washington regarding an announced offensive on Rafah, in the south of the Gaza Strip. This delivery “consists of 1,800 2,000-pound bombs [907 kg] and 1,700 500-pound bombs [226 kg]“. The US State Department is also reviewing other arms transfers, including the use of precision bombs known as JDAM (remote guided bomb), the official added. Follow our live stream.
Intense strikes on Gaza. The Israeli army is increasing airstrikes on Wednesday on Palestinian territory, where it has already taken control of the strategic Rafah crossing with Egypt. Witnesses reported strikes in different areas, notably in the northern Gaza City, where the al-Ahli hospital announced the death of seven members of the same family, the al-Louhs, in an aerial bombardment .
“Last chance” talks in Cairo. Egyptian, Qatari and American mediators continue their discussions in Cairo with a view to a ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the Israeli delegation to “continue to be firm on the conditions necessary for release” hostages and “essential” to the security of Israel.
A ceasefire proposal accepted by Hamas. According to the number two of the political branch of Hamas in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya, the proposal accepted by his movement includes three phases, each lasting 42 days, and includes an Israeli withdrawal from the territory, the return of the displaced and an exchange of hostages held in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners, with the aim of a “permanent ceasefire”.
Construction of the American artificial port for Gaza completed. The US military has completed construction of a temporary artificial port in Gaza to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid but it cannot be installed at this time due to weather conditions, the Pentagon announced. The United States ruled “unacceptable” the closure by Israel of two important entry points for humanitarian aid into Gaza, those of Rafah and Kerem Shalom.