OT subject but worth a main-stream read- OT News Feeds...

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Friday Israel-Hamas update:

"Israel’s war cabinet met yesterday to discuss hostage deal negotiations, according to an Israeli official. The meeting comes ahead of a planned Israeli offensive into Rafah. Following the deliberations, an Egyptian delegation will travel to Israel today to discuss “security coordination,” the official said, adding that discussions included talks for a hostage deal that could avert a planned Israeli offensive in Rafah. Loveday Morris and Lior Soroka report for the Washington Post.

Israel stepped up airstrikes on Rafah overnight after saying it would evacuate civilians from the city and launch a full-scale assault. Medics in Gaza reported five Israeli airstrikes on Rafah early yesterday, killing at least six people. According to a government spokesperson, Israel’s war cabinet also yesterday discussed “how to destroy the last vestiges, the last quarter of Hamas’ battalions, in Rafah and elsewhere,” indicating Israel is continuing to weigh up its Rafah plans. Nidal Al-Mughrabi reports for Reuters. 

The U.S. military yesterday began construction of a floating pier and causeway for humanitarian aid offshore of Gaza. When completed, the pier could help aid workers deliver as many as two million meals a day to the enclave, Defense Department officials said. Some U.S. military officials have privately expressed concerns about the project, and the Defense Department’s press secretary said the military was looking into a mortar attack on Wednesday that caused minimal damage in the region where some pier work is supposed to be done. Helene Cooper reports for the New York Times. "

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Friday Russia-Ukraine update:
"The United States is finalizing one of its largest Ukraine military aid packages to date, according to two U.S. officials. The contracts could include up to $6 billion worth of weapons and equipment for Kyiv’s forces, and could be finalized and announced as soon as today, the officials said. The funding will dip into the $61 billion in Ukraine funding signed by President Biden on Wednesday, and would include Patriot air defense munitions, artillery ammunition, drones, counter-drone weapons, and air-to-air missiles to be fitted on fighter planes. Paul Mcleary and Lara Seligman report for POLITICO.

Ukraine has sidelined U.S.-provided Abrams M1A1 battle tanks for now in its fight against Russia, in part because Russian drone warfare has made it too difficult for them to operate without detection or coming under attack, two U.S. military officials told The Associated Press.

The U.S. agreed to send 31 Abrams to Ukraine in January 2023 after an aggressive monthslong campaign by Kyiv arguing that the tanks, which cost about $10 million apiece, were vital to its ability to breach Russian lines.

But the battlefield has changed substantially since then, notably by the ubiquitous use of Russian surveillance drones and hunter-killer drones. Those weapons have made it more difficult for Ukraine to protect the tanks when they are quickly detected and hunted by Russian drones or rounds.

Five of the 31 tanks have already been lost to Russian attacks."

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Saturday Houthis update:

"Update: Yemen’s Houthis targeted the Panama-flagged tanker Andromeda Star with an anti-ship missile in the Red Sea. The ship reported minor damage but is continuing its voyage, according to the U.S. Central Command.

CAIRO, April 26 (Reuters) – Three missiles were sighted approximately 15 nautical miles southwest of Yemen’s Mokha, British security firm Ambrey said on Friday, and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said that one vessel was damaged.

“The Master has reported two attacks. The first attack, the vessel experienced an explosion in close proximity to the vessel, which was felt by the crew on board,” UKMTO said in an advisory note.

“Subsequently, the second attack on the vessel, consisted of what is believed to be two missiles, which resulted in damage to the vessel,” UKMTO added.

The tanker, which was not identified by name, was en route from Pimorsk, Russia, to Vadinar, India, when it was attacked, Ambrey said in its advisory note.

“A Panama-flagged tanker, formerly UK-owned before its ownership changed in November 2023, was the closest vessel to the sighting,” Ambrey’s note said.

“At the time of writing, the vessel’s owner was Seychelles-registered and was engaged in Russia-linked trade,” Ambrey said of the tanker that was attacked."

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For the younger forum members:
UN Projections: China’s Population to Decrease Significantly by 2075
(article linked here):
https://posts.voronoiapp.com/demographics/UN-Projections-Chinas-Population-to-Decrease-Significantly-by-2075-978?utm_

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Monday Israel-Hamas update:

"Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas today said the United States is the only country that can stop Israel from launching an offensive in Rafah. “We appeal to the United States of America to ask Israel to stop the Rafah operation because America is the only country capable of preventing Israel from committing this crime,” Abbas said at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Riyadh, adding, “The biggest catastrophe in the Palestinian people’s history would then happen. Meanwhile, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said yesterday that while the United States will be able to share its “perspectives and concerns” before Israel enters Rafah, Washington does not fully understand what the Israeli military’s goals and intentions are. George Wright reports for BBC News; Tal Axelrod reports for ABC News.

World Central Kitchen will resume distributing food in Gaza, nearly a month after seven of its aid workers were killed in an Israeli air strike. “Ultimately, we decided we must keep feeding,” the charity said yesterday, adding that it has 276 trucks with eight million meals ready to enter through the Rafah crossing. Andrew Rhoden-Paul reports for BBC News.

President Biden reiterated “his clear position” on Rafah in a phone call yesterday with Netanyahu. According to a White House statement, the leaders “reviewed ongoing talks to secure the release of hostages together with an immediate ceasefire in Gaza” and “discussed increases in the delivery of humanitarian assistance into Gaza,” with Biden stressing the need for this progress to be sustained and enhanced in full coordination with humanitarian organizations. The leaders also discussed Rafah, and Biden “reiterated his clear position,” the statement says.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken today spoke with top Arab diplomats about the Gaza war in Saudi Arabia. Blinken arrived in Riyadh early this morning for the WEF, where he met with Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, and then with the foreign ministers and a top policy adviser from five other Arab nations in the Persian Gulf. According to a State Department summary, Blinken and the Arab diplomats discussed a range of issues related to the war in Gaza, including ceasefire and hostage negotiations and “a pathway to a Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel.” Blinken will travel to Jordan and Israel tomorrow. Vivian Nereim and Zolan Kanno-Youngs report for the New York Times."

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Monday Russia-Ukraine update:
"Ukraine’s commander-in-chief said yesterday that Kyiv’s situation on the frontline has worsened in the face of multiple Russian attacks. According to Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from positions in the eastern Donetsk region that had formed part of a defensive line, established after Russia captured Avdiivka in February.George Wright reports for BBC News.

Syrskii also said his forces were closely monitoring an increase in the number of Russian troops in the area of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city and just 30km (19 miles) from the Russian border. “In the most threatening directions, our troops have been reinforced by artillery and tank units,” he said.

Russia’s Ministry of Defence said its troops had captured the village of Novobakhmutivka in the Donetsk region, about 10km (six miles) north of Avdiivka.

Russia said its air defences destroyed 17 Ukrainian drones over its border regions. No damage or casualties were reported."

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Tuesday Israel-Hamas update:

"Hamas officials left Cairo today after talks with Egyptian officials on the new ceasefire proposal, according to Egypt’s state-owned Al-Qahera News. The channel said a Hamas delegation will return to Cairo with a written response to the proposal, without saying when. AP News reports. 

Deadly Israeli airstrikes flattened concrete buildings overnight in Rafah, according to news agencies. Reuters said the strikes killed 20, while the Palestinian news media reported the death toll was at least 24. Palestine TV, a channel backed by the Palestinian Authority, said the strikes had hit residential buildings. When asked for comment, the Israeli military issued a statement yesterday saying its “fighter jets struck terror targets where terrorists were operating within a civilian area in southern Gaza.” Liam Stack reports for the New York Times.

President Biden spoke with the leaders of Egypt and Qatar yesterday as he sought to increase pressure on Hamas to accept a new ceasefire and hostage release deal. According to a statement from the office of Egypt’s president, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, he and Biden discussed the negotiations and Egypt’s efforts to broker a deal, as well as their support for a two-state solution, the importance of limiting regional conflict, and their opposition to a Rafah offensive."

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Tuesday Russia-Ukraine update:

"At least four people were killed and 32 more injured after a Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian port city of Odesa, which struck a law academy in a popular seafront park. Governor Oleh Kiper said seven of the injured, including a four-year-old child, were in serious condition.

Russia said it captured the village of Semenivka northwest of the strategic town of Avdiivka, as Ukraine’s army said its troops had repelled enemy attacks near the settlement. The announcement came a day after Moscow claimed the nearby village of Novobakhmutivka, with Kyiv saying the situation for its front line forces was worsening.

The debris from a missile that landed in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on January 2 was from a North Korean Hwasong-11 series ballistic missile, United Nations sanctions monitors told a Security Council (UNSC) committee in a report seen by the Reuters news agency on Monday.

In the 32-page report, the UN sanctions monitors concluded that “debris recovered from a missile that landed in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on 2 January 2024 derives from a DPRK Hwasong-11 series missile” and is in violation of the arms embargo on North Korea."

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Port of Baltimore recovery update:

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: Deep Draft Channel Closes as Focus Shifts to Dali Salvage

Article linked here:
https://gcaptain.com/baltimore-bridge-salvage-and-wreck-removal-megathread 

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Wednesday Israel-Hamas update:

"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday reiterated his pledge to launch a ground invasion into Rafah. “The idea that we will halt the war before achieving all of its goals is out of the question,” Netanyahu said in a meeting with the families of hostages held in Gaza, according to a statement from his office. “We will enter Rafah and we will eliminate the Hamas battalions there — with or without a deal, in order to achieve the total victory.” The move could undermine efforts to reach a new ceasefire deal. Damien Cave reports for the New York Times.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken began another round of talks in Israel today over the Gaza war. Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv late yesterday and is scheduled to hold meetings throughout today. U.N. humanitarian officials briefed Blinken in the Jordanian capital on their efforts to improve conditions in Gaza, and Blinken has said he intends to speak with Netanyahu and other Israeli officials about “the things [that] still need to be done if the test is going to be met of making sure that people have what they need,” referring to Biden’s warning in April that Washington would reassess its Gaza policy unless Israel took immediate “measurable” steps to improve humanitarian conditions. Jennifer Hansler reports for CNN; Missy Ryan, Claire Parker, and Loveday Morris report for the Washington Post. 

The White House said yesterday that “time is of the essence” for ceasefire talks in Gaza as negotiators tried to broker a deal. “I wouldn’t say that we’re overly confident,” White House spokesperson John Kirby told reporters, adding, “I would say we’re being very pragmatic about this. This is a good proposal. This is a very good proposal and Hamas ought to jump on it and time is of the essence.” The U.S.-sponsored deal would halt the war for around six weeks in its first stage in exchange for 33 hostages. Kirby reiterated that the United States remained opposed to an offensive in Rafah without an effective plan to protect civilians. "

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Wednesday Russia-Ukraine update:

"Russia appears to be looking to boost the combat strength and weapons supplies of its forces ahead of an expected large-scale offensive in mid-May or June. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said today that to maintain the pace of current military operations and ahead of “further actions,” increased weapons and military equipment needed to be sent to the front lines. Holly Ellyatt reports for CNBC.

Moscow said Ukraine had attacked Crimea, which Russia invaded and annexed from Ukraine in 2014, with Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS). The Russian Ministry of Defence said six of the missiles were shot down, along with 10 drones and two guided bombs. It did not say where the weapons were brought down or whether there was any damage. Ukraine did not comment."

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Thursday Israel-Hamas update:

"A senior Hamas official told AFP news that the group’s response to the proposed truce deal brokered by Egypt and Qatar was “negative,” but that discussions were continuing. The group’s aim remains an “end to this war”, Suhail al-Hindi told AFP. Hamas is understood to be seeking a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, with the proposal that there would then be a lengthy rebuilding program for the enclave during which Israel would not rebuild any military facilities. The Guardian reports. 

Israel reopened the Erez crossing in Gaza yesterday, allowing aid trucks to pass through following U.S. demands to do more to address the growing humanitarian crisis. Reopening the crossing has been a main plea of international aid agencies for months. Reuters reports. 

Before leaving Israel, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he left Israeli officials with a list of measures the Biden administration believes should be taken to protect civilians in Gaza. Blinken reiterated U.S. opposition to a Rafah offensive without seeing an effective plan to evacuate and protect civilians, and said there are “other ways, and in our judgment, better ways” of dealing with Hamas that would not require a military operation in Rafah. Meanwhile, Netanyahu secretly warned Blinken yesterday that Israel will press ahead with Rafah plans if Hamas continues to condition a hostage deal on ending the war, two Israeli and U.S. officials said. Barak Ravid reports for Axios; Missy Ryan reports for the Washington Post.

Protests are continuing to sweep U.S. colleges and universities, bringing the total number of arrests to over 1,000. Hundreds of police officers have amassed on UCLA’s campus, telling pro-Palestinian protesters to disperse or face arrest. BBC News reports. "

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Thursday Russia-Ukraine update:

"The United States yesterday imposed sanctions on Chinese companies for aiding Russia’s war in Ukraine. The Biden administration announced nearly 300 new sanctions on international suppliers of military equipment technology that Washington said have been helping Russia restock its arsenal. The State Department also formally accused Russia of using chemical weapons “as a method of warfare” against Ukraine, in “violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.” The Kremlin has called the accusation “baseless.” Alan Rappeport reports for the New York Times; Jessie Yeung and Brad Lendon report for CNN.

Oleh Shyriaiev, commander of Ukraine’s 225th Separate Assault Battalion, which is among forces defending the strategic eastern stronghold of Chasiv Yar, told the Reuters news agency his unit was badly in need of ammunition, particularly artillery shells, as they face near constant attack from Russian drones.

New drone footage obtained by The Associated Press news agency showed how months of relentless Russian artillery pounding has devastated Chasiv Yar. The town was once home to 12,000 people, but the footage reveals it is now almost deserted and barely a building remains intact.

The United States accused Russia of breaking the international ban on chemical weapons by using the choking agent chloropicrin against Ukrainian troops. Chloropicrin is listed as a banned agent by the Hague-based Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The US said Moscow was also deploying riot control agents “as a method of warfare” in Ukraine.

Russia said Ukrainian drone attacks caused power cuts in villages in the central Oryol and southern Kursk regions. A Ukrainian drone also hit a Russian oil refinery in Ryazan, about 190km (120 miles) southeast of Moscow."

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Friday Israel-Hamas update:

"Hamas said it is continuing to study Israel’s latest ceasefire proposal with a “positive spirit” and would soon return to in-person negotiations in Cairo. The proposal includes the release of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners in Israel, the return of civilians to northern Gaza, and increased aid delivery to the territory. A statement from the group yesterday said a delegation will return to Egypt soon to “complete the ongoing discussions” for a deal that “realizes our people’s demands and ends the aggression.” Adam Rasgon, Hwaida Saad, Edward Wong, and Damien Cave report for the New York Times.

President Biden yesterday rejected calls from student protesters to change U.S. policy over the war in Gaza. Biden denounced the protests, saying “order must prevail” and “dissent must never lead to disorder.” Nationwide, more than 2,000 protesters have been arrested on college and university campuses since April 18. Chris Megerian reports for AP News; Alex Leeds Matthews, Kyrstina Shveda, Amu O’Kruk, and Renée Rigdon report for CNN."

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Friday Russia-Ukraine update:

"British Foreign Secretary David Cameron yesterday promised £3 billion ($3.74 billion) of annual military aid for Ukraine for “as long as it takes.” In an interview on a visit to Kyiv, Cameron said Ukraine has the “right” to use British-supplied weapons to strike targets inside Russia, adding, “some of that (equipment) is actually arriving in Ukraine today, while I’m here.” Max Hunder reports for Reuters.

Russia claimed to have captured the village of Berdychi in eastern Ukraine, about 12km (7 miles) northwest of the Moscow-occupied town of Avdiivka. Kyiv said its forces had retreated from the settlement over the weekend.

The Kremlin rejected US allegations that it had used chloropicrin on the battlefield in Ukraine. The use of the chemical, which causes severe irritation to the eyes, skin and lungs, is banned in war.

The United States’ Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, the country’s top spy, said the war in Ukraine was unlikely to end soon, although Russian President Vladimir Putin was likely to press on with aggressive tactics because he believed domestic and international developments were trending in his favor."

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And this regarding other issues in the Middle East:

"Saudi Arabia and the United States are finalizing terms of a landmark deal to boost bilateral trade and defense, on the condition the kingdom establishes diplomatic relations with Israel, U.S. officials said. The “mega-deal” involves three components, including a package of U.S.-Saudi agreements, the normalization of Saudi-Israeli relations, and a pathway to a Palestinian state. “All of them are linked together. None can go forward without the others,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said yesterday. Becky Anderson, Mostafa Salem, and Jennifer Hansler report for CNN."

JohnInCarolina

lousubcap

Monday Israel-Hamas update:

"The Israeli military today said it was telling tens of thousands of Gazans sheltering in eastern Rafah to temporarily evacuate to what it called a “humanitarian zone,” a sign Israel is edging closer to invading the city. The military had begun dropping leaflets ordering people to evacuate by morning local time, and said it would also use text messages, phone calls, and broadcasts in Arabic to warn people in Rafah to leave. Vivek Shankar reports for the New York Times.

Ceasefire talks are again said to be stalled. The latest round of negotiations between Israel and Hamas hit an impasse yesterday as mediators struggled to bridge remaining gaps and a Hamas delegation left the talks in Cairo, according to two senior Hamas officials and two other officials familiar with the talks. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday reiterated Israel’s right to defend itself in a defiant speech. Speaking at a Holocaust memorial on Israel’s national Holocaust Remembrance Day, Netanyahu asserted Israel’s right to defend itself against its “genocidal enemies,” with or without international support. “If Israel is forced to stand alone, Israel will stand alone,” he said. Vivek Shankar reports for the New York Times.

Israel shut down the operations of Qatar’s Al Jazeera satellite news network in the country yesterday, forcing it off the main cable channel and confiscating its equipment, in what appears to be the first case of Israel’s government closing a foreign news outlet’s operation. Israel’s parliament passed a law last month allowing the action. Press freedom and human rights organizations sharply criticized the move, and Al Jazeera called it “an effort to conceal its actions in the Gaza Strip” that “stands in contravention of international and humanitarian law.” Tia Goldenberg and Jon Gambrell report for the Associated Press.

The United States appears to have placed a hold on a shipment of U.S.-manufactured ammunition that was bound for Israel, according to Israeli officials. It would be the first such hold since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October. The White House declined to comment, and the Departments of State and Defense didn’t immediately respond to questions. Barak Ravid reports for Axios.

The Biden administration won’t sign a bilateral defense accord with Saudi Arabia without a normalization agreement between the kingdom and Israel, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said. He dismissed recent reports that the United States might opt for a bilateral deal with the Saudis if Israel doesn’t make concessions to the Palestinians that the Saudis would require in exchange. “You can’t disentangle one piece from the others,” Sullivan said. Felicia Schwartz, Steff Chávez, and Andrew England report for the Financial Times."

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Monday Russia-Ukraine update:

"Evidence from missile debris in Kharkiv and elsewhere in Ukraine appears to confirm suspicions that Russia is using North Korean weapons in its war against Ukraine, illustrating that the threat from North Korea extends beyond its nuclear arsenal to its ability to supply ongoing conflicts. In one instance, missile debris in Ukraine showed that “most of the electronic parts had been manufactured in the U.S. and Europe over the past few years.”  Jean Mackenzie reports for BBC News.

Ukraine’s Air Force said that Russia had launched 24 Shahed attack drones and 23 were shot down.

Russia’s Ministry of Defence said its forces had captured the village of Ocheretyne, in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region. The village had a population of about 3,000 people before Russia began its full-scale invasion. There was no comment from Ukrainian officials and no mention of Ocheretyne in the evening report of the Armed Forces General Staff."

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More Israel-Hamas news today:

 “Hamas says it accepts ceasefire proposal of Egypt, Qatar,” via Reuters: “Hamas said on Monday that it had accepted a Gaza ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar. The Islamist faction said in a statement that its chief, ISMAIL HANIYEH, had informed Qatar's prime minister and Egypt's intelligence chief of its acceptance of their proposal.”

Earlier today, Israeli Prime Minister BENJAMIN NETANYAHU spoke with President JOE BIDEN on his plan to invade the Gazan city of Rafah. During the half-hour phone call, Biden updated the Israeli PM on negotiations over the long-sought cease-fire deal, according to a readout from the White House, Biden also “reiterated his clear position on Rafah,” per the readout, even as Israel ramps up its efforts to evacuate the more than 1 million Palestinians seeking refuge in the city ahead of the expected military offensive.

In Rafah: “The Israeli military on Monday told Palestinians sheltering in some areas of eastern Rafah to move to a designated area farther north, warning them of an anticipated offensive to rout Hamas in the southern Gazan city,” WSJ’s Rory Jones, Anat Peled and Fatima AbdulKarim report. “The Israeli military said Monday’s evacuation notice would affect an estimated 100,000 people in Rafah. It didn’t give a deadline for when the affected neighborhoods had to be evacuated or indicate when a broader offensive might start.”"

Botch

That the israelis raided and dismantled the local al Jazeera station tells me bibi is going for full genocide of Gaza, both thru additional bombing and starvation/disease, no matter what happens with any "agreement".  

lousubcap

And the latest  Israel -Hamas cease fire negotiations: From The Hill-

Israel demurs after Hamas agrees to cease-fire plan

Negotiations over a cease-fire deal in Gaza have hit a "critical stage," as Israeli and Hamas leaders continue to work on a proposal. Dr. Basem Naim, Hamas’s head of political and international relations, confirmed to The Hill on Monday that Hamas had communicated with mediators in Egypt and Qatar that it had accepted a cease-fire proposal.   Israeli Minister Benny Gantz said in a statement that the current proposal put forth by Hamas "has significant gaps” and “is far from Israel’s necessary requirements.” "Despite this, we continue to turn over every stone and a delegation will go to Cairo," he said.  The Israeli War Cabinet had earlier unanimously decided to carry on with military operations in Rafah in hopes of striking Hamas targets.   "We are at a critical stage right now," White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters Monday afternoon. President Biden and Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu spoke Monday morning prior to Hamas issuing a response to the cease-fire plan, according to Kirby. Kirby expressed caution over Hamas’s offer. “We want to get these hostages out, we want to get a cease-fire for six weeks, we want to increase humanitarian assistance and the last thing I want to do is say anything at this podium that’s going to put that process at risk,” he said. The U.S., along with Egypt and Qatar, has intensively worked for weeks on a truce proposal between Israel and Hamas in hopes that a cease-fire would allow for more humanitarian aid and allow the more than 1 million Palestinians sheltering in Gaza to get to safety. Cease-fire mediators have not publicly detailed the full contents of the truce proposal. Naim did not answer questions from The Hill about the proposal’s details. The deal broadly outlines a six-to-eight week pause in fighting for Hamas to release the 133 Israeli hostages it has held since the militant group's Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Hostages would be released in phases, with the most vulnerable released first.

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Tuesday Israel-Hamas update:

"The Israeli military said this morning it has “operational control” of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing. An Israeli Defense Force official said the overnight operation resulted in the killing of 20 Gazan combatants, as well as the discovery of Hamas infrastructure including three operational tunnels. The operation is ongoing, the official said, with Israeli soldiers continuing to search for more such infrastructure. The military has stressed the operation was limited, saying its forces have been targeting “specific” areas based on “precise intelligence.” Shira Rubin and Heba Farouk Mahfouz report for the Washington Post; Chantal Da Silva reports for NBC News.

The “vast majority” of people ordered to evacuate parts of Rafah have left the area, the Israeli military said today. Meanwhile, a Gaza border official said the travel and the flow of aid into Gaza has “stopped completely” as a result of Israel’s ground operation. This includes the passage of injured and sick people approved for evacuation, he said. The IDF this morning said the crossing would reopen once security conditions allow. Chantal Da Silva reports for NBC News.

Hopes for a pause in the fighting have been renewed after Hamas said yesterday it has agreed to a Qatari-Egyptian ceasefire proposal. In response, Israel said it would send mediators to negotiate. A statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office late yesterday said, “Even though Hamas’ proposal is far from Israel’s requirements, Israel will send a delegation of mediators to exhaust the possibility of reaching an agreement under conditions that would be acceptable to Israel.” Karen DeYoung, Susannah George, Hajar Harb, Heba Farouk Mahfouz, Hazem Balousha, and Kareem Fahim report for the Washington Post.

Indirect ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas will continue today, with a Qatari delegation heading to Cairo, according to Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A Qatari spokesperson said in a post on X that the continued negotiations come after Hamas sent a response about a possible proposal, which “can be described as positive.” Mitchell McCluskey reports for CNN."

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Tuesday Russia-Ukraine update:

Russia has begun preparations for missile drills near Ukraine simulating the use of tactical nuclear weapons in response to “threats” by Western officials. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said recent statements by French president Emmanuel Macron and British foreign secretary David Cameron have caused a “completely new round of escalation of tension.” Laura Gozzi reports for BBC News.

Russia said yesterday it could strike British military installations and equipment both “inside and beyond” Ukraine if British weapons were used by Ukraine to attack its territory. The Kremlin also summoned the British Ambassador to Moscow “to express a strong protest” over the recent “belligerent provocative statements” by Cameron. Cameron told reporters last week that Kyiv has the “right” to use British-supplied weapons to strike Russia inside its own territory. Pierre Emmanuel Ngendakumana reports for POLITICO.

Russia claimed to have taken control of two more Ukrainian settlements – Soloviove in the eastern Donetsk region and Kotliarivka further north in the Kharkiv region. Ukraine’s military made no mention of either area in its evening report.

About 400,000 households in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region were left without power after Russian drones struck high-voltage distribution lines. Officials said power was later restored to most homes but warned of “urgent challenges” in maintaining the grid."

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Israel-Hamas and the US-Tuesday update:

"PIER COMPLETE: The U.S. military has completed the offshore construction of the temporary port — both the floating pier and the causeway that will be anchored to the beach — that will help flow additional aid to Gaza, Pentagon spokesperson SABRINA SINGH told reporters today.

As Lara writes in, the area is still experiencing high winds and sea squalls, which over the weekend prompted the U.S. military to move the construction project to the port of Ashdod, in Israel. But the Pentagon hopes the pier will be able to officially begin operations later this week, Singh said. Aid is currently being loaded onto the Sagamore, a cargo vessel, which will transport the resources from Cyprus to Gaza."

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Wednesday Israel-Hamas update:

"Israeli officials say major gaps with Hamas remain as negotiators from both sides continue talks in Cairo today. The main sticking point centers on a phrase that appears in both the Israeli- and Hamas-approved proposals: a path to a “sustainable calm.” Hamas defines that phrase as a permanent end to the war and a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly opposed any deal calling for a permanent ceasefire, saying Israel would not stop fighting in Gaza until Hamas is destroyed and the remaining hostages are released. Netanyahu said yesterday Hamas’s revised proposal was “very far from Israel’s core demands.” Isabel Kershner reports for the New York Times.

Israel’s current Rafah operation has not crossed President Biden’s “red line,” two U.S. officials say. While Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Netanyahu last week that a “major operation” in Rafah would harm U.S.-Israeli relations, White House spokesperson John Kirby said yesterday that Netanyahu “didn’t describe it as a major ground operation.” Kirby said Netanyahu told Biden this week the Rafah operation is limited in scope and aimed at preventing Hamas from smuggling weapons through the Egyptian border. Two U.S. officials warned that if Israeli forces enter Rafah itself, it would be a “breaking point.” Barak Ravid reports for Axios."

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Wednesday Russia-Ukraine update:

"Ukraine has arrested two colonels in an assassination plot to kill Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The two suspects were colonels in Ukraine’s State Protection Department, the agency responsible for protecting senior government leaders, and were recruited by Russia’s Federal Security Service, according to Ukraine’s State Security Service. Ukrainian authorities said Russia planned to kill Zelenskyy and top Ukrainian security officials as a “gift” for Vladimir Putin for his inauguration. The Kremlin today said it had no comment on the allegations. David L. Stern and Serhiy Morgunov report for the Washington Post.

Russian missiles and drones struck nearly a dozen Ukrainian critical infrastructure facilities in a major attack early today. Serious damage was caused to three Soviet-era thermal power plants, Kyiv officials said, adding that its air force shot down 39 out of 55 missiles and 20 out of 21 drones. Gleb Garanich and Anastasiia Malenko report for Reuters. "

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Thursday Israel-Hamas update:

"Hamas said it will not compromise further with Israel to reach a ceasefire in Gaza. A member of Hamas’s political office in Qatar said late yesterday the group would not make further concessions to Israel beyond the ceasefire proposal it accepted Monday, which would also entail the release of some Israeli hostages in Gaza and Palestinian women and children in Israel. He added, “Israel isn’t serious about reaching an agreement and it is using the negotiation as a cover to invade Rafah and occupy the crossing.” Israel has not commented at the time of writing. Nidal Al-Mughrabi, Steve Holland, and Mohammad Salem report for Reuters. 

Israel’s operation in Rafah has expanded from airstrikes to ground operations, according to a CNN analysis of satellite images. The images show Israeli military activity is taking place outside of the immediate border crossing area, which Israel captured Monday. 

President Biden said yesterday he would halt shipments of U.S. weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Netanyahu moves ahead with a ground offensive in Rafah. During an interview with CNN, Biden said that while the United States would continue to provide defensive weapons to Israel, the shipments of offensive weapons would end should a major ground invasion of Rafah begin. It is the first time Biden has threatened to withhold U.S. military aid, and the most direct threat he has made since the outset of the Gaza war. Kevin Liptak reports for CNN; Yasmeen Abutaleb reports for the Washington Post.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin yesterday confirmed the Biden administration had paused a shipment of U.S. weapons to Israel over concerns with Israel’s ongoing incursion into Rafah. Austin said the administration had paused “one shipment of high payload munitions,” but assured lawmakers the pause was not permanent. "

lousubcap

Thursday Russia-Ukraine update:

"Ukrainian officials said yesterday they were preparing to order electricity-rationing measures across the country after a major overnight missile strike by Russia.Brownouts “are possible throughout Ukraine” between 6pm and 11pm, the state energy provider said in a Telegram post, citing a “shortage of electricity in the power system.” David Stern reports for the Washington Post.

Some Ukrainian prisoners will be able to apply for early parole and join the military under a new law aimed at strengthening Kyiv’s manpower in its fight against Russia.The new law will apply only to prisoners who have up to three years left of their original sentences, and won’t cover those who have committed the most serious crimes. The move follows a series of advances by Russian forces along the front lines. Radina Gigova and Olga Voitovych report for CNN.

Russia launched more than 70 missiles and dronesat power stations and energy infrastructure in Kyiv and six other cities. The attack, one of the biggest in weeks, also led to power cuts in nine Ukrainian regions.

Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces made additional advances along the 1,000-kilometre (600-mile) front, taking control of the village of Kyslivka in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region and the village of Novokalynove in the Donetsk region."

lousubcap

An update on the Key Bridge removal project:

May 8, 2024: Charges to Be Used on Bridge Section Over Dali

The Key Bridge Response Unified Command plans to use small charges, i.e. explosives, to make precision cuts to remove a large section of the Francis Scott Key Bridge wreckage from the bow of the Dali.

The method will create smaller sections for easier removal by cranes and barges.

“We remain focused on restoring the Marine Transportation System, while ensuring the protection of the public and the environment,” said Capt. David O’Connell, Key Bridge Response Federal On-Scene Coordinator. “By using precision cuts, we reduce risks to our personnel and can safely and efficiently continue clearing the channel for the Port of Baltimore.”

The Unified Command coordinated with the Maryland Department of Emergency Management to issue a cellular notification for a controlled demolition. Hearing protection is not required outside of the 2,000-yard noise radius, with sound levels comparable to a standard fireworks show lasting 2-5 seconds. Maryland State Police and other law enforcement agencies will provide perimeter security for an area where spectating is discouraged.

Crew members are expected to remain on board the Dali during the operation. 

The use of charges was previously used during the controlled demolition of the Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge in Charles County, Maryland in March 2023.

A 2,000-yard safety zone around the bridge remains in effect.