Israeli Embassy employee is stabbed in Beijing
An employee of the Israeli Embassy in Beijing was hospitalized today after a stabbing attack, according to the Israeli Foreign Ministry.
The employee is in stable condition, the ministry said. It said the attack did not take place on the embassy grounds and that the motive was being investigated.
Beijing Police confirmed in a statement that "a family member (male, 50) of an Israeli diplomat was stabbed by a foreigner in front of a supermarket."
A 53-year-old male suspect has been arrested, and the case is under further investigation, Beijing police said.
Photos: Mourners in Gaza and Israel
Austin urged supporters of Hamas to not get involved
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urged supporters of Hamas not to get involved in the war and reiterated American support for Israel during a news conference held with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, in Tel Aviv.
Terrorists target civilians but “democracies don’t,” Austin said, adding that this is a time for “resolve and not revenge.”
When asked if the U.S. can support both Ukraine and Israel at the same time, Austin said the country “can walk and chew gum at the same time.”
In response to a question about how can Israel destroy Hamas without killing civilians, Austin said he'd leave that to Israeli operations.
Gallant, meanwhile, said Israel expectd to receive a second plane from the U.S. carrying essential munitions for the IDF today, but he did not say which specific munitions would be delivered.
“Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas is one axis — an axis of evil," he said.
Pro-Palestinian protests banned in France and Germany
Authorities in France and Germany have moved to ban pro-Palestinian protests and warned of security risks today amid fears of violence spreading beyond Israel and Gaza.
Authorities in Berlin banned a gathering called “Solidarity with the Civilian Population in the Gaza Strip” at Brandenburg Gate yesterday, and said all "alternative events" have also been canceled until Wednesday for the same reasons.
The German Interior Ministry said today that it must assume "an increased risk situation," adding that "all police options must be used to take immediate action if Hamas’ terror is glorified."
In France, meanwhile, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin banned pro-Palestinian protests, saying they were "likely to generate disturbances to public order," AFP reported yesterday. President Emmanuel Macron also urged France's residents to remain united, in a special address to the nation.
Israeli president says Gazans 'could have risen up' against Hamas
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said yesterday that civilians in Gaza “could have risen up” and “fought against” Hamas in the days since the group's unprecedented attack — comments that appeared to lay partial blame on Gazans for the current conflict.
During a news conference, Herzog was asked what measures Israel was taking to not harm civilians in Gaza. He replied: “It’s an entire nation that is out there that’s responsible. It’s not true, this rhetoric about civilians not aware, not involved. It’s absolutely not true.”
“They could have risen up, they could have fought against that evil regime which took over Gaza in a coup ‘d état,” Herzog added.
The comments came before Israel ordered the entire population of northern Gaza to evacuate south, a directive Hamas urged Gazans to ignore.
Gaza City residents flee south after Israel’s warning
Residents of Gaza City packed their belongings and squeezed into their vehicles to head south today, after Israel’s military called for all civilians to “evacuate your homes immediately.”
Death toll rises to 1,843 in Gaza and West Bank, at least 1,300 in Israel
The death toll in the conflict between Israel and Hamas has risen to 1,843 people killed in Gaza and the West Bank and at least 1,300 in Israel.
Almost 1,800 of the Palestinian deaths were in Gaza, including 351 women and 583 children, the Gaza Health Ministry said. The area continues to face an onslaught of airstrikes from Israel. Another 7,388 people have been injured in Gaza since the conflict began.
In Israel, 3,300 people have been wounded, the Israeli public broadcaster Kan said. According to the Israel Defense Forces, 258 soldiers have been killed.
Some Jewish schools are closed across the world as protests loom
Four Jewish schools in London are not open today due to safety concerns for students, according to Sky News. The list includes Ateres Beis Yaakov Primary School, Menorah High School and Torah Vodaas Primary School in North London, as well as a fourth unnamed school identified by Sky News.
In a letter to parents, Torah Vodaas said "there is not specific threat to our school" but that students would learn remotely.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said there has been a "disgusting" rise in antisemitic incidents in the past week, according to Reuters.
Worldwide protests are expected today after former Hamas leader Khaled Mashal called a global day of “anger” in support of Hamas' attack on Israel and for demonstrations to send a “message of rage to Zionists and to America.”
At least three Amsterdam-based Jewish schools have also closed for the day, according to NL Times.
Yesterday, Columbia University closed its campus to the public after hundreds of protesters clashed over the war. Passionate student protests have taken place at other colleges across the country, as well.
Photo: Israel stores bodies for identification at military base
IDF says Gaza evacuation 'must be carried out as soon as possible'
The evacuation in northern Gaza must be carried out as soon as possible, the IDF told NBC News when asked about the 24-hour deadline issued by the Israeli army late yesterday.
The U.N., World Health Organization and numerous humanitarian groups have called on Israel to rescind the order, raising concerns about the injured who can't be moved and lack of safe areas in the densely populated enclave that more than 2 million people call home.
“The IDF issued an evacuation warning," a spokesperson said. "The evacuation must be carried out as soon as possible for their safety.”