What we know
- The IDF confirmed that it is now pushing into the southern Gaza Strip.
- Israel intensified its bombardment of the Gaza Strip and withdrew its team of negotiators from Qatar after talks to renew the truce with Hamas collapsed. A senior Hamas official said no more hostages would be freed in a prisoner exchange until there is a cease-fire, while rockets continued to be fired into Israel's south.
- Israel faced mounting public pressure from the United States to do more to protect civilians, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue the war "until we achieve all its goals."
- The Israeli military's push into packed southern Gaza has raised global concern. Israel says Hamas leaders are hiding alongside the masses it urged to flee south during weeks of aerial bombardment and ground battles in the north. Israel has warned civilians to evacuate specific neighborhoods, but those in Gaza say there is no guaranteed safe place to go.
- About 1.8 million people have been displaced in Gaza, where health officials say the death toll had surpassed 15,000 after weeks of Israeli attacks, and hundreds have been killed since fighting resumed. The Israel Defense Forces estimates 1,200 people were killed in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, with around 140 people still held captive in Gaza.
- NBC News’ Richard Engel, Raf Sanchez, Ali Arouzi and David Noriega are reporting from the region.
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Biden’s allies in the Senate demand that Israel limit civilian deaths in Gaza as Congress debates U.S. aid
WASHINGTON — As a cease-fire ticked down last week and Israel prepared to resume its round-the-clock airstrikes, Sen. Bernie Sanders and a robust group of Democratic senators had a message for their president: They were done “asking nicely” for Israel to do more to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza.
Lawmakers warned President Joe Biden’s national security team that planned U.S. aid to Israel must be met with assurances of concrete steps from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hard-right government.
“The truth is that if asking nicely worked, we wouldn’t be in the position we are today,” Sanders of Vermont said in a floor speech. It was time for the United States to use its “substantial leverage” with its ally, Sanders said.
“And we all know what that leverage is,” he said, adding, “the blank-check approach must end.”
With Biden’s request for a nearly $106 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other national security needs hanging in the balance, the senators’ tougher line on Israel has gotten the White House’s attention, and that of Israel.
Lawmakers of both parties for decades have embraced the U.S. role as Israel’s top protector, and it’s all but inconceivable that they would vote down the wartime aid. The Democratic lawmakers are adamant that’s not their intent, as strong supporters of Israel’s right of self-defense against Hamas. But just the fact that pressure is building — including from mainstream lawmakers, supporters of the Democratic president — shows the fractures in Congress as the aid debate drags on.
Sanders and the Democratic senators involved say they are firm in their stand that Israel’s military must adopt substantive measures to lessen civilian deaths in Gaza as part of receiving the supplemental’s $14.3 billion in U.S. aid for Israel’s war.
The warning from friendly Democrats is a complication for the White House as it faces what had already been a challenging task of getting the supplemental aid bill through Congress. Some Republicans are balking at the part of the bill that provides funding for Ukraine’s war against Russia, and the funding for Israel was supposed to be the easy part.
The demand is a warning of more trouble ahead for an Israeli government that’s often at odds with the U.S. in its treatment of Palestinians.
“There’s a big difference between asking and getting a commitment” from Netanyahu’s government on a plan to reduce civilian casualties and improve living conditions in Gaza, Maryland Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen told The Associated Press. Van Hollen has been one of the key senators huddling with administration officials on the demands.
“So our goal is to achieve results,” Van Hollen said. “And not just set expectations.”
Following the senators’ warning, the Biden administration has upped its own demands to Israel since late last week, insisting publicly for the first time that Israeli leaders not just hear out U.S. demands to ease civilian suffering in Gaza, but agree to them.
Over the weekend, as an end to the cease-fire brought the return of Israeli bombardment and Hamas rocket strikes, the Israeli military said it had begun using one measure directed by the Biden administration: an online map of Gaza neighborhoods to tell civilians which crowded streets, neighborhoods and communities to evacuate before an Israeli attack.
Heavy bombardment followed the evacuation orders, and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip said they were running out of places to go in the sealed-off territory. Many of its 2.3 million people are crammed into the south after Israel ordered civilians to leave the north in the early days of the war, which was sparked by the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack in Israel that killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians.
The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza says more than 15,500 Palestinians have been killed, with 70% of them women and children.
On social media, Sanders repeated his call for an end to blank checks for Israel as Israeli forces returned to heavy bombing after the cease-fire.
While Secretary of State Antony Blinken said more measures were coming besides the online map, it wasn’t clear if any would lessen civilian deaths or satisfy administration and lawmaker demands.
Israel is the top recipient of U.S. military aid over time.
Trying to attach strings to U.S. aid to Israel isn’t unheard of, for Congress or for U.S. presidents. Ronald Reagan, for instance, repeatedly suspended or threatened suspensions of fighter jet deliveries to Israel over its military incursions in the region in the 1980s. This time, though, is notable since it is being discussed in a Democratic-controlled Senate.
National security adviser Jake Sullivan and other White House officials huddled with the Senate Democrats over the warning. Israeli diplomats and military officials also rushed to stem such a move, hosting lawmakers for repeated viewings of video of Hamas atrocities on Oct. 7 to make the case for the U.S. military aid.
Netanyahu’s coalition has weathered calls in the past from advocacy groups and individual lawmakers. Objections concerned Palestinian civilian deaths in past Israeli wars against Hamas.
Biden from the start adopted what came to be called his “bear-hug” approach to the Israeli leader — embracing him publicly, and saving any U.S. appeals for changed behavior for private discussions. But when Biden told reporters on Nov. 24 he thought conditioning military aid to Israel was a “worthwhile thought,” it helped the proposal gain traction among administration-friendly Democratic senators.
Sanders and the Democrats haven’t specified what form the conditions could take, as talks continue. Several Democratic senators contend no additional law is necessary. They say existing U.S. law already mandates that countries receiving U.S. military aid heed human rights concerns.
Some Senate Democrats express dislike of the use of the term conditions and depict their action as more of a determination to influence an outcome.
No matter what, “we’re going to do a robust aid package for Israel,” said Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat. “But it’s got to be consistent with humanitarian aid, and also efforts to reduce the suffering of Gazans who aren’t part of Hamas.”
U.S. conducts strike on drone staging site in Iraq, officials say
The U.S. military carried out a self-defense strike on a drone staging site in Iraq today, according to three defense officials.
The strike, which took place in the vicinity of Kirkuk this afternoon local time, was a self-defense measure on an imminent threat authorized by a commander in the area of operation, the officials said.
U.S. forces observed five people preparing a one-way attack drone and used self-defense authorities to strike it before it launched. The defense officials believe some militants were killed but are still verifying the battle damage assessment for specifics.
Additional details about the strike and the circumstances around it were not immediately available.
United States targets in Iraq and Syria have been attacked more than 60 times, primarily by drones and rockets, since Oct. 17. The U.S. has launched some strikes in response.
U.S. warship downs 3 Houthi drones as 3 commercial vessels attacked
U.S. officials are providing more information about four attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea today that they believe were launched by Houthis in Yemen, as well as three drones shot down by an American warship.
The USS Carney detected an anti-ship ballistic missile striking the Unity Explorer — a Bahamas-flagged and U.K.-owned and operated bulk cargo ship — this morning local time, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command, or CENTCOM.
Later today, the USS Carney shot down a drone that had been launched from Houthi-controlled areas and was moving toward the warship, though its target was unclear, officials said.
Shortly after, the Unity Explorer reported it had been struck by a missile, causing some damage. The USS Carney responded to help and detected and destroyed another drone, CENTCOM said.
Two additional carriers, the Number 9 and Sophie II, both reported being struck by a missile. The USS Carney responded to the Sophie’s distress signal and shot down another drone headed in its direction, according to CENTCOM.
It described the missiles in each of the incidents involving the Unity Explorer and Number 9, as well as one of the drone attacks, as being fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.
No casualties were reported in any of the incidents.
Both the Number 9 and Sophie II are Panamanian-flagged bulk carriers. The Sophie is crewed by sailors from eight countries and the Number 9 is Bermuda and U.K.-owned and operated, CENTCOM said.
“These attacks represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security,” it said in the statement. “They have jeopardized the lives of international crews representing multiple countries around the world.”
CENTCOM said while it believes the attacks were launched by Houthis in Yemen, it also believes they were enabled by Iran.
“The United States will consider all appropriate responses in full coordination with its international allies and partners,” it said.
TEL AVIV — At least 700 people have been killed in Gaza since Israeli bombardment resumed Friday after the end of the weeklong truce, according to Gaza officials.
The Israel Defense Forces and other Israeli authorities say they're taking precautions to avoid civilian casualties — a message the U.S. has reinforced — including by telling people to leave areas they intend to target and sharing maps of evacuation zones.
Some people in Gaza say the information about evacuation routes is confusing, and feel there is nowhere safe for them to go. There are also fears among Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank that the military campaign may mean the forced displacement out of the Gaza Strip.
Father of slain Palestinian American boy files wrongful death lawsuit against landlord charged in attack
CHICAGO — The father of a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy fatally stabbed in what authorities allege was a hate crime has filed a wrongful death lawsuit.
Oday Al-Fayoume filed the lawsuit last month against the suburban Chicago landlord charged in the attack that left his child dead and the boy’s mother seriously wounded. The attack — which has renewed fears of anti-Islamic discrimination in the Chicago area’s large Palestinian community — has drawn condemnation from the White House.
Authorities allege Joseph Czuba, 71, targeted Wadea Al-Fayoume and his mother, Hanaan Shahin, on Oct. 14 because of their Muslim faith and as a response to the war between Israel and Hamas. Czuba pleaded not guilty in October to hate crime and murder charges.
Qatar's Al Thani and Blinken talk on the phone
Qatar Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Jassim Al Thani and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke on the phone today, according to the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The current situation in Gaza was discussed, as well as "ways to reduce the escalation and ceasefire," the ministry said.
Al Thani stressed that Qatar is committed to mediation efforts to bring about peace, but the return to bombing of Gaza Strip after the cease-fire "complicates mediation efforts and exacerbates the humanitarian catastrophe" there, according to the ministry's statement.
Al Thani also condemned the targeting of civilians, especially women and children, and "the practice of a policy of collective punishment."
Al Thani and Blinken also spoke about opening humanitarian corridors to allow aid to reach people in Gaza.
IDF eliminated Hamas commander of 'the Shati battalion,' spokesperson says
The Israel Defense Forces have eliminated the Hamas commander of "the Shati Battalion," according to spokesperson Daniel Hagari.
"Continuing the elimination of the commanders, today the IDF, under the intelligence guidance of the Shin Bet and Aman, eliminated the commander of the Shati battalion using a fighter plane. Under his command, raiders went out into Israeli territory in the brutal massacre on the seventh of October," Hagari said.
NBC News has not independently verified the IDF's claims.
Hagari said the IDF is continuing to expand its "ground operation against Hamas’ centers of gravity throughout the Gaza strip."
"Our policy is clear — we will vigorously attack any threat. IDF forces are alert and prepared in all sectors," Hagari said.
IDF now operating in the southern Gaza strip, chief of general staff says
TEL AVIV — The Israel Defense Forces are now operating in the southern Gaza strip, according to the Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi.
“Yesterday, and today, we eliminated brigade commanders, company commanders, many operatives, and yesterday morning we started the same process in the southern Gaza Strip, it will be with no less strength than that, it will be with no less results than that, and Hamas commanders will meet the IDF everywhere in a very, very strong way,” Halevi said.
House Intel Committee chair says there was 'a complete breakdown' in Israeli intel before Oct. 7
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner, R-Ohio, said Sunday that there was a “complete breakdown” in Israeli intelligence before Hamas launched its Oct. 7 attack.
The New York Times recently reported that Israeli officials obtained Hamas’ plans for its Oct. 7 attack more than a year before it happened, citing documents, emails and interviews. The outlet reported that the document was circulated among Israeli military and intelligence officials, but experts had dismissed the plan as too aspirational for Hamas to carry out. The White House has indicated that these plans were not shared with U.S. intelligence before the attack.
“Well, I think what you saw was just a general dismissal by Israel and Israel’s intelligence community of the possibility of this level of a threat, which really goes to show, you know, the complete breakdown that occurred here,” Turner said in an interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” “It’s been amazing to have our intelligence community now working closely with the Israeli intelligence community and see the gaps that they have.”
“And this obviously could have been an institutional bias ... but the other aspect that made this so dangerous, is that even when the Oct. 7 began to unfold, their forces didn’t react, they didn’t have the deployment ability to respond,” he said.
Sen. Graham says he 'lost all confidence' in Defense Sec. Austin
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Sunday that he has “lost all confidence” in Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin after his recent remarks saying Israel risks a “strategic defeat” if it doesn’t take actions to protect civilians.
In a speech at the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California, yesterday, Austin discussed his efforts to urge Israeli leaders to reduce civilian casualties. “The center of gravity is the civilian population, and if you drive them into the arms of the enemy, you replace a tactical victory with a strategic defeat,” he said.
Graham rebuked Austin’s comments in an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “He’s so naïve. I mean, I’ve just lost all confidence in this guy,” he said. “Strategic defeat would be inflaming the Palestinians? They’re already inflamed.”
The South Carolina Republican also argued that Israel is fighting a “radical population” that is “not just Hamas, but the infrastructure around Hamas.”