What we know
- A nationwide strike that began this morning in Israel was brought to an early end by a court ruling after workers disrupted flights, banks and more in a furious push for the government to agree to a cease-fire deal after six hostages taken during Hamas' Oct. 7 terrorist attack were killed in Hamas captivity.
- The dramatic bid to pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu follows an outpouring of grief and anger after the discovery of the bodies, including that of Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin. President Joe Biden said this morning that Netanyahu was not doing enough to secure a deal.
- "Amidst the inexplicable terror, anguish, desperation and fear, we became absolutely certain that you were coming home to us alive. But it was not to be," Rachel Goldberg-Polin said at the funeral of her son, Hersh, who was found dead in a tunnel in Gaza with five other hostages last week. The others were Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Master Sgt. Ori Danino.
- In Gaza, tens of thousands of children have already been vaccinated as part of a mass polio vaccination campaign. Health authorities are scrambling to avoid a widespread outbreak in the war-ravaged Palestinian enclave after the first case in 25 years.
Netanyahu speaks amid Israeli protests for a cease-fire deal
At least 6 arrested at Jerusalem protests, police say
At least six people were arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct as thousands demonstrated on the streets of Jerusalem, police in Israel said.
The forces increased the number of officers on the streets ahead of the demonstrations, a spokesperson for the force said in a statement.
The spokesperson added that some of the protesters crossed "the fences of the approved protest compound ... confronting the police, and lighting flares."
Biden may offer a 'take it or leave it' cease-fire deal to Israel and Hamas
Biden may offer a final “take it or leave it” deal to Israel and Hamas as soon as this week in hope of reaching a cease-fire agreement, two people briefed on the discussions told NBC News.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan also suggested the move as an option during a virtual meeting with U.S. hostage families yesterday, said the sources, who were not authorized to speak publicly.
Asked by reporters earlier whether he was prepared to present that kind of proposal in the coming days, Biden replied: “We’re very close to that.”
Biden, along with Vice President Kamala Harris, met in the Situation Room with the U.S. hostage deal negotiation team today.
A senior U.S. official said they discussed the possibility of a final offer via mediators from Egypt and Qatar. The Biden administration has been “intensively engaged” with negotiators in the last few days to discuss the status of the agreement, the official said.
Earlier on the South Lawn, Biden said “no” when he was asked whether Netanyahu had done enough to get a deal.
Biden has been clear that Hamas is responsible for killing Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages Saturday and that the militant group’s leaders “will pay for their crimes,” the U.S. official said when asked about Biden’s assessment.
“He is also calling for urgency from the Israeli government in securing the release of the missing remaining hostages,” the official said.
Mourners pay tribute to U.S.-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin
Israel will maintain a presence in Philadelphi corridor on border with Egypt, Netanyahu says
Netanyahu has insisted Israel will maintain a presence in the strategic corridor on Gaza’s border with Egypt.
"The first crack in Hamas' position came when we took control of Rafah and the Philadelphi Route," he said at a news conference, adding that the route's "importance is immense."
He added that there would be "immense international pressure" on Israel to hand control of the corridor back to Palestinians, but Israel's presence there was "a strategic political matter.”
"If we leave the Philadelphi Route for 42 days, there will be no problem smuggling hostages from there," he said.
Netanyahu asks families of hostages for forgiveness as unrest sweeps Israel
Netanyahu said today he had spoken to the families of several hostages and asked for their forgiveness.
“I told the families I ask for your forgiveness that we were not able to bring them back alive,” he said at a rare news conference. “Israel will not move on from the murder of our hostages. Hamas will pay a heavy price.”
Netanyahu added that “the first condition for winning this existential war is unity among us."
"We need to stand together against a common enemy that wants to destroy all of us — religious and secular, Jews and non-Jews, left and right,” he said.
Israeli defense minister 'deeply disheartened' by U.K.'s suspension of arms export licenses
Israel's defense minister said that he was "deeply disheartened" by Britain's decision to suspend around 30 export licenses for military equipment.
Yoav Gallant said on X that Israel is fighting a war on seven different fronts.
"I stand by our troops and security agencies working with immense courage, professionalism and moral values. We remain committed to defending the state of Israel and her people," he said.
Suspected Houthi attacks target 2 ships in the Red Sea
Suspected attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeted two ships in the Red Sea today, authorities said, near where crews hope to salvage a tanker loaded with oil that is still ablaze after another assault by the group.
Ballistic missiles hit the Panama-flagged oil tanker Blue Lagoon I, and a third exploded near the ship, said the multination Joint Maritime Information Center overseen by the U.S. Navy. “All crew on board are safe (no injury reported),” the center said. “The vessel sustained minimal damage but does not require assistance.”
Later, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported a second attack off the Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeida. The private security firm Ambrey said an aerial drone hit a merchant ship, though no damage or injuries were reported.
Meanwhile, the efforts to salvage the still-burning Sounion seek to head off the potential ecological disaster posed by its cargo of 1 million barrels of crude oil.
Biden meets with U.S. hostage deal negotiation team
Biden said he met in the White House Situation Room with the American hostage deal negotiation team today.
Hostage advocacy group praises Biden, calls on Netanyahu to do more for deal
A hostage family advocacy group commended Biden and his administration for their attempts to secure the release of those who remain in Hamas' captivity.
"We urge Prime Minister Netanyahu to demonstrate similar resilience, determination, and commitment to the lives of the hostages," the Hostages and Missing Families Forum headquarters said in a statement.
"The Israeli public spoke loudly yesterday when over half-a-million people filled the streets, demonstrating their support for a deal that would bring the hostages home. This deal represents not only the best chance to save lives but also the only path toward a better future for the entire region," the statement said.
"The people of Israel will not allow the nearly 11-month neglect of the hostages to continue," the statement added. "Every day could be their last, as the execution of six hostages in the past few days has shown us."