Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to address a joint meeting of Congress on July 24, according to The Associated Press, citing two sources familiar with the matter. This comes amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, marked by a recent Israeli airstrike on a Gaza school sheltering displaced Palestinians, which killed at least 33 people. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed Hamas terrorists were operating from within the school.
PM Netanyahu’s congressional address
Last week, Congressional leaders formally invited PM Netanyahu to speak, though the date was initially uncertain. PM Netanyahu expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “I am very moved to have the privilege of representing Israel before both Houses of Congress and to present the truth about our just war against those who seek to destroy us to the representatives of the American people and the entire world.”
Gaza school strike
The recent airstrike on the Gaza school occurred during a sensitive phase in ceasefire negotiations. Video footage showed Palestinians transporting bodies and injured individuals to hospitals. The IDF stated that the targeted school compound was used by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad to plan attacks against Israel. An IDF spokesperson said the terrorists were exploiting the school as a civilian location and shelter while planning imminent attacks.
US response & international mediation efforts
The US State Department confirmed ongoing communications with Israel regarding the strike. Spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized the expectation for Israel to be fully transparent about the incident.
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari indicated that Hamas has not yet responded to the latest ceasefire proposal, which is still under consideration. Talks involving Qatari, Egyptian, and US mediators are ongoing, with CIA Director William Burns recently meeting senior officials in Doha to discuss the proposal.
International reactions
Russia & China, both with veto power in the UN Security Council, expressed concerns over a US draft resolution supporting a ceasefire proposal endorsed by President Joe Biden. Algeria, the council’s sole Arab member, also showed reluctance to back the resolution.
Violence in the west bank
Israeli forces conducted a raid in Jenin, resulting in the deaths of three Palestinians and injuries to at least 13 others, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The Palestine Red Crescent Society reported that its teams faced gunfire while recovering some of the dead.
Conflict in Gaza
The Israeli military reported an attack by Palestinian terrorists from a tunnel within Gaza, killing one Israeli soldier. The IDF stated that three terrorists involved in the attack were subsequently killed in Israeli strikes.
Resignation of Israeli judge
Justice Aharon Barak, Israel’s representative on the International Court of Justice panel hearing the genocide case against Israel, resigned, citing personal reasons. In a letter to PM Netanyahu, Aharon Barak confirmed his resignation, which was also communicated to the court’s president.
This address by PM Netanyahu comes at a critical time as tensions between Israel and Hamas continue to escalate, with significant international attention on the conflict and efforts to negotiate a ceasefire.
