— Israeli ground forces advanced deeper into Gaza City, reaching the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, as Italy’s foreign minister condemned a drone incident involving UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. Protests flared near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence, while regional diplomacy and a pro-Gaza flotilla added fresh pressure on multiple fronts.
Key Takeaways
- Reuters reports Israeli troops and tanks pushed toward Sheikh Radwan, near central Gaza City.
- UNIFIL says IDF drones dropped four grenades near peacekeepers; Italy’s Antonio Tajani condemned the incident.
- Protesters set fire to dumpsters around Netanyahu’s Jerusalem residence in a day of nationwide demonstrations.
- Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich unveiled a plan to extend Israeli law to roughly 82% of the West Bank.
- The UAE warned that any West Bank annexation would undermine the Abraham Accords.
- UN experts estimate at least 21,000 children in Gaza now live with war-related disabilities; 40,500 have been injured.
- A civilian-led Global Sumud Flotilla continued its voyage toward Gaza despite weather delays and a technical stop in the Balearics.
- Tel Aviv heard air-raid sirens for the first time in weeks; Israel’s state comptroller criticized domestic crisis preparedness.
Verified Facts
Ground operations intensified in Gaza City as Israeli forces advanced toward Sheikh Radwan, one of the most densely populated neighborhoods in the urban core, according to Reuters. Residents cited home demolitions and damage to tent encampments that had sheltered displaced Palestinians during nearly two years of war.
In southern Lebanon, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported that Israeli drones released four grenades near peacekeepers clearing roadblocks, calling it among the most serious incidents since a November cease-fire. Following a meeting in Rome with a U.S. envoy, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani publicly condemned the attack and reiterated support for stability in the Mediterranean and Middle East.
In Israel, sirens sounded in Tel Aviv for the first time in weeks, according to ANSA. Separately, Israel’s State Comptroller Matanyahu Engelman issued a critical report on national crisis preparedness, noting Prime Minister Netanyahu’s long tenure and responsibility for addressing long-standing civil emergency gaps.
At sea, the Global Sumud Flotilla — roughly 30 vessels carrying more than 300 activists from 44 countries — reported a weather-related stop in Spain’s Balearic Islands before pushing on to rendezvous in international waters off Tunisia. The IDF said it conducted a joint naval drill along Gaza’s maritime boundary, simulating combat and emergency scenarios ahead of the flotilla’s anticipated approach.
The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) said at least 21,000 children in Gaza now live with war-related disabilities since 7 October 2023, and about 40,500 children have sustained conflict-related injuries. The committee of experts convenes twice a year in Geneva.
Context & Impact
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a leader of the far right, urged applying Israeli law to most of the West Bank, describing a plan covering approximately 82% of the territory and leaving the remainder to Palestinians. Such moves face widespread international opposition and would likely complicate diplomacy with Arab states and Western partners.
Echoing those concerns, the United Arab Emirates warned that annexation would be a red line and would fundamentally undercut the spirit of the Abraham Accords. Any deterioration on that track could dim prospects for regional economic and security cooperation launched since 2020.
Domestic pressure on Israel’s leadership is mounting. Protest leaders calling for an immediate end to the war and the release of hostages staged actions in Jerusalem, while a group of 365 Israeli reservists said they would refuse future call-ups tied to a Gaza City conquest. Families of soldiers described deep personal and financial strain after months of mobilization.
Maritime activism is adding another variable. Organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla frame the voyage as a humanitarian mission to challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, while Israel signaled preparedness to enforce its maritime security. Even absent a direct confrontation, the flotilla’s progress is likely to draw intense diplomatic scrutiny.
Official Statements
We condemn the attacks against the UNIFIL mission, which works to safeguard Lebanon’s security and stability.
Antonio Tajani, Italy’s Foreign Minister (via X)
IDF drones dropped four grenades near peacekeepers clearing access to a UN position; this ranks among the most serious incidents since the November cease-fire.
UNIFIL
Unconfirmed
- Belgium’s reported intention to recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly has been cited by local media; an official Belgian government decision was not independently verified here.
- A claimed Syria–Lebanon coordination breakthrough tied to a “new Syrian leader” requires independent corroboration.
- Reports of unidentified drones over parts of the flotilla were noted by participants; the origin and purpose were not verified.
- Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s expected Vatican visit and meeting with “Pope Leo” were reported locally; the schedule and details await official confirmation.
Bottom Line
Israel’s push toward central Gaza City and the UNIFIL drone incident widen the risk of escalation on multiple fronts. With annexation talk, street protests, and a high-profile flotilla at sea, the conflict’s political, military, and diplomatic pressures are converging — and the space for de-escalation is narrowing.