The Times of Israel is liveblogging Wednesday’s events as they happen.
IDF announces commando killed during fighting in central Gaza
An Israeli soldier was killed yesterday during fighting in central Gaza, the military announces.
The slain soldier is named as Sgt. First Class Tal Lahat, 21, of the Maglan commando unit, from Kfar Saba.
His death brings Israel’s toll in the ground offensive against Hamas in Gaza and in military operations along the border with the Strip to 327.
Anne Frank statue in Amsterdam vandalized with red ‘Gaza’ graffiti
A statue of Anne Frank in the Amsterdam neighborhood where she lived for much of her life has been vandalized.
Images of the statue show the word “Gaza” written in red paint on the pedestal.
The Center for Information and Documentation on Israel says that a police report was filed.
Nog meer "antizionisme": het beeldje van Anne Frank op het Merwedeplein in Amsterdam, waar de Joodse dagboekschrijfster woonde tot het moment dat ze in 1942 onderdook, is beklad met rode verf en de tekst 'Gaza'. Er is aangifte gedaan bij de politie. pic.twitter.com/2HBMwRai7Z
— CIDI ????️ (@CIDI_nieuws) July 9, 2024
Home Front Command reports suspected terror infiltration in settlement near Jerusalem
The IDF’s Home Front Command has instructed residents of the Anatot settlement near Jerusalem to shelter in their homes, saying terrorists are suspected of having infiltrated the community.
White House warns Iran against meddling in anti-Israel protests
WASHINGTON — The White House accuses Tehran of trying to take advantage of Gaza-related protests in the US and describes such behavior as unacceptable, following a warning by the top US intelligence official that Iran was trying to stoke discord in American society.
White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre says freedom of expression is vital to American democracy, but the government also has a duty to warn citizens about foreign influence operations.
“Americans across the political spectrum, acting in good faith, have sought to express their own independent views on the conflict in Gaza. The freedom to express diverse views when done peacefully is essential to our democracy,” she says.
“At the same time, the US government has a duty to warn Americans about foreign malign influences. … We will continue to expose attempts to undermine our democracy in our society just as we are today.”
US antisemitism envoy hails Meta’s new policy against derogatory use of ‘Zionist’
The Biden administration’s antisemitism envoy hails Meta’s announcement that it will ban derogatory references to “Zionists” in cases where the term is used to refer to Jews or Israelis rather than supporters of the movement to establish a Jewish polity.
Deborah Lipstadt says the move “is an important step in mitigating the rampant spread of online antisemitism. It also recognizes the alarming, widespread use of ‘Zionists’ as a cover for expressing hatred of Jews in general.”
“Dialogue between governments, the private sector and civil society is crucial in turning the tide of rising hate, and we are proud to have had Meta and other social media companies around the table at the Symposium for Countering Online Antisemitism that my office convened earlier last month,” she adds.
IDF says probing reports that over 2 dozen Gazans killed in strike on Hamas terrorist
The IDF is investigating reports of dozens of Palestinians killed and wounded in a strike in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis earlier today.
According to the IDF, a Hamas terrorist who participated in the October 7 onslaught was targeted in the strike.
The IDF says a fighter jet launched a “precision munition” during the strike against the Hamas terrorist.
The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reported that 25 Palestinians were killed and more than 50 more were wounded at the al-Awda school in the Abasan area of Khan Younis.
The IDF says it is investigating the reports, adding that the school where Palestinians were sheltering is close to the site of the strike.
Last week, the IDF called to evacuate eastern Khan Younis, including the Abasan area.
Israeli airstrikes reported in Lebanon’s Baalbek after deadly Hezbollah rocket attack
Lebanese media reports a series of Israeli airstrikes in the Nabi Chit area in the northeastern Baalbek District.
No further details are immediately available.
The reported strikes come following a deadly Hezbollah rocket barrage on northern Israel earlier today.