The Times of Israel is liveblogging Friday’s events as they happen.
In first, UN Security Council holds meeting solely focused on hostages held by Hamas
UNITED NATIONS — Shoshan Haran, her daughter and two grandchildren were taken hostage by Hamas terrorists in Israel on October 7. Now, Haran is recalling the effects of 50 days in captivity on her three-year-old granddaughter when they were finally released.
“Three weeks after we were released, Yahel only whispers, too afraid to make a noise. She hid from everyone, too afraid to go outside. She wet the bed and had nightmares, too afraid she may be captured again,” Haran tells an informal UN Security Council meeting on Thursday, convened by the United States.
Hamas-led terrorists attacked Israel on October 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and seizing 252 hostages.
The US focused the meeting on “condemning hostage-taking in Israel on October 7 as a psychological tool of terrorism.”
Ayelet Samerano, whose son was killed on October 7 and his body taken by Hamas, and Gili Roman, whose sister was taken hostage and released in November, also address the gathering.
In three resolutions, the UN Security Council has called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
“Yet Hamas and other terrorist groups have not relented. So today, let us again demand Hamas release all remaining hostages,” says US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield. “To put it simply: It would save lives on all sides.”
In awe of the courage of Dr. Shoshan Haran, who was taken hostage by Hamas on October 7th – and Ayelet Samerano and Gili Roman, whose family members remain in the hands of Hamas.
Today, they came to the @UN to demand the release of all hostages being held by Hamas and other… pic.twitter.com/lvbUnNxjX7
— Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield (@USAmbUN) May 16, 2024
Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan tells the meeting that 132 hostages taken on October 7 are still being held in Gaza and that this is the “first meeting being held by any UN body to focus on their suffering and ways to release them.”
“The hostages are the most urgent and critical humanitarian issue that the council must focus on,” Erdan says.
“Has the council condemned Hamas and demanded they permit the Red Cross to check on the hostages? Have you imposed sanctions on Hamas leadership until they release the hostages? What action has been taken?” he adds.
Pentagon chief says Israel must ensure uninterrupted aid flow to Gaza before Rafah op
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in a phone call with Israel Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, reinforces the “unquestionable necessity” of protecting civilians and ensuring the uninterrupted flow humanitarian aid before any potential military operation in Rafah, the Pentagon says.
IDF says settlers hurt 3 soldiers in West Bank after torching truck, assaulting driver
Settlers assaulted a group of Israeli soldiers in the West Bank who came to the protect the driver of a vehicle they lit on a fire, according to the military.
In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces says the settlers attacked the Israeli driver of the truck at a junction outside the Kochav Hashahar settlement, before setting the vehicle ablaze. Troops called to the scene provided medical treatment to the driver while working to distance the dozens of assailants, who the IDF says responded by using force toward the soldiers.
The settlers lightly wounded two officers and another soldier, according to the IDF, who says they were treated at the scene.
The statement adds the military condemns attacks on soldiers, calling on those responsible to be brought to justice, and says that troops are operating around Kochav Hashahar “to protect the residents and maintain law and order.”
Far-left staffers hold protest on Capitol Hill urging Biden to end US support for Israel
Far-left staffers for Democratic members of Congress are holding a protest on Capitol Hill urging US President Joe Biden to “stop funding Israel’s war against Palestinian civilians.”
Roughly two dozen staffers are participating, many wearing masks, so their identities are hidden.
From photos of the event posted online, there appear to be nearly as many reporters covering the protest as demonstrators.
Happening now: https://t.co/BvHV9PtXTt pic.twitter.com/O8owZldsTg
— Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) May 16, 2024
US ‘exploring limited sanctions relief’ for Israeli mining magnate Dan Gertler
WASHINGTON — The US Treasury Department is exploring a limited easing of US sanctions on Israeli mining magnate Dan Gertler to facilitate his exit from the Democratic Republic of Congo, a US official says.
The US Treasury imposed sanctions on Gertler and more than 30 of his businesses in December 2017 and June 2018, accusing him of leveraging his friendship with former Congo president Joseph Kabila to secure lucrative mining deals.
“We are working to support the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo … as it endeavors to remove corrupt actors from its mining sector,” the official says.
“As part of these efforts, we have indicated that we are open to exploring limited sanctions relief as a conduit to the complete removal of Daniel Gertler and his business operations from the DRC.”
Gertler has denied any wrongdoing.
The Wall Street Journal reported earlier Thursday that the Biden administration and Congo’s government had proposed reducing sanctions on Gertler in exchange for his permanent exit from the country and said the Congolese government presented the plan to Gertler earlier this week and is awaiting his response.
The official says Washington’s goal is to facilitate the removal of significant assets from Gertler’s control and that any potential sanctions relief would need to be subject to strict guardrails, including provisions that would facilitate the snapback of the measures.
The official makes clear that Gertler remains under . sanctions “for his corrupt actions” and that his assets remain blocked.
The US official says the US is seeking to support Congo’s efforts to improve transparency and economic opportunity in its mining sector and diversify critical supply chains to increase global security and prosperity.