The Times of Israel is livblogging Wednesday’s events as they happen.
Rocket alerts activated in kibbutz along Gaza border
Rocket warning sirens are activated in Kibbutz Nahal Oz near the border with Gaza.
Top Biden aide: Israel accepted ceasefire proposal, ‘ball is in Hamas’s court’
A response from Palestinian Islamist terror group Hamas on Israel’s ceasefire proposal that US President Joe Biden revealed on Friday is still being awaited, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan tells reporters on Tuesday.
“We are waiting for a response from Hamas” through the Qatari mediators, Sullivan tells reporters during a briefing aboard Air Force One.
He also notes Biden acknowledged “Hamas may choose they think it’s just better to let the war and the suffering and the violence continue.”
“That wouldn’t be terribly out of character for a vicious and brutal terror group, but what we hope they do in the end is see that the best pathway to an end to this war, the return of all the hostages, a surge of humanitarian assistance, is to accept this proposal,” Sullivan adds.
“The onus is on Hamas and will remain on Hamas until we get a formal response from them.”
He also pushes back against a reporter who claimed both Israel and Hamas rejected the proposal.
“I take issue with the end of your question when you said Israel rejected the proposal. The prime minister’s own adviser went out publicly and said they accepted the proposal. They have reaffirmed that they have accepted the proposal… [it] is a proposal Israel accepted before and continues to accept today,” Sullivan says. “The ball is in Hamas’s court.”
War cabinet said to demand US guarantees that Israel will be able to resume Gaza war
The war cabinet has decided to demand US guarantees that Israel will be allowed to continue the war against Hamas if the terror group violates a hostages-for-ceasefire agreement, according to the Kan public broadcaster.
An unnamed government official is quoted saying the unanimous Israeli decision is likely to reduce the prospects for a deal to free the hostages held in Gaza.
AIPAC names Elliot Brandt as successor to veteran chief Howard Kohr
AIPAC announces that its Vice CEO Elliot Brandt will takeover as head of the pro-Israel lobbying group when longtime chief Howard Kohr steps down at the end of the year.
“The board has chosen someone who thoroughly understands the strategic challenges and opportunities facing AIPAC, possesses the skills and insight necessary to successfully lead us forward, and demonstrates deep passion for, and commitment to, our work to strengthen and expand the US-Israel relationship,” says a statement from AIPAC, which noted Brandt’s nearly three-decade-long tenure with the organization.
Rocket sirens sound in kibbutz near Lebanon border
Incoming rocket sirens sound in Malkiya, a kibbutz near the border with Lebanon, with anyone there instructed to immediately take cover.