The Times of Israel is liveblogging Friday’s events as they happen.
New GOP Senate leader says he spoke with Netanyahu, stressed US support for Israel
New Republican Senate Leader John Thune says he held a phone call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a day after winning a race among GOP senators to be the next majority leader.
On X, Thune says he “reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to standing with Israel, our closest friend and ally.”
There is no statement on the call from Netanyahu’s office.
Top Biden aide says Israel sent formal response to US letter on Gaza aid demands
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan reveals that Israel has submitted a formal response to a letter sent by the Biden administration on October 13 urging Jerusalem to take a series of steps to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza or risk being found in violation of US law, which bars the transfer of offensive weapons to countries that block aid from reaching civilians.
As the deadline expired on Tuesday, the Biden administration announced that Israel made sufficient progress in addressing many of the demands outlined in the letter, keeping it in compliance with US law.
Sullivan, however, is the first to reveal — during a press gaggle aboard Air Force One en route with US President Joe Biden to Peru — that Israel sent a formal response to the letter, which ostensibly laid out the steps Israel has taken and plans to take. The response will likely be used by the Biden administration to adjudicate Israel’s compliance with US law moving forward.
Rocket alerts sound in Nahariya and surrounding towns
Incoming rocket sirens are activated in the northern coastal city of Nahariya and a number of nearby communities.