The Times of Israel is liveblogging Monday’s events as they happen.
Trump: Don’t think Gaza war is a genocide, ‘some horrible things happened’ on Oct. 7
US President Donald Trump says he doesn’t think the war in Gaza is a genocide, asserting that “some horrible things happened” during the Hamas-led onslaught that triggered the war on October 7, 2023.
Trump is asked by reporters whether he characterizes Israel’s response as a genocide.
“I don’t think it’s that,” he responds.
“They’re in a war,” Trump adds, before shifting to the October 7 atrocities.
Asked for an update on Gaza more broadly, Trump reiterates that the US is working to feed Palestinians in the Strip.
“We want the people fed… We want Israel to get them fed,” he says. “We don’t want people going hungry, and we don’t want people to starve.”
Iran moves to slash zeros from its plunging national currency
TEHRAN, Iran — The economic commission of Iran’s parliament revives long-delayed plans to cut four zeros from the country’s plunging currency, as part of efforts to simplify financial transactions.
“Today’s meeting of the economic commission approved the name ‘rial’ as the national currency, as well as the removal of four zeros,” says the parliament’s website ICANA, quoting Shamseddin Hosseini, the commission’s chairman.
Under the proposed system, one rial would be equivalent to 10,000 at the current value and subdivided into 100 gherans, according to ICANA.
The proposed redenomination was first mooted in 2019 but then shelved. The current bill will have to pass a parliamentary vote and gain the approval of the Guardian Council, a body empowered to vet legislation.
It is not immediately clear when the parliamentary vote will take place.
4 IDF soldiers wounded, 1 seriously, in car crash near Gaza border
Four IDF soldiers were wounded, including one seriously, in a car crash during operational activity near the border with the Gaza Strip earlier today, the military says.
The soldiers served with the Desert Reconnaissance Unit, commonly known as the Bedouin reconnaissance unit.
The soldiers were taken to a hospital, where one is listed in serious condition, one is moderately injured and two are lightly hurt, the army says.