The Times of Israel is liveblogging Thursday’s events as they happen.
US says it struck Houthi anti-ship missiles and drone that posed ‘imminent threat’
WASHINGTON — The US military says it destroyed seven anti-ship missiles, one missile launcher and a drone originating from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
The US military’s Central Command says the missiles, the launcher and the drone “presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and to the US Navy ships in the region.”
UK to weigh halting arms exports to Israel if offensive launched in Rafah — report
The British government will weigh a potential suspension of weapons exports to Israel if it moves forward with a ground offensive in Gaza’s Rafah, according to a report in the Guardian.
Citing ministerial sources, the British daily said the United Kingdom has yet to make any decision regarding a suspension of arms export licenses, but that it could quickly act if ministers were given legal advice that Israel is violating international law.
At fundraiser, Biden calls Putin ‘a crazy SOB’
WASHINGTON — US President Joe Biden calls Russian President Vladimir Putin a “crazy SOB” during a fundraiser in San Francisco, warning there is always the threat of nuclear conflict but that the existential threat to humanity remains climate. “This is the last existential threat. It is climate. We have a crazy SOB like that guy Putin and others and we always have to worry about nuclear conflict, but the existential threat to humanity is climate,” Biden tells a small group of donors.
Biden has previously cursed “son of a bitch” at others. In January 2022, he was caught on the hot mic using the same term of abuse against a Fox News White House reporter.
Overnight Israeli strikes reported in Rafah and other Gaza locales
Palestinian media outlets linked to Hamas report overnight Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip, including its southernmost city of Rafah.
72-year-old Bat Yam woman stabbed to death; husband arrested for suspected murder
A 72-year-old woman from Bat Yam has died after sustaining critical stab wounds.
Police have arrested her husband, 83, on suspicion of murdering her.