Two employees of the Israeli embassy were killed on Wednesday evening outside the Jewish Museum in Washington, United States. President Trump condemned the action, calling it “horrible murders”. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke at his first press conference in 5 months: “We are on the verge of a great victory.” The first UN aid has entered the Gaza Strip, but UNICEF reports: “It’s not enough.”
By: Roberta Barbi – Vatican News
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An individual suspected of being the perpetrator of the murder of two members of the Israeli embassy staff in Washington – a couple of lovers as reported – has been arrested. They were killed with gunfire outside the Jewish Museum. The deceased man was identified as Elias Rodriguez, originally from Chicago. Comments on the incident have begun to emerge. “A depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism,” said Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon. “Horrible murders,” commented White House Chief, Donald Trump.
The Gaza Drama
As for the situation in Gaza, it is described as “desperate” by those working there. Yesterday, the first 90 UN trucks carrying essential goods arrived in the Strip, but many feel it is not enough to meet the needs of the civilian population on the brink of famine. Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s executive director in the area, took to social media to sound the alarm: “Children in Gaza continue to be killed, injured, and deprived of aid – she wrote – the few trucks that entered with lifesaving supplies are far from enough to cover the needs of the population and have not yet reached those who desperately need them.”
Netanyahu’s Press Conference
Meanwhile, in Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at his first press conference in 5 months: “We are close to a great victory,” he said. According to the Prime Minister, who detailed the ongoing operation named “Gideon’s Chariots,” at the end of the military operations, the entire Gaza Strip will be under Israeli security control, and Hamas will be defeated. Netanyahu also addressed the hostages still in the hands of the Islamist group – 20 alive and up to 38 dead – and the temporary ceasefire, to which he said he is ready if there is an opportunity, but only if all hostages are released. The conditions set by Netanyahu were then rejected by Hamas leaders, who called them “totally unacceptable,” declaring they will never abandon “the weapons of resistance.” Finally, the Prime Minister strongly denied rumors of tension with President Trump and expressed confidence in expanding the Abraham Accords. Regarding humanitarian aid, the Israeli Prime Minister admitted the need to allow access to the Gaza Strip to continue receiving support from “friendly countries.”
Gunshots in Jenin
Netanyahu’s public appearance was likely necessary after yesterday’s incident in Jenin, in the West Bank, where the Israeli army opened fire during the visit of an Arab-European diplomatic delegation near the city’s refugee camp, causing some injuries among the group members, totaling 25. This incident was condemned by the Palestinian National Authority, which spoke of “systematic disregard for international law” and led to the recall of Israeli ambassadors in many countries. Israeli defense forces explained the procedure of the incident, calling the shots “warning shots” as the delegations were in an unauthorized area different from the approved route.