Violence Erupts in Colorado and Gaza Amidst Conflict

A peaceful demonstration in Boulder, Colorado, where a group had gathered to show solidarity with Israeli hostages held in Gaza, turned violent when a man used a flamethrower and Molotov cocktails to set people on fire in an antisemitic attack. At least 12 people were injured, with two still hospitalized, after the suspect, identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, carried out the attack. Soliman, who had been planning the attack for nearly a year, told authorities he targeted the group because he believed they didn't care about Palestinian hostages and that he "wanted to kill all Zionist people." The FBI is investigating the attack as an act of terrorism, and Soliman has been charged with a federal hate crime and multiple state charges, including 16 counts of attempted first-degree murder. The community, including a Holocaust survivor who was injured in the attack, is shaken but determined to continue coming together despite the violence.

The Red Cross reported that at least 21 people were killed and dozens were shot near an aid distribution centre in Rafah, Gaza, with its field hospital receiving 179 cases, mostly with gunshot or shrapnel wounds. The Hamas-run civil defence agency claimed 31 people were killed and many more wounded, blaming "Israeli gunfire," while the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) denied firing at civilians, releasing drone footage it said showed armed men throwing stones and shooting at civilians. The Gaza health ministry reported over 200 cases arriving at hospitals, including 31 dead, with many sustaining direct shots to the head or chest. The incident highlights the dire humanitarian conditions in Rafah, where recent Israeli military operations have limited access to aid and emergency services.

Mohammed Sabry Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian national, has been charged with a federal hate crime and state charges of attempted murder, assault, and use of an explosive device after throwing Molotov cocktails at a group of pro-Israel demonstrators in Colorado on Sunday. Investigators say Soliman planned the attack for a year, targeting the group after finding them online, and shouted "Free Palestine" as he threw incendiary devices, injuring eight people. Soliman told police he wanted to "kill all Zionists" and would carry out the attack again, and had been watching YouTube videos on how to make Molotov cocktails. The attack occurred on the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, and the victims included a Holocaust survivor. Soliman has been working as a food delivery driver for Uber since 2023 and had previously lived in Kuwait for 17 years. He is believed to have acted alone.

Mohamed Sabry Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian national, planned and carried out an antisemitic attack on a peaceful Jewish event in Boulder, Colorado, injuring 12 people. Soliman told authorities he had been planning the attack for a year, driven by his anger towards Israel and hatred of "Zionists." He used a homemade flamethrower and Molotov cocktails, yelling "Free Palestine" during the attack. Soliman had immigrated to the US in 2022 and lived in Colorado Springs with his wife and five children. He researched how to make Molotov cocktails online and took a concealed-carry class, but was unable to purchase a gun due to his non-citizen status. Soliman was motivated by a desire to "kill all Zionist people" and believed he was fighting against those taking over "our land," referring to Palestine. He faces federal hate crime charges and state charges of attempted murder.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released drone footage denying claims that its troops fired on Palestinians gathering aid in Gaza, with the IDF stating that armed and masked individuals were seen shooting at civilians. The IDF said its initial inquiry found that it did not fire at civilians near or within the humanitarian aid distribution site, contradicting reports that dozens were killed and over a hundred wounded. The IDF accused Hamas of spreading "false rumors" and "fake news" to disrupt aid distribution efforts, stating that Hamas has a history of preventing aid from reaching civilians and putting them in harm's way.

Mohamed Sabry Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian-born man, is accused of carrying out a terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado, injuring 12 people with homemade Molotov cocktails. Soliman, who had lived in Colorado Springs, told police he had planned the attack for a year, motivated by his support for the Palestinian cause and his belief that the demonstrators he targeted were "Zionists." He had assembled explosives from household goods and had attempted to disguise himself as a gardener. Soliman had no known criminal history and had overstayed his tourist visa, having applied for asylum and received a work permit that later expired. He was arrested and is being held on a $10 million bond, facing charges of attempted murder, assault, and possession of incendiary devices, as well as a federal hate crime charge. Soliman's family members were described as kind and well-respected in their community, and it is not clear if they were directly connected to the Palestinian region or its conflicts.

The UN Secretary-General has called for an independent investigation into the killing of Palestinians near an aid distribution centre in Gaza on Sunday. Witnesses reported being shot at while waiting for food, with the Red Cross receiving 179 casualties, 21 of whom were dead, and the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency reporting 31 deaths. The Israeli military denied firing at civilians, saying reports were false, while the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which runs the aid centre, said it had seen no evidence of an attack. The UN human rights chief described the delivery of humanitarian aid as "unacceptable" and "dehumanising", and the UN Secretary-General said perpetrators should be held accountable.

Matthew Miller, a former Biden administration official, stated that Israel has "without doubt" committed war crimes in Gaza. Miller, who served as State Department spokesman, revealed disagreements within the administration over US-Israeli policy, including debates about cutting off weapons to Israel. He said that Israeli soldiers were not being held accountable for their actions and that there were "individual incidents that have been war crimes" committed by Israeli military members. Miller also reflected on the challenges faced by the Biden administration in balancing its support for Israel with the reality of Israel's actions in Gaza. He expressed personal doubts about Joe Biden's suitability as a 2024 presidential candidate, stating that he would have preferred a "better candidate" if he were outside of government.