Gaza Conflict and International Reactions Escalate

Retired British Colonel Richard Kemp stated that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are doing everything possible to avoid civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza, despite being heavily scrutinized. Kemp, who recently visited Gaza, commended the IDF for their effective conduct of the war, saying they have "done a quite extraordinary job" in minimizing civilian deaths while maximizing the destruction of Hamas. He attributed civilian deaths to Hamas's tactics of embedding itself among civilians and in tunnels, which is part of their strategy to vilify Israel. Kemp also praised the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US- and Israel-backed aid organization, for its effective aid distribution, saying it is "uniquely suitable" for the situation in Gaza, and urged other nations to support it.

A former security contractor for a US- and Israel-backed aid distribution operation in Gaza told the BBC that he witnessed colleagues firing on unarmed Palestinians, including with machine guns, on multiple occasions. The contractor, who worked for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), described a culture of impunity and said team leaders told contractors to "shoot to kill and ask questions later" if they felt threatened. The GHF denied the allegations, claiming they were "categorically false" and that no civilians had come under fire at their sites. The aid operation has been widely criticised, with over 400 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces while trying to retrieve aid since it began, and more than 170 charities calling for it to be shut down.

Hamas has delivered a "positive response" to a US-brokered proposal for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal. The group said it is "seriously ready to enter immediately into a round of negotiations" but has not confirmed whether it will accept the terms. A senior Palestinian official revealed that Hamas accepted the general framework but requested several amendments, including a US guarantee that hostilities will not resume if talks fail, and changes to the distribution of humanitarian aid and Israeli troop withdrawals. The proposal includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. US President Donald Trump said there could be a deal by next week, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ruled out ending the war until all hostages are released and Hamas's military capabilities are destroyed.

An investigation by the Associated Press has claimed that Israeli-backed American contractors guarding aid centers in Gaza used live ammunition and stun grenades on starving Palestinians scrambling for food. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which employs the contractors, has strongly denied the allegations, describing them as "categorically false." Footage obtained by AP allegedly shows stun grenades being fired at aid sites, with bursts of gunfire heard in the background. The contractors, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed that security staff often used live ammunition and stun grenades, and that they had witnessed innocent people being hurt. GHF has investigated the claims and maintains that the gunfire heard in the videos originated from the Israeli military outside the aid distribution site and was not directed at individuals.

Hamas has responded positively to a US-led proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, but has requested amendments to the terms. The proposal, presented by US President Donald Trump, aims to end the nearly 21-month-old war between Israel and Hamas. Hamas has asked for changes to the language around humanitarian aid, the status of Israeli Defence Forces in Gaza, and guarantees beyond the 60-day ceasefire. A Hamas official said negotiations on a permanent ceasefire and the release of hostages and prisoners could start as early as next week, but details need to be worked out first. The US has welcomed Hamas's "positive spirit" and said it could finalize a ceasefire deal by next week.

A UN report titled "Economy of Occupation to Economy of Genocide" authored by Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese has sparked backlash for targeting Israel and companies operating within the country. Albanese, a controversial figure accused of making antisemitic remarks, calls for sanctions against entities and individuals that may endanger Palestinians. Critics argue that the report endorses the BDS movement and that Albanese has overstepped her mandate. The UN Human Rights Council, where Albanese presented her report, has been accused of also overstepping its authority as it does not have the power to issue sanctions. Albanese has been accused of distorting international law and threatening companies with being included on a boycott list. The report repeats claims that Israel is responsible for "genocide" in Gaza, which Israel's ambassador to the UN in Geneva has called "inflammatory rhetoric" and "legally baseless."

The UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, presented a report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, accusing Israel of "genocide" and "apartheid" in its treatment of Palestinians. The US Mission to the UN called for her removal, citing a "years-long pattern of antisemitism and anti-Israel bias." Albanese claimed Israel is responsible for "one of the cruelest genocides in modern history" and that corporations have aided Israel in its "genocidal campaign in Gaza." The Palestinian envoy to the UN praised Albanese's report, while the Israeli ambassador to the UN in Geneva condemned it as "riddled with inflammatory rhetoric and legally baseless." The US Mission to the UN also criticized Albanese for sending letters to corporations, accusing them of being complicit in human rights violations.

An Israeli airstrike on al-Baqa cafe in Gaza City killed dozens of people, including a Hamas operative, Hisham Ayman Mansour, who was described as a field commander. The cafe was a popular gathering spot, and many civilians were present, including women, children, and teenagers. The BBC confirmed 26 deaths, with at least nine women and several children or teenagers among them. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that they were targeting "terrorists" and took steps to mitigate harm to civilians, but did not directly respond to questions about the proportionality of civilian casualties. The strike has amplified questions about the proportionality of Israel's military operations in Gaza.

A man set fire to the door of a synagogue in Melbourne, Australia, while a group was having Shabbat dinner inside, and a separate group of around 20 protesters stormed an Israeli restaurant just over a kilometer away, chanting anti-Israel slogans. No one was injured in the synagogue incident, and a 28-year-old was arrested for hindering police at the restaurant protest. The incidents are the latest in a wave of antisemitic attacks in Australian cities, sparking condemnation from officials and community leaders, who have urged the nation to condemn the "deplorable crimes" and called for those responsible to face the full force of the law.