Escalating Conflict and Antisemitism in Gaza and Beyond

Two US aid workers with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation were injured in an explosion at a food distribution center in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, which the foundation and US State Department attributed to Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wished the workers a "speedy recovery." Meanwhile, 14 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, and 10 others died while seeking aid, bringing attention to the humanitarian situation as US-led talks gain momentum for a 60-day ceasefire, with Israel and Hamas having differing demands for its terms.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed aid operation in Gaza, reported that two of its US aid workers were injured in a grenade attack at an aid centre in Khan Younis on Saturday. The foundation blamed Hamas for the incident. The workers are in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. The attack occurred as the foundation was distributing aid to thousands of Gazans. Hamas has not commented on the incident, but has previously indicated a willingness to engage in ceasefire talks with Israel, and has demanded that the GHF be scrapped and aid be distributed by the UN instead.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel will send a negotiating team to Qatar for indirect ceasefire talks with Hamas, despite calling Hamas' proposed changes to a US-mediated ceasefire proposal "unacceptable." Hamas had previously stated it was "fully prepared" to enter negotiations on implementing a ceasefire framework, and President Trump expressed optimism that a deal could be reached, saying "there could be a Gaza deal next week." The conflict has resulted in over 57,000 Palestinian deaths, with the Gaza Health Ministry reporting that more than half are women and children, and at least 640 civilians have been killed trying to access humanitarian aid in recent weeks.

Protests continued in Israel as mediators pushed for a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, with tens of thousands of protesters gathering in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square to demand a "complete deal" for the return of all hostages and a ceasefire.

Two American veterans working with the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation were injured in a grenade attack while distributing aid to Palestinians in Gaza. The veterans, described as "highly decorated," are receiving medical treatment and are in stable condition. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation blamed Hamas for the attack, saying the grenades used were of Iranian origin and had been "commonly used by Hamas." The group had previously warned of credible threats from Hamas, including bounties on the heads of its workers, and condemned the international community for its silence on the threats and violence against its aid workers.

Hamas has given a "positive response" to a US-brokered proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, presented by US President Donald Trump, but has asked for amendments to the deal. The amendments relate to humanitarian aid, the status of Israeli Defence Forces in Gaza, and guarantees beyond the 60-day ceasefire. Hamas is "fully prepared to immediately enter into a round of negotiations" to implement the framework, and a Hamas official said the truce could start as early as next week. The group is seeking guarantees that the ceasefire will lead to a total end to the nearly 21-month-old war. Trump welcomed Hamas's "positive spirit" and said there could be a ceasefire deal by next week.

Two American security workers were injured after grenades were thrown at an aid distribution site in Khan Younis, Gaza, run by the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. The foundation blamed Hamas for the attack, saying it had previously warned of credible threats. The two injured workers were described as veterans and were receiving medical treatment in stable condition. The foundation claimed no local aid workers or civilians were harmed. The incident occurred as the foundation was distributing food, an operation it has been primarily responsible for since Israel lifted its 11-week blockade of Gaza in May.

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, calling for sanctions against entities and individuals that may endanger Palestinians. Critics argue that Albanese has overstepped her mandate and that the report endorses the BDS movement against Israel. 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 making antisemitic remarks and has been condemned by multiple nations. The report claims corporations have aided Israel in a "genocidal campaign in Gaza" and accuses Israel of being "responsible for one of the cruelest genocides in modern history."

Critics have slammed the United Nations for creating four new positions within its Commission of Inquiry on the Palestinian Territory, worth up to $704,000 in salaries, despite the organization facing a severe cash crisis. The commission, led by Navi Pillay, has been accused of having an anti-Israel bias and has made several controversial statements, including claims that Israel is engaged in the "extermination" of Palestinians. Critics argue that the UN's decision to create new positions within the commission while cutting funding elsewhere is hypocritical and fuels antisemitism. The US has previously expressed concerns about the commission's bias and in 2024, Congress passed a budget bill that eliminated funding for the commission.

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has vowed to take strong action after an apparent arson attack on a synagogue in Melbourne, describing antisemitism as having "no place in Australia". A man, Angelo Loras, 34, has been charged with arson and reckless conduct endangering life after a liquid was poured on the synagogue's front door and set on fire on Friday night, prompting the evacuation of around 20 people having dinner inside. The incident is being investigated alongside a separate attack on a Jewish-owned restaurant in the city on the same night, with police trying to determine if the two incidents are linked. The attacks are part of a recent string of antisemitic incidents in Australia, sparked by tensions over the Israel-Hamas war.

An arsonist set fire to the door of a Melbourne synagogue, the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, on Friday evening while around 20 worshippers were inside sharing a meal to mark the Shabbat. The fire was contained to the front entrance, and no one was injured as the congregation evacuated through a rear door. Police released a CCTV image of a man they are interested in speaking to, described as a bearded man in his mid-30s with long hair, wearing a dark sweater, black pants, and a black beanie. The incident is being investigated by the Counter Terrorism Security Investigation Unit, but has not been deemed a terrorism incident. The attack has been condemned by Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan, Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece, and Israel's deputy foreign minister Sharren Haskel, with the incident being described as an act of antisemitism. The attack is part of a wave of antisemitic incidents in Australia since the Hamas assault on Israel in October 2023.

A series of antisemitic attacks occurred in Australia, including an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue and a violent raid on an Israeli-owned restaurant, with masked extremists chanting "death to the IDF" and throwing objects. The incidents have left the Jewish community in fear, with 2,062 antisemitic incidents reported in Australia between October 2023 and September 2024. Officials, including the Israeli foreign minister, have condemned the attacks and called for greater action to combat antisemitism.