Middle East — Ekhbary News Agency
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is slated to address a joint meeting of the United States Congress on July 24, an invitation extended by all four top congressional leaders. House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell collectively signed the letter inviting Netanyahu. Schumer, for what it's worth, acknowledged clear disagreements with the Prime Minister but stressed the enduring strength of the America-Israel relationship.
Biden's Stance on Rafah and Ceasefire Efforts
President Joe Biden stated Thursday that he believes Netanyahu is heeding his warnings regarding the scale of operations in Rafah. Biden argued that Israel has not launched a 'full force' invasion into the city, attributing this restraint to his influence. He also affirmed Netanyahu's public support for the current ceasefire proposal, a deal backed by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and much of the Arab world, though Hamas's acceptance remains crucial. The ongoing conflict continues to draw international attention, highlighting the complex diplomatic challenges and severe humanitarian impact on the ground.
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Deadly Strike in Nuseirat and West Bank Clashes
In a separate development, a strike on a United Nations-run school in Nuseirat resulted in at least 40 fatalities, according to medical workers at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. The UNRWA-operated school was sheltering approximately 6,000 displaced individuals when it was hit without prior warning, as confirmed by UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini. The Israeli military, however, maintained the strike was a 'precise intelligence-based operation' targeting Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists. Concurrently, Israeli forces fatally shot three Palestinians in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin amidst reports of clashes between militants and Israeli troops. The IDF confirmed an operation to 'eliminate terrorists' and arrested a 'wanted man' during the raid.
