Israel-Hamas War: What happened on day 149?

The negotiations for a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal were near collapse, Israeli media reported on Sunday, after Hamas refused to provide information on the status of the remaining hostages in the Strip.

Representative from Hamas, Qatar, and the US have arrived in Cairo, Egypt for a renewed round of hostage negotiations. The Israeli delegation is thus far absent, with a KAN News report quoting an official as saying that the delegation "will not leave until a response from Hamas is received."

The Hamas delegation is being led by the terror organization's deputy chief in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official told Reuters. Al-Hayya was the Hamas official leading the Islamist group's delegation for the Cairo hostage negotiations in February. He has previously acknowledged that Hamas has military capabilities in Rafah.

As per Israeli reports, Qatar informed Israel that Hamas's response leaves little room for progress in talks.

Aerial strikes conducted by the Israel Air Force, in conjunction with artillery units, struck roughly 50 terrorist targets in western Khan Yunis, Gaza, within a span of six minutes, the IDF stated on Sunday.

The military reported that the strikes were carried out to assist IDF ground troops operating against terrorist operatives and infrastructure in the area.

Among the series of targets struck by the IAF and IDF artillery were subterranean structures, military infrastructure, anti-tank missile launch posts, structures rigged with traps, and the operational meeting points of terrorists in the area.

As a result of the strikes, the terror infrastructure, as well as numerous terror operatives, were eliminated, the IDF added.

IDF soldiers operate in central Gaza. March 3, 2024. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Further, over the past day, IDF troops killed over 30 terrorists in central Gaza, the military reported.

Terrorist squad eliminated

In one of the engagements, the Israeli soldiers identified a terrorist cell loading weapons and approaching their position. The cell was subsequently struck and eliminated by combat aircraft.

Additional weapons in the area were also located.

Yisrael Beytenu chairman MK Avigdor Liberman called in an interview on Sunday morning on Army Radio for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to step down and for the country to head to an election. Liberman in recent months opposed an election due to what he argued would be its negative effect on the Israeli war effort, and his comments on Sunday were the first time he joined his fellow opposition parties in calling for an election.

Liberman attributed his change of opinion to public feuds over the past between Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Minister-without-portfolio Benny Gantz, who are all members of the war cabinet.

"When three members of the [war] cabinet act against each other, there is no chance to make any moves, and the slogan 'together we will win' is just a slogan," Liberman said.

A public drama between gov't officials

Liberman referred to public comments by Gallant on Wednesday, a response by Netanyahu on Thursday, and a spat between Gantz and Netanyahu over the weekend over the former's trip to the US.

Gallant on Wednesday said in a statement to the media that he would not support a solution to the problem of the haredi exemption from IDF service unless the solution enjoyed the support of all members of the emergency coalition – including Gantz. Netanyahu responded in a press conference on Thursday that "total agreement only existed in North Korea," and that Gallant was actually trying to lead to an election – which the prime minister said would be a "gift" to Hamas and would lead to Israel's defeat in the war.

Defence Minister of Israel Benny Gantz speaks during a press conference, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Shlomi, Israel November 9, 2023. (credit: Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters)

Then, Gantz on Friday updated Netanyahu that he was planning a trip to the US and the UK and would meet, among others, with US Vice President Kamala Harris. Netanyahu reportedly opposed the trip on the grounds that "there was only one prime minister," and directed Israel ambassador to the US, Mike Herzog, not to attend Gantz's meetings with US officials.

The level of distrust and political maneuvering meant that "the government has exhausted its potential," and that it was time for an election, Liberman said. He added that an would not be a gift to Hamas, but rather a "gift to the people of Israel."

While Netanyahu did not criticize Gantz directly, two Likud ministers who are considered close allies, Minister in the Justice Ministry, Regional Cooperation Minister, and Ministerial Liaison to the Knesset David Amsalem and Transportation Minister Miri Regev, voiced their criticism publicly.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Amsalem wrote, "Mr. Gantz, your entry into the government was in order to create unity in a time of emergency, and not to be a Trojan horse. Your trip this morning was in total violation of government protocol." Amsalem further accused Gantz of colluding to "lead a process of a Palestinian state and stopping the fighting in Gaza.

Regev in an interview on Army Radio on Sunday criticized both Gallant and Gantz. She said that Gallant's statement was "unnecessary" since talks were ongoing between the haredi parties and the other coalition parties on the issue of haredi IDF service. Regev added that Gantz should not have travelled to the US against Netanyahu's wishes during such a "sensitive time" of negotiations over a hostage deal.

The IDF confirmed on Sunday morning that it had completed its review and found that no drone strike had occurred during an incident last week where Palestinians were trampled to death while attempting to charge an aid convoy.

“The IDF has concluded an initial review of the unfortunate incident where Gazan civilians were trampled to death and injured as they charged to the aid convoy. Our initial review has confirmed that no strike was carried out by the IDF towards the aid convoy,” the IDF published in a statement. 

IDF Spokesperson Rear-Admiral. Daniel Hagari gave a press briefing in which he confirmed that Israel had been involved in the facilitation of the aid convoy in northern Gaza on Thursday. 

The operation, aimed at ensuring Palestinians received access to humanitarian aid, was on the 4th night of operation when the trampling incident occurred. 

“The IDF has concluded an initial review of the unfortunate incident where Gazan civilians were trampled to death and injured as they charged to the aid convoy. Our initial review has confirmed that no strike was carried out by the IDF towards the aid convoy.”

Watch the full… pic.twitter.com/vrkC4nvYnI

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 3, 2024

IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari seen in the Northern Command, November 28, 2023 (credit: David Cohen/Flash90)

Describing the incident as “unfortunate,” Hagari reiterated that no strike was carried out on the aid convoy and that the majority of Palestinian casualties had been trampled to death by the stampede. 

Hagari also claimed that the IDF had fired warning shots in an attempt to disperse the stampede and that IDF troops had begun retreating from the scene when looters began posing an immediate threat to the forces present. Hagari explained that it was due to this threat that IDF soldiers were forced to respond.

“As a professional military committed to international law, we are committed to examining our operations thoroughly,” Hagari reassured. “We have opened an inquiry to examine the incident further, which will help reduce the risk of such a tragic incident from occurring again during one of our humanitarian operations.

“The incident will be examined in the Fact Finding and Assessment Mechanism, an independent, professional and expert body. For the sake of transparency, we will share our updates as our examination develops, hopefully in the coming days.” 

Hagari concluded by listing the humanitarian efforts made by Israel in hopes of “alleviating the suffering of civilians in Gaza” during the war against Hamas. He said that humanitarian efforts made by Israel would continue to expand with the help of international partners.

Concern from international bodies

Only a day prior to the review publication, the United States blocked consideration of a United Nations Security Council resolution blaming Israel for the deaths that occurred during the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

The United Nations Security Council expressed its “deep concern” on Saturday over last week's aid distribution disaster in Gaza in which over 100 people were killed, the Jerusalem Post reported, as they urged improved access to basic necessities in the enclave including food.

“They [the UNSC] express grave concern over the estimation from the Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) that all 2.2 million people in Gaza would face alarming levels of acute food insecurity,” the 15-member body said.

Tovah Lazaroff contributed to this report.

A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on Sunday to hold ceasefire talks on Gaza, a senior official told Reuters.

The delegation is being led by Hamas' deputy chief in Gaza, Khalil Al-Hayya, the official added.

A senior Hamas official told a Qatari paper that the terrorist group would not be releasing information on the well-being of any of the hostages until a ceasefire is enacted, Ynet reported on Sunday morning.

The official was quoted as having said Hamas "will not provide any details about the abductees it is holding, without significant relief in the suffering of the residents of Gaza and the application of a comprehensive ceasefire."

He added that "Hamas will not make any concessions that the US and Israel want to force on it” and “Everything has a price, and we expressed clear demands.”

As protesters attempted to block traffic on the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv on Saturday night, footage from the scene showed a car continuing to drive at high speeds after a protester climbed onto the hood.

The incident took place amid protests calling for national elections and the return of the hostages from Gaza. According to Israeli media, the driver of the vehicle seen in the footage refused to let the protester off of the vehicle when he asked and sped up in a way that threatened the protester's life.

תיעוד חריג מהמחאה בקפלן: הרכב מאיץ עם מפגין על מכסה המנוע @AnnaPines_ pic.twitter.com/TVNeu9oFgv

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) March 2, 2024

Police said they were looking into the background of the incident.

"We will repeat and emphasize that going down to an intercity highway as part of an uncoordinated demonstration endangers both the lives of the demonstrators and drivers. We again ask that you do not choose this method of protest, as it could cost lives," said police.

Most protesters held an orderly demonstration

While the protesters were given approval to protest on Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv, a group of several hundred protesters began to block nearby roads and attempted to block the Ayalon Highway, with police arresting seven protesters while clearing the roads.

The police noted that most of the protesters who took part in the central demonstration followed the law and even thanked the police for maintaining the peace.

"Israel Police considers the right to protest as a cornerstone in a democratic country and allows protests as long as they are held within the framework of the law. At the same time the police will not allow disturbances of any kind or harm to the freedom of movement and any behavior that may endanger the safety of the public," said police.

The European Union plans to continue to fund the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees despite the involvement of some of its staff in the October 7 massacre and kidnapping of Israelis.

The European “Commission will proceed to disburse a first tranche of EUR 50 million out of the EUR 82 million foreseen for UNRWA for 2024,” it said in a press release on the matter.

The EU had initially held up that payment, but reversed course on Friday, one day after crowds descended on two aid delivery convoys in Gaza. The confusing situation which involved a stampede and live gunfire, led to the death of over 100 Palestinians and highlighted the importance of resolving the problems facing aid delivery organizations in the enclave.

UNRWA had been the major aid delivery organization, but many Western countries suspended funding in light of accusations by Israel that some of its staff were involved with Hamas and that at least 12 of its employees had taken part in the October 7 attack.

Israeli soldiers operate next to the UNRWA headquarters, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in the Gaza Strip, February 8, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/DYLAN MARTINEZ)

EU says UNRWA assured them it was taking care of terror allegations

The European Commission said on Friday that it had discussed the terror allegations with UNRWA and was assured that the organization was taking steps to address the issue.

“Following exchanges with the Commission, UNRWA has also indicated that it stands ready to ensure that a review of its staff is carried out to confirm they did not participate in the attacks and that further controls are put in place to mitigate such risks in the future.

“UNRWA has agreed to the launch of an audit of the Agency to be conducted by EU-appointed external experts. This audit will review the control systems to prevent the possible involvement of its staff and assets in terrorist activities,” the Commission said.

Based on this the Commission decided to move forward with payments to UNRWA in 2024. It has also agreed to allocate an additional EUR 68 million to organizations such as the Red Cross and the Red Crescent.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, “We stand by the Palestinian people in Gaza and elsewhere in the region. Innocent Palestinians should not have to pay the price for the crimes of terrorist group Hamas. They face terrible conditions putting their lives at risk because of lack of access to sufficient food and other basic needs. That is why we are reinforcing our support to them this year by a further EUR 68 million.”

The United Nations Security Council expressed its “deep concern” Saturday over last week's aid distribution disaster in Gaza in which over 100 people were killed as they urged improved access to basic necessities in the enclave including food.

“They [the UNSC] express grave concern over the estimation from the Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) that all 2.2 million people in Gaza would face alarming levels of acute food insecurity,” the 15-member body said.

It spoke out two days after the distribution of food at two locations ended in a stampede and gunfire, with Hamas and the IDF providing conflicting accounts of the incident, that highlighted for the global community the severity of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

“The Council Members express deep concern regarding reports stating that over 100 individuals lost their lives with several hundred others sustaining injuries, including people with gunshot wounds,” the UNSC stated.

It noted that the IDF was investigating the incident as it stressed the “need to take all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.”

A truck, marked with United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) logo, crosses into Egypt from Gaza, at the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, during a temporary truce between Hamas and Israel, in Rafah, Egypt, November 30, 2023. (credit: MOHAMED ABD EL GHANY/REUTERS)

The IDF has dismissed all claims that it deliberately targeted civilians during the incident. 

UNSC under pressure to issue ceasefire resolution

The UNSC spoke out as it is under pressure to issue a resolution calling for a ceasefire to the Gaza war, a move which the US has blocked as it works for a hostage deal that would include a pause to the war.

The US, has, however, been involved in attempting to help resolve the issue of aid distribution in Gaza, including an airdrop over the enclave on Saturday, given that the IDF’s ongoing military campaign to destroy Hamas has complicated such delivery on the ground. 

The UNSC stressed that “all parties to conflicts must comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, as applicable.” 

It urged “all parties to refrain from depriving the civilian population in the Gaza Strip of basic services and humanitarian assistance indispensable to their survival, consistent with international humanitarian law.”

Toward that end, it reiterated its demand “for parties to the conflict to allow, facilitate, and enable the immediate, rapid, safe, sustained and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale to the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip and for the full implementation of resolutions 2712 and 2720.”

The Deputy Russian Ambassador to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy posted on X that he regretted that the UNSC had “once again failed" to issue "a clear call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.” Polyanskiy wrote that he “strongly believes that the Council is obliged to return to drafting a resolution with a demand for an immediate ceasefire.”

The IDF carried out an extensive wave of airstrikes in the Rafah area, including near the Philadelphi Corridor along Gaza's border with Egypt, media outlets in Gaza reported on Saturday. The strikes targeted what the IDF assessed to be Hamas underground infrastructure located beneath the corridor separating Egypt and Gaza.

An IDF statement Saturday night confirmed that the IDF and Shin Bet had conducted strikes in the area, saying that the strikes had hit Islamic Jihad operatives and terrorist infrastructure, adding that no damage was caused to the nearby hospital.

The Philadelphi Corridor and the border between Gaza and Egypt are at the center of the dispute between Jerusalem and Cairo. According to reports, the main agreement is that Israel will operate in the Rafah area, but will do so only after a significant evacuation of the Gazan population of approximately one million people who reside there.

Palestinians inspect the damage from an Israeli airstrike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on February 18, 2024 (credit: ABED RAHIM KHATIB/FLASH90)

Reports of Gulf State assistance to stop arms smuggling

The Philadelphi Corridor is problematic for Israel due to the smuggling of arms from Egypt into Gaza, and thus into the hands of Hamas. In 2005, the government approved the withdrawal of IDF forces from the Corridor to the area of Kerem Shalom. The segment between the Gaza Strip and Kerem Shalom came under Egyptian control, and the Rafah area came under the control of the Palestinian Authority; arms smuggling increased in the wake of this transfer of power.

It has been reported that an Arab Gulf state, as yet un-named, will finance an underground wall to prevent traffickers from smuggling illegal arms through tunnels from Egypt into Gaza. The Gulf state agreed to provide the funding for this, but only on the condition that there would be full Egyptian approval for the entire process.