Israel’s parliament is set to vote on two bills that would restrict the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) from providing aid in Gaza. The bills would limit the agency’s activities in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, accusing UNRWA of allowing Hamas militants to infiltrate its staff. More than 1.9 million Palestinians are displaced in the region, facing shortages of food, water, and medicine. The bills do not offer alternative solutions for providing essential services. The passage of these bills could have disastrous consequences, according to the agency’s communications director.
In a separate event, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Iran is leading an “axis of evil” and poses a threat to global peace. He claimed that Israel had hit key Iranian sites hard during recent airstrikes. Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s determination to achieve peace and hinted at additional peace deals with Arab nations once conflicts with Iran and its proxies, Hamas, and Hezbollah, are resolved.
Additionally, Israel has announced plans to invest around £400m in a new air defense system known as Iron Beam. The system combines laser interception with missile interception to enhance defense against various threats. The development of this system is ongoing, with Israel aiming to strengthen its defense capabilities.
Source
Photo credit www.theguardian.com