HEADLINES
- **Israeli Government Tensions Erupt: Minister Regev Clashes with IDF Chief Over October 7 Attacks**
- **International Court of Justice Orders Israel to Halt Military Ops in Rafah Amid Humanitarian Concerns**
- **Italy Pledges €35 Million in Aid for Palestinians as Global Diplomacy Strains Over Israel-Hamas Conflict**

The time is now 07:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In the latest from the Israel-Hamas conflict, tensions within the Israeli government have recently come to light. During a cabinet meeting, Transportation Minister Miri Regev confronted Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi over the IDF’s perceived inaction on warnings about the October 7 attacks. Regev, known for her loyalty to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, questioned why the army allowed vacations despite apparent intelligence indicating an imminent threat. Halevi defended the IDF, stating all warnings were being addressed in internal investigations and suggested Regev’s accusations were unfounded. Netanyahu interrupted, promising to address the matter later. The IDF had previously stated it sent Netanyahu four communiqués warning about the potential for increased hostilities due to domestic upheaval, which Netanyahu's office has since denied contained any specific warnings about Hamas's intentions.

The October 7 assault by Hamas resulted in the death of approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the kidnapping of 252 others. In response, Israel launched a ground offensive in Gaza with the aim of dismantling Hamas and rescuing the hostages. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with over 35,000 people in Gaza reported killed or presumed dead, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, though these numbers are disputed and do not differentiate between civilians and combatants. Israel claims to have killed around 15,000 Hamas operatives, including 1,000 terrorists inside Israel. The IDF has reported 286 soldiers and one civilian contractor killed during the operations.

Internationally, Italy has pledged an additional 35 million euros in aid for Palestinians, with 5 million euros allocated to UNRWA projects and the remainder destined for its "Food for Gaza" initiative. This follows a period of suspended aid.

In diplomatic developments, the Irish Deputy Premier Micheal Martin expressed strong objections after the Irish ambassador to Israel, Sonya McGuinness, was shown footage of the October 7 attacks during a reprimand for Ireland's recognition of Palestinian statehood. Martin criticized the treatment as "totally unacceptable" and outside the usual diplomatic norms. This incident has added to the strain in relations, with Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz accusing Ireland, Spain, and Norway of "rewarding terrorism" by recognizing Palestinian statehood.

In another significant development, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued a ruling regarding Israel’s operations in Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip. The ruling orders Israel to halt any military operations that would risk the destruction of the civilian population in Rafah. This follows concerns about the humanitarian situation, with nearly one million Palestinians having already evacuated from Rafah. The ICJ's decision emphasizes that Israel must avoid creating conditions that could lead to the physical destruction of the Palestinian population in Gaza, as outlined in the Genocide Convention.

The White House has responded to the ICJ ruling by reiterating President Joe Biden’s consistent opposition to a major Israeli offensive in Rafah. The US has pressured Israel to avoid actions that could undermine negotiations for the return of hostages and has expressed concerns about the humanitarian impact of military operations in Rafah. Despite this, Israeli airstrikes and clashes with Hamas terrorists continue in various parts of Gaza, including Rafah.

These developments highlight the ongoing complexity and volatility of the Israel-Hamas conflict, with significant humanitarian, political, and diplomatic implications continuing to unfold.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

SOURCES
https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-802600
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/Article-1101745
https://www.timesofisrael.com/regev-idf-chief-said-to-spar-over-oct-7-warnings-to-netanyahu-in-cabinet-meetings/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sj6oxmyer
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/Article-1101742
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/Article-1101741
https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-802596
https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-icj-ruling-us-says-bidens-position-on-idf-rafah-op-is-clear-and-consistent/