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Israeli strike in Gaza kills seven people, including two women, medics say

Israeli strike in Gaza kills seven people, including two women, medics say

By Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO, June 6 (Reuters) - An Israeli strike killed at least seven Palestinians including two women in Gaza on Saturday, health officials said, as mediators restarted talks in Cairo with Hamas and other factions over safeguarding a strained ceasefire agreement.

Israeli Officials Warn Hamas Resurgence Threatens Rafah Reconstruction Efforts

Israeli Officials Warn Hamas Resurgence Threatens Rafah Reconstruction Efforts

Security officials have raised concerns that Hamas is exploiting a governance vacuum in Gaza to regain control, potentially derailing reconstruction efforts in Rafah. The Israeli government is expected to oppose initiatives by the Palestinian technocratic government, fearing Hamas will re-establish control over key areas. The 'Rafah First' initiative aims to transform Rafah into a demilitarized zone, but progress is hindered by Hamas's reluctance and the U.S.'s difficulty in applying pressure. The situation is complicated by the Israeli Defense Forces' focus on the northern front in Lebanon, leaving Gaza vulnerable to Hamas's influence.

Israeli Officials Warn of Hamas Resurgence Threatening Rafah Reconstruction Efforts

Israeli Officials Warn of Hamas Resurgence Threatening Rafah Reconstruction Efforts

Security officials have raised concerns that Hamas is exploiting a governance vacuum in Gaza to re-establish its power. This development comes as the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are focused on the northern front in Lebanon. The Israeli government is expected to oppose initiatives by the Palestinian technocratic government in Gaza, fearing that Hamas will regain control over key power centers. The 'Rafah First' initiative, promoted by the technocratic government and Board of Peace Director-General Nickolay Mladenov, aims to transform Rafah into a demilitarized zone free of terror, allowing for the resettlement of vetted populations. However, the process is hindered by Hamas's reluctance to demilitarize and the United States' difficulty in applying leverage on the group.

Baby killed in West Bank after Israeli troops open fire on a car, Palestinian health officials say

Baby killed in West Bank after Israeli troops open fire on a car, Palestinian health officials say

Israeli troops have killed a 7-month-old Palestinian baby in the occupied West Bank

Adam Hamawy's Congressional Bid Raises Questions Over Past Defense of Terrorist

Adam Hamawy's Congressional Bid Raises Questions Over Past Defense of Terrorist

Adam Hamawy, a plastic surgeon and retired Army doctor, has emerged as a significant figure in the political landscape following his victory in the Democratic primary for New Jersey’s 12th congressional district. Hamawy is expected to secure the seat in the upcoming November elections. His candidacy has attracted attention due to his past involvement as a defense witness for Omar Abdel-Rahman, known as the Blind Sheikh, who was convicted for his role in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Despite this association, Hamawy has not faced any charges related to terrorism. His career includes over 20 years of service as a medical doctor in the U.S. Army, during which he provided critical medical care to now-Senator Tammy Duckworth. The Democratic Party now faces the challenge of addressing Hamawy's past associations as he moves closer to a congressional seat.

Rep. Mike Lawler Demands Investigation into Democratic Candidate's Alleged Terrorist Ties

Rep. Mike Lawler Demands Investigation into Democratic Candidate's Alleged Terrorist Ties

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) has called for an investigation into Democratic congressional candidate Adam Hamawy, citing alleged ties to terrorist organizations. Hamawy, a plastic surgeon and U.S. Army veteran, recently won his primary in New Jersey. Lawler's concerns stem from Hamawy's past as a defense witness in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing trial, where he was associated with the Blind Sheikh, a figure linked to Al-Qaeda. Lawler argues that if Hamawy is elected, Congress should thoroughly investigate his background to determine his fitness for office. The issue has gained traction in conservative media, with Fox News highlighting Hamawy's past connections and questioning his suitability for Congress.

Republican Justin Murphy Secures Nomination to Challenge Cory Booker in New Jersey Senate Race

Republican Justin Murphy Secures Nomination to Challenge Cory Booker in New Jersey Senate Race

Republican candidate Justin Murphy has emerged victorious in the New Jersey GOP primary, securing the nomination to challenge incumbent Democratic Senator Cory Booker in the upcoming November election. Murphy won the primary with 33.3% of the vote in a four-way contest, surpassing Richard Tabor, Alex Zdan, and Robert S. Lebovics. Despite Murphy's success in the primary, prediction markets heavily favor Booker, giving him over a 90% chance of winning the general election. New Jersey has historically leaned Democratic in federal races, and Booker avoided a primary challenge, allowing him to conserve resources for the general election.

Gaza Resident Charged with Hiding Israeli Soldier's Body for Hamas

Gaza Resident Charged with Hiding Israeli Soldier's Body for Hamas

Ibrahim Hilo, a 46-year-old resident of Gaza, has been indicted for holding the body of Israeli soldier Staff Sgt. Oron Shaul for Hamas for over a decade. Shaul was killed in the 2014 Gaza war, and his body was taken by Hamas after an attack on an armored personnel carrier. Hilo is accused of storing Shaul's body in a meat freezer, knowing it was intended as a bargaining chip in negotiations with Israel. The indictment includes charges of aiding the enemy in wartime, membership in a terrorist organization, and weapons offenses. The case was investigated by Israeli security agencies, and Shaul's body was recovered in 2025.

Gaza Resident Charged with Holding Israeli Soldier's Body for Hamas

Gaza Resident Charged with Holding Israeli Soldier's Body for Hamas

Ibrahim Hilo, a 46-year-old resident of Gaza, has been indicted for allegedly holding the body of Israeli soldier Staff Sgt. Oron Shaul for Hamas for over a decade. Shaul was killed in July 2014 during the Gaza war when an anti-tank missile struck an armored personnel carrier in Gaza City. His body was taken by Hamas operatives and used as a bargaining chip in negotiations with Israel. The indictment, filed at the Be'er Sheva District Court, accuses Hilo of aiding the enemy in wartime, membership in a terrorist organization, and weapons offenses for terrorist purposes. Hilo, who has no formal connection to Israel, allegedly stored Shaul's body in a meat freezer at his business and later in another locked freezer. The body was recovered by security forces in January 2025 and returned to Israel.

Explainer-How Trump's ceasefires are failing to stop Middle East violence

Explainer-How Trump's ceasefires are failing to stop Middle East violence

June 4 - Residents of Gaza, south Lebanon, northern Israel and Kuwait were all under fire this week despite U.S.-arranged ceasefires supposedly in force in their regions. Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza and Lebanon, with Israeli forces still actively deployed in both places.

9 killed in strikes in Gaza overnight, hospital says

9 killed in strikes in Gaza overnight, hospital says

At least nine people have been killed in overnight strikes in Gaza, according to local hospitals

Gazan Charged with Hiding Israeli Soldier's Body for Hamas for Over a Decade

Gazan Charged with Hiding Israeli Soldier's Body for Hamas for Over a Decade

Ibrahim Hilo, a Gaza resident, has been indicted for holding the body of Israeli soldier Staff Sgt. Oron Shaul for Hamas for more than ten years. Shaul was killed in 2014 during the Gaza war, and his body was used by Hamas as a bargaining chip in negotiations with Israel. Hilo is charged with aiding the enemy in wartime, membership in a terrorist organization, and weapons offenses. The case was investigated by Israeli security agencies, and Hilo allegedly stored Shaul's body in a meat freezer at his business until it was recovered by Israeli forces in 2025.