What Israel’s next stage of war could look like for Gaza

Plus, Toronto's 2024 budget and Ontario universities' need for a funding boost [Get This Offer]( [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on Israel’s war efforts in Gaza, Toronto’s 2024 budget and Ontario’s university funding. DON’T MISS Abed Khaled/AP Photo analysis [Israel says it’s moving into a third stage of the war in Gaza]( As the war between Israel and Hamas enters its fourth month, Israel says it will be shifting its efforts to have more targeted raids and special military operations in the Gaza Strip, and fewer troops and airstrikes — aiming to wipe out Hamas and free more than 100 hostages. Others, however, warn of a military campaign forging ahead without a clear political plan for the future of the Palestinian territory, where large swaths of infrastructure and housing have been destroyed and most residents have been displaced, but Hamas is not entirely eliminated. [What’s in store for Gaza?]( - Word from the U.S.: Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Israel must stop undercutting Palestinian governance and rein in settler violence, some of his most direct criticism yet of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government since the war began. - Meanwhile: The Trudeau government is remaining silent on the allegations at the [UN’s International Court of Justice that Israel is committing a genocide](. - On the home front: Experts and families say Canada’s cap on the visa program for Palestinians in Gaza is arbitrary and unfair. [Here’s how families are describing the application process and what else you need to know](. Steve Russell/The Star star exclusive [Toronto’s 2024 budget may include a historic double-digit tax hike]( Municipal staff will unveil the first draft of the 2024 budget today and Torontonians could be in for a property tax hike of just over 10 per cent — the largest single-year increase in the city’s post-amalgamation history, the Star has learned. The increase would raise badly-needed revenue for Toronto’s pandemic-driven financial crisis, but is sure to provoke backlash amid the rising cost of living, Ben Spurr and David Rider write. [Here’s what else we know about the budget — and what city councillors thin](. - Word from the city: “Coming into office, Mayor Chow inherited a financial mess,” said spokesperson Arianne Robinson, noting the city was facing a $1.8 billion operating shortfall. - Edward Keenan’s take: Chow’s first budget will have to tackle Toronto’s persistent problems — [with one big difference](. - Watch for: The budget, crafted by city staff with input from Chow, will go to the council’s budget committee today. Chow will release her version Feb. 1, with a final council vote scheduled for Feb. 14. Canadian Press/Nicole Osborne ontario politics [Almost half of Ontario universities are running deficits]( At least 10 of Ontario’s 23 publicly assisted universities are projecting budget deficits totalling $175 million, prompting schools to warn that student services will face cuts if the government doesn’t increase funding and allow tuition hikes of at least five per cent this fall, Kristin Rushowy reports. Steve Orsini, the head of the Council of Ontario Universities, said there could be decreases in mental health supports, career counselling, incubation development programs or extracurricular activities. [Here’s what it would take to get more funding](. - Go deeper: Orsini said financial pressures are coming from several areas: tuition cuts and freezes imposed by Ontario, unexpected pandemic expenses and additional salary costs for employee raises to make up for the wage capping Bill 124. - Watch for: Colleges and Universities Minister Jill Dunlop struck a blue-ribbon panel recommending an immediate 10 per cent funding increase to universities and a five per cent tuition fee increase for this fall. WHAT ELSE Canada is fighting to get Honda’s massive EV expansion. [Here’s why it’s a tough sell](. Toronto’s “worrisome” office vacancy rate hits new highs. [What’s could be next for the buildings?]( [War coverage dies along with the deaths of journalists in Gaza]( Michelle Shephard and Carol Off write. Toronto’s police union says protest cops deserved more support [after blowback for a coffee delivery](. [Executive pay exposes the fallacy of workplace meritocracy]( Shellene Drakes-Tull writes. Halton police had a mountain of evidence [against the murderer of a Georgetown couple](. This Mississauga strip mall has become a foodie haven, [but its booming popularity has made it a hazard for nearby residents](. Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic blistered NBA officials in an [epic rant after Toronto’s loss to the Lakers](. This Tudor in Toronto’s Rosedale neighbourhood has been [listed for just shy of $10 million](. Jeremy Allen White heralds the return of the sex symbol. [But there’s a twist](. POV Supplied Photo [We couldn’t save my brother but here is how to make Toronto safe for everyone.]( CLOSE-UP Andrew Francis Wallace/The Star BLOOR ST. W: People shield themselves against the wet snow in Toronto on Tuesday. [Take a look at how the weather affected the city yesterday and what we can expect today](. Thank you for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_206870). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. Get unlimited access to the Star Limited time offer: Only $4 for your first 8 weeks [Get This Offer]( If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. [Unsubscribe From This Newsletter]( [Sign Up for More Newsletters and Email Alerts]( [View in Browser]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](