Huge Hezbollah rocket, drone attack on north * Hamas gives ground on hostage-ceasefire deal * Bedouin hostages’ relative vs Hamas* UK votes; post-Corbyn Labour set to win

[Times of Israel]( [The daily edition]( Thursday, July 4, 2024 Presented by [Reichman University]( [Hezbollah fires 200 rockets, launches 20 drones in major attack on north]( By Emanuel Fabian and Agencies Assault comes after killing of top commander in terror group; IDF carries out strikes in Lebanon in response [Senior Hezbollah commander killed in IDF strike in southern Lebanon]( By Emanuel Fabian and Agencies [Opposition party head appears to urge nuclear action to stop Iran’s atomic program]( By ToI Staff [Netanyahu to speak with Biden as Israel studies Hamas response to hostage deal offer]( By Lazar Berman PM will hold meeting with negotiators, security cabinet to formulate response amid some optimism from senior officials [Israel says it’s studying latest Hamas response to Gaza ceasefire-hostage deal]( By Jacob Magid and ToI Staff [Protesters block major highways as they call for elections, hostage deal]( By ToI Staff Interview [‘We challenge the narrative that Hamas are good Muslims,’ says Bedouin hostages’ relative]( By Gianluca Pacchiani Bashir Ziyadne has been lobbying for the release of two family members held in Gaza, protesting the Israeli government’s perceived inaction and the Arab world’s indifference [No summer break for his family during ceaseless push for deal, says hostage’s brother]( By Jessica Steinberg from our sponsor [‘Bring Them Home’: Stories of the hostages]( Romy Kaplan The ‘Bring Them Home’ podcast ensures that the stories of the 150 hostages remain at the forefront of society. Live updates [LIVE: Fires rage in Galilee, Golan Heights after massive Hezbollah rocket and drone attack]( By Elana Kirsh and ToI Staff Hezbollah launches 200 rockets, 20 drones in major assault * PM, Biden to speak * Lebanese report: Hostage deal proposal has clear wording on ceasefire, Rafah plan * Soldier killed in Gaza [Labour tipped for historic win as UK voters head to the polls]( By Joe JACKSON Keir Starmer’s opposition party predicted to win nearly three times as many seats in parliament as ruling Conservatives; key tabloid The Sun backs challenger for prime minister [ToI podcast / Daily Briefing July 4: Day 272 — UK set to elect new PM who celebrates Shabbat]( By ToI Staff [Ahead of runoff, famed Nazi hunter says French far left more dangerous than far right]( By Sylvie Corbet and JEFFREY SCHAEFFER Serge Klarsfeld says he’ll vote for Macron’s centrist alliance, but those faced with only a choice between the two poles should pick ‘a party which supports Israel’ [88-year-old grandmother of Israeli MK beaten in France, called ‘dirty Jew’]( By Stuart Winer [Italian PM condemns her far-right party’s youth wing for glorifying fascism]( By AP Top Ops Mark Levenson [Literary antisemitism is bad and getting worse]( The Authors Guild did nothing for Jewish writers who are lately being harassed and blacklisted, but there is something you can do Sarah Sassoon [Why I am not protesting]( As long as the rhetoric on the Right is no different from that of the Left, my heart remains shattered. They aren’t calling for unity; I am Justus Baird [Jewish tradition can help when democracies are under threat]( If you’re worried about democracy’s future, in the US or Israel, get involved! Dedicate some of your time and energy to the democratic process (Korach) Rob Charry [Remembering Rabbi Andrew Sacks, a champion of religious pluralism in Israel]( Known as a ‘rabble-rouser,’ he fought for egalitarian prayer at the Western Wall and non-Orthodox converts to Judaism [2 IDF officers killed in northern Gaza, as dozens of terror targets razed in Shejaiya]( By Emanuel Fabian Cpt. Elay Elisha Lugasi and Cpt. Roy Miller are killed in separate battles, raising ground op toll to 324; anti-aircraft missile fired from Gaza hits home in evacuated Kfar Maimon [Those We Have Lost]( [Those We Have Lost]( [Civilians and soldiers who have fallen since Oct. 7]( [Read Here]( [New Hebrew-language i24 aims to be Israel’s 1st 24/7 news channel. Will anyone watch?]( By Amy Spiro After cutting back on English, French and Arabic broadcasts, the network is still barred from broadcasting in Israel via cable, but is banking on a government reform to move ahead [‘I’m not leaving’: Biden rejects pressure to quit, as Democratic governors back him]( By Agencies and ToI Staff US president hammers the message that ‘I’m in this race to the end’ in meetings with party officials, amid attempt to salvage his reelection bid after poor debate performance [Trump calls Biden an ‘old, broken-down pile of crap,’ says VP Harris ‘so f***ing bad’]( By ToI Staff [2 new polls show Biden falling further behind Trump following election debate]( By Jason Lange [Good for the Jews? Here are the candidates who could replace Biden on the ticket]( By Ron Kampeas While US president is still insistent he will seek reelection, discussion is underway about other possible Democratic nominees after debate debacle. Here are their Jewish stories [Biden tells ally he may not be able to salvage presidency bid — NYT]( By Reuters [Shin Bet said to reprimand agent who signed off on Shifa director’s release to Gaza]( By ToI Staff Agency chief reportedly presents findings of internal probe to Netanyahu after outrage over freeing of hospital head [CRM]( [After 40 years, novelist John Irving returns to Jerusalem, where new novel is partly set]( By Ethan Freedman Award-winning author speaks at the Mishkenot Sha’ananim cultural center, nostalgic about his time in Israel but not revealing much about about his work-in-progress ‘Queen Esther’ [New probe finds 1982 blast at IDF’s headquarters in Lebanon war was suicide bombing]( By Emanuel Fabian Officials had long claimed explosion which killed 91 in Tyre was a gas leak, but investigation headed by former general finds intentional attack to be far more likely [Israel announces largest appropriation of state land in West Bank since Oslo Accords]( By Jeremy Sharon ‘We are thwarting the danger of a Palestinian state,’ declares Smotrich as Civil Administration also set to approve 6,000 new settlement housing units [Halevi slams settler attack on troops demolishing illegal outpost; government silent]( By Emanuel Fabian and ToI Staff [Activists use ersatz settlement to show they’re ‘willing and ready’ to resettle Gaza]( By Jeremy Sharon Right-wing, religious activists have established and rebuilt a proto-settlement on border with Strip three times since June 25: ‘We’d be happy to do this in Gaza given the chance’ [Report: State Attorney to expand inquiry into lawmakers’ incitement against Gazans]( By ToI Staff [Those We Are Missing]( [The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown]( [Read Here]( [New regulations hinder donations of gear to Israeli soldiers, charities say]( By Asaf Elia-Shalev A policy meant to cut red tape at Israeli ports creates ‘insurmountable bureaucratic hurdles’ for volunteer organizations importing badly needed equipment from abroad [Day 272 — UK set to elect new PM who celebrates Shabbat]( [listen to the podcast]( More Headlines [Group of coalition, opposition MKs aims to pass resolution against Palestinian state]( By ToI Staff [Anti-Israel protesters occupy roof of Australia’s parliament, unfurl banners]( By Agencies [Major GPS disruptions in Middle East coming from IDF airbase — NY Times]( By ToI Staff [Despite wartime deficit, Knesset approves allocation of ‘surplus’ coalition funds]( By Sam Sokol [UW-Milwaukee chancellor to quit; he was panned for handling of anti-Israel protests]( By AP and ToI Staff [European venture capital firm closes $220m fund with focus on Israeli startups]( By Sharon Wrobel [Right-wing MKs seek to eliminate pension payments to foreign caregivers]( By Sue Surkes [Man accused of murdering Detroit synagogue leader says he found her dead]( By Ed White [Moving with the audience / TLV Dance event reframed with Israeli troupes only]( By Jessica Steinberg [Shooting for the top / American Orthodox basketball star to join Israeli team]( By jacob gurvis [The daily edition]( [facebook]( [twitter]( [instagram]( [View in browser]( [Contact support](mailto:support@timesofisrael.com) [Advertise with us](mailto:advertise@timesofisrael.com) Were you forwarded this email? 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