Hamas weighs hostage deal; PM: Not at any price * Biden: Working for 2 states * Hatikva in Qatar for Israeli fencer * Pro-Israel MP hounded out * Oct. 7 victims sue Iran

[Times of Israel]( [The daily edition]( Thursday, February 1, 2024 Presented by [The Washington Institute of Near East Policy]( Live updates [LIVE: Palestinian official: Hamas unlikely to reject hostage deal, but will demand war’s end]( By Michael Bachner and ToI Staff Hamas team headed by Haniyeh in Cairo for talks * Biden: I’m working for 2 states * Deal said near on postwar fate of Egypt-Gaza border * Protesters block aid trucks at Ashdod Port [Biden said set to make push for demilitarized Palestinian state as part of new doctrine]( By Lazar Berman New York Times’ Thomas Friedman, who’s close to the US administration, says emerging doctrine would include Saudi-Israeli normalization, 2-state solution, and campaign against Iran [ToI podcast / Daily Briefing Feb 1: Day 118 – US & UK seem to push for Palestinian state. Too soon?]( By ToI Staff [State Department downplays report US weighing recognition of Palestinian state]( By ToI Staff and Jacob Magid [PM to families: I won’t OK deal that harms security; 35 hostages for 35-day truce mooted]( By ToI Staff Opposition from within coalition won’t block a deal, Netanyahu reportedly promises; Mossad chief said to give ministers outline of deal’s 1st phase, with possibiity of more releases [IDF says reservist commando officer killed in Gaza, raising ground op toll to 224]( By Emanuel Fabian and Agencies [Lapid ready to enter government instead of Ben Gvir, Smotrich, to ensure hostage deal]( By ToI Staff Promoted Research [The Hamas-Israel War: Frequently Asked Questions]( The Washington Institute for Near East Policy has provided a wealth of analysis and policy recommendations for government officials, journalists, and the public since the Hamas attack on October 7. [Israeli troops’ rescue of animals in Gaza fuels pro-Palestinian ‘looting’ charges]( By Canaan Lidor Some anti-Israel activists focus on the issue of pets being brought into Israel as complementary evidence to support a narrative of wrongdoing by Israeli soldiers in Gaza [Netanyahu tells UN envoys UNRWA is ‘totally infiltrated’ by Hamas, must be replaced]( By Agencies and ToI Staff PM says a humanitarian agency is needed in Gaza, but UNRWA can’t play role, after employees accused of taking part in Hamas-led Oct. 7 massacre [Activists block Gaza aid trucks at Ashdod Port after being barred from border by IDF]( By ToI Staff and Emanuel Fabian [Gantz, Eisenkot said to mull limiting aid to Gaza as part of efforts to weaken Hamas]( By ToI Staff [30 protesters detained amid clashes at Kerem Shalom over aid to Gaza]( By Michael Horovitz and Emanuel Fabian [‘Hatikva’ in Qatar: Israel fencer Yuval Freilich wins gold, en route to Paris Olympics]( By ToI Staff With ‘Am Yisrael chai’ embroidered on his shirt, 29-year-old takes Grand Prix in Doha; Israel Olympics Committee head: ‘Israeli pride at its peak’ [Austrian literary festival drops Bosnian author who protested criticism of Oct. 7]( By Canaan Lidor [Pro-Israel MP in UK says he won’t seek reelection, notes ‘serious threats’ against him]( By ToI Staff Conservative Mike Freer, who represents London constituency with large Orthodox Jewish population, makes announcement weeks after suspected arson attack on his office Top Ops Suzie Navot [For justice, Barak’s dissent at The Hague should have been the Court’s decision]( Judge Aharon Barak introduced what South Africa ignored: The October 7 atrocities, the long history of terror against Israel, and a country’s right to defend itself Mick Davis [The reckless lack of a viable vision for peace]( Netanyahu’s rejection of a 2-state deal endangers the support Israel desperately needs from allies and regional partners Susan Warchaizer [In which I can’t look away]( My son went to war in Gaza and I stayed home with my very loud thoughts Yotam Margalit [On Palestinian workers: The right answer isn’t always the easy one]( Israel should rehire the unemployed men of the West Bank for many reasons, including for the sake of reducing the security threat they pose Explainer Jeremy Sharon [What does Israel need to do to comply with the ICJ genocide decision?]( Provisional measures ordered by the court that Israel alleviate the humanitarian situation in Gaza and prevent incitement to genocide will be key to demonstrating compliance [South Africa calls on other countries to halt any funding to the IDF]( By Reuters and ToI Staff [US federal judge says Israel plausibly committing genocide, Biden must take note]( By ToI Staff and AP [Those We Have Lost]( [Those We Have Lost]( [Civilians and soldiers who have fallen since Oct. 7]( [Read Here]( [Iran’s Revolutionary Guards pull officers from Syria following alleged Israeli strikes]( By Reuters Iranian casualties in a string of recent attacks reportedly induce Tehran to rely more on local Shia groups to maintain country’s influence; remaining officers keeping low profile [Iran begins construction of four new nuclear plants]( By AP [Explainer / How Israel and Lebanon are prepping for a war neither wants, but many fear is inevitable]( By AP and ToI Staff From Mideast to Midwest [Chicago adopts Gaza ceasefire resolution after mayor casts tie-breaking vote]( By Jacob Magid Democrat Brandon Johnson splits with party leader Biden, making Chicago the largest US city to pass symbolic measure that also calls for hostages’ release but doesn’t condemn Hamas [Georgia governor signs bill codifying IHRA definition of antisemitism in state law]( By Jeff Amy [Day 118 – US & UK seem to push for Palestinian state. Too soon?]( [listen to the podcast]( [Reports say IDF soldiers have torched hundreds of buildings in Gaza]( By ToI Staff and AFP Soldiers say method utilized to destroy structures used by terrorists amid shortage of demolition charges, but some claim activity has become gratuitous [Far-right minister Smotrich: ‘Settlements in Gaza not among goals of war’]( By ToI Staff [Just before Holocaust Day, Columbia Law student senate rejected a club to fight antisemitism]( By Cathryn J. Prince Governing body puts kibosh on proposed group for second time, citing its use of the IHRA antisemitism definition, which opposing students call ‘pernicious and insidious’ [American Oct. 7 victims and families file $1 billion lawsuit blaming Iran for attack]( By ToI Staff 67 plaintiffs claim Tehran ‘masterminded and funded’ assault on Israel, note reports that Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad met in Beirut with Iranian military leaders [UN envoy meets freed hostages, families in probe of Hamas sexual violence on Oct. 7]( By ToI Staff [Conservative rabbis urged to engage with interfaith families, still can’t marry them]( By jacob gurvis While a ban on officiating at intermarriages still stands, the movement is recommending an array of changes, from new rituals to updated hiring regulations, to increase inclusivity Inside story Ariella Oldfield [23andMe faces lawsuit as hackers sell information on users with Jewish heritage]( DNA testing company 23andMe blames users’ recycled passwords for data breach that affected 6.9 million accounts; August lawsuit indicates other companies may be implicated Op-ed Ksenia Svetlova [Russia is intimidating its expat celebrities in an attempt to silence them]( Alt-rock band Bi-2, which has Israeli-Russian members, was nearly deported from Thailand. After a week in detention, Israel’s Foreign Ministry succeeds in flying group to Tel Aviv [Dissident Russian rock band Bi-2 lands in Israel after deportation from Thailand]( By Melanie Lidman [Those We Are Missing]( [The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown]( [Read Here]( More Headlines [In Congress, Zuckerberg apologizes to parents for harm caused by social media]( By Alex Pigman [Police destroy explosive device found at Israeli embassy in Sweden]( By Reuters and ToI Staff [UN agencies issue joint statement calling on donors to resume UNRWA funding]( By AP and ToI Staff [Israeli-Palestinian peace orgs among nominees for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize]( By Mark Lewis [At least 30 phones of journalists, activists hacked in Jordan with Israeli tech]( By Frank Bajak [Israel’s Innoviz to trim 13% of its workforce in cost-cutting push]( By Sharon Wrobel [Explosion reported near ship in Red Sea as Houthi attacks from Yemen continue]( By AFP and ToI Staff [US sanctions Turkish, Lebanese entities for funding Hezbollah, Iran’s Quds Force]( By Reuters and ToI Staff [US navy destroys Houthi missile that posed ‘imminent threat’ to aircraft]( By AFP [US blames Iran proxies for deadly Jordan strike, weighs response]( By AP and ToI Staff [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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