(Bloomberg) — The Israeli military stated that it attacked Hamas positions in Gaza overnight and targeted Hezbollah assets in retaliation for shelling from Lebanon, where the Iran-backed group is located.
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There are new concerns that the conflict between Israel and Hamas will result in a significant clash in the oil-producing Middle East, after the US revealed that its military bases in Iraq and Syria have been increasingly attacked. Additionally, a US destroyer successfully intercepted cruise missiles and drones launched towards Israel by Houthi militants based in Yemen.
The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt remains closed, while the US and Europe are advocating for its reopening to facilitate humanitarian aid into the region. Hamas, which has been classified as a terrorist organization by the US and the European Union, has once again called for a ‘Day of Rage’ on Friday, the holiest day of prayer for Muslims.
(All timestamps are based on Israeli time)
EU leaders projected to participate in Cairo ‘peace summit’ (10:20 am)
EU Council President Charles Michel and the bloc’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell are projected to attend a “peace summit” hosted by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo on Saturday, according to an informed source. . Plan.
Several leaders from Middle Eastern countries, as well as the foreign ministers of Germany, France, and Britain, are likely to be in attendance, the source added.
Saudi Crown Prince meets with UAE President, Al Ekhbariya said (10 am)
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed in Riyadh ahead of the GCC-ASEAN summit, as reported by state-owned Al Ekhbariya TV.
This marked their first public encounter in three years, signifying an effort by the two influential nations to put aside their differences in order to prevent the Israel-Hamas conflict from escalating into a wider war.
Israel conducts airstrikes on over 100 Hamas targets and Hezbollah assets overnight (9:35 am)
The Israeli military announced that it conducted airstrikes on over 100 Hamas targets during the night and eliminated a member of the militant group who participated in the attacks on October 7. According to the Israel Defense Forces, the targets included an underground tunnel, a weapons warehouse, and a command center.
The IDF also stated that it targeted several military assets belonging to Hezbollah in response to shelling from Lebanon, where the Iran-backed group is headquartered. An individual involved in terrorism was killed in Lebanese territory as a result of an Israeli drone strike.
Shekel remains stable, while investors continue to purchase gold (8:40 am)
The shekel experienced minimal change and traded close to an eight-year low of 4.05 per dollar early on Friday. The currency has weakened by 1.8% this week, even though the Bank of Israel is attempting to provide support.
Allianz Trade warns that a worst-case scenario of war could lead to $140 oil
Escalating conflict in the Middle East is drawing investors towards the safety of gold. As of Friday, the price of Haven Metal reached a 13-week high of $1,978.55 per ounce. Oil prices have also risen.
Germany’s foreign minister pledges additional aid for Gaza ahead of Israel visit (8:20 am)
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock plans to hold talks with Israeli officials in Tel Aviv on Friday before traveling to Beirut.
Following a visit to Jordan on Thursday, he urged “all parties” to swiftly reopen the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, and announced that Germany would increase its humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza by €50 million ($53 million)., describing the situation there as “grave.”
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visits Egypt (8:05 am)
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is scheduled to visit Egypt on Friday as he calls on leaders in the Middle East to avoid a regional escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
In an unspecified email statement on Friday, Sunak’s office stated that he would hold further meetings with counterparts in the region. On Thursday, he visited Israel, where he told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “We support your cause.” Afterward, he traveled to Saudi Arabia, where he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
US estimates 100-300 casualties in hospital explosion: AFP (5 am)
According to AFP, US intelligence assessments indicate that between 100 to 300 individuals were killed in an explosion at the Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza City on Tuesday, which is lower than the approximately 500 deaths initially reported by Palestinian health officials in the Hamas-controlled area.
Hundreds of people lost their lives in the hospital explosion, with Israel and Hamas being blamed for this incident.
Biden compares Hamas and Russia as threats to democracy (4 am)
Joe Biden directly appealed to the American people, urging them to support funding for the war efforts of Israel and Ukraine, while warning that Hamas and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose parallel threats to American democracy.
In a prime-time speech from the Oval Office on Thursday night, Biden emphasized the importance of this matter to America, stating, “Hamas and Putin represent different threats. However, they both share a common objective: the complete destruction of neighboring democracies.
Drones target US facilities in Syria, Iraq (11:30 pm)
There has been an increase in drone attacks targeting US facilities in Syria and Iraq. So far, there have been minor injuries, but there are growing concerns that the Israel-Hamas conflict could lead to a major escalation and draw the US into the conflict. The Pentagon is also deploying additional forces to the region, including fighter jets.
“We are taking these threats seriously and responding appropriately,” stated Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder during a press briefing on Thursday. “Our focus is on preventing a larger regional conflict, and currently, that conflict is between Israel and Hamas.”
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