ISRAEL

President Joe Biden said Wednesday he would stop US weapons supplies to Israel if it attacks Rafah in southern Gaza, his most direct warning to date over the prosecution of the war against Hamas. His fresh warning came after the US last week halted a shipment of huge American bombs to Israel.

Israel bombarded the overcrowded Gaza city of Rafah, where it has launched a ground incursion, as talks resumed Wednesday in Cairo aimed at agreeing the terms of a truce in the seven-month war.

On Monday, Israel ordered residents of eastern Rafah to evacuate and move to a "humanitarian zone" northwest of the city, a day after rocket fire by militants killed four soldiers and wounded several more at the Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and the Palestinian territory.

President Joe Biden on Monday "reiterated his clear position" to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against an invasion of Rafah, the White House said, after Israel defied U.S. warnings and told Palestinians to evacuate part of the southern Gaza city.

Israeli officials were puzzled by the decision, initially linking it to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's planned operation in Rafah. However, reports suggest the incident might be unrelated to the invasion threats.

The ad praised the students for their resilience, noting that they remained steadfast despite being targeted with bottles and rocks.

According to an Egyptian channel, the Egyptian security delegation had reached an agreement on many points of contention.

The official emphasized the critical need for a ceasefire and a significant increase in aid delivery through both land and sea routes.

Turkey said Thursday it was suspending all trade with Israel until it allows aid to enter Gaza unhindered during its offensive against Hamas militants in the territory.

An Israeli delegation is expected to arrive in Egypt in the coming days to discuss the latest proposals in negotiations.

"My commitment to Israel, I want to make clear again, is ironclad," said Biden after signing the $95 billion national security supplemental into law.

A UN probe into Israeli allegations that 19 members of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees participated in the October 7 Hamas attacks has closed one case due to the absence of any evidence from Israel and suspended four others, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Friday.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken's letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson outlined this decision, stating that aid delivery would not be delayed, provided Israel takes specific steps to address the allegations.

Iran has reduced its military footprint in Syria after a succession of strikes blamed on Israel, a source close to Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah and a war monitor said Wednesday.

Fears are rising that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will soon follow through on repeated threats to send troops into the southern Gazan city of Rafah, where 1.5 million people are sheltering, many in makeshift encampments.

Netanyahu, who threatened action "in the coming days" without elaborating, has repeatedly said Israel will launch a ground assault on Rafah despite international concern for civilians who have taken refuge in the southern Gazan city.

The purported US plan elicited a harsh response from Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The newly approved aid, totaling billions of dollars, marks a significant gesture of support from the United States to bolster the security and stability of both nations.

The vote, which commenced ahead of schedule, saw 210 Democrats and 101 Republicans supporting the measure, while 112 Republicans dissented.

The strike late Friday targeted a residential building in Rafah's western Tel Sultan neighborhood, as reported by Gaza's civil defense.

Air defense systems over several Iranian cities were activated, state media reported, after the country's official broadcaster said explosions were heard near the city of Isfahan. There had been no reaction from Israeli or Iranian officials to the overnight strikes and the extent of the damage remained unclear.