August 19, 2024

*) Israel orders army to intensify Gaza onslaught Israel has decided to escalate its carnage in besieged Gaza to improve its position in Gaza ceasefire and prisoner swap talks. Sources say that the Israeli security cabinet recently instructed the military to intensify its attacks in Gaza to strengthen Israel's position in the ongoing ceasefire negotiations. *) Netanyahu wants to sabotage ceasefire, prolong war: Hamas Palestinian resistance group Hamas has said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has prevented the completion of the Gaza ceasefire and prisoner-hostage swap proposal by setting new conditions during the negotiations in Doha. Hamas said in a statement that the new proposal meets Netanyahu's conditions and aligns with them, particularly his refusal of a permanent ceasefire, a complete withdrawal from Gaza, and his insistence on continuing the occupation of key crossings. *) Israeli forces 'deliberately target' TRT Arabi crew in Gaza's Khan Younis Israeli forces have once again targeted TRT crew in Palestine's Gaza, where they have been working to inform the world about the ongoing massacres in the besieged enclave. TRT Arabi correspondent Sami Barhoum and his team's vehicle were shot at with long-barrelled weapons, with five bullets striking the car. There were no casualties, but Barhoum sustained minor injuries. *) Kursk incursion aimed at creating 'buffer zone' — Zelenskyy Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said military incursion into Russia's Kursk region aims to create a buffer zone to prevent further attacks by Moscow across the border. Zelenskyy said that Kiev aims to destroy as much Russian war potential as possible and conduct maximum counteroffensive actions. *) Austria battles major flooding after record downpours Heavy rains have lashed Alpine regions of Austria and left parts of Vienna underwater, causing severe damage in parts of the country and disrupting road and rail transport. Fast-moving torrents of muddy water swept cars in western Austria.