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Israeli PM visits Orban as conflict with Hamas escalates during Eid al-Fitr

‘The military pressure on Hamas is working’. With these words, Benyamyn Netanyahu defended the decision to break the truce in Gaza a fortnight ago, resuming air raids and ground operations. The Israeli PM invited Hamas leaders to exile themselves, provided they disarm the militias.

While the conflict rages on, Netanyahu has also decided to defy the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity. On Wednesday he will fly to Budapest to meet Viktor Orban, who has guaranteed that Hungary will not execute the warrant. The European Union, however, has reminded member states of their obligation to cooperate with the court.

The shelling on Gaza, which resumed on 18 March after two months of a fragile ceasefire, did not stop even on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, a major Muslim holiday. At least 17 people, including women and children, were killed in Khan Younis. Meanwhile, Houthi militiamen, supporters of Hamas, claimed the launch of a ballistic missile towards Ben Gurion airport, which was intercepted by the Israeli army.

Negotiations for a new ceasefire are ongoing, mediated by Egypt, Qatar and the United States. Hamas has said it is willing to release five hostages in exchange for a 50-day truce, but Israel is demanding at least ten. Pending developments on the diplomatic front, Netanyahu reiterated that his government intends to continue to guarantee the security of Gaza and confirmed the voluntary migration project proposed by the Trump administration.

Finally, the Israeli government approved the construction of two new roads in the West Bank, intended to strengthen settler settlements in the Maale Adumim area. Palestinian authorities and NGOs have denounced this project, which threatens to further undermine the creation of a contiguous Palestinian state.

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