Israel-Hamas Conflict: Fate Of Many Hostages 'Unknown'; Netanyahu Wants Egypt-Gaza Border Closed

Red Cross rejected by some Israeli law firms: Report

Several "senior" law firms in Israel refused to represent the Red Cross in a lawsuit filed by freed hostages and the families of remaining hostages in Hamas captivity, Israel's national broadcaster Kan reported Monday.

Among the nationally-known law firms that reportedly rejected the organization was the Herzog, Fox & Ne'eman, which is a known law powerhouse in the country. The law office reportedly refused to comment on the report.

Fate of many Israeli hostages 'unknown': Hamas official

Abu Ubaida, the spokesman of Hamas' armed wing, said the fate of many Israeli hostages in Gaza has become unknown as they "may have been killed." He went on to reiterate that "any talks before stopping the Israeli aggression are worthless."

Ubaida's comments came as the loved ones of remaining hostages in Gaza press the Israeli government for more action in getting the abductees freed. The families demonstrated in Tel Aviv Sunday, marking the 100^th day since the hostages were forcefully dragged into Gaza.

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QatarEnergy halts tanker activity in Red Sea: Report

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter QatarEnergy has halted the transit of its tankers through the Red Sea, Reuters reported Monday, citing a senior source with direct knowledge of the matter.

"It is a pause to get security advice, if passing (through the) Red Sea remains unsafe we will go via the Cape (of Good Hope)," the source said.

Production in the world's second-largest LNG exporter continues, but recent attacks in the Red Sea have disrupted the company's activities, as per LSEG shiptracking data that revealed four of QatarEnergy's tankers were held up over the weekend amid the U.S.-led coalition's responses to Yemeni Houthi rebel militia's attacks in the area.

Ex-IDF chief says Oct. 7 needs 'deep investigation'

Former IDF chief of staff Aviv Kochavi on Monday talked about Hamas' Oct. 7 massacre for the first time Monday, saying it requires "deep investigation."

He also acknowledged shared responsibility for decisions taken during his term as the Israeli army's leader. He said that while Israel was going through tough times, "they must not cover up or forget everything that we built here," as per a Google translation of his statements.

He went on to note that Israel "will continue to protect ourselves from external threats but we will also have to protect ourselves from internal threats."

Humanitarian aid efforts mark significant milestone

Sunday marked a significant feat in efforts to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip as 237 humanitarian aid trucks entered the enclave. It was the highest number of aid trucks that entered the Strip in one day since the war started, the Israeli government said Monday.

Israel has been under mounting pressure to allow more humanitarian supplies to enter Gaza as residents are displaced by intense fighting between the Israeli army and Hamas combatants.

'Differences' in hostage release efforts in full display at war cabinet meeting: Report

The "differences in approach" between Netanyahu, defense minister and war cabinet member Yoav Gallant and minister Gadi Eisenkot was apparent during the weekend meeting as ministers discussed efforts to free the remaining hostages in Gaza, local Walla News correspondents reported.

Eisenkot reportedly demanded that political efforts be increased in freeing the hostages, but Netanyahu and Gallant maintained that only military pressure would do the job. Eisenkot, who is a former IDF chief, reportedly told ministers that "we are lying to ourselves and not in the right direction."

MSG Gal Meir Eisenkot, the son of the former Israeli army chief, fell in battle last month during what the IDF said were operations "that enabled the location" of the bodies of two hostages killed in Hamas captivity.

IDF destroys 2 ammunition storage facilities in Khan Yunis

Israeli troops destroyed two ammunition depots in Khan Yunis in the last day, the IDF said Monday morning local time.

The news comes after the Israeli army reverted its focus from the northern Gaza Strip to the southern tip of the enclave and also expanded its military campaign in central Gaza in recent days.

IDF conducts 'wave of attacks' against Hezbollah, hits 'operational' HQ

The Israeli army "completed" a "wave of attacks in Lebanese territory" that targeted Hezbollah paramilitary assets Sunday, the IDF said. Amon the assets struck were Hezbollah infrastructure and an "operational headquarters" belonging to the Iranian-backed terror group.

The news comes after Nasrallah warned of continued attacks by the Lebanon-based paramilitary organization until Israel ends its military campaign in Gaza.

Small boats approach merchant ship in Red Sea

Two small boats "approached and hailed" a commercial vessel at around noon Sunday local time off the coast of Assab, Eritrea, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said. The small boats were "attempting to get them [the ship] to change course," but it maintained course after receiving reassurance from authorities.

The boats then left the vicinity, but the UKMTO said vessels around the area to transit with caution and report any suspicious activities.

Hamas releases video of 3 hostages, including daughter of cancer patient

Hamas released a video showing three hostages: Yoshi Sharabi, Itai Svirski, and Noa Argamani, whose mother, Liora Argamani, pled for help from the Israeli government and international community to free her daughter as her final wish was to see Noa released.

Liora is battling terminal brain cancer and touched the world when she made an international appeal to Israel, China, where she is from, and to U.S. President Joe Biden. Liora also attended the "100 Days in Hell" rally in Tel Aviv.

The end of the video that Hamas published reportedly states: "Tomorrow, we will inform you of their fate."

US shoots down Houthi missile targeting its warship

The U.S. shot down a missile Sunday afternoon local time that was "fired from Iranian-backed Houthi militant areas of Yemen toward the USS Laboon," a destroyer deployed in the Red Sea, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said.

The missile was shot down in the vicinity of the Hodeidah coast. No injuries or damage were reported from the incident. Hodeidah's port is controlled by Yemen's Houthi rebel militia.

Nasrallah vows northern front aggression will continue until Israel stops Gaza campaign

Hezbollah attacks against Israel on the northern front will continue unless Israel decides to halt its military offensive in the Gaza Strip, Nasrallah said Sunday.

He revealed that there were envoys sent to Lebanon to "extinguish" the Lebanese front by delivering a warning that "Israel will launch a war on Lebanon" if the Iran-backed militant group, which has a more extensive weaponry arsenal than Hamas, doesn't stop attacking Israel, as per a Reuters translation of the Hezbollah chief's statements.

Nasrallah did not mention which country sent envoys and who were the diplomats that were sent to Lebanon.

Israel, supporters in London mark a hundred days since Oct. 7 massacre

Israel and its supporters in London marked the 100^th day of the Israel-Hamas war Sunday through the "100 Days in Hell" rallies that were staged in Tel Aviv and the Trafalgar Square in London.

In Australia and China, cyclists rode to "bring them home."

The Israeli government also released several videos reminding the world that there are still more 136 hostages being held in Gaza, 100 days since they were taken from Israel.

Israel, Hamas reach deal to transfer medicine to hostages in Gaza

Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement – as mediated by Qatar – to allow for the delivery of medicine for hostages held in the Gaza Strip, as per a statement from Netanyahu's office. The development marks the first time the Palestinian terror group agreed to allow Israel to send medicine to hostages who are either injured or suffering from critical conditions.

Hamas agreed to Israel's request in exchange for Israel sending a shipment of medication for Gaza hospitals through organizations with the United Nations, two Israeli officials said, as per Axios.

The Israeli government has been pushing Qatari and Egyptian mediators to press Hamas to allow medicine transfer to hostages since the war started, but Hamas has allegedly either refused or made "unrealistic demands," the outlet reported, citing a senior Israeli official.

Hamas previously warned that the remaining hostages in Gaza were doomed unless Israel meets its demands.

Netanyahu says Egypt-Gaza border 'must' shut down

The Israeli prime minister said over the weekend that the Philadelphi Corridor, the strip of land that borders Egypt and the Gaza Strip, "must" be closed. If such an action is implemented, Israel is expected to have full control of the enclave.

"We'll destroy Hamas, we'll demilitarize Gaza, and military equipment and other deadly weapons will continue to enter this southern opening, so of course we need to close it," he reiterated.

Ahmed Abu Zeid, spokesperson of Egypt's foreign ministry, has since responded to Netanyahu's remarks, saying Egypt "fully controls its borders and controls it completely," adding that issues regarding its borders are subject to agreements "between countries involved," as per a CNN translation of his statement.