US Israel Iran news: Netanyahu vows to fight sanctions on military as ‘mass grave found’ under Gaza hospital

Iran’s surprisingly solemn response to Israel’s retaliatory airstrike could be seen as a hopeful sign that points to an end to the tit-for-tat escalation – or something far more foreboding, says Mary Dejevsky

At least 34,151 Palestinians have been killed and 77,084 wounded in Israel’s military offensive on Gaza since 7 October, the Gaza health ministry have said in a statement.

Iraqi armed faction Kataib Hezbollah has denied issuing a statement saying it had resumed attacks on US forces, a statement from the group issued on the Telegram messaging app has said.

The denial came hours after another statement was circulated on groups thought to be affiliated with the Iran-backed armed faction that declared a resumption in the attacks some three months after they were suspended.

Kataib Hezbollah described that as “fabricated news”.

A baby girl has been safely delivered from the womb of a Palestinian woman killed alongside her husband and daughter in an Israeli attack in the Gaza city of Rafah.

A total of 19 people were killed in the strikes on Sunday (21 April), including 13 children from one family, Palestinian health officials said.

The baby, weighing 1.4 kg and delivered in an emergency C-section, is stable and improving gradually, said Mohammed Salama, a doctor caring for her.

Her mother, Sabreen Al-Sakani, had been 30 weeks pregnant.

The baby was placed in an incubator in a Rafah hospital alongside another infant, with the words “The baby of the martyr Sabreen Al-Sakani” written on tape across her chest.

Below we have the resignation letter of Major General Aharon Haliva. The head of Israel’s military intelligence announced he was stepping down earlier this morning.

“Over 38 years ago, I entered the gates of the Jewish Community and enlisted in the army. I went through stations and many positions on the fighting front and I always did, as much as I could, to serve the people of Israel,” he wrote.

“Throughout my positions, I knew that along with authority there was also a heavy responsibility: for the task, for the people, for success and failure.

“On Saturday 7 October 2023, Hamas carried out a murderous surprise attack against the state of Israel, whose consequences are difficult and painful.

“The intelligence division under my command did not live up to the task we were entrusted with. I carry that black day with me ever since, day after day, night after night. I will carry the pain with me forever.

“Since the war broke out, the women and men of the army have been working, regularly and in reserve, together to achieve the goals of war. The excellent people, in all ranks and positions, did and are doing as much as possible, and many times even beyond that, for the scrutiny of the State of Israel and its future. I am proud of them and I appreciate them immensely.

“At the beginning of the war, I expressed my desire to accept responsibility and finish my duties. Now, after more than six months, and at the same time as the investigations begin, I would like to end my position.

“Until the end of my shift, I will do everything for the defeat of Hamas and those who want to harm us and the work for the return of the captives and the missing to their homes and land.”

“If anyone thinks they can impose sanctions on a unit of the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] – I will fight it with all my strength,” the Israeli prime minister said in a statement.

Major General Aharon Haliva’s resignation could set the stage for more fallout from Israel’s top security brass over the attack, when Hamas blasted through Israel’s border defenses, rampaged through Israeli communities unchallenged for hours and killed around 1,200 people, while taking roughly 250 hostages into Gaza. That attack set off the war against Hamas in Gaza, now in its seventh month.

Three people have been wounded in Jerusalem after a vehicle hit them on a street, Israeli police have said.

The pedestrians were hit at 8am local time in what police described as a “ramming terror attack”.

Two people emerged from the car holding weapons after the incident and then discarded them as they fled the scene on foot. The police said that they had failed to open fire before running away.

The Shaarey Zedek Medical Center said it admitted a 21-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy for mild injuries following the attack.

As the world holds its breath in the face of escalating violence in the Middle East, this conflict could come down to which country is best positioned to deal with sanctions, writes Mark Almond

The head of Israeli military intelligence, Major General Aharon Haliva, has resigned and will leave once a successor is appointed, the military said in a statement on Monday.