YEDIOTH AHRONOTH:

U.S. officials report:

• Trump is working behind the scenes for a comprehensive deal to release all captives and end the Gaza war
• Netanyahu given limited time (2-3 weeks) to continue military operations

KAN:

Israel’s birth rate hit a 15-year low due to:

• Gaza war casualties
• Young families emigrating
• Extended military reserve duty
• Declining desire to expand families

NETANYAHU’S OFFICE: Netanyahu claimed elements in Israel’s negotiation team repeatedly “undermined his directives” and accepted Hamas demands.

HAMAS STATEMENT: The movement denounced Israel’s Balata camp operation as an extension of the Gaza genocide and urged widespread popular uprising against occupation. Hamas vowed resistance would foil attempts to break Palestinian resolve.

PRCS: Injuries from Israeli gunfire in Balata refugee camp increased to six

HAARETZ: 970 pilots face dismissal unless they retract a letter demanding an end to Gaza’s “politically motivated” war.

PALESTINIAN RED CRESCENT. A child was hit in the face during a gas attack in Balata camp, east of Nablus.

AL JAZEERA:

Health Director Munir Al-Bursh reported:

• 50 killed in today’s massacre; children form the majority.
• 18 of Gaza’s 38 hospitals partially operational amid severe shortages of blood, beds, and vaccines.
• Patients are dying due to blocked aid and medicine entry.

PALESTINE CHRONICLE: Israeli officials from the Jerusalem Municipality, accompanied by security forces, stormed six UNRWA schools in East Jerusalem on Tuesday and ordered their closure within 30 days, the UN agency said.

Israel Orders Closure of Six UNRWA Schools in East Jerusalem

AL-JAZEERA: The International Court of Justice announced public hearings on Israel’s obligation to maintain the presence of UN organizations in the Palestinian territories.

AL-JAZEERA:

An investigation revealed:

Security forces failed to defend Sderot on October 7, 2023.

41 Hamas fighters attacked from three axes.

37 settlers, 3 soldiers, and 13 security personnel killed.

AL-JAZEERA: Ayman Qudaih, missing since the war began, was confirmed dead in Israeli prisons.

HAARETZ: An officer alleged soldiers target civilians in Gaza due to public sentiment, with units competing to maximize destruction.

AL-JAZEERA: Engineer Ebtihal Abu al-Saad urged a boycott of Microsoft and demanded employees reject work with occupation-supporting firms.

AL-JAZEERA (citing medical sources): 45 Palestinians were killed in ongoing Israeli strikes.

PALESTINE CHRONICLE: A growing majority of Americans now hold unfavorable views of Israel and strongly oppose US control over Gaza, according to new Pew survey data.

HAARETZ:

The Israeli army has released its investigation results regarding October 7 events in Sderot:

Primary failures attributed to Gaza Division’s Northern Brigade

Northern Brigade failed to train security forces for 2 years and wasn’t prepared for large-scale attack

Brigade ignored 2022 removal of weapons from emergency rooms

Security apparatus failed to protect Gaza border communities on October 7

Lack of coordination between security forces and military in border areas

Friendly fire incidents occurred between army and security forces

ISRAELI ARMY RADIO: The Israeli shekel has seen a sharp drop in value amid the escalating trade war between the US and China.

MAARIV:

PM Netanyahu has summoned cabinet ministers to:

Brief them on his Budapest and Washington visits

No changes to standard cabinet meeting format

AL-JAZEERA: Gaza’s Health Ministry announced Wednesday that the death toll from Israel’s ongoing genocide has reached 50,846, with 115,729 injured since October 2023.

PALESTINE CHRONICLE: Scores of Palestinians were killed and many others sustained injuries on Wednesday, due to Israeli shelling that targeted both the southern and central areas of the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, the Gaza Municipality issued a warning about an impending water crisis affecting the civilian population.

Horrific Massacre in Shejaiyya: Scores Killed in Israeli Shelling across Gaza

AL JAZEERA:

Marwan Al-Hams, Director of Field Hospitals for Gaza’s Health Ministry, told Al Jazeera:

• Borders must open immediately for food, water, and medicine.
• No medicines available for sick children.
• Spread of diarrhea and hepatitis among children due to lack of clean water and food.
• Most casualties arrive with full-body burns; Israel is using new weapons.

ISRAELI MEDIA: The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation (KAN) reports the US is pressing Israel for more details after its forces killed a child with American citizenship in the West Bank.

AL-JAZERA: The Israeli coordinator for prisoners of war stated to Israel Hayom that the hostage exchange negotiations with Hamas are taking place amid high secrecy and constant contact with the Americans and mediators.

GAZA HEALTH MINISTRY: The lack of proper nutrition sources and drinking water in the Gaza Strip is exacerbating health challenges. The ministry added that 60,000 children in the Strip are threatened by serious health complications due to malnutrition

ISRAELI MEDIA: Israel Hayom quoted sources claiming that the Israeli army is expanding its ground operations in the Gaza Strip.

YAHYA SAREE, ANSARALLAH MILITARY SPOKESMAN: The group’s operations will not stop until the aggression against Gaza and its siege cease. Saree mentioned that the American aggression launched strikes on several sites, leading to civilian casualties. He also pointed to the downing of an American “MQ-9” aircraft while it was carrying out a hostile act.

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: Israeli occupation forces detained 5 Palestinians, including the mother of a martyr, during their raid on the Balata camp, east of Nablus city.

Israeli forces stormed Balata refugee camp in Nablus, forcibly displacing Palestinians from their homes during the raid.#Palestine #Nablus #Balata #Gaza #Israel pic.twitter.com/fRbpQI8kiE

— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) April 9, 2025

ISRAELI MEDIA: Maariv newspaper reported injuries in a stabbing attack in West Jerusalem, noting that authorities are investigating the background of the incident.

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: Israeli forces are shelling with artillery and firing east of Khan Yunis city.

“He’s the only one I have” — heartbreaking words from the mother of Arkan Al-Najjar, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting displaced people’s tents in the Mowassi area of Khan Yunis. His grandmother was also injured while they were on their way to buy food.#Gaza… pic.twitter.com/tP4glhLUgk

— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) April 9, 2025

PEW RESEARCH CENTER POLL:

Americans’ view of Israel has become more negative over the past three years.

53% of Americans express negative views towards Israel compared to 42% before October 7th.

32% of Americans do not trust Netanyahu.

31% of Americans believe Trump shows excessive bias towards Israel compared to 29% who see him as balanced.

62% of Americans oppose the idea of the United States controlling Gaza

ISRAELI CHANNEL 13 (citing an Israeli official): Netanyahu asked Trump to dismantle all Iranian uranium enrichment facilities. Netanyahu asked Trump to remove the enriched materials and have them destroyed by the Americans.

NEW YORK TIMES:

Pentagon officials informed Congress of limited success in destroying Ansarallah missiles and drones.

A Pentagon official expressed concern to congressional aides about the speed at which the military is expending munitions in Yemen.

A defense official informed congressional aides about the risk of facing operational problems if any conflict erupts in Asia.

Congressional sources told the newspaper:

Leaders are concerned that the campaign in Yemen could deplete weapons needed to deter China.

The Pentagon may need to transfer weapons from the Asia-Pacific region to the Middle East.

The Pentagon’s deployment of ships and aircraft in the Middle East harms readiness in the Pacific.

AFP:

US President Donald Trump:

We want to release those held in Gaza quickly, and we hope to do it the right way.

We are working to return American hostages, and if I were president, the October 7th attack would not have happened.

Trump delivers a speech during a dinner hosted by the Republican Congressional Committee on Tuesday evening

AL-JAZEERA: 26 Palestinians were killed as overnight attacks continued across the enclave.

YEMENI MEDIA: Six people were killed and 16 were wounded in a residential area in Hodeidah, while ten airstrikes targeted Sanaa’s Nuqum Mountain.

https://twitter.com/PalestineChron/status/1909884480778551687