Israel-Hamas war: Biden calls Netanyahu's handling of war a 'mistake'

US President Joe Biden called Israel's approach to the war a "mistake" during an interview carried out on April 3, two days after an Israeli strike killed seven aid workers in Gaza, that was published late on Tuesday.

"I think what he's doing is a mistake. I don't agree with his approach," Biden told Spanish-language TV network Univision.

Highlighting a recent change in his stance, Biden urged Netanyahu to call for a ceasefire and "allow for the next six, eight weeks, total access to all food and medicine going into the country."

"It should be done now," he added.

Biden has faced some domestic backlash for his initial position in support of Israel, but his tone has grown more critical as the number of people killed in Gaza — mostly women and children — has continued to increase, reaching at least 33,360 on Tuesday according to figures from the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run enclave.

The Israeli government is also facing a deadline from its Supreme Court on Wednesday to explain what it has done to increase to flow of aid to Gaza. The administration insists it has complied with international demands, and is not constricting aid supplies.

Gaza Palestinians mark Eid al-Fitr amid war

Muslim Palestinians in Gaza are observing the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which ends the 30-day religious fasting period of Ramadan. 

The vast majority of Gaza's nearly 2 million people are Sunni Muslim, although there is a small Christian minority.

Worshippers typically begin the Eid holiday with a morning prayer, known as the Eid Salah.  

Eid al-Fitr is typically a joyous occasion, with Muslims consuming sweets and handing out money to children. 

This year, however, Palestinians in Gaza face dire humanitarian conditions, with food and water in short supply. The UN has warned that famine is imminent in Gaza, with insufficient food aid entering the territory due to Israeli restrictions at border controls.

Moreover, much of Gaza's infrastructure and housing has been ravaged by Israel's war against Hamas.

More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed since the Gaza war began just over six months ago, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-run, making the holiday an especially somber occasion for many bereaved families. 

Iran supreme leader again threatens Israel over killing of generals

Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei again threatened Israel following the killings of several Iranian generals in Syria.  

On April 1, airstrikes destroyed Iran's consular building in Damascus, leaving 12 people dead. Seven Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps members died in the attack, among them two generals. 

"When they attacked our consulate area, it was like they attacked our territory," Khamenei said in remarks made on state TV to mark the end of Ramadan while adding that Israel "will be punished."

Israel has not publicly claimed responsiblity for the April 1 strike in the Syrian capital. Iran earlier alleged that the US approved the Damascus attack.     

Israel said on Wednesday that it does not take the threats from Iran lightly. 

"If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will respond and attack Iran," Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz wrote in a post on X, which was published in both Hebrew and Persian. 

Spanish PM Sanchez says recognizing Palestinian state 'in Europe's interests'

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday called Israel's response in the Gaza war against Hamas "disproportionate," and said it could end up "destabilizing the Middle East, and as a consequence, the entire world," while speaking to the parliament.

Sanchez, one of the most critical voices against Israel in Europe, said the recognition of a Palestinian state is "in Europe's geopolitical interests." During his Middle East tour last week, he had indicated that Madrid will be ready to recognize Palestinian statehood by the end of June.

"I expect and demand that the Israeli government clarify as soon as possible the circumstances of this brutal attack that has taken the lives of seven aid workers who were doing nothing but helping," Sanchez said during a visit to a Palestinian refugee camp in Jordan. 

Israel's defense minister says no date set for Rafah assault — reports

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told his US counterpart Lloyd Austin on a call that there is no date yet for a ground assault in the Gazan city of Rafah, according to media reports. 

He said Israel was still in the process of planning the evacuation of civilians, Axios, Haaretz and The Times of Israel reported, citing sources.

Gallant's comments, if confirmed, would contradict a previous statement by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who has repeatedly said the offensive in Rafah will go ahead despite widespread international condemnation.

Netanyahu, who is facing pressure from far-right supporters, had announced the finalization of a planned offensive on Rafah, where over a million Palestinians have taken refuge.

The Israeli prime minister has not specified when the date of the Rafah offensive would be, only that he had one.

Washington has spoken against Israel's plans for a large-scale offensive, saying it will put civilian lives at risk. US officials are set to meet an Israeli delegation next week to discuss this move, said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Israel strikes Hezbollah targets in Syria

The Israeli Defense Forces announced in a post on X that they had attacked positions of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia in Syria. 

"The IDF holds the Syrian regime accountable for all activities that take place within its territory and will not allow for any attempted actions which could lead to the entrenchment of Hezbollah on the Syrian front," the statement said. 

Israel has carried out strikes on Hezbollah and Hamas targets — both designated terror organizations by the US, Israel and Germany — in Lebanon and Syria since October 7.

A recent strike on the Iranian embassy in Damascus which killed two generals of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps drew international criticism amid fears that the conflict in Gaza could grow into a regional war involving Iran and its proxies.

Israel has not claimed responsibility for the strike.