Abu Ubaida, spokesperson for the Al-Qassam Brigades, delivered a recorded statement marking the 100th day of the "Al-Aqsa Flood" (the Oct. 7 attack), his first visual appearance since November 23rd of the previous year.

Abu Ubaida claimed Israel destroyed most mosques in the Gaza Strip, considering it a clear religious war.

The narrative tied the outbreak of the Al-Aqsa Flood to the arrival of five red heifers in Israel from Texas, emphasizing their significance in Jewish rituals.

In 2022, Red heifers from Texas were flown into Israel as a way to fulfill an ancient Jewish prophecy and are expected to play a significant role in Jewish rituals. The heifers are housed at a secret farm near Beit She'an.

The attainment of ritual purity through the ashes of a red heifer is a crucial prerequisite for participation in Temple service. In modern times, individuals within the Jewish community, desiring biblical ritual purity and looking ahead to the construction of the Third Temple, have made efforts to locate a red heifer and replicate the associated ritual.

It’s alleged that the arrival of the red heifers and subsequent events indicate an impending attempt to destroy Al-Aqsa Mosque to build a third temple.

After the arrival of the red heifers, Hamas warned that rituals involving the heifers threatened the Al-Aqsa Mosque. It’s alleged that the arrival of the red heifers and subsequent events indicate an impending attempt to destroy Al-Aqsa Mosque to build a third temple.

Arab-language media extensively covered the angle of the red heifers playing a role in the conflict.

In his speech, Abu Ubaida recounted the achievements of the Qassam Brigades and Palestinian resistance, emphasizing the battle as a turning point in Palestinian history and calling it one of the greatest and holiest battles.

He accused Israel of committing massacres that "shame humanity" and called upon global justice to disarm the occupation and bring its leaders to justice.

The Israeli military claimed to have revealed the true identity of Abu Ubaida as Hudaifa Kahalut.

The Israeli military is reportedly interested in Abu Ubaida's eye condition, speculating on whether he was injured or had an infection.

Social media platforms played a critical role in the digital battleground during the Israel-Hamas war, serving as vehicles for both information dissemination and misinformation.

Social media companies reported an increase in content promoting terrorism and false narratives during the conflict.

Meta has been accused by various groups and users of suppressing pro-Palestinian voices and content related to the war efforts, including posts documenting Palestinian suffering or criticising Israel, under its Dangerous Organization policies.

Human Rights Watch reports Meta has been systematically suppressing pro-Palestine content on Facebook and Instagram, contributing to the "erasure of Palestinians' suffering."

The Iron Truth, an Israeli volunteer group, claims to have connections with insiders at major tech companies and has had a considerable number of posts removed that it deems anti-Israel or promoting disinformation.

Iron Truth's influence over Big Tech employees to remove content is not widely corroborated. (The Intercept)

Israel claims to have identified TikTok and other social media platforms as venues where disinformation and anti-Israel sentiment are being spread.

US politicians like Senators Josh Hawley and Marco Rubio have called for action against TikTok, accusing the platform of allowing the spread of pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel content.

Some studies and polls suggest younger Americans are turning increasingly pro-Palestine due, in part, to content consumed on social media.

Debates have arisen on the difference between freedom of speech and harmful content amid these concerns regarding social media's influence on public opinion.

There are conflicting views on whether TikTok is knowingly pushing a pro-Palestinian agenda or simply reflecting the preferences of its user base.

Influencers and regular social media users noticed reduced viewership and reach of content related to Gaza, attributing issues to algorithmic suppression.

The Israeli government issued requests resulting in the removal of over 1,000 violent and extremist posts; however, posts containing misinformation about the conflict were not covered under this arrangement.

Reports emerged that Iranian actors, possibly state-backed, manipulated social media content and used digital platforms to deepen societal rifts and collect personal data from Israeli users.

Teenagers from Israel, as part of an educational program, became active in pro-Israel digital advocacy, contributing to the war of narratives online.

Meta's denial: While some groups have accused Meta of inhibiting pro-Palestinian content, the company has denied deliberately suppressing voices and claims it only removes content violating its policies.

Over the past weeks, the situation in Gaza has drawn international attention as reports from multiple news sources indicate a severe humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.

The United Nations' emergency relief chief, as reported by CNN, highlighted that famine emerged with "incredible speed" following the conflict, putting hundreds of thousands at risk of starvation. The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator specified that a significant portion of Gazans are experiencing famine, not just at risk of it.

Aid efforts are stifled by multiple challenges. Articles from CNN and The Guardian note difficulties such as the insufficient number of trucks delivering aid, Israel denying aid access, especially to northern Gaza, and hindered movement of humanitarian workers. Ensuring the safety of those accessing and distributing aid is also a problem.

The World Food Programme, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization issued a joint plea for greater aid entry routes into Gaza, highlighting the need for food supplies and guaranteeing the safe passage for aid workers.

Israeli news outlets like Ynet and Haaretz suggest that there could be exaggeration regarding famine in Gaza, indicating that supply issues are due not to an actual shortage but rather to the misallocation or capture of aid by Hamas.

Discussions over a new round of negotiations for the release of hostages held by Hamas have continued, with reports of higher demands from Hamas than in previous talks.

Israeli air force planes from Qatar transferred medicines both to Gaza and to hostages, based on an agreement between Israel and Hamas, facilitated by Qatar and France.

Political leaders in Israel, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have held discussions on potential conditions for a new round of negotiations that could lead to a hostage release deal.

It's reported that Netanyahu unilaterally delayed and backtracked on agreed-upon outlines without consulting his cabinet, causing tension among Israeli ministers.

This unilateral decision-making process highlights a discrepancy in how the negotiations are being handled within the Israeli political establishment.

American efforts, particularly by U.S. envoy Brett McGurk in Doha, focus on a smaller-scale deal for the release of six hostages with American citizenship, hinting at ongoing intense negotiations.

The public and the families of the hostages have expressed urgency for immediate action, with large demonstrations calling for the government to strike any deal that would release the remaining hostages.

Hamas might be aiming for smaller, interim deals rather than a "big deal" that would release all hostages. This perspective aligns with American interests in achieving a specific and focused deal.

Netanyahu and other Israeli officials reiterate that only increasing military pressure on Hamas will lead to an effective deal for the hostages' release.

Hostages have been in captivity for over 100 days, with some having significant symbolic importance to Israeli society, such as the case of the "redhead" Bibas children, including 1-year-old baby Kfir Bibas.

Voices from within Hamas imply a confidence and unwillingness to settle on terms not closely tied to the organization's survival and interests.

The negotiations will have a domestic political impact, reflecting on the current Israeli government's ability to safeguard its citizens and manage crises.

International relations between the U.S., Israel, Qatar, and other involved parties can be influenced by the results of these discussions, including America's role in the Middle East and its commitment to its citizens abroad.

The European Union has listed Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, on its terrorist sanctions blacklist in response to the October 7 attacks on Israel. Sinwar is subject to an asset freeze and transaction ban within the 27-nation EU.

In the past, the EU added other senior Hamas figures, like military commander Mohammed Deif and his deputy Marwan Issa, to the terror list.

The listing follows a multi-step procedural framework where EU experts evaluate proposals by member states based on their own legal determinations concerning terrorism.

Following the addition, a detailed statement is published, and measures like asset freezes are typically enforced alongside the listing.

Sinwar becomes the third senior Hamas leader to be sanctioned by the EU since the latest Middle Eastern conflict began.

Israel has welcomed the move. Foreign Minister Israel Katz described the EU's decision as moral recompense for the EU's diplomatic efforts to constrain Hamas's resources and delegitimize it.

Hamas has criticized the EU's decision as biased. Taher al-Nounou, media advisor for Hamas's political bureau, ridiculed the sanctions as irrelevant, arguing that Sinwar doesn't hold financial accounts in or outside Palestine.

An Israeli publication (Maariv) described Sinwar as "the butcher of Khan Younis," revealing aspects of his past and alleged role in the killing of suspected Palestinian informers. It also covered Sinwar’s time in Israeli prison, his fluency in Hebrew, and the perception of him as a tough negotiator.

Al Monitor mentioned that France had already frozen Sinwar's assets for six months prior to the EU action.

The Israeli military found the tunnel system under Gaza to be more extensive, deep, and sophisticated than previously thought, with estimates reaching between 350 to 450 miles of tunnels and almost 5,700 separate shafts leading to them.

One tunnel was wide enough for a vehicle, while another extended nearly three football fields and was situated beneath a hospital. A spiral staircase leading to a tunnel around seven stories deep was discovered under a senior Hamas commander's house.

Some machinery used by Hamas to build the tunnels, as captured in videos, surprised the Israeli military.

The Israeli defense officials believe these tunnels serve as military bases, arsenals, and a means to protect its top commanders.

A document showed that in 2022, Hamas allocated $1 million for tunnel doors, underground workshops, and other expenses in Khan Younis alone.

The tunnels serve dual purposes with commander tunnels being deeper and more elaborate than those used by operatives.

Captured documents and lists found by the Israeli military revealed families that "hosted" tunnel entrances in their homes.

The Israeli military said the fight against tunnels being one of the most grueling aspects of the conflict in Gaza.

Israeli soldiers and reservists reported the difficulty of destroying the tunnels, mentioning many were booby-trapped, and described bombs with enough force to cause significant casualties.

Efforts to flood tunnels with seawater as a means of destruction failed, indicating that disabling the entire network could take years.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Saturday his intention to control the Philadelphi Corridor, the border area between Egypt and Gaza, to stop weapons from being smuggled to Hamas.

Egypt responded by emphasizing its control over its borders and stated that issues regarding the border are subject to legal and security agreements between the countries.

Multiple reports indicate that Egypt has begun to enforce new security measures on its side of the Philadelphi Corridor.

According to Israeli media (Ynet, Mako), Israel approved increased Egyptian security measures near the border and is organizing its own plans for taking control of the corridor.

Egypt has vehemently rejected Israel's desire to control the corridor and comments made by Israeli officials blaming Egypt for aid blockages in Gaza.

Some Israeli officials claim that Egypt is hindering the flow of aid into Gaza.

Egyptian officials and media contradict this, emphasizing their efforts in facilitating aid and medical treatment for Gazans, repairing entry routes, and denying any closure of the Rafah crossing.

Israeli soccer player Sagiv Jehezkel was placed under investigation in Turkey for inciting public hatred after dedicating a goal in support of Israel against Hamas during a match.

Jehezkel pointed to a message written on a bandage on his wrist reading "100 days. 07/10." after scoring, referencing the 100 days since a Hamas attack on Israel and the number of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

The investigation brought widespread international attention and political comments, with protests and reactions from both Israeli and Turkish officials.

Jehezkel's club, Antalyaspor, initiated his exclusion from the squad and canceled his contract due to the perceived anti-national values gesture.

Turkish Justice Minister announced a judicial investigation into the act, which was met with condemnation by Israeli politicians.

Another Israeli player, Eden Karzev, faced disciplinary action from his club, Basaksehir, for a related social media post.

Turkish officials released Jehezkel and he returned to Israel, though legal processes regarding his actions are ongoing in Turkey.

The events surfaced amidst strained Israel-Turkey relations, compounded by Turkey's historical opposition to Israeli policies and support for Palestine.

The incident might deteriorate Israel-Turkey relations, which have been tense historically due to political disagreements, primarily over the Palestinian issue.

Israeli officials called for international sports organizations to act against Turkey’s blending of politics and threats against athletes.

The situation elevated international awareness of the hostages held by Hamas for over 100 days.

This event could affect the attitudes of international athletes playing in foreign leagues, stirring debate on freedom of expression versus local sensitivities.

Jehezkel's personal comments explaining his intentions during police questioning are reported in differing manners, with some emphasizing a peaceful intent to call for the end of war ([ynet](mechon-mamre.org)).

The exact interpretation of Jehezkel's gesture seems to be interpreted differently between Turkish and Israeli sides, contributing to varying reports on the intent and implications.

Some reports imply direct support for military actions by Israel, while others interpret it as a call to end the conflict and bring attention to the hostages.

The status of Jehezkel's contract with Antalyaspor is unclear, as Turkish media claim immediate dismissal, whereas it seems the contract still stands and legal proceedings are to follow.

China has been exploiting the conflict in Gaza to increase its influence in the global South and present itself as an alternative to U.S. dominance.

It has aligned its official positions with those prevalent in the global South, particularly in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and events in Ukraine.

Beijing avoids direct criticism of Hamas while putting pressure on Israel, a contrast to the U.S. stance.

China has capitalized on global anti-Israel sentiment to improve its standing with public opinion in the developing world.

China has encouraged anti-Israeli and occasionally anti-Semitic rhetoric as part of its strategy (Foreign Affairs).

A 'massive' cache of Chinese-made weapons has been discovered in Gaza, raising questions about whether China directly supplied Hamas.

Some suggest the military hardware could have been transferred to Hamas through a third party, most likely Iran.

Israel's alignment with the U.S. and the recent discovery of Chinese weaponry used by Hamas have chilled China-Israel relations.

An annual tradition is emphasized, with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi visiting Africa and the MENA region to strengthen ties and challenge U.S. influence.

Alhurra reports that both Egypt and China have called for a ceasefire in Gaza and the establishment of a full member Palestinian state.

Tasnim News asserts Iran's renewed support for the one-China principle after Taiwan's presidential election.

The Telegraph and The Defense Post suggest that China may have been directly involved or at least aware. Newsweek and Foreign Affairs imply that a third party, like Iran, is likely to have been the intermediary in weapons transfers.

South Africa has brought a case against Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague, accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.

The ICJ heard arguments about whether Israel is violating the U.N. Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

South Africa's legal arguments presented evidence including statements by Israeli officials, high civilian death tolls in Gaza, and humanitarian conditions worsened by Israeli actions.

Israel responded, defending its military actions as self-defense against Hamas and arguing that no genocide is taking place.

The U.S., U.K., and Germany, among other countries, support Israel and have rejected South Africa's allegations as unfounded or unjustified.

Over 50 countries have reportedly backed South Africa's case, with the majority from the Arab world and Africa; Turkey is the only European country to publicly support the claim.

It is unclear how many countries from regions like South America and Asia support either side, as many have remained silent or neutral.

Some prominent celebrities, like Susan Sarandon and Lena Headey, have publicly supported South Africa's charge against Israel.

National leaders and government officials from various countries have been actively commenting on the case, with Germany announcing its intention to intervene on Israel's behalf at the ICJ.

The genocide case against Israel is part of a broader narrative in which the ICJ may also need to decide on provisional measures, and the case could potentially take years for a final verdict.

South Africa is requesting that the ICJ implement provisional measures that would require Israel to refrain from actions that might constitute genocide, such as restricting humanitarian aid or closure of hospitals during the ICJ's proceedings.

An opinion column by Canadian jurist Rosalie Abella published by The Globe and Mail characterizes the ICJ case as an abuse of the postwar legal order, with the charges described as cynical and outrageous.

The Daily News Egypt implied that this case could represent a test for the West's claim to moral superiority.

Haaretz presented a rhetorical question challenging the notion that if not genocide, then what term should describe the mass killings in Gaza.

The case tests the post-war international legal order, particularly the definitions and applications of terms like "genocide" in conflicts involving states and non-state actors like Hamas.

A ruling from the ICJ, even on provisional measures, will have significant symbolic weight and could impact international perceptions and pressure on Israel.

The global split in support for the case demonstrates a division between Western and non-Western countries' views on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

How the ICJ handles this high-profile case might set precedents for future disputes involving allegations of genocide and war crimes.

The involvement of major world powers and their alignment in this case may influence the balance of global political power and discourse on human rights and international law.

The CIA formed a new task force specifically for intelligence collection on Hamas after the October 7 attacks. (The New York Times, Alarabiya, Al-Ain, Asharq, Ynetnews, Ynet, Maariv)

This intelligence is being provided to Israel.

There is a shift in the CIA's focus from targeting low-level Hamas operatives to senior leadership.

Officials believe capturing or killing top Hamas leaders like Yahya Sinwar or Mohammed Deif would be a major victory for Israel. (The New York Times, Alarabiya, Asharq)

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan directed a prioritization of intelligence collection on Hamas.

The priority of intelligence on Hamas has increased from level four to level two.

The U.S. is increasing drone flights and efforts to intercept Hamas communications. (The New York Times, Alarabiya, Asharq)

The New York Times reported that a significant portion of the Hamas force is believed to have been killed by Israel.

There are claims that civilian casualties in Gaza could lead to an increase in Hamas fighters.

Intelligence is also being collected to aid in the release of hostages held by Hamas.

There was no U.S. intelligence provided for the Beirut strike that killed Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri (The New York Times)

The effectiveness of the intelligence provided to Israel is unclear, with no major Hamas leaders reported to have been captured or killed with direct relation to the information. (The New York Times, Alarabiya, Asharq)

There is an acknowledged risk of civilian casualties from Israeli military operations against Hamas. (The New York Times, Alarabiya, Asharq, Ynet)

Western intelligence sources suggest Qatar might have had foreknowledge of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, despite the lack of concrete evidence.

As Hamas' biggest financial supporter, it's assumed Qatar monitors the activities of Hamas leaders sheltered in luxury within its borders.

Qatar's potential motives for not divulging information on the attack include disrupting normalization talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which could undermine its regional influence, particularly in the energy sector.

Despite these suspicions, Qatar plays a complex mediator role, maintaining relations with the US and Europe, and hosting the US Central Command's regional headquarters at the Al Udeid Airbase.

Simultaneously, Qatar's aid to Gaza over the years and involvement with Hamas leadership could suggest a deeper level of involvement or awareness.

All this occurs against the backdrop of Qatar's contradictory connections with various global and regional parties, and its significant role in the region, demonstrated by hosting pivotal events like the World Cup and facilitating mediations such as the release of hostages from Gaza.

There is varying certainty among intelligence officials about whether Qatar had advance knowledge of the attack. Some suggest there "are indications" or "smoke," but no "smoking gun" has been found. (Politico, Maariv)

The exact amount of financial support Qatar has provided to Gaza over the past decade varies across reports. (NPR claims over $1 billion, while Israel Hayom mentions $2 billion since 2007.)

Hostile attitudes towards the Muslim Brotherhood by some of Qatar's neighbors led to a diplomatic severance in 2017, eventually resolved with lingering distrust. (Politico)

Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel was described as the most traumatic event in Israeli history by some commentators.

Since the attack, Israeli media adopted a highly patriotic stance.

Israeli journalists are reported to believe their role is to assist in "winning the war" against Hamas, leading to a coverage largely omitting Palestinian suffering.

The narrative focuses on unity with slogans like "united we will win" evident in TV news and talk shows.

There has been heavy criticism of politicians, but the military, its strategies, generals, and soldiers are largely not critically interrogated.

Media coverage tends to ignore or minimize the suffering of Gazan civilians significantly, according to critical journalists and media watchdogs.

Critics claim that this coverage has resulted in Israeli public isolation from global perceptions.

International media present a broader view, including the Palestinian perspective and suffering from Israeli offensives.

There is evidence of both explicit and implicit censorship, including restrictions on reporting sensitive military information and issues that may lead to public demoralization.

Detailed censorship directives from the Israeli military to the media were revealed by The Intercept. It outlined eight forbidden reporting topics without prior approval.

Israeli journalists are accused of self-censoring, knowing certain stories will not be approved by the censor.

Some Israeli journalists and outlets like 'Haaretz' are pushing for more coverage of Palestinian civilians and critiquing domestic media.

Israeli authorities have barred journalists from entering Gaza except on army-escorted trips, affecting the scope and type of coverage.

Israeli journalists are not reporting from Palestinian territories due to threats and the dangerous environment created by Hamas.

Foreign media outlets operating in Israel have to comply with the IDF censor to maintain their permits, and there are reports of self-censorship and sections of reporting being censored or completely forbidden.

Opinion polls suggest Palestinian support for Hamas has surged since the group’s attack, yet this is not broadly covered in Israeli media.

Israeli politicians are self-serving and leaking for personal electoral gain, affecting the media (Srugim).

Calls for journalistic responsibility within Israeli media to curb leaks were discussed in some Israeli publications.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials have indicated that Israel must take control of the Philadelphi Corridor on the Gaza-Egypt border to prevent Hamas from smuggling weapons into the Gaza Strip.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Israel has informed Egypt of its planned military operation, which would likely involve displacing Palestinian authorities from a key crossing point and replacing them with Israeli forces along a stretch of land from Gaza's southeastern corner towards the Mediterranean Sea.

This move is seen as a strategic blow to Hamas, further asserting Israeli control and altering the security arrangement with Gaza present for nearly two decades.

There is no clear consensus on how Egypt's response to Israel's plans will manifest or whether the two countries will reach an agreement that allows the operation to proceed without damaging bilateral relations.

The Jerusalem Post cites an IDF official on the magnitude of arms smuggling by Hamas.

The ICJ began hearings with South Africa presenting its case, followed by Israel's delegation, which includes British legal expert Malcolm Shaw.

South Africa's argument revolves around Israeli actions exceeding self-defense and exhibiting signs of genocide, including civilian fatalities, forced displacement, cessation of food supplies, and limitation of birth rates due to the siege of hospitals.

South Africa is seeking an interim ruling from the ICJ to immediately halt Israel's military operations in Gaza.

There is widespread international coverage and anticipated legal and reputational consequences for Israel depending on the ICJ's ruling.

Israel denies the genocide allegations and claims its military operation is a form of self-defense against Hamas.

Various countries and organizations have expressed support for South Africa's action, while others, like the United States and the United Kingdom, reject the allegations against Israel.

The court case coincides with South Africa's upcoming general elections, amid suggestions that the ANC government is utilizing the ICJ lawsuit to distract from domestic issues and bolster its position.

Israel asserts it has taken measures to prevent civilian casualties and has accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields.

Protests and demonstrations by Israelis and Palestinians have taken place in The Hague during the hearings.

Algemeiner reports that South Africa's Jewish community criticized their government for "double-speak and double-standards" on the ICJ case, highlighting the government's hospitality towards leaders accused of crimes against humanity (Algemeiner).

Two Palestinian journalists working for Al Jazeera, Hamza AlDahdooh and Mustafa Thuraya, were killed in an Israeli attack on their vehicle in Gaza, according to Al Jazeera.

Al Jazeera denounces the incidents as systematic targeting, particularly highlighting the attacks on AlDahdooh's family, and calls for international legal action against Israel.

Israeli defense forces (IDF) conveyed to AFP that they had targeted an individual launching a flying object posing a threat to Israeli troops, acknowledging collateral damage.

Behadrei Haredim alleges that several journalists in Gaza serving foreign media agencies, including Al Jazeera, are part of Hamas' propaganda apparatus

CPJ provides a list of journalists affected by Israeli strikes, noting a preliminary count of 79 killed since the conflict's start, including names of journalists from varying affiliations and documenting individual cases.

The Israeli defense forces (IDF) acknowledge causing casualties while targeting an individual threatening Israeli forces, yet do not confirm the identities of the deaths. (Ynet/AFP)

Behadrei Haredim (bhol) argues that some journalists in Gaza are involved with Hamas activities and criticizes their actions. (bhol)