In a recent address from the Oval Office, President Joe Biden announced plans to seek additional congressional funding to support both Israel and Ukraine, emphasising the commonality of their struggles against perceived threats to democracy. Drawing parallels between the actions of Hamas in Israel and the invasion of Ukraine by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Biden asserted the importance of halting such aggression for both U.S. security and global stability.

The president highlighted the shared objective of Hamas and Putin to undermine neighbouring democracies, emphasising the potential risks if the U.S. were to disengage. Biden expressed the belief that American leadership, alliances, and values play a crucial role in maintaining global stability.

Following his trip to Tel Aviv, where he reiterated U.S. support for Israel, concerns arose over the possibility of regional escalation. Reports indicated missile and drone attacks on the Ain al-Asad air base in Iraq, housing U.S. troops. Additionally, a U.S. Navy warship near Yemen intercepted multiple projectiles. The Pentagon confirmed the warship’s successful interception of three missiles and drones in the northern Red Sea.

In the midst of the Israel-Hamas conflict, displaced Palestinians at the Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza City became victims of an Israeli air raid, resulting in casualties. Meanwhile, the U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman agreed to coordinate efforts to prevent further escalation, emphasising the urgent need for humanitarian aid in Gaza.

Tragically, amid exchanges of fire along the Israeli-Lebanese border, a Lebanese civilian lost their life. UN peacekeeping force UNIFIL reported heavy exchanges of fire between the Israeli military and Hezbollah, a Hamas ally, with Israel responding to rocket attacks. The incident underscored the challenges of maintaining peace in the region, prompting UNIFIL’s intervention to rescue stranded individuals.