A man in his 60s tragically lost his life and four others were injured during a knife assault on Monday in Haifa, a city located in northern Israel. The authorities confirmed that the perpetrator was shot dead. The incident occurred in a central transit hub and has been identified by police as a militant act. Both a security guard and a civilian intervened to neutralize the assailant, who was reportedly an Arab citizen of Israel that had recently returned from living overseas.
This violent episode comes at a time of escalated regional tensions over the status of the ceasefire in Gaza. Although the militant organization Hamas lauded the attack, it did not formally claim responsibility.
In related developments, a high-ranking Hamas member issued a warning on Monday, stressing that a three-phase ceasefire is Israel’s sole route for the repatriation of hostages in Gaza. Ossama Hamdan expressed concerns that Israel intends to overturn the initial agreement by proposing various alternatives, urging quick progress to the second phase for the return of captives. The first phase of the ceasefire concluded over the weekend, with discussions on extending it through significant religious holidays ongoing. Hamas has accused Israel of attempting to derail upcoming phases intended to release hostages and terminate hostilities.
Meanwhile, funerals were held in Israel for the last of eight hostages whose remains were returned from Gaza. One of the funerals was for Itzhak Elgarat, abducted during an attack by Hamas militants. Circumstances around his death in captivity remain unclear. At the funeral, his brother Danny voiced poignant calls for action, criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for failing to bring him back alive and suggesting that political maneuvers undermined hostage recovery efforts.
In addition, two Palestinian men died in Gaza following an Israeli military operation. Hospital sources in Gaza reported the fatalities, while the Israeli military claimed the men were threatening their troops, prompting a defensive strike. These deaths further cloud the ceasefire’s future which had temporarily quieted the conflict.
Also making noticeable international ripples, Arab foreign ministers convened in Cairo to deliberate over an Egyptian proposal aimed at revitalizing the war-torn Gaza Strip, directly opposing a U.S. proposal to relocate Palestinians. The plan involves creating safe zones within Gaza for the inhabitants, coupled with humanitarian aid, and establishing a temporary Palestinian administration focused on reconstruction.
In an expression of regret, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has apologized to a recently freed hostage for the delayed rescue, stating that Israel fought tirelessly to secure his release. Eli Sharabi, detained for 16 months, returned to a heartbreakingly altered life, having lost his wife and daughters during an attack. He is scheduled for a meeting with President Donald Trump, hoping that collaborative efforts might lead to a resolution of ongoing issues.
