Hamas said to be back in parts of Gaza vacated by Israel – SUCH TV

Israel’s brutal war on Gaza — now in its 113th day — has killed at least 26,083 Palestinians and wounded 64,487, authorities say, as ICJ keeps genocide case against Israel alive.

Two Israeli senior security officials have said that the military informed political leadership that Palestinian resistance group Hamas has started to restore its capabilities and governance in certain areas across Gaza, according to media reports.

Public broadcaster KAN said the two officials, whose names were not mentioned, said Hamas started to restore its presence in areas where the army decreased its presence.

According to the information provided by the army to the political leadership, the municipalities that were under Hamas governance have recently started to provide services to the residents in the central and northern areas.

In addition, there are emergency committees formed by the Palestinian resistance group that also work beside the municipalities, the officials added.

 Security Council to meet after UN top court’s Gaza ruling

The UN Security Council will meet next week over the decision by the global body’s top court calling for Israel to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza, the council’s presidency announced.

The Wednesday meeting was called for by Algeria, whose Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would give “binding effect to the pronouncement of the International Court of Justice on the provisional measures imposed on the Israeli occupation.”

Michigan’s Arab American leaders shun Biden campaign, ahead of president’s visit

A group of Arab American leaders in Dearborn, Michigan has skipped a meeting with President Joe Biden’s campaign manager that was organised ahead of a possible visit to the battleground state by Biden on February 1, two participants and two sources said.

Biden’s likely visit to the state next week involves meetings with members of the United Auto Workers Union and potential meetings with the Arab American community, the participants and sources said.

Ahmad Chebbani, co-founder and chair of the Arab American Chamber of Commerce, told Reuters news agency that a majority of the 15 Arab community leaders invited to the meeting with Julie Chavez Rodriguez had decided to skip it, citing frustration and anger with Biden because he has not called for a ceasefire in Israel’s brutal war on Gaza.

“We’re not interested. Only when a ceasefire has been announced and the people of Gaza are taken care of, then will a discussion be appropriate,” Chebbani said.

The Biden campaign had no immediate comment. A White House spokeswoman declined to confirm Biden’s travel or events in Michigan.

The US has declared its support for Israel since the beginning of the war in Gaza on October 7 last year. US never holds back in arming Israel, regardless of alarming Gaza civilian casualties.

The United States gives Israel $3.8 billion in annual military dole. Biden has asked Congress to approve an additional $14 billion.