5:53 p.m. ET, April 24, 2024
Catch up on the latest developments in the Israel-Hamas war
From CNN staff
If you're just joining us, these are the most notable developments in Israel's war on Hamas and the tensions in the Middle East:
Disputed claims on death of Hezbollah fighters: Israel's defense minister claimed that half of Hezbollah’s commanders in southern Lebanon have been killed since fighting with Israel began on October 7 –
a claim Hezbollah denies. There have been months of daily, deadly cross-border strikes by both Israel and Hezbollah that have displaced tens of thousands of Lebanese and Israeli residents from their homes.
Hostage video: Hamas
released a video of Israeli-American hostage
Hersh Goldberg-Polin on Wednesday, the first proof that he survived being badly wounded during his capture on October 7. He is shown seated in a chair and addressing the camera directly in the undated video with part of his left arm missing several inches above the hand. He identified himself, gave his date of birth and parents’ names.
He said he has been “here for almost 200 days,” suggesting that the video was filmed shortly before Tuesday, the 200th day of the war. He
urged his own family to stay strong for him and finished by saying he hopes he was able to give them some comfort on Passover. The Biden administration
received the video on Monday, two days before Hamas made the footage public on Wednesday, according to a United States official.
Israeli leader addresses protests on US college campuses: Defense Minister
Yoav Gallant said the protests are "not only antisemitic, but also inciting terrorism."
Pro-Palestinian protests are taking place at major American universities, most prominently at New York's Columbia University, which has entered its eighth day of tense demonstrations.
US on Israeli settlements in West Bank: A US State Department spokesperson addressed reports of Israeli officials
pushing to legalize Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and calling support for illegal outposts “dangerous and reckless.” State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said such actions “will only move the goal of peace and stability in the region further away.” The US is also pressing Israel for more information about the
mass grave discovered in Khan Younis, Patel said.