Live Blog Update| Israel's genocide in Gaza
This is an entry from: Live: Israel delays release of 602 Palestinian prisoners

Morning update

5 February 2025 06:13 GMT

Good morning Middle East Eye readers, 

Here are some of the latest updates from the Israel's war on Gaza:

  • Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump reaffirmed his proposal for the US to take control of Gaza, saying he intends to "take over" the enclave and "do a job with it."

  • Trump announced the US had withdrawn from what he called the "anti-Semitic" UN Human Rights Council and cut all funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa).

  • Netanyahu praised Trump as Israel’s "greatest friend" in the White House, lauding his "out-of-the-box thinking."

  • Hamas condemned Trump’s remarks, warning they would fuel "chaos and tension" in the region.

  • Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its support for an independent Palestinian state and rejected any efforts to forcibly displace Palestinians.

  • US rights groups and lawmakers, including Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, slammed Trump’s comments, accusing him of "openly calling for ethnic cleansing."

  • Meanwhile, rescue teams recovered the bodies of 19 more Palestinians from a mass grave on al-Thawra Street in northern Gaza City.