STATEMENT: The White House stated:

On Wednesday, Trump met with eight hostages released from Gaza and listened intently to their harrowing stories. The released hostages thanked Trump for his relentless efforts to bring the remaining hostages back home.

AL-JAZEERA: The New York Police Department (NYPD) dispersed a sit-in at Barnard College, Columbia University, protesting arbitrary policies against students supporting Palestine.

US MEDIA: Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told Fox News:

I don’t mind engaging in direct dialogue with Hamas because I trust Trump. Trump has threatened to destroy Hamas unless they release the hostages, and this is the kind of leadership we need.

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: Palestinian sources reported that occupation forces arrested two recently released prisoners, Musa Al-Suwi and Muhammad Salmi, as part of an exchange deal in the city of Qalqilya in the occupied West Bank.

YEDIOTH AHRONOTH: U.S. envoy Stephen Wittkof stated: “Israel must maintain the ceasefire until I arrive in the region.”Sources indicate that President Trump is expected to make an important announcement soon regarding a prisoner exchange deal in Gaza.

AXIOS: Sources indicate that President Trump is expected to make an important announcement soon regarding a prisoner exchange deal in Gaza.

AXIOS: A delegation of freed Israeli captives met with President Trump at the White House. Trump reportedly said, “We will bring back the remaining hostages.”
AXIOS: A delegation of freed Israeli captives met with President Trump at the White House. Trump reportedly said, “We will bring back the remaining hostages.”

%MCEPASTEBIN%

FORMER WAR CABINET MEMBER: Eisenkot reiterated that Netanyahu must prioritize the war’s objectives, including the return of captives and strengthening the military.

PALESTINIAN RED CRESCENT: 9-year-old girl was shot in the head by Israeli forces in Qasra, south of Nablus in the occupied West Bank.

🔴 Palestinian Red Crescent: Israeli forces shot a 9-year-old girl in the head in Qusra, south of Nablus, occupied West Bank. pic.twitter.com/WQiekJreE1

— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) March 5, 2025

PALESTINE CHRONICLE: Cao Xiaolin, China’s Ambassador to Qatar, criticizes, in an article published in the Al-Jazeera Arabic website, the US approach to Gaza and advocating for a just resolution to the Palestinian issue.

China’s Vision for Justice – The American ‘Gaza Recipe’ Does Not Serve Peace

YEDIOTH AHRONOTH: The new Chief of Staff has decided to form an expert team to re-examine the military’s investigations into the October 7 attack. The team includes former General Staff officials and intelligence officers.

FLOODGATE (Coming Soon): The Palestine Chronicle’s FloodGate weekly podcast features renowned historian Prof. Ilan Pappe in its latest episode, airing soon. The interview covers the implosion in Israeli society, attempts to ethnically cleanse Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, and ongoing geopolitical changes worldwide. Tune in for Prof. Pappe’s critical insights.

Only Way to Defeat Israeli Fascism: Ilan Pappé on Global Justice

UN SPOKESPERSON: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that if the suspension of aid to Gaza continues, 80 relief kitchens may be forced to halt their operations in the Gaza Strip.

PALESTINE CHRONICLE: France, Germany, and the UK have voiced deep concern over Israel’s halt of humanitarian aid to Gaza, urging sustained ceasefire efforts and unhindered aid delivery.

France, Germany, UK Express Alarm over Israel’s Gaza Aid Suspension

PALESTINE CHRONICLE: The United States has sanctioned senior leaders of the Ansarallah group, including spokesperson Mohammed Abdul Salam, for alleged weapons imports and recruiting Yemenis to fight in Ukraine.

US Imposes Sanctions on Senior Ansarallah Leaders in Yemen

PALESTINE CHRONICLE: The US has held secret talks with Hamas for the first time, focusing on releasing American captives and negotiating a potential ceasefire, while sparking outrage in Israel.

US Holds Unprecedented Secret Talks with Hamas over Captives, Ceasefire

PALESTINE CHRONICLE: A Palestinian journalist was also shot and injured by Israeli forces while he was reporting on home demolitions in the town of Rafat, northwest of Jerusalem.

Four Palestinians Shot, Injured as Israel Increases Home Demolitions in West Bank

PALESTINE CHRONICLE: Israeli authorities will approve on Wednesday the construction of over 1,000 additional settlement units in occupied East Jerusalem.

Israel Set to Approve over 1,000 Settlement Units in East Jerusalem

KAN: The Hind Rajab Foundation has filed a criminal complaint against an Israeli soldier, accusing him of committing war crimes in Gaza.

ISRAEL HAYOM: Israel is deeply concerned about the Trump administration’s direct talks with Hamas, according to a knowledgeable source. Axios reported that the US is engaging in unprecedented discussions with Hamas to secure the release of American hostages and explore a broader agreement to end the war.

AXIOS: Sources indicate that the US is interested in a long-term truce in Gaza, though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s stance remains unclear.

QATAR NEWS AGENCY: Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty emphasized the responsibility of Egypt, Qatar, and the US to pressure for Phase 2 negotiations. He noted that while the first phase of the agreement has been implemented, one party is attempting to evade its commitments. Egypt and Qatar are relying on the US to ensure the agreement’s implementation.

JERUSALEM POST: The US envoy, Adam Boehler, met senior Hamas officials in Qatar multiple times, focusing on the release of captives, including Americans. Israel was informed of these direct talks through private channels.

AXIOS: The Trump administration is conducting direct talks with Hamas to secure the release of American hostages and explore a broader agreement to end the war. These discussions, led by envoy Adam Boehler, are described as unprecedented.

EUROPEAN JOINT STATEMENT: The foreign ministers of France, Germany, and the UK reiterated the need for a continued ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid. They expressed deep concern over Israel’s restrictions on aid entry, warning of potential violations of international humanitarian law.

GAZA HEALTH MINISTRY: The total casualties from the Israeli aggression on Gaza since October 7, 2023, have risen to 48,440 dead and 111,845 injured.

BLOOMBERG: Satellite image analysis revealed that 72% of buildings in northern Gaza have been destroyed or damaged, with only 28% remaining intact.

ISRAELI MEDIA: An Israeli settler died from injuries sustained in a stabbing and ramming attack near Hadera last week, according to Israeli media reports.

AL JAZEERA: Several people were injured in an Israeli drone strike east of Beit Hanoun in the Gaza Strip, according to a correspondent.

AL-JAZEERA: Israeli occupation forces demolished the home of Palestinian prisoner Hail Dhiyab in the town of Rafat, northwest of occupied Jerusalem — part of Israel’s ongoing policy of collective punishment against Palestinian families.

https://twitter.com/PalestineChron/status/1897291762387071402

AL-JAZEERA: The Israeli military announced that its air force targeted a vehicle allegedly carrying weapons in the Naqoura area of south Lebanon.

AL JAZEERA: Illegal Israeli Jewish settlers, under the protection of Israeli forces, blocked the main road in the town of Huwara, south of Nablus in the West Bank.

AFP: The South African government accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon in its war on Gaza.

RAMZY BAROUD (in his editorial for The Palestine Chronicle):

International law is at a crossroads.

There is a silver lining, specifically an opportunity for the international legal and political system to be fixed based on new standards, justice that applies to all, and accountability that is expected from all.

Those who continue to support Israel have practically disowned international law altogether. The consequences of their decisions are dire. But for the rest of humanity, the Gaza war can be that very opportunity to reconstruct a more equitable world, one that is not molded by the militarily powerful, but by the need to stop senseless killings of innocent children.

International Law at a Crossroads: Can Gaza Spark a Global Reckoning?

AL JAZEERA: The head of the Gaza NGO Network stated that the aid entering Gaza is far less than agreed upon. There is a severe shortage of medical supplies, risking depletion within days. Fuel shortages threaten to halt water supplies across the region.

MAARIV: Three Israeli police officers were injured during riots in central Jerusalem involving hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews protesting against mandatory conscription.

PALESTINE CHRONICLE: The Shin Bet security service’s internal report reveals critical intelligence failures and blames Israeli leadership, particularly Netanyahu, for ignoring warnings about the Hamas threat leading to the October 7 attack.

Shin Bet Admits Failures in Preventing Oct 7 Attack, Blames Netanyahu’s Leadership

PRISONERS’ AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: 110 Palestinian prisoners in Etzion prison are facing repression and deprivation of basic living conditions.

PALESTINIAN SOURCES: Israeli forces fired live ammunition at Palestinians and Red Crescent teams in Nur Shams camp, Tulkarm, and prevented residents from returning after demolishing 17 homes.

PROF. SAMI AL-ARIAN (in exclusive interview with Palestine Chronicle’s FloodGate Podcast): Netanyahu and his fascist government did not want to stop this war. The new factor was Trump.

AL JAZEERA: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Israel has regained control of its destiny and is prepared for an all-out war against any threats, emphasizing victories on multiple fronts.

TRUMP (in address to Congress):

“In the Middle East, we are bringing back our hostages from Gaza.

“In my first term, we achieved one of the most groundbreaking peace agreements in generations, the Abraham Accords. And now we’re going to build on that foundation to create a more peaceful and prosperous future for the entire region. A ot of things are happening in the Middle East”.

ISRAEL HAYOM: The advisor to Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that recruitment goals have not been met, and the government must implement its commitments regarding recruitment.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Israel’s cutting off food, fuel, medicine, and other supplies to Gaza has led to skyrocketing prices in the strip.

Humanitarian organizations are trying to distribute dwindling supplies to the most vulnerable in Gaza.

Norwegian Refugee Council communications advisor: There is no stock of tents in Gaza while aid is frozen.

UNICEF: There is not enough aid to distribute in Gaza, and the freeze on aid will have catastrophic consequences.

International Organization for Migration: We have 22,500 tents in our Jordan warehouses after shipments were blocked.

International Rescue Committee: 6.7 tons of medicine are waiting to enter Gaza.

🚨 Aid frozen, Gaza on the brink

No tents. No medicine. No food.

As Israel blocks aid, humanitarian organizations warn of catastrophic consequences:
▪️ NRC: No tents left in Gaza
▪️ UNICEF: Not enough aid to distribute
▪️ IOM: 22,500 tents stuck in Jordan
▪️ IRC: 6.7 tons of… pic.twitter.com/0s9ZLZxdDC

— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) March 5, 2025

ISRAELI BROADCASTING AUTHORITY: The Jerusalem Planning and Building Committee approved the construction of over 1,000 housing units in East Jerusalem.

ISRAELI BROADCASTING AUTHORITY: Security sources revealed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed the formation of an investigation committee into the Shin Bet’s failure on October 7, 2003, by four months.

US MEDIA: Pro-Palestine protesters demonstrated at Columbia University against the hosting of former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

📍 Protest outside Columbia University as supporters of Palestine denounce the university’s platforming of former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.#GazaGenocide #FreePalestine pic.twitter.com/bkqYN1R4N7

— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) March 5, 2025

WALLA: The new Israeli Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, is planning a large-scale operation in Gaza and increasing military pressure on Hamas.

YEDIOTH AHRONOTH:

Mediators informed Israel that Hamas refused to show flexibility or engage in talks based on Witkoff’s proposal.

Israeli officials hope that measures currently under consideration will push Hamas toward a settlement.

TIMES OF ISRAEL: A US National Security Council spokesperson stated that the Arab plan adopted in Cairo on Tuesday “does not address the fact that Gaza is uninhabitable.”

PALESTINIAN RED CRESCENT: Four Palestinians were injured during an Israeli raid in the occupied West Bank cities of Ramallah and Al-Bireh.