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Hamas allegedly won’t join hostage talks due to Israeli attack on Rafah……… US reportedly judging if Israel crossed ‘red line’ in Rafah strike

Hamas informed the mediators that the group will not take part in the expected hostage negotiations after the latest Israeli attack on a compound in Rafah that killed at least 35 Palestinian civilians, Haaretz reported on Monday, citing Hamas sources. Previously, it was reported that Egypt is in talks with Hamas and Israeli representatives to resume ceasefire negotiations, while Israeli media revealed that the country’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the negotiation team to restart talks with Hamas. Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that it did not expect the strikes launched on Sunday night targeting Hamas’ positions in Rafah to hurt civilians, while a government spokesperson claimed that they died as a result of a fire that broke out after Israel’s airstrike.

US reportedly judging if Israel crossed ‘red line’ in Rafah strike

The United States White House is currently assessing whether Israel’s latest airstrikes in a reported safe zone in Rafah on Sunday crossed the Biden administration’s “red line,” Axios’ journalist Barak Ravid reported on Monday, citing two US officials. The sources further added that a humanitarian crisis caused by the mass displacement of civilians from Rafah might also be considered a breach of Biden’s stated limit and that the US is involved in discussions with the IDF and local allies on the ground to evaluate the incident. Earlier this month, US President Joe Biden vowed to halt weapons shipments to Israel if it launched a full-scale invasion in the region. “The devastating images following the IDF strike in Rafah last night that killed dozens of innocent Palestinians are heartbreaking. Israel has a right to go after Hamas … but as we’ve been clear, Israel must take every precaution possible to protect civilians,” the White House stressed earlier. NN: A major cock up. This is the last thing Israel needs right now.

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Oil Steadies as Geopolitical Tensions Rise Before OPEC+ Meeting

Oil steadied after two days of gains even as tensions in the Middle East ratcheted higher following the death of an Egyptian soldier during a clash with Israeli troops. Global benchmark Brent held above $83 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate edged toward $79. Egypt’s military confirmed that a border guard died at the Rafah crossing into Gaza on Monday, which could escalate tensions with Israel. Oil has risen this year on persistent geopolitical risks and OPEC+’s roughly 2 million barrels a day of output cuts, which the group is expected to prolong into the second half of 2024 at a meeting on Sunday. Prices have dipped since early April on weakening demand from Asia, causing Brent’s prompt spread to get close to a bearish contango structure that indicates supply is increasing relative to consumption.

“A confluence of factors suggest some upside sensitivity in oil — from fraught geopolitics to inventory drawdown to OPEC’s assumed preference to maintain curbs,” said Vishnu Varathan, chief economist for Asia ex-Japan at Mizuho Bank Ltd. However, “the Gaza situation is only a warning not to be aggressively short, but not quite the unbridled bullish trigger.”The death of the Egyptian soldier, which followed Israeli airstrikes on Sunday on a camp for displaced people that were condemned by governments across the world, is an added risk to oil markets, but the conflict has largely stayed contained so far. There has been no major disruption to crude flows from the Middle East — which accounts for about a third of global output — although Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have led to the rerouting of some supply. Investors will also be looking for signs of US fuel demand data after the Memorial Day holiday, which traditionally marks the start of the peak summer driving season.

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WH: Rafah attack ‘heartbreaking’…… Houthis launch new attacks in Indian Ocean, Red Sea

The United States considers the Israeli attack on a camp for displaced people in Rafah that killed at least 45 civilians “heartbreaking,” a National Security Council spokesperson said on Monday. “The devastating images following the IDF strike in Rafah last night that killed dozens of innocent Palestinians are heartbreaking,” the official stated, adding that “Israel must take every precaution possible to protect civilians.” Furthermore, the official claimed that the US is cooperating with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) “to assess what happened and understand that the IDF is conducting an investigation.”

Houthis launch new attacks in Indian Ocean, Red Sea

 

Yemen’s Houthi rebels revealed on Monday that they launched new operations targeting vessels in the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. The Houthis said in a statement that its forces attacked the American ship Larego Desert and the Israeli vessel MSC Mechela in the Indian Ocean, while the third strike targeted the ship Minerva Lisa in the Red Sea for “the ban on entering the ports of occupied Palestine.” The rebel group further stated that it also attacked two US destroyers in the Red Sea, claiming that its strikes on vessels will continue until the aggression against Palestinian people stops. NN: Things are getting closer by the day to spinning out of control;.

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IAEA: Iran ramps up uranium enrichment to near-weapons-grade levels

Iran has significantly increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, according to the Associated Press on Monday, citing a confidential report by the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). According to the report, Iran now possesses 142.1 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60%, marking a 20.6-kilogram increase since February. Uranium enriched to 60% is a short step from the 90% purity required for weapons-grade material. Iran’s total enriched uranium stockpile has risen to 6,201.3 kilograms, an increase of 675.8 kilograms since the last IAEA report. The news also comes amidst tension in the Middle East due to the war in Gaza and possible spillovers over the region.

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Israel, Egypt exchange fire in Rafah crossing

The Israeli and Egyptian armies exchanged fire on Monday at the Rafah crossing, several media in Hebrew and Arabic languages reported. As per the reports, the uncommon and unexpected incident has not left any casualties so far. The Israeli Channel 13 said the height of tensions is followed by an investigation by the IDF into the details of the incident, which may have “significant political consequences.” An Egyptian soldier was killed and another wounded in a clash with Israeli forces at the Rafah crossing, several local media reported on Monday. The incident, first reported by Israeli Channel 13, was confirmed by the Israeli government. It allegedly started after Egyptian forces opened fire on an Israeli truck, and Israeli soldiers fired back, causing casualties. The Israeli army has stated that communication is underway with Egypt regarding the shooting incident.

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WH aware of Israel’s latest attack on Rafah

United States President Joe Biden’s administration is aware of Israel’s latest attack on the Gazan city of Rafah, the White House told The Times of Israel. “We’re aware of the reports about the incident in Rafah and are gathering more information,” the White House said. Meanwhile, the Gaza Health Ministry claimed at least 35 Palestinian civilians were killed in the strike.

Israeli Government spokesperson Avi Hyman told BBC on Monday that initial findings show that civilians who died in Rafah overnight likely lost their lives as a result of a fire that broke out following Israel’s air strikes aimed at “two high-value Hamas targets.” “The IDF [Israeli Defense Forces] investigates every accident of this nature to see what actually happened. Whereas Hamas runs to the media to tell tales that will help them propaganda-wise,” the spokesperson remarked. The death toll in the incident rose to 45, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, with numerous officials worldwide condeming the operation.

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Oil Prices Move Higher as All Eyes Turn to OPEC+

Crude oil prices started this week by moving slightly following after a week when they booked the sharpest drop in a month on interest rate woes. The week is set to be dominated by the start of driving season in the United States and the OPEC+ policy meeting on Sunday. The first will provide a glimpse into oil demand trends in the world’s biggest consumer while the second will likely confirm the production cuts that the extended oil cartel is expected to roll over into the second half of the year. For now, expectations are for a strong start to this year’s driving season. The American Automobile Association expects air travel over the long weekend to reach the highest in close to two decades. ANZ analysts were more cautious, pointing to EV sales as potentially undermining oil demand growth despite a strong driving season. “While U.S. holiday trips are expected to hit a post-COVID high, improved fuel efficiency and EVs could see oil demand remain soft,” the analysts said, as quoted by Reuters.“Based on current market expectations that OPEC+ is likely to extend cuts, oil’s risks are skewed to the upside,” one Chinese market analyst from Qisheng Futures Co. told Bloomberg. That expectation of extended production cuts by OPEC+ helped prices steady and may continue supporting them throughout the week—but not necessarily. “However, the trajectory of price action will be significantly influenced by the U.S. Producer Price Index (PPI) data scheduled for the week, which will in turn shape the Federal Reserve’s approach to potential rate adjustments,” Reuters quoted a Delhi-based SS WealthStreet analyst as saying. Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs made an upward revision to its long-term oil demand forecast, now seeing demand in 2030 at 108.5 million barrels daily, up from an earlier prediction of 106 million bpd. The bank expects demand for crude to peak in 2034 at 110 million bpd and plateau until 2040.

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Some Sick Shit: US discourages EU from censuring Iran

The United States government is seeking to dissuade European Union countries from censuring Iran at the meeting of member states of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to be held in June so that punitive measures do not take place before the US presidential elections in November. According to The Wall Street Journal on Monday, citing sources involved in the talks, the US opposes France and the United Kingdom’s initiative to slam Iran for allegedly advancing its nuclear plan and is influencing states not to approve the censuring of Iran in the IAEA and showing resistance to agree on further diplomatic steps against Tehran. NN: Lets talk about real genocide. Someday soon millions of innocent lives will be lost to an Iranian nuclear attack.

 

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Hezbollah claims attack on Israeli military post

Hezbollah claimed responsibility for an attack on an Israeli military post situated in the central sector of the Lebanon-Israel border, according to Al Jazeera Arabic. The attack reportedly targeted and successfully hit technical systems at the Al Abad military post. This comes after multiple air-raid alerts were sounded across northern Israel on Sunday morning.

The Israeli military sounded sirens in Tel Aviv today, warning of potential rocket strikes, according to Al Jazeera. Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s armed wing, reportedly claimed responsibility for targeting the city, stating they did so in retaliation for what they termed “Zionist massacres against civilians.” Local media reported hearing fifteen explosions in the Tel Aviv area following the warning sirens. NN: Can you really envision a two state peace with these people?

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Qassam Brigades attack Tel Aviv, prompting sirens

The Israeli military sounded sirens in Tel Aviv today, warning of potential rocket strikes, according to Al Jazeera. Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s armed wing, reportedly claimed responsibility for targeting the city, stating they did so in retaliation for what they termed “Zionist massacres against civilians. “Local media reported hearing fifteen explosions in the Tel Aviv area following the warning sirens. NN: Getting closer by the day. Hams is far from dead yet.