Israel-Hamas War: What happened on day 121?

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken heads to the region this week as Hamas weighs a framework proposal on principled points for a deal to release over 130 hostages held in Gaza for almost five months.

“The secretary will continue diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement that secures the release of all remaining hostages and includes a humanitarian pause that will allow for sustained, increased delivery of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza,” the State Department said.

It described a trip that would include stops in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Israel, and the West Bank. Blinken just met in Washington last week with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Thani, whose country, along with Egypt, is mediating a deal.

In advance of the trip, Blinken on Friday also spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. Blinken “reiterated the importance of securing a humanitarian pause that includes the release of hostages held by Hamas.”

His trip, which follows one he made to the region in January, is part of a flurry of diplomatic activity following a high-level meeting in Paris last week of intelligence chiefs from the US, Israel, and Egypt, with the participation of Thani.

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a press conference in Tel Aviv on January 9, 2024 (credit: TOMER NEUBERG/FLASH90)

A framework proposal

A framework proposal for the principled points of a deal, but not the agreement itself, was reached at that meeting, which has been approved by the war cabinet.

Israel is now waiting for Hamas to issue a similar approval.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that there is a disagreement between Hamas in Gaza headed by Yahya Sinwar, which wants to accept the proposal that speaks of a pause to the war and Hamas leaders abroad, who want to hold out for a permanent ceasefire, a demand which Israel has rejected.

On Saturday, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh met with Turkey’s National Intelligence Agency chief Ibrahim Kalin, according to Turkish state broadcaster TRT.

Kalin and Haniyeh discussed efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza, the Israeli hostages held in the enclave, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, TRT said.

Speaking at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said it could take a few weeks before any final deal is agreed upon during a question and answer session with students at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore on Thursday.

He explained that at the Paris meeting of intelligence chiefs, all the suggestions on the table had been consolidated into one proposal, which he confirmed had been approved by Israel.

It represents “a general understanding of how the next parts of the coming humanitarian pause would look like. It does not include a lot of the details that still need to be discussed,” he stated.

“There is still a tough road in front of us,” Ansari said, adding that it was a very “fluid situation.”

At the United Nations headquarters in New York, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said, “We have been working tirelessly with Qatar, Egypt, and other regional partners on a strong, compelling proposal.

“Our engagement is the best opportunity to reunite all hostages with their families. …It would enable a prolonged humanitarian pause, longer than the one we saw in November, allowing for more lifesaving food, water, fuel, and medicines to get into the hands of Palestinian civilians who desperately need it.

“If accepted and implemented, this proposal would move all parties one step closer to creating the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities,” she said.

It’s largely expected that the deal that would be worked out would involve three phases, which would include a lull in the fighting and the release of Palestinian security prisoners from Israeli jails, including those with blood on their hands.

Even in advance of any final deal, members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition have already threatened to quit the government if they don’t like the deal, while on the streets Israelis demanded a deal now, even if it involves a high price.

Separately Blinken is also expected to discuss Gaza plans for the day after the war, including the possibility of reviving a Saudi security pact with the US that would involve a normalization deal with Israel.

The State Department said that while Blinken was in the region he would “continue discussions with partners on how to establish a more integrated, peaceful region that includes lasting security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”

Reuters contributed to this report.

The coalition led by the US and UK struck 36 targets belonging to the Iran-backed Houthi militia in 13 different locations, including in Yemen's capital, Sana'a, on Saturday night, the coalition said in a joint statement.

Along with the sites targeted in Sana'a, targets were hit in the Al-Barah and Hayfan districts, and in Hajjah, Dhamar, and al-Bayda, according to the Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah news.

فيديو | قبل قليل.. قصف العدوان الأمريكي البريطاني على العاصمة اليمنية #صنعاء #اليمن_سند_فلسطين pic.twitter.com/tJ5dY0JVNm

— احمد فوزي - Ahmed Faozi (@AFYemeni) February 3, 2024

Footage reportedly from the scene showed repeated explosions in several locations around Sana'a.

The strikes were carried out by the US and UK with support from Australia, Bahrain, Denmark, Canada, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. The coalition noted that the precision strikes targeted sites associated with the Houthis underground weapons storage facilities, missile systems and launchers, air defense systems, and radars.

A man holds up a gun, as Houthi supporters rally to commemorate ten Houthi fighters killed by the US Navy in the Red Sea, in Sanaa, Yemen January 5, 2024 (credit: REUTERS/KHALED ABDULLAH)

The coalition stressed that the strikes are "intended to disrupt and degrade the capabilities that the Houthis use to threaten global trade, and the lives of innocent mariners, and are in a response to a series of illegal, dangerous, and destabilizing Houthi actions."

The Houthis have conducted over 30 attacks on commercial and naval vessels since mid-November, according to the coalition.

"Recognizing the broad consensus of the international community, our coalition of likeminded countries committed to upholding the rules-based order has continued to grow," noted the coalition. "We remain committed to protecting freedom of navigation and international commerce and holding the Houthis accountable for their illegal and unjustifiable attacks on commercial shipping and naval vessels."

The coalition stressed that it aims to "de-escalate tensions and restore stability" but warned that "we will not hesitate to continue to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the world's most critical waterways in the face of continued threats."

The UK Defense Ministry stated that Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s, supported by Voyager tankers, used Paveway IV precision guided bombs against several Houthi targets at three locations, including As Salif, Al Munirah, and Bani.

At As Salif, west of Sanaa, the RAF targeted a ground control station used to control Houthi drones. At Al Munirah, a second drone ground control station was targeted. In Bani, a significant number of targets were hit, including buildings involved in the houthi drone and missile operations.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated after the strikes that "this collective action sends a clear message to the Houthis that they will continue to bear further consequences if they do not end their illegal attacks on international shipping and naval vessels."

In response to the airstrikes, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a member of the Houthi's political bureau posted on X that "Our military operations against the Zionist entity will continue until the aggression against Gaza stops, no matter what sacrifices it costs us. We will meet escalation with escalation."

US strikes Houthi anti-ship missiles, intercepts drones

The airstrikes came just a few hours after US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that they had targeted six Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.

CENTCOM stressed that the missiles presented an "imminent threat" to US Navy ships and merchant vessels. "This action will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for US Navy and merchant vessels," said CENTCOM.

Earlier on Saturday, the USS Carney shot down a UAV over the Gulf of Aden and CENTCOM conducted strikes against four Houthi UAVs prepared for launch. Additionally, the USS Laboon and F/A-18s from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group shot down seven UAVs over the Red Sea.

Early on Sunday morning, CENTCOM announced that it struck a Houthi anti-ship cruise missile prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.

Demonstrators protested in front of President Isaac Herzog’s Residence in Jerusalem on Saturday night, calling for more action to be taken to release the hostages and demanding the immediate announcement of elections.

Saturday also marks 120 days since the October 7 massacre, where Hamas murdered over 1,200 people and over 130 people are still being held hostage in the Strip.

One of the main speakers at the demonstration was Yosef Avi Yair Engel, the grandfather of released hostage Ofir Engel and former Israeli Air Force Chief of Staff Nimrod Shafer.

"Someone allowed the terrorist organization, which engraved on its flag the extermination of the Jews and did not hide it, to develop and establish a terrible terrorist monster that the army has been fighting for 120 days, and there is still no end in sight," Engel said.

"How is it possible that in the entire fat political system, not one stood up to announce: 'I take responsibility for the terrible disaster, I am leaving. It's my fault, I betrayed my people'. Bibi, for years you've fattened Hamas with a lot of money and did not bother to find out where the money was invested,"  Engel continued. "Who was prime minister all these years? Yes, Bibi, you stand at the head as being responsible for the holocaust of October 7, you are trying to run away from responsibility and look for culprits, shame. Go and let those in charge of you lead us, the people of Israel deserve much more. Every day that passes, the danger to the safety of the hostages increases, who knows how they're doing. We must return them now."

Demonstrators hold up signs of hostages 120 days after they were kidnapped by Hamas. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/MAARIV)

"Bibi, you stand at the head as being responsible for the holocaust of October 7, you are trying to run away from responsibility and look for culprits, shame."

Yosef Avi Yair Engel

Shafer then said, "The State of Israel is facing the most important decisions in its history, perhaps since the War of Independence, and in order to rebuild what was broken, we must decide. The state rebuilt here will be a free state, a liberal democracy, a Jewish state with a prosperous economy and with personal and national security. The country rebuilt here will be a place where young people choose to make their home, not because they have nowhere else to go, but because this is where they want to live."

Meanwhile, in Tel Aviv

In Tel Aviv, family members of hostages blocked south Ayalon Street near Highway 1. Family members were accompanied by activists demonstrating for the release of the hostages. They held up signs and messages that said, "120 days underground without oxygen. Without the return of the hostages, not a single citizen in Israel is protected!" and they set fire to an inscription they made on the road that only reads: HELP.

A demonstration was also held at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, where people came to express sympathy with the families of hostages still in Gaza and demand their return.

Police were deployed as a result of an "illegal demonstration" on Kaplan Street, a police spokesperson said. Walla described the protest as an "anti-government demonstration," which police had dispersed.

A police statement was issued saying that "A group of demonstrators, who are not among the families of the hostages, decided to march to Kaplan Street and began to violate public order while blocking the road in both directions. Following the blockades and violations of the law, a police officer declared that the demonstration was illegal and that they had to clear the road, in light of the continued blockade by the protesters and because they did not listen to the police's instructions, the police had to disperse them."

It was later reported that police arrested four protesters for violating public order and a fifth for attacking a police officer on Kaplan. The street was then reopened to traffic.

Legislation providing $17.6 billion in new military assistance to Israel as it wages war against Hamas was unveiled in the US House of Representatives on Saturday.

The funding bill, offered by a House Appropriations panel, could come to a vote in the full House sometime next week, Speaker Mike Johnson said in a letter to members.

The Republican-controlled House had previously approved $14.3 billion in new military aid to Israel, but with the requirement that it be paid for by clawing back a chunk of money already targeted for the US Internal Revenue Service.

US senate floor (credit: Arizona Mirror)

On to the Senate

The Democratic-controlled Senate balked at that provision and is expected to unveil a legislative package that would aid Israel as well as provide more military assistance for Ukraine in its war against Russia.

That same Senate bill is also expected to contain proposals for strengthening security along the southern US border with Mexico.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has taken steps to start debate on that multipronged bill next week, with a first procedural vote no later than Wednesday.

The Israeli military has killed 200 Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon, IDF spokesman Rear-Admiral Daniel Hagari stated during a Saturday evening press briefing.

"Instead of one division, we deployed three divisions along the border, with tens of thousands of soldiers," Hagari said. "We suppress attacks on the borderline by terrorists who have tried to infiltrate Israel. We've attacked more than 150 terrorist squads and eliminated more than 200 terrorists and commanders. Since the beginning of the war, we have attacked more than 3,400 targets in Lebanon.

"We are working to stop Hezbollah's supply of ammunition from Iran," he continued. "Wherever Hezbollah is - we will act, anywhere in the Middle East."

IDF then attacked Hezbollah military targets

Shortly after Hagari's statements, the IDF reported that Israeli fighter jets attacked a military structure belonging to Hezbollah in southern Lebanon in the Taybeh region.

Also, during the previous few hours, a number of launches were reportedly identified as having crossed from Lebanese territory toward the areas of Mount Dov, Even Menachem, and Yir'on. There were no casualties, and Israeli forces attacked the sources of the shooting.

Earlier that day, Israeli fighter jets struck several targets in southern Lebanon, successfully destroying Hezbollah infrastructure.

Smoke rises during an exchange of fire between the IDF and terrorists from the Hezbollah organization on the border between Israel and Lebanon, November 11, 2023 (credit: Ayal Margolin/Flash90)

During the operation, the IDF struck two military outposts near the towns of Marwahin and Ayta ash Shab.