News Wrap: Israel Coalition Shrinks, Gaza Aid Deaths, Trump on Epstein

Israel Coalition Loses Majority

• 🇮🇱 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition in Israel has shrunk to a minority in Parliament following the departure of the ultraorthodox Shas party.
• ⚖️ The Shas party's exit is in protest of a proposed law that would require its supporters to serve in the military, ending their long-standing exemption.
• ⚠️ This marks the second ultraorthodox party to leave the government this week over the same military service issue.

Tragedy at Gaza Aid Distribution

• 💔 An American aid organization in Gaza reported that 20 Palestinians died in a crowd surge at one of its distribution sites.
• 💥 The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) stated that 19 people were trampled and one was fatally stabbed, marking the first reported deaths at their locations.
• 🗣️ The GHF blamed Hamas for stirring chaos, though provided no evidence, while witnesses claim guards caused panic by closing site gates.
• 🕊️ Separately, Gazans mourned over 54 lives lost in recent Israeli airstrikes, including more than a dozen children, with Israel stating it targets Hamas fighters operating in residential areas.

Trump Addresses Epstein Case and Supporters

• 🗣️ President Trump criticized his own supporters and some Republicans for their stance on his administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, calling it a "big hoax."
• 🚫 He expressed a desire for the support of those he deems "weaklings" who he believes are siding with Democrats on the issue.
• 📄 The controversy was fueled by the Justice Department and FBI's decision not to release further files related to the deceased sex offender.

International and Domestic Updates

• 💥 Russia launched overnight attacks on four Ukrainian cities, injuring at least 15 people, including in Vinnytsia.
• ✈️ Ukraine's Air Force reported that Russia deployed 400 drones and a ballistic missile as part of an escalating aerial campaign.
• 🇺🇸 The U.S. has pledged further weapons to Ukraine and threatened sanctions if a peace deal is not reached.
• 🌍 The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the deportation of five immigrants convicted of serious crimes to Eswatini, following a Supreme Court ruling on third-country deportations.
• 📈 Wall Street stocks ended higher, with the Dow Jones industrial average gaining over 200 points, after President Trump denied reports of potentially firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
• 💎 A 54-pound chunk of Mars, the largest ever found on Earth, sold at auction for over $5 million.