US Congress should not continue funding ‘horrific’ Gaza violence: Lawmaker
Democratic Congressman Jonathan Jackson says he is “horrified” by the renewed Israeli assault on Gaza.
“Nearly 700 people have died since he has broken the ceasefire, making it clear that he has no intention of stopping so long as he is provided with weapons of mass destruction,” Jackson wrote in a social media post.
“We must uphold a standard in congress and cannot keep tolerating and funding this horrific targeted violence.”
I am horrified to hear of Netanyahu's continued escalated destruction of Gaza. Nearly 700 people have died since he has broken the ceasefire, making it clear that he has no intention of stopping so long as he is provided with weapons of mass destruction.
We must uphold a…
— Rep. Jonathan L. Jackson (@rep_jackson) March 25, 2025
Moody’s keeps Israel’s negative fiscal outlook
The credit rating company has warned of Israel’s “very high political risks that have weakened economic and fiscal strength”.
A periodic review of Israel’s credit rating has left it at Baa1 so far, with a negative forecast, despite the approval of the budget at the Knesset earlier in the day.
“Uncertainty over Israel’s longer-term security and economic growth prospects are much higher than is typical, with risks to the high-tech sector particularly relevant, given its important role as a driver of economic growth and significant contributor to the government’s tax take,” Moody’s said in the update quoted by the Israeli media.
“We may stabilize the outlook if there are clear prospects for a durable cooling down of the military conflicts, in turn allowing Israel’s institutions to formulate policies that support the recovery of the economy and public finances and restore security while dealing with a wide range of policy priorities,” it added.
US intelligence assessment says Hamas retains fighters, infrastructure
The US intelligence community says in its Annual Threat Assessment that Hamas’s popularity has declined in Gaza but remains high in the West Bank, “especially relative to the Palestinian Authority”.
“The group retains thousands of fighters and much of its underground infrastructure, and probably has used the ceasefire to reinforce and resupply its military and munitions stock so that it can fight again,” the report reads.
“Hamas is capable of resuming a low-level guerilla resistance and to remain the dominant political action in Gaza for the foreseeable future.”
