Hamas and Hezbollah attack and Israel strikes back as international leaders visit Tel Aviv and Jerusalem

The war in Israel is in its 11th day. Air raid sirens sounded in various parts of the north and west of the country, in cities near both the border with Lebanon and those near the Gaza Strip. Hamas and Hezbollah terrorist groups have bombed Israel and launched anti-tank missiles, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported. In one of the attacks, two Israeli Army reserves were injured, with one in serious condition.

The IDF responded by air. In one of these military operations, the Israeli military killed Ayman Nofal, a high-ranking member of Hamas, according to the IDF.

Israel reports the number of dead soldiers at 301

The IDF confirmed the killing of First Sergeants Tal Eilon and Eitan Hadad by Hamas terrorists. Also killed was Sergeant Major Ofir Libstein.

With these three casualties, the number of soldiers killed rises to 301.

Jordan and Egypt refuse to welcome Palestinian refugees

King Abdullah of Jordan said that neither he nor Egypt will accept Palestinian refugees. He confirmed this in statements he made during his trip to Berlin, Germany.

"That is a red line, because I think that is the plan by certain of the usual suspects to try and create de facto issues on the ground. No refugees in Jordan, no refugees in Egypt," said King Abdullah in a press conference after holding a meeting with the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

International visits to Israel

Marcel Ciolacu, prime minister of Romania, was the first international leader to visit Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The two had a meeting in Jerusalem, in which the Romanian Minister of Defense Angel Tilvar was also present.

Netanyahu thanked his Romanian counterpart for his visit and support:

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz landed early in the afternoon in Tel Aviv where he was received by Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen. During his visit, the European leader met with Benjamin Netanyahu and they made a joint statement to the media.

"As I said last week in the Bundestag, in hard times, Germany has only one place, and it is alongside Israel," Scholz said. "It is very important to say this today here during these difficult times in Israel: Germany’s history and the responsibility it had for the Holocaust requires us to help maintain the security and existence of Israel."

Netanyahu said that "Hamas are the new Nazis, Hamas is ISIS, and in some instances worse than ISIS."

A visit by French President Emmanuel Macron has also been planned. Macron will fly to Israel in the coming days, although there is no official date set.

U.S. military deployment and Joe Biden's visit to Israel

Before Joe Biden lands in Israel on Wednesday, the Department of Defense (DOD) confirmed that 2,000 marines are traveling to the Israeli coast. Initially, their task will be to provide medical support. They have not yet received orders to enter combat. They will also serve as a deterrent to prevent other countries from intervening in the conflict.

In command is General Michael Kurilla, head of the Central Command, who assured that his mission is "to ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself" and "prevent other parties from expanding the conflict."

This Wednesday, Joe Biden will visit Israel as a show of support from the United States to its ally in the conflict. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed the news after the president received the invitation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:

On his tour of the Middle East, Biden will also visit Jordan, where he will be received by King Abdullah II.