AP The Morning Wire by ASarah Naffa - February 02, 2024 : Destruction along the Gaza border could be a controversial Israeli buffer zone; Nikki Haley is causing Trump more trouble; and India's naval power in international waters is growing

 

By Sarah Naffa February 02, 2024

In the news today: Destruction along the Gaza border could be a controversial Israeli buffer zone; Nikki Haley is causing Trump more trouble; and India's naval power in international waters is growing. Also, this morning, we have live coverage of Phil and all the other prognosticators for Groundhog Day! Satellite photo of new demolition on the Gaza Strip's border with Israel. (Planet Labs PBC via AP) ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR Analysis shows destruction and possible buffer zone along Gaza Strip’s border with Israel Satellite photos show new demolition along a 1-kilometer-deep path on the Gaza Strip’s border with Israel, according to analysis by The Associated Press and experts. The destruction comes as Israel said it wants to establish a buffer zone, over international objections, further tearing away at land Palestinians want for a state. Read more.

Key developments: Israeli leaders have signaled that they would like to establish a buffer zone as a defensive measure, which they contend could prevent a repeat of the Oct. 7 cross-border attack by Hamas. That’s despite U.S. warnings not to shrink Gaza’s territory. There has been a continued growth of Israeli settlements in the West Bank under Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government. That further undermines the prospects for an independent Palestinian state in the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. The demolition along the border represents only a sliver of the wider damage from the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, which one assessment suggests has damaged or destroyed half of all the buildings within the coastal enclave.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Top UK diplomat says Britain could recognize a Palestinian state before a peace deal with Israel AP-NORC poll: Half of US adults say Israel has gone too far in war in Gaza Turkish police rescue hostages held at gunpoint for hours in Procter & Gamble plant in Gaza protest POLITICS Haley insists she’s staying in the race. Here’s how that could cause problems for Trump Nikki Haley's path to the Republican nomination is rapidly shrinking following her losses in Iowa and New Hampshire. But she’s vowing to stay in the race, backed by committed donors, a key slice of the party’s moderate wing and a new willingness to attack 2024 Republican front-runner Donald Trump. Read more.

Why this matters: The harder Haley fights, the more Republican officials fear she may hurt Trump’s long-term prospects in the upcoming general election. Former Trump adviser David Urban described Haley’s continued presence as a distraction, a drain on resources and a source of frustration. Haley is getting stronger by some measures. Her campaign has raised millions from small-dollar donors since New Hampshire, while many major donors remain critical of Trump. But some of the biggest would-be Haley supporters are in a holding pattern ahead of South Carolina’s Feb. 24 primary. Haley has begun to ratchet up attacks against Trump, a strategy designed to highlight the former president’s liabilities, including his legal troubles, age and mental fitness. Her messaging appears to be resonating with a key group of swing voters who play a pivotal role in general elections.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Nikki Haley has called out prejudice but rejected systemic racism throughout her career Inside Donald Trump’s curious relationship with Fox News — and what it means for other candidates Biden left with few choices as immigration takes center stage in American politics ADVERTISEMENT WORLD NEWS India flexes its naval power as competition with China grows For decades, India has focused its defense policy on land borders with its rivals. Now, as its global ambitions expand, India is beginning to flex its naval power in international waters, including anti-piracy patrols and a deployment close to the Red Sea to help protect ships from attacks. Read more.

Why this matters: The highly publicized deployment highlights India as a “proactive contributor” to international maritime stability, said Vice Adm. Anil Kumar Chawla, retired head of India’s southern naval command. “We are not doing it only out of altruism. Unless you are a maritime power you can never aspire to be a global power,” Chawla said. India, the U.S., Australia and Japan are members of the Indo-Pacific strategic alliance known as the Quad, which has repeatedly accused China of saber rattling in the South China Sea and aggressively pushing its maritime territorial claims. The navies of the four countries regularly hold drills as part of an initiative to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the Pacific.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ US approves $4 billion drone sale to India for maritime security needs India’s navy rescues two hijacked boats. British military warns of two pirate groups in Indian Ocean Maldives gives port clearance to a Chinese ship. The move could inflame a dispute with India ADVERTISEMENT IN OTHER NEWS READ Kenya fire: Deaths expected to rise as 270 are injured in gas explosion Border bill: The Senate is headed for a crucial test vote on new border policies and Ukraine aid California prison: 9 hospitalized after 200 prisoners rush officers in riot Deep freeze: It’s so cold and snowy in Alaska that fuel oil is thickening The Stream: New ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’, Run-D.M.C., and goodbye to ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ Today in History: ‘American Sniper’ Chris Kyle was killed WATCH Arab Americans: Anger is boiling at Biden over Gaza Lloyd Austin: Defense Sec. apologizes for not sharing his cancer diagnosis sooner Drag queens: Meet the newscaster in drag making history in Mexico Trapped toddler: Toddler gets stuck in claw machine in Australia Puppy Bowl: The Puppy Bowl turns 20 A CHANGE OF PACE A single 180-second exposure asteroid approaching Earth. (Virtual Telescope Project via AP) Flyby asteroid will buzz Earth on Friday The asteroid, similar in size to New York City’s Empire State Building or Chicago’s Willis Tower, will pass within 1.7 million miles of Earth. The harmless flyby is one of several encounters this week. ADVERTISEMENT

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