Overview

A shooting at a Jewish museum in Washington D.C. killed two Israeli embassy employees, with the suspect reportedly chanting "Free Palestine" during the attack, prompting the FBI to investigate it as a potential hate crime or act of terrorism.

Israeli PM Netanyahu has escalated military operations in Gaza, ordering the evacuation of 100,000 Palestinians from northern Gaza while setting conditions for ending the war that include Hamas disarmament and implementation of the Trump plan—actions the UN human rights chief warned could be "tantamount to ethnic cleansing."

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has intensified with aid deliveries dropping to just 200 trucks weekly (compared to 600 daily during the January ceasefire), leaving the southern region largely destroyed with minimal resources for civilians.

House Republicans are advancing a budget bill extending Trump's 2017 tax cuts with immigration policy changes, though the legislation faces significant challenges in the Senate where Republicans have expressed concerns about its provisions.

Content

Shooting Incident at Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C.

* Two Israeli embassy employees (Yaron Lashinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgram) were shot and killed outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C. * The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, 30, from Chicago, was detained after the shooting * Rodriguez reportedly chanted "Free Palestine" and was wearing a keffiya * The FBI is investigating the incident as a potential hate crime or act of terrorism * The shooting occurred during an event for young Jewish foreign policy professionals * The victims were a young couple who were reportedly planning to get engaged * Milgram worked in public diplomacy at the embassy * Lashinsky was a researcher focused on Middle East and North Africa issues

Reactions to the Shooting

* Widespread condemnation from U.S. and Israeli officials * Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu blamed rising anti-Semitism * Netanyahu ordered increased security at Israeli diplomatic missions worldwide * Political figures from across the political spectrum condemned the attack * Israeli leadership specifically condemned the shooting as anti-Semitic

Gaza Conflict Developments

* Israeli PM Netanyahu defended expanding the war in Gaza * Netanyahu ordered military to push Palestinians from northern to southern Gaza * Evacuation orders issued for 100,000 Palestinians in northern Gaza * Netanyahu outlined conditions for ending war: * Hostages must be returned * Hamas must disarm * Implementation of the Trump plan * UN human rights chief called the plan potentially "tantamount to ethnic cleansing" * Hamas condemned Netanyahu's Trump plan * U.S. Ambassador to Israel defended Israel's military actions

Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

* UN reports only 200 aid trucks entered Gaza this week (compared to 600 daily during January ceasefire) * Severe humanitarian crisis, with mothers unable to find milk for babies * Southern Gaza is largely destroyed with minimal resources

Congressional Developments - Budget Bill

* House Republicans working on a bill extending Trump's 2017 tax cuts * Potential bill includes immigration policy changes and tax provisions * House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed optimism about bill's passage * Negotiations involved winning over fiscal conservative holdouts * The budget bill is gaining momentum in the House * Democrats attempted to slow down the process by: * Delaying hearings * Arguing against potential Medicaid cuts * Johnson aimed to send the bill to the Senate by Memorial Day

Senate Challenges for Budget Bill

* Senate Republicans have raised concerns about the bill * Senate Majority Leader John Thune faces the challenge of balancing different factions' concerns * Senate plans to make significant changes to the House bill

Additional Note

* The Justice Department wants to withdraw a federal oversight agreement with the Minneapolis Police Department, originally signed after George Floyd's death

Israeli Embassy Employees Killed, Israel's Occupation Plans, Trump Bill Latest