Israel / Gaza

• Hamas sent Israel a new ceasefire proposal offering to release the children, elderly, sick, and female hostages - even "female recruits" - in exchange for a ceasefire and the release of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. PM Netanyahu's office already rejected the proposal and its "unrealistic demands."
• Separately, Palestinian President Abbas appointed his longtime economic advisor, Mohammed Mustafa, to be the Palestinian Authority's new PM. Abbas has been under U.S. pressure to overhaul his West Bank government so it can potentially govern Gaza post war.
• Lastly, Gazan health authorities reported at least 20 people killed while apparently waiting for food aid in Gaza City. Details are murky.

• The NYT pointed out that Ukraine's recent attacks on Russian oil infrastructure targets are "an attempt to diminish Moscow’s military operations" while their armies are deadlocked on the front lines.
• While they haven't affected global oil prices, the strikes on Russian oil targets have raised domestic gas prices by about 2% during election week. For some voters, that increase could serve as a gentle reminder of the war their president started.

• Emirati shipping giant DP World released its 2023 results yesterday, and they showed that Houthi attacks on shipping have forced a significant share of container traffic to sail longer routes, raising costs - but also revenues. When asked about Houthi attacks, DP World's CEO responded: "I don’t see this going on long term."

• Powerful Haitian gang boss Jimmy "Barbecue" Chérizer released a seven-minute rant yesterday apparently threatening anyone who joins the transitional council CARICOM proposed for Haiti: "I'll know if your kids are in Haiti, if your wives are in Haiti ... if your husbands are in Haiti. If you're gonna run the country all your family ought to be there."
• Barbecue has been called "the most powerful man in Haiti," and he probably is right now. His threats against a new political leadership give credence to theories that he wants to run the country.