News
Gaza Experiences a Lull in Active Combat, Yet Officials Remind That the Conflict Persists
The recent departure of the Israeli military from southern Gaza has brought a temporary lull in active fighting in the region. However, officials on both sides have indicated that the war is far from over.
While some hoped that Israel’s withdrawal signaled a potential ceasefire, both Hamas and Israeli leadership have hinted at ongoing conflict. Analysts view the retreat of Israeli troops as a shift into a new phase of the war, where smaller-scale operations will be employed to prevent Hamas from regaining strength.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the goal is to achieve “total victory over Hamas,” hinting at future military actions to eliminate terrorist elements in Rafah, the last stronghold of Hamas in southern Gaza.
The Israeli military’s 98th Division has recently pulled back from Khan Younis in southern Gaza to regroup for future operations, leaving no active Israeli troops in the area. This move has been portrayed by Israeli officials as a strategic shift towards smaller, targeted attacks rather than large-scale ground assaults.
Despite the reduction in troops, Israel has maintained a presence in Gaza, mainly focusing on guarding a buffer zone along the border and controlling a land corridor in northern Gaza. This remaining force is significantly smaller than the initial deployment during the peak of the conflict.
The withdrawal of Israeli forces has stirred mixed reactions, with some seeing it as a step towards de-escalation while others view it as a missed opportunity to achieve concrete objectives against Hamas.
For many Palestinians returning to their homes post-withdrawal, the devastation wrought by the conflict is palpable. The widespread destruction has left families and communities grappling with loss and uncertainty about the future.
Dr. Ahmad al-Farra, a former hospital administrator, recounted the heartbreak of returning to his destroyed home, symbolizing the broader toll the conflict has taken on civilians in Gaza.
The looming threat of further military incursions into Rafah complicates the situation, with conflicting pressures on Israeli leadership to either push forward with operations against Hamas or prioritize civilian safety and humanitarian concerns.
International efforts to broker a new cease-fire and secure the release of hostages have faced obstacles, highlighting the complex nature of the conflict and the diverging priorities of the involved parties.
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas have stalled over key issues such as troop withdrawal, long-term cease-fire terms, and prisoner releases. The lack of progress in resolving these issues prolongs the uncertainty and instability in Gaza.
News
Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?
The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.
This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.
In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?
Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.
Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?
With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:
Prices may rise again
If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.
But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.
Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.
You may be able to make a quick profit
Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.
Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.
There are other benefits of investing in gold
There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:
- Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
- Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.
The bottom line
Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.
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