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Israel’s Intensifying Military Operation in Rafah Sparks International Concerns

  In a recent escalation of conflict, Israel has intensified its military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Despite U.S. warnings about the risk of mass casualties, Israeli forces have pushed forward, bombarding towns in the north of the Strip and vowing to broaden their ground operation in Rafah. Here are the key points: Intensified Conflict : Israeli forces have made a new push in central Gaza, leading to intense battles in Jabalia, a northern Palestinian enclave. At least 23 people have been killed in the latest fighting. Rafah’s Importance : Israel considers Rafah, located on Gaza’s border with Egypt, as Hamas’ last stronghold. The city has become a focal point of the conflict, with hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians seeking shelter there. International Concerns : Western powers are deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Rafah. Despite Israeli assurances, civilians have been caught in the crossfire, and the United Nations estimates that over 8

Reassessment of BoC Rate Cut Expectations After Robust Canadian Jobs Report

The latest Canadian jobs data has led to a significant shift in market expectations regarding the Bank of Canada’s (BoC) interest rate decisions. Here’s a concise overview:

  • Unexpected Job Surge: April saw the addition of 90,400 jobs, far surpassing the anticipated 20,000. This robust employment growth has caused money markets to reassess the likelihood of an imminent rate cut by the BoC.
  • Rate Cut Probabilities Altered: Prior to the jobs report, the probability of a rate cut in June was 58%, which has now decreased to below 50%. Markets are now leaning towards a cut in July, with a 70% chance.
  • Economic Indicators: Despite the job increase, wage growth has decelerated to 4.8% annually, the slowest in ten months, hinting at potential slack in the labor market.
  • Market Movements: The Canadian dollar and government bond yields reacted sharply to the news, with the dollar appreciating and the 2-year bond yield rising by 10 basis points.

This data has not only influenced market predictions but will also play a crucial role in the BoC’s upcoming policy decisions. The central bank’s next moves are now being watched closely as analysts debate the timing and necessity of rate adjustments.

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