Israeli Amb. to U.S.: ‘Iran will not have a nuclear path to a nuclear bomb'
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Yahoo
5 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Israel's growing frustration over war in Gaza erupts in nationwide protests
Israeli police made dozens of arrests on Sunday as tens of thousands of protesters demanding a deal to free hostages in Gaza tried to shut down the country in one of the largest and fiercest protests in 22 months of war. Groups representing families of hostages organised the demonstrations, and gave an even larger estimate of attendees, as frustration grows in Israel over plans for a new military offensive in some of Gaza's most populated areas. Many Israelis fear this could further endanger the remaining hostages. Twenty of the 50 who remain are believed to be alive. 'We don't win a war over the bodies of hostages,' protesters chanted. Even some former Israeli army and intelligence chiefs now call for a deal to end the fighting. Protesters gathered at dozens of places including outside politicians' homes, military headquarters and on major roads. They blocked lanes and lit bonfires. Some restaurants and theatres closed in solidarity. Police said they arrested 38 people. 'The only way to bring (hostages) back is through a deal, all at once, without games,' former hostage Arbel Yehoud said at a demonstration in Tel Aviv. Her boyfriend Ariel Cunio is still held by Hamas. One protester carried a photo of an emaciated Palestinian child from Gaza. Such images were once rare at Israeli demonstrations but now appear more often as outrage grows over conditions for Palestinian civilians after more than 250 malnutrition-related deaths. An end to the war does not seem near. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is balancing competing pressures including the potential for mutiny within his coalition. 'Those who today call for an end to the war without defeating Hamas are not only hardening Hamas's position and delaying the release of our hostages, they are also ensuring that the horrors of October 7 will be repeated,' Mr Netanyahu said, referencing the Hamas-led attack in 2023 that killed some 1,200 people and sparked the war. The last time Israel agreed to a ceasefire that released hostages earlier this year, far-right members of his cabinet threatened to topple Mr Netanyahu's government. Finance minister Bezalel Smotrich called the demonstrations on Sunday 'a bad and harmful campaign that plays into Hamas's hands, buries the hostages in the tunnels and attempts to get Israel to surrender to its enemies and jeopardise its security and future'. The new offensive would require the call-up of thousands of reservists, another concern for many Israelis. Hospitals and witnesses in Gaza said Israeli forces killed at least 17 aid-seekers on Sunday, including nine awaiting UN aid trucks close to the Morag corridor. Hamza Asfour said he was just north of the corridor awaiting a convoy when Israeli snipers fired, first to disperse the crowds, then from tanks hundreds of metres away. He saw two people with gunshot wounds. 'It's either to take this risk or wait and see my family die of starvation,' he said. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which runs the Israeli-backed and US-supported distribution points that have become the main source of aid since they opened in May, said there was no gunfire 'at or near' its sites, which are located in military-controlled areas. Israel's military did not immediately respond to questions. Israel's air and ground war has displaced most of Gaza's population and killed more than 61,900 people, according to Gaza's health ministry, which does not specify how many were fighters or civilians but says around half were women and children. Two children and five adults died of malnutrition-related causes on Sunday, according to the ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. The UN and independent experts consider it the most reliable source on casualties. Israel disputes its figures but has not provided its own. The United Nations has warned that levels of starvation and malnutrition in Gaza are at their highest since the war began. Most aid has been blocked from entering Gaza since Israel imposed a total blockade in March after ending a ceasefire. Deliveries have since partially resumed, though aid organisations say the flow is far below what is needed. It is not clear when Israel's military will begin the new offensive in the crowded Gaza City, Muwasi and what Mr Netanyahu has called the 'central camps' of Gaza. The military body that co-ordinates its humanitarian aid to Gaza, COGAT, this weekend noted plans to forcibly evacuate people from combat zones to southern Gaza 'for their protection'. But designated 'safe zones' have also been bombed during the war. War-weary Palestinians said on Sunday that they would not leave, arguing that there was 'no safe place' in Gaza. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen's capital on Sunday, escalating strikes on the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who since the war in Gaza began have fired missiles at Israel and targeted ships in the Red Sea. The Houthi-run Al-Masirah Television said the strikes targeted a power plant in the southern district of Sanhan, sparking a fire and knocking it out of service. Israel's military said the strikes were launched in response to missiles and drones aimed at Israel.
Newsweek
8 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Steve Witkoff Applauds 'Game-Changing' Security Guarantee for Ukraine
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated he is open to the U.S. agreeing a security guarantee with Ukraine resembling the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) Article 5 protection. "We were able to win the following concession: That the United States could offer Article 5-like protection, which is one of the real reasons why Ukraine wants to be in NATO," Witkoff told CNN's Jake Tapper, adding that it was "the first time we had ever heard the Russians agree to that." Newsweek reached out by submission form to the U.S. State Department on Sunday afternoon. Why It Matters President Donald Trump and Putin met on Friday in Alaska to discuss the war in ongoing war in Ukraine and what it would take for Russia to end its assault. Critics hit out at Trump for providing Putin with red-carpet treatment in exchange for seemingly little in the way of concessions, including a military fly-over, a gift to the Russian leader, and a joint ride in Trump's armored limousine. Putin is a wanted man with a warrant out for his arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC), although neither the U.S. nor Russia are signatories to the Rome Statutes. The meeting ended without any agreement on a ceasefire or peace deal, but Trump officials have talked up possible concessions made by the Russians, although details did not start to surface until Sunday. U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff is seen at the White House on August 8 in Washington, D.C. U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff is seen at the White House on August 8 in Washington, To Know Following the Alaska summit, the only information to surface indicated that land swaps had been discussed, much to the frustration of Ukrainian supporters and allies. Trump told European leaders that he backed a plan in which Ukraine would cede territory it still controlled to Russia, The New York Times reported, citing two senior European officials. However, Witkoff on Sunday said the Russians had agreed to a "game-changing" concession, which would allow the U.S. to establish security guarantees modeled after NATO's Article 5 protections, which states that an attack against any member of NATO is an attack against all members of NATO—also known as the collective defense clause. "I don't know that we have the time now to go through all the different issues on these five regions," Witkoff said when asked if Ukraine would have to give up all of the Donbas region to Russia. He added: "The Russians made some concessions at the table with regard to all five of those regions. There is an important discussion to be had with regard to Donetsk and what would happen there. And that discussion is going to specifically be detailed on Monday when [Ukrainian] President [Volodymyr] Zelensky arrives with his delegation." One of Putin's fears is that Ukraine would become a member of NATO, expanding the U.S. and European footprint even more along the border of Russia. Witkoff said on Sunday that Russia had agreed to enact a law that it would not "go after any other European countries and violate their sovereignty. And there was plenty more." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen applauded the move, saying that Europe was "ready to do its share" to contribute to the collective defense guarantee. Several European leaders will participate in a meeting between Trump and Zelensky this week, which will precede a possible trilateral meeting between Trump, Zelensky, and Putin. The trilateral meeting is still a far-off possibility, but Trump has set a soft deadline for the end of the month to arrange it. TAPPER: 'Is that what's on the table, that Ukraine has to agree to cede all of Donbas?' WITKOFF: 'I don't know that we have the time now to go through all the different issues on these five regions… The Russians made some concessions at the table with regard to all five of… — State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) August 17, 2025 What People Are Saying U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff during his appearance on CNN's State of the Union: "My view is that we are going to [do] a trilateral, and what we're trying to accomplish on Monday is get some consensus from President Zelensky and his team. We had some really good, specific, granular conversation on the plane ride home with President Zelensky about what he would be seeking, and we don't think there are any obstacles in that conversation that we heard, and so I'm hopeful that we have a productive meeting on Monday, we get to real consensus, we're able to come back to the Russians and push this peace deal forward, and get it done and stop the killing." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week wrote on X: "On the day of negotiations, the Russians are killing as well. And that speaks volumes. Recently, weʼve discussed with the U.S. and Europeans what can truly work. Everyone needs a just end to the war. Ukraine is ready to work as productively as possible to bring the war to an end, and we count on a strong position from America. Everything will depend on this – the Russians factor in American strength. Make no mistake – strength." What Happens Next? Zelensky and some European leaders will meet with Trump on Monday to discuss his requirements for a peace deal in the aftermath of Trump's meeting with Putin. This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.
CNN
10 minutes ago
- CNN
Witkoff hopeful of trilateral meeting
Witkoff hopeful of trilateral meeting US envoy Steve Witkoff told CNN's Jake Tapper he believes a trilateral meeting between Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky, and Vladimir Putin is possible. 00:39 - Source: CNN Vertical Politics of the Day 13 videos Witkoff hopeful of trilateral meeting US envoy Steve Witkoff told CNN's Jake Tapper he believes a trilateral meeting between Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky, and Vladimir Putin is possible. 00:39 - Source: CNN What to expect from Zelensky-Trump meeting President Trump will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday after the two leaders had a 'long and substantive conversation.' A European official told CNN that during the call they also discussed potential 'Article 5-type' security guarantees for Ukraine. CNN's Nick Paton Walsh reports. 01:46 - Source: CNN Russian media reacts positively to Trump-Putin Summit Russian state TV gave a positive coverage of the outcome of the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, celebrating the handshake between the two leaders. Russian officials also stated that the meeting resulted in progress on sanctions and opened up room for future negotiations. CNN's Fred Pleitgen reports. 01:23 - Source: CNN Protesters condemn 'no deal' outcome of Trump-Putin talks Protesters in Alaska said they're not surprised that President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin didn't reach a deal on the war in Ukraine. 01:08 - Source: CNN Trump and Putin land in Alaska for historic summit US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived at a US military base in Alaska where the two leaders took part in a red carpet greeting ahead of their talks on Ukraine. As both leaders met on the tarmac, a flyover of American military planes passed overhead, including fighter jets and what appeared to be a B-2 stealth bomber. 00:59 - Source: CNN Putin makes faces as journalists ask about Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin did not respond to reporters' questions about the war in Ukraine as his meeting with President Donald Trump and top aides was set to begin. Putin appeared to make a confused expression as multiple journalists began shouting questions. 00:13 - Source: CNN DC attorney general sues Trump admin. over police takeover DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its moves to take over the city's police department and appoint an emergency commissioner. Schwalb spoke with CNN's Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown about the lawsuit. 00:58 - Source: CNN Lavrov appears to wear CCCP sweater Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Alaska wearing a sweater that appears to say "CCCP." In a reference to the Soviet Union, CNN's Max Foster looks at what this look could mean ahead of President Trump and Putin's summit. 00:47 - Source: CNN Gavin Newsom responds to immigration raid outside his news conference Gov. Gavin Newsom formally kicked off his push Thursday to redraw California's congressional maps in response to a Republican-led effort in Texas, setting up the next stage of his fight against both the Trump administration and a coalition of gerrymandering opponents within the state. As Newsom and his allies spoke, immigration agents made arrests outside the downtown Los Angeles venue. 01:28 - Source: CNN Former Ukrainian FM explains what Putin's 'land swap' proposal means Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba spoke with CNN's Christiane Amanpour about Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposed "land swap" with Ukraine ahead of the summit in Alaska between President Donald Trump and the Russian leader. 02:00 - Source: CNN Putin praises Trump for 'sincere' efforts to end war Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the Trump administration's 'energetic and sincere' efforts to stop the war in Ukraine and hinted that Moscow and Washington could strike a deal on nuclear arms control during their summit on Friday in Alaska. 01:37 - Source: CNN The history of Trump's relationship with Putin CNN's Jeff Zeleny explains the history behind President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin's relationship over the years. The two world leaders are set to meet for their biggest summit yet in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday. 01:32 - Source: CNN
