Gaza War Escalates with Tanks, Airstrikes & Civilian Panic
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
8 minutes ago
- Mint
Israel makes Islam, Arabic studies mandatory for intel officers: Here's why
Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has announced sweeping changes to its intelligence training, making Arabic language and Islamic Studies mandatory for all its officers in the wing. The changes come in response to an intelligence failure that occurred around October 7, 2023, the IDF confirmed to Jewish News Syndicate. The long-term goal is for future commanders to be fluent in Arabic and well-versed in Islamic culture, significantly strengthening their analytical capabilities — instilling in them 'doubt and deep observation,' as per officials. 'We cannot turn the soldiers and officers of the Intelligence Division into Arab children who grew up in the village, but through studying the language and culture, we can instill in them doubt and deep observation,' a senior Israeli intelligence official said, reported JNS. According to The Jerusalem Post, the Islamic intelligence research staff will now be expected to attain proficiency in Arabic as part of their basic training. This is the first time that soldiers in technical and cyber roles will undergo training in Arabic and Islamic Studies. By the end of next year, 100 per cent of AMAN (the Hebrew acronym for Israel's Military Intelligence Directorate) personnel will be trained in Islamic Studies and 50 per cent of them will undergo Arabic language training. The Tel-M section, which promoted Arabic and Middle Eastern studies in Israeli schools and was closed six years ago, will be revived under Unit 8200 of the Israel military intelligence. The change has been ordered by AMAN chief - Major General Shlomi Binder. The new courses will also focus on the Houthi and Iraqi Arabic dialects, addressing operational challenges in understanding regional communications. Teachers from relevant backgrounds have been recruited to ensure authentic instruction of the same, reported JNS. Previously, training in Arabic language and Islamic Studies was not compulsory for intelligence units, and was largely limited to translators or field operatives. According to a research article by Taylor and Francis titled 'Military intelligence and the securitization of Arabic proficiency in Israel: the limits of influence and the curse of unintended consequences,' in 1986, a military-led unit was formed to promote Arabic instruction in schools, but it was dissolved in 2001 amid budget cuts.
The Hindu
38 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Israeli gunshots, strikes kill at least 25 in Gaza, some while seeking aid
Israeli airstrikes and gunshots overnight killed at least 25 people, according to Palestinian health officials and the ambulance service on Saturday (July 26, 2025), as ceasefire talks appear to have stalled and Gaza faces famine. The majority of victims were killed by gunfire as they waited for aid trucks close to the Zikim crossing with Israel, said staff at Shifa hospital, where the bodies were brought. Israel's army didn't respond to a request for comments about the latest shootings. Those killed in strikes include four people in an apartment building in Gaza City, among others, hospital staff and the ambulance service said. The strikes come as ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas have hit a standstill after the US and Israel recalled their negotiating teams on Thursday (July 24, 2025), throwing the future of the talks into further uncertainty. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday (July 25, 2025) his government was considering 'alternative options' to ceasefire talks with Hamas. His comments came as a Hamas official said negotiations were expected to resume next week and portrayed the recall of the Israeli and American delegations as a pressure tactic. Egypt and Qatar, which are mediating the talks alongside the United States, said the pause was only temporary and that talks would resume, though they did not say when. Experts and the U.N. warn of famine For desperate Palestinians, a ceasefire can't come soon enough. The United Nations and experts say that Palestinians in Gaza are at risk of famine, with reports of increasing numbers of people dying from causes related to malnutrition. While Israel's army says it's allowing aid into the enclave with no limit on the number of trucks that can enter, the U.N. says it is hampered by Israeli military restrictions on its movements and incidents of criminal looting. The Zikim crossing shootings come days after at least 80 Palestinians were killed trying to reach aid entering through the same crossing. Israel's military said at the time its soldiers shot at a gathering of thousands of Palestinians who posed a threat, and that it was aware of some casualties. During the shootings Friday (July 25, 2025) night, Sherif Abu Aisha said people started running when they saw a light that they thought was from the aid trucks, but as they got close, they realised it was from Israel's tanks. That's when the army started firing on people, he told The Associated Press. He said his uncle, a father of eight, was among those killed. 'We went because there is no food ... and nothing was distributed,' he said. Israel is facing increased international pressure to alleviate the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza. More than two dozen Western-aligned countries and over 100 charity and human rights groups have called for an end to the war, harshly criticising Israel's blockade and a new aid delivery model it has rolled out. The charities and rights groups said even their own staff were struggling to get enough food. For the first time in months, Israel said it is allowing airdrops, requested by Jordan. A Jordanian official said the airdrops will mainly be food and milk formula. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote in a newspaper article on Saturday (July 26, 2025) that the U.K. was 'working urgently' with Jordan to get British aid into Gaza. Aid group the World Central Kitchen said on Friday (July 25, 2025) that it was resuming limited cooking operations in Deir al-Balah after being forced to halt due to a lack of food supplies. It said it's trying to serve 60,000 meals daily through its field kitchen and partner community kitchens, less than half of what it's cooked over the previous month.
Hindustan Times
44 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
US trade policy shift: Response to China's resource dominance
In recent years, the dynamics of global trade and economic relationships have undergone significant transformations, particularly in the context of US-China relations. Donald Trump's administration introduced a notable shift in trade policy, reflecting growing concerns over international resource competition. This change marked a departure from past practices, focusing instead on trade as a means to strengthen the American economy in the face of emerging challenges. One of the most pivotal factors in this policy evolution was China's increasing dominance over critical resources, leading to strategic decisions aimed at safeguarding US interests. President Donald Trump's policy shift from aid to trade is significantly driven by China's rapid acquisition of critical resources, although broader economic and strategic objectives also influenced it. FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo(REUTERS) Trump's presidency marked a notable pivot in US foreign and economic policy, moving away from providing financial aid to other countries and toward emphasising trade relationships. This America First approach prioritised economic exchanges—such as goods and services—over traditional development assistance, aiming to bolster US economic strength and security. China's growing dominance over critical resources, particularly rare earth minerals, played a key role in shaping this shift. These resources are essential for industries like technology, defence, and manufacturing. For example, China controls a significant portion of global rare earth production, which includes elements vital for a wide range of applications, from smartphones to military equipment. This dominance raised alarms in the US about economic and national security vulnerabilities, as reliance on China for these materials could leave the US at a strategic disadvantage. Trump's administration viewed China's resource control as a threat and responded by leveraging trade as a tool to counter it. The Trump administration's key actions included tariffs on Chinese imports. Trump imposed tariffs on Chinese goods to pressure China into making concessions and to reduce US dependency on Chinese supply chains, including those tied to critical resources. He invoked wartime powers to expand US mineral production, aiming to lessen reliance on China and secure alternative supply chains. The broader trade war with China, which intensified during his presidency, targeted not just trade imbalances but also China's strategic advantages in resource-heavy sectors. These measures were designed to protect US interests by rebuilding domestic manufacturing and reducing vulnerability to China's resource dominance. While China's actions were a major driver, Trump's shift from aid to trade wasn't solely about China. His economic nationalism also focused on reducing trade deficits with multiple countries, not just China. Renegotiating trade deals with allies like Canada and Mexico (e.g., the USMCA). These efforts reflect a comprehensive strategy to prioritise US economic self-reliance and competitiveness, of which countering China was a critical component. The Trump administration's 2025 mineral deal with Ukraine establishes a joint investment fund to tap into the country's $2–15 trillion in critical minerals, like lithium and rare earths, essential for AI, EVs, and defence tech. This agreement, a shift from demanding Ukraine repay $500 billion in US aid, grants the US 50% of future royalties from new mineral licences while supporting Kyiv's economic recovery. In Africa, particularly in the DRC and Rwanda, the US is promoting peace and economic agreements to secure cobalt and coltan, two vital resources for batteries and electronics and aiming to stabilise conflict zones and enable American investment. These deals reflect Trump's transactional approach, prioritising economic leverage over traditional aid, but face hurdles like Ukraine's war-damaged infrastructure and the DRC's ongoing violence, which deter private-sector commitment. The deals aim to counter China's dominance in critical mineral supply chains, reducing US reliance on Beijing for tech and green energy resources while challenging Russia's influence in both regions. In Ukraine, the agreement aligns with Trump's diplomacy to engage Moscow while securing economic benefits, though it risks exploiting Kyiv's resources without firm security guarantees. In Africa, stabilising the DRC could unlock vast mineral wealth, but competition with China's entrenched presence and local corruption complicates execution. Both initiatives signal a broader US strategy to reshape global supply chains and geopolitics, striking a balance between economic self-interest and regional stability; yet, their success hinges on maintaining peace and sustaining investment. Finally, China's rapid takeover of critical resources, particularly rare earth minerals essential for high-tech industries, significantly influenced the shift in US trade policy during the Trump administration. In response to this challenge, Trump implemented trade policies such as tariffs, aimed at levelling the playing field against perceived unfair practices by China, as well as initiatives to boost domestic production and diversify supply chains away from Chinese reliance. This shift was rooted in economic nationalism, prioritising American manufacturing and job creation, while also addressing national security concerns tied to resource dependency. The focus on rare earth minerals highlighted the strategic implications of China's dominance in the global supply of these resources, prompting efforts to reinforce domestic capabilities and establish partnerships with allies. Ultimately, the US approach to China during this period reflected a complex strategy aimed at safeguarding national interests while balancing immediate economic threats and long-term aspirations for a more resilient economy. This article is authored by Pravesh Kumar Gupta, associate fellow (Eurasia), Vivekananda International Foundation, New Delhi.
