
Israeli forces push into parts of central Gaza city that war largely spared
Deir al-Balah is the only Gaza city that hasn't seen major ground operations or suffered widespread devastation in 21 months of war, leading to speculation that the Hamas militant group holds large numbers of hostages there.
The main group representing hostages' families said it was 'shocked and alarmed" by the incursion, which was confirmed by an Israeli military official, and demanded answers from Israeli leaders.
Israel says the seizure of territory in Gaza is aimed at pressuring Hamas to release hostages, but it is a major point of contention in ongoing ceasefire talks.
The UN food agency, meanwhile, accused Israeli forces of firing on a crowd of Palestinians seeking humanitarian aid over the weekend. Gaza's Health Ministry called it one of the deadliest attacks on aid-seekers in the war that has driven the territory to the brink of famine.
In the latest sign of international frustration, the United Kingdom, France and 23 other Western-aligned countries issued a statement saying 'the war in Gaza must end now." They harshly criticised Israel's restrictions on humanitarian aid and called for the release of the 50 hostages remaining in Gaza.
Evacuation orders dropped at dawn Tens of thousands of people have sought refuge in Deir al-Balah during repeated waves of mass displacement in Gaza.
Associated Press reporters heard explosions and saw smoke rising from parts of the city that were ordered evacuated on Sunday. The Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said it was the first time ground troops had operated in the area.
A man living in the evacuation zone, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, said Israel dropped pamphlets at dawn ordering people to evacuate. Two hours later, tanks rolled into the area.
He said his 62-year-old father, who had spent the night elsewhere, fled from house to house as Israeli forces moved in and saw them flattening structures with bulldozers and tanks. Both men managed to leave the evacuation zone.
The military declined to say if it had ordered the evacuation of aid groups based in the city, saying only that it maintains continuous contact with them and facilitates their relocation when necessary.
Israel has taken over large areas of Gaza and split the territory with corridors stretching from the border to the sea as it seeks to pressure Hamas to release more hostages.
In response to the Deir al-Balah incursion, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum warned in its statement that 'the people of Israel will not forgive anyone who knowingly endangered the hostages — both the living and the deceased. No one will be able to claim they didn't know what was at stake." Hamas-led militants abducted 251 people in the October 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war and killed around 1,200 people. Less than half of the 50 hostages still in Gaza are believed to be alive.
Rare condemnation from UN food agency The World Food Programme, in a rare condemnation, said the crowd surrounding its convoy in northern Gaza on Sunday 'came under fire from Israeli tanks, snipers and other gunfire." It said 'countless lives" were lost. A photographer working with The Associated Press counted 51 bodies at two hospitals.
Gaza's Health Ministry said at least 80 people were killed. Israel's military said it fired warning shots 'to remove an immediate threat" and questioned the death toll reported by the Palestinians. It declined to comment on the WFP statement.
Hundreds of people have been killed while seeking food in recent weeks, both from UN convoys and separate aid sites run by an Israeli-backed group that has been mired in controversy.
The Palestinian death toll from the war has climbed to more than 59,000, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Its count doesn't distinguish between militants and civilians but the ministry says more than half of the dead are women and children. The ministry is part of the Hamas government, but the UN and other international organisations see it as the most reliable source of data on casualties.
Strikes across Gaza kill 18 Gaza health officials said at least 18 people, including three women and five children, were killed in Israeli strikes overnight and into Monday. The Israeli military had no immediate comment on the strikes. It blames Hamas for civilian casualties because the group operates from populated areas.
At least three people were killed when crowds of Palestinians waiting for aid trucks were shot at in the area of Netzarim corridor in central Gaza, according to two hospitals that received the bodies.
Gaza's Health Ministry meanwhile said Israeli forces detained Dr. Marwan al-Hams, acting director of the strip's field hospitals and the ministry's spokesman. The Israeli military had no immediate comment.
Israel again strikes rebel-held port in Yemen The fighting in Gaza has triggered conflicts elsewhere in region, including between Israel and the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have fired missiles and drones at Israel in what they say is in solidarity with Palestinians.
The Israeli military said it struck the Hodeidah port in Yemen early Monday. Israel has struck the port before, including two weeks ago, accusing the Houthis of using it to import arms from Iran.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that the targets included areas of the port that Israel had destroyed in previous strikes. 'The Houthis will pay heavy prices for launching missiles towards the state of Israel," Katz said. (AP) GRS GRS
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments
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July 21, 2025, 21:30 IST
News agency-feeds Israeli forces push into parts of central Gaza city that war largely spared
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Zelenskyy faces backlash as Ukrainians protest new anti-corruption law
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First Post
10 minutes ago
- First Post
How EU's new sanctions on Russia reveal West's colonial hangover
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It has merely imposed a price cap 15 per cent below the prevailing market rate, allowing itself to continue energy imports from Russia while pressuring others, like India, to stop refining or shipping that same oil. What does this imply? The EU wants to buy Russian oil, just not if it's touched by Indian hands. This is not a geopolitical strategy grounded in consistency or fairness. It reeks of hypocrisy. The Sham of Sanction Morality Since the war in Ukraine broke out in 2022, Western capitals have scrambled to impose sanctions on Russia, penalising its banks, banning technology exports, freezing assets, and restricting energy exports. The intention was to cripple Russia's war machine by starving it of funds. However, as months passed, the West itself quietly resumed or continued many of these same transactions under different guises. India, like any rational state, saw an opportunity in discounted Russian crude. As Western buyers moved away (at least on paper), India ramped up its purchases, now exceeding one million barrels per day. This oil, heavily discounted, has helped New Delhi manage inflation, stabilise its energy supply, and ensure growth for 140 crore citizens. This pragmatism hasn't gone unnoticed in Washington and Brussels. But instead of acknowledging their own continued dependence on Russian energy, particularly natural gas, the West has targeted Indian refiners, shippers, and institutions. The new EU sanctions are not about hurting Russia anymore. They are about telling India how to behave. The underlying assumption is simple: the West sets the rules; the rest of the world must follow. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Energy for Whom? Let's dissect the numbers. In 2022 alone, the EU paid over $120 billion to Russia for fossil fuels. This included oil, natural gas, and coal. Compare this with India's total bill: about $50 billion—less than half of Europe's. Who, then, is fuelling the Russian economy? Spain and Belgium were among the top LNG importers from Russia. Germany, after shutting down pipeline imports post-Ukraine invasion, began receiving Russian LNG via its ports. Italy has also continued to buy Russian-origin oil, sometimes routed through third countries. Even the United States, which claims moral superiority, continues importing vital commodities from Russia. Case in point: uranium. Nearly 20 per cent of the uranium used in American nuclear power plants still comes from Russia. So much for an embargo. When national interests are involved, moral grandstanding takes a back seat. India Pushes Back India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has not taken this duplicity lying down. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded firmly: 'Securing the energy needs of our people is understandably an overriding priority for us.' That's the crux. In an energy-starved country with burgeoning demand, fuel isn't just an economic issue; it's a developmental necessity. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, too, asserted that India is well-prepared to navigate sanctions, noting that India today buys oil from over 40 countries compared to just 27 in the past. Diversification, not dependency, has been India's guiding principle. Moreover, the MEA has expressed serious concern over reports of the United States planning a 500 per cent tariff on countries continuing to buy Russian oil, an undeclared threat aimed squarely at India. The very idea that a sovereign country could be penalised for making independent choices that benefit its people is absurd, but it reveals the West's real aim: control. Nato's Hypocrisy: The Case of Turkey If these sanctions were truly about punishing Russian partners, why is Turkey, another country buying Russian oil and even hosting the TurkStream gas pipeline, not under similar fire? Turkey, a NATO member, bought Russian S-400 missile systems in 2019. The US did impose minor sanctions on Turkish defence entities, but Ankara remains a Nato member and continues to transact with Moscow. The Western world makes exceptions for Turkey because of its strategic geography. India, by contrast, is expected to follow the West's orders or face consequences. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sovereignty Is Not for Sale The EU's latest move sanctioning an Indian refinery and targeting Indian-flagged vessels isn't about stopping Russian oil. It's about sending a message to India: fall in line, or be punished. This is an affront to Indian sovereignty. The Vadinar refinery processes oil not just for India but for international clients, including European ones. Europe has happily purchased refined products from India, even when they originated from Russian crude. So Europe pays India for processed fuels while penalising India for importing the crude used to make them. It is hypocrisy of the highest order. India's position is clear. It is not buying oil to finance a war. It is buying oil to power its economy. And unless the West is willing to completely cut off its energy ties with Moscow, which it won't, it has no moral authority to lecture India. The Global South and the New Multipolarity This episode illustrates a broader truth: the era of unipolar Western dominance is fading. Countries like India, China, Brazil, and others in the Global South are asserting their economic sovereignty and refusing to toe Western lines blindly. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India has extended humanitarian aid to Ukraine, spoken to both Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin, and consistently called for dialogue. But it has also made it clear: national interest comes first. We will not compromise our energy security because the West wants a moral trophy. This is not just an issue of oil. It is an issue of global fairness. The West cannot continue creating a two-tier system where its interests are sacrosanct and others' interests are expendable. A Test of Global Leadership If the EU and the US want to lead, they must do so by example. Leadership isn't about coercion. It's about consistency and integrity. You cannot ask India to stop doing what you continue to do behind closed doors. It is time to call out the Western bluff. The sanctions regime, as it stands, is neither effective nor equitable. It is simply a mechanism to enforce Western will under the guise of international morality. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India must stay the course—firm, unyielding, and self-assured. We don't owe anyone an explanation for prioritising our people's needs. We are not a vassal state. We are a rising power. And we will decide our path, not Washington, not Brussels. Conclusion The EU's 18th round of sanctions has exposed more than it has achieved. It has revealed the moral bankruptcy of a West that wants to have its oil and lecture others, too. For India, this is not just a diplomatic challenge. It is a test of resolve. We must never forget: the ultimate responsibility of any government is to its people. As long as Russian oil provides a reliable and affordable option, we should not be cowed into abandoning it. Let the West fix its reactions before pointing fingers. India stands for peace, yes. But India also stands for sovereignty. And that is not negotiable. The writer is a technocrat, political analyst, and author. He pens national, geopolitical, and social issues. His social media handle is @prosenjitnth. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
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First Post
10 minutes ago
- First Post
Were Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump friends? After birthday card, now wedding photo haunts Potus
Disgraced American financier Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump once had the same social circle. Now, new images from the US president's 1993 wedding to Marla Maples proves that they were not just acquaintances. These new visuals emerge just a week after a news report stated that the American leader had sent the financier a racy card for his 50th birthday read more Commuters walk past a bus stop near Nine Elms Station as activists put up a poster showing President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein near the US Embassy in London. AP Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced American financier who was accused of running a sex trafficking ring of underage girls, died in 2019. But his death has turned into a nightmare for US President Donald Trump, who has come under intense scrutiny for his ties with the convicted felon. Now, even as many Americans demand for more disclosures from the Epstein Files, CNN has uncovered archived video footage and photos about Trump's past relationship with Epstein. Notably, this comes at a very difficult time for the US president — just last week, the Wall Street Journal published a report in which it stated that Trump had sent a card to Epstein for his 50th birthday, featuring a sketch of a naked woman and a typed note that read, 'Happy Birthday, and may every day be another wonderful secret.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Epstein spotted at Trump's wedding In December 1993, Donald Trump, then a wealthy business tycoon, tied the knot with American singer and television personality Marla Maples. The two exchanged their 'I dos' at a grand function at New York's Plaza Hotel. Now, 30 years later, CNN has accessed archival images from the event which show Jeffrey Epstein in attendance. High-society photographer Dafydd Jones, who was present at the wedding and tasked with taking photos, told CNN that among the photos he took was one of Epstein entering the event. 'I wish now I took more of him with Trump,' he told the American media outlet. 'I had the job of photographing the Trump wedding, so I stood with the press and photographed him. The image you have is from the contact sheet — the negatives were lost.' NEW via CNN / @KFILE: Newly uncovered archived video footage and photos reveal fresh details about Donald Trump's past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Photos from 1993 confirm for the first time that Epstein attended Trump's 1993 wedding to Marla Maples. In addition,… — MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) July 22, 2025 Another photo, this time from the LIFE's archives, shows Epstein smiling in the background — his head is just visible as other attendees take a group picture. CNN's Andrew Kaczynski, whose team uncovered the images, told OutFront of the new reporting, 'Although we know that Trump and Epstein were friends during this period, this is really the first time that it's actually been reported that Trump invited Epstein to his wedding.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When CNN asked the now US president about the wedding images, he replied: 'You've got to be kidding me,' adding that CNN was 'fake news' and then hung up. Later, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said in a statement, 'These are nothing more than out-of-context frame grabs of innocuous videos and pictures of widely attended events to disgustingly infer something nefarious. 'The fact is that the President kicked him out of his club for being a creep. This is nothing more than a continuation of the fake news stories concocted by the Democrats and the liberal media.' Trump, Epstein and Victoria's Secret Adding to the heaping pile of evidence of their close friendship are visuals from a 1999 Victoria's Secret fashion show in New York. The video shows the US president and financier laughing and chatting ahead of the runway event. A person walks by an image of US President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, along with the words 'President Trump: Release All the Epstein Files', projected onto the US Department of Commerce headquarters in Washington, DC. AFP Trump's birthday wish to Epstein CNN's reporting follows a bombshell report last week from The Wall Street Journal describing a birthday card Trump was said to have sent Epstein for his 50th birthday. The US media outlet stated that Trump told Epstein in the card, 'May every day be another wonderful secret.' It also featured lines of typewritten text framed by a drawing of a naked woman, with Trump's name signed below the woman's waist. The president denied to the Journal that he wrote the letter or drew the picture. 'I never wrote a picture in my life. I don't draw pictures of women,' he told the Journal. 'It's not my language. It's not my words.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Later, he also sued the publication, seeking at least $20 billion in compensation. Trump's legal team accused the Journal's parent company of engaging in 'glaring failures in journalistic ethics and standards of accurate reporting.' Many of his supporters such as far-right influencer Laura Loomer also called the letter 'totally fake.' She wrote on X: 'Everyone who actually knows President Trump knows he doesn't type letters. He writes notes in big black Sharpie.' Parties, private jets and a 'terrific guy' The images uncovered by CNN and the previous reporting by Wall Street Journal are just latest on the friendship that Trump and Epstein once shared. In fact, it is reported that the two first met around the time Trump bought Mar-a-Lago in 1985, when Epstein was also living in Palm Beach. Since then, the pair have been pictured together at various events and social dos. A display of their close ties was when Trump flew on Epstein's private jet at least seven times during the 1990s, according to flight logs presented in court and cited by US media. The US president has denied this, and in 2024 said he was 'never on Epstein's plane'. In a 2002, Trump even told New York Magazine that Epstein was a 'terrific guy'. 'He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side,' Trump said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD People holds signs calling for the release of files regarding late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. File image/AFP A falling out However, the friendship between Epstein and Trump wasn't to last. Speaking in July 2019, just days after Epstein was charged with sex trafficking, Trump was eager to clarify that there pair were no longer friends – and hadn't been for quite some time. 'I had a falling out with him,' said the US president. 'I haven't spoken to him in 15 years. I was not a fan of his, that I can tell you.' But what caused a souring in their friendship? It was a property deal. In 2004, a Palm Beach property came up for grabs — an oceanfront mansion called Maison de l'Amitie, or the House of Friendship. The property was being sold as a result of its previous owner Abe Gosman's bankruptcy, and according to a Washington Post report, both Epstein and Trump were keen to get their hands on it. What ensued was an outright bidding war between the two men for the estate, which Trump eventually won. But it left a sour taste in Trump's mouth and the two went their separate ways. Trump even claimed that barred Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago estate, and the pair were never photographed together again. 'He's a real creep, I banned him," Trump is reported to have told his former aide, Sam Nunberg. Trump's Epstein Files saga continues Since coming to office, it seems that the Epstein files have become a noose around Trump's neck. Earlier this month, the US Justice Department claimed that there is no evidence that Epstein maintained a 'client list' that named or implicated others in alleged sex crimes. This has angered many of Trump's core followers, including Tucker Carlson and former 'First Buddy' Elon Musk. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Amid this ongoing controversy, the Justice Department announced that it is in touch with an attorney for Ghislaine Maxwell, a long time associate of Epstein, to try to arrange a meeting with her in the coming days. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the plan on social media, saying that the department is seeking any information from Maxwell — who is serving time for sex trafficking — as part of its quest to uncover 'all credible evidence' in the Epstein case. With inputs from agencies