Netanyahu defends Gaza plan against criticism at home and abroad
After talks on a third ceasefire stalled in July, the Netanyahu government on Friday authorised an advance on Gaza City. Israeli forces had previously skirted the area for fear that hostages believed to be held there could be hurt or lost in the chaos of combat.
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The Australian
3 hours ago
- The Australian
Albanese backflips on Palestine state recognition after Abbas talks
No less a distinguished personage than president Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority has told Anthony Albanese that Australia can play an 'important role' in bringing peace to the Middle East. It could be done if Canberra recognised a Palestine state, he told the Prime Minister last week. Sensing that greatness was calling, Albanese announced on Monday Australia will join the UK, Canada and France and declare accordingly at the UN General Assembly next month. Only a fortnight before, Albanese told ABC's Insiders Australia would not recognise a Palestine state unless it 'operates in an appropriate way which does not threaten the existence of Israel' and Hamas was excluded 'from any involvement there'. Did this leave open the possibility of his government recognising it at the UNGA in September, asked host David Speers. 'Are we about to do that? No, we are not,' Albanese replied. But having just got off the blower with the PA president (his first conversation with him in nearly two years), Albanese has decided Abbas is a man who can deliver. This is the same Abbas who in 1983 wrote the book The Other Side: The Secret Relationship Between Nazism and the Zionist Movement, which not only claimed Zionists colluded with the Nazis to make life unbearable for Jews in Europe, but also that the recorded number of deaths in the Holocaust was vastly exaggerated. But Abbas has since walked back on some of these claims. He no longer denies the number of deaths. He merely claims, as he told the Fatah Revolutionary Council in 2023, the Nazi pogrom was not anti-Semitic but instead motivated by Jewish involvement in 'usury, money and so on'. Now admittedly this latest take shows Abbas is yet to shed all his misconceptions as well as get across all the salient facts of the Holocaust. But nonetheless he is making real progress, no? And while it is true Abbas's tenure as president has been a tad controversial, he has assured Albanese a Palestine state will be the paradigm of good governance. He promises demilitarisation, elections, financial transparency and an education system free of hateful ideology. He promises the PA will stop paying rewards to families of martyred terrorists. In summary, he promises things he never delivered as president, a role he has occupied for more than 20 years. But despite that, Albanese will recognise without precondition a Palestine state. In fairness to him, he identifies with Abbas in at least one respect. 'My word is my bond', anyone? Could this be the beginning of a wonderful partnership that brings peace to a troubled land and warring rivals? Albanese's diplomatic venture promises to be every bit as successful as that of former prime minister Malcolm Fraser's dalliance with Robert Mugabe, the great humanitarian Marxist, leader of ZANU-PF, and Zimbabwe's inaugural prime minister. As with Fraser, Albanese has overlooked a couple of considerations in throwing his lot in with Abbas. Just minor things, mind you. For starters, and as reported by this masthead, the latest survey (May 2025) by the Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey Research revealed only 15 per cent of respondents were satisfied with Abbas's performance. Additionally, respondent data showed support for Hamas is higher in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip than for Fatah. And what of Albanese's claim on Tuesday that his government's recognising a Palestine state was 'the opposite of what Hamas wants'? The very next day Hamas co-founder Hassan Yousef praised the Albanese government for its 'political courage', saying the decision was an 'important step towards achieving justice for our people'. Australia's move was 'largely meaningless', said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. 'It's symbolic, and they're doing it primarily for one reason, and that is their internal politics, their domestic politics.' That is a tactful way of saying Albanese is a grandstanding meddler. He deserves Rubio's disdain. This opportunistic blundering has emboldened Hamas and relegated the welfare of its Israeli hostages to secondary considerations. As for Albanese's stressing he did not act alone, collective tomfoolery is no excuse for incompetence. But don't let my being a wet blanket stop you, Anthony Albanese. Tell us your plans for building Australia's relationship with a Palestine state. Who will be our inaugural ambassador? My first thought was former NSW premier and foreign minister Bob Carr, who has done much to arouse anti-Israel sentiment with his bizarre diatribes. But, given his insistence on travelling first class and staying in top-notch accommodation, that could be problematic while Gaza is in its present state. This is a time for nation-building, and for that Palestine needs essential workers. I refer to the 24 employees of the Australian Human Rights Commission who last year demanded then AHRC president Rosalind Croucher condemn 'Israeli war crimes and crimes against humanity perpetrated against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank'. Your plane awaits, people. You can take with you those well-meaning individuals who make up the 'Queers for Palestine' movement. I am sure the members of Hamas will be most receptive to your suggestions for Gaza's first 'Wear it Purple Day'. Ditto the activists comprising the Teachers and School Staff for Palestine who led children in chants of 'Allahu Akbar' outside Granville Boys High School in western Sydney in February. Your pedagogical expertise would ideally complement a Palestinian curriculum. Getting a plane there may be difficult, but fear not. The Qantas flight attendants who proudly wear a Palestinian flag on their lapel would be delighted to assist. Come to think of it, wouldn't you lot be happier staffing the Palestinian national carrier? But if there is one thing Gaza really needs, it is thespians. Think Harry Greenwood, Megan Wilding and Mabel Li, whose little keffiyeh stunt in 2023 on the opening night of Chekov's The Seagull nearly bankrupted the Sydney Theatre Company. As we speak, a Palestinian playwright pens a masterpiece inspired by your brave and noble efforts. Coming to a Gaza theatre soon: The Peacock, the Goose and the Galah. Read related topics: Anthony Albanese The Mocker amuses himself by calling out poseurs, sneering social commentators, and po-faced officials. He is deeply suspicious of those who seek increased regulation of speech and behaviour. Believing that journalism is dominated by idealists and activists, he likes to provide a realist's perspective of politics and current affairs. Nation The terror group has rejected 'any issuance of a statement' by co-founder Sheik Hassan Yousef, who is in prison and 'has no means of communicating with the press'. Nation The children's safety regulator was considering removing the child from its parents until CCTV revealed a daycare worker had caused the injury.
Canberra Times
3 hours ago
- Canberra Times
PM slams Hamas as senior leader denies praising him
Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! Be the first to know when news breaks. As it happens Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. Get the very best journalism from The Canberra Times by signing up to our special reports. As it happens Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. Get the latest property and development news here. We've selected the best reading for your weekend. Join our weekly poll for Canberra Times readers. Your exclusive preview of David Pope's latest cartoon. Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. Don't miss updates on news about the Public Service. As it happens Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. More from National Israel rejects that its actions in Gaza amount to genocide, a claim that has also been brought against it before the International Court of Justice. "If the Israeli government continues to kill innocent Palestinians, Labor has got no choice but to implement stronger and effective sanctions against a government that's committing genocide." "We should not treat Palestine any differently to any other recognised state in the world and there should be an embassy," he told AAP. Former senator Doug Cameron wants to see an Australian embassy in a future Palestinian state. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS) Former Labor senator and left-faction heavyweight Doug Cameron said the government should do all it can to support a Palestinian state, including aiding reconstruction efforts when the conflict ends. Israel's government has also throttled aid and food into Gaza for months, and the UN projects 2.1 million people are facing high levels of acute food insecurity, while 470,000 are facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity. Its bombardment and military action on the strip restarted when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking about 250 hostage. Since October 2023, Israel has killed almost 62,000 Palestinians in Gaza, including 18,000 children, according to local health authorities, and its government on Friday approved plans to seize Gaza City. Opposition Israeli parliamentarian Shelly Tal Meron said she was also concerned about Hamas's purported reaction. Almost 150 out of the 193 UN member states have already recognised the state of Palestine, including EU countries Spain and Ireland. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley says the government is wrong to recognise a Palestinian state. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS) "(The prime minister) must reverse this decision, because when terrorists are cheerleaders for your foreign policy, you need to think again and reverse that position," Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said. Opponents of Australia's recognition move, including the coalition, said the prime minister had got it wrong. Dr Naim said efforts from "any party" to recognise Palestine were "very welcomed" but needed to be matched with practical actions. "I won't be a cheer squad for Hamas." "Hamas do not want a two-state solution - what they want is one state. "What that should be is a warning to the media of being very careful about the fact that Hamas will engage in propaganda," he told reporters. The prime minister - weighed down by headlines and commentary suggesting he was doing Hamas's bidding in imminently backing a Palestinian state - said recognition would help isolate the designated terror group. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he won't be a 'cheer squad' for designated terror group Hamas. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS) Mr Albanese warned his political opponents and the media not to engage with "Hamas propaganda". "We affirm that Sheikh Hassan Yousef is being held in poor conditions and is cut off from the outside world, with no means of communication with local or international press outlets," the statement said. Dr Naim instead referred to a statement the group disseminated on its social media channel and which the Australian prime minister also pointed to on Thursday. Nine clarified on Thursday it had solicited the statement from a spokesperson on Mr Yousef's behalf, based in the West Bank. Almost 150 out of the 193 UN member states have already recognised the state of Palestine. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS) "I'm very surprised ... I doubt it's true," he said, referring to a statement first reported by Nine Newspapers. "Sheikh Yousef is in an Israeli jail for years now," Dr Naim told AAP. But the group's foreign relations chief, Istanbul-based Basem Naim, poured cold water on the statement making headlines domestically. Labor's "political courage" was reportedly commended by Hamas co-founder Hassan Yousef after Australia revealed it would join other nations in recognising Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September. All other regional websites in your area The digital version of Today's Paper All articles from our website & app Login or signup to continue reading Subscribe now for unlimited access. The prime minister has pushed back against suggestions he is aiding Hamas by recognising Palestinian statehood as the terrorist group distances itself from a statement applauding Australia's decision. Questions have been raised about Hamas co-founder Hassan Yousef's reported praise for Australia. Photo: Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS By Farid Farid, Andrew Brown and Kat Wong By Farid Farid, Andrew Brown and Kat Wong Your digital subscription includes access to content from all our websites in your region. Access unlimited news content and The Canberra Times app. Premium subscribers also enjoy interactive puzzles and access to the digital version of our print edition - Today's Paper. Login or create a free account to save this to My Saved List Login or create a free account to save this to My Saved List Login or create a free account to save this to My Saved List
The Age
4 hours ago
- The Age
Israel pounds Gaza City, killing 123 Palestinians in 24 hours
Israeli planes and tanks bombed eastern areas of Gaza City heavily on Wednesday, residents said, with many homes destroyed in the Zeitoun and Shejaia neighbourhoods overnight. Al-Ahli hospital said 12 people were killed in an airstrike on a home in Zeitoun. Tanks also destroyed several houses in the east of Khan Younis in south Gaza, while in the centre, Israeli gunfire killed nine aid-seekers in two separate incidents, Palestinian medics said. Israel's military did not comment. Eight more people, including three children, had died of starvation and malnutrition in Gaza in the past 24 hours, the territory's health ministry said. That took the total to 235, including 106 children, since the war began. Israel disputes those malnutrition and hunger figures reported by the health ministry in the Hamas-run enclave. Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned Israel, along with Russia, that it may be added to a list of countries suspected of, or responsible for, sexual violence in armed conflict. In a letter to Israel's Permanent Representative to the UN, Guterres explained that a UN report found 'credible information of violations by Israeli armed and security forces, perpetrated against Palestinians in several prisons, a detention centre and military base'. The Israeli mission to the UN called Guterres' accusations 'baseless' and 'steeped in bias', with ambassador Danny Danon urging the secretary-general to instead turn his attention to Hamas. Ceasefire possibilities Hamas chief negotiator Khalil Al-Hayya's meetings with Egyptian officials in Cairo on Wednesday were to focus on stopping the war, delivering aid and 'ending the suffering of our people in Gaza', Hamas official Taher al-Nono said in a statement. Egyptian security sources said the talks would also discuss the possibility of a comprehensive ceasefire that would see Hamas relinquish governance in Gaza and concede its weapons. Loading A Hamas official, who asked not to be named, told Reuters the group was open to all ideas if Israel ended the war and pulled out. However, 'laying down arms before the occupation is dismissed is impossible', the official said. Israeli sources said Netanyahu's plan to expand military control over Gaza could be launched in October, heightening global outcry over the widespread devastation, displacement and hunger in the enclave. Twenty-four nations this week decried the 'unimaginable levels' of suffering and urged Israel to allow unrestricted aid. Israel accuses Hamas of stealing aid and says it has taken steps to increase supplies, including daily combat pauses in some areas and protected routes for convoys. The Israeli military on Wednesday said nearly 320 trucks entered Gaza through the Kerem Shalom and Zikim crossings, and that a further 320-odd trucks were collected and distributed by the United Nations and international organisations in the past 24 hours, along with three tankers of fuel and 97 pallets of air-dropped aid. But the UN and Palestinians say aid remains far from sufficient. The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing 1200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Since then, Israel's offensive against Hamas in Gaza has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials. Arab states and much of the international community want post-war Gaza to be governed by the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited governance in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The authority's foreign minister, Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, told reporters it was ready to assume full responsibility in Gaza. Hamas would have no role and be required to hand over arms, she added, calling for an international peacekeeping force and withdrawal by Israel. Hamas says it is ready to quit Gaza governance for a non-partisan technocratic entity agreed by all Palestinian parties. Israel says it does not trust the PA to rule Gaza.
