Environmental report which may have caused collapse of Mourne gondola project was hidden from public
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) has finally confirmed the confidential status of the report to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) a month after a media query.
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Scottish Sun
16 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Israel mobilising 400,000 troops for ‘full occupation' of Gaza in WEEKS in Netanyahu's plan to end war
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ISRAEL is set to mobilise more than 400,000 troops as it plans to establish a full military occupation in the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aims to completely flush out terrorists from the besieged enclave after vowing to "free Gaza from Hamas". Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Smoke rises after Israeli warplanes bombed buildings in a residential area Credit: AFP 8 Israeli soldiers work on a tank in an IDF staging area along in southern Israel along the border with the Gaza Strip Credit: Alamy 8 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem Credit: Reuters 8 The plan would see the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) expand the war and fully take over the Gaza City and some of the central camps - the last few parts of the strip not under Israeli control. This would allow Israel - which currently controls roughly 70 per cent of Gaza - to establish a full military occupation in the strip. Netanyahu claims these parts of Gaza - home to well over half a million Palestinians - are the last remaining Hamas strongholds. His government has now granted Defence Minister Israel Katz permission to call up some 430,000 military reservists until November 30. Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara said on Sunday that the country has no alternative but to continue mobilising reservists, i24 reported. Netanyahu was defiant on Sunday, telling journalists: "This is the best way to end the war, and the best way to end it speedily." "Our goal is not to occupy Gaza, our goal is to free Gaza." The goals, he said, include demilitarising the territory, the Israeli military having overriding security control and a non-Israeli civilian administration in charge. To support the humanitarian effort, Israel plans to increase aid deliveries significantly. Daily aid truck convoys are expected to increase from 300 to 1,200, Plans are also to establish more humanitarian aid distribution centres in non-combat zones. However, criticism has only intensified after Netanyahu's security cabinet announced plans to expand the conflict. Israel to fully occupy Gaza City in 'five step plan' to finally destroy Hamas, free hostages, and end bloody war Israel is now expected to tell civilians in Gaza City to evacuate by October 7 before the IDF launches a full military occupation. The population will be ordered to move to the south of the strip before new offensive operations begin. It is widely understood that the plan will apply to every piece of the enclave not yet under Israeli control. Israeli security officials estimate the occupation could continue for at least half a year. Netanyahu said the new operation would be implemented on "a fairly short timetable". He said the operation will aim "to dismantle the two remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza City and the central camps", while establishing secure corridors and safe zones to allow civilians to leave the area. "Israel has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas. Now, we've done a great deal. We have about 70 to 75 per cent of Gaza under Israeli control, military control," he said. "But we have two remaining strongholds, OK? These are Gaza City and the central camps in Al Mawasi." After Hamas is wiped out and Gaza becomes demilitarised, the PM says Israel will maintain "security responsibility". What is Israel's five-step plan for Gaza? Disarmament of Hamas Return of all hostages – living and dead Demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip Israeli security control over Gaza Creation of a new civil administration that excludes both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority A "non-Israeli civilian administration" will be established in Gaza within 24 hours, he added. Israel's cabinet also signed off on five guiding principles to conclude the war this week with a roadmap that leaves no room for compromise with Hamas. Israel has made it clear that the terrorist group must be stripped of its weapons entirely - not just weakened, but dismantled - to prevent any future attacks on Israeli civilians. The 22-month war has left tens of thousands dead after Hamas attacked Israeli civilians on October 7. They took 251 hostages during the assault, with 49 still being held in Gaza - including 27 who the IDF say are dead. The return of all hostages, both living and dead, is also a non-negotiable pillar of the plan. Israeli leaders have stressed that no resolution will be accepted unless it includes the safe return of every captive held in Gaza. 8 Palestinians struggle to get donated food at a community kitchen in northern Gaza Credit: AP 8 Smoke plumes rising from Israeli bombardment in Beit Lahia Credit: AFP 8 IDF troops inside Gaza Credit: Reuters Israel's offensive has killed at least 61,430 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry, figures the United Nations says are reliable. According to Gaza's civil defence agency, at least 27 people were killed by Israeli fire across the territory Sunday, including 11 who were waiting near aid distribution centres. An Israeli strike also killed five journalists who were working for Al Jazeera. They were all stationed inside a media tent near Gaza City's Al-Shifa Hospital, which was targeted. Correspondents Anas al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh, cameramen Ibrahim Zaher and Moamen Aliwa, and their assistant Mohammed Noufal have all been named by the publication. The IDF confirmed it struck al-Sharif, 28, who has been one of Al Jazeera's top reporters out in northern Gaza throughout the war. Israel accused al-Sharif of "serving as the head of a terrorist cell in Hamas" for some time during the war. They said he has been posing as a journalist and claimed he is "responsible for advancing rocket attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops".
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
World leaders issues Benjamin Netanyahu statement as he vows to take over Gaza City
The UN Security Council held a rare emergency meeting after Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu said his military will take control of Gaza City, with officials saying the move would risk violating international law Israel's plan to take over Gaza City has been internationally condemned today with the United Nations saying it would 'trigger another calamity' in the already-embattled region. The UN Security Council held a rare emergency meeting after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli military would 'take control' of the war-torn area. The UK, Denmark, France, Greece and Slovenia delivered a joint statement condemning Israel 's decision to expand operations in Gaza, and before the meeting called for the plan to be reversed. 'This plan risks violating international humanitarian law,' the European countries said. "The Security Council has consistently called for the unconditional and immediate release of the hostages. And we are clear that Hamas must disarm and play no future part in the governance of Gaza, where the Palestinian Authority must have a central role. 'But this decision by the Israeli Government will do nothing to secure the return of the hostages and risks further endangering their lives.' The statement also called for Israel to lift restrictions on aid deliveries. Israel has maintained that there are no restrictions on aid into Gaza. Netanyahu said in a press conference that Israel had 'no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas.' 'Our goal is not to occupy Gaza, our goal is to free Gaza,' Netanyahu asserted. He also pushed back against what he called a 'global campaign of lies' - and said Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany, one of Israel's strongest backers, had 'buckled under' by announcing that Germany won't authorise exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza until further notice. Netanyahu said there is a 'fairly short timetable' in mind for next steps in Gaza, but did not give specifics. The goals there, he said, include demilitarising the territory, the Israeli military having 'overriding security control' and a non-Israeli civilian administration being in charge. Netanyahu again blamed many of Gaza's problems on the Hamas militant group, including civilian deaths, destruction and shortages of aid. 'Hamas still has thousands of armed terrorists in Gaza,' he asserted, adding that Palestinians are 'begging' the world to be freed from them. The prime minister, who has claimed that there is 'no starvation in Gaza,' did acknowledge hunger there, saying, 'there was a problem with deprivation, no question about it.' Israel wants to increase the number of aid distribution sites, he said, but gave no details. UN Assistant Secretary Miroslav Jenca told the security council meeting: 'If these plans are implemented, they will likely trigger another calamity in Gaza, reverberating across the region and causing further forced displacement, killings, and destruction.' He said the world was already 'witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe on an unimaginable scale,' and reiterated calls for a 'full and immediate ceasefire' as well as the release of all hostages. 'Palestinians have their right to have their voices heard,' Jenča said, adding the UN supports a two-state solution. While Slovenia's ambassador to the UN, Samuel Zbogar, speaking on behalf of the five European members of the Security Council ahead of the meeting, said: 'This decision by the Israeli government will do nothing to secure the return of the hostages and risk further endangering their lives.' In a rare press conference with foreign journalists in Jerusalem, Netanyahu was in a bullish mood, insisting 'this is the best way to end the war, and end it speedily'. He rejected the idea of ever accepting a Palestinian State and accused European countries such as Britain and France of bowing to public pressure to recognise such a state. Fu Cong, China 's ambassador to the UN, said the situation in Gaza 'continues to evolve into an even more dangerous direction'. He said the UNSC 'must firmly oppose any attempt to occupy Gaza' and condemned Israel's decision to renew its military offensive in Gaza City. 'Military means are not the way to solve this problem,' said Fu. He also condemned Israel's 'collective punishment' of Gaza's population, and called for 'all' access points into Gaza to be opened in order for aid to be allowed in. It came as family members of Israeli hostages taken on the October 7, 2023, today marched on Downing Street to urge the release of those being held by Hamas. The 'national march for the hostages' in central London was organised by Stop the Hate UK and a number of Jewish organisations. It came after Sir Keir Starmer pledged to recognise a Palestinian state in September unless the Israeli government meets a series of conditions towards ending the conflict in Gaza. Among those who attended was Noga Guttman, the cousin of 24-year-old Evyatar David, who was kidnapped. Hamas released a video last weekend which showed Mr David looking skeletal and hollow-eyed in a dimly lit Gaza tunnel. Marchers included the relatives of Avinatan Or, who was kidnapped from the Nova music festival with his girlfriend Noa Argamani. Mr Or's cousin Ariel Felber, from London, said: 'Keir Starmer has failed the hostages and their families by not making it a condition that all the remaining hostages are brought home to their loved ones before he can even entertain talk of state recognition of Palestine. He urgently needs to correct this.' The UK's Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis addressed the march close to Downing Street. He said: 'To our Government we turn and we say 'how would you ever be able to live with the fact that you would have recognised a Palestinian state, at the head of which is a terrorist organisation, with a stated intention of destroying the state of Israel and harming Jews right around the world and all this at a time when the hostages are still languishing in the tunnels of Gaza?' 'The Labour Party, both in opposition and now in Government has had a mantra, they have continuously been saying 'don't judge us by our words, judge us by our deeds'. And to our Government we say right now this is the time for responsible action, it is not too late.' He added: 'We will continue to do whatever we can for the sake of each and every one of the hostages.' Protesters on Saturday in support of hostages took to the streets of Jerusalem and marched towards Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence to voice their anger over his government's plan to fully occupy Gaza City. Former soldier, Max Kresch, marched holding a sign that read 'I refused'. 'We're over 350 soldiers who served during the war and were refusing to continue to serve in Netanyahu's political war,' he said. Protests also took place across Israel in cities including Haifa and Tel Aviv.
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Glasgow Times
Netanyahu: Israel ‘has no choice but to finish job and complete defeat of Hamas'
He was speaking to foreign media in Jerusalem and defending a planned military offensive. He asserted that 'our goal is not to occupy Gaza, our goal is to free Gaza'. Mr Netanyahu is also pushing back against what he calls a 'global campaign of lies' as condemnation of the plan grows both inside and outside Israel. He said there is a 'fairly short timetable' in mind for next steps in Gaza. The goals there, he said, include demilitarising Gaza, the Israeli military having 'overriding security control' there and a non-Israeli civilian administration in charge. The prime minister also said he had directed Israel's military in recent days to 'bring in more foreign journalists' — which would be a striking development as they have not been allowed into Gaza beyond military embeds. Mr Netanyahu again blamed many of Gaza's problems on the Hamas militant group, including civilian deaths, destruction and shortages of aid.
