Hamas refutes Steve Witkoff's statement on disarmament, vows to continue fighting IDF
The terror group vowed to continue its violent struggle, claiming its fight to deliver Palestine its 'national rights' were realised and supported by international law, adding 'foremost among them… the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with full sovereignty and Jerusalem as its capital.'
Hamas went on to slam Witkoff's visit to the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation run by Israel and the US, amid reports of starvation in the region, and that hundreds of Palestinian aid seekers had been killed near the agency's four distribution sites in the south and center of the enclave since they started operating in mid-May, reports Times of Israel.
'The American administration is a full partner in the crime of starvation and genocide,' said Hamas.
It added that Witkoff's visit was 'nothing more than a pre-arranged theatrical performance' to provide Israel with 'political cover for managing starvation and continuing the systematic killing of children and unarmed civilians from our people.'
Condemning Washington, the terror group called on the White House 'to bear its historical responsibility by lifting the cover from the crime of the century in Gaza and moving toward a ceasefire agreement that leads to ending the aggression.'
Israel on the other hand has completely denied reports of deliberately starving anyone in Gaza or stopping international aid to the residents of the war-torn region, accusing Hamas of instead of seizing all aid and using Gazans as human shields and as tools for propagating its rhetoric.
GHF, which seeks to circumvent Hamas in the distribution of aid, launched its operations in May, sidelining the longstanding UN-led humanitarian system just as Israel was beginning to ease a more than two-month aid blockade it had imposed on Gaza.
However, there has been a drastic death toll near its aid centres, amid Hamas' constant attacks in the area and their skirmishes with the IDF, with Jerusalem also acknowledging the casualties.
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Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
Approve BC quota bills or face ‘political tsunami' in 2029, Revanth warns Modi
Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday launched a blistering attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing the Centre of deliberately stalling the approval of Telangana's 42% Backward Classes (BC) reservation bills. He warned that Telangana's BC empowerment model of a caste survey and a bold quota expansion would turn into a political tsunami and "wash away the Modi-led BJP into the Bay of Bengal." Revanth's remarks came during a high-profile dharna—dubbed 'BC Poru Bata'—held at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, which saw participation from a wide spectrum of INDIA bloc leaders, Congress ministers, MPs, MLCs, MLAs, and prominent BC leaders. While Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi were not present as they had gone to attend JMM leader Shibu Soren's funeral on Tuesday night, they deputed senior party leaders and MPs to show solidarity with what Revanth described as a 'historic movement' for BC justice. In a fiery speech, Revanth declared, "If PM Modi wants to remain in office, he must ensure the approval of the two BC reservation bills. Telangana's BC community is prepared to sacrifice everything for this cause. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Best-Selling Luxury Watches – Selling Out Fast Luxury Watches Buy Now Undo If Modi fails, the OBCs will bring down his govt and make Rahul Gandhi the next prime minister." You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad He went on to warn, "Don't force us to return to Delhi again in such numbers. Next time, we will confront you in Telangana. Either sign the blls while you are still PM or watch us implement them after Rahul Gandhi takes charge. You have delayed them for four months. That's why we are here—not in Hyderabad—to expose your 'anti-BC' stand on a national stage. We are vowing from Jantar Mantar on behalf of four crore people of Telangana that we will bring down Modi govt in 2029. " Revanth also questioned the rationale behind the Centre's objection to the state-specific legislation. "We are not asking for a piece of land in Gujarat or its ports. We're only demanding the right to implement 42% reservations in Telangana—for our people, in our state. Who gave you the authority to crush this mandate?" He dubbed Modi the "biggest enemy of the BCs" and didn't spare state BJP leaders either, calling out Union ministers G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay, and Telangana BJP chief N Ramchander Rao for their silence. "With what face will you go to BC voters now? You didn't even join this dharna. Have you aligned with Modi to block BC empowerment?" he asked. Revanth also targeted the BRS for its past decisions, blaming former CM K Chandrasekhar Rao for capping overall reservations at 50% under the Panchayat Raj Act, 2018. "We've moved an ordinance to scrap that cap. It's now pending with the President," he said. Taking a swipe at the BJP's 2029 ambitions, Revanth responded to party MP Nishikant Dubey's comments that Modi will again be the PM face. "Let Modi contest 2029 if he dares. Rahul Gandhi-led INDIA bloc will defeat him decisively, and the BJP won't cross 100 seats," he predicted. He invoked Rahul Gandhi's slogan 'Jitni hissedari, utni bhagedari' (proportional representation for social justice), warning political consequences for those who defy it. "No matter how powerful, if anyone opposes Rahul Gandhi's vision, Telangana will mark the political death of their career," the CM asserted. Revanth insisted that the BJP's continued delay is a deliberate attempt to suppress BC aspirations. "The BC quota bills are pending with the President for the last four months. If we don't get an appointment with her tomorrow (Thursday), it will confirm BJP's 'anti-BC' bias," he said. Calling himself as a 'crusader for social justice,' Revanth added, "Over 300 chief ministers have led different states in India, but I am proud to be the one who conducted a caste survey and passed 42% BC reservations. I thank my cabinet colleagues and Rahul Gandhi for their unwavering support."
United News of India
40 minutes ago
- United News of India
Omar writes to all parties over restoration of J&K statehood
Srinagar, Aug 6 (UNI) Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that he has written to political parties with a significant presence in Parliament, urging them to push for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Omar said he has formally reached out to several parties, requesting their support so that a bill is introduced during the ongoing session of Parliament. 'I have written letters to all parties with a large number of honourable MPs in Parliament asking them to help us so that the promise (made by the Central government) on restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is fulfilled,' the CM told media in Srinagar. He hoped that parliamentarians would raise this issue so that a bill would be introduced during the ongoing session of the Parliament and the people of Jammu and Kashmir get the status of a state again. The Chief Minister emphasized that the restoration of statehood is not a matter concerning an individual, a party, or a government, but a commitment made to the people of J&K. 'This promise was made in public rallies, in Parliament, and even before the Supreme Court. Now we want this promise to be fulfilled,' he remarked. It is learnt that Omar has written to presidents of all national and regional parties, including NDA allies, over restoration of statehood. He reminded them that Prime Minister and Home Minister have made repeated assurances, both within Parliament and in public forums, that statehood will be restored to Jammu and Kashmir. Omar welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to list a hearing on restoration of statehood on August 8. 'It is a good thing that the date has been fixed. I hope the Supreme Court will give due attention to this issue,' he said. The Chief Minister said when the SC announced the decision on abrogation of Article 370, they made it clear that J&K should get statehood 'as soon as possible.' 'It has been years since to 'as soon as possible' and we haven't got it yet,' he added. He credited the Supreme Court for ensuring the timely conduct of assembly elections in J&K last year. 'Had the court not set a timeline, I wouldn't be addressing you today as a Chief Minister. Elections happened because the Supreme Court fixed a deadline,' Omar said, expressing hope that the Supreme Court will now also intervene to expedite the restoration of statehood, if the government doesn't do it. UNI MJR PRS
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
SC allows use of Stalin's name in TN schemes, says other govts do it too
NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Wednesday said naming of welfare schemes after political netas was all pervasive in states and at Centre and ruled that no exception could be taken to Tamil Nadu govt's 'Ungaludan Stalin' scheme, which translates into 'Your's Stalin'. Setting aside Madras HC's July 31 interim order restraining use of names of political personalities in any govt scheme in TN, which goes to polls in April-May next year, a bench of Chief Justice Bhushan R Gavai, and Justices K Vinod Chandran and N V Anjaria penalised petitioner before the HC, AIADMK MP C Ve Shanmugam, with Rs 10 lakh. Dictating the order in open court after a more than hour-long hearing on appeals filed by DMK and TN govt, CJI Gavai said, "Launching of schemes in the name of political netas is a phenomenon practised throughout the country. The Tamil Nadu govt has submitted a list of 45 welfare schemes (launched by states and Union govt) named after various political netas. We do not wish to name the schemes in order to cause embarrassment to political parties. " While directing the AIADMK MP to deposit Rs 10 lakh within a week with the TN govt for utilisation in welfare schemes for the underprivileged, the CJI said, "Time and again we have observed that political battles are to be fought in the electoral arena. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brigade™ Insignia. 3, 4 & 5 BHK Starting at ₹3.39 Cr* Brigade Group Learn More Undo Courts are not the place to fight political battles." Interestingly, the CJI-led bench withdrew Shanmugam's writ petition before the HC to the SC and dismissed it terming it as "fully misconceived and an abuse of the process of law" for singling out the TN scheme and not challenging similar schemes prevalent in other states and at Centre. It allowed appeals of DMK and TN govt to set aside the HC order. DMK was represented by senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and P Wilson. Rohatgi said SC had permitted use of photographs of the President, PM, CM and cabinet ministers in public advertisements to generate awareness among citizens about welfare schemesand that no political party in office has been immune to this phenomenon. For TN, senior advocate A M Singhvi supported the contentions of the party and said the scheme was meant to set up camps in every nook and corner of the state to enable and facilitate people of TN to avail full benefits of existing welfare schemes. Wilson said the AIADMK MP had approached Election Commission with the same allegation on July 21 for action against DMK and three days later, moved the HC alleging that EC was not taking action. Senior advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for the AIADMK MP, attempted to convince the court that a conjoint reading of a series of orders passed by SC on the issue took one to the conclusion that no welfare scheme could be named after political netas. After imposing a cost of Rs 10 lakh on Shanmugam, the bench said if the amount was not paid by the MP within a week, he would be liable for contempt of court proceedings.
