Middle East: Israelis call for hostage deal, end to war – DW – 08/17/2025
The move, which will stop injured children from Gaza being brought to the US for medical treatment, comes after posts by influential far-right figure Laura Loomer alleged that Gazans entering the country on special visas had links to Hamas.
You can read the full story here: US suspends medical visas for Gazans after far-right posts
Israel's military said Sunday it had struck an "energy infrastructure site" in Yemen used by the Houthi rebels, an attack it said was conducted "in response to repeated attacks" by the Iran-backed group.
A statement said Israeli forces "struck... deep inside Yemen, targeting an energy infrastructure site that served the Houthi terrorist regime" somewhere near the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, which is in rebel hands.
The statement did not name the site, but Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV reported "an aggression targeting the Haziz power plant" south of Sanaa, citing civil defense agencies.
There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Since Israel began its Gaza offensive against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in October 2023 in response to a deadly attack on Israel, the Houthis have regularly fired missiles and drones at Israel, saying their actions are in solidarity with Palestinians.
Israel has intercepted most Houthi attacks but has carried out a series of airstrikes in Yemen targeting the group.
Demonstrators took to the streets across Israel on Sunday, with Tel Aviv a focus for protests calling for an end to the war in Gaza and a deal to release hostages still held by militants in the Palestinian enclave.
Protesters in Tel Aviv blocked several roads in the city, including the highway connecting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, while a huge Israeli flag covered with portraits of the remaining captives was unfurled in so-called Hostage Square.
Protest organizers and the main campaign group representing the families of hostages also called a general strike that caused many businesses to close.
Protesters say they fear further fighting could endanger the hostages still thought to be in Gaza.
Police employed water cannon and made more than two dozen arrests for "disruption of order" during the protests.
The demonstrations were condemned by some members of the Israeli goverment, with far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich saying public pressure to obtain a deal "buries the hostages in tunnels and seeks to push the State of Israel to surrender to its enemies and jeopardize its security and future."
The protests come after Israel's security cabinet approved plans to seize Gaza City as the Israeli military continues its more than 22-month offensive against the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The offensive was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 17, 2023, in which 251 people were taken hostage in addition to the some 1,200 killed.
Forty-nine of the hostages remain in Gaza, 27 of whom are dead, according to the Israeli military.
DW is covering the Middle East, as Israel's ongoing offensive in Gaza continues to have repercussions throughout the region and beyond.
Sunday has seen widespread protests in Israel against the war, with demonstrators saying the ongoing fighting is hampering efforts to bring home hostages held in Gaza by Palestinian militants.
Our blog, which contains reports, analysis and backgrounders from our newsroom and correspondents.
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Int'l Business Times
5 hours ago
- Int'l Business Times
Tens Of Thousands Of Israelis Protest For End To Gaza War
Clutching pictures of hostages, waving yellow flags, banging on snare drums and shouting chants to bring captive Israelis home, tens of thousands took to Tel Aviv's streets Sunday to call for an end to the war in Gaza. "We're here to make it very clear to the Israeli government that this is probably the last minute we have to save the hostages that are being held in the Hamas tunnels for almost 700 days," Ofir Penso, a 50-year-old Arabic teacher, told AFP. Demonstrations have been held regularly through most of the 22 months of war in the wake of the Hamas attacks in 2023, but Sunday's protests appeared to be one of the largest yet. The renewed energy of the movement came with the government deciding just over a week ago to seize Gaza City and nearby camps in a new offensive. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's vow to conquer the most populated swathes of the Gaza Strip has triggered an international backlash while aid agencies and UN experts have warned of unfolding famine in the territory. Recent video footage released by Palestinian militants showed hostages heavily emaciated and pale -- spurring fears that the captives' health is more fragile than ever. Many in the crowd wore makeshift patches on their shirts made with pieces of tape with the number 681 -- the number of days the hostages have been held captive in Gaza -- scrawled in marker pen. Of the 251 people taken hostage by Palestinian militants in October 2023, 49 remain in the Gaza Strip, including 27 the Israeli military has said are dead. Snaking along downtown streets, shadowed by glass towers, the crowd converged on Tel Aviv's Hostage Square -- the focal point of movement. "The Israeli government has never offered a genuine initiative for a comprehensive agreement and an end to the war," Einav Tzangauker, whose son Matan is being held captive in Gaza, told the crowd. "We demand a comprehensive and achievable agreement and an end to the war. We demand what is rightfully ours -- our children." The war has also touched on other frustrations for many who took to the streets. "The whole country is fighting with each other, our image around the world has completely changed, worse than it ever was, and enough is enough," Nick, a 31-year-old tech worker, told AFP, asking not to use his last name. Others worried about the fate of their own children enlisted in the Israeli military who had been sent to Gaza and feared that they might soon be recalled to fight. "We are hoping and praying that our government will hear us and listen to us," said Ella Kaufman from Kadima Zoran, who has two sons serving as officers in the Israeli army. "I'm also a concerned mother." While thousands took to the streets, there were others in Tel Aviv who hoped for an end to the war but in different circumstances. "No, I won't be protesting against Bibi, because I think that he has to finish the work, he has to finish the war," said Patrick Menache, a 69-year-old real estate investor in Tel Aviv, using a common nickname for Netanyahu. Nevertheless, he admitted the war had taken a toll. "Everybody is tired, the hostages are tired, the families are tired, the Palestinians are tired, everybody is tired." There are fears about the wellbeing of the remaining hostages, who have been held in Gaza for nearly two years AFP
DW
13 hours ago
- DW
Middle East: Israelis call for hostage deal, end to war – DW – 08/17/2025
Protests have been held across Israel as the government continues its war against Hamas. The US says it is suspending visas for "individuals from Gaza." DW has US government said on Saturday it was halting all visitor visas for people from Gaza while it conducts "a full and thorough" review. The move, which will stop injured children from Gaza being brought to the US for medical treatment, comes after posts by influential far-right figure Laura Loomer alleged that Gazans entering the country on special visas had links to Hamas. You can read the full story here: US suspends medical visas for Gazans after far-right posts Israel's military said Sunday it had struck an "energy infrastructure site" in Yemen used by the Houthi rebels, an attack it said was conducted "in response to repeated attacks" by the Iran-backed group. A statement said Israeli forces "struck... deep inside Yemen, targeting an energy infrastructure site that served the Houthi terrorist regime" somewhere near the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, which is in rebel hands. The statement did not name the site, but Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV reported "an aggression targeting the Haziz power plant" south of Sanaa, citing civil defense agencies. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Since Israel began its Gaza offensive against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in October 2023 in response to a deadly attack on Israel, the Houthis have regularly fired missiles and drones at Israel, saying their actions are in solidarity with Palestinians. Israel has intercepted most Houthi attacks but has carried out a series of airstrikes in Yemen targeting the group. Demonstrators took to the streets across Israel on Sunday, with Tel Aviv a focus for protests calling for an end to the war in Gaza and a deal to release hostages still held by militants in the Palestinian enclave. Protesters in Tel Aviv blocked several roads in the city, including the highway connecting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, while a huge Israeli flag covered with portraits of the remaining captives was unfurled in so-called Hostage Square. Protest organizers and the main campaign group representing the families of hostages also called a general strike that caused many businesses to close. Protesters say they fear further fighting could endanger the hostages still thought to be in Gaza. Police employed water cannon and made more than two dozen arrests for "disruption of order" during the protests. The demonstrations were condemned by some members of the Israeli goverment, with far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich saying public pressure to obtain a deal "buries the hostages in tunnels and seeks to push the State of Israel to surrender to its enemies and jeopardize its security and future." The protests come after Israel's security cabinet approved plans to seize Gaza City as the Israeli military continues its more than 22-month offensive against the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The offensive was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 17, 2023, in which 251 people were taken hostage in addition to the some 1,200 killed. Forty-nine of the hostages remain in Gaza, 27 of whom are dead, according to the Israeli military. DW is covering the Middle East, as Israel's ongoing offensive in Gaza continues to have repercussions throughout the region and beyond. Sunday has seen widespread protests in Israel against the war, with demonstrators saying the ongoing fighting is hampering efforts to bring home hostages held in Gaza by Palestinian militants. Our blog, which contains reports, analysis and backgrounders from our newsroom and correspondents.
DW
14 hours ago
- DW
Ukraine updates: Merz to join Zelenskyy at US peace talks – DW – 08/17/2025
Germany says Chancellor Friedrich Merz will travel to Washington to help progress talks aimed at ending the Ukraine war. DW has the latest. Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz will accompany Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for peace talks with US President Donald Trump, the German government said Sunday. The talks, in Washington D.C, on Monday, will also be attended by other European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. French President Emmanuel Macron, NATO chief Mark Rutte and Finnish President Alexander Stubb will also travel to Washington. "The talks will address, among other things, security guarantees, territorial issues, and continued support for Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression. This includes maintaining pressure on sanctions," the German government said. The talks follow a much-anticipated summit between Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, aimed at bringing the war to an end.
