Israel ‘hopes' for Arab coalition to run Gaza Strip instead of Hamas
'This is down to Hamas refusing to come to any terms, or indeed to do what they should've done early on and avoided all of this, which was basically laying down their weapons and releasing the hostages,' Mr Kemp said.
'They're not going to do so until they're forced by military actions to achieve it.
'What they (Israel) want to do, what the hope is, is that there will be some form of Arab coalition to oversee the running of the Gaza Strip and perhaps the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.'
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Perth Now
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- Perth Now
Salah calls out UEFA over death of 'Palestinian Pele'
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has called out UEFA over its tribute to a footballer known as the "Palestinian Pele", asking why European soccer's governing body didn't say how he died. The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) said on Wednesday that Suleiman Al-Obeid, 41, died in an Israeli attack in Gaza. UEFA wrote on X that he was "a talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times". Responding on Saturday, Egyptian star Salah wrote: "Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?" Among those who praised his response was British politician, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who replied: "Well said Mo!" Salah, 33, who has more than 19 million X followers, has previously called for the massacres in the conflict to stop and for aid to be allowed into Gaza. In a video posted on Instagram in October 2023, he said: "It is not always easy to speak in times like this. There has been too much violence and too much heartbreak and brutality. "The escalations in the recent weeks is unbearable to witness. All lives are sacred and must be protected. The massacres need to stop. Families are being torn apart." The PFA said that Al-Obeid, who was married with two sons and three daughters, made 24 appearances for the national team, scoring twice. He was nicknamed the "Palestinian Pele", the PFA said. Israel Defence Forces (IDF) international spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani replied to Salah's message, saying: "Hey Mohamed, After an initial review, we found no records of any incidents involving Suleiman al-Obeid. "In order to take a closer look, we need more details."
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Australia edges closer to recognising Palestinian state
Australia appears to be gearing up to follow several major Western powers in recognising a Palestinian state at an upcoming United Nations meeting, a top international law expert says. G7 nations France, the UK and Canada have committed to recognising Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September amid growing pressure for Israel to end the war in Gaza. Australia looks set to join them after a significant shift in rhetoric in recent weeks, Australian National University professor Donald Rothwell said. "Everything at the moment is pointing towards Australia positioning itself to make an announcement of the recognition of Palestine by the time of the (meeting)," he told AAP. The Albanese government had been "softening" its position on recognising Palestine in the past two weeks, Prof Rothwell noted. "The prime minister is also actually going to the United Nations General Assembly and it's a very long time since the Australian prime minister has gone there," he said. "I'm sure that the prime minister is going there wanting to make an announcement of some significance and this will clearly be a significant announcement." Prof Rothwell also pointed to Foreign Minister Penny Wong's recent stark comments about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and Israel's plan to occupy the territory. "The two-state solution is really just slipping away as a result of Israel's campaign, and Australia doesn't want to lose that opportunity," he said. In a joint statement with several other nations on Saturday, Senator Wong said the countries were committed to implementing a two-state solution to ensure peace for the Israeli and Palestinian people. "A political resolution based on a negotiated two-state solution requires the total demilitarisation of Hamas and its complete exclusion from any form of governance in the Gaza Strip, where the Palestinian Authority must have a central role," the statement said. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke appeared on Sunday to soften the government's stance on the future role of Hamas, a listed terrorist organisation in Australia, in a Palestinian state. He noted terrorist forces had occupied other countries that Australia continued to recognise, citing Syria and Iraq as examples. Prof Rothwell said Syria and Iraq were different from Palestine because Australia had recognised them long before ISIS emerged and took control of large parts. "The minister is making the point … at some point in time, Hamas might play a role in that Palestinian state but that would not see Australia revisit its recognition," he said. Mr Burke might also have been signalling further nuance in Australia's developing position - that it might be prepared to move towards recognition of Palestine while Hamas continued to have a role in Gaza, Prof Rothwell said. Australia appears to be gearing up to follow several major Western powers in recognising a Palestinian state at an upcoming United Nations meeting, a top international law expert says. G7 nations France, the UK and Canada have committed to recognising Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September amid growing pressure for Israel to end the war in Gaza. Australia looks set to join them after a significant shift in rhetoric in recent weeks, Australian National University professor Donald Rothwell said. "Everything at the moment is pointing towards Australia positioning itself to make an announcement of the recognition of Palestine by the time of the (meeting)," he told AAP. The Albanese government had been "softening" its position on recognising Palestine in the past two weeks, Prof Rothwell noted. "The prime minister is also actually going to the United Nations General Assembly and it's a very long time since the Australian prime minister has gone there," he said. "I'm sure that the prime minister is going there wanting to make an announcement of some significance and this will clearly be a significant announcement." Prof Rothwell also pointed to Foreign Minister Penny Wong's recent stark comments about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and Israel's plan to occupy the territory. "The two-state solution is really just slipping away as a result of Israel's campaign, and Australia doesn't want to lose that opportunity," he said. In a joint statement with several other nations on Saturday, Senator Wong said the countries were committed to implementing a two-state solution to ensure peace for the Israeli and Palestinian people. "A political resolution based on a negotiated two-state solution requires the total demilitarisation of Hamas and its complete exclusion from any form of governance in the Gaza Strip, where the Palestinian Authority must have a central role," the statement said. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke appeared on Sunday to soften the government's stance on the future role of Hamas, a listed terrorist organisation in Australia, in a Palestinian state. He noted terrorist forces had occupied other countries that Australia continued to recognise, citing Syria and Iraq as examples. Prof Rothwell said Syria and Iraq were different from Palestine because Australia had recognised them long before ISIS emerged and took control of large parts. "The minister is making the point … at some point in time, Hamas might play a role in that Palestinian state but that would not see Australia revisit its recognition," he said. Mr Burke might also have been signalling further nuance in Australia's developing position - that it might be prepared to move towards recognition of Palestine while Hamas continued to have a role in Gaza, Prof Rothwell said. Australia appears to be gearing up to follow several major Western powers in recognising a Palestinian state at an upcoming United Nations meeting, a top international law expert says. G7 nations France, the UK and Canada have committed to recognising Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September amid growing pressure for Israel to end the war in Gaza. Australia looks set to join them after a significant shift in rhetoric in recent weeks, Australian National University professor Donald Rothwell said. "Everything at the moment is pointing towards Australia positioning itself to make an announcement of the recognition of Palestine by the time of the (meeting)," he told AAP. The Albanese government had been "softening" its position on recognising Palestine in the past two weeks, Prof Rothwell noted. "The prime minister is also actually going to the United Nations General Assembly and it's a very long time since the Australian prime minister has gone there," he said. "I'm sure that the prime minister is going there wanting to make an announcement of some significance and this will clearly be a significant announcement." Prof Rothwell also pointed to Foreign Minister Penny Wong's recent stark comments about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and Israel's plan to occupy the territory. "The two-state solution is really just slipping away as a result of Israel's campaign, and Australia doesn't want to lose that opportunity," he said. In a joint statement with several other nations on Saturday, Senator Wong said the countries were committed to implementing a two-state solution to ensure peace for the Israeli and Palestinian people. "A political resolution based on a negotiated two-state solution requires the total demilitarisation of Hamas and its complete exclusion from any form of governance in the Gaza Strip, where the Palestinian Authority must have a central role," the statement said. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke appeared on Sunday to soften the government's stance on the future role of Hamas, a listed terrorist organisation in Australia, in a Palestinian state. He noted terrorist forces had occupied other countries that Australia continued to recognise, citing Syria and Iraq as examples. Prof Rothwell said Syria and Iraq were different from Palestine because Australia had recognised them long before ISIS emerged and took control of large parts. "The minister is making the point … at some point in time, Hamas might play a role in that Palestinian state but that would not see Australia revisit its recognition," he said. Mr Burke might also have been signalling further nuance in Australia's developing position - that it might be prepared to move towards recognition of Palestine while Hamas continued to have a role in Gaza, Prof Rothwell said. Australia appears to be gearing up to follow several major Western powers in recognising a Palestinian state at an upcoming United Nations meeting, a top international law expert says. G7 nations France, the UK and Canada have committed to recognising Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September amid growing pressure for Israel to end the war in Gaza. Australia looks set to join them after a significant shift in rhetoric in recent weeks, Australian National University professor Donald Rothwell said. "Everything at the moment is pointing towards Australia positioning itself to make an announcement of the recognition of Palestine by the time of the (meeting)," he told AAP. The Albanese government had been "softening" its position on recognising Palestine in the past two weeks, Prof Rothwell noted. "The prime minister is also actually going to the United Nations General Assembly and it's a very long time since the Australian prime minister has gone there," he said. "I'm sure that the prime minister is going there wanting to make an announcement of some significance and this will clearly be a significant announcement." Prof Rothwell also pointed to Foreign Minister Penny Wong's recent stark comments about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and Israel's plan to occupy the territory. "The two-state solution is really just slipping away as a result of Israel's campaign, and Australia doesn't want to lose that opportunity," he said. In a joint statement with several other nations on Saturday, Senator Wong said the countries were committed to implementing a two-state solution to ensure peace for the Israeli and Palestinian people. "A political resolution based on a negotiated two-state solution requires the total demilitarisation of Hamas and its complete exclusion from any form of governance in the Gaza Strip, where the Palestinian Authority must have a central role," the statement said. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke appeared on Sunday to soften the government's stance on the future role of Hamas, a listed terrorist organisation in Australia, in a Palestinian state. He noted terrorist forces had occupied other countries that Australia continued to recognise, citing Syria and Iraq as examples. Prof Rothwell said Syria and Iraq were different from Palestine because Australia had recognised them long before ISIS emerged and took control of large parts. "The minister is making the point … at some point in time, Hamas might play a role in that Palestinian state but that would not see Australia revisit its recognition," he said. Mr Burke might also have been signalling further nuance in Australia's developing position - that it might be prepared to move towards recognition of Palestine while Hamas continued to have a role in Gaza, Prof Rothwell said.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Netanyahu says new Gaza offensive will start soon
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he expects to complete a new Gaza offensive "fairly quickly", as the UN Security Council heard new demands for an end to suffering in the Palestinian enclave. Netanyahu, speaking after his security cabinet on Friday approved a much-criticised plan to take control of Gaza City said he had no choice but to "complete the job" and defeat Hamas to free hostages seized from Israel. He said the new Gaza offensive aimed to tackle two remaining Hamas strongholds in what he said was his only option because of the Palestinian group's refusal to lay down its arms. Hamas says it will not disarm unless an independent Palestinian state is established. It was not clear when the offensive, which would be the latest in successive attempts by the Israeli military to clear the militants from Gaza City, would begin. "The timeline that we set for the action is fairly quickly. We want, first of all, to enable safe zones to be established so the civilian population of Gaza City can move out," he said on Sunday. The city, home to a million people before the two-year-old war, would be moved into "safe zones", he said. Palestinians say these have not protected them from Israeli fire in the past. Israel's military chief has voiced opposition to occupying the entire Gaza Strip and has warned that expanding the offensive could endanger the lives of hostages Hamas is still holding and draw its troops into protracted and deadly guerrilla warfare. Netanyahu said his goal was not to occupy Gaza. "We want a security belt right next to our border, but we don't want to stay in Gaza. That's not our purpose," he said. European representatives at the United Nations said famine was unfolding in Gaza and Israel's plan would only make things worse. "Expanding military operations will only endanger the lives of all civilians in Gaza, including the remaining hostages, and result in further unnecessary suffering," Denmark, France, Greece, Slovenia and the United Kingdom said in a joint statement. "This is a man-made crisis, and therefore urgent action is needed to halt starvation and to surge aid into Gaza," they said. Malnutrition is widespread in the enclave due to what international aid agencies say is a deliberate plan by Israel to restrict aid. Israel rejects that allegation, blaming Hamas for the hunger among Palestinians and saying a lot of aid has been distributed. The US representative at the Security Council defended Netanhayu and said Washington was committed to addressing humanitarian needs, freeing the hostages and achieving peace. Netanyahu said Israel was working with Washington on creating a surge of aid into Gaza, including by land. Five more people, including two children, died of malnutrition and starvation in Gaza in the past 24 hours, Gaza's health ministry said, taking the number of deaths from such causes to 217, including 100 children. The Hamas-run Gaza government media office said a further 23 people had been killed so far in the war by airdrops of aid which countries have resorted to due to the difficulties of getting aid in by road. In the latest case, a parachuted aid box killed a 14-year-old boy awaiting food with other desperate Palestinians at a tent encampment in central Gaza, according to medics and video verified by Reuters. "We have repeatedly warned of the dangers of these inhumane methods and have consistently called for the safe and sufficient delivery of aid through land crossings, especially food, infant formula, medicines, and medical supplies," it said. Italy said Israel should heed its own army's warnings before sending more troops into Gaza, where the Israeli military already holds large parts of the territory. "The invasion of Gaza risks turning into a Vietnam for Israeli soldiers," Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in an interview with daily Il Messaggero. The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel and killed 1200 people and took 251 hostages. Israeli authorities say 20 of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza are alive. Israel's offensive since then has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to health officials, and left much of the territory in ruins. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he expects to complete a new Gaza offensive "fairly quickly", as the UN Security Council heard new demands for an end to suffering in the Palestinian enclave. Netanyahu, speaking after his security cabinet on Friday approved a much-criticised plan to take control of Gaza City said he had no choice but to "complete the job" and defeat Hamas to free hostages seized from Israel. He said the new Gaza offensive aimed to tackle two remaining Hamas strongholds in what he said was his only option because of the Palestinian group's refusal to lay down its arms. Hamas says it will not disarm unless an independent Palestinian state is established. It was not clear when the offensive, which would be the latest in successive attempts by the Israeli military to clear the militants from Gaza City, would begin. "The timeline that we set for the action is fairly quickly. We want, first of all, to enable safe zones to be established so the civilian population of Gaza City can move out," he said on Sunday. The city, home to a million people before the two-year-old war, would be moved into "safe zones", he said. Palestinians say these have not protected them from Israeli fire in the past. Israel's military chief has voiced opposition to occupying the entire Gaza Strip and has warned that expanding the offensive could endanger the lives of hostages Hamas is still holding and draw its troops into protracted and deadly guerrilla warfare. Netanyahu said his goal was not to occupy Gaza. "We want a security belt right next to our border, but we don't want to stay in Gaza. That's not our purpose," he said. European representatives at the United Nations said famine was unfolding in Gaza and Israel's plan would only make things worse. "Expanding military operations will only endanger the lives of all civilians in Gaza, including the remaining hostages, and result in further unnecessary suffering," Denmark, France, Greece, Slovenia and the United Kingdom said in a joint statement. "This is a man-made crisis, and therefore urgent action is needed to halt starvation and to surge aid into Gaza," they said. Malnutrition is widespread in the enclave due to what international aid agencies say is a deliberate plan by Israel to restrict aid. Israel rejects that allegation, blaming Hamas for the hunger among Palestinians and saying a lot of aid has been distributed. The US representative at the Security Council defended Netanhayu and said Washington was committed to addressing humanitarian needs, freeing the hostages and achieving peace. Netanyahu said Israel was working with Washington on creating a surge of aid into Gaza, including by land. Five more people, including two children, died of malnutrition and starvation in Gaza in the past 24 hours, Gaza's health ministry said, taking the number of deaths from such causes to 217, including 100 children. The Hamas-run Gaza government media office said a further 23 people had been killed so far in the war by airdrops of aid which countries have resorted to due to the difficulties of getting aid in by road. In the latest case, a parachuted aid box killed a 14-year-old boy awaiting food with other desperate Palestinians at a tent encampment in central Gaza, according to medics and video verified by Reuters. "We have repeatedly warned of the dangers of these inhumane methods and have consistently called for the safe and sufficient delivery of aid through land crossings, especially food, infant formula, medicines, and medical supplies," it said. Italy said Israel should heed its own army's warnings before sending more troops into Gaza, where the Israeli military already holds large parts of the territory. "The invasion of Gaza risks turning into a Vietnam for Israeli soldiers," Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in an interview with daily Il Messaggero. The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel and killed 1200 people and took 251 hostages. Israeli authorities say 20 of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza are alive. Israel's offensive since then has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to health officials, and left much of the territory in ruins. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he expects to complete a new Gaza offensive "fairly quickly", as the UN Security Council heard new demands for an end to suffering in the Palestinian enclave. Netanyahu, speaking after his security cabinet on Friday approved a much-criticised plan to take control of Gaza City said he had no choice but to "complete the job" and defeat Hamas to free hostages seized from Israel. He said the new Gaza offensive aimed to tackle two remaining Hamas strongholds in what he said was his only option because of the Palestinian group's refusal to lay down its arms. Hamas says it will not disarm unless an independent Palestinian state is established. It was not clear when the offensive, which would be the latest in successive attempts by the Israeli military to clear the militants from Gaza City, would begin. "The timeline that we set for the action is fairly quickly. We want, first of all, to enable safe zones to be established so the civilian population of Gaza City can move out," he said on Sunday. The city, home to a million people before the two-year-old war, would be moved into "safe zones", he said. Palestinians say these have not protected them from Israeli fire in the past. Israel's military chief has voiced opposition to occupying the entire Gaza Strip and has warned that expanding the offensive could endanger the lives of hostages Hamas is still holding and draw its troops into protracted and deadly guerrilla warfare. Netanyahu said his goal was not to occupy Gaza. "We want a security belt right next to our border, but we don't want to stay in Gaza. That's not our purpose," he said. European representatives at the United Nations said famine was unfolding in Gaza and Israel's plan would only make things worse. "Expanding military operations will only endanger the lives of all civilians in Gaza, including the remaining hostages, and result in further unnecessary suffering," Denmark, France, Greece, Slovenia and the United Kingdom said in a joint statement. "This is a man-made crisis, and therefore urgent action is needed to halt starvation and to surge aid into Gaza," they said. Malnutrition is widespread in the enclave due to what international aid agencies say is a deliberate plan by Israel to restrict aid. Israel rejects that allegation, blaming Hamas for the hunger among Palestinians and saying a lot of aid has been distributed. The US representative at the Security Council defended Netanhayu and said Washington was committed to addressing humanitarian needs, freeing the hostages and achieving peace. Netanyahu said Israel was working with Washington on creating a surge of aid into Gaza, including by land. Five more people, including two children, died of malnutrition and starvation in Gaza in the past 24 hours, Gaza's health ministry said, taking the number of deaths from such causes to 217, including 100 children. The Hamas-run Gaza government media office said a further 23 people had been killed so far in the war by airdrops of aid which countries have resorted to due to the difficulties of getting aid in by road. In the latest case, a parachuted aid box killed a 14-year-old boy awaiting food with other desperate Palestinians at a tent encampment in central Gaza, according to medics and video verified by Reuters. "We have repeatedly warned of the dangers of these inhumane methods and have consistently called for the safe and sufficient delivery of aid through land crossings, especially food, infant formula, medicines, and medical supplies," it said. Italy said Israel should heed its own army's warnings before sending more troops into Gaza, where the Israeli military already holds large parts of the territory. "The invasion of Gaza risks turning into a Vietnam for Israeli soldiers," Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in an interview with daily Il Messaggero. The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel and killed 1200 people and took 251 hostages. Israeli authorities say 20 of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza are alive. Israel's offensive since then has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to health officials, and left much of the territory in ruins. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he expects to complete a new Gaza offensive "fairly quickly", as the UN Security Council heard new demands for an end to suffering in the Palestinian enclave. Netanyahu, speaking after his security cabinet on Friday approved a much-criticised plan to take control of Gaza City said he had no choice but to "complete the job" and defeat Hamas to free hostages seized from Israel. He said the new Gaza offensive aimed to tackle two remaining Hamas strongholds in what he said was his only option because of the Palestinian group's refusal to lay down its arms. Hamas says it will not disarm unless an independent Palestinian state is established. It was not clear when the offensive, which would be the latest in successive attempts by the Israeli military to clear the militants from Gaza City, would begin. "The timeline that we set for the action is fairly quickly. We want, first of all, to enable safe zones to be established so the civilian population of Gaza City can move out," he said on Sunday. The city, home to a million people before the two-year-old war, would be moved into "safe zones", he said. Palestinians say these have not protected them from Israeli fire in the past. Israel's military chief has voiced opposition to occupying the entire Gaza Strip and has warned that expanding the offensive could endanger the lives of hostages Hamas is still holding and draw its troops into protracted and deadly guerrilla warfare. Netanyahu said his goal was not to occupy Gaza. "We want a security belt right next to our border, but we don't want to stay in Gaza. That's not our purpose," he said. European representatives at the United Nations said famine was unfolding in Gaza and Israel's plan would only make things worse. "Expanding military operations will only endanger the lives of all civilians in Gaza, including the remaining hostages, and result in further unnecessary suffering," Denmark, France, Greece, Slovenia and the United Kingdom said in a joint statement. "This is a man-made crisis, and therefore urgent action is needed to halt starvation and to surge aid into Gaza," they said. Malnutrition is widespread in the enclave due to what international aid agencies say is a deliberate plan by Israel to restrict aid. Israel rejects that allegation, blaming Hamas for the hunger among Palestinians and saying a lot of aid has been distributed. The US representative at the Security Council defended Netanhayu and said Washington was committed to addressing humanitarian needs, freeing the hostages and achieving peace. Netanyahu said Israel was working with Washington on creating a surge of aid into Gaza, including by land. Five more people, including two children, died of malnutrition and starvation in Gaza in the past 24 hours, Gaza's health ministry said, taking the number of deaths from such causes to 217, including 100 children. The Hamas-run Gaza government media office said a further 23 people had been killed so far in the war by airdrops of aid which countries have resorted to due to the difficulties of getting aid in by road. In the latest case, a parachuted aid box killed a 14-year-old boy awaiting food with other desperate Palestinians at a tent encampment in central Gaza, according to medics and video verified by Reuters. "We have repeatedly warned of the dangers of these inhumane methods and have consistently called for the safe and sufficient delivery of aid through land crossings, especially food, infant formula, medicines, and medical supplies," it said. Italy said Israel should heed its own army's warnings before sending more troops into Gaza, where the Israeli military already holds large parts of the territory. "The invasion of Gaza risks turning into a Vietnam for Israeli soldiers," Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in an interview with daily Il Messaggero. The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel and killed 1200 people and took 251 hostages. Israeli authorities say 20 of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza are alive. Israel's offensive since then has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to health officials, and left much of the territory in ruins.
