IDF confirms death of Hamas terrorist responsible for weapons production, research and development
The IDF confirmed the death of Hamas terrorist Bashar Thabat on Sunday. He was killed in the Nuseirat area in the Gaza Strip on July 10.
Thabat was head of a department in the Development and Projects Division and in that role, was responsible for the research and development processes within Hamas's weapons production headquarters.
Troops in the 646th Brigade directed a wave of airstrikes on Beit Hanun Saturday night, targeting tunnels and above-ground sites used by terrorists. Troops on the ground killed several terrorists operating in the area.
The Israeli air force struck approximately 75 targets in the past day across the Gaza Strip.
The IDF's Division 98 destroyed terror infrastructure in the area of Gaza City. They also directed airstrikes on terrorist squads en route to attacking IDF troops, according to the military.
The IDF's 99th and 162nd divisions destroyed terror infrastructure in northern Gaza, and the IDF's 143rd division did the same in southern Gaza.
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USA Today
26 minutes ago
- USA Today
French plan to recognize Palestinian state draws fire from Israel, US
PARIS/WASHINGTON, July 24 (Reuters) - France intends to recognize a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations General Assembly, President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday in hopes of bringing peace to the region, but the plan drew angry rebukes from Israel and the United States. Macron, who unveiled the decision on X, published a letter sent to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas confirming France's intention to press ahead with Palestinian recognition and work to convincing other partners to follow suit. "True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the state of Palestine," Macron said. "I will make this solemn announcement at the United Nations General Assembly next September." More: Israel and US recall teams from Gaza truce talks, US says Hamas not showing good faith Home to Europe's largest Jewish and Muslim communities, France will become the first major Western country to recognise a Palestinian state, potentially fuelling a movement so far dominated by smaller nations generally more critical of Israel. The news sparked anger in Israel and Washington. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the decision by one of Israel's closest allies and a G7 member, saying such a move "rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy." In a post on X, he added, "A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it. "Let's be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel." Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the move as "a disgrace and a surrender to terrorism," adding that Israel would not allow the establishment of a "Palestinian entity that would harm our security, endanger our existence." More: More than 100 aid, rights groups call for action as hunger spreads in Gaza In response, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States "strongly rejects (Macron's) plan to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN general assembly." In a post on X, he said, "This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th." Earlier, Canada also pressed Israel to seek peace, with Prime Minister Mark Carney condemning its "failure to prevent the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian disaster in Gaza" and reiterating support for a two-state solution. Carney also accused Israel of violating international law over the blocking of Canadian-funded aid to civilians in the war-torn Palestinian enclave. More: Ms. Rachel says she won't work with anyone who hasn't spoken out about Gaza "Canada calls on all sides to negotiate an immediate ceasefire in good faith," he added. "We reiterate our calls for Hamas to immediately release all the hostages, and for the Israeli government to respect the territorial integrity of the West Bank and Gaza." In a diplomatic cable in June, the United States said it opposed steps to unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state, even saying it could go against U.S. foreign policy interests and draw consequences. In June, Washington's ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said he did not think an independent Palestinian state remained a U.S. foreign policy goal. President Donald Trump has himself expressed doubts about a two-state solution, proposing a U.S. takeover of Gaza in February, that was condemned by rights groups, Arab states, Palestinians and the U.N. as a proposal of "ethnic cleansing". Macron had been leaning towards recognising a Palestinian state for months as part of a bid to keep the idea of a two-state solution alive, despite the pressure not to do so. More: UK, France and 23 other nations condemn Israel over 'inhumane killing' of civilians French officials initially weighed up the move ahead of a United Nations conference, which France and Saudi Arabia had planned to co-host in June to lay out parameters for a roadmap to a Palestinian state, while ensuring Israel's security. The conference was postponed under U.S. pressure and after the 12-day Israel-Iran air war began, during which the closure of regional airspace made it hard for representatives of some Arab states to attend. It was rescheduled and downgraded to a ministerial event on July 28 and July 29, with a second event taking place with heads of state and government on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September. CREATING MOMENTUM The decision to make the announcement ahead of next week's conference aimed to give the French team at the United Nations a framework to work with other countries that are also considering recognising a Palestinian state or have misgivings in doing so. Diplomats say Macron has faced resistance from allies such as Britain and Canada over his push for the recognition of a Palestinian state. About 40 foreign ministers will be in New York next week. Israeli officials have spent months lobbying to prevent what some have called "a nuclear bomb" for bilateral ties. Sources familiar with the matter say Israel's warnings to France have ranged from scaling back intelligence sharing to complicating Paris' regional initiatives - even hinting at possible annexation of parts of the West Bank. Israel has been waging a devastating war in Gaza since the Palestinian militant group Hamas' deadly attack on Israel in October 2023 and says recognising a Palestinian state now would be equivalent to rewarding Hamas. Thanking France, the Palestinian Authority's Vice President Hussein Al Sheikh said on X that Macron's decision reflected "France's commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people's rights to self-determination and the establishment of our independent state." (Reporting by John Irish; Additional Reporting by Enas Alashray and Yomna Ehab in Cairo and Ismail Shakil in Ottawa; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Clarence Fernandez)
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Israeli Spokesperson Accuses BBC's Nick Robinson Of Lying About Gaza In Furious Row Live On Air
An Israeli government spokesperson furiously accused top BBC presenter Nick Robinson of lying about aid getting into Gaza live on air. David Mencer was speaking to Radio 4′s Today programme as concerns over the humanitarian crisis grow in the Palestinian territory. Israel closed all crossings into Gaza on March 2, meaning no fresh supplies have been allowed to enter since – plunging much of the 2.1 million population into starvation. Israel has also dismantled the long-standing system for getting food into Gaza and set up its own controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. The UN has reported Palestinians being killed while seeking food, on aid routes and at distribution points, while Save the Children warned that massacres are occurring at food distribution sites every day. Even so, Israel insists it is not responsible for the soaring rates of malnutrition. Tensions began to rise during this morning's interview when Robinson asked the Israeli spokesperson if his country's food distribution system for Gaza was failing. Mencer denied such a claim, saying their aid efforts were key for cutting Hamas out of the picture. He added: 'It is working simply on the facts that 90 million meals have gone in with the new system, but Hamas – you know what they're doing?' The presenter replied: 'That doesn't prove they're working, you've just acknowledged at the beginning of this conversation there is malnutrition, it's getting worse and there's starvation. 'So just putting a large number on the amount of food distributed doesn't prove the system is working, the evidence is whether people are getting fed or not. Some are, some are not.' Mencer said there are two parts of the process – the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation where millions of meals are given 'directly to civilians', as well as UN coordinated shipments of medicine and raw materials. 'But you restrict access to the UN shipments, don't you?' Robinson asked. Mencer furiously hit back: 'That's not true! That is false Nick, you must not say lies! You must not say falsehoods.' Robinson replied: 'Don't accuse me of lying, Mr Mencer, it's cheap and it's unhelpful. I'll put some facts to you, if you think they're only a partial version, I'll give you time and chance to answer them. 'But at the time when people are dying of malnutrition, the hostages are languishing in tunnels, it really does not help for you to shout abuse over a line. I am not lying, I am putting a question to you.' 'Nick you are lying! You are lying!' Mencer said. 'Listen to the question and then you can answer it,' the presenter said. Mencer hit back: 'I will answer the question now Nick, you've had your chance. You invited me on, indeed, your producers begged me to come on and I will now give you the facts. 'That is my job as the spokesperson for the office of the prime minister [Netanyahu] to give you the facts.' He said there are 1,000 trucks of aid waiting on the Gaza side. He then claimed the UN is working with Hamas to restrict the amount of aid to their own people – and alleged that the BBC does not report that. Robinson pointed out that the UN argues they are limited in their ability to deliver food by what the UN describes as 'tremendous bureaucratic impediments, tremendous security impediments' – so trucks cannot get to civilians. The UN pointed out that on Thursday, out of 16 attempts to coordinate humanitarian movements, only eight were facilitated by the Israeli authorities. 'If you would stop interrupting me, we could get something from this interview,' Mencer replied. 'You do not perceive Hamas to be a terrorist organisation –' 'You've no idea what I perceive. You've no idea, Mr Mencer,' the journalist said. 'Tell us all then, do you believe Hamas to be a terrorist organisation?' Mencer insisted. 'No, you're not interviewing me. I am interviewing you,' Robinson said. Mencer replied: 'Take yourself off from those ideas that those executives upstairs tell you to say, and tell me right now you believe Hamas to be a terrorist organisation.' Sounding rather frustrated, Robinson said: 'Mr Mencer, every interview you do this, it's very tedious for listeners, it's very tedious for me.' After more back and forth, Robinson eventually wrapped up the extraordinary interview by saying: 'If you'd like to apply for that job at the BBC, do give it a try, but for the moment, thank you for joining us to tell us what the Israeli government is thinking.' Related... Germany's Broadcaster Responds To Reports They'll Leave Eurovision If Israel Is Banned Israel Is Using Starvation To Commit Genocide In Gaza, New Amnesty Report Says Hundreds Of Palestinian Health Workers Remain Unlawfully Detained By Israel: NGOs
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Hamas Contradicts Trump Envoy as Gaza Ceasefire Talks Stall
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Hamas has pushed back against remarks by U.S. Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, who criticized the group's stance in ongoing ceasefire talks and said negotiators were pulling out from Qatar on Thursday. In a statement, Hamas expressed "surprise" at Witkoff's "negative" comments, saying that mediators had welcomed its "constructive and positive" position. Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. State Department and the Israeli prime minister's office for comment. Why It Matters The deadlock in ceasefire talks has dealt a major blow to hopes of an imminent ceasefire for Gaza and is a setback for months of diplomatic efforts, including those by Egypt and Qatar. Washington blames Hamas for prolonging the war and obstructing humanitarian aid. Gaza's humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, putting pressure on Israel. If negotiations collapse entirely, hopes for releasing remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza diminish further. Hamas fighters deploy and take up positions ahead of Israeli Ofer Kalderon's release, who has been held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since October 7, 2023, as he is being handed over to the Red... Hamas fighters deploy and take up positions ahead of Israeli Ofer Kalderon's release, who has been held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since October 7, 2023, as he is being handed over to the Red Cross in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Saturday Feb. 1, 2025. More Abdel Kareem/AP Photo What To Know U.S. and Israeli delegations recalled their negotiating teams from Doha following Hamas's response to a proposal that included a 60-day truce, phased hostages release, and humanitarian aid entry. Witkoff, appointed by President Donald Trump, criticized Hamas for a lack of "good faith" in the negotiations. It remains unclear which sticking points in the negotiations led to the rift. Hamas, on the other hand, contradicted the "negative" comments from the U.S. envoy, saying that their position in the talks was positive, constructive and supported by the other mediators. The war has been fought since Hamas' October 2023 attack on Israel, which killed some 1,200 Israelis and with around 250 kidnapped into Gaza. Israel is now expanding ground operations and airstrikes across the strip and had killed nearly 60,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza-run health ministry. Nearly 900 Israeli soldiers have been killed, according to the military. Some 20 hostages are believed to be still alive. What People Are Saying Hamas in Arabic statement via Telegram: "The movement submitted its latest response after extensive consultations with Palestinian factions, mediators, and friendly countries, and responded positively to all the observations it received, reflecting a sincere commitment to the success of the mediators' efforts and constructive engagement with all presented initiatives. We express our surprise at the negative statements by the U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff towards the movement's position, at a time when the mediators expressed their welcome and satisfaction with this constructive and positive stance, which opens the door to reaching a comprehensive agreement." U.S. Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, as quoted by the Associated Press: "While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith. We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office in statement on X: "In light of the response conveyed by Hamas this morning, it has been decided to return the negotiating team for additional consultations in Israel. We appreciate the efforts by the mediators, Qatar and Egypt, and the efforts of envoy Witkoff, to achieve a breakthrough in the negotiations." What Happens Next The U.S. is yet to clarify its alternative approach for securing the release of Israeli hostages and creating a more stable environment.
