Hamas condemns Israel's ‘systematic destruction' of Gaza City
In a statement on Saturday, the Palestinian group said the Israeli military is using artillery, explosive robots, and warplanes as part of a 'systematic destruction of the area, a savage war of extermination, and a criminal plan aimed at destroying the Gaza Strip and all forms and means of life within it.'
The group's statement also said the 'policy of displacement through the settlers' terrorist attacks targeting Palestinian towns and villages in the West Bank will fail'.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
3 hours ago
- The National
Marco Rubio says US halted visas for Gazans after Congress concerns over Hamas ties
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the decision to suspend visitor visas for Gazans, even those seeking medical treatment after being injured in Israel's war on the enclave, was made after inquiries from members of Congress. Mr Rubio told CBS on Sunday that the State Department was warned by lawmakers that some of the non-government organisations assisting Gazans with the visas had connections to Hamas. "We won't be in partnership with groups that have links or sympathy to Hamas," he said when asked about the abrupt decision to halt the visas. Mr Rubio was also asked about many of the children in Gaza who received visas to undergo urgent medical treatment. "A small number are issued with children, but they come with adults," he said, suggesting he had concerns about Palestinians who accompanied the injured children. He repeated his belief that evidence presented to the State Department prompted the decision to halt the visas on Saturday morning. "All visitor visas for individuals from Gaza are being stopped while we conduct a full and thorough review of the process and procedures used to issue a small number of temporary medical-humanitarian visas in recent days," the State Department posted on X. Washington faced swift backlash after announcing the decision. Among the groups to criticise the American authorities was HEAL Palestine, a US registered non-profit group that aims to provide "urgent relief and long-term support to Palestinian children and families". It said it was "distressed by the State Department's decision". Another prominent organisation, the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, said the move "will have a devastating and irreversible impact on our ability to bring injured and critically ill children from Gaza to the United States for life-saving medical treatment". The group urged the US to reverse its decision. Shortly after Mr Rubio's interview with CBS, Jason Crow, a Democratic member of the House of Representatives, said claims that some NGOs had links to Hamas "concerning". " Hamas is a brutal terrorist organisation, they should not be travelling anywhere and if that's happening it should be stopped immediately," he added. Some speculated that the State Department's decision was motivated by criticism from Laura Loomer, a far-right activist with close ties to President Donald Trump. Ms Loomer decried the visa system and called on Washington to "shut this abomination down". She said Gazans who arrived in the US were "pro-Hamas ... affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood", without providing any evidence. She criticised HEAL Palestine specifically. "This is a medical treatment programme, not a refugee resettlement programme," HEAL Palestine's said in response. "Our mission gives children a renewed chance at life, whether through life-saving surgery or the ability to walk again ... US taxpayers do not fund this treatment." Israel's ongoing campaign in Gaza – which followed the 2023 attacks by Hamas-led fighters that resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people and the capture of 240 hostages – has killed more than 61,900 people and injured about 155,800.
Middle East Eye
3 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
Israel intercepts missiles from Yemen, as protesters seek shelter
Israel's military downed missiles from Yemen on Sunday afternoon, according to Haaretz. Thousands of protesters demanding a ceasefire deal to release Israeli captives sought shelter after air raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv and elsewhere in central Israel. Earlier on Sunday, Israel launched strikes on the Haziz power station near the Yemeni capital. The Israeli military said it had targeted an energy infrastructure site used by the Houthis, south of Sanaa.
Khaleej Times
5 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Thousands of Israelis rally nationwide to demand end to Gaza war, release of hostages
Thousands of Israelis took part in a nationwide strike on Sunday in support of families of hostages held in Gaza, calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach an agreement with Hamas to end the war and release the remaining captives. Demonstrators waved Israeli flags and carried photos of hostages as whistles, horns, and drums echoed at rallies across the country, while some protesters blocked streets and highways, including the main route between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. 'Today, everything stops to remember the highest value: the sanctity of life,' Anat Angrest, the mother of hostage Matan Angrest, told reporters at a public square in Tel Aviv. Among those who met with families of hostages in Tel Aviv was Israeli Hollywood actress Gal Gadot, known for her role as Wonder Woman and starring in the Fast & the Furious franchise. Ahead of Sunday, some businesses and institutions said they would allow staff to join the nationwide strike, which was called by the hostages' families. While some businesses closed, many also remained open across the country on what is a working day in Israel. Schools are on summer recess and were not affected. A major rally is scheduled to take place in Tel Aviv in the evening. Israeli police said that 38 demonstrators had been detained by 2pm (11am GMT) Some protesters blocking roads scuffled with police, and were carried away by officers. Demonstrations across the country were briefly halted around 4pm local time when air raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and elsewhere, warning of an incoming missile fired from Yemen. The missile was intercepted without incident. On Sunday, Netanyahu told the cabinet: "Those who call today for an end to the war without defeating Hamas are not only hardening Hamas' position and delaying the release of our hostages. They are also ensuring that the horrors of October 7 will repeat themselves over and over again." The prime minister, who leads the country's most right-wing government in history, said his government was determined to implement a decision for the military to seize Gaza City, one of the last major areas of the enclave it does not already control. That decision is widely unpopular among Israelis and many of the hostages' families, who fear an expanded military campaign in Gaza could risk the lives of their loved ones still held captive. There are 50 hostages held in Gaza, of which Israeli officials believe around 20 are still alive. "There is no time – not for the lives wasting away in hell, nor for the fallen who may vanish in the ruins of Gaza," said the Hostages Families Forum, which represents many families of captives held in Gaza, on Sunday. After nearly two years of war in Gaza, ignited by the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023, most of the hostages who have been freed so far emerged as a result of diplomatic talks. Negotiations towards a ceasefire that could have seen more hostages released collapsed in July. The Palestinian group Hamas has said it would only free the remaining hostages if Israel agrees to end the war, while Netanyahu has vowed that Hamas cannot stay in power. The Israeli government has faced sharp criticism at home and abroad, including from some of its closest European allies, over the announcement that the military would soon seize Gaza City. More than 61,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's military campaign in Gaza, according to local health officials there. They said on Sunday at least 29 had been killed in the past day. Around 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken into Gaza during Hamas' attack on Israel. Over 400 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since then.
