Netanyahu meets security officials, discusses options for campaign in Gaza
Tel Aviv [Israel], August 6 (ANI): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday met security officials, during which options for proceeding with the campaign in Gaza were presented by the IDF Chief-of-Staff.According to a post from his official X account, the meeting lasted over three hours and included a presentation by the IDF Chief-of-Staff on various options for action.'Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a three-hour security discussion today, in which options for proceeding with the campaign in Gaza were presented by the IDF Chief-of-Staff. The IDF is prepared to carry out any decision made by the Security Cabinet," the post read. The update was shared around 10:08 pm IST.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a three-hour security discussion today, in which options for proceeding with the campaign in Gaza were presented by the IDF Chief-of-Staff.The IDF is prepared to carry out any decision made by the Security Cabinet.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) August 5, 2025
Meanwhile, Hamas has expressed openness to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delivering aid to Israeli captives held in Gaza, following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request for the Geneva-based organization's involvement, Al Jazeera reported.Netanyahu said on Sunday that he had spoken to Julian Larson, head of the ICRC delegation to Israel, requesting the group's 'immediate involvement" in providing food and medical treatment to captives still held in Gaza. The statements came after Palestinian groups last week released videos showing two emaciated Israeli captives amid a broader starvation crisis affecting some 2 million Palestinians in Gaza, Al Jazeera noted.In a post on X, Netanyahu wrote in Hebrew that Hamas was spreading a 'lie of starvation" in Gaza, but 'systematic starvation is being carried out against our hostages." Hamas's armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, responded through spokesman Abu Obeida, saying Israeli captives 'eat what our fighters and all our people eat" and will 'not receive any special privilege amid the crime of starvation and siege." However, Abu Obeida added that Hamas is 'ready to act positively and respond to any request from the Red Cross to deliver food and medicine to enemy prisoners," Al Jazeera reported.Abu Obeida stressed the need for 'humanitarian corridors" to be opened permanently for food and medicine to reach all Gaza residents and called for an end to Israeli attacks 'during the receipt of packages for the prisoners."The ICRC expressed being 'appalled by the harrowing videos" of the captives and reiterated its call to be 'granted access to the hostages." The organization said, 'These videos are stark evidence of the life-threatening conditions in which the hostages are being held." It added, 'We know families watching these videos are horrified and heartbroken by the conditions they see their loved ones held in," Al Jazeera reported.According to the ICRC's website, 'securing access requires the cooperation of all parties involved." The group also said it 'has not been able to visit any Palestinian detainees held in Israeli places of detention since 7 October 2023.'In a separate statement, the ICRC condemned the killing of a Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) staff member in a 'clearly marked Palestine Red Crescent Society building" in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, Al Jazeera reported. The PRCS earlier blamed Israeli forces for the attack.Meanwhile, families of Israeli captives in Gaza criticized Netanyahu's insistence that a 'military resolution" is the only solution, calling it 'a direct danger to the lives of our sons, who live in the hell of tunnels and are threatened by starvation and immediate death." They said, 'For 22 months, the public has been sold the illusion that military pressure will bring back the hostages, and today, even before reaching a comprehensive draft agreement, it is said that an agreement is futile," Al Jazeera reported.About 50 captives remain in Gaza, with fewer than half believed to be alive.The Gaza Government Media Office reported that Israeli authorities allowed only 36 aid trucks into Gaza on Saturday, while 22,000 trucks remain outside waiting to deliver food to Palestinians, Al Jazeera added.The United Nations office in Geneva warned that 1 million women and girls in Gaza are now starving. In a post on X, the UN said: 'One million. That's how many women and girls are starving in Gaza. This horrific situation is unacceptable and must end. We continue to demand the delivery of lifesaving aid for all women and girls, an immediate ceasefire, and the release of all hostages," Al Jazeera reported.At least 175 people, including 93 children, have died from forced starvation, according to Gaza's Ministry of Health, including 17-year-old Atef Abu Khater, who weighed only 25 kg (55 lbs) before his death on Saturday. (ANI)
view comments
First Published:
August 06, 2025, 03:15 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
7 minutes ago
- Mint
UCLA research frozen: $584 million grant cut stuns campus
The Trump administration has frozen $584 million in federal grants for UCLA, more than double earlier estimates, threatening hundreds of research projects. Chancellor Julio Frenk announced the massive cut Wednesday, revealing that agencies like the National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) suspended funding over claims of antisemitism on campus. UCLA is the first public university targeted this way, following similar moves against private schools like Harvard and Columbia. Frenk warned the freeze would be "devastating for Americans nationwide," impacting studies on diseases, clean energy, and national security. The freeze affects 800 grants, including life-saving organ transplant research pioneered at UCLA. The cuts followed a U.S. Department of Justice report accusing UCLA of ignoring antisemitism during 2024 pro-Palestinian protests, despite the university recently paying a $6 million settlement to Jewish students over the same encampment. Federal agencies gave conflicting justifications: the NSF cited "misaligned priorities," while the Department of Energy bizarrely claimed UCLA "endangers women" by allowing transgender athletes and uses "illegal affirmative action" in admissions. UC President James Milliken slammed the move, stating: "These cuts do nothing to address antisemitism" and would be a "death knell" for medical and scientific breakthroughs. UCLA has created a safety office and antisemitism task force since the protests. Under pressure, the University of California agreed to negotiate with the Trump administration before a September 2 lawsuit deadline . The talks aim to restore funding, but precedents are worrying: Columbia paid $200 million and Brown University paid $50 million to regain their grants. Over 3,000 UCLA staff attended an emergency town hall Monday, with Vice Chancellor Roger Wakimoto warning that researchers can't even access existing funds for critical work . Frenk, whose family fled Nazi Germany, stressed UCLA's reforms but called the freeze a "cruel manipulation" unrelated to fighting hate . California Governor Gavin Newsom blasted Trump for 'weaponizing Jewish students' pain'. Organ transplant technology keeping lungs "breathing" outside bodies Asteroid-tracking systems guarding Earth from space threats Valley fever treatment research for the deadly disease Faculty warn the freeze could cancel decades of progress, like UCLA's role in creating the internet . With Columbia's settlement as a template, UCLA faces tough choices: pay massive fines or risk permanent cuts. "Every deal made makes it harder for others to resist," warned American Association of University Professors director Mia McIver . As UC negotiates, scientists statewide brace for ripple effects, hoping lifesaving work won't become collateral in a political war .
NDTV
35 minutes ago
- NDTV
Trump Cracks Down On Foreign Students, College Applications Rise Outside US
LONDON: In China, wait times for US visa interviews are so long that some students have given up. Universities in Hong Kong are fielding transfer inquiries from foreign students in the US, and international applications for British undergraduate programs have surged. President Donald Trump's administration has been pressuring US colleges to reduce their dependence on international enrollment while adding new layers of scrutiny for foreign students as part of its crackdown on immigration. The US government has sought to deport foreign students for participating in pro-Palestinian activism. In the spring, it abruptly revoked the legal status of thousands of international students, including some whose only brush with law enforcement was a traffic ticket. After reversing course, the government paused new appointments for student visas while rolling out a process for screening applicants' social media accounts. The US remains the first choice for many international students, but institutions elsewhere are recognising opportunity in the upheaval, and applicants are considering destinations they might have otherwise overlooked. The impact on US universities - and the nation's economy - may be significant. New international enrollment in the US could drop by 30% to 40% this fall, according to an analysis of visa and enrollment data by NAFSA, an agency that promotes international education. That would deprive the US economy of $7 billion in spending, according to the analysis. Many international students pay full price, so their absence would also hurt college budgets. As the second most popular destination for international students, Britain is positioned to benefit. The country's new Labour government has vowed to cut migration, and officials have imposed time limits on post-study visas, allowing graduates to stay and work. But admissions consultants say the United Kingdom is still seen as the most welcoming of the traditional "big four" English-speaking destinations in higher education - the US, UK, Canada and Australia. After declining last year, the number of international applications for undergraduate study in the UK this fall grew by 2.2%, official figures show. A record number of applications came from China, up 10% compared with the previous year. Applications from the US also reached nearly 8,000 students - an increase of 14% and a 20-year high. Acceptances of international students for graduate programs in the UK grew an estimated 10% from last year, driven by demand for business and management courses in particular, according to data from UniQuest, which works with many British universities on admissions. Data showing the extent of any impact will not be available until fall, said Mike Henniger, CEO of Illume Student Advisory Services, a consultancy that works with colleges in the US, Canada and Europe. "But the American brand has taken a massive hit, and the UK is the one that is benefiting," he said. Demand from Chinese students has risen rapidly for university places in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, said Will Kwong, managing director of AAS Education, a consultancy in Hong Kong. Many Western universities have offshore campuses there that are more affordable than going to the US or the UK. "Opting for study in Asia has been a trend since the easing of COVID-19," Kwong said. "But it's been exacerbated by the change of administration in the US" Some Asian families have told him the U.S. is no longer their clear first choice because of political turbulence and visa difficulties; many are still waiting for US visa interviews and will likely miss the start of the fall term, Kwong said. Chinese college student Alisa, who is studying data science, plans to attend an exchange program this fall at the University of California, Berkeley. She hopes to pursue a master's degree in the US. But she is also looking into other options, "just so I could still go to school if the extreme scenario occurs," said Alisa, who spoke on condition of partial anonymity out of fear of being targeted. Hong Kong will welcome any students who are denied entry to the US, the city's leader, John Lee, has said. Last year, the Chinese territory decided to allow international students to work part-time. Hong Kong University said it has received over 500 inquiries from students in the US and is processing around 200 applications for transfer. At another school, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, international undergraduate applications have surged by 40% from last year, said Alison Lloyd, associate provost for institutional data and research. Countries, including the United Arab Emirates, have invested heavily in attracting international students by partnering with universities elsewhere to host branch campuses. These arrangements could appeal to students who fear being denied access to the US. Dubai, which has designs on becoming a global education hub, hosts dozens of international institutions' satellite campuses. It saw international student numbers grow by a third in 2024-2025. Lisa Johnson, principal of Dubai's private American Academy for Girls, said her mostly Emirati student body is increasingly looking away from the US for college. "Every student wants and dreams to go to Harvard," she said. "But as college options increase in the United Arab Emirates, more and more students are staying." Kazakhstan has similar ambitions, said Daniel Palm, who has helped US universities set up campuses abroad. Illinois Tech and the University of Arizona are among colleges offering degree programs in the Central Asian country, drawing students mostly from China and Russia. "All of a sudden, US colleges are asking how to provide diversity, provide access," Palm said, "because you have students who want to come to the US and can't." (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
The Hindu
37 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Brazil requests consultations at WTO over Trump's tariffs
Brazil requested consultations at the World Trade Organization over tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump against the South American nation that went into effect on Wednesday (August 6, 2025). Mr. Trump has directly tied the 50% tariff on many imported Brazilian goods to the judicial situation of his embattled ally, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest. "The United States has flagrantly violated key commitments the country has agreed upon at the WTO, such as the principle of the most favored nation and tariff ceilings negotiated at that organisation,' Brazil's foreign ministry said in a statement. The most favoured nation principle is a cornerstone of Geneva-based WTO, whose aim is to get countries to respect trade agreements. The principle directs its members to treat each other equally in trade. WTO panels are set if no agreement is reached in disputes between members. 'Brazil's government reiterates its availability for negotiation and hopes these consultations contribute to a solution to the matter,' the Brazilian foreign office said. The U.S. government has not made comments about Brazil's move. WTO needs revamp: Lula Earlier, a Brazilian government official told The Associated Press that the case could drag on and there's no guarantee of success. The official, who wasn't authorised to discuss the matter publicly, spoke on condition of anonymity. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has repeatedly said that the trade body needs a revamp to be enabled to mediate in conflicts. Brazil's government estimates that 35.9% of the country's goods shipped to the American market have been affected. That is about 4% of Brazil's total exports. Mr. Trump directly tied the 50% tariff on imported Brazilian goods to the judicial situation of his embattled ally, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest. Last month, Bolsonaro was ordered to wear an electronic ankle monitor and to obey a curfew while the proceedings are underway. Lula is yet to speak about the move. On Tuesday, the leftist leader said he wouldn't call Mr. Trump to talk about trade 'because he doesn't want to' speak about it. Lula said that he might instead 'invite him to attend (November's climate summit) COP in Belem.'
