Syria deploys troops as clashes heat up between Druze and Bedouin clans
Israel has intervened and says it agreed to the move after launching air strikes in support of the Druze, targeting Syrian government forces and military sites in Damascus.
The US is influencing the Israeli government by trying to prevent Israel from any further dramatic strikes on Syria.
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Sky News AU
4 hours ago
- Sky News AU
'Shameful and has to stop': French Foreign Minister condemns US, Israel-backed Gazan aid body as Trump envoy meets Benjamin Netanyahu
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has branded the United States and Israel-backed aid distribution system in Gaza shameful, just hours before Trump administration envoy Steve Witkoff met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks over the growing humanitarian crisis. International outcry over the mass starvation in Gaza has grown in recent weeks, with European leaders joining United Nations and international aid groups in calling for a greater supply of food and water into the embattled region. Even US President Donald Trump, who has largely sided with Israeli narratives about conditions in the strip, told press in Scotland earlier this week there was "real starvation" in Gaza and suggested his administration would step up relief efforts. However, speaking to media on Thursday, local time, Mr Barrot called out the US' most likely method of providing aid, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation jointly founded with Israel, claiming it had resulted in the death of civilians. "I want to call for the cessation of the activities of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the militarised distribution of humanitarian aid that has generated a bloodbath in distribution lines in Gaza, which is a scandal, which is shameful, and has to stop," he said. The GHF, which distributes aid with support from the Israel Defence Force and armed private security contractors, has come under scrutiny after widespread reports of chaos in distribution lines and the killings of Gazans clamouring for food. Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry claimed on Thursday, local time, 111 people had been killed and 820 injured while queuing for aid in the past 24 hours. While the organisation does not differentiate between civilian and militant casualties, multiple verified reports of soldiers firing at those seeking aid have still prompted outcry from world leaders and humanitarian groups. Mr Witkoff is expected to visit and aid distribution site as part of his visit to Israel. Publicly, Israel has attempted to dismiss criticism of aid distribution within Gaza, with Mr Netanyahu even going as far as claiming there was no starvation among the millions living in the strip. President Trump also remains supportive of Israel's aim of completely eliminating Hamas from the region, posting: "The fastest way to end the Humanitarian Crises in Gaza is for Hamas to SURRENDER AND RELEASE THE HOSTAGES!!!" to his Truth Social platform on Thursday. Privately, however, Israel may face pressure from Mr Witkoff to make progress in ceasefire negotiations, which have largely stalled in recent months. Recent declarations from France, the United Kingdom and Canada they would acknowledge a Palestinian state should talks continue to falter could complicate US-led proposals for peace, with critics of the move arguing recognition would also embolden Hamas. However, a recent decision from the US could also complicate ceasefire efforts, with the State Department on Thursday moving to impose sanctions on Palestinian Authority officials and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization. The Palestinian Authority exercises limited control over the Israel-occupied West Bank and is generally regarded as the strongest contender to form government in a fully-realised Palestinian state. Despite this, US officials have been critical of the body, arguing it has done little to combat Hamas and prevent Iran from exerting influence over Gaza. "It is in our national security interests to impose consequences and hold the PLO and PA accountable for not complying with their commitments and undermining the prospects for peace," the State Department said.
Perth Now
8 hours ago
- Perth Now
Lebanese president calls for Hezbollah to disarm
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has repeated calls for the militant group Hezbollah to give up its weapons, a day after the group's chief doubled down on its refusal to disarm. Aoun's comments on Thursday during a speech marking Army Day in Lebanon came as pressure increases from Washington to disarm Hezbollah. The US presented Lebanon with "draft ideas to which we have made fundamental amendments that will be presented to the cabinet early next week", Aoun said. Under the Lebanese proposal, there would be an "immediate cessation of Israeli hostilities" in Lebanon, including air strikes and targeted killing, a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the release of Lebanese prisoners held in Israel, Aoun said. Lebanon, for its part, would implement the "withdrawal of the weapons of all armed forces, including Hezbollah, and their surrender to the Lebanese Army", he said. The comments came after a speech on Wednesday by Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem that called the group's weapons "part of Lebanon's strength" and said "anyone who demands the delivery of weapons is demanding the delivery of weapons to Israel". Hezbollah officials have said they will not discuss giving up the group's remaining arsenal until Israel withdraws from all of Lebanon and stops its strikes. Aoun said Lebanon's proposal also calls for international donors to contribute $US1 billion ($A1.6 billion) annually for 10 years to beef up the Lebanese army's capabilities and for an international donor conference to raise funds in the fall for reconstruction of Lebanese areas damaged and destroyed during the 2024 war between Israel and Hezbollah. The war nominally ended with a US-brokered ceasefire in November calling for Hezbollah and Israeli forces to withdraw from the area south of the Litani River in Lebanon, which would be patrolled by a beefed-up Lebanese army, along with UN peacekeepers. The agreement left vague how Hezbollah's weapons and military facilities north of the Litani River should be treated, saying Lebanese authorities should dismantle unauthorised facilities starting with the area south of the river. Hezbollah maintains the deal only covers the area south of the Litani, while Israel and the US say it mandates disarmament of the group throughout Lebanon. Since the the ceasefire took effect, Israel has continued to occupy five border points in Lebanon and carry out almost daily air strikes that Israel says are aimed at preventing Hezbollah rebuilding its capabilities.
Sydney Morning Herald
8 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Australia recognising Palestine would infuriate Netanyahu - but not the people of Israel
Like all Australian governments for decades, the Albanese government has considered itself a friend of Israel. But Benjamin Netanyahu's callous mistreatment of Palestinians finally has gone too far. Twenty months ago, it was impossible for civilised, fair-minded societies not to sympathise with Israeli victims of Hamas' atrocities. Today it is impossible for civilised, fair-minded societies not to sympathise with Palestinian victims of Netanyahu's atrocities. His regime's wilful blindness to its starving of Palestinian children proved to be the last straw for many. Even Donald Trump openly contradicted Netanyahu this week by calling it real starvation: 'You can't fake that,' said the US president. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has signalled that Australia is prepared to alienate Netanyahu by moving towards giving full diplomatic recognition to a state called Palestine. 'It's a very historic shift,' observes Amin Saikal, professor emeritus of Middle Eastern studies at ANU. Not hastily or impetuously. The government is acting with the same circumspection that has become its hallmark. It's been weighing recognition since Penny Wong said so in April last year. The Albanese cabinet has canvassed the issue extensively. First, it's moving in careful step with the rising Australian public sympathy for Palestinian civilians. One indicator. Late last year, half of Australia wanted Israel to end its military assaults in Gaza. By this week, that had surged to two-thirds, according to Essential polling. Second, it waited until the Palestinian Authority had announced its own self-reform agenda. This was designed to make itself a more acceptable candidate for statehood. It included a call for the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas, a demand that Hamas disarm, a commitment to a demilitarised Palestinian state and a promise to hold elections within a year to allow 'generational renewal' of the Palestinian Authority itself.
