Is Hamas's grip on Gaza weakening?
The emergence of Yasser Abu Shabab and his 'Popular Forces' militia in eastern Rafah has become an unexpected fault line in the shifting landscape of Gaza. In recent days, a flurry of claims, counterclaims, and raw facts has begun to seep through the fog of war. Cracks are appearing in Hamas's once unchallenged grip, and new and uncertain dynamics are taking shape. Where these currents will lead is unclear.
Abu Shabab himself has stepped into the spotlight with remarkable audacity. He has granted interviews, issued voice recordings, and cloaked his movement in the language of civic virtue. In a recent audio recording, he insisted: 'We have not and will not work with the occupation. Our goal is to protect Palestinian human rights from Hamas's terrorism.' He described his group's weapons as 'simple weapons that we collected from the local population,' and characterised coordination with the Palestinian Authority (PA) as limited to security screening:
We conduct a security check through the Palestinian intelligence service, which is cooperating with us in this matter, so we can guarantee that no terrorist elements enter.
Yet behind the public bravado lies a more intricate web.
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The Guardian
3 hours ago
- The Guardian
Australia news live: Wong says sanctioned Israeli ministers incited human rights abuses with ‘extremist rhetoric'
Update: Date: 2025-06-10T20:38:47.000Z Title: Five countries issue joint statement on sanctions for Israeli ministers Content: The news about the sanctions against the Israeli ministers broke in reports after 11pm Australian time and was confirmed at midnight by a joint statement by the five countries. The joint statement, issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said that 'settler violence is incited by extremist rhetoric' against the Palestinian community and 'fundamentally rejects the two-state solution'. It said Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have incited 'extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights' and these actions were 'not acceptable'. However, it goes on to note the ministers' 'unwavering support for Israel's security and we continue to condemn the horrific terror attacks of 7 October by Hamas'. This is the full statement: Today, the foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom have announced sanctions and other measures targeting Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Settler violence is incited by extremist rhetoric which calls for Palestinians to be driven from their homes, encourages violence and human rights abuses and fundamentally rejects the two-state solution. Settler violence has led to the deaths of Palestinian civilians and the displacement of whole communities. We are steadfastly committed to the two-state solution which is the only way to guarantee security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians and ensure long term stability in the region, but it is imperilled by extremist settler violence and settlement expansion. Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights. Extremist rhetoric advocating the forced displacement of Palestinians and the creation of new Israeli settlements is appalling and dangerous. These actions are not acceptable. We have engaged the Israeli Government on this issue extensively, yet violent perpetrators continue to act with encouragement and impunity. This is why we have taken this action now – to hold those responsible to account. The Israeli Government must uphold its obligations under international law and we call on it to take meaningful action to end extremist, violent and expansionist rhetoric. The measures announced today do not deviate from our unwavering support for Israel's security and we continue to condemn the horrific terror attacks of 7 October by Hamas. Today's measures are targeted towards individuals who in our view undermine Israel's own security and its standing in the world. We continue to want a strong friendship with the people of Israel based on our shared ties, values and commitment to their security and future. Today's measures focus on the West Bank, but of course this cannot be seen in isolation from the catastrophe in Gaza. We continue to be appalled by the immense suffering of civilians, including the denial of essential aid. There must be no unlawful transfer of Palestinians from Gaza or within the West Bank, nor any reduction in the territory of the Gaza Strip. We will continue to work with the Israeli Government and a range of partners. We will strive to ensure an immediate ceasefire, the release now of the remaining hostages and for the unhindered flow of humanitarian aid including food. We want to see a reconstructed Gaza no longer run by Hamas and a political pathway to a two-state solution. Update: Date: 2025-06-10T20:37:24.000Z Title: Australia sanctions two Israeli ministers Content: Australia has joined the UK, Canada, New Zealand and Norway in placing financial sanctions and travel bans on two Israeli government ministers, over what foreign minister Penny Wong described as 'inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank'. In an unexpected move, news of which broke overnight Australian time, the Albanese government joined several allies in levelling targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich. The Magnitsky-style sanctions come over concerns from the five governments about serious human rights violations and abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank. The two ministers were sanctioned in relation to a range of public comments and actions, including marching through Jerusalem's Muslim Quarter with a group that chanted 'death to Arabs' and 'may your village burn'. Ben-Gvir last month said Israel would 'occupy the entire territory of the Gaza Strip' and encourage migration of Gazans elsewhere, while Smotrich in February said: ''With God's help we will work to permanently bury the dangerous idea of a Palestinian State.' The sanctions make it an offence to make assets available to a sanctioned person, require the freezing of any assets in Australia, and prevent them from entering Australia. Update: Date: 2025-06-10T20:33:50.000Z Title: Welcome Content: Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I'm Martin Farrer bringing you the best of the overnight stories before Nick Visser takes control. Australia has joined the UK, Canada, New Zealand and Norway in placing financial sanctions and travel bans on two Israeli government ministers, over what foreign minister Penny Wong described as 'inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank'. Wong is expected to tour the radio and TV studios this morning to explain the surprise move which was announced overnight in a joint statement with the other nations. The ABC's managing director, Hugh Marks, is expected to unveil his first tranche of changes at the public broadcaster on Wednesday morning, including a new round of redundancies and the axing of Q+A after 18 years. We will have more details and reaction.
Reuters
3 hours ago
- Reuters
Israeli finance minister orders cancellation of waiver on cooperation with Palestinian banks
June 10 (Reuters) - Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich ordered on Tuesday the cancellation of a waiver on cooperation between Israeli and Palestinian banks, according to a statement by his office. Smotrich said the decision came against the "delegitimization campaign" by the Palestinian Authority against Israel globally.
Powys County Times
3 hours ago
- Powys County Times
MPs call for UK to recognise Palestine after Government sanctions ministers
MPs have called for the Government to recognise the state of Palestine at a summit next week, hours after the Foreign Secretary confirmed the sanctioning of two Israeli government ministers. Foreign minister Hamish Falconer faced repeated cross-party calls from MPs to recognise Palestine at the meeting in New York. In response, Mr Falconer did not rule out the move, saying he had 'no doubt' he would return to the Commons to update MPs. It came as the UK imposed an asset freeze and travel ban on Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, Israel's security minister and finance minister, respectively. The move came alongside Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway. When asked about the recognition of Palestine by Liberal Democrat foreign spokesperson Calum Miller, Mr Falconer said: 'The two-state solution conference next week is an important moment we're discussing with our friends and allies our approach to that conference and no-doubt I will return to this house, with your permission Mr Speaker, to discuss further.' Mr Miller had said: 'The time has also come to listen to members on all sides of this House and officially to recognise the independent state of Palestine. Will the Government commit to taking this vital step at next week's summit in New York? 'Recognition will demonstrate the UK's commitment to self-determination but also make clear that, building on today's announcement, the UK will do all it can to wrest control away from the extremes and give both Israelis and Palestinians hope of a lasting peace.' Conservative MP for Herne Bay and Sandwich, Sir Roger Gale, had chastised the Government for not taking more action. He said: 'When the minister came to the despatch box, I had expected to hear something constructive. What we've heard is the sanctioning of two people. The United Kingdom Government could unilaterally recognise Palestine. The United Kingdom Government could show the world and lead.' He added: 'When is the Government going to do something?' Labour MP Abtisam Mohamed (Sheffield Central), who was denied access to the occupied West Bank earlier this year, agreed with the calls. She said: 'Annexation is real. It is happening. Partners in the region are calling for recognition before it's too late.' Ms Mohamed continued: 'Does the minister agree with me that we must not throw recognition into the long grass? That failure to recognise next week at the UN conference implies that Israel does have a veto, and that the Israeli government will continue to annexe and terrorise Palestinians in the West Bank. If we do not recognise now, there will be no Palestinian state to recognise.' Mr Falconer said: 'Recognition is right at the centre of any discussion of a two-state solution.' The minister had earlier told MPs the two-state solution between Israel and Palestine was in critical danger. He said the rhetoric of Mr Ben-Gvir and Mr Smotrich did not represent the majority of Israelis. He said: 'This is an affront to the rights of Palestinians, but it is also against the interests of Israelis, against their long-term security and democracy.' Later in the session, Green Party MP Ellie Chowns (North Herefordshire) accused the Government of doing the 'bare minimum' while Conservative former minister Kit Malthouse further pressed the minister on whether recognition at the summit is now 'off the table'. Mr Falconer said 'we are doing everything we can', adding: 'We are so incredibly frustrated by the scenes that meet us, meet everybody behind me, and I would say gently to (Mr Malthouse), he has no monopoly on the morality of this situation.' The minister went on to say settler expansion had increased hugely in recent years, and last year had seen the worst settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank on record. He added that this year is on track to be just as violent. 'This is an attempt to entrench a one-state reality,' he told MPs. He continued: 'The gravity of this situation demands further action. The reality is that these human rights abuses, incitement to violence, extremist rhetoric comes … from individuals who are ministers in this Israeli government.' Mr Falconer added: 'We have told the Israeli government that we would take tougher action if this did not stop. It still did not. The appalling rhetoric has continued unchanged. Violent perpetrators continue to act with impunity and with encouragement. 'So, let me tell the House now, when we say something, we mean it. Today we have shown, with our partners, two extremists we will not stand by while they wreck the prospects for future peace.' Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said: 'The situation in the Middle East and the suffering we are seeing is serious and completely intolerable. Dame Priti added: 'We all want to see a better future for the Israeli and Palestinian people, and the UK must continue to play a leading role in achieving this.' She told MPs the previous Conservative government considered sanctioning the two ministers. 'The minister will be aware that the sanctioning of individuals is always under review, that is the right policy,' she said. 'And in the case of Israel, this has been previously considered even by Lord Cameron, who has spoken of that in the last government.' DUP MP Sammy Wilson (East Antrim) suggested Mr Falconer is 'pandering to the increasingly loud anti-Israel voices on his backbenches', adding: 'The minister must know that this will not bring peace to Gaza.' Mr Falconer replied: 'I have spoken about the perilous decline of the situation in the West Bank, and indeed events of the last two weeks, and I've also spoken about the importance of co-ordinating with allies. So, I don't think I have anything further to say.'
