Gangs and merchants sell food aid in Gaza, where Israel's offensive has shattered security
A kilogram (2.2 pounds) of flour has run as high as $60 in recent days, a kilogram of lentils up to $35. That is beyond the means of most residents in the territory, which experts say is at risk of famine and where people are largely reliant on savings 21 months into the Israel-Hamas war.
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3 hours ago
Trump administration lifted sanctions on Israeli settler accused of killing Palestinian activist
An Israel i settler who Israeli officials say is suspected of shooting and killing a Palestinian activist tied to the Oscar-winning film "No Other Land" had been sanctioned by the Biden administration for alleged violence against Palestinians -- sanctions lifted by the Trump administration. Yinon Levi, the alleged shooter according to Israeli officials, faced financial sanctions imposed last year under then-President Joe Biden after being cited for allegedly inciting violence against Palestinian civilians and burning farmland. Speaking to ABC News Chief International Correspondent James Longman last year following Biden's sanctions, Levi and his wife, Sapir, denied the accusations cited in the sanctions and said they initially thought the sanctions were a "joke." "We are here and we have to defend ourselves and nothing more," Sapir Levi told Longman. Shortly after taking office in January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order lifting the sanctions and removing Levi's name, among others, from the U.S. "Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List." Levi's name appears at the very top of the list of those who had sanctions lifted, released by the Treasury Department in January. Local officials confirmed that 31-year-old Awdah Hathaleen was shot dead in the West Bank village of Umm al-Khair on Monday. The father of three was an activist who worked on the film, "No Other Land," which tells the story of a West Bank community through the lens of a Palestinian activist. The movie won an Oscar in March for best documentary feature film. According to the Palestinian Education Ministry, Hathaleen was also a teacher who taught at the Al-Saray'a Secondary School. In a video posted on X, the director of "No Other Land," Yuval Abraham, called Hathaleen a "friend" and said he was "shot in the upper body." According to Israel police, "Palestinians threw stones at civilian vehicles that were lawfully conducting work in the area" and a firearm was discharged. A total of five Palestinians and two foreigners were detained by Israel Defense Forces "on suspicion of involvement," police said. Initially unnamed, the suspect was questioned for "reckless conduct resulting in death and unlawful use of a firearm," Israel police said in a statement. They added that that a court had ordered the person to be released to house arrest until Friday, denying a police request to extend his detention. ABC News has confirmed that Levi was taken into custody following Monday's incident, per Israeli officials. It is unclear if Levi has been charged and if he has publicly commented. During a press briefing Tuesday, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce deflected questions about the allegations against Levi and lifting the sanctions, instead deferring to the Israeli government to investigate. "We decry the loss of life everywhere -- that has been the hallmark of the work that this administration is doing," she said. "We don't comment on investigations that belong to another government." In a statement Tuesday, Rep. John Garamendi, a California Democrat, slammed Israeli settler violence in the West Bank and demanded answers about Hathaleen's death. "Lifting sanctions on the very individuals who perpetrate these unacceptable acts only emboldens violent settlers and sends a signal that the United States won't hold violent actors accountable," Garamendi said.
4 hours ago
Suspected arsonist appears in court over Melbourne synagogue fire
MELBOURNE, Australia -- A suspected arsonist accused of destroying a Melbourne synagogue appeared in court seven months after the crime shocked the nation and triggered a large-scale investigation. Giovanni Laulu, 21, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court Thursday after his arrest at a Melbourne home on Wednesday. Police allege Laulu is one of three masked men who spread a liquid accelerant around the interior of the Adass Israel Synagogue then set it alight before dawn on Dec. 6. A worshipper preparing for morning prayers suffered minor burns. Laulu is the first suspect to be caught, but police have foreshadowed more arrests. Police suspect there are also accomplices who planned the attack from overseas. Laulu was charged with arson, reckless conduct endangering life and car theft. Laulu confirmed his name but otherwise remained silent during the brief court appearance. He did not enter pleas or apply to be released on bail. His lawyer told Magistrate Brett Sonnett this was not Laulu's first time in prison. Laulu was then remanded in custody and will appear in court next on Aug. 6. Prosecutors sought 12 weeks to gather evidence against Laulu and said 11 cell phones need to be analysed. Sonnett gave the prosecution until Oct. 22 to present their case to Laulu's lawyers. Federal and state police, plus Australia's main domestic spy agency, have been investigating the crime, which is suspected to be politically motivated. Police say more than 220 law enforcement officers have devoted more than 50,000 hours to the investigation. State Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said Victoria Police would be relentless in pursuing and holding those involved in the synagogue arson to account. 'Victoria Police has seen first-hand the impact this incident has had in the Victorian community — the fear and distress a crime like this can cause,' Bush said in a statement. 'People deserve to be safe and feel safe, particularly when it comes to their places of worship. This is not negotiable in any way. We remain committed to identifying all those who seek to cause this kind of fear and harm, and ensuring they are brought to justice,' he added. A wave of antisemitic attacks has roiled Australia since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas assault on Israel triggered the war in Gaza. The synagogue attack is the only incident that has been classified as an act of terrorism, a designation that increases the resources available to the investigation. The federal government has committed 30 million Australian dollars ($20 million) to rebuild the synagogue.
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5 hours ago
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Houthis vow to target all ships linked to Israel 'regardless of nationality'
The Houthis stated that any country that wants to avoid escalation should "pressure the enemy to halt its aggression and lift the blockade on the Gaza Strip." Yemen's Houthis will begin targeting any ships it can reach that deal with Israel, regardless of the company's nationality, the terrorist organization said in a statement Sunday night. The Houthis stated that all countries who want to avoid escalation should "pressure the enemy to halt its aggression and lift the blockade on the Gaza Strip. There is no free person on this earth who can accept what is happening." In their statement, the Houthis wrote that the group had a "religious, moral, and humanitarian responsibility" toward the people of Gaza, and that the conditions Palestinians face would be "unacceptable to any human being, let alone Arabs and Muslims." "The actions of the Yemeni Armed Forces express our moral and humanitarian commitment to the injustice against the brotherly Palestinian people, and all our military operations will cease immediately upon the cessation of aggression against Gaza and the lifting of the blockade," the statement concluded. Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea Since the October 7 massacre, the Iranian proxy has consistently attacked vessels in the Red Sea in what they say are acts of solidarity with the Palestinians. Israel, in response, has been launching attacks on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, most notably Hodeidah port. Earlier this month, the Houthis attacked and sank the Greek ship Eternity C. "We remain deeply concerned for the welfare of the crew members in the custody of the Houthis, as well as for those currently unaccounted for," Ellie Shafik, head of intelligence with UK-based maritime risk management company Vanguard Tech, said following the attack. "Their safety and swift release must be a priority for all involved." Currently, 12 members of the vessel's crew are said to be missing or held hostage by the terrorist group. Solve the daily Crossword
