DW visits Gaza on heavily controlled trip – DW – 06/10/2025
in Gaza
06/10/2025
June 10, 2025
A rare glimpse into devastated Gaza, as foreign journalists have been banned from entering independently. Near Khan Younis, the Israeli military guides DW through an underground tunnel complex that the Israeli military claims served as a Hamas command center.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
DW
a minute ago
- DW
Germany's Wadephul urges China to help Ukraine peace push – DW – 08/20/2025
With Russia and Ukraine floating the idea of peace talks, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told DW that it was "never too late" for China to step in and use its influence on Moscow. Germany would welcome China taking a more active role in the peace process in Ukraine as negotiations with Russia appear likely to ramp up, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told DW on Wednesday. At the same time, Wadephul also cautioned that Beijing had not appeared interested in such a role, despite explicit appeals from Berlin and other countries. "Hardly any other country, any other government, has such a strong influence on Russia as China. Unfortunately, China hasn't used its opportunities so far, but it is never too late," Wadephul said in an interview with DW's Rosalia Romaniec. The German minister is currently visiting Indonesia as part of his Asia tour that also included a two-day stop in Japan. "China defines its own role," Wadephul said during the interview. "China is an important country, a huge country which can have a lot of political influence, that has a lot of economic influence and is a permanent member of the UN Security Council. And for a long time now, we've been calling on China to use these opportunities to help ensure the war is ended." Wadephul added that he had raised the issue during his most recent conversation with his Chinese opposite number Wang Yi and said he would be "very pleased if this appeal was heard in Beijing." Hopes for peace talks rise amid positive signals from Trump, Putin, Zelenskyy The conservative politician expressed optimism about the latest push for talks aimed at stopping the fighting in Ukraine. He praised US President Donald Trump both for trying to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiations, and for talking about security guarantees for Ukraine. "There's a good chance that this is a step towards security and peace," Wadephul said. "But now everyone's waiting to see whether Vladimir Putin is genuinely ready to preside over an end to this war. Unfortunately, things are still looking very different on the battlefield." "There are obvious doubts, because President Putin has not yet said 'yes' to negotiations. President Zelenskyy said he is ready to hold a bilateral meeting with Putin, and then a trilateral meeting with President Trump. Where is the 'yes' from Putin?" Wadephul warned that if Putin was not willing to negotiate, this would lead to further sanctions on Russia, saying he believed that both Europe and the US were ready to pursue this course of action if necessary. He also said that given these uncertainties, it was too early to discuss issues like the German deployment of troops as part of any possible security guarantees, but stressed Germany "has so far never failed to show its readiness to take responsibility in this conflict." Wadephul said Berlin did not have "any ambition" to host potential talks. "We don't see our greatest contribution as being the venue for the talks. The most important thing is that they take place. There are many good venues in Europe for them to be held," he said. "I think it should be as neutral as possible. That's why Switzerland has always been good in the past." To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video During his press conference with Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono, Wadephul also stressed that it should be "Russia and Ukraine" shaping such decisions, "not the German foreign minister from Jakarta." How Ukraine war fuels fears in Asia Wadephul told DW that one message he had brought with him to Asia, which he felt was also understood in the region, was how various crises around the world were interconnected, "and either we defend the international, rules-based order and peace together, or we lose this battle." "And that's exactly why I said here that a peaceful situation in the Taiwan Strait, for example, is as important for regional stability as it is for the global economy and also for economic and security policy in Europe," Wadephul said, adding that people in Asia "appreciate that Germany recognizes these issues." To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video He cited the coalition of 30 countries supporting Ukraine, including Asian countries like Japan, as evidence of how "many nations are now prepared to work together." "So by the same token, this region has the right to demand solidarity from us," as "new global partnerships are being created," Wadephul said. Bilateral trade between Indonesia and Germany has been growing rapidly in recent years. However, Indonesia — despite its population of some 285 million — is only 50th on the list of German international trade partners. But trade ties might ramp up as Germany and the EU seek to "de-risk" and become less dependent on China for certain core products like rare earths. More than 90% of Germany's rare earth supply currently hails from China. "We're not talking about decoupling ... that would be separation from China," Wadephul stressed, noting how Beijing was also looking to diversify its sources for certain imports. "But what we're seeing now in new and current restrictions in the delivery of rare earths from China reinforces our quest for new trade partners." He described Indonesia as a "good, new, and I think, reliable trade partner."
Int'l Business Times
2 minutes ago
- Int'l Business Times
US Ramps Up Attack On International Court Over Israel
The United States on Wednesday defiantly expanded efforts to hobble the International Criminal Court over its prosecution of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, sanctioning a judge from ally France. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also targeted a Canadian judge in a separate case in his latest volley of sanctions against the tribunal in The Hague, which is backed by virtually all other Western democracies as a court of last resort. "The Court is a national security threat that has been an instrument for lawfare against the United States and our close ally Israel," Rubio said in a statement, using a term popular with President Donald Trump's supporters. He attacked the court for investigating US and Israeli citizens "without the consent of either nation." Among the four people newly slapped with sanctions was Judge Nicolas Guillou of France, who is presiding over a case in which an arrest warrant was issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. France -- whose president, Emmanuel Macron, was in Washington two days earlier -- expressed "dismay" over the action. The sanctions are "in contradiction to the principle of an independent judiciary," a foreign ministry spokesman said in Paris. The ICC in its own statement denounced the "flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution." The court's prosecution alleges Netanyahu is responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Israel's offensive in Gaza including by intentionally targeting civilians and using starvation as a method of war. Netanyahu saluted Rubio for his "decisive act against a smear campaign of lies against the State of Israel" and the Israeli army. Israel launched the massive offensive in response to an unprecedented attack by Hamas against Israel in which mostly civilians were killed. The ICC has also sought the arrest of former Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas commander Mohammed Deif, who has since been confirmed killed by Israel. Guillou is a veteran jurist who previously participated in trials over Kosovo and Lebanon. He worked for several years in the United States assisting the Justice Department with judicial cooperation during Barack Obama's presidency. Under the sanctions, he will be refused entry to the United States and any assets he has in the world's largest economy will be blocked -- measures more often taken against US adversaries than citizens of friendly nations. Also targeted by the latest US sanctions was a Canadian judge, Kimberly Prost, who was involved in a case that authorized an investigation into alleged crimes committed during the war in Afghanistan, including by US forces. Rubio also slapped sanctions on two deputy prosecutors -- Nazhat Shameem Khan of Fiji and Mame Mandiaye Niang of Senegal. The State Department said the two were punished by the United States for supporting "illegitimate ICC actions against Israel," including by supporting the arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant. Rubio imposed sanctions on four other ICC judges in June. The Trump administration has roundly rejected the authority of the court, which was set up as a court of last resort when national systems do not allow for justice. Trump on Friday welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to Alaska even though Putin faces an ICC arrest warrant, a factor that has stopped him from traveling more widely since he ordered the invasion of Ukraine. The United States, Russia and Israel are among the nations that reject the ICC. Previous president Joe Biden's administration also opposed its action against Israel but withdrew previous sanctions and was open to narrow cooperation with the ICC, including in gathering evidence in Ukraine. Judge Nicolas Guillou opens a court session on Kosovo in The Hague in November 2020 AFP
DW
2 hours ago
- DW
Germany, Japan boost defense ties amid China's growing clout – DW – 08/20/2025
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul says Berlin wants to take on more responsibility together with Tokyo — diplomatically, economically, and militarily. When German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stood in front of warships at the Japanese naval base in Yokosuka on Tuesday and spoke about China's growing dominance in the region, he knew where it would be viewed particularly critically. China hasn't still forgotten the German-Japanese alliance during World War II. So, a day before, when Wadephul accused China of "aggressive actions" in the region, Beijing reacted angrily and warned against "inciting confrontation and tensions." But the German foreign minister appeared to have no intention of backing down. "Neither in Europe, nor in the Indo-Pacific, nor anywhere else in the world, should borders be shifted by force," Wadephul said at the military base in Yokosuka. It is a clear message with regard to Taiwan — officially known as the "Republic of China." Beijing claims sovereignty over the self-ruled democratic island and vows to seize control, even by force if necessary. Germany is committed to the "one China policy," under which Berlin recognizes the government of the People's Republic of China in Beijing as the sole legal government of China. Although Germany does not maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, it has economic, cultural and research ties with the island, and advocates for peaceful reunification based on mutual agreement. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Jürgen Hardt, a German politician from Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), told DW that Berlin needed to send a clear signal to Beijing as Europe continues to fight for the future of Ukraine. "We have often asked representatives of the Chinese government whether they support Russia against Ukraine, and they have denied it. But we have a clear impression that this is not true," said Hardt, who is accompanying Wadephul on his Asia trip. That is why it is right to speak candidly with China, he added. German troops are currently stationed at the Yokosuka base, where they are part of a international military mission monitoring the enforcement of UN sanctions against North Korea. "Germany wants to take on more responsibility," Wadephul said in Tokyo, stressing that "systemic rivalry is playing an increasingly important role in our relations." The German foreign minister described Japan as Germany's "premium partner" in Asia. "We consider it necessary to take on more responsibility together in terms of security policy," he said. A business delegation also accompanied Wadephul on his trip. Arnd Franz, CEO of automotive supplier Mahle in Stuttgart, highlighted the need to diversify supply chains and reduce critical dependencies. "Our question is: How do we deal with dependencies on raw materials and rare earths?" he asked, pointing out that there are only a few suppliers in the world for some products. "China plays a very dominant role in this, which it exploits." Mahle produces eight million electric motors a year. "The Japanese are better prepared for this situation thanks to their risk management, and we are learning from that here," said Franz. Japan is also much further ahead in its goal of reducing its strategic dependence on China. The country now imports only about 60% of its rare earths from China, while Germany relies on China for 90% of its rare earths. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Japan's ties to Germany over the past few years have also been bolstered by Tokyo's strong support for Ukraine. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Tokyo has provided around €12 billion in aid and slapped sanctions on Moscow. Beijing, on the other hand, supports "Russia's war machine," Wadephul said, adding Germany will "defend the international rules-based order in this region as well," referring to the Taiwan Strait — a major maritime route that is of great strategic importance to trade-reliant economies like Germany and Japan. "Any escalation in the Taiwan Strait would have serious consequences for global security and the economy," warned the minister. Germany and Japan have deepened their security cooperation since both sides inked a confidentiality agreement in 2021, allowing their intelligence agencies to share information. To demonstrate its commitment to the Indo-Pacific, Berlin is also increasingly dispatching German warships on visits to Japanese ports and deploying German Eurofighter jets to Japanese military bases for joint exercises. The defense industries of both countries are also mulling closer cooperation. "Germany and Japan are spending much more on defense today, which creates potential," said Hardt, the CDU politician. "Even though companies from both countries are sometimes competitors — as was recently the case when Australia ordered Japanese ships instead of German ones — we will soon be working more closely together." To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Countries in Southeast Asia are paying close attention to events in Europe, with many in the region fearing that a bad deal for Ukraine could encourage Beijing to take a more aggressive stance toward Taiwan or in the South China Sea. "In the case of Ukraine, we had to revise our assessment of the security situation in Europe," said Hardt, pointing out that German politicians hadn't taken warnings from Eastern Europe and elsewhere about the threat posed by Russia seriously enough. "We should not make the same mistake twice," he underlined.
