Israeli undercover force detains senior Gaza health official, ministry says
Hams, in charge of field hospitals in the enclave, was on his way to visit the ICRC field hospital in northern Rafah when an Israeli force "abducted" him after opening fire, killing one person and wounding another civilian nearby, according to the ministry.
Medics said the person killed was a local journalist who was filming an interview with Hams when the incident happened.
The Israeli military and the Red Cross did not immediately respond following separate requests by Reuters for comment.
Israel has raided and attacked hospitals across the Gaza Strip during the 21-month war in Gaza, accusing Hamas of using them for military purposes, an accusation the group denies. But sending undercover forces to carry out arrests has been rare.
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The Guardian
4 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Trump is fighting to kill off DEI – and the corporate cowardice over Gaza shows he's winning
I have been working in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) for more than six years. This year, more than ever, I have started to question what the purpose of it really is. Though I've been celebrating companies that took a stand against Donald Trump's anti-DEI executive orders, under the radar I have noticed an insidious censorship rearing its head. Since 2023 we have been witness to one of the worst atrocities of our lifetimes. Livestreamed to our phones, we have seen the slaughter of at least 58,000 Palestinians, more than 17,000 of them children, and many of them in hospitals, schools, refugee camps and food queues. We have seen the denial of water, electricity and medical supplies, the obliteration of communities, mass manmade starvation, and continued calls by Israeli ministers for the permanent expulsion or eradication of Palestinians in Gaza. Israel's plans for a so-called humanitarian city to be built on the ruins of Rafah has been described by the former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert as a 'concentration camp'. Yet, although more than 200 companies released statements after the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023 – wholeheartedly condemning it and donating money to relief funds – since then, there has been a relative silence in the face of the ongoing destruction in Gaza. One senior manager I spoke to said he had received an email telling him to remind staff they weren't allowed to wear 'political' badges during the Gaza conflict. Another company leader firmly stated, 'We're an apolitical company. Our staff need to remember that.' Last year, 50 employees were fired by Google after protesting against its and Amazon's $1.2bn (£900m) Project Nimbus cloud infrastructure contract with the Israeli government. And just last weekend we saw an official at the Royal Opera House attempt to snatch the Palestinian flag from a cast member who unfurled it on stage after a performance. All these organisations have DEI agendas. They say they are committed to inclusion and equal opportunity, and to enhancing business growth through diversity. Yet it seems this commitment is conditional on people's silence. You can belong, as long as you don't make us uncomfortable. We value your identity, as long as it's not political. Yet the companies themselves are not devoid of politics. A recent report by the UN special rapporteur for Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, backed by a number of high-profile economists, exposes the vast number of businesses who have been enabling or profiting from the Israeli military operation in Gaza. 'The report shows why the genocide carried out by Israel continues … because it is lucrative for many,' it says, highlighting not just arms manufacturers but also the complicity of big tech, household brands and even educational institutions. and Airbnb have been listing properties in illegal Israeli settlements, enabling profit from stolen land. And, in the most stark cases of corporate hypocrisy, companies such as BAE Systems, which is directly tied to the Israeli military machine and dehumanisation of Palestinians, proudly brand themselves as champions of dignity and respect. For the first time, I have found myself questioning not just how we do DEI work, but whether it means anything at all. If DEI is about rewiring unjust systems, how can companies silence staff who speak out or, worse, actively profit from a brutal war machine, and still claim to be inclusive? What is the role of DEI, if not to embed values and basic humanity within the company? What is even more frustrating is that we have a direct blueprint of how business leaders can approach this. Since the invasion of Ukraine, more than 1,000 companies have voluntarily curtailed operations in Russia as a recognition that they don't stand for war crimes, the murder of civilians or the ensuing humanitarian crisis. They hung Ukrainian flags on their buildings, donated tens of millions to humanitarian organisations, offered housing and created fast-track hiring schemes for Ukrainian refugees. The Royal Opera House itself published a statement in support of Ukraine, lit up its building in the Ukrainian flag colours, and for a period of time played the Ukrainian national anthem before every performance. For many staff, this contrast makes the corporate silence on Gaza feel even more pointed. It's not 'apolitical', it's a choice. And it is a failure of DEI, which at its core is about challenging systems that breed inequality. It is rooted in values of fairness, dignity and respect for all. This isn't simply about respecting racial or religious difference on an interpersonal level, it's about who you invest in (or divest from), what you choose to speak out on, how you balance profit with purpose. To stay silent in the face of mass violence sends a clear message: some lives don't matter. What gives me hope is the people-powered movements within companies. Staff are holding their leaders to account. Be that employees at the Boston Consulting Group who shared a letter to the company's top management demanding an end to its involvement in the development of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, staff at the Berlin-based retail company Zalando protesting against the dismissal of an Arab employee who criticised its support of Israel, or the more than 100 BBC staff who spoke out against censorship in its reporting of Israel/Palestine. These ordinary workers are taking up the mantle where DEI is failing. We need to move away from this current sanitised, apolitical version of DEI towards one with meaning. Core values of dignity, humanity and fairness need to be integral to business decisions, not just corporate buzzwords. If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything. And that's not a DEI I want to be part of. Jinan Younis is the founder of diversity, equity and inclusion agency WeCalibrate and former assistant politics editor at gal-dem magazine
The Independent
32 minutes ago
- The Independent
Marco Rubio says France's recognition of Palestinian state is ‘slap in the face for 7 October victims'
The United States has condemned France's decision to formally recognise Palestine as an independent state, claiming it is 'serving Hamas propaganda'. French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that his country will recognise Palestine as a state in September at the United Nations General Assembly. The move has sparked anger from Washington and Israel. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States "strongly rejects (Macron's) plan to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN general assembly." In a post on X he said: "This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also condemned the decision by one of Israel's closest allies and a G7 member, saying such a move "rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy." In a diplomatic cable in June, the United States said it opposed steps to unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state, arguing it could go against US foreign policy interests and draw consequences. Washington's ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said in June he did not think an independent Palestinian state remained a US foreign policy goal. President Donald Trump has himself expressed doubts about a two-state solution, proposing a US takeover of Gaza in February. The idea was condemned by rights groups, Arab states, Palestinians and the UN as a proposal of "ethnic cleansing". The US and Israel's refusal to recognise Palestine sets them at odds with many of their Western allies. Currently, 147 of the 193 member states of the United Nations recognise the state of Palestine. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK will recognise a Palestinian state once there is a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine. Canada has also pressed Israel to seek peace, with Prime Minister Mark Carney condemning its "failure to prevent the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian disaster in Gaza" and reiterating support for a two-state solution. Despite this, none of the G7 countries – the UK, USA, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan – currently recognise a Palestinian state. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz also condemned France's decision, describing the move as "a disgrace and a surrender to terrorism'. He added that Israel would not allow the establishment of a "Palestinian entity that would harm our security, endanger our existence." Thanking France, the Palestinian Authority 's Vice President Hussein Al Sheikh said on X that Mr Macron's decision reflected "France's commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people's rights to self-determination and the establishment of our independent state."
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
US blasts ‘reckless' Macron as France is first G7 nation to recognise Palestine state – in ‘face slap' to Oct 7 victims
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AMERICA has hit out at Emmanuel Macron for being "reckless" after he announced France will officially recognise a Palestinian state. The White House described President Macron's controversial decision as a "slap in the face to the victims of October 7". Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 The US has hit out at Emmanuel Macron for being 'reckless' after he announced France will officially recognise a Palestinian state Credit: AFP 7 Palestinians have been living out of tents in Khan Yunis surrounded by rubble for almost two years now Credit: Getty 7 France will become the first G7 nation to view Palestine as its own state starting in September Credit: AFP France will become the first G7 nation to view Palestine as its own state starting in September, Macron said on Thursday. Just 140 out of 193 UN members currently view the State of Palestine. Notable exceptions include the US, UK, Italy, Germany, Canada and Japan. Macron announced the move on X as he wrote: "True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine. read more in Palestine PUTIN'S USEFUL IDIOTS Pro-Palestine protesters damage military equipment headed to UKRAINE "We must also guarantee the demilitarisation of Hamas, and secure and rebuild Gaza. "Finally, we must build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability, and ensure that by accepting its demilitarisation and fully recognising Israel, it contributes to the security of all in the Middle East. "There is no alternative." A formal announcement will be made at a session of the UN General Assembly in New York in five weeks time. Macron has already sent a letter to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas confirming his decision. The US was quick to condemn Paris as Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington "strongly rejects" the announcement. Starmer's barmy one in one out migrants plan has a fundamental flaw which means it WON'T work Rubio issued a scathing statement on social media as he said: "This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. "It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th." The US has been one of Israel's main allies since the Hamas terror attack sparked an all out war in Gaza back in 2023. In the almost two years since, Israel has launched several military operations targeting those who helped to orchestrate the massacre. The airstrikes, ground offensives and constant bombardments of the Gaza strip have led to serious concerns over the safety and future of Palestinian civilians. At least 59,106 people have been killed in Gaza since, according to the Gazan health ministry. And almost two million Palestinians have reportedly been displaced from the region. Israel has vowed to continue on the war path until they have secured the release of all of the remaining hostages snacthed on October 7. 7 French President Emmanuel Macron meets with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas last year Credit: AFP 7 The US was quick to condemn Paris as Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington 'strongly rejects' the announcement Credit: Getty 7 Hundreds of Palestinians seized trucks carrying flour as they entered in Khan younis the southern Gaza Strip on Thursday Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also been adamant that Hamas must be wiped out in its entirety so they cannot attack ever again. Netanyahu issued his own aggravated statement on France's move as he said it "rewards terror". He also warned it "risks creating another Iranian proxy" in the Middle East where Israel has already been facing constant attacks from Hamas and the Houthis. "A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel – not to live in peace beside it," Netanyahu said in a post on X. "Let's be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel." Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the move as "a disgrace and a surrender to terrorism". Hamas praised Macron and said France's decision was a "positive step in the right direction" and urged all other countries to follow their lead. Paris' decision is now set to place further pressure on those nations yet to declare a Palestinian state like the UK. Sir Keir Starmer faces mounting calls, including from his own MPs, to join France and recognise a State of Palestine. Starmer is yet to announce any such move but did release a statement on Thursday saying statehood is an "inalienable right of the Palestinian people". But he believes a ceasefire in the region is a much more pressing issue to end the bloodshed. Sir Keir said a temporary pause on the conflict would "put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution". An "emergency call" between the UK, France and Germany is due to take place today to discuss "what we can do urgently to stop the killing".
