Anthony Albanese seeks phone call with Benjamin Netanyahu
The federal government is considering whether to join a growing list of international allies in formally recognising Palestinian statehood.
This comes after the United Kingdom, France, and Canada flagged support for Gaza last week and announced intentions to recognise a Palestinian state.
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West Australian
14 minutes ago
- West Australian
Benjamin Netanyahu initiates complete Israeli military takeover of Gaza to pressure Hamas on hostages
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a full military occupation of Gaza, escalating the conflict in the Palestinian territory amid efforts to secure the release of Israeli hostages. Mr Netanyahu informed ministers on Monday (Tuesday AEST) that he plans to seek cabinet approval for the move, despite rising opposition from within the Israel Defence Forces and former military leaders, according to reports from The Times of Israel and Hebrew media. A senior official close to Mr Netanyahu told Ynet, 'The die is cast — we are going for a full occupation of the Gaza Strip.' Currently, Israeli forces control approximately 75 per cent of Gaza, but this new order would lead to the takeover of the remaining areas as operations intensify to rescue hostages believed to be held in those locations, reported the Jerusalem Post. The decision reportedly came without consultation with the Israeli military's chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, who was told to comply with the directive or resign, according to an internal memo. This military escalation follows disturbing footage released by Hamas and its ally, Islamic Jihad, showing two Israeli hostages in visibly weakened states, deeply shocking Israel. Of the 251 people taken during Hamas's October 2023 assault on Israel, 49 remain captive in Gaza, including 27 who are presumed dead. Footage showing Israeli hostage Evyatar David marking days on a calendar inside a Gaza tunnel confirmed his continued captivity. David, who turned 24 while in captivity, was abducted during the initial Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Senior Israeli officials who discussed the occupation plan alongside Mr Netanyahu believe Hamas will only release the remaining hostages if they are forced to surrender. Channel 12 quoted officials who said, 'If we do not act now, the hostages will die of hunger and Gaza will remain under Hamas control.' US President Donald Trump and Mr Netanyahu are reportedly coordinating to present Hamas with an ultimatum: release the hostages and disarm, or face a sustained Israeli military campaign. This development comes as 19 retired Israeli leaders, including former prime minister and IDF chief Ehud Barak, issued a video appeal over the weekend urging Mr Netanyahu to end the war. They criticised the ongoing campaign, blaming the Prime Minister for prolonging the conflict to maintain his fragile right-wing coalition. 'We are on the precipice of defeat,' said former Mossad director Tamir Pardo, reflecting on the growing international outcry over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 'What the world sees today is of our own creation,' he added, referencing images of starvation and suffering among Gaza's children. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar emphasised that the focus should remain on the hostages at an upcoming United Nations Security Council session. 'The world must put an end to the phenomenon of kidnapping civilians. It must be front and centre on the world stage,' Mr Saar said at a press briefing. 'I will head to New York tonight to participate in a special UN Security Council session that I initiated, taking place tomorrow (Tuesday) on the situation of the hostages,' he added. The situation remains highly volatile as international and domestic pressures mount on Mr Netanyahu's Government while Israeli forces move to complete their control over Gaza.
Perth Now
14 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Netanyahu orders full Israeli occupation of Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a full military occupation of Gaza, escalating the conflict in the Palestinian territory amid efforts to secure the release of Israeli hostages. Mr Netanyahu informed ministers on Monday (Tuesday AEST) that he plans to seek cabinet approval for the move, despite rising opposition from within the Israel Defence Forces and former military leaders, according to reports from The Times of Israel and Hebrew media. A senior official close to Mr Netanyahu told Ynet, 'The die is cast — we are going for a full occupation of the Gaza Strip.' Currently, Israeli forces control approximately 75 per cent of Gaza, but this new order would lead to the takeover of the remaining areas as operations intensify to rescue hostages believed to be held in those locations, reported the Jerusalem Post. The decision reportedly came without consultation with the Israeli military's chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, who was told to comply with the directive or resign, according to an internal memo. This military escalation follows disturbing footage released by Hamas and its ally, Islamic Jihad, showing two Israeli hostages in visibly weakened states, deeply shocking Israel. Of the 251 people taken during Hamas's October 2023 assault on Israel, 49 remain captive in Gaza, including 27 who are presumed dead. Footage showing Israeli hostage Evyatar David marking days on a calendar inside a Gaza tunnel confirmed his continued captivity. David, who turned 24 while in captivity, was abducted during the initial Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Senior Israeli officials who discussed the occupation plan alongside Mr Netanyahu believe Hamas will only release the remaining hostages if they are forced to surrender. Channel 12 quoted officials who said, 'If we do not act now, the hostages will die of hunger and Gaza will remain under Hamas control.' If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. US President Donald Trump and Mr Netanyahu are reportedly coordinating to present Hamas with an ultimatum: release the hostages and disarm, or face a sustained Israeli military campaign. This development comes as 19 retired Israeli leaders, including former prime minister and IDF chief Ehud Barak, issued a video appeal over the weekend urging Mr Netanyahu to end the war. They criticised the ongoing campaign, blaming the Prime Minister for prolonging the conflict to maintain his fragile right-wing coalition. 'We are on the precipice of defeat,' said former Mossad director Tamir Pardo, reflecting on the growing international outcry over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 'What the world sees today is of our own creation,' he added, referencing images of starvation and suffering among Gaza's children. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar emphasised that the focus should remain on the hostages at an upcoming United Nations Security Council session. 'The world must put an end to the phenomenon of kidnapping civilians. It must be front and centre on the world stage,' Mr Saar said at a press briefing. 'I will head to New York tonight to participate in a special UN Security Council session that I initiated, taking place tomorrow (Tuesday) on the situation of the hostages,' he added. The situation remains highly volatile as international and domestic pressures mount on Mr Netanyahu's Government while Israeli forces move to complete their control over Gaza.
West Australian
44 minutes ago
- West Australian
States boycotting Israel to go without US federal funds
US states and cities that boycott Israeli companies will be denied federal aid for natural disaster preparedness, the Trump administration has announced, tying routine federal funding to its political stance. The Federal Emergency Management Agency stated in grant notices posted on Friday that states must follow its "terms and conditions." Those conditions require they certify they will not sever "commercial relations specifically with Israeli companies" to qualify for funding. The requirement applies to at least $US1.9 billion ($A2.9 billion) that states rely on to cover search-and-rescue equipment, emergency manager salaries and backup power systems among other expenses, according to 11 agency grant notices reviewed by Reuters. The requirement is the Trump administration's latest effort to use federal funding to promote its views on Israel. The Department of Homeland Security, the agency that oversees FEMA, in April said that boycotting Israel is prohibited for states and cities receiving its grant funds. FEMA separately said in July that US states will be required to spend part of their federal terrorism prevention funds on helping the government arrest migrants, an administration priority. The Israel requirement takes aim at BDS, the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement designed to put economic pressure on Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian territories. The campaign's supporters grew more vocal in 2023, after Hamas attacked southern Israel and Israel invaded Gaza in response. "DHS will enforce all antidiscrimination laws and policies, including as it relates to the BDS movement, which is expressly grounded in antisemitism," a spokesperson for Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said in a statement. The requirement is largely symbolic. At least 34 states already have anti-BDS laws or policies, according to a University of Pennsylvania law journal. FEMA's Israel requirement is "shameful," said Mahmoud Nawajaa of the BDS Movement in a statement on Monday. The American Jewish Committee supports the Trump administration's policy, said Holly Huffnagle, the group's director of antisemitism policy. The AJC is an advocacy group that supports Israel. Under one of the grant notices posted on Friday, FEMA will require major cities to agree to the Israel policy to receive a cut of $US553.5 million ($A856.4 million) set aside to prevent terrorism in dense areas. New York is due to receive $US92.2 million ($A142.6 million) from the program, the most of all the recipients. Allocations are based on the agency's analysis of "relative risk of terrorism", according to the notice.
