Israel prepares to move Palestinians to southern Gaza as Israelis urge mass protest over war
The Israeli military body in charge of humanitarian aid to Gaza, COGAT, said the supply of tents to the territory would resume on Sunday. The military said it had no comment on when the mass movement of Palestinians would begin, but Defence Minister Israel Katz said on social media that 'we are now in the stage of discussions to finalise the plan to defeat Hamas in Gaza."
Meanwhile, anxious families of Israeli hostages called for a 'nationwide day of stoppage' in Israel on Sunday to express growing frustration over 22 months of war.
Families of hostages fear the coming offensive further endangers the 50 hostages remaining in Gaza, just 20 of them thought to still be alive. They and other Israelis were horrified by the recent release of videos showing emaciated hostages speaking under duress and pleading for help and food.
The families and supporters have pressed the government for a deal to stop the war — a call that some former Israeli army and intelligence chiefs have made as well in recent weeks.
A group representing the families has urged Israelis into the streets on Sunday. 'Across the country, hundreds of citizen-led initiatives will pause daily life and join the most just and moral struggle: the struggle to bring all 50 hostages home,' it said in a statement.
'I want to believe that there is hope, and it will not come from above, it will come only from us,' said Dana Silberman Sitton, sister of Shiri Bibas and aunt of Kfir and Ariel Bibas, who were killed in captivity.
She spoke at a weekly rally in Tel Aviv, along with Pushpa Joshi, sister of kidnapped Nepalese hostage Bipin Joshi, a student seized from a kibbutz.
'I miss my best friend,' Ms. Pushpa said.
Airstrike kills a baby girl and her parents
An Israeli airstrike in Gaza killed a baby girl and her parents on Saturday, Nasser hospital officials and witnesses said. Motasem al-Batta, his wife and the girl were killed in their tent in the crowded Muwasi area.
'Two and a half months, what has she done?" neighbor Fathi Shubeir asked, sweating as temperatures in the shattered territory soared above 90° Fahrenheit (32° Celsius). 'They are civilians in an area designated safe.'
Israel's military said it couldn't comment on the strike without more details. It said it is dismantling Hamas' military capabilities and takes precautions not to harm civilians.
Muwasi is one of the heavily populated areas in Gaza where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel plans to widen the coming military offensive, along with Gaza City and 'central camps' — an apparent reference to the built-up Nuseirat and Bureij camps in central Gaza.
Israel may be using the threat to pressure Hamas into releasing more hostages taken in its Oct. 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war.
Elsewhere, an official at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City said it received the bodies of six people who were killed in the Zikim area of northern Gaza, as well as four people killed in shelling.
11 more deaths related to malnutrition
Another 11 malnutrition-related deaths occurred in Gaza over the past 24 hours, the territory's Health Ministry said Saturday, with one child among them. That brings malnutrition-related deaths during the war to 251.
The United Nations is warning that levels of starvation and malnutrition in Gaza are at their highest since the war began. Palestinians are drinking contaminated water as diseases spread, while some Israeli leaders continue to talk openly about the mass relocation of people from Gaza.
A 20-year old Palestinian woman described as being in a 'state of severe physical deterioration' died Friday after being transferred from Gaza to Italy for treatment, the hospital said Saturday.
The U.N. and partners say getting food and other aid into the territory of over 2 million people, and then on to distribution points, remains highly challenging with Israeli restrictions and pressure from crowds of hungry Palestinians.
The U.N. human rights office says at least 1,760 people were killed while seeking aid between May 27 and Wednesday. It says 766 were killed along routes of supply convoys and 994 in the vicinity of 'non-U.N. militarized sites," a reference to the Israeli-backed and U.S.-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which since May has been the primary distributor of aid in Gaza.
US stops visitor visas for people from Gaza The U.S. State Department on Saturday said all visitor visas for people from Gaza are being stopped while a review is carried out of how 'a small number of temporary medical-humanitarian visas' were issued in recent days.
The Hamas-led attack in 2023 killed around 1,200 people in Israel. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed 61,897 people in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry, which does not specify how many were fighters or civilians but says around half were women and children.
The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. The U.N. and independent experts consider it the most reliable source on casualties. Israel disputes its figures but has not provided its own.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Washington Summit: Macron, Starmer Hail Breakthrough As US Vows Security Guarantees For Ukraine
Israel Shamed By Own Troops; Thousands Go Missing, Abandon Fight Against Hamas | IDF Begs For Help The IDF is battling a severe manpower shortage, with ultra-Orthodox enlistment absent and thousands of soldiers missing. Israel now seeks young Jewish recruits abroad, mainly from the U.S. and France. As the Gaza war intensifies, Netanyahu insists on occupying Gaza City to enforce Hamas disarmament, despite global opposition. Hamas vows resistance while pushing for a ceasefire-hostage deal, with Qatar mediating talks in Egypt. 359.0K views | 19 hours ago
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Donald Trump administration revokes thousands of student visas, citing criminal activity, terrorism support and Gaza war protests
The administration of President Donald Trump has revoked more than 6,000 student visas in recent months, according to a State Department official. The cancellations were linked to a range of factors including overstaying, violations of law, and, in a smaller number of cases, support for terrorism. The decision reflects a broader tightening of student visa policies under the administration's immigration and national security agenda. Visa cancellations for legal violations Out of the total cancellations, around 4,000 visas were revoked due to students breaking US laws. According to the State Department official, the majority of these offenses involved assault. Other cases included driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and burglary. Officials said the move was in line with existing rules that make students ineligible to continue under US visas after engaging in criminal activity. Terrorism-related revocations Between 200 and 300 visas were canceled on grounds related to terrorism. The State Department's Foreign Affairs Manual outlines ineligibility for individuals 'engaging in terrorist activities' or having 'links to terrorist organizations.' The official did not provide details on which groups were allegedly supported by the affected students. Directives issued this year instructed US diplomats abroad to closely screen applicants who could be viewed as hostile to American interests or who had a record of political activism. This reflects the administration's expanded vetting approach, including reviews of applicants' social media activity. Tensions with universities and political fallout The visa actions come amid growing clashes between President Trump and leading US universities. Trump has accused campuses of fostering antisemitism following widespread student protests supporting Palestinian rights during the Gaza war. In one high-profile dispute, he froze funding for investigations at Harvard and warned that the university's tax-exempt status could be withdrawn. Some European governments have since offered increased research grants to attract international scholars. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that 'hundreds, perhaps thousands' of visas, including those of students, have been revoked due to activities considered inconsistent with US foreign policy. Administration officials have said that support for Palestinians or criticism of Israel's conduct in Gaza may lead to deportation, framing such actions as threats to US policy and labeling them as pro-Hamas. Legal challenges and criticism One notable case involved a Turkish student at Tufts University who was detained for over six weeks in Louisiana after co-authoring an article critical of her university's response to Israel's war in Gaza. She was released after a federal judge granted bail. Critics of the administration argue that the visa revocations amount to a challenge to free speech rights protected under the First Amendment. They say that the policy unfairly targets students for political views, raising broader debates about the balance between immigration controls and constitutional protections. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
2 hours ago
- First Post
Why has the US revoked 6,000 student visas?
The US has revoked over 6,000 student visas this year, citing law violations, terrorism-related activity, and stricter vetting measures under the Trump administration. While officials defend the policy as necessary for national security, universities warn of steep enrolment drops, billions in economic losses, and long-term risks to America's academic competitiveness A student visa permits those outside the US to study in the country for a set amount of time at an academic institution. It differs from a green card, which allows an individual already in the US who is not an American citizen to remain in the country. Representational Image The United States has revoked more than 6,000 student visas in 2025 so far, a move that reflects a significant shift in immigration under President Donald Trump's administration. Officials in Washington insist the measures are meant to protect national security and uphold US laws, but the decision has unsettled universities and raised alarms among international students. According to the US State Department, roughly 6,000 student visas — most of them F-1 visas — have been revoked since the beginning of the year. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A large proportion of those revocations, about 4,000, were tied to students who had allegedly committed crimes while in the United States. The infractions cited include incidents of assault, arrests for driving under the influence, and cases of burglary. The development was first reported by Fox News. In addition to the criminal violations, between 200 and 300 visas were rescinded under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act that deal with terrorism-related activities. These provisions allow immigration authorities to deny entry or revoke permission for individuals accused of supporting or engaging in acts that endanger human life or threaten public safety. A senior US State Department official said that in some cases, students had been linked to activities such as raising money for Hamas, which the US designates as a terrorist organization. The numbers are part of a much larger wave of visa cancellations across all categories. Officials confirmed that approximately 40,000 visas have been revoked in 2025 so far, compared to around 16,000 over the same period during the Biden administration. Student visas, however, remain among the most heavily scrutinised, given the size of the international student population and their presence on US campuses. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD How Trump has taken a tougher stance on foreign students The Trump administration has pursued a tougher line on student visas since returning to power. In January, the US president signed a series of executive orders directing federal agencies to strengthen vetting procedures for foreign nationals entering the country. One of the directives instructed the State Department, the Department of Homeland Security, the Attorney General, and the Director of National Intelligence to 'vet and screen to the maximum degree possible all aliens who intend to be admitted, enter, or are already inside the United States, particularly those aliens coming from regions or nations with identified security risks.' Another executive order instructed authorities to use every available legal tool against individuals engaged in antisemitic harassment or violence. The administration has justified the approach as part of its broader strategy to combat terrorism and protect American campuses from extremist ideologies. Earlier this year, the US State Department temporarily halted new student visa interviews and applications. When processing resumed, applicants were told to set their social media accounts to public. Consular officers were instructed to review online activity for signs of hostility toward US culture, institutions, and founding principles. A diplomatic cable noted that restricted or hidden online activity could be considered evidence of an attempt to conceal problematic behaviour. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD How Trump 2.0 has defended the policy US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has become one of the most vocal defenders of the administration's approach. In an interview with EWTN network this month, he said, 'There is no constitutional right to a student visa. A student visa is something we decide to give you. Visas of every kind are denied every day all over the world. As I speak to you now, someone's visa application to the US is being denied. So, if I would have denied you a visa had I known something about you, and I find out afterwards that I gave you a visa and I found this out about you, why wouldn't I be able to revoke your visa?' Rubio has also told lawmakers that the administration intends to continue revoking visas if students disrupt higher education institutions. In testimony before a Senate appropriations subcommittee in May, he said, 'I don't know the latest count, but we probably have more to do. We're going to continue to revoke the visas of people who are here as guests and are disrupting our higher education facilities.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US State Department echoed that stance in a statement to Fox News, saying, 'Every single student visa revoked under the Trump Administration has happened because the individual has either broken the law or expressed support for terrorism while in the United States.' How this has affected some students One of the most widely reported incidents involved Tufts University PhD student Rumeysa Ozturk. In March, Ozturk's visa was abruptly revoked and she was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, some of whom were masked. She was held in ICE custody until May, when a judge ordered her release. Her case became a rallying point for student groups and rights organisations concerned about arbitrary visa cancellations. Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish student at Tufts University in Massachusetts, was taken into custody by ICE agents near her home on Tuesday. X Beyond individual cases, international students participating in pro-Palestinian demonstrations against the war in Gaza have faced heightened scrutiny. Administration officials have accused some of those students of antisemitism and of lending support to terrorism. The visa cancellations have also drawn sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who argue that the process lacks adequate safeguards for students and undermines fundamental liberties. US Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon said in May, 'I do think it's a fundamental attack on freedom, because due process is the guardian of the gate to keep a government from taking away people's life or liberty, and liberty is what happens when you take away a visa without due process.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Civil liberties advocates have also raised questions about whether linking students to protests or social media activity could result in unjust visa revocations. Critics say the approach conflates legitimate political expression with national security threats and risks silencing dissent on American campuses. How this has impacted international enrolment The clampdown has coincided with a sharp drop in student visa issuance. In fiscal year 2024, the United States granted about 400,000 F-1 visas. But analysts now expect significantly fewer approvals in 2025, given the pause in interviews earlier this year and the new vetting requirements. Forecasts by NAFSA: Association of International Educators and JB International predict a decline of 30 to 40 per cent in new international student enrolment this fall. That reduction could cause overall enrollment to fall by about 15 per cent. NAFSA has warned that 'such an outcome would deprive local economies of $7 billion in spending and more than 60,000 jobs.' The organisation estimated in July that without a rebound in visa processing before the start of the academic year, as many as 150,000 fewer students could arrive. Bloomberg has reported that first-time foreign student enrollment could decline by as much as 30 per cent this year, translating into tuition revenue losses of roughly $2.6 billion across US campuses. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD An economic impact model prepared by NAFSA suggested that more than 60,000 local jobs could be affected, particularly in college towns and metropolitan areas where universities are major employers. How Indian students have been affected Indian students, who form the largest international student group in the United States and are heavily concentrated in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programmes, have been especially impacted. They contribute nearly $9 billion annually to the US economy, not only through tuition but also through living expenses and research contributions. Delays in visa appointments and sudden rejections have created widespread uncertainty among Indian applicants. A bipartisan group of 14 US representatives, including three Indian-American lawmakers, wrote to Rubio last month urging action to address the backlog. They highlighted the critical role of Indian students in sustaining US research and innovation and highlighted the broader importance of educational exchanges in strengthening US-India relations. Experts warn that if the downward trend continues, US institutions risk losing their competitive edge in global education and scientific research. Universities are already bracing for further challenges, including potential federal funding cuts that could reduce research grants, financial aid, and support for international education. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The visa restrictions come at a time when the United States remains the top destination for international students. In the 2023-24 academic year, more than 1.1 million foreign students from over 210 countries were enrolled in US institutions, according to data collected by Open Doors. With inputs from agencies
