Hamas says it will release American-Israeli hostage
Hamas has announced it will release American Israeli hostage Edan Alexander. The group's leader made the announcement on social media, but did not specify when the release will occur. The announcement comes ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit to the Middle East this week.
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Sydney Morning Herald
19 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Gaza-bound aid boat with Greta Thunberg on board arrives in Israel after seizure
Jerusalem: A Gaza-bound aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists arrived at an Israeli port after Israeli forces stopped and detained them, enforcing a longstanding blockade of the Palestinian territory that has been tightened during the Israel-Hamas war. The boat, accompanied by Israel's navy, arrived in the port of Ashdod, Israel's Foreign Ministry a post on X early on Tuesday (AEST). It published a photo of Thunberg on social media after disembarking. The 12 activists are undergoing medical checks to ensure that they are in good health, the ministry said. They were expected to be held at a detention facility in the city of Ramle before being deported, according to Adalah, a legal rights group representing them. The activists had set out to protest Israel's ongoing military campaign in the Gaza Strip, which is among the deadliest and most destructive since World War II, and its restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid. Both have put the territory of around 2 million Palestinians at risk of famine. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organised the voyage, said the activists were 'kidnapped by Israeli forces' while trying to deliver desperately needed aid. 'The ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted and its life-saving cargo — including baby formula, food and medical supplies — confiscated,' it said in a statement. It said the ship was seized in international waters about 200 kilometres from Gaza. Israel's Foreign Ministry portrayed the voyage as a public relations stunt, saying in a social media post that 'the 'selfie yacht' of the 'celebrities' is safely making its way to the shores of Israel'. It said the activists would return to their home countries and the aid would be sent to Gaza through established channels. It circulated footage of what appeared to be Israeli military personnel handing out sandwiches and water to the activists, who were wearing life vests.
The Age
19 minutes ago
- The Age
Gaza-bound aid boat with Greta Thunberg on board arrives in Israel after seizure
Jerusalem: A Gaza-bound aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists arrived at an Israeli port after Israeli forces stopped and detained them, enforcing a longstanding blockade of the Palestinian territory that has been tightened during the Israel-Hamas war. The boat, accompanied by Israel's navy, arrived in the port of Ashdod, Israel's Foreign Ministry a post on X early on Tuesday (AEST). It published a photo of Thunberg on social media after disembarking. The 12 activists are undergoing medical checks to ensure that they are in good health, the ministry said. They were expected to be held at a detention facility in the city of Ramle before being deported, according to Adalah, a legal rights group representing them. The activists had set out to protest Israel's ongoing military campaign in the Gaza Strip, which is among the deadliest and most destructive since World War II, and its restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid. Both have put the territory of around 2 million Palestinians at risk of famine. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organised the voyage, said the activists were 'kidnapped by Israeli forces' while trying to deliver desperately needed aid. 'The ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted and its life-saving cargo — including baby formula, food and medical supplies — confiscated,' it said in a statement. It said the ship was seized in international waters about 200 kilometres from Gaza. Israel's Foreign Ministry portrayed the voyage as a public relations stunt, saying in a social media post that 'the 'selfie yacht' of the 'celebrities' is safely making its way to the shores of Israel'. It said the activists would return to their home countries and the aid would be sent to Gaza through established channels. It circulated footage of what appeared to be Israeli military personnel handing out sandwiches and water to the activists, who were wearing life vests.
News.com.au
22 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Anthony Albanese says Labor will fight ‘frustration' in government and deliver on election promises, in National Press Club address
Anthony Albanese will use his first major speech since winning a second term to promise to fight against growing cynicism and 'frustration' in government. The Prime Minister will put forward his second-term agenda in an address to the National Press Club in Canberra on Tuesday, vowing to 'make a real difference to people's lives'. That includes delivering on Labor's policies to boost bulk-billed GP appointments, decrease student debt and other cost-of-living measures. While he will acknowledge the 'significant global uncertainty' and 'economic instability' currently underpinning the world, he says Labor will be a 'practical and positive alternative' and delivers on its 'vision for a stronger, fairer Australia'. 'It is the more corrosive proposition that politics and government and democratic institutions, including a free media, are incapable of meeting the demands of this moment,' he is expected to say. 'Our responsibility is to disprove it. 'To recognise that some of this frustration is drawn from people's real experience with government – be it failures of service delivery, or falling through the cracks of a particular system. 'To counter this, we have to offer the practical and positive alternative.' Mr Albanese's comments on a volatile international environment comes as he is expected to have his first face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump when he travels to Canada for the G7 Leader's Summit over the weekend. Labor faces a heavy policy agenda when parliament finally sits on July 22 for the first time since the May 3 election, with Mr Albanese promising to legislate a 20 per cent discount of student debts as its first priority. Mr Albanese will also highlight Labor's election vow to ensure 90 per cent of GP visits are bulk-billed by 2030, progress on reaching net zero emissions by 2050, and its continued target to build 1.2 million new homes through the Housing Accords as other key areas for 'delivery' in Labor's second term. 'Our second term agenda has been shaped by the lives and priorities of the Australian people. And it is built on Australian values,' he will say. 'It is the mission and the measure of a Labor government to give those enduring ideals of fairness, aspiration and opportunity renewed and deeper meaning, for more Australians. 'To deliver reforms that hold no-one back – and drive progress that leaves no-one behind.' The government will also expand its First Home Guarantee scheme to all first home buyers, regardless of income caps, which allow them to purchase an eligible property with a 5 per cent deposit, while also avoiding lender's mortgage insurance. Labor has also committed to investing $10bn to build 100,000 new homes which will be earmarked for firsthome buyers. Since Labor's election landslide on May 3, it has faced attacks on its plan to bring in a 30 per cent tax on superannuation balances over $3m. While the Greens have already flagged it will work with Labor to most likely pass the tax in the Senate, the Coalition have criticised the policy as a 'grab for revenue'. However Jim Chalmers has rebuked changes to the tax, calling the changes 'modest' and 'methodical,' which will make a 'meaningful difference to the budget'.
