Greta Thunberg pledges to continue fight for Palestinians after being deported by Israel
Swedish activist was one of 12 detained by Israeli authorities after trying to deliver aid to Gaza by boat
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
33 minutes ago
- The National
Iran and Turkey increasingly involved in Gaza negotiations as Egypt takes a step back
Iran and Turkey have become increasingly involved behind the scenes in negotiations to reach a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, sources familiar with the talks have told The National. Mediators from the US, Egypt and Qatar have been trying without success to broker a ceasefire since the last one collapsed in March. Neither Israel nor Hamas are making the compromises needed to pause or end the war − now in its 21st month − despite mounting international pressure over the rising civilian death toll and worsening humanitarian crisis. US President Donald Trump publicly acknowledged this week that Iran was playing a role in the talks. ' Gaza, right now, is in the midst of a massive negotiation between us and Hamas and Israel, and Iran actually is involved,' he said. Although his comment appeared to suggest that Iran's involvement was a new development, Tehran has in fact been indirectly involved in the process since the negotiations began soon after the start of the war in October 2023, according to the sources. As Hamas's chief foreign backer, Iran has offered behind-the-scenes counsel to negotiators from the Palestinian militant group and separately engaged in talks with Qatari and Egyptian mediators, they said. However, they noted Iran's involvement was currently at a higher-than-usual level, possibly as a result of talks that Tehran and Washington have been holding on Iran's nuclear programme. Mr Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, leads the US negotiating teams on both Gaza and Iran's nuclear programme. 'Iran has been present in the Gaza talks from day one,' said one of the sources. 'But its profile has grown in recent weeks. The nuclear talks between the Iranians and the Americans appear to have given both sides a chance to discuss Gaza as well.' The sources said that Turkey's role in the Gaza talks, while of a somewhat lower calibre than Iran's, has gained weight after its Islamist allies in Syria toppled Bashar Al Assad's regime in December and quickly established a rapport with the West − including the US − as the country emerges from 14 years of devastating civil war. Turkey, a close US ally and Nato's only Muslim member, maintains close ties with Hamas and is home to several of its senior officials as well as vast investments by the group. Moreover, Turkey, along with Algeria, are the most likely destinations for Hamas leaders that Israel wants to send into exile from Gaza. 'Turkey has shown itself to the United States as a capable regional player with the kind of weight that can influence or contribute to the handling of trouble spots like Gaza and Syria,' said one of the sources. Egypt, in contrast, has seen its role in the Gaza negotiations partially diminished, but not necessarily because of the increased relevance of Turkey and Iran, with whom Cairo has recently been forging close ties. The Trump administration's use of an American-Palestinian – Bishara Bahbah – as its main go-between with Hamas negotiators has partially eroded the role played by Egypt, which neighbours both Israel and Gaza, according to the sources. Even before Mr Bahbah emerged on the scene in March, US negotiators ignored Washington's designation of Hamas as a terrorist group to hold at least one round of direct talks with its leaders in Qatar. The sources said Egypt's reduced role could also be attributed to Cairo's tense relations with Washington over Mr Trump's proposal in January to resettle Gaza's population in other countries − mainly in Egypt and Jordan. Egypt rejected the proposal, saying it would not be party to another injustice to the Palestinians and warning it would not allow a mass movement of Palestinians into its territory. President Abdel Fattah El Sisi postponed indefinitely a White House visit in February, according to sources at the time, and Mr Trump did not include Egypt − a close US ally of 50 years − in his visit to the region in May. 'Egypt sees its regional role to be driven by its size, history and past leadership as well as its institutional capacity,' said Michael Hanna, a New York-based Middle East expert at the International Crisis Group think tank. 'Its relevance at present is dictated by its geography; sharing borders with trouble spots in Gaza, Libya and Sudan. But it definitely no longer has the reach farther afield,' Mr Hanna said. He said recent US moves on the Gaza file, like the use of Mr Bahbah and direct talks with Hamas, may have also made Cairo feel left out. Egypt had brokered truces that ended previous wars between Israel and Hamas, most recently in 2021. Its relations with Hamas have improved greatly since the 2010s, when Cairo accused the group of meddling in its affairs and supporting insurgents in the Sinai Peninsula. In contrast, Egypt's relations with Israel have soured since the Israel-Gaza war began and are now at their lowest point since they signed a US-sponsored peace treaty in 1979. Israeli right-wing news outlets frequently claim that Cairo is preparing for war against the country. Adding to Egypt's woes is that the fallout from the war in Gaza has harmed its own national security, notably the capture by Israel in May last year of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing in northern Sinai along with a narrow strip that runs the length of the Gaza-Egypt border. Israel maintains it captured the area to stop Hamas from receiving arms and other supplies through underground tunnels linking Egypt and Gaza. Egypt says it destroyed the tunnels nearly a decade ago. Attacks by Yemen's Houthis against Red Sea shipping since the start of the Gaza war have also hit hard traffic in Egypt's Suez Canal, denying Cairo billions of dollars in transit fees and deepening its economic crisis. The Houthis say the attacks are in solidarity with the Palestinians. Generally, said Mr Hanna, Egypt's regional weight has been somewhat devalued by its perennial economic woes. 'Egypt is often supplicant and that's not the posture of a country that can exert regional influence,' he added. Ammar Ali Hassan, a prominent Egyptian author and sociologist, said he partly disagreed with this analysis. 'Today's Egypt may have seen its regional role diminish despite its military capabilities,' he said. 'The absence of a clear political vision and will, as well as growing poverty, may have made safeguarding the country, rather than actively projecting regional influence − a priority given the turmoil surrounding Egypt.'
Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
Pakistan PM in UAE: President Sheikh Mohamed, Sharif discuss bilateral cooperation
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, where the two leaders held talks focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation and addressing key regional and international developments. The meeting, held at Qasr Al Shati, also included the exchange of Eid Al Adha greetings, with both leaders offering prayers for continued prosperity in their countries and peace across the Muslim world and beyond. Discussions centered on enhancing collaboration in economic, investment, and development sectors, with both sides reaffirming their shared commitment to deepening strategic ties. They also exchanged views on current regional challenges and emphasised the importance of supporting global efforts to promote peace and stability. Prime Minister Sharif praised the UAE's diplomatic leadership in advancing dialogue and conflict resolution and expressed appreciation for the UAE's continued support for Pakistan's development initiatives. Senior officials from both nations attended the meeting, which underscored the growing partnership between the UAE and Pakistan. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Sharif was welcomed at Al Bateen Airport by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser.
Middle East Eye
2 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
Blood or bread: Surviving Israel's vicious hunger regime in Gaza
Gaza's tragedy is not limited to the visible victims of massacres or the destruction of homes and cities. Alongside these horrors, Palestinians endure an unbearable level of psychological and social exhaustion, the result of a systematic Zionist policy designed to turn life in Gaza into a living hell. Even basic daily routines now demand extraordinary resilience. The simple act of survival has become a form of heroism. For more than 100 consecutive days, the Zionist colonial regime has employed one of the most vile and despicable methods of warfare ever conceived: depriving children, women and men of the most essential requirement for survival - food. Since 2 March 2025, the Israeli occupation army has closed Gaza's border crossings and entirely prohibited the entry of food, medicine or fuel. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Even prior to that date, the limited number of trucks allowed in failed to meet basic needs. But Israel exploited the world's acclimatisation to this collective punishment regime and escalated it, enforcing a total ban on food supplies. Empty shelves Palestinians in Gaza survived on the last remnants of flour and stored goods. But as the days dragged on, most items ran out. The few remaining became astronomically expensive - their prices skyrocketing 20 to 30 times. The majority of the population can no longer afford these extortionate prices. Parents are forced to ignore the cries of their hungry children and urge them to sleep on empty stomachs. Many can barely manage to secure a single, poor-quality meal per day, often a dish from a charitable soup kitchen. I ask the seller to place the biscuit in a black wrapper. He says he has none. So I hide the biscuit in my pocket like a thief But those kitchens, too, rely on border crossings to replenish their supplies. With them sealed, they resorted to existing stockpiles, which are also now running out. As a result, most have been forced to cease operations. Markets are nearly bare, with only a few stalls displaying a limited selection of items. Each morning, I walk more than 3km in search of anything edible. The era of relative comfort - when one could go out and buy a specific item from a nearby shop - is over. Now, we walk long distances not to buy, but to find out if anything can be bought at all. "Anything" in my case means a loaf of bread, a packet of biscuits, a few falafel balls - nothing more. Sometimes, I circle the market two or three times before giving up and returning to my tent. If I happen to spot something potentially purchasable, the second step is to brace myself before asking the price. Regardless of one's expectations, the answer is likely to be shocking. For example, a biscuit that once cost one shekel rose to three, then five, then 10, then 20. A chocolate bar that once cost five shekels ($1.40) climbed to 15, then 30, then 50, then 100 - before vanishing altogether. A sack of flour that once sold for $10 now costs $1,000. Stolen meals One of the most painful sights is the way children's eyes follow the goods on display. These are children whose parents cannot provide even the bare minimum, let alone what has now become a luxury. War on Gaza: How Israel is replicating Nazi starvation tactics Read More » I cannot bear their gazes. I can do very little to help. That is why, when I buy something like a biscuit, I ask the seller to place it in a black wrapper. He says he has none. So I hide the biscuit in my pocket like a thief. It is an uncomfortable feeling, but reality imposes a tremendous inner conflict. That biscuit might be my only meal of the day, and the number of children bearing the visible marks of deprivation far exceeds my ability to help. But the disappearance of goods and astronomical prices are not the only problems. There is also a severe cash shortage. For more than a year, banks in Gaza have been completely shut down. The occupying government has blocked the injection of liquidity that would enable people to carry out basic transactions. This is no accident - it is part of a broader effort to drive people to the brink. This war on liquidity has strangled people's ability to buy and sell. Traders have become excessively strict, scrutinising banknotes and coins, often refusing to accept them on the grounds that they are worn, scratched or slightly torn. This adds yet another layer to the psychological exhaustion. One might finally locate an item at a relatively "moderate" price - only 10 times the normal rate - only for the transaction to collapse because the seller refuses the buyer's money. Follow Middle East Eye's live coverage of the Israel-Palestine war Gone are the days when a seller would kindly say, "Take it now and pay later." Harsh conditions have replaced kindness with severity. If someone argues, "I didn't print this banknote - it came from the market and will return to it," the seller replies that another trader won't accept it either. In those moments, a person may feel an overwhelming urge to argue or even shout: "Why are you creating new problems? Are the ones imposed by the occupation not enough?" These are the daily battles faced in Gaza - not isolated frustrations, but constant, grinding confrontations. Cash war Recently, an even more alarming trend has emerged: traders now deduct a so-called "commission" in exchange for providing cash. Before the war, this fee had never exceeded 1 percent. Now, with banks closed and liquidity scarce, it has risen to five, then 15, 25, 40 - even 50 percent. Another example of the madness is how traders now compete with the people for their own money, leaving them with scraps. This war has exposed the greed of those merchants who exploit death to enrich themselves. This war on liquidity has strangled people's ability to buy and sell - sometimes a listed price vanishes at the till because worn notes are rejected But we must not lose sight of the real architect of this collapse: the Zionist extermination authorities, who have deliberately drained Gaza of cash in order to make life utterly unviable. After a wave of international condemnation from western governments over Israel's starvation policy, the extermination authorities adopted a new trick. They claimed they would allow some aid trucks into Gaza. After days of delay, a few lorries were permitted entry, barely meeting two percent of the population's needs. Then, during their journey, Israel bombed the security personnel escorting them, killing them, while looters attacked the aid under Israeli air force cover. This tactic - bombing escorts - has been repeated dozens of times. It is a clear signal that Israel is intentionally promoting social collapse and looting in Gaza. Aid as target Israel claims to be fighting Hamas's control over food supplies - a blatant lie that easily falls apart under scrutiny. The entities responsible for distribution are globally trusted, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa) and the World Food Programme. Since the start of this genocidal war, these organisations have proven their ability to distribute aid swiftly and effectively. But Israel's goal has shifted: it no longer seeks to merely "manage" the population - it wants to suffocate Palestinian society entirely, waging war on international humanitarian organisations in the process. Thus, it has adopted a policy of "permission to enter, not to deliver". A few trucks are allowed in - just enough to maintain a public relations cover - while those same trucks are blocked from reaching the warehouses of UN agencies for organised distribution. Israel has fully invested in generating chaos and societal collapse. With the repeated targeting of security escorts guarding aid trucks and worsening starvation, Gaza's social fabric is unravelling at a terrifying pace. The hungry now flood truck routes, attacking the lorries in a desperate bid to acquire flour or any other available food item. In this hopeless scramble, new victims fall daily, crushed in the chaos or attacked by armed gangs. These gangs, reading Israel's signal, now raid trucks and hoard the contents to sell back at extortionate prices to the starving population. Collapse by design The current equation in Gaza is brutally simple: To feed themselves or their children, people are left with only two options - either be wealthy enough to pay $1,000 for a sack of flour, or join an armed gang. And even then, success is not guaranteed - it may simply mean being shot by a rival group. Israel is starving Gaza to death, and still the world does nothing Mads Gilbert Read More » Israel has used every vile method imaginable to wage war on Gaza and render it uninhabitable: killing people with missiles, medical denial, starvation and now societal collapse. It is driving people to the edge, forcing them into a battle for food. How are decent people - those who sit in tents with their hungry children - supposed to survive this nightmare? How are they to compete with gangs and criminals for a loaf of bread for their families? Israel's message to the people of Gaza is clear: "If you want to survive starvation, you must become savages. You must abandon your humanity entirely. That's exactly what we expect of you." The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Eye.
