Israel to investigate after Palestinians killed trying to access aid

SBS Australia

3 days ago

TRANSCRIPT
Israel to investigate after Palestinians were killed and wounded trying to access aid in Gaza
Mourning in Sydney after an Alice Springs Aboriginal death in custody
Daria Kasatkina secures her spot in the fourth round of the French Open The Israeli military (IDF) says it will investigate every incident linked to its food distribution efforts in Gaza, after at least 31 Palestinians were killed and more than 170 wounded while trying to access aid. Witnesses claim Israeli forces opened fire on a crowd about a kilometre from an aid site in Rafah run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a private group which uses armed American security contractors. The IDF denies firing on civilians, saying only warning shots were used against what it calls suspects approaching troops. Speaking from Rafah, Brigadier General Effie Defrin says Hamas is obstructing the aid process. "Hamas is doing his best, his utmost to stop us from doing so. He's spreading rumours, fake news. He's trying bluntly and violently to stop the people of Gaza from reaching those distribution centres. I urge you not to believe every rumour spread by Hamas. We will investigate each and one of those incidents and each and one of those allegations." The deadly incident is the worst since Israel launched a new aid system less than a week ago. Mourners have gathered in Sydney to mark the death of a 24-year-old Aboriginal man who died after two plainclothes police officers restrained him. The incident occurred last week in the vicinity of Coles in Alice Springs, after an alleged shoplifting offence, and is being investigated as a death in custody. Vigils were held on Friday in Alice Springs to mourn the passing of 24-year-old Warlpiri man Kumanjayi White, whose family says he was vulnerable and had disabilities. The Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians has requested independent oversight of the investigation into his death, but Acting Commissioner of Northern Territory Police, Martin Dole, has rejected the idea. Advocate Lizzie Jarrett told mourners in Sydney the death in custody has hurt the whole Aboriginal community. "Put your heart and put your mind in the soul of a black mother right now, because our people, if you touch one of us, you touch all of us. So that young boy is my son, my nephew, my little brother. That's how we hold our people. So thank you all again for being here to hold space with us, it means really, really so much to us." The Prime Minister says Australia will determine its own defence policy, in response to a push from the United States to increase spending. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, US defence chief Pete Hegseth called for countries in Asia to increase defence spending to levels similar to the 5 per cent of GDP that NATO members are pledging to spend. He said increased military capabilities will be necessary to combat what he characterised as Chinese aggression in the region, an accusation China says is unwarranted. In a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the talks, Mr Hegseth raised the question of increased defence spending with Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles. Mr Albanese says Australia will make its own decisions, and this will include bolstering diplomatic relationships in the region. "What we'll do is we will determine our defence policy and we've invested an additional 10 billion dollars in defence. What we'll do is continue to provide for investing in our capability, but also investing in our relationships in the region." Ukrainian drones hit Russian airbases in largest single-day attack since the war began, targeting strategic bombers. It comes ahead of peace talks due to start in Istanbul on Monday. The Russian Defence Ministry says Ukraine launched drone strikes targeting Russian military airfields across five regions, causing several aircraft to catch fire. No casualties have been reported. Officials say some individuals involved in the attacks have been detained. Meanwhile, Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine has described the war between Russia and Ukraine as a proxy conflict involving NATO, reflecting Russian President Vladimir Putin's long-held position. Speaking on Fox News My View with Lara Trump, retired lieutenant general Keith Kellogg says President Putin views NATO's support for Ukraine as direct involvement in the war. "Putin has made those comments - well, if you're going to supply them with weapons, we continue with the part of the aggressor. And he considers this a proxy war by NATO as well. Right now, and frankly, in a way it is. You look at what European nations have done with support. I mean it's clearly, Putin sees that. So everybody's got to be willing to step back a bit. They've got to be willing to give a little bit." In tennis, Daria Kasatkina has defeated world number 10 Paula Badosa in the French Open, securing her spot in the fourth round. Kasatkina, who became an Australian citizen earlier this year, took the first set 6-1, before sealing victory in a second set tie-break. The win means that in a 37-year-first, Australia will have both a men's and women's player in the last 16 of the French Open, with Kasatkina joined by fellow compatriot Alexei Popyrin.
Kasatkina will next be up against her 18-year-old Russian friend Mirra Andreeva.