Has Israel's objective in attacking Iran shifted – from de-nuclearization to regime change?
Iran responded with missile strikes of its own, targeting Tel Avi and Haifa among other sites and military targets. While more than 200 people have been killed in Iran, more than 20 casualties have been reported in Israel.
The two sides have been trading steadily escalating strikes since, and now Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pressing hard for the US to join his war. How credible is Israel's justification for starting the war – namely, that it wants to shut down Iran's nuclear program – given that it is now speaking of regime change? How do the two sides stack up militarily if the conflict were to drag on? What are Iran's options if the US joins the war?
Guest: Stanly Johny, The Hindu's International Affairs Editor.
Host: G. Sampath
Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian.
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- First Post
Israel weighs Hamas truce offer amid Gaza offensive plans, hostage release talks intensify
Israel is studying Hamas' response to a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire and release of half the hostages still held in Gaza, two Israeli officials said on Tuesday, although one source reiterated that all Israeli captives must be freed for the war to end A view of destroyed buildings in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border between Gaza and Israel, on Tuesday. Reuters Israel is studying Hamas' response to a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire and release of half the hostages still held in Gaza, two Israeli officials said on Tuesday, although one source reiterated that all Israeli captives must be freed for the war to end. Efforts to pause the fighting gained new momentum over the past week after Israel announced plans for a new offensive to seize control of Gaza City at the heart of the Palestinian enclave. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Mediators Egypt and Qatar have been pushing proposals to restart indirect talks between the sides on a US-backed ceasefire plan. The proposals include the release of 200 Palestinian convicts jailed in Israel and an unspecified number of imprisoned women and minors, in return for 10 living and 18 deceased hostages from Gaza, according to a Hamas official. Two Egyptian security sources confirmed the details, and added that Hamas has requested the release of hundreds of Gaza detainees as well. Israel says a total of 50 hostages remain in Gaza, 20 of them still alive. 'Israel's policy is consistent and has not changed. Israel demands the release of all 50 hostages in accordance with the principles established by the cabinet for ending the war. We are in the final decisive stage of Hamas and will not leave any hostage behind,' an Israeli political source said. The comment, while adamant, fell short of an outright rejection of the proposal on the table. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to convene discussions about the ceasefire proposal soon, the two Israeli officials said. A response was expected in the coming two days, said a Palestinian source close to the talks. Before Hamas responded on Monday to the proposal, Netanyahu had ruled out any deal that excluded the return of all the hostages. Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said the 60-day truce deal would include 'a pathway to a comprehensive agreement to end the war.' The proposal includes a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces, which presently control 75% of Gaza and the entry of more humanitarian aid into the enclave, where a population of 2.2 million people is increasingly facing famine. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Israel had previously agreed to the outline, advanced by U.S. special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, but negotiations faltered over some of its details. The last round of talks ended in deadlock in late July. While Israel's political echelon weighed a response, Defence Minister Israel Katz met commanders late on Tuesday. Public broadcaster Kan's military correspondent Itay Blumental said on X the meeting was to approve plans to capture Gaza City. The post cited four stages to the plans: building humanitarian infrastructure in the southern Gaza Strip, evacuation of Gaza City, encirclement of Gaza City and manoeuvring into Gaza City. Thousands of people fearing an imminent Israeli ground offensive are estimated to have fled the area in the past few days for points to the west and south in the shattered territory. On the ground, there were no signs of a ceasefire nearing as Israeli gunfire, tank shelling and airstrikes killed at least 20 Palestinians on Tuesday, according to Gaza health officials. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD At a shelter in Khan Younis, in the south of the enclave, displaced people had mixed feelings over whether a deal would be reached this time. 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The Hindu
4 hours ago
- The Hindu
No Aadhaar, no access to welfare schemes: officials offer to help tribal families
Following The Hindu's Spotlight report, 'An anonymous life without an Aadhaar identity' on August 17, government authorities from the Education and Tribal Departments, Aadhaar Seva Kendra, and the district administration, have reached out to NGOs to address the difficulties faced by families and children without Aadhaar or other government documents. Many tribal families in Maharashtra remain excluded from welfare schemes, schooling, health care and ration because they don't have Aadhaar cards, leaving children unable to secure school admissions or scholarships. Without an official identity, families face constant harassment, repeated rejection at government offices, and a life of invisibility, despite court rulings that essential services cannot be denied for want of Aadhaar. Aadhaar is a 12-digit individual identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India on behalf of the Government of India. The number serves as a proof of identity and address in India. The Aadhaar number remains valid for life. Many services, including banking, phone, and government departments ask for it. Rajashri Yewale, a supervisor with Pune-based Swadhar Institute for Development of Women & Children, a non-profit organisation working in slums and settlements, received a call from an Aadhaar Seva Kendra official. 'The Aadhaar card officer enquired about the children who do not go to school. He reached out to me after reading the newspaper report in The Hindu. He assured me that he will look into the matter,' Ms. Yewale said. In November 2024, the NGO prepared a list of 136 children without Aadhaar cards in various settlements and submitted it to the various government departments in the State. By August 2025, 16 children migrated with their parents. Ms. Yewale said for over one year, they had tried to address the issue by reaching out to various government departments but nothing happened. Later in the evening, the same day, NGO coordinator Kalyani Jagtap also received a call from the same officer, who sought details of the affected families and children. 'He shared his Email id and asked me to submit the list of children who require an Aadhaar card along with other government documents such as birth certificates. I have submitted a list of 120 children to him. The officer has given assurance to address it at the earliest,' she said. For every child On Monday, the NGO also received calls from the Education Department. 'The officials asked us what we needed. We told them we want not just enrolment, but also government documents created — birth certificates, Aadhaar, voter ID, and bank accounts — for every parent and child. They assured us that the children would be registered on the Maharashtra Education Department's Systematic Administrative Reforms for Achieving Learning (SARAL) portal and will be benefited by the direct beneficiary transfers that will allow them to receive uniforms, stationery, notebooks and allowances under the Right to Education Act,' Ms. Jagtap added. SARAL portal asks for every student's Aadhaar, as it helps link students to government schemes such as scholarships, free uniforms and textbooks.
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- The Hindu
Justice Tiruvarur Muthuswami Iyer statue in Chennai: Remembering an icon of the Madras High Court
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