Union flags and poppy wreaths among items burned on blazing bonfire in Londonderry on Friday

a day ago

Union flags and poppy wreaths were among items burned on a blazing bonfire in Londonderry on Friday.Earlier, Northern Ireland's First Minister said there was no place for the burning of flags or emblems in the region.Michelle O'Neill said the overwhelming majority of people in Northern Ireland want a 'better future for their children and grandchildren, free from sectarianism and hate'.Her comments, on social media, came ahead of the burning of the two bonfires in the Bogside and Creggan areas of Derry.The towering pyres were adorned with Union flags, Israel flags, poppy wreaths and other emblems.At the Meenan Square bonfire in the Bogside, organisers also placed a Parachute Regiment flag, as well as flags with the images of the King and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Crowds began to gather as Friday evening progressed, ahead of the expected ignition at about 11pm.Bonfires are traditionally lit in some nationalist areas of Derry in August, historically associated with the anniversary of the introduction of internment without trial during the Troubles and other significant events.It follows the lighting of hundreds of bonfires during festivities in loyalist areas of Northern Ireland in July, which also saw the burning of flags, symbols and effigies.Ms O'Neill, who is the leader of Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland's Executive, said: 'There is no place for illegal, unregulated bonfires or the burning of flags and emblems, whether that's today in Derry or what we witnessed across the North in July.'She added: 'Derry is a city undergoing significant transformation, with the largest investment in its history agreed, totalling £300m.'This investment will create new jobs, transform community facilities, build more homes, support local businesses and deliver the expansion of Magee University.'Derry is moving forward. Our island is moving forward.'And I will continue to do everything I can to keep us moving forward to a future where every person and every community can thrive free from sectarianism.'Those behind the bonfires were condemned by Alliance deputy leader Eoin Tennyson, who called for regulation to 'end these hateful displays'.He said: 'Each year, we witness a repeated cycle of sectarianism, hate, and bigotry during bonfire season.'The placing of flags and offensive materials on bonfires is utterly unacceptable. Those responsible only seek to intimidate and sow division in our communities.'

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Dozens arrested in Israel as striking protesters demand ceasefire and hostage release

ITV News

2 minutes ago

ITV News

Dozens arrested in Israel as striking protesters demand ceasefire and hostage release

Police in Israel have arrested at least 32 people protesting for the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas and demanding a ceasefire in the war in Gaza. Striking protesters blocked traffic and closed businesses, weeks after militant groups released videos of hostages and the Israeli government announced plans for a new offensive in Gaza. The so-called 'day of stoppage' was organized by two groups representing some of the families of hostages and bereaved families. Demonstrations were staged outside politicians' homes, military headquarters and on major roads. Gathering throughout the country, protesters chanted: 'We don't win a war over the bodies of hostages.' 'Military pressure doesn't bring hostages back - it only kills them,' former hostage Arbel Yehoud said at a demonstration in Tel Aviv 's hostage square. 'The only way to bring them back is through a deal, all at once, without games.' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his plan to take over Gaza City on August 8, as well as confirming he "intends to" take over the whole Gaza Strip. The Israeli military has repeatedly bombarded Gaza City and launched major ground operations there, destroying several neighbourhoods. Most of Gaza's population of two million is sheltering in Gaza City after returning to the city during a ceasefire at the start of this year. Israel's air and ground war has already killed tens of thousands of people in Gaza and displaced most of the population. The United Nations is warning that levels of starvation and malnutrition in Gaza are at their highest since the war began. 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.

Israeli protesters go on strike and demand ceasefire

The National

39 minutes ago

The National

Israeli protesters go on strike and demand ceasefire

The action, organised by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, marked a fresh push, weeks after militant groups released videos of hostages and Israel signalled plans for a new Gaza offensive. Protesters fear further fighting could endanger the 50 hostages believed to remain in Gaza, only about 20 of whom are thought to be alive. They chanted, 'We don't win a war over the bodies of hostages' and demanded a deal. Police made more than two dozen arrests for 'disruption of order'. They said that most of the protests had not been disruptive, but acknowledged several exceptions and said they 'will act firmly against anyone who violates the law or endangers public order'. 'Today, we stop everything to save and bring back the hostages and soldiers. Today, we stop everything to remember the supreme value of the sanctity of life,' said Anat Angrest, mother of hostage Matan Angrest. 'Today, we stop everything to join hands — right, left, centre and everything in between.' Although Israel's largest labour union, Histadrut, ultimately did not join Sunday's action, strikes of this magnitude are relatively rare in Israel. Many businesses and municipalities decided independently to strike. Still, an end to the genocide does not appear near. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded the immediate release of the hostages but is balancing competing pressures, haunted by the potential for mutiny within his coalition. Far-right members of his cabinet insist they will not support any deal that allows Hamas to retain power. The last time Israel agreed to a ceasefire that released hostages, they threatened to topple Netanyahu's government. READ MORE: Israel in talks to resettle Palestinians in South Sudan, sources say Finance minister Bezalel Smotrich on Sunday called the stoppage 'a bad and harmful campaign that plays into Hamas' hands, buries the hostages in the tunnels and attempts to get Israel to surrender to its enemies and jeopardize its security and future.' Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen's capital on Sunday, escalating strikes on Iran-backed Houthis, who since the war began have fired missiles at Israel and targeted ships in the Red Sea. Both the IDF and a Houthi-run television station in Yemen announced the strikes. Al-Masirah Television said they targeted a power plant in the southern district of Sanhan, sparking a fire and knocking it out of service. Israel's military said Sunday's strikes targeted energy infrastructure it claimed was being used by the Houthis, and were launched in response to missiles and drones aimed at Israel. While some projectiles have breached its missile defences — notably during its war with Iran in June — Israel has intercepted the vast majority of missiles launched from Yemen. While demonstrators in Israel demanded a ceasefire, Israel began preparing for an invasion of Gaza City and other populated parts of the besieged strip, aimed at destroying Hamas. The military body that co-ordinates its humanitarian aid to Gaza said on Sunday that the supply of tents to the territory would resume. Cogat said it would allow the United Nations to resume importing tents and shelter equipment into Gaza ahead of plans to forcibly evacuate people from combat zones 'for their protection'. Tents and the majority of assistance has been blocked from entering Gaza since Israel imposed a total blockade in March after a ceasefire collapsed. Deliveries have since partially resumed, though aid organisations say the flow is far below what is needed. Some have accused Israel of 'weaponising aid' through blockades and rules they say turn humanitarian assistance into a tool of its political and military goals. Israel's air and ground war has already killed tens of thousands of people in Gaza and displaced most of the population. The United Nations is warning that levels of starvation and malnutrition in Gaza are at their highest since the war began.

Protesters go on strike in Israel demanding ceasefire and hostage releases

Glasgow Times

an hour ago

Glasgow Times

Protesters go on strike in Israel demanding ceasefire and hostage releases

The action, organised by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, marked a fresh push, weeks after militant groups released videos of hostages and Israel signalled plans for a new Gaza offensive. Protesters fear further fighting could endanger the 50 hostages believed to remain in Gaza, only about 20 of whom are thought to be alive. They chanted 'We don't win a war over the bodies of hostages' and demanded a deal. Demonstrators block a street during a protest (Mahmoud Illean/AP) 'Today, we stop everything to save and bring back the hostages and soldiers. Today, we stop everything to remember the supreme value of the sanctity of life,' said Anat Angrest, mother of hostage Matan Angrest. 'Today, we stop everything to join hands — right, left, centre and everything in between.' Police made more than two dozen arrests for 'disruption of order'. They said that most of the protests had not been disruptive, but acknowledged several exceptions and said they 'will act firmly against anyone who violates the law or endangers public order'. Although Israel's largest labor union, Histadrut, ultimately did not join Sunday's action, strikes of this magnitude are relatively rare in Israel. Many businesses and municipalities decided independently to strike. Still, an end to the conflict does not appear near. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded the immediate release of the hostages but is balancing competing pressures, haunted by the potential for mutiny within his coalition. Far-right members of his cabinet insist they will not support any deal that allows Hamas to retain power. The last time Israel agreed to a ceasefire that released hostages, they threatened to topple Mr Netanyahu's government. Finance minister Bezalel Smotrich on Sunday called the stoppage 'a bad and harmful campaign that plays into Hamas' hands, buries the hostages in the tunnels and attempts to get Israel to surrender to its enemies and jeopardize its security and future.' Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen's capital on Sunday, escalating strikes on Iran-backed Houthis, who since the war began have fired missiles at Israel and targeted ships in the Red Sea. Both the IDF and a Houthi-run television station in Yemen announced the strikes. Al-Masirah Television said they targeted a power plant in the southern district of Sanhan, sparking a fire and knocking it out of service. Israel's military said Sunday's strikes targeted energy infrastructure it claimed was being used by the Houthis, and were launched in response to missiles and drones aimed at Israel. While some projectiles have breached its missile defences — notably during its war with Iran in June — Israel has intercepted the vast majority of missiles launched from Yemen. While demonstrators in Israel demanded a ceasefire, Israel began preparing for an invasion of Gaza City and other populated parts of the besieged strip, aimed at destroying Hamas. The military body that co-ordinates its humanitarian aid to Gaza said on Sunday that the supply of tents to the territory would resume. Cogat said it would allow the United Nations to resume importing tents and shelter equipment into Gaza ahead of plans to forcibly evacuate people from combat zones 'for their protection'. Tents and the majority of assistance has been blocked from entering Gaza since Israel imposed a total blockade in March after a ceasefire collapsed. Deliveries have since partially resumed, though aid organisations say the flow is far below what is needed. Some have accused Israel of 'weaponising aid' through blockades and rules they say turn humanitarian assistance into a tool of its political and military goals. Israel's air and ground war has already killed tens of thousands of people in Gaza and displaced most of the population. The United Nations is warning that levels of starvation and malnutrition in Gaza are at their highest since the war began. 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 UN and independent experts consider it the most reliable source on casualties. Israel disputes its figures but has not provided its own.