Hamas rejects Israel's Gaza relocation plan
The group said the planned deployment of tents and other shelter equipment by Israel in southern Gaza Strip was a 'blatant deception.'
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Al Arabiya
an hour ago
- Al Arabiya
Mass protests in Tel Aviv call for end to Gaza war, release of hostages
Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered on Sunday evening in Tel Aviv to call for an end to the war in Gaza and the release of hostages, one of the largest demonstrations in Israel since the start of the fighting in October 2023. The rally was the culmination of a day of nationwide protests and a general strike to pressure the government to halt the military campaign. 'Bring them all home! Stop the war!' shouted the vast crowd which had converged on the so-called 'Hostage Square' in Tel Aviv plaza -- a focal point for protesters throughout the war. The Hostage and Missing Families Forum, the initiator of the day of protest, estimated that about 500,000 people joined the evening demonstration in Tel Aviv -- a figure not confirmed by the police. 'We demand a comprehensive and achievable agreement and an end to the war. We demand what is rightfully ours -- our children,' said Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan and a leading figure of the protest movement. 'The Israeli government has transformed a just war into a pointless war,' she told the crowd. National media published a video message by Matan Zangauker on Sunday, in which the hostage, weak and emaciated, addressed his family and told them he missed them. The video was filmed by Hamas and found in Gaza by the army, the family said. 'This is probably the last minute we have to save the hostages,' demonstrator Ofir Penso, 50, told AFP. A day of protests The protests come more than a week after Israel's security cabinet approved plans to capture Gaza City, 22 months into a war that has created a dire humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum campaign group vowed Sunday that protesters would 'shut down the country' with the goal of bringing back the hostages and ending the war. Throughout the country, demonstrators blocked traffic arteries, set tires on fire and clashed with the police. More than 30 protesters were arrested, law enforcement said. In many places, though, AFP journalists saw businesses carrying on unimpeded. In Jerusalem's main shopping district, it was business as usual. A shop assistant in the city center said the owner supported the campaign for the hostages' return but chose not to participate in the strike. 'Everyone is helping the way they can,' she said, declining to give her name. Netanyahu slammed the protesters, saying their actions 'not only harden Hamas's position and draw out the release of our hostages, but also ensure that the horrors of October 7 will reoccur.' Egypt said in recent days mediators were leading a renewed push to secure a 60-day truce deal that includes hostages being released, after the last round of talks in Qatar ended without a breakthrough. Some Israeli government members who oppose any deal with Hamas slammed Sunday's demonstrations. Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich decried 'a perverse and harmful campaign that plays into the hands of Hamas' and calls for 'surrender.' However, Benny Gantz, an opposition leader, condemned the government for 'attacking the families of the hostages' while 'bearing responsibility for the captivity of their children by Hamas for nearly two years.' Famine warnings The Israeli plan to expand the war into Gaza City and nearby refugee camps has sparked an international outcry as well as domestic opposition. On Sunday, Israeli military chief of staff Lieutenant General Eya Zamir said the army was moving ahead with a plan 'focusing on Gaza City.' Hamas warned it would result in 'a new wave of extermination and mass displacement.' Army Radio said residents would be evacuated before troops encircled and seized Gaza City in the coming weeks, with tens of thousands of reservists called up. UN-backed experts have warned of widespread famine unfolding in the territory, where Israel has heavily limited the amount of humanitarian aid it allows in. Gaza's civil defense agency said Israeli fire on Sunday killed over sixty Palestinians, including at least 37 waiting to collect food aid near two sites. The conflict began with Palestinian militant group Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, during which 251 people were taken hostage. Forty-nine captives remain in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead. Hamas's assault resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Israel's offensive has killed more than 61,944 Palestinians, most of them women and children, according to figures from the health ministry in Gaza which the United Nations considers reliable.
Arab News
6 hours ago
- Arab News
Japan opposes Israel's plan to take control of Gaza
TOKYO: Japan opposes Israel's plan to take control of Gaza as it undermines the realization of a two-state solution, Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi said in a statement issued by the ministry on Monday. Japan is strongly concerned that this decision will further exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. 'Japan once again urges all parties to return to negotiations and to work in good faith towards a ceasefire and the release of hostages,' Iwaya said. 'Improving the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza is an urgent priority. Japan calls on Israel to take substantive measures to end the serious humanitarian crisis, including starvation, and reiterates our strong demand for its full compliance with international law, including international humanitarian law,' the statement added. Japan has consistently supported a two-state solution, whereby Israel and a future independent Palestinian state live side by side in peace and security, through confidence building and negotiations between the parties. Japan remains committed to continuing to work for its realization, according to the statement. Despite repeated calls for restraint from the international community and humanitarian aid institutions, Israel has continued to push with its attacks on civilian homes, schools, hospitals and even places of worship in Gaza. In its latest move, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his plan to relocate Palestinians from their homes in northern Gaza City to 'safe' ones in the south, ahead of a new offensive to seize control of the the enclave's largest urban center. The plan has raised international alarm over the fate of the devastated strip, home to about 2.2 million people.
Al Arabiya
7 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Exclusive Aoun tells Iran: No interference in our affairs, Hezbollah arms a Lebanese decision
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has told Al Arabiya in an interview that Beirut's message is clear: Iran should not interfere in Lebanon's internal affairs. Aoun said that he conveyed this directly to Iran's National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani, who visited Beirut last week. He said Lebanon's relationship with Iran 'is based on respect,' adding: 'Iran is a friendly state, but on the basis of preserving our sovereignty … our message is clear: Iran will not interfere in our affairs.' The president also stressed that the question of Hezbollah's weapons 'is a Lebanese decision and does not concern Iran.' Aoun said the US proposal delivered by envoy Tom Barrack included 'Israeli withdrawal and the revival of Lebanon's economy.' He explained that Lebanon had two choices: either accept the American paper or face isolation. 'But we did not receive any threats to implement the proposal's terms,' he added. 'We are waiting for Washington to secure Israel's approval of Tom Barrack's plan.' On his relationship with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Aoun described it as 'more than excellent' and said he was open 'to discussing any issue, but only under the authority of the state.' He stressed that his top priority was 'ensuring the country's security and stability.' He continued: 'We are trying to spare Lebanon any internal or external conflicts, because they have exhausted us.' He also emphasized that 'the Shia community is an essential and influential component of our country. There is no threat to any sect, and I stand by my words.' Aoun welcomed 'anyone who wants to help Lebanon without interfering in our affairs.' He thanked Saudi Arabia for its support, noting that Riyadh played a role in ending Lebanon's presidential vacuum. He also stressed Lebanon's commitment to improving relations with Syria and demarcating the border 'under Saudi sponsorship.' 'We will not compromise on our relationship with Saudi Arabia,' Aoun said, adding that it dates back to the era of the Kingdom's founding king. On the economy, Aoun said: 'Our country is on the path to economic prosperity through the reforms we are implementing.' He emphasized that no one is above accountability, noting that the judiciary is working seriously to fight corruption. On the Palestinian file, Aoun said Lebanon 'has not opened the door to any direct dialogue with Israel' and reaffirmed Lebanon's firm rejection of resettling Palestinians. Regarding weapons in Palestinian refugee camps, he said: 'The decision to disarm the camps was taken by the Palestinian Authority itself, but the Iran-Israel conflict and Palestinian considerations have delayed implementation.' Lebanon's political circles are awaiting the arrival of US envoy Tom Barrack and Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus, who are expected in Beirut with new ideas on a plan to place all weapons under state control. The visit comes amid rising tensions following a speech by Hezbollah's leader, Naim Qassem, which sparked strong reactions and complicated the political scene. Qassem accused the government on Friday of 'handing Lebanon over to Israel' with its decision to strip Hezbollah of its weapons, warning this could lead to 'civil war.' Prime Minister Nawaf Salam denounced the remarks, rejecting what he described as a 'veiled threat.' Lebanese authorities have recently taken a firmer stance against Hezbollah and Tehran. Both President Aoun and Prime Minister Salam told Larijani last week that they reject 'any interference' in Lebanon's internal affairs, following Iran's criticism of the disarmament decision. For the first time in the history of Lebanon-Iran relations, senior Lebanese officials have spoken this bluntly and openly to an Iranian envoy. Iran remains Hezbollah's chief backer, providing money and weapons for decades. The government's move – described by Hezbollah's opponents as 'historic' – was framed as part of implementing the US-brokered ceasefire agreement that ended the Hezbollah-Israel war on November 27. The decision stipulates that only Lebanon's official security and military institutions may carry weapons.
