logo
US Halts Visitor Visa Process for All Gazans

US Halts Visitor Visa Process for All Gazans

Leaders10 hours ago
The US State Department unveiled on Saturday that it has suspended the issuance of all visitor visas for individuals from Gaza, pending a 'comprehensive review' of procedures for granting temporary medical visas to Gaza residents, according to Reuters.
'All visitor visas for individuals from Gaza are being stopped while we conduct a full and thorough review of the process and procedures used to issue a small number of temporary medical-humanitarian visas in recent days,' the department wrote in a statement posted to X. Suspending Visitor Visas
Notably, Conservative firebrand Laura Loomer said that the announcement came 'following the release of my reports yesterday exposing flights of GAZANS arriving at airports all across the US.'
On Friday, Loomer posted several claims alleging that Gazans were being flown to the US with the help of HEAL Palestine, a humanitarian group that evacuates and provides medical care for Injured Gazans —especially children —wounded by Israel's ongoing aggression on Gaza.
The organization has announced the successful evacuation of 148 total Gazans, including 63 injured children, bringing them to the US for medical care.
Through a vast array of posts, Loomer criticized the program, demanding that 'the Trump administration needs to shut this abomination down ASAP before a family member of one of these GAZANS goes rogue and kills Americans for HAMAS.'
In a response, several pro-Israel Republicans have strongly supported these claims.
'Deeply concerned about the incoming flights – including to Texas – allegedly filled with folks from Gaza as reported by @LauraLoomer. Inquiring,' Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) wrote on Friday.
Following the State Department's announcement, Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.) credited activist Laura Loomer for influencing the decision, writing on X that 'massive credit needs to be given to @LauraLoomer for uncovering this and making me and other officials aware.' Gaza War
Currently, Israel is facing regional and international pressure to put an end to its war in the Palestinian enclave and allow the delivery of more aid.
At the same time, the Israeli government has been facing harsh criticism from countries, nations, and individuals who considered the war as a genocide or ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.
Since the beginning of Hamas-Israel War, the Israeli strikes have killed more than 61,499 Palestinians and wounded over 152,800, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.
Dozens of Gazans including children have lost their souls due to malnutrition throughout the war that caused unthinkable humanitarian conditions.
Related Topics:
'Do Not Forget Gaza': The Final Will of Anas Al-Sharif
Israel to Force Palestinians South of Gaza as Israelis Call for Nationwide Strike
Germany Halts Arms Exports to Israel Amid Gaza Offensive
Short link :
Post Views: 23
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Mass protests in Tel Aviv call for end to Gaza war, release of hostages
Mass protests in Tel Aviv call for end to Gaza war, release of hostages

Al Arabiya

timean 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.

Japan opposes Israel's plan to take control of Gaza
Japan opposes Israel's plan to take control of Gaza

Arab News

time6 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.

British Punk Duo Bob Vylan Speaks against Israel's Actions in Gaza
British Punk Duo Bob Vylan Speaks against Israel's Actions in Gaza

Leaders

time10 hours ago

  • Leaders

British Punk Duo Bob Vylan Speaks against Israel's Actions in Gaza

The punk-rap duo Bob Vylan made headlines around the world last month when they publicly expressed their solidarity with Palestine and criticized Israel's conduct of war in Gaza. At Glastonbury Festival in June, frontman rapper, Bobby Vylan, led chants of 'Free, Free Palestine' and 'Death, Death to the IDF (Israeli military).' Moreover, Bobby Vylan made a strong statement in support for Palestine, saying 'From the river to the sea, Palestine must be, and will be, free.' The incident triggered controversy across the world, drawing both criticism and support amid growing outrage over Israel's actions in Gaza. The UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, called the chant 'appalling,' while the British police investigated the incident. Moreover, the band has been dropped from several shows, including France and Germany, and had their US visas revoked. Many people across the UK interpreted the chant as a call for the death of Israeli soldiers. However, Bobby Vylan explained in an Instagram post that he was not calling 'for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people.' 'We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine. A machine whose own soldiers were told to use 'unnecessary lethal force' against innocent civilians waiting for aid. A machine that has destroyed much of Gaza,' the British singer clarified. Short link : Post Views: 37

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store