Israeli Military Admits Iron Dome Failed To Stop Iranian Missile In Beersheba; At Least 7 Injured
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Indian Express
a minute ago
- Indian Express
Israel says it has taken first steps of military operation in Gaza City, ‘IDF holding positions on the outskirts'
Israel's military on Wednesday announced that it has taken the first steps in the planned operation to take over Gaza City. 'We have begun the preliminary operations and the first stages of the attack on Gaza City, and already now IDF forces are holding the outskirts of Gaza City,' Brigadier General Effie Defrin, Israel's military spokesman, said. Following a clash with Hamas south of Khan Younis in the strip on Wednesday, he said: 'We will deepen the attack on Hamas in Gaza City, a stronghold of governmental and military terror for the terrorist organization.' 'While operating in Gaza, we are also continuing offensive and defensive activities on the Lebanese border, in Syria and in Judea and Samaria. We continue to monitor developments in Iran,' Defrin said further. Earlier in the day, the Israeli military said that Defence Minister Yoav Gallant had approved plans for a new phase of operations and 60,000 reservists would be called up. According to the military, the reserve soldiers would not report for duty until September, an interval that was expected to give the mediators some time to bridge gaps between Hamas and Israel over truce terms. However, after Israeli troops clashed with Hamas fighters in the Palestinian enclave on Wednesday, Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the Prime Minister sped up the timeline for taking control of Hamas strongholds and defeating the militant group. Israel has been under increasing international criticism, including from some of its closest allies, over its plan to seize Gaza's biggest urban centre, an operation likely to force the displacement of many more Palestinians. Israel currently holds about 75% of the Gaza Strip and Netanyahu has said that his country was not looking to occupy the region, but to 'free it from Hamas'. Before the war broke out, the Gaza Strip was home to about 2.3 million Palestinians, including many who were displaced in previous conflicts. Israel has accused Hamas of operating from within civilian infrastructure in Gaza including including homes, schools, hospitals and mosques, many of which have been destroyed since the conflict started nearly two years ago. The war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, as a retaliation for the Hamas cross-border terror attack in Israel that left around 1,200 people dead. Over 62,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's air and ground war in Gaza since then, according to Gaza health officials. Various international efforts, including those by Israel's close allies and Arab nations, have so far failed to end the killings and free around 50 hostages, who are still being held in Gaza by Hamas. On Monday, Hamas accepted a proposal put forward by Arab mediators, Egypt and Qatar for a 60-day ceasefire that would involve releasing some of the remaining hostages and freeing Palestinian prisoners in Israel. The Israeli government, which insists on the release of all the 50 remaining hostages at once, has not commented on the ceasefire deal, saying it is studying the proposal. Israeli authorities believe that 20 hostages are still alive.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Netanyahu Criticises Australian PM Over Palestine Support, Calls Him ‘Weak Politician'
Last Updated: Netanyahu's outburst came just days after Australia confirmed on August 11 that it would support Palestine's statehood bid. Israel has continued to escalate its rhetoric against countries recognising Palestinian statehood, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu now targeting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. In a scathing post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Netanyahu labelled Albanese as a 'weak politician". Netanyahu's outburst came just days after Australia confirmed on August 11 that it would vote to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September. The Israeli leader, visibly angered by the move, posted, 'History will remember Mr. Albanese for what he is: A weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia's Jews." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:History will remember Albanese for what he is: A weak politicianwho betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia's Jews. — Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) August 19, 2025 Despite the personal nature of the attack, Albanese refused to respond. Speaking to reporters, he stated, 'I don't take these things personally. I treat leaders of other countries with respect. I engage with them in a diplomatic way." He emphasised that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a global issue and that people want to see an end to it, along with a stop to the cycle of violence. ABC, referencing Netanyahu's combative tone toward nations such as Britain, France, Ireland, Norway, Spain, and Canada. In a separate statement targeting those countries, Netanyahu had previously written, 'I say to President Macron, Prime Minister Carney, and Prime Minister Starmer: when mass murderers, rapists, baby killers and kidnappers thank you, you're on the wrong side of justice." Tensions escalated further when Australian authorities cancelled the visa of Zionist leader MK Simcha Rothman, citing concerns that his planned speaking tour would 'spread division." In retaliation, Israel revoked the residency visas of Australia's representatives to the Palestinian Authority. Australia's support for Palestinian statehood marks another blow to Israel's shrinking list of diplomatic allies. Countries pushing for recognition have increasingly called on Netanyahu to address the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and work toward a resolution to the long-standing conflict. view comments First Published: August 21, 2025, 01:01 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
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First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
'Court is a national security threat': US sanctions ICC judges over Netanyahu arrest warrant, sparking global backlash
'The Court is a national security threat that has been an instrument for lawfare against the United States and our close ally Israel,' Rubio said in a statement The United States on Wednesday defiantly expanded efforts to hobble the International Criminal Court over its prosecution of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, sanctioning a judge from ally France. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also targeted a Canadian judge in a separate case in his latest volley of sanctions against the tribunal in The Hague, which is backed by virtually all other Western democracies as a court of last resort. 'The Court is a national security threat that has been an instrument for lawfare against the United States and our close ally Israel,' Rubio said in a statement, using a term popular with President Donald Trump's supporters. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He attacked the court for investigating US and Israeli citizens 'without the consent of either nation.' Among the four people newly slapped with sanctions was Judge Nicolas Guillou of France, who is presiding over a case in which an arrest warrant was issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. France - whose president, Emmanuel Macron, was in Washington two days earlier - expressed 'dismay' over the action. The sanctions are 'in contradiction to the principle of an independent judiciary,' a foreign ministry spokesman said in Paris. The ICC in its own statement denounced the 'flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution.' The court's prosecution alleges Netanyahu is responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Israel's offensive in Gaza including by intentionally targeting civilians and using starvation as a method of war. Netanyahu saluted Rubio for his 'decisive act against a smear campaign of lies against the State of Israel' and the Israeli army. Israel launched the massive offensive in response to an unprecedented attack by Hamas against Israel in which mostly civilians were killed. The ICC has also sought the arrest of former Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas commander Mohammed Deif, who has since been confirmed killed by Israel. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Guillou is a veteran jurist who previously participated in trials over Kosovo and Lebanon. He worked for several years in the United States assisting the Justice Department with judicial cooperation during Barack Obama's presidency. Under the sanctions, he will be refused entry to the United States and any assets he has in the world's largest economy will be blocked – measures more often taken against US adversaries than citizens of friendly nations. Defending Israel, exempting Putin Also targeted by the latest US sanctions was a Canadian judge, Kimberly Prost, who was involved in a case that authorized an investigation into alleged crimes committed during the war in Afghanistan, including by US forces. Rubio also slapped sanctions on two deputy prosecutors – Nazhat Shameem Khan of Fiji and Mame Mandiaye Niang of Senegal. The State Department said the two were punished by the United States for supporting 'illegitimate ICC actions against Israel,' including by supporting the arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant. Rubio imposed sanctions on four other ICC judges in June. The Trump administration has roundly rejected the authority of the court, which was set up as a court of last resort when national systems do not allow for justice. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump on Friday welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to Alaska even though Putin faces an ICC arrest warrant, a factor that has stopped him from traveling more widely since he ordered the invasion of Ukraine. The United States, Russia and Israel are among the nations that reject the ICC. Previous president Joe Biden's administration also opposed its action against Israel but withdrew previous sanctions and was open to narrow cooperation with the ICC, including in gathering evidence in Ukraine.
