'Hamas starving hostages as Nazis starved Jews': Netanyahu responds to Hamas, PIJ hostage videos
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Indian Express
8 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Israel to decide next steps in Gaza after ceasefire talks collapse
Benjamin Netanyahu will convene his security cabinet this week to decide on Israel's next steps in Gaza following the collapse of indirect ceasefire talks with Hamas, with one senior Israeli source suggesting more force could be an option. Last Saturday, during a visit to the country, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff had said he was working with the Israeli government on a plan that would effectively end the war in Gaza. But Israeli officials have also floated ideas including expanding the military offensive in Gaza and annexing parts of the shattered enclave. The failed ceasefire talks in Doha had aimed to clinch agreements on a US-backed proposal for a 60-day truce, during which aid would be flown into Gaza and half of the hostages Hamas is holding would be freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners jailed in Israel. After Netanyahu met Witkoff last Thursday, a senior Israeli official said that 'an understanding was emerging between Washington and Israel,' of a need to shift from a truce to a comprehensive deal that would 'release all the hostages, disarm Hamas, and demilitarize the Gaza Strip,' – Israel's key conditions for ending the war. A source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Sunday that the envoy's visit was seen in Israel as 'very significant.' But later on Sunday, the Israeli official signalled that pursuit of a deal would be pointless, threatening more force: 'An understanding is emerging that Hamas is not interested in a deal and therefore the prime minister is pushing to release the hostages while pressing for military defeat. Israel's Channel 12 on Monday cited an official from his office as saying that Netanyahu was inclining towards expanding the offensive and seizing the entire Palestinian enclave. What a 'military defeat' might mean, however, is up for debate within the Israeli leadership. Some Israeli officials have suggested that Israel might declare it was annexing parts of Gaza as a means to pressure the militant group. Others, like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir want to see Israel impose military rule in Gaza before annexing it and re-establishing the Jewish settlements Israel evicted 20 years ago. The Israeli military, which has pushed back at such ideas throughout the war, was expected on Tuesday to present alternatives that include extending into areas of Gaza where it has not yet operated, according to two defence officials. While some in the political leadership are pushing for expanding the offensive, the military is concerned that doing so will endanger the 20 hostages who are still alive, the officials said. Israeli Army Radio reported on Monday that military chief Eyal Zamir has become increasingly frustrated with what he describes as a lack of strategic clarity by the political leadership, concerned about being dragged into a war of attrition with Hamas militants. A spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declined to comment on the report but said that the military has plans in store. 'We have different ways to fight the terror organization, and that's what the army does,' Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani said. On Tuesday, Qatar and Egypt endorsed a declaration by France and Saudi Arabia outlining steps toward a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which included a call on Hamas to hand over its arms to the Western-backed Palestinian Authority. Hamas has repeatedly said it won't lay down arms. But it has told mediators it was willing to quit governance in Gaza for a non-partisan ruling body, according to three Hamas officials. It insists that the post-war Gaza arrangement must be agreed upon among the Palestinians themselves and not dictated by foreign powers. Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar suggested on Monday that the gaps were still too wide to bridge. 'We would like to have all our hostages back. We would like to see the end of this war. We always prefer to get there by diplomatic means, if possible. But of course, the big question is, what will be the conditions for the end of the war?' he told journalists in Jerusalem.
The Print
23 minutes ago
- The Print
TMC mudslinging hits boiling point: Kalyan Banerjee steps down as party whip in LS, slams Mahua Moitra
He also expressed disappointment with the lack of action against party MP Mahua Moitra, with whom he had publicly clashed in April during the visit of a TMC delegation to the Election Commission of India. Since then, the two leaders have clashed several times, leaving the party red-faced. He announced his decision minutes after a meeting of the party's Lok Sabha MPs chaired by West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, who joined it virtually from Kolkata. New Delhi: The Trinamool Congress found itself in a spot Monday after party MP Kalyan Banerjee announced his decision to step down as the chief whip in Lok Sabha and lashed out at his party colleagues for their absence from the House, 'session after session'. At the meeting, Mamata also announced her decision to appoint nephew Abhishek Banerjee as the party's leader in the Lok Sabha, replacing Sudip Bandopadhyay. Sources told ThePrint that she also expressed her displeasure with the performance of the TMC Lok Sabha contingent. In the absence of Sudip, who has been unwell, it was Kalyan who was looking after the coordination of the TMC MPs in the Lok Sabha. There were indications in the lead up to Monday's meeting held at the party's office on Rajendra Prasad Road that there may be mudslinging. Just as Kalyan was entering the meeting, he spotted Moitra ahead of him and bitterly remarked to the assembled reporters that 'my day is ruined now'. After the meeting, in which he announced his decision to resign, he came out and said, 'Did not I tell you that this was going to be a bad day for me?' Later, he had an angry outburst while speaking to Kolkata-based television channels. 'She (Mamata) feels there is a lack of coordination in Lok Sabha, that's why I resigned. But is she aware of the situation? Most party MPs never even show up. And it is supposed to be my fault? Sudip (Bandopadhyay) never comes. Kakoli (Ghosh Dastidar) drops by occasionally. Can you believe that the south Kolkata MP is always absent? Only around 11 of our 29 MPs attend the House,' Kalyan said. He also expressed disappointment over the lack of disciplinary action against Moitra, alleging that she compared him to a 'pig' and called him 'sexually frustrated'. Earlier, he had also made personal remarks against Moitra, referring to her recent wedding with former BJD MP Pinaki Misra. 'Labeling a male colleague as 'sexually frustrated' isn't boldness — it's outright abuse. If such language were directed at a woman, there would be nationwide outrage, and rightly so. But when a man is the target, it's dismissed or even applauded. Let's be clear: abuse is abuse — regardless of gender. Such remarks are not just indecent, they reinforce a toxic double standard where men are expected to silently endure what would never be tolerated if roles were reversed. 'If Ms. Moitra thinks that flinging gutter insults will mask her own failures or distract from serious questions about her record, she is deluding herself. Those who rely on abuse instead of answers are not champions of democracy – they are its embarrassment, and the people of this country can see through that act,' he posted on X Monday. (Edited by Gitanjali Das) Also Read: TMC to lead language movement against BJP's 'linguistic terrorism' as Mamata sets tone for 2026
News18
33 minutes ago
- News18
Switzerland Eyes 'More Attractive' Offer For Donald Trump After Being Slapped With 39% Tariffs
Last Updated: Switzerland is facing 39% US tariffs on its products, the fourth-highest amount of duties after Brazil, Syria, Myanmar and Laos. Switzerland says it is prepared to make a better offer for US President Donald Trump after being slapped with a whopping 39% tariffs that have shocked the country, causing ripples in the Swiss stock market. The stock market tumbled by over 2% when it opened on Monday before paring its losses later in the day, ending the day down just 0.15%, after Trump announced one of the highest tariffs on the Alpine country among dozens of economies. The new tariffs are expected to come into force from Thursday (June 7). Switzerland is facing the fourth-highest amount of tariffs after Brazil, Syria, Myanmar and Laos. Brazil is facing a 50% tariff on its products, Syria 41% and Myanmar and Laos have been slapped with 40% each. Trump had originally threatened in April to slap a 31% tariff on Switzerland, which swiftly decided to negotiate with the United States. Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter has said Trump believes that Switzerland 'steals" from the US by enjoying a trade surplus of 40 billion Swiss francs ($50 billion). 'Switzerland enters this new phase ready to present a more attractive offer, taking US concerns into account and seeking to ease the current tariff situation," the council said in a statement, adding that it was at a distinct disadvantage as compared to other trading partners with similar economic profiles. Hans Gersbach, deputy head of the KOF Swiss Economic Institute, said the tariffs could cut the country's annual growth by between 0.3 and 0.6%. It could further rise if Trump targets the pharmaceutical industry, which has so far been exempt from tariffs. Analysts at Swiss investment managers Vontobel said in a note that they believed 'there is some hope for an agreement on US tariffs for Switzerland" that would bring them down to the 15% set for other countries. The chocolate industry association, Chocosuisse, said the tariffs were a 'tough blow" for the sector, which is already reeling from a 10% duty. 'It is particularly shocking that Switzerland finds itself at a distinct disadvantage compared to all other Western industrialised countries," it said in a statement. Trump's Tariffs Trump has imposed tariffs on several economies, including 25% levies on Indian goods, that have injected a fresh dose of uncertainty for consumers and businesses worldwide. The legality of these tariffs are also under question as a US appeals court last week heard that Trump had exceeded his authority by declaring an 'emergency" to charge the tariffs. Critics have argued that Trump's aggressive trade policy could gradually erode America's power and prosperity and may lead to recession, a concern that initially led to Trump imposing a 90-day negotiating period with countries. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer warned on Sunday that 'the coming days" were not likely to see changes in any duties as the 'tariff rates are pretty much set". Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : donald trump switzerland view comments Location : Bern, Switzerland First Published: August 04, 2025, 23:32 IST News world Switzerland Eyes 'More Attractive' Offer For Donald Trump After Being Slapped With 39% Tariffs 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.
