
Video: Israeli hostage digs his grave, family slams Hamas's propaganda campaign
In a statement issued Saturday, David's family said: 'We are forced to witness our beloved son and brother, Evyatar David, deliberately and cynically starved in Hamas's tunnels in Gaza — a living skeleton, buried alive.' The family urged both the Israeli government and international community to 'do everything possible to save Evyatar.'The video marks the second time in 48 hours that Hamas has released footage of David. In both, he appears severely malnourished and confined to underground conditions.On Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with the families of David and another hostage, Rom Braslavski. US envoy Steve Witkoff also met with hostage families the same day. Thousands gathered in Tel Aviv Saturday evening at a demonstration calling for the release of the hostages.The Israeli military offensive in Gaza, launched in response to the October 7 attack that killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel, continues into its 22nd month. According to Hamas-run health authorities, over 60,000 people have been killed in Gaza during the campaign.Humanitarian concerns in Gaza remain dire. The Gaza health ministry reported on Saturday that seven more people, including a child, died of malnutrition, bringing the total number of such deaths to 169 — 93 of them children.Israel has denied accusations from aid agencies that it is weaponising food in the conflict. It maintains that it is not restricting aid deliveries and claims there is 'no starvation' in Gaza. These assertions have been disputed by European allies, the United Nations, and aid organizations operating in the territory.On Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it continued efforts to improve humanitarian conditions, reporting the airdrop of 90 aid packages in southern and northern Gaza in coordination with partners including the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, France, and Germany.Meanwhile, Gaza's health ministry reported at least 83 Palestinians killed and 1,079 injured in the past 24 hours due to Israeli military actions. Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat said it received the bodies of three people allegedly shot by Israeli forces near an aid distribution site. The IDF said its troops had fired 'warning shots' from a distance after a crowd did not respond to calls to stay back, but stated it was unaware of any casualties and that the incident was under investigation.advertisementThe Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which oversees some distribution points in the area, said there were 'no activities at or near our sites' at the time of the reported shooting.Israel imposed a full blockade on aid to Gaza in March, resuming its military campaign two weeks later after a two-month ceasefire collapsed. Though some restrictions were eased after 11 weeks, aid groups report ongoing severe shortages of food, fuel, and medicine.- EndsTune InTrending Reel
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Time of India
17 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘Illegal and unprecedented': Israel fires attorney general; Supreme Court halts move
Benjamin Netanyahu (ANI) Israel's government plunged deeper into political crisis on Monday after the cabinet unanimously voted to dismiss Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, a move immediately blocked by the country's Supreme Court. The court issued an injunction suspending the decision pending legal review, preventing any replacement from being appointed in the meantime. Justice Minister Yariv Levin formally notified Baharav-Miara of the cabinet's decision, saying she 'should not try to impose herself on a government that has no trust in her.' Baharav-Miara, a central figure in multiple legal battles involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's administration, has frequently challenged the legality of key decisions, including Netanyahu's May attempt to sack the head of the Shin Bet security agency, Ronen Bar. That move was widely seen as retaliation for Bar's role in an ongoing investigation into alleged illicit Qatari payments to Netanyahu's aides—a case dubbed 'Qatargate' in Israeli media. Netanyahu and his allies accuse the attorney general of overstepping her role and obstructing elected officials, while critics argue that her removal represents a dangerous attack on judicial independence. Following the dismissal, opposition party Yesh Atid and several watchdog organisations filed emergency petitions with the High Court. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like When Knee Pain Hits, Start Eating These Foods, and Feel Your Pain Go Away (It's Genius) Click Here Undo The Movement for Quality Government, a leading civil group, described the firing as 'illegal' and 'unprecedented,' accusing the government of changing the rules after failing to remove Baharav-Miara through legal means. 'This decision turns the role of the attorney general into a political appointment,' it said. The court has scheduled hearings over the next 30 days to consider the legality of the move. The attorney general has argued that Netanyahu's ongoing corruption trial creates a conflict of interest that bars him from removing her. The high-stakes confrontation comes as Netanyahu faces increasing domestic and international pressure over the war in Gaza. He vowed on Monday to update Israel's war strategy, with reports suggesting a plan to reoccupy all of Gaza may be in the works. Meanwhile, criticism continues to mount over the government's handling of the hostage crisis and aid restrictions in the Palestinian territory.


Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
Why Trump's tariff move isn't likely to shake India's oil ties with Russia
Donald Trump has made a lot of noise about India's oil trade with Russia, calling it profiteering and threatening to 'substantially raise' tariffs on Indian goods. But New Delhi isn't blinking. As reported by TOI, a senior Indian government official put it plainly, 'We will go solely by the interest of our consumers and opt for the best option price-wise. If Russian crude works out cheaper than what we can get from other sources, why should we penalise our consumers?' The Centre has so far not made any move to wean off Indian oil refiners from Russian crude, which comes at a steep discount compared to purchases from west Asia or US. It has not just helped keep domestic pump prices lower, but also benefited European countries, which have been major buyers of diesel and jet fuel from India, sources told TOI. The economic logic is straightforward. Russian oil has been cheaper than what's available from West Asia or the US. India's refiners are not just cutting costs—they're helping stabilise fuel prices at home. And here's the kicker: Europe benefits too, as Indian refiners export refined fuels like diesel and jet fuel, some of which reach European markets. Trump's pressure tactics and the political showmanship Trump's frustration is spilling over into tariff threats. His core accusation? 'India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine .' He followed that with, 'Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA.' No actual figures were given. But just last week, he'd already slapped a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods and floated a possible jump to 100 per cent unless India stops buying Russian oil. Trump's new deadline is August 7. If Russia doesn't agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine, he's hinted at secondary sanctions on countries that continue trading energy with Moscow. That includes India, China, and Brazil. But these threats are running into hard economic and political realities. Why Russian oil imports still makes sense for India After the West sanctioned Moscow in 2022, Russia started offering deep discounts on its oil. That's when India stepped in. It now buys around 1.7 million barrels a day of Russian crude, according to Bloomberg data. India isn't just stockpiling it. In the first half of this year, it exported 1.4 million barrels a day of refined fuels. About 40 per cent of that was diesel or gasoil, and 30 per cent was petrol and blending components. Refiners blend multiple sources of crude before producing fuels, so it's not always clear which exports came from Russian barrels. But the volume speaks for itself. And the trade hasn't slowed down. Over the weekend, at least four tankers delivered millions of barrels of Russian crude to Indian ports. India pushes back: No apologies, no shift in strategy India's Ministry of External Affairs had a sharp response. 'The targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable,' it said. 'Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.' It also pointed out that the US and EU themselves continue to trade with Russia, even when there's no national compulsion. India's position has been consistent. The decision to buy Russian oil was triggered when traditional suppliers diverted their barrels to Europe. It was the US, in fact, that nudged India to continue those purchases—albeit within the G7's price cap. Energy Minister Hardeep Singh Puri told CNBC in July that the Russian crude trade helped global prices stay in check, saying India was advised by Washington to keep buying—'but within the price cap.' NSA Doval heads to Moscow National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is heading to Moscow this week. The visit is expected to offer clarity on how India plans to navigate what officials call a 'geo-economic trilemma': cheap energy, political pressure, and long-term security interests. India has not made any move to scale back Russian imports. If anything, officials are eyeing additional discounts in light of Trump's bluster. Even business circles in Delhi are calling out the former US president's rhetoric. A statement from trade research body GTRI summed it up, 'India's oil trade with Russia has taken place with full transparency and broad understanding with the US… Trump's decision to raise tariffs on India citing oil trade is not only unjustified—it ignores market realities, misrepresents trade data, and undermines a key strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific.' The BRICS factor and Dollar alternatives This isn't just about oil. Trump has also slammed India's involvement in BRICS and the bloc's discussions around alternatives to the US dollar. He's claimed India has the 'most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary trade barriers' and is using tariffs as leverage to open up Indian markets to US agriculture and dairy—an area where India has refused to budge. One official noted that despite discussions, India would not allow imports of genetically modified American corn and soybean. Nor would it revise its stand on farm and dairy tariffs, which Trump has repeatedly criticised. India's energy alternatives, but only if needed If forced to diversify, India could boost imports from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the US. In fact, last week saw India's largest refiner suddenly snap up several million barrels from the US and UAE—moves widely interpreted as precautionary, not strategic shifts. India had, during trade talks, shown interest in ramping up imports of American gas, fertiliser, and defence equipment to improve the trade balance. But there are limits. Modi has refused to open up sensitive sectors like dairy, even as the US pushes hard. Trump and Modi were once seen as political allies. That relationship has cooled. The current standoff is the latest in a string of Trump-led escalations over oil, trade barriers, and foreign policy. From threatening to block access to US markets over India-Pakistan tensions, to taking credit for peace deals India denies happened, Trump's combative posture has worn thin in Delhi. His latest push threatening penalties on anyone still paying for Russian oil reflects growing frustration with Putin's unwillingness to compromise. Trump's nuclear submarine move last week, reportedly in response to Dmitry Medvedev's rhetoric, only adds to the volatility. But India, for now, isn't shifting course. As one Indian official summed it up, 'We are guided by what's best for Indian consumers, not what's best for Washington politics.' And that might be the line that defines this whole saga.


Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Decision made': Israel to take full control of the Gaza Strip? IDF may enter hostage-held areas
In a major development, Israel may come up with a new plan for Gaza Strip that may include the possibility of taking full control of the Palestinian enclave and escalating military action in areas they have refrained from entering, according to local media reports. This signals a dramatic escalation in its nearly two-year-long war against the Hamas terror group. Quoting a senior source in Netanyahu's office, prominent Israeli journalist Amit Segal of Channel 12 reported, 'The decision has been made… we are going to occupy the Gaza Strip." The move comes amid a total breakdown in ceasefire negotiations and growing frustration within the Israeli leadership over the lack of progress on freeing hostages held by Hamas since the conflict's early days. "Hamas will not release hostages without total surrender. If we do not operate now, the hostages will die of starvation, and Gaza will remain under Hamas' control," Segal quoted the official as saying, according to a report from Fox News. A turning point in a protracted war The Israeli Security Cabinet is set to convene on Tuesday to finalise the next steps in Gaza. According to The Times of Israel, several ministers confirmed that Netanyahu has privately used the term "occupation of the Strip" to describe his intentions, a sharp pivot from the government's previous reluctance to re-enter densely populated zones. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top Audiologists Angry About New $160 Device That Makes Hearing Crystal Clear Again Top Trending News Today Learn More Undo A senior official quoted by the Ynet news site said bluntly, "The die is cast — we are going for a full occupation of the Gaza Strip." Currently, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) control around 75% of Gaza's territory. The new plan would see Israeli forces enter all remaining areas, including zones where hostages are reportedly being held, a controversial move that could risk the lives of captives and escalate civilian casualties. Divisions within Israeli leadership According to The Times of Israel, the reported shift has exposed internal cracks within Israel's military and political establishment. According to Hebrew media, IDF Chief of Staff Lt Gen Eyal Zamir opposes the occupation strategy. In response, a senior source close to Netanyahu allegedly said, "If the chief of staff doesn't agree, he should resign." The rift underscores the deep unease surrounding the operational and humanitarian implications of such a full-scale takeover, especially at a time when Gaza's infrastructure is in ruins, and humanitarian aid remains insufficient. US envoy's visit fails to halt escalation The decision to escalate comes just days after US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff visited Israel to promote a new peace framework. Despite assurances that negotiations were ongoing, both sides now appear to have abandoned diplomatic channels. Netanyahu's reported plan, if approved, could have sweeping consequences for Gaza's over two million residents, as well as for regional stability. Aid agencies have warned that continued fighting, especially in densely populated urban pockets, could trigger a humanitarian catastrophe.