Israel reveals tunnel under Gaza hospital, retrieves Hamas chief's body
Khan Younis, Gaza | The Israeli army said on Sunday (Monday AEST) it had retrieved the body of Hamas' military chief Mohammed Sinwar in an underground tunnel beneath a hospital in southern Gaza, following a targeted operation last month.
Another senior Hamas leader, Mohammad Shabana, commander of the Rafah Brigade, was also found dead at the scene along with a number of other militants, who are still being identified, said IDF spokesperson, Brigadier General Effie Defrin.
Reuters
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Sky News AU
29 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
Foreign Minister Penny Wong reveals Australian sanctions against Israeli Ministers for 'inciting violence against Palestinians'
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has announced the Australian government will officially sanction two Israeli Ministers for "inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank". In a late night press release, Senator Wong revealed Australia, alongside Canada, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom, had moved to impose sanctions on Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. Mr Ben-Gvir acts as Israel's National Security Minister and Mr Smotrich as the nation's Finance Minister. Both are among the hardline, pro-settlement faction with the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and have repeatedly advocated for Israel to expand its controversial operations in the West Bank. In the Foreign Minister's statement, both Ministers are accused of encouraging settler violence toward Palestinians in the territory, with the Australian government freezing assets linked to the pair in the country as well as imposing travel bans. "Settler violence is incited by extremist rhetoric which calls for Palestinians to be driven from their homes, encourages violence and human rights abuses and fundamentally rejects the two-state solution," the statement read. "Settler violence has led to the deaths of Palestinian civilians and the displacement of whole communities. "Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights. "Extremist rhetoric advocating the forced displacement of Palestinians and the creation of new Israeli settlements is appalling and dangerous. These actions are not acceptable." The move is likely to spark outrage in Israel, which has long defended its actions in the West Bank despite international pressure to end the construction of illegal settlements in the region. It is also set to place further scrutiny on Labor, which has come under intense criticism from Jewish groups over its response to the war in Gaza and the rise of antisemitic incidents in Australia. The government was quick to claim its decision did not detract from its support of Israel, with the statement adding Australia wanted to continue "a strong friendship with the people of Israel based on our shared ties, values and commitment to their security and future". "The measures announced today do not deviate from our unwavering support for Israel's security and we continue to condemn the horrific terror attacks of 7 October by Hamas," the statement read. "Today's measures are targeted towards individuals who in our view undermine Israel's own security and its standing in the world." This is a developing story, more to come.
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
War in Gaza 'hurts my whole body', says Man City boss Guardiola
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The Age
an hour ago
- The Age
Australia imposes Magnitsky-style sanctions on two hardline Israeli ministers
Australia has imposed Magnitsky-style sanctions on two senior Israeli ministers for their roles in serious human rights abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank, in a move that marks a significant escalation in Canberra's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have been subjected to targeted financial sanctions and travel bans, effective from Tuesday, June 11. The two hardline figures in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government are accused of inciting and supporting systemic violence against Palestinians and aggressively expanding illegal Israeli settlements. The sanctions align Australia with Canada, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom, which jointly issued a statement condemning the ministers' conduct and reaffirming their commitment to a two-state solution. 'We are steadfastly committed to the two-state solution… but it is imperilled by extremist settler violence and settlement expansion,' the joint statement read. 'Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights. These actions are not acceptable. This is why we have taken action now – to hold those responsible to account.' Under Australia's Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011, such measures can be applied against individuals responsible for serious violations of human rights, including the right to life, protection from torture, and freedom from slavery. The sanctions carry significant legal weight, with Australians found to be dealing with the sanctioned individuals' assets facing penalties of up to ten years' imprisonment or fines reaching $825,000. Both Israeli ministers have long been outspoken proponents of the settlement movement and the ongoing war in Gaza. Smotrich, who oversees the Settlements Administration, has approved sweeping expansions of settlements. On May 29, Israel announced 22 new outposts in the West Bank, marking the largest expansion in decades. Analysts say the move is designed to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state. Smotrich has also made inflammatory public remarks, including stating that Gaza 'will be entirely destroyed' and suggesting Palestinians be forced to emigrate. Last year, he indicated that the deaths of 2 million Palestinians by starvation in Gaza might be 'justified,' comments that drew rebukes from allies including Germany. Ben-Gvir, who controls Israeli police forces, has provided thousands of assault rifles to civilian settlers. He has publicly called for turning 'the world upside down' in support of settler militias. On May 26, he joined a far-right march through Jerusalem's Muslim Quarter, where chants of 'death to Arabs' were heard. He has also advocated for replacing the al-Aqsa mosque with a synagogue and encouraged the mass expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza.
