Latest news with #CeasefireTalks
CNN
5 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
Israeli hostage families hold emergency protest after Gaza militants release new propaganda videos
The Middle East Israel-Hamas warFacebookTweetLink Follow Protestors gathered in Tel Aviv's 'Hostage Square' on Saturday to stage an emergency protest following the release of propaganda videos showing emaciated Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. Videos released by militant groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad this week showed Israeli hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski in a visibly fragile state. The undated footage of David is juxtaposed with images of starving Palestinian children. They are among fifty hostages that remain in the territory, at least 20 of whom are believed to be alive. The militant groups released the videos with ceasefire talks stalled and Palestinians face a mounting starvation crisis in the enclave. Steve Witkoff, the United States' special envoy to the Middle East, attended the public plaza on Saturday amid the protests, one day after he visited a controversial US-backed aid distribution site in the Gaza Strip. 'Against the backdrop of horrifying footage and harsh reports about the hostages' condition – hostage families will cry out this morning in the heart of Tel Aviv,' a statement from Israel's hostage families said. 'We appeal to the Israeli government and the US administration – look our loved ones – and us – in the eyes.' The hostage families – who have frequently said that ongoing fighting in Gaza endangers their loved ones – called for an end to the war in the territory and a 'comprehensive deal' that would see the remaining hostages freed. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said on Friday that fighting will continue 'without rest' in Gaza if there is no hostage deal. 'I estimate that in the coming days we will know whether we will succeed in reaching a partial deal for the release of our captives. If not, the fighting will continue without rest,' he said. On Friday, the armed wing of Hamas released an undated video showing 24-year-old David – who was taken hostage at the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023 – being held in a narrow cell. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters cautioned against using imagery from the video 'until the family has given explicit approval.' The video was released one day after a similar propaganda video was published by Palestinian Islamic Jihad showing Braslavski also in a frail state. Islamic Jihad said it was the last video taken of the hostage before the group lost contact in July with the militants holding him. 'People talk a lot about what is happening in Gaza, about hunger, and I want to ask everyone who spoke about hunger: Did you see our Rom? He is not receiving food, he is not receiving medicine. He has simply been forgotten there,' Braslavski's family said in a statement. 'We ask that Witkoff see this video. And we make an urgent plea to President Trump: Bring our son home,' the family said. Earlier this week, a UN-backed food security agency warned that 'the worst case scenario of famine' is unfolding in Gaza, its starkest alert yet as Israel faces growing international pressure to allow more food into the territory. Gaza's health ministry said Saturday that seven people had died from malnutrition in the past 24 hours, including one child, bringing the total death toll from starvation since the conflict began in 2023 to 169.
CNA
31-07-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Trump's envoy meets Netanyahu for Gaza aid, ceasefire push
JERUSALEM: United States special envoy Steve Witkoff met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday (Jul 31) in a bid to salvage Gaza truce talks and tackle a humanitarian crisis in the enclave, where a global hunger monitor has warned that famine is unfolding. Shortly after Witkoff's arrival, President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social network: "The fastest way to end the Humanitarian Crises in Gaza is for Hamas to SURRENDER AND RELEASE THE HOSTAGES!!" Indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Doha ended in deadlock last week, with the sides trading blame for the impasse and gaps lingering over issues including the extent of an Israeli military withdrawal. Witkoff arrived with Israel facing mounting international pressure over the widespread destruction of Gaza and constraints on aid in the territory, with Canada the latest Western power to say it will recognise a Palestinian state. Israel on Wednesday sent a response to Hamas' latest amendments to a US proposal that would see a 60-day ceasefire and the release of some hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a source familiar with the details said. There was no immediate comment from Hamas. Israeli officials have in recent days said Israel might declare that it would annex parts of Gaza if the stalemate continues. Gaza medical officials said at least 23 people were reported killed by Israeli fire across the enclave, including 12 people among crowds who had gathered to receive aid around the Netzarim corridor, an area held by Israeli troops in central Gaza. The Israeli military said that its troops had fired warning shots to disperse crowds that were endangering them with no casualties identified. Since the war began, the Gaza health ministry has recorded 156 deaths from starvation and malnutrition, most of them in recent weeks, including at least 90 children. Israel's Public Broadcaster Kan said Witkoff would also visit an aid distribution site in Gaza. Confronted by rising international outrage over images of starving children, Israel said on Sunday it would halt military operations for 10 hours a day in parts of Gaza and designate secure routes for convoys delivering food and medicine. CALLS ON HAMAS TO DISARM The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said on Wednesday that the United Nations and its partners had been able to bring more food into Gaza in the first two days of pauses, but the volume was "still far from enough". Even with more aid running through Gaza, residents face peril from Israeli forces and Palestinian looters when trying to reach the supplies. "I have tried several times to grab a sack of flour. The only time I managed to do so, someone with a knife froze me in the street and took it away, threatening to stab me," one man from Deir Al-Balah told Reuters, asking not to be identified. With the number of Palestinians killed in almost two years of war passing 60,000 this week, pressure has been mounting in Gaza on Hamas to reach a ceasefire deal with Israel. "We can save thousands of lives and maybe the war wouldn't resume," Rami from Gaza City told Reuters via a chat app. Mothers of hostages led a protest outside Netanyahu's office, calling on the government to end the war. "End this nightmare," said Yael Engel-Lichi, whose nephew had been taken hostage and released in a previous ceasefire. Twenty of the 50 hostages still held by militants in Gaza are believed to still be alive. Netanyahu, whose ruling coalition includes two far-right parties who want to conquer Gaza and re-establish Jewish settlements there, has said he will not end the war until Hamas no longer rules the enclave and lays down its arms. Hamas has rejected calls to disarm. Qatar and Egypt, who are mediating the ceasefire efforts, backed a declaration on Tuesday by France and Saudi Arabia which outlined steps for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The declaration says Hamas "must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority", which is led by its rivals and exercises limited self-rule in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israel has ruled out the Palestinian Authority gaining control of Gaza and on Thursday Defence Minister Israel Katz and Justice Minister Yariv Levin voiced support for annexing the West Bank - territory which the Palestinians seek for a state. Israel has denounced declarations by France, Britain and Canada since last week that they may recognise a Palestinian state, which Israel says amounts to rewarding Hamas for its Oct 7, 2023 assault on Israeli territory. That attack, when fighters killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages back to Gaza, precipitated the war.
Reuters
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Trump's envoy meets Netanyahu for Gaza aid, ceasefire push
JERUSALEM/CAIRO July 31 (Reuters) - U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday in a bid to salvage Gaza truce talks and tackle a humanitarian crisis in the enclave, where a global hunger monitor has warned that famine is unfolding. Shortly after Witkoff's arrival, President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social network: "The fastest way to end the Humanitarian Crises in Gaza is for Hamas to SURRENDER AND RELEASE THE HOSTAGES!!" Indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Doha ended in deadlock last week with the sides trading blame for the impasse and gaps lingering over issues including the extent of an Israeli military withdrawal. Witkoff arrived with Israel facing mounting international pressure over the widespread destruction of Gaza and constraints on aid in the territory, with Canada the latest Western power to say it will recognise a Palestinian state. Israel on Wednesday sent a response to Hamas' latest amendments to a U.S. proposal that would see a 60-day ceasefire and the release of some hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a source familiar with the details said. There was no immediate comment from Hamas. Israeli officials have in recent days said Israel might declare that it would annex parts of Gaza if the stalemate continues. Gaza medical officials said at least 23 people were reported killed by Israeli fire across the enclave, including 12 people among crowds who had gathered to receive aid around the Netzarim corridor, an area held by Israeli troops in central Gaza. The Israeli military said that its troops had fired warning shots to disperse crowds that were endangering them with no casualties identified. Since the war began, the Gaza health ministry has recorded 156 deaths from starvation and malnutrition, most of them in recent weeks, including at least 90 children. Israel's Public Broadcaster Kan said Witkoff would also visit an aid distribution site in Gaza. Confronted by rising international outrage over images of starving children, Israel said on Sunday it would halt military operations for 10 hours a day in parts of Gaza and designate secure routes for convoys delivering food and medicine. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said on Wednesday the United Nations and its partners had been able to bring more food into Gaza in the first two days of pauses, but the volume was "still far from enough". Even with more aid running through Gaza, residents face peril from Israeli forces and Palestinian looters when trying to reach the supplies. "I have tried several times to grab a sack of flour. The only time I managed to do so, someone with a knife froze me in the street and took it away, threatening to stab me," one man from Deir Al-Balah told Reuters, asking not to be identified. With the number of Palestinians killed in almost two years of war passing 60,000 this week, pressure has been mounting in Gaza on Hamas to reach a ceasefire deal with Israel. "We can save thousands of lives and maybe the war wouldn't resume," Rami from Gaza City told Reuters via a chat app. Mothers of hostages led a protest outside Netanyahu's office, calling on the government to end the war. "End this nightmare," said Yael Engel-Lichi, whose nephew had been taken hostage and released in a previous ceasefire. Twenty of the 50 hostages still held by militants in Gaza are believed to still be alive. Netanyahu, whose ruling coalition includes two far-right parties who want to conquer Gaza and re-establish Jewish settlements there, has said he will not end the war until Hamas no longer rules the enclave and lays down its arms. Hamas has rejected calls to disarm. Qatar and Egypt, who are mediating the ceasefire efforts, backed a declaration on Tuesday by France and Saudi Arabia which outlined steps for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The declaration says Hamas "must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority", which is led by its rivals and exercises limited self-rule in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israel has ruled out the Palestinian Authority gaining control of Gaza and on Thursday Defence Minister Israel Katz and Justice Minister Yariv Levin voiced support for annexing the West Bank - territory which the Palestinians seek for a state. Israel has denounced declarations by France, Britain and Canada since last week that they may recognise a Palestinian state, which Israel says amounts to rewarding Hamas for its October 7, 2023 assault on Israeli territory. That attack, when fighters killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages back to Gaza, precipitated the war. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, embarking on a visit to Israel, said negotiations for a two-state solution must begin but that for Germany, the recognition of a Palestinian state would come at the end of that process.
Time of India
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Israeli Leaders Consider Long-Term Gaza Takeover, Says US Senator Lindsey Graham
US Senator Lindsey Graham has claimed that Israel is preparing to fully occupy Gaza, following a stalled peace process and failed negotiations with Hamas. Graham compared the prospective occupation to US control over Germany and Japan after World War II. He argued that no other solution would satisfy Israeli leadership, citing Israeli concerns about security and the ongoing conflict. Washington reportedly also doubts that negotiations can end the war with Hamas. The possibility of offering Hamas fighters safe passage in return for the release of Israeli hostages has been raised. Meanwhile, US officials accuse Hamas of not seeking a ceasefire. The US-backed truce plan, involving phased hostage and prisoner releases, has broken down due to differing demands. #GazaConflict #IsraelPalestine #LindseyGraham #MiddleEastNews #BreakingNews #CeasefireTalks #GazaOccupation #WarAndPeace Read More
News.com.au
24-07-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
Russian attack kills displaced Ukrainian family, officials say
A Russian overnight attack on the border region of Kharkiv killed three members of a Ukrainian family who had earlier fled their homes to escape Russian advances, authorities announced Thursday. Moscow has stepped up its drone and missile attacks on Ukraine more than three years into Russia's invasion, even as the warring parties meet for face-to-face ceasefire talks. "The bodies of three people were found under the rubble of the house. A family was killed: a 57-year-old woman, her 58-year-old husband and their 36-year-old son," regional officials announced. They added the family killed in the village of Pidlyman had fled the settlement of Boguslavka which was captured by Russian forces when they invaded in early 2022, but was later retaken by Ukrainian forces. A strike later on Kharkiv city wounded 33 people, including a 10-year-old girl, a 17-year-old boy and girl, the governor said. A separate Russian drone and missile barrage wounded seven people including a child in the central Ukrainian region of Cherkasy, emergency services said. And in the southern port city of Odesa, a Russian drone attack wounded four people and badly damaged a market. Ukraine's prime minister said some of the buildings targeted were UNESCO protected. "Russia continues its terror and obstructs diplomacy, which is why it deserves full-scale sanctions responses, as well as our strikes on their logistics, their military bases, and their military production facilities," President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on social media in response. He said Russia had launched 103 drones -- mainly the Iranian designed Shahed type of unmanned aerial vehicle -- and four missiles. In Russia, a Ukrainian drone strike left two women dead and several others wounded in Sochi in Russia's south, regional authorities said. The Russian defence ministry said its air defence systems had downed 39 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles mainly over southern regions of the country. bur-jbr/asy/dc
