Latest news with #Egyptian
Irish Times
14 minutes ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Four women, one man arrested in pro-Palestine protests in Dublin
Five people were arrested in various locations this week amid a series of actions and protests related to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza . A woman was arrested and later released after protesters sought to block a car from leaving the Egyptian embassy on Wednesday. Three women and a man were then arrested on Thursday at a separate location in Dublin, said by the protesters involved to be the Department of Justice , and later released. The Wednesday protest at the continued closure of the Rafah crossing between Palestine 's Gaza Strip and Egypt took place after a public meeting at the nearby US embassy in Ballsbridge. READ MORE It is understood the woman who was arrested approached the Egyptian embassy to hand in a letter of protest. A spokesman for An Garda Síochána said gardaí were alerted to a public order incident and directed individuals to leave. 'One female, aged in her 40s, was arrested under the Public Order Act and taken to a Garda station in Dublin south central. She was released without charge to be dealt with under the adult caution scheme,' the spokesman said. Three women and a man were arrested on Thursday at a separate location in Dublin and later released. A Garda spokesman said the force was alerted to a public order incident on St Stephen's Green at approximately 2.45pm, again instructing them to vacate. 'Three women (30s and 40s) and a man (50s) were arrested under the Public Order Act and conveyed to a Garda station in Dublin city centre,' he said. 'They have all since been released without charge, to be considered under the adult caution scheme.' Sara White (39) told The Irish Times she was one of the four pro-Palestine protesters brought to Pearse Street Garda station. Ms White said the members of a 'rainbow coalition group' of activists were protesting at the Department of Justice when the arrests took place. They planned 'to deliver a letter to the Ministers demanding [the] recalling of the Dáil so they could put pressure to open the borders to Gaza and let aid in,' she said. 'We had posters, we had pots and pans, we made noise, we asked repeatedly to speak and hand-deliver our letter and were refused.' Ms White said the group was there for 30 to 40 minutes before gardaí came, after being warned that they were trespassing. Ms White said the four were placed in cells and released at approximately 6.30pm without questioning. Activist group Mothers Against Genocide shared a statement on social media on Thursday afternoon demanding the release of the four people who were arrested, which it said included one of their own members.
India Today
15 minutes ago
- Politics
- India Today
Hamas shows no desire for ceasefire, says Witkoff as US, Israel exit peace talks
The United States and Israel have recalled their delegation teams out of ceasefire talks in Qatar after disappointing response from Hamas. US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, announced the decision on Thursday, saying the latest proposal from Hamas showed "a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.""We have decided to bring our team home from Doha for consultations after the latest response from Hamas, which clearly shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza. While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith," Witkoff will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza. It is a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way. We are resolute in seeking an end to this conflict and a permanent peace in Gaza," he added. The talks, hosted in Qatar, aimed at ending the months-long conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. But progress has been slow, and Thursday's development marks another major BREAKTHROUGH DESPITE WEEKS OF NEGOTIATIONSFor weeks, US, Israeli, Qatari, and Egyptian officials had been holding discussions in order to establish a temporary ceasefire and hostage the proposed agreement, Hamas would release 10 Israeli hostages and return the 18 dead bodies in separate phases. In exchange, Israel would release some Palestinian prisoners. The deal would also include a 60-day ceasefire, humanitarian aid to Gaza, and follow-up talks on a permanent both sides failed to reach agreement on certain terms. Hamas has been insisting on a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a complete end to the war before releasing all hostages. Meanwhile, Israel refuses to end the conflict unless Hamas gives up its weapons and control over Gaza — a demand Hamas stalled talks come at a time when conditions in Gaza are worsening. On Sunday, at least 85 Palestinians were reportedly killed while trying to get food — making it the deadliest day for food aid-seekers since the war began nearly two years RECALLS ISRAELI TEAMShortly before the US announced its withdrawal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said it was recalling its delegation from the talks as a short statement, his office said, "We appreciate the efforts of Steve Witkoff and mediators Qatar and Egypt." However, no further explanation was given about Hamas's Trump has been pushing hard for a breakthrough in the Gaza conflict, hoping to present himself as a global peacemaker. He even hosted Netanyahu at the White House earlier this month to support the talks and show strong backing for their show of unity -- including joint military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites -- the Israeli leader left Washington without any agreement in hand.- EndsMust Watch
Politico
41 minutes ago
- Politics
- Politico
Turning the screws on Hamas
With help from Felicia Schwartz, Daniel Lippman and Cheyanne Daniels Subscribe here | Email Eric No, the U.S. probably isn't abandoning its push for a ceasefire in the Israel and Hamas war. But it is playing hardball. Special envoy STEVE WITKOFF said today that the U.S. was pulling out of talks to end the fighting because 'Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith.' Things were already breaking down at the talks in Doha when his statement came out. A few hours before the announcement, Israeli Prime Minister BENJAMIN NETANYAHU recalled negotiators for consultations (Israel clearly didn't like Hamas's response on Wednesday to the latest ceasefire proposal). And multiple Israeli outlets reported last week that Egypt's negotiating team was increasingly frustrated with Hamas' approach to negotiations. Egyptian and Qatari negotiators have also reportedly urged Hamas to modify its asks. Still, the sense among some Middle East watchers in Washington is that Witkoff's move is a negotiating tactic. After all, Hamas is still leaving the door open to more negotiations. A 'senior Hamas source' told Reuters earlier today that a ceasefire was still possible but cautioned Israel could ultimately stall a deal. Were Hamas to change its demands, former U.S. and Israeli officials believe that talks will likely resume apace. 'Clearly everyone is running out of patience,' said SHALOM LIPNER, a former adviser to Netanyahu and other Israeli prime ministers. 'But I don't think that it necessarily means that were Hamas to come back with something that people felt was more viable, that they wouldn't re-engage to get that thing across the finish line.' Meanwhile, two people familiar with Israel's positions told Reuters that its decision to pull negotiators shouldn't be interpreted as reflecting any crisis in talks. Israeli officials are also currently trying to play down any suggestions that this is a long-term crisis. In the short term, however, the decision from the U.S. to withdraw from talks could further embolden Israel on the battlefield as it has sought to increase the pain on Hamas and push it to finally agree to a deal. Israel in recent weeks has faced renewed international criticism over the killings of Palestinians seeking humanitarian aid and a controversial strike on Gaza's only Catholic church. Aid groups are warning about the degree of starvation in the war-torn enclave. Yet rebukes from the European Union and other major allies have not yet translated into any material changes in Israel's military decisions. The Inbox ZELENSKYY BACKTRACKING: Ukrainian President VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY introduced legislation today to preserve the independence of anti-corruption government agencies in response to mass protests over a perceived power grab by Zelenskyy's administration, our colleague Yurii Stasiuk reports. The decision came days after Zelenskyy signed a law giving his administration more power over these agencies, a step he said he was taking to counter Russian interference in Ukraine's government. This sparked multiple days of protests in Kyiv, the first such large demonstration since the full invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022, along with widespread criticism among European bill would limit agency oversight powers of the nation's prosecutor general and introduce minor steps to safeguard law enforcement agents. But there are members of Zelenskyy's party with objections to the bill, so it is not clear if Ukraine's parliament will pass it. The chaos could undermine Zelenskyy's push for further integration with the West, by reawakening worries about endemic corruption in Kyiv. Concerns about corruption in Ukraine have already been deployed by critics of Kyiv as an argument against Western aid to the country. MADURO'S PRICE FOR PRISONERS: Chevron will be allowed to resume drilling operations in Venezuela, The Wall Street Journal's Alex Leary, Vera Bergengreun and Keyal Vyas report, days after Caracas released 10 Americans and a spate of political prisoners as part of a multicountry prisoner swap with the United States. THE QUAD BEGETS MORE: Quad members are eyeing more security pacts between them and other partners as a way to further counter Beijing in the Indo-Pacific. Japanese diplomat NORIAKI ABE told Nikkei's Kiran Sharma that the alliance of Australia, Japan, India and the United States is eyeing adding new trilateral military and defense partnerships to its lattice-work of pacts. Abe said that these pacts would be modeled off of trilateral security alliances established by Quad countries like the U.S. and Japan with the Philippines and South Korea, which have seen the countries conduct joint military exercises and patrols together in contested waterways. Among the contenders is a pact between India, Indonesia and France, Nikkei reports. The alliance is also considering partnerships with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The desire to expand multilateral ties in China's backyard speaks to continued anxiety in the region about Chinese territorial aggression. And it suggests that the grouping of countries is looking beyond partners in close proximity — in the past, New Zealand and South Korea have been floated as additional partners to the Quad — to include European allies. SOME NEWS ON THE HOME FRONT: Are you a NatSec Daily reader who also cares deeply about the economic changes the Trump administration is ushering in? We have good news for you. POLITICO's flagship financial newsletter has a new Friday edition built for the economic era we're living in: one shaped by political volatility, disruption and a wave of policy decisions with sector-wide consequences. Each week, Morning Money: Capital Risk brings sharp reporting and analysis on how political risk is moving markets and how investors are adapting. Want to know how health care regulation, tariffs or court rulings could ripple through the economy? Start here. IT'S THURSDAY: Thanks for tuning in to NatSec Daily! This space is reserved for the top U.S. and foreign officials, the lawmakers, the lobbyists, the experts and the people like you who care about how the natsec sausage gets made. Aim your tips and comments at ebazail@ and follow Eric on X @ebazaileimil. While you're at it, follow the rest of POLITICO's global security team on X and Bluesky at: @dave_brown24, @HeidiVogt, @jessicameyers, @RosiePerper, @ @PhelimKine, @ak_mack, @felschwartz, @connorobrienNH, @paulmcleary, @reporterjoe, @JackDetsch, @samuelskove, @magmill95, @johnnysaks130 and @delizanickel Keystrokes WALK THE PLANKEY: SEAN PLANKEY, Trump's nominee to lead the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, dodged giving direct answers on his thoughts on whether the 2020 presidential election was stolen. As Maggie reported (for POLITICO Pro subscribers!), Plankey was pressed on the issues by Sen. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL (D-Conn.) during his nomination hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. When asked if he believed the 2020 election was stolen, Plankey testified that he had 'not reviewed any of the cybersecurity of the 2020 election,' though he noted that the electoral college 'did confirm President JOE BIDEN.' When Blumenthal asked what Plankey would do if Trump asked him to say that the future 2026 and 2028 elections are rigged, Plankey sidestepped. He said: 'I have not reviewed the cybersecurity posture of all 50 states. … That's like a doctor who's diagnosing somebody over the television because they saw them on the news.' CISA has been without a Senate-confirmed leader since January and has been in Trump's crosshairs since the 2020 election, when the agency and other stakeholder groups put out a statement describing the election as 'the most secure in American history.' Trump fired then-CISA Director CHRIS KREBS days later and has since stripped Krebs of his security clearance and directed an investigation into his time in the position. FIRST IN NATSEC DAILY — QUESTIONS, CONCERNS: The leaders of the Senate Armed Services Committee want answers from Defense Secretary PETE HEGSETH following media revelations that Microsoft engineers based in China were providing support to Pentagon computer systems — a significant counterintelligence risk. As our own John Sakellariadis writes in, while Hegseth recently announced a two-week review of all cloud services across the DOD, Sens. JACK REED (D-R.I.) and ROGER WICKER (R-Miss.) expressed alarm that the initiative was brought to light not by the agency but investigative reporting from ProPublica. It 'is unacceptable that officials only learned of PRC engineers' involvement through a reporter, exposing a critical gap in oversight,' they wrote in a letter to Hegseth, which was shared first with NatSec Daily. Spokespeople for the Pentagon did not immediately reply to NatSec Daily's request for comment. The Complex PENTAGON'S CONFAB PULL OUT: The Aspen Security Forum likely won't be the only event the Pentagon skips this year. Our own Jack Detsch scoops that the Pentagon will suspend participation in all think tank events until 'further notice.' The decision, spelled out in a memo obtained by POLITICO, applies to all DOD military officers, civil servants and senior enlisted leaders and took effect Tuesday. Going forward, the Pentagon will require that its public affairs office vet participation by DOD officials 'to ensure the Department of Defense is not lending its name and credibility to organizations, forums, and events that run counter to the values of this administration,' according to spokesperson SEAN PARNELL. The memo singles out the Halifax International Security Forum as one even the Pentagon won't be attending but doesn't specify others. Prior Defense secretaries used confabs such as Aspen, Halifax, International Institute of Strategic Studies' Shangri-La Dialogue and the Reagan National Defense Forum, to give major policy speeches and hold sideline meetings with both allies and adversaries. Nota bene, POLITICO Pro subscribers had this story first. On the Hill SHAHEEN SAVES WALTZ: Former national security adviser MIKE WALTZ cleared the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today in his quest for Senate confirmation as U.N. ambassador, thanks to — of all things — a vote in his favor from Sen. JEANNE SHAHEEN (D-N.H.). Sen. RAND PAUL (R-Ky.) had blocked a procedural vote in the Foreign Relations Committee to advance Waltz's bid to be America's next ambassador to the United Nations. But Shaheen, the top Democrat on the panel, voted in favor of Waltz to allow Republicans to move forward with a favorable recommendation. Shaheen clarified that it shouldn't be construed as support for Waltz, who faces continued criticism over the Signalgate scandal. And in a subsequent statement, she added that in light of the influence of Vice President JD VANCE, Undersecretary of Defense ELBRIDGE COLBY and Hegseth over administration policy, 'I think we're better off having someone like Mike Waltz present.' Her move also reflects the strength of the relationship at the top of the dais with Chair JIM RISCH (R-Idaho). The two pledged to work together to advance bipartisan policy concerns and repair a relationship that became fractious under the two previous top Democrats on the foreign policy panel — former Sens. BOB MENENDEZ and BEN CARDIN. Broadsides CBC CLOBBERS GABBARD: Members of the Congressional Black Caucus are calling for Director of National Intelligence TULSI GABBARD's resignation after she publicly claimed that the Obama administration 'manufactured and politicized' evidence about Russia's interference in the 2016 election, our colleague Cheyanne Daniels writes in. In a letter led by Rep. SYDNEY KAMLAGER-DOVE (D-Calif.), the CBC's whip and a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the members argue Gabbard's claims are a 'dangerous and deliberate distortion of reality' meant to distract the public from the administration's refusal to release additional information regarding the investigation into JEFFREY EPSTEIN, the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender who died in prison in 2019. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans are taking a completely different approach to Gabbard's disclosure. Sens. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-S.C.) and JOHN CORNYN (R-Texas) called on Attorney General PAM BONDI to name a special counsel to probe whether the Obama administration 'manipulated the U.S. national security apparatus for a political outcome.' Transitions — Former Trump national security adviser ROBERT O'BRIEN joined the strategic advisory board of strategic intelligence firm Strider Technologies, NatSec Daily has learned. — DAVID URBAN has been appointed to the board of directors of SAIC. Urban, a former senior adviser to Trump, continues at BGR, Torridon Law and as a political strategist and a CNN commentator. — The Defense Department has added three appointees to its communications team. JACOB BLISS, DANI CANGIANO and RILEY PODLESKI are now assistant press secretaries and ROYCE CHAMBERLIN is now doing digital media. Bliss, a former Breitbart reporter, is a former communications director for ex-Rep. MATT GAETZ (R-Fla.). Podleski most recently was communications assistant for Rep. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE (R-Ga.) What to Read — Timour Azhari and Feras Dalatey, Reuters: Syria is secretly reshaping its economy. The president's brother is in charge. — David Skidmore, The Diplomat: US Foreign Aid With Chinese Characteristics — Lara Jakes and José Bautista, The New York Times: Why Spain Is Reluctant to Spend Even a Little More on Security Tomorrow Today — National Institute for Deterrence Studies, 10 a.m: Strategic Imperatives: Augmenting Theater Nuclear Forces for 21st Century Deterrence — Atlantic Council, 2:30 p.m.: 'Tensions with India and the Future of U.S. Ties' with Pakistani Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister ISHAQ DAR Thanks to our editors, Heidi Vogt and Emily Lussier, who are 'never coordinated or acting in good faith.'
BBC News
an hour ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Israel and US leave Gaza ceasefire talks in Qatar
Israeli and US negotiators have decided to leave Gaza ceasefire talks in Qatar's capital Doha, with Washington accusing Hamas of not "acting in good faith".In a statement, US special envoy Steve Witkoff said: "We have decided to bring our team home from Doha for consultations after the latest response from Hamas, which clearly shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza."The Israeli government did not say what triggered its withdrawal, but a senior Israeli official was quoted in local media as saying there was "no collapse" in the has not commented on the issue. All sides involved in the talks - including mediators - admit that wide gaps remain on key issues. In Thursday's statement, Witkoff said that "while the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be co-ordinated or acting in good faith". "We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza. "It is a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way. We are resolute in seeking an end to this conflict and a permanent peace in Gaza."Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is yet to publicly comment on why the Israeli negotiators were leaving the senior Israeli official - speaking on the condition of anonymity - insisted there was "no collapse" in the talks, the Times of Israel official criticised Hamas's "rejectionist and unfortunate approach", adding that "we reached the stage where we actually need to return, and we will return here as soon as the right way is found to reduce the gaps and reach the closing stage".The latest round of talks in Doha - with Qatari and Egyptian mediators - has been going on for more than two on Thursday, the UN's Palestinian refugee agency (Unrwa) said that one in five children in Gaza City was now malnourished and cases were increasing every than 100 international aid organisations and human rights groups have also warned of mass starvation - pressing for governments to take which controls the entry of all supplies into Gaza, has repeatedly said that there is no siege, blaming Hamas for any cases of malnutrition. Israel stopped aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip in early March following a two-month ceasefire. The blockade was partially eased after nearly two months, but food, fuel and medicine shortages to the UN human rights office, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military while trying to get food aid over the past two says at least 766 of them have been killed in the vicinity of one of the GHF's four distribution centres, which are operated by US private security contractors and are located inside Israeli military 288 people have been reported killed near UN and other aid has accused Hamas of instigating the chaos near the aid sites. It says its troops have only fired warning shots and that they do not intentionally shoot Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken least 59,106 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.
Reuters
an hour ago
- Politics
- Reuters
UK's Starmer to hold urgent talks over Gaza 'humanitarian catastrophe'
LONDON, July 24 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he would hold an emergency call with France and Germany over the situation in Gaza, which he described as an "unspeakable and indefensible" humanitarian catastrophe. In a strongly worded statement late on Thursday, Starmer said he would discuss with partners "what we can do urgently to stop the killing and get people the food they desperately need," and called on Israel to allow aid into the Palestinian enclave. "The suffering and starvation unfolding in Gaza is unspeakable and indefensible. While the situation has been grave for some time, it has reached new depths and continues to worsen. We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe," Starmer said. "We all agree on the pressing need for Israel to change course and allow the aid that is desperately needed to enter Gaza without delay," he added, referring to France and Germany. Gaza's health authorities have said over 100 people have died from starvation, most of them in recent weeks. More than 100 organisations, including Mercy Corps, the Norwegian Refugee Council and Refugees International, have said mass starvation is spreading in Gaza even as tons of food and other supplies sit untouched just outside the enclave. Israel, which cut off all supplies to Gaza from the start of March and reopened the flow with new restrictions in May, says it is committed to allowing aid in but must control it to prevent it from being diverted by militants. Starmer said he supported U.S., Qatari and Egyptian efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza. "A ceasefire will put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution," he said.
