Latest news with #Hamas
Time of India
3 minutes ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Missile Sirens In Central Israel, Jerusalem As Houthis Fire One More Ballistic Missile
/ Jul 30, 2025, 06:19AM IST Sirens sounded in Central Israel, and Jerusalem after a ballistic missile was launched by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. The missile was intercepted by Israeli air defenses, the military said. There are no immediate reports of impacts or injuries. Since March 18, when the IDF resumed its offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Houthis in Yemen have launched 66 ballistic missiles and at least 17 drones at Israel and occupied territories. Several of the missiles have fallen short. Watch. #israel #telaviv #yemen #houthirebels #hamas #gaza #mohammedbinsalman #houthirebels #israel #gaza #palestine #hamas #mbs #israelhamaswar #unitedstates #usa #donakonda
Malay Mail
32 minutes ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
‘Persona non grata': Netherlands bars two Israeli ministers over incitement, ‘ethnic cleansing' accusations
AMSTERDAM, July 30 — The Netherlands has declared Israel's finance and national security ministers persona non grata for inciting violence and urging ethnic cleansing in Gaza. In June, the Netherlands backed a failed Swedish proposal to impose EU sanctions on Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. 'They repeatedly incited settler violence against Palestinians, promoted illegal settlement expansion, and called for ethnic cleansing in Gaza,' Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp told parliament in a letter released late Monday. Smotrich responded on X, saying European leaders had succumbed to 'the lies of radical Islam that is taking over' and 'rising antisemitism'. Ben-Gvir said he would continue to act for Israel, even if he was banned from entering 'all of Europe'. 'In a place where terrorism is tolerated and terrorists are welcomed, a Jewish minister from Israel is unwanted, terrorists are free, and Jews are boycotted,' he wrote on X. Veldkamp said the Netherlands wanted to 'relieve the suffering of the population in Gaza' and was exploring further ways to contribute to humanitarian aid. 'Airdrops of food are relatively expensive and risky,' he said. 'This is why the Netherlands is also taking steps to further support land-based aid delivery.' Aid drops resumed in Gaza on Sunday as Israel announced temporary humanitarian pauses in parts of the besieged territory. Around 2.4 million Palestinians in Gaza are facing what UN aid agencies have warned is a deadly wave of starvation and malnutrition. The UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Initiative (IPC) said on Tuesday that famine is unfolding across much of Gaza, with thresholds breached and over 20,000 children treated for acute malnutrition since April. Veldkamp said the Netherlands would push to suspend the trade element of the EU-Israel Association Agreement if Israel fails to meet its humanitarian obligations. 'The summons will also be used to remind Israel to comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law,' he said. After speaking by phone with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said the government's position was 'crystal clear'. 'The people of Gaza must be given immediate, unfettered, safe access to humanitarian aid,' he said. Israel's foreign ministry said Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa'ar had summoned the Dutch ambassador Marriët Schuurman to Jersualem for a formal reprimand on Tuesday afternoon. 'The conversation will take place in light of the Dutch government's decisions to take measures against Israel, including against its right to defend itself and against ministers in its government,' the ministry said in a statement. The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed 59,921 Palestinians, also mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. — AFP
Malay Mail
32 minutes ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
UK to recognise Palestinian state in September, unless Israel agrees to Gaza ceasefire
LONDON, July 30 — Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Tuesday the UK will formally recognise the State of Palestine in September unless Israel takes various 'substantive steps', including agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza. The potentially landmark move, part of Starmer's plan for a 'lasting peace', came after the British leader recalled his cabinet from recess for urgent talks on the worsening situation in the besieged territory. Starmer's move, paired with Paris also saying it will recognise a Palestinian state in September, would make the two European allies the first G7 nations to do so. In a televised Downing Street address immediately after the cabinet meeting, Starmer said the UK will recognise a Palestinian state if Israel has not taken the steps demanded by the time the UN General Assembly is held in September. It must 'end the appalling situation in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire and commit to a long-term, sustainable peace, reviving the prospect' of a two-state solution, he added. 'I've always said we will recognise a Palestinian state as a contribution to a proper peace process, at the moment of maximum impact for the two-state solution,' Starmer said. 'With that solution now under threat, this is the moment to act.' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded, saying: 'Starmer rewards Hamas's monstrous terrorism & punishes its victims.' 'A jihadist state on Israel's border TODAY will threaten Britain TOMORROW. Appeasement towards jihadist terrorists always fails. It will fail you too. It will not happen,' he posted on the social media platform X. The UK leader also detailed several demands for militant group Hamas, which is holding Israeli hostages seized in its attacks on October 7, 2023. 'They must immediately release all of the hostages, sign up to a ceasefire, disarm and accept that they will play no part in the government of Gaza,' he said. 'Hand of history' Israel's foreign ministry also said it 'rejects' the UK move, arguing it 'constitutes a reward for Hamas and harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza'. Starmer spoke to Netanyahu before the announcement, telling him 'the situation in Gaza was intolerable,' a Downing Street spokeswoman said. 'He urged the prime minister to take immediate action to lift all restrictions on aid access,' she added in a readout of the call. Starmer also talked to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who 'welcomed' the recognition announcement, the spokeswoman noted. The UK move follows French President Emmanuel Macron announcing last week that Paris would recognise a Palestinian state during the UN General Assembly meeting on September 23. Although more than 140 countries already recognise the State of Palestine, none of them carry the weight of Britain and France, who are nuclear-armed allies of Israel with permanent seats on the UN Security Council. On Tuesday, France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot welcomed London joining 'the momentum created by France' to 'stop the endless cycle of violence'. Macron's announcement drew a strong rebuke from both Israel and fellow G7 member the United States. Starmer said Tuesday his government 'will make an assessment in September on how far the parties have met' the demands. But he insisted: 'No one should have a veto over our decision.' Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy, attending a UN conference in New York led by France and Saudi Arabia to promote the two-state solution, echoed the sentiment. Lammy said it was 'with the hand of history on our shoulders' that London planned to recognise Palestinian statehood, given Britain's pivotal role in Israel's creation through the 1917 Balfour Declaration. 'Suffering' Starmer has been under growing domestic and international pressure to formally recognise a Palestinian state. More than 220 British lawmakers from nine parties including Labour published a letter last Friday urging him to take the step. It was included in Labour's election-winning manifesto last year, as part of 'a two-state solution with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state'. But the pressure has risen as the humanitarian situation in Gaza has dramatically worsened. 'The Palestinian people have endured terrible suffering,' Starmer said in his TV address, adding it 'must end'. His office said the UK had dropped its first aid, including 'lifesaving supplies', by air Tuesday into Gaza, with the help of Jordan. The UK leader thanked its king, Abdullah II, in a call. 'However, they agreed that this could not be a substitute for truck deliveries by land, which are the only way to deliver the level of food and other aid urgently needed,' Starmer's spokeswoman said. — AFP
The Sun
32 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Britain warns Israel over Palestinian state recognition amid Gaza crisis
UNITED NATIONS/LONDON: Britain has warned Israel it may formally recognise a Palestinian state in September unless immediate steps are taken to alleviate suffering in Gaza, where starvation is spreading. The announcement follows a hunger monitor's warning that famine thresholds have been reached, with over 60,000 Palestinians confirmed dead in Israel's offensive. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's stance increases international pressure on Israel, echoing France's recent pledge to recognise Palestinian statehood. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the move, calling it a 'reward for terrorism.' Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, however, praised the decision as 'bold.' The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reported severe malnutrition and disease in Gaza, with famine conditions worsening. Gaza health authorities state 147 people, including 88 children, have died from hunger-related causes in recent weeks. The UN World Food Programme says aid access remains insufficient despite Israel's announced humanitarian pauses. Israel denies deliberately causing starvation, with Foreign Minister Gideon Saar dismissing claims as 'lies.' Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump refrained from endorsing Palestinian statehood, stating Hamas should not be rewarded. The conflict, triggered by Hamas' October 2023 attack on Israel, has become the deadliest in Israel's history. Gaza officials report thousands more bodies buried under rubble, suggesting the actual death toll is far higher. Recent Israeli airstrikes in central Gaza killed at least 30, including women and children. As global outcry grows, Israel faces increasing isolation, with calls to allow unrestricted aid into Gaza. However, US support for Israel remains firm, with Trump's administration showing no signs of recognising Palestinian statehood. - Reuters
San Francisco Chronicle
32 minutes ago
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
UN conference backs two-state solution, calls on Israel to commit to a Palestinian state
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — High-level representatives at a U.N. conference on Tuesday urged Israel to commit to a Palestinian state and gave 'unwavering support' to a two-state solution, signaling widespread international determination to end one of the world's longest conflicts. The 'New York Declaration' sets out a phased plan to end the nearly eight-decade conflict and the ongoing war in Gaza. The plan would culminate with an independent, demilitarized Palestine living side by side peacefully with Israel, and their eventual integration into the wider Mideast region. The meeting is taking place amid the latest reports that starvation and famine are taking place in Gaza, and growing global outrage at Palestinians not getting food due to Israeli policies and practices – which Israel denies. Planned for two days, the meeting was extended into Wednesday because representatives of about 50 countries have not spoken. Israel rejects the notion of two states Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes a two-state solution and has rejected the meeting on both nationalistic and security grounds. Israel's close ally, the United States, is also boycotting, calling the meeting 'unproductive and ill-timed.' Israel's U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon late Tuesday sharply criticized the some 125 countries participating in the conference, saying 'there are those in the world who fight terrorists and extremist forces and then there are those who turn a blind eye to them or resort to appeasement.' The conference, which was postponed from June and downgraded from world leaders to ministers, for the first time established eight high-level working groups to examine and make proposals on wide-ranging topics related to a two-state solution. The declaration's plan says conference co-chairs France and Saudi Arabia, the European Union and Arab League, and 15 countries that led the working groups agreed 'to take collective action to end the war in Gaza.' Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan urged the rest of the 193 U.N. member nations 'to support this document' before the start of the 80th session of the U.N. General Assembly in mid-September. The declaration condemns 'the attacks committed by Hamas against civilians' in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. It marks a first condemnation by Arab nations of Hamas, whose attacks killed about 1,200, mainly Israeli civilians, and whose militants took about 250 people hostage. Some 50 are still being held. The declaration condemns Israel's attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Gaza and its 'siege and starvation, which have produced a devastating humanitarian catastrophe and protection crisis.' Israel's offensive against Hamas has killed over 60,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between civilians and combatants. Plan would give Palestinian Authority governing power The conference plan envisions the Palestinian Authority governing and controlling all Palestinian territory, with a transitional administrative committee immediately established under its umbrella after a ceasefire in Gaza. 'In the context of ending the war in Gaza, Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority,' the declaration says. It also supports deployment of 'a temporary international stabilization mission' operating under U.N. auspices to protect Palestinian civilians, support the transfer of security to the Palestinian Authority and provide security guarantees for Palestine and Israel — 'including monitoring of the ceasefire and of a future peace agreement.' The declaration urges countries to recognize the state of Palestine, calling this 'an essential and indispensable component of the achievement of the two-state solution.' Without naming Israel but clearly referring to it, the document says 'illegal unilateral actions are posing an existential threat to the realization of the independent state of Palestine.' French President Emmanuel Macron announced ahead of the meeting that his country will recognize the state of Palestine at the General Assembly's meeting of world leaders in late September. The French Foreign Ministry on Tuesday pushed back on Israeli claims that recognition of Palestine would 'reward' Hamas, saying that 'on the contrary, it has contributed to isolating Hamas.' United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Tuesday that Britain would recognize the state of Palestine before September's meeting, but would refrain if Israel agrees to a ceasefire and long-term peace process in the next eight weeks. The countries are now the biggest Western powers and the only two members of the Group of Seven major industrialized nations to make such a pledge. A separate one-page statement titled the 'New York Call" was circulated by France, but the language was considered too strong, especially for Arab nations. It was only approved by 15 Western nations, including six that have recognized the state of Palestine and nine others: Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Portugal and San Marino. The statement, issued late Tuesday, says the 15 countries have recognized, 'expressed or express the willingness or the positive consideration ... to recognize the state of Palestine, as an essential step towards the two-state solution, and invite all countries that have not done so to join this call.'
