Latest news with #Hamas.
Memri
2 days ago
- Politics
- Memri
Article In Qatari Government Daily: Muhammad Sinwar Was A Great And Daring Fighter – It Is Enough That He Was October 7 'Mastermind'
The Qatari government press continues to declare its full-throated support for Hamas and its terrorist activities against Israel, especially for its October 7, 2023 attack on Israel in which some 1,200 people were murdered and 251 were taken hostage. This approach is in line with Qatar's unconditional support for its protégé Hamas.[1] One expression of this support was an article published June 8, 2025 by the Qatari Al-Raya government daily. In it, senior writer Babiker Issa[2] praised Muhammad Sinwar, a top official of the Hamas military wing, the 'Izz Ad-Din Al-Qassam Brigades, and one of the planners of the October 7 attack. Sinwar, killed recently in the Gaza Strip, was the brother of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who was killed in October 2024. Under the headline "Sinwar – Icon of the Palestinian Resistance," Issa called Muhammad Sinwar "a daring fighter" and "an honorable and great warrior." He went on to describe him as "an icon of the national struggle on the land of Palestine and in Gaza," and as "the planner and the mastermind – with his comrades the fighters – of the Al-Aqsa Flood operation on October 7, 2023… which restored to the Palestinian issue its brilliance and its glory." Also in his article, Issa placed Muhammad Sinwar alongside prominent historical figures such as the Prophet Muhammad and Jesus Christ, freedom fighters such as Mahatma Ghandi, Martin Luther King, and Nelson Mandela, and PLO leaders such as Yasser Arafat and his deputy Abu Jihad, who had headed the Fatah military wing and was responsible for the murder of dozens of Israelis in numerous terrorist attacks in the 1970s and 1980s. Muhammad Sinwar (Source: May 25, 2025) The following are excerpts from Babiker Issa's June 8, 2025 article in the Qatari Al-Raya government daily: Beginning his article with an extensive list of prominent figures who changed history, from Jesus and the Prophet Muhammad to the 20th century and "great and honorable fighters" such as Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, and others, Issa went on to state: "...What led me to the biographies of these esteemed fighters who sacrificed the best of their lives for the sake of their country is the story of the daring fighter Muhammad Sinwar (1975-2025), in whom I see, according to every criterion, an icon of the national struggle on the exalted land of Palestine and in Gaza of steadfastness. "It is enough that this great and honorable warrior was the planner and the mastermind – along with his comrades the fighters – of the Al-Aqsa Flood operation on October 7, 2023, which restored to the world the sanity that was absent and was stolen from it, and which restored to the Palestinian issue the brilliance and glory that was stolen from it. This was in spite of the excessive sacrifices [that resulted from the operation] and the attempts at exiling and erasing [the Palestinians] from human existence. "When I think of [Muhammad] Sinwar, who frightened his hangmen [i.e. the Israelis] even after his death, I think of a deceased leader: Yasser Arafat (1929-2004), a national symbol and a charismatic figure who combined diplomatic activity with the armed struggle, and of his fortunate comrades, several of whom I had the opportunity to meet. I recall George Habash (1926-2008), founder of the Popular Front [for the Liberation of Palestine], aka 'the doctor,' one of the most influential leaders in Palestinian revolutionary thought. [I recall] the fighter Khalil Al-Wazir (Abu Jihad, 1935-1988), architect of the first Intifada, who was killed by the Mossad in Tunisia. [I recall] the fighter Salah Khalaf Abu Iyad (1933-1991), one of the most prominent leaders of Fatah and head of internal security in the PLO..."[3]
India Today
27-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Hamas or hostages? Israel faces tough choice amid international pressure
On May 26, yet another attempt at a ceasefire in Gaza ended abruptly after Israel and Hamas refused to accept a deal that could have ended the misery of people in Gaza. Even if temporarily, it would have ushered in critical food, water, and medical aid for the starving and dying Witkoff, the US Envoy for the Middle East, outlined the offer, which stated that Israel would agree to a temporary ceasefire that would see half of the living and deceased hostages return and lead to substantive negotiations to find a path to a permanent ceasefire. The deal would see around 10 living hostages and 10 bodies of hostages, along with hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, released in two stages during a roughly two-month ceasefire. In the meantime, Israel and Hamas could have negotiated the terms of a permanent offer, however, found no takers. Meanwhile, death and misery in Gaza continue. In a fresh push towards eliminating the threat of Hamas, on May 16, Israel launched Operation Gideon's Chariots — a reference to a biblical warrior. The campaign is aiming 'to achieve all the goals of the war in Gaza, including the release of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas.'Israel Defence Forces spokesperson Effie Defrin stated, 'During the operation, we will increase and expand our operational control in the Gaza Strip, including segmenting the territory and moving the population for their protection in all the areas in which we operate.' On May 18, over 100 people were killed in Gaza in one night in an extensive ground operation coupled with an intense air and Hamas had agreed to a ceasefire just before Donald Trump took office as the US President in January 2025. The truce, which came into effect on January 16, lasted till March 18, when Israel unilaterally broke out of it, launching airstrikes and subsequently moving ground forces back into Gaza. A complete blockade was enforced along with the renewed offensive, restricting the movement of any food, water, or medical per Gaza's Health Ministry, 3,785 people have been killed since Israel ended a ceasefire in March, bringing the death toll to at least 53,900, with over 1,22,500 wounded. As per estimates, over 70 per cent of these are women and children, including infants. This has led to a global outcry. On the other hand, of the 251 Israeli hostages taken on October 7, 2023, Hamas still holds 58. These include the bodies of at least 35 confirmed dead by Israel, and at least 20 are believed to be dilemma: Hostages or Hamas?As Israel's fresh offensive takes shape, the deteriorating condition of the remaining hostages is a concern. At home, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces increasing pressure from the families of hostages. Hamas has repeatedly refused to release any more hostages until Israel agrees to a permanent end to the war and withdraws forces from Gaza. Israel, on the other hand, insists on the complete surrender of Hamas, including the demilitarisation of Gaza and removal of Hamas from any future governance Israeli forces continued their hunt for Hamas, they scored a major tactical victory on May 13, when they eliminated Muhammad Sinwar, its de facto chief in Gaza and the brother of Yahya Sinwar, Hamas' military chief who was killed last repeated military successes, however, Israel is nowhere near achieving its military goals. Reports of Hamas recruiting fresh cadres in hundreds and rearming them are also a matter of concern. With Hamas not relenting and the number of living hostages shrinking by the day, Israel faces a huge dilemma: to choose between getting the remaining hostages out at the earliest or risking their lives to finish Hamas forever. Meanwhile, with increasing reports of starvation and mass killings in Gaza, there is greater pressure on Israel to call off the war at the international pressureFollowing the start of Operation Gideon's Chariots, Israel began facing unprecedented pressure from its allies. The UK, Canada, and France have threatened sanctions. On May 19, the UK's Keir Starmer, France's Emmanuel Macron, and Canada's Mark Carney issued a joint statement condemning Israel's handling of the humanitarian situation in Gaza and called on it to immediately halt military action in the enclave and allow in more aid. They threatened 'further concrete actions in response' if Israel refuses. Netanyahu was quick to say that the three countries were 'on the wrong side of history'. The European Union, Israel's biggest trade partner, is reviewing its landmark Association May 25, Spain, which has been vocal in its opposition to Israel's military campaign in Gaza, held the fifth official meeting of the Madrid Group, a group comprising key European and Arab nations, which called on the international community to impose sanctions on Israel to force it to stop its war in it is the support from its key ally, the US, which is starting to become a concern for Israel. The alliance with the US, which has always stood strong, is on shaky ground in light of the increasing casualties and continuing deaths due to starvation, especially those of fact that Donald Trump visited the region earlier this month — his first foreign visit after taking over as the president — did not include Israel is a statement in itself. The ongoing US-Iran nuclear talks, despite strong opposition from Israel, are also a sign of discord. Trump and Netanyahu have reportedly engaged in verbal spats over the Iran nuclear deal. Although the US continues its support to Israel in the supply of military aid, increasing international opposition to its military operations in Gaza means that Israel is largely left to fight this battle on its Operation Sindoor wayThe war in Gaza has been going on for 20 months and shows no signs of relenting. Israel may have to conduct a hard internal has already achieved more than it set out to on October 7, 2023. Hamas has been severely degraded and its top political and military leadership wiped out. Hezbollah has been brought to its knees with the entire top leadership eliminated and military capability severely crippled. With the Al Sharra government in place in Syria, Israel has made considerable gains in securing key territory for itself to create a buffer from any ISIS-type threat. Iran, which is the chief benefactor of proxy groups operating against Israel, too, is weakened and is unlikely to pose any serious threat calling off the war from the current position of a huge military advantage should be the preferred option for Israel instead of fighting an endless battle. In an opinion poll published by Israel's Channel 12 broadcaster earlier this month, 61 per cent favoured ending the war for a deal securing hostages, while only 25 per cent supported the expanded military should take a leaf out of the Indian playbook in the recently-conducted Operation Sindoor against terror infrastructure in Pakistan. Having delivered crushing blows, both to the terrorists and the Pakistani military, India agreed to an early ceasefire instead of getting bogged down in a battle of attrition. Israel could think of something similar now and get back the remaining hostages. If Hamas threatens to manifest again in the future, it can then be taken out before it harms Israel, a battle left to be fought another day.(Col Rajeev Agarwal is a Foreign Policy Expert and a Senior Research Consultant at Chintan Research Foundation, New Delhi)(Views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author)Trending Reel
Saudi Gazette
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Netanyahu says Israel will control all of Gaza Strip at end of current military offensive
JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Wednesday that the war on Gaza will persist until Hamas is disarmed and the Palestinian territory is entirely under Israeli control. The Israeli premier laid out some of his conditions to bring the war that started in October 2023 to an end. 'I am ready to end the war but with clear conditions that will ensure Israel's security. All the hostages return home, Hamas hands over its weapons and leaves power,' said Netanyahu at a press conference in Jerusalem. Netanyahu noted that Hamas' leadership must all leave Gaza and Israel must ensure that the enclave is free of weapons. He also asserted that after all these conditions are met, Israel will move ahead and proceed with Trump's proposed plan for the future of Gaza. 'We [will] implement (President) Trump's plan, it is a good plan and makes a difference and it means something very simple, that the residents of Gaza who want to leave can leave.' Trump had previously floated the idea of resettling all of Gaza's population in order for the US to 'take ownership' of the land. The proposal was met with widespread regional and international disapproval, with many countries insisting that Gaza is Palestinian and should remain for the also noted that he is open to a temporary truce with Hamas to release the remaining hostages. The Israeli leader added that Israeli intelligence suggests that 20 of the remaining 58 hostages still under Hamas captivity are believed to be also slammed countries who've been calling out Israel over its actions and operations in Gaza. He stressed that the war will only end when Hamas is fully dismantled, adding that their disapproval of Israel's war amounts to support for Hamas.'Anyone who calls us to end the war right before us achieving these goals, is actually calling for keeping Hamas in power.'On Tuesday, the UK suspended free trade talks with Israel over its intensifying assault as the UK, Canada and France promised 'concrete' steps to prompt Israel to halt the European Union was also reviewing an EU pact governing trade ties with Israel over its conduct of the war, according to its foreign policy voiced his opposition to the recent developments.'I think this is a disgrace that Britain, instead of imposing sanctions on Hamas, imposes sanctions on a woman who is threatened daily on the roads of Judia and Samaria (the West Bank) by Hamas terrorists."He also stated that US President Donald Trump remains on his side, laying rumours over a fractured relationship with Washington to rest.'Several days ago, maybe 10 days ago, or more, I spoke with Trump on the phone, and he told me, Bibi, I want you to know that I have an absolute commitment to you and I have an absolute commitment to Israel,' added says it is prepared to release the hostages in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal from the territory and an end to the war. It however rejects demands for exile and disarmament. — Euronews
Economic Times
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Israel will 'take control of all' of Gaza Strip, PM Benjamin Netanyahu says
Amidst intensified military operations in Gaza, Prime Minister Netanyahu declared Israel's intent to "take control" of the entire territory, citing the necessity of preventing famine for diplomatic reasons. Air strikes have resulted in numerous casualties, as the conflict escalates. Despite international pressure and ongoing negotiations, a breakthrough remains elusive, with both sides holding firm on their demands. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads 'Reduced to starvation' Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads No breakthrough in talks 'No one left' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that Israel will "take control" of the whole of Gaza, as the military pressed a newly intensified campaign in the war-ravaged Israel announced it would let a "basic amount" of food into the Gaza Strip , Netanyahu said it was necessary to prevent a famine for "diplomatic reasons".In Gaza, rescuers said air strikes killed at least 22 people, after the military announced it had begun "extensive ground operations" against Hamas."The fighting is intense and we are making progress. We will take control of all the territory of the Strip," Netanyahu said in a video posted on Telegram."We will not give up. But in order to succeed, we must act in a way that cannot be stopped."Israel has come under mounting international pressure, including from key backer the United States, to lift a total blockade it imposed on Gaza more than two months ago."We must not let the population (of Gaza) sink into famine, both for practical and diplomatic reasons," Netanyahu said, adding that even friends of Israel would not tolerate "images of mass starvation".In a report this month, the UN- and NGO-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification said Gaza was at "critical risk of famine", with 22 percent of the population facing an imminent humanitarian "catastrophe".Israel said its blockade since March 2 was aimed at forcing concessions from the Palestinian militant group, but UN agencies have warned of critical shortages of food, clean water, fuel and week US President Donald Trump acknowledged that "a lot of people are starving", adding "we're going to get that taken care of".In his inaugural mass, Pope Leo XIV called on the faithful not to forget "our brothers and sisters who are suffering because of war."In Gaza, the surviving children, families and elderly are reduced to starvation," he Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir argued against any resumption of aid, saying on X: "Mr Prime Minister, our hostages receive no humanitarian aid.""The Prime Minister is making a serious mistake in this move, and he has no majority at all. Hamas must only be crushed, and not at the same time provided with oxygen for its survival," he said in a military on Monday said the air force had struck "160 terror targets" in Gaza over the past day, as it pressed an expanded campaign, which Israel says aims to free hostages and defeat Hamas, started Saturday as the two sides entered indirect talks in Qatar on a office said negotiators Doha were "working to exhaust every possibility for a deal -- whether according to the Witkoff framework or as part of ending the fighting".Steve Witkoff is the US Middle East envoy who has been involved in statement said a deal "would include the release of all the hostages, the exile of Hamas terrorists, and the disarmament of the Gaza Strip".Since a two-month ceasefire collapsed in March as Israel resumed its offensive, negotiations mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States have failed to make a has opposed ending the war without Hamas's total defeat, while Hamas has balked at handing over its Monday, there were heavy strikes in and around the main southern city of Khan Yunis, where civil defence agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal said 11 people were killed and several others also reported another 11 deaths in strikes on other parts of the footage from Gaza on Sunday showed people sifting through ruined shelters and rescuers treating the wounded."All my family members are gone. There is no one left," said a distraught Warda al-Shaer."The children were killed as well as their parents. My mother died too, and my niece lost her eye."The United Nations had warned of the risk of famine in Gaza before the aid blockade was October 2023 attack that triggered the war resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official also took 251 hostages during the attack, 57 of whom remain in Gaza, including 34 the military says are health ministry said Sunday at least 3,193 people have been killed since Israel resumed strikes on March 18, taking the war's overall toll to 53,339.
India Today
13-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Donald Trump touts Saudi Arabia as model for Middle East stability on landmark trip
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia: President Donald Trump on Tuesday held out Saudi Arabia as a model for a reimagined Middle East, using the first major foreign trip of his term to emphasize the promise of economic prosperity over instability in a region reeling from multiple partnership to longtime foes, Trump said he would move to lift sanctions on Syria and normalize relations with the new government led by a former insurgent, and he touted the US role in bringing about a fragile ceasefire with Yemen's Houthis. But Trump also indicated his patience was not endless, as he urged Iran to make a new nuclear deal with the US or risk severe economic and military his carrot and stick approach, Trump gave the clearest indication yet of his vision for remaking the region, where goals of fostering human rights and democracy promotion have been replaced by an emphasis on economic prosperity and regional stability. Trump also made a pitch to Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords started in his first term and recognize Israel. And he envisioned a hopeful future for the people of Gaza — emphasizing they must first cast off the influence of Hamas.'As I have shown repeatedly, I am willing to end past conflicts and forge new partnerships for a better and more stable world, even if our differences may be profound,' Trump said as he laid out his outlook for the region in a speech at an investment Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler, welcomed Trump to the kingdom with royal flourishes and lavished attention on him at every turn. It was a stark contrast to the crown prince's awkward fist bump in 2022 with then-President Joe Biden, who tried to avoid being seen on camera shaking hands with him during a visit to the shows disdain for 'nation-builders' and interventionistsThe Republican president made the case for a vision centered in pragmatism. It's something he sees as a necessity for the U.S., which he believes is still feeling the ill effects of 20 years of 'endless war' in Iraq and Afghanistan.'In the end, the so-called nation builders wrecked far more nations than they built, and the interventionists were intervening in complex societies that they did not even understand themselves,' Trump used the moment to extend an olive branch to Iran and urge its leaders to come to terms with his administration on a deal to curb its nuclear program. But he also warned that this opportunity to find a diplomatic solution 'won't last forever.''If Iran's leadership rejects this olive branch ... we will have no choice but to inflict massive maximum pressure, drive Iranian oil exports to zero,' he latest entreaty to Tehran comes days after Trump dispatched special envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with Iranian officials for a fourth round of talks aimed at persuading Iran to abandon its nuclear in his speech, also said he hoped Saudi Arabia will recognize Israel 'in your own time.'Saudi Arabia long has maintained that recognition of Israel is tied to the establishment of a Palestinian state along the lines of Israel's 1967 borders. Under the Biden administration, there was a push for Saudi Arabia to recognize Israel as part of a major diplomatic deal. However, the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel upended those plans and sent the region into one of the worst periods it has moving to restore relations with new leader of SyriaSeparately, Trump announced he was lifting US sanctions on Syria. He is expected to meet Wednesday in Saudi Arabia with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, the onetime insurgent who last year led the overthrow of longtime leader Bashar US has been weighing how to handle al-Sharaa since he took power in December. Gulf leaders have rallied behind the new government in Damascus and want Trump to follow suit, believing it is a bulwark against Iran's return to influence in Syria, where it had helped prop up Assad's government during a decadelong civil said calls from Gulf leaders as well as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shaped his surprise announcement.'So I say, good luck, Syria, show us something very special like they've done, frankly, in Saudi Arabia,' Trump Mohammed carefully choreographed the visit as he looked to flatter de facto Saudi leader greeted Trump warmly as he stepped off Air Force One at King Khalid International Airport. The two leaders then retreated to a grand hall at the Riyadh airport, where Trump and his aides were served traditional Arabic coffee by waiting attendants wearing ceremonial gun leaders signed more than a dozen agreements to increase cooperation between their governments' militaries, justice departments and cultural crown prince has already committed to some $600 billion in new Saudi investment in the U.S. And Trump teased $1 trillion would be even jet escortThe pomp began before Trump even landed. Royal Saudi Air Force F-15s provided an honorary escort for Air Force One as it approached the kingdom's capital — an exceptionally rare and Prince Mohammed also took part in a formal greeting and lunch at the Royal Court at Al Yamamah Palace, gathering with guests and aides in an ornate room with blue and gold accents and massive crystal chandeliers. As he greeted business titans with Trump by his side, the crown prince was animated and 2022 visit was far more restrained. At the time, Prince Mohammed's reputation had been badly damaged by a U.S. intelligence determination that he had ordered the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal that dark moment appeared to be distant memory for the prince on Tuesday as he rubbed elbows with high-profile business executives — including Blackstone Group CEO Stephen Schwarzman, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk — in front of the cameras and with Trump by his slammed Biden for 'spurning' a 'most trusted and long-standing partner.''We have great partners in the world, but we have none stronger and nobody like the gentleman that's right before me,' Trump said of the prince. 'He's your greatest representative.'advertisementLater, the crown prince feted Trump with an intimate state dinner at Ad-Diriyah, a UNESCO heritage site that is the birthplace of the first Saudi state and the location of a major development project championed by the crown and UAE nextThe three countries on Trump's itinerary — Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates — are places where the Trump Organization, run by Trump's two oldest sons, is developing major real estate projects. They include a high-rise tower in Jeddah, a luxury hotel in Dubai and a golf course and villa complex in planned to announce deals at all three stops during the Mideast swing, initiatives that will touch on artificial intelligence, expanding energy cooperation and Trump believes more deals with Saudi Arabia should be in the offing.'I really believe we like each other a lot,' Trump said at one point with a smiling crown prince sitting nearby.
