Latest news with #ISRAELI
The Journal
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Israel due to begin another 10-hour military 'pause' in Gaza as UN pushes for two-state talks
LAST UPDATE | 1 hr ago THE ISRAELI MILITARY will begin a second day of its daily 'tactical pause' in three areas of Gaza, in what it claims is an effort to ease the worsening humanitarian crisis. In a statement on Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had launched a 'tactical suspension of military operations for humanitarian purposes' in al-Mawasi, Deir el-Balah and Gaza City. The pause is scheduled to run from 10am (8am Irish time) to 8pm local time daily, until further notice. Despite the move, safety on the ground is far from guaranteed for Palestinians. An airstrike was reported in Gaza City yesterday in an area where Israel had announced a pause just an hour earlier. The IDF said it was unaware of the strike. The UN's aid chief, Tom Fletcher, noted some easing of movement restrictions since Israel agreed to expand humanitarian access for a week. However, he urged that the effort now needed to be 'sustained, vast and fast', pressing Israel to accelerate the approval of lorries at border crossings. Jordan and the United Arab Emirates carried out their first airdrops into Gaza in months yesterday, though officials stressed that air delivery is no substitute for consistent land access. Humanitarian aid was airdropped to Palestinians over northern Gaza. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu again criticised the UN, accusing it of having 'no excuses left' for not delivering aid. He also rejected allegations that Israel is deliberately starving civilians, a potential war crime, calling such claims an 'egregious falsehood'. The UN said it would attempt to reach as many people as possible now that secure land routes have been announced. The World Food Programme (WFP) reported it has enough supplies in, or en route to, the region to feed Gaza's 2.1 million residents for almost three months. Advertisement The WFP says 62,000 tonnes of food per month are needed to meet the population's basic needs. Trucks carrying humanitarian aids line up to enter the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Israel said that 120 trucks of aid have been distributed in Gaza so far. UN Conference on Two-State Solution France and Saudi Arabia are leading a UN-backed initiative in New York this week aimed at reviving the push for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement last week that France will recognise the State of Palestine in September has added momentum to the three-day conference. Several other European nations are expected to follow suit. France's decision to recognise Palestine 'will breathe new life into a conference that seemed destined to irrelevance,' said Richard Gowan, an analyst at the International Crisis Group. 'Macron's announcement changes the game. Other participants will be scrabbling to decide if they should also declare an intent to recognize Palestine,' Gowan said. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa and officials from over 100 countries are expected to attend the New York conference. The conference will also focus on reforming the Palestinian Authority, disarming Hamas, and encouraging further Arab-Israeli normalisation. While no new peace deals are expected, French officials say Arab states will, for the first time, issue a joint condemnation of Hamas and call for its disarmament. Neither Israel nor the United States are participating in the talks. Despite 'tactical pauses' announced by Israel, the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is expected to dominate speeches by representatives. Gowan said he expected 'very fierce criticism of Israel.' Additional reporting from AFP Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
News18
4 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Katz Warns Khamenei "He's Next if..." Cautions Against Threatening Israel; Iran Raps Gaza Blockade
Israeli Defense Minister Katz threatened Iran's Khamenei with direct retaliation, while the US touted its Iran airstrikes as deterring allies' support for Tehran. Iran's health minister urged urgent global action to stop Gaza's humanitarian collapse, warning of famine and infant deaths. Hamas slammed Israeli airdrops as a 'deceptive' ploy. Australia and Germany condemned the Gaza siege. Meanwhile, three IDF soldiers were jailed for refusing Gaza deployment, and four others, including a commander, were wounded during operations in southern Rafah. 00:00 - INTRODUCTION01:47 - IRAN MINISTER URGES GLOBAL ACTION TO SAVE GAZANS05:06 - 3 ISRAELI SOLDIERS DISMISSED, JAILED FOR 'REBELLION'n18oc_world n18oc_crux
The Journal
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Another Gaza-bound aid ship stopped by Israeli forces in international waters
ISRAELI FORCES HAVE intercepted another humanitarian aid ship carrying pro-Palestinian activists in international waters, in what campaigners have called an 'unlawful' and 'violent' act against civilians attempting to deliver relief to Gaza. The Handala, a refurbished fishing boat operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), was stopped last night around 100km off the coast of Gaza and 50km from Egypt. The vessel was carrying aid supplies including baby formula, nappies, food, and medicine, intended for civilians in the besieged territory. In a statement on X, Israel's foreign ministry said its navy had prevented the Handala, registered as Navaren, from 'illegally entering the maritime zone of the coast of Gaza'. It said the vessel was 'safely making its way to the shores of Israel' and that 'all passengers are safe'. 'Unauthorised attempts to breach the blockade are dangerous, unlawful, and undermine ongoing humanitarian efforts,' the statement added. Video footage from the Handala showed passengers with their hands raised in surrender and singing the anti-fascist anthem Bella Ciao as Israeli soldiers boarded. The Handala has just been illegally intercepted by the Zionist entity of Israel while carrying baby formula to starving children — Thiago Ávila | Gaza Freedom Flotilla (@thiagoavilabr) July 26, 2025 The livestream was cut shortly afterward, and the FFC later said that communication systems and cameras on board had been disabled. 'The unarmed boat was carrying life-saving supplies when it was boarded by Israeli forces, its passengers abducted, and its cargo seized,' the FFC said. The group claims the vessel was intercepted in international waters at 11.43pm local time. Advertisement Among the 21 people aboard were human rights campaigners, two Al Jazeera journalists, and elected representatives from France's national and European parliaments. One of the coalition's steering committee members, Ann Wright, said in a statement that the ship's seizure 'is not a matter of internal Israeli jurisdiction.' 'These are foreign nationals operating under international law in international waters. Their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end,' Wright said. Gaza blockade The interception comes just over a month after another Freedom Flotilla vessel, the Madleen, was stopped en route to Gaza. That ship carried 12 activists, including Greta Thunberg, and was also attempting to deliver aid in defiance of Israel's naval blockade. Activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition aboard the Madleen boat in June. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo The blockade, enforced by Israel since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, has been widely criticised for exacerbating a humanitarian crisis. Since 2 March, Israel has largely restricted the entry of aid into the territory, prompting warnings from the UN and humanitarian organisations of mass starvation and a looming famine. The Handala's mission was part of what the flotilla organisers called a 'people's humanitarian corridor'. The group has called for the immediate release of those on board and for governments to intervene. Today, Israel's military announced the opening of humanitarian corridors and limited daily pauses in military operations to allow the delivery of aid . Additional reporting from AFP Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
5 days ago
- Health
- The Journal
Israeli army announces 'tactical pause' in parts of Gaza as starvation crisis worsens
THE ISRAELI MILITARY has announced a 'tactical pause' in operations in certain areas of Gaza to facilitate humanitarian aid. According to a statement shared on Telegram, the pause will take place daily until further notice in areas where the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) are not currently active: Al-Mawasi, Deir al-Balah, and Gaza City. Secure routes will be designated to allow safe passage for humanitarian convoys. The IDF stated it would continue to support humanitarian efforts while maintaining 'ongoing manoeuvring and offensive operations against terrorist organisations in the Gaza Strip to protect Israeli civilians'. It also said it was prepared to expand the scale of the pause if necessary. The announcement comes amid escalating concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. On Friday, Palestinian health officials reported five more deaths due to malnutrition, bringing the total to 127, two-thirds of whom were children. Among the latest deaths was a five-month-old girl who weighed less than at birth. A doctor at Nasser Hospital described it as a case of 'severe, severe starvation'. Advertisement Medical staff have also been affected, with some resorting to IV drips to continue treating patients. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) warned on Friday that 25% of young children and pregnant women in Gaza are now malnourished, calling the lack of food and water 'unconscionable'. The UN estimates that Israeli forces have killed over 1,000 people attempting to access food, the majority near militarised aid distribution points under the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, described the hunger crisis as 'manmade' and criticised aid air drops as expensive and inefficient. 'Lift the siege, open the gates, and guarantee safe movement and dignified access to those in need,' he urged. Lazzarini added that 6,000 trucks loaded with aid are waiting in Jordan and Egypt for permission to enter Gaza. In response to mounting pressure, the IDF said it had carried out a humanitarian airdrop containing 'seven pallets of aid including flour, sugar and canned food', coordinated with international organisations. Israel has faced increasing international criticism over the deepening crisis, after imposing a total blockade on Gaza on 2 March. Though a limited flow of aid resumed in late May, aid agencies warn it falls far short of what is needed to curb rising malnutrition. Despite this, the IDF maintains that there is 'no starvation' in Gaza. Additional reporting from AFP Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
News18
24-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Israeli Woman Plotted to Kill Netanyahu with RPG, Netanyahu Recalls Gaza Ceasefire Negotiators
Israeli Woman Plotted to Kill Netanyahu with RPG, Netanyahu Recalls Gaza Ceasefire Negotiators A 73-year-old Israeli woman has been charged with plotting to assassinate PM Benjamin Netanyahu with a rocket launcher, prosecutors said on July 24. According to the indictment, the terminally ill woman decided to kill Netanyahu after she learned of her diagnosis. She consequently decided to "sacrifice" her life in order to "save" the State of Israel from the current government, the prosecutor quoted her saying. She reportedly shared her plan with another activist and asked him to help her purchase a rocket-propelled grenade to carry out the woman's identity has not been released but the indictment papers described her an anti-government activist from Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, Israel is bringing the hostage negotiating team back from Qatar to 'continue consultations in Israel,' Israeli Prime Minister's office said on July 24. Earlier, Hamas said that it submitted its response to a Gaza ceasefire proposal, Anadolu reports. n18oc_world n18oc_crux0:00 INTRODUCTION2:28 ISRAELI OPPOSITION SLAMS 'GAZA WIPE OUT' REMARKS4:44 NETANAYHU RECALLS ISRAELI NEGOTIATORS BACK TO TEL AVIV
