Latest news with #Israel-HamasWar
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Former hostages meet Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot
Gal Gadot met with former hostages Doron Steinbrecher, Liri Albag, Naama Levy, Moran Stella Yanai, and Ilana Gritzewsky. Several female former hostages met Israeli actress Gal Gadot on Tuesday, according to a press release from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Gadot met with former hostages Doron Steinbrecher, Liri Albag, Naama Levy, Moran Stella Yanai, and Ilana Gritzewsky in Israel. In the meeting, the women shared their stories of captivity and expressed their gratitude for her activism. 'You've all been through incredibly difficult things, and I can't believe you're standing here today, continuing your lives and fighting for others," Gadot said. 'You are an inspiration, you are strength' "Watching you carry the weight for those still in captivity — you are an inspiration, and you are strength. I hope with all my heart they all come home soon.' The hostages emphasized the importance of continuing to speak out about those still remaining in captivity. 'Don't stop. We must keep talking and keep them in people's hearts and minds," said Doron Steinbrecher. At the Jerusalem Film Festival, Gadot called for an end to the Israel-Hamas War. 'The most important thing all of us wish is that we can breathe again calmly, and we will be able to do that when the hostages return home." Their meeting comes as Israeli and Palestinian delegations hold talks about a ceasefire and hostage deal. Israel and its negotiating partners are still waiting for Hamas's response to the proposed deal presented by mediators last week. N12 reported that Hamas is stalling talks, and that American mediators believe that "if there is no agreement this time, the blame will lie fully with Hamas." Solve the daily Crossword
Otago Daily Times
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Fighting the monsters at the gateway to a hellish place
It was her little smile that said it all. United Nations special rapporteur Francesca Albanese, appearing before the UN Human Rights Council on July 3, 2025, had not only accused Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinians of Gaza, but also of profiting hugely from their destruction. Her report to the council was warmly welcomed by the League of Arab States, Venezuela, Palestine, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Qatar. But, when Hillel Neuer from the UN Watch organisation demanded to know why, in her entire report, there was not a single mention of the October 7, 2023 massacre, Hamas, Hezbollah or that leading sponsor of terrorism across the Middle East, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ms Albanese had nothing to say. Surrounded by allies and friends, she was under no compulsion to answer Neuer's questions. Hence her brief, but highly communicative, little smile. Israel's fury at the rest of the world's failure to call its enemies to account is easily understood. Less easily forgiven is the Israeli state's apparent loss of interest in trying to appraise the rest of humanity of its enemies' ultimate purpose. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and his allies, clearly prefer to concentrate all their nation's resources upon securing the complete destruction of Hamas and its allies. Very early in the Israel-Hamas War, a decision was made that civilian casualties would no longer be permitted to impede Israel's extirpation of Palestinian terrorism. Previous forays into Gaza had been restrained by Israel's sensitivity to global opinion. It understood that the civilian population of Gaza had become Hamas' human ammunition against "the Zionist enemy". The more casualties inflicted by the Israeli Defence Forces, the less international support there would be for the Israeli state. Hamas knew this. Indeed, Hamas was counting on it. The Israelis might slap its face, but they were not prepared to endure the consequences of cutting off its head. The horrific atrocities and the unprecedented death toll — 1200 people — of the October 7 pogrom put an end to Israeli restraint. On paper, Israel's winning move was to do nothing. It should have refrained from firing a single bullet into Gaza, and from dropping a single bomb. Borrowing from Hamas' own strategy, Israel should, instead, have taken on the role of victim, and used the massacre as a grisly illustration of the true nature of Palestinianism. On paper. But October 7, 2023, did not unfold on paper. Rather than allowing the world to discern the true nature of Hamas, Israel opted, instead, to avenge its dead and abducted citizens by destroying the terrorist organisation completely — regardless of the civilian cost. The warning of the German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche: "have a care when fighting monsters, lest ye become a monster yourself", went unheeded by Netanyahu and his bloodthirsty Zionist allies. Month by month, the breadth of their vision narrowed, until they could no longer perceive how decisively world opinion was being turned against Israel by a Hamas enemy whose supply of human ammunition showed every sign of being inexhaustible. As Gaza was steadily transformed into a trackless waste of rubble, and the body count climbed inexorably towards 60,000, it became increasingly plausible for the likes of Francesca Albanese to prosecute their charges of genocide. Certainly, the Muslim world raised no objections to such claims. Israel was now in the terrifying predicament of Shakespeare's Macbeth: "I am in blood Stepp'd in so far that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o'er." Seized by that grim realisation, Israel plunged on. Soon it was pummelling Lebanon — and then Iran. Darkness now gathers around Israel as, methodically, Gaza is being flattened out. In the desolation that used to be Rafah, Israel's military is preparing to build a "humanitarian city" of tents for 600,000, rising to 2million, Palestinians. Around these tents, the Israelis propose to string coil after coil of razor wire. Doubtless, there will be searchlights and watchtowers. Certainly, once the Palestinians are driven into this terrible encampment, they will not be suffered to leave. Imagine the terror of the Gazans, as they shuffle under the tutelage of Israeli firepower towards the gates of this hellish place. ■Chris Trotter is an Auckland writer and commentator.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
France's Macron withdraws from UN Palestinian state recognition conference
The conference was intended to discuss the future of the Gaza Strip after the Israel-Hamas War concludes, and to prepare for the gradual recognition of a Palestinian state. French President Emmanuel Macron is no longer expected to attend the upcoming UN conference on the recognition of a Palestinian state, according to sources on Tuesday. Macron encountered strong opposition from the British and Canadian governments, who warned that a unilateral French recognition of a Palestinian state could undermine international coordination efforts with Israel and exacerbate divisions, according to diplomatic sources familiar with the matter. Macron, who had intended to lead the conference along with Saudi Arabia, had reportedly considered announcing France's official recognition of a Palestinian state, a claim that France has firmly denied. The conference was originally supposed to take place in New York between June 17-20. The conference was intended to discuss the future of the Gaza Strip after the Israel-Hamas War concludes, and to prepare for the gradual recognition of a Palestinian state. However, this was delayed due to the Israel-Iran War. Additionally, the US applied behind-the-scenes pressure, which led to the postponement of the original conference date, according to sources speaking to Walla. A new date for the conference was set for July 28, but without Macron's participation. Paris's leading politicians are working to lower expectations with officials clarifying that France is not abandoning the two-state solution, but does not intend to act unilaterally without broad international consensus. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot mentioned this week that "the goal is to outline post-war Gaza and prepare for France's and other countries' recognition of a Palestinian state." Amichai Stein contributed to this report.
South Wales Argus
11-07-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Fact check: Clip about October 7 attack was taken out of context
Another video which was also widely spread on social media included only the last sentence. Evaluation The clips have been taken out of context. Mr Jones was making a point that asking such a question would be 'outrageous'. The facts The mention of October 7 is a reference to the terrorist attack carried out by Hamas against Israel on that date in 2023. The attack killed around 1,200 people and Hamas took hundreds of hostages. Following the attack, Israel attacked Hamas in Gaza, a conflict which has claimed more than 54,000 lives by an official count. The clip shared on social media was taken from an episode of Piers Morgan's YouTube show Uncensored. Mr Jones was interviewed about the situation in Gaza on the show on July 3, starting at around 42 minutes into the episode. The clip was from a section where Mr Jones attempted to make a point about Mr Morgan's questioning. Slightly before the clip starts, Mr Morgan had asked about how Israel should have responded to the October 7 attacks. He said: 'Three thousand terrorists have come over the border. They've annihilated 1,200 people. They've captured 250-plus hostages. Seven thousand people were wounded, many of them with irrevocable injuries. What would you have done?' After some back and forth, Mr Jones said: 'You would find this question offensive if I had put it to you. If I had said to you: 'In 2023, 240 Palestinians had been killed that year by the Israeli state, including 40 children. What else was Hamas supposed to do on October 7?' What would you say?' Mr Morgan: 'Are you justifying…' Mr Jones: 'No, no, that's the point. I'm saying: You would say – correctly – 'there is never any excuse for war crimes, this is an outrageous question for you to even ask me'.' Links Post on X (archived post and video) Second post on X (archived post and video) US Department of Defense – Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J Austin (archived) Britannica – Israel-Hamas War (archived) Piers Morgan Uncensored, July 3 2025 (archived page and audio – downloads as mp3 file)
Western Telegraph
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Fact check: Clip about October 7 attack was taken out of context
Another video which was also widely spread on social media included only the last sentence. Evaluation The clips have been taken out of context. Mr Jones was making a point that asking such a question would be 'outrageous'. The facts The mention of October 7 is a reference to the terrorist attack carried out by Hamas against Israel on that date in 2023. The attack killed around 1,200 people and Hamas took hundreds of hostages. Following the attack, Israel attacked Hamas in Gaza, a conflict which has claimed more than 54,000 lives by an official count. The clip shared on social media was taken from an episode of Piers Morgan's YouTube show Uncensored. Mr Jones was interviewed about the situation in Gaza on the show on July 3, starting at around 42 minutes into the episode. The clip was from a section where Mr Jones attempted to make a point about Mr Morgan's questioning. Slightly before the clip starts, Mr Morgan had asked about how Israel should have responded to the October 7 attacks. He said: 'Three thousand terrorists have come over the border. They've annihilated 1,200 people. They've captured 250-plus hostages. Seven thousand people were wounded, many of them with irrevocable injuries. What would you have done?' After some back and forth, Mr Jones said: 'You would find this question offensive if I had put it to you. If I had said to you: 'In 2023, 240 Palestinians had been killed that year by the Israeli state, including 40 children. What else was Hamas supposed to do on October 7?' What would you say?' Mr Morgan: 'Are you justifying…' Mr Jones: 'No, no, that's the point. I'm saying: You would say – correctly – 'there is never any excuse for war crimes, this is an outrageous question for you to even ask me'.' Links Post on X (archived post and video) Second post on X (archived post and video) US Department of Defense – Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J Austin (archived) Britannica – Israel-Hamas War (archived) Piers Morgan Uncensored, July 3 2025 (archived page and audio – downloads as mp3 file)
