Latest news with #IsraeliPublic
Wall Street Journal
6 days ago
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Israel Says It Is Easing More Restrictions on Goods Entering Gaza
TEL AVIV—Israel said it will allow more goods to enter Gaza through the private sector for the first time in nearly a year, a move that could help increase the availability of food to Palestinians amid growing international pressure over the deadly hunger crisis in the enclave. The decision comes amid criticism from foreign governments and, increasingly, some of the Israeli public over deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the war-torn territory, where a leading group of global food-insecurity experts recently warned that famine is unfolding.
Irish Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Netanyahu and Trump to meet again amid rising Gaza ceasefire hopes
US president Donald Trump will meet Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday night, the second meeting between the two leaders in 24 hours, raising speculation that a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal may be close. In advance of talks at the White House on Monday night, Mr Trump said it was his impression that Hamas wants a deal. US envoy Steve Witkoff, who will fly to Qatar this week to join the Israel-Hamas proximity talks, said: 'We have an opportunity to finally get a peace deal.' Under discussion is a two-month truce, during which 10 of the remaining 20 hostages believed to still be alive will be released; Israeli forces will withdraw from most of Gaza and there will be a surge in humanitarian aid. READ MORE Negotiations will begin on a permanent end to the war, with Hamas seeking assurances from Mr Trump that the talks will continue if no agreement is reached within 60 days. The majority of the Israeli public supports ending the war in Gaza and there was another reminder of the high cost of the 21-month military operation when five soldiers were killed on Monday in a Hamas ambush in Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip. Mr Netanyahu is not opposed to ending the war, provided it ends under conditions that include the dismantlement of Hamas's military and governmental capabilities. A senior Israeli official said that 80–90 per cent of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas has already been agreed, but that the negotiations may take more than a few days, and he spelled out Israel's vision of a postwar Gaza. 'The finishing picture of the war in Gaza – no Hamas,' he said. 'Hamas has laid down its arms, its men have surrendered, and its leaders have been exiled. That is the finishing picture, when another force has taken control over the strip – the Palestinian Authority , no; but local clans and possibly Fatah operatives, yes.' Defence minister Israel Katz has instructed the army to prepare a plan to establish a 'humanitarian city' in Rafah, which would eventually house the entire population of the Gaza Strip, in a move condemned by human rights groups as forced population transfer and a war crime. Mr Netanyahu was asked at the beginning of his meeting on Monday with Mr Trump whether the plan to permanently relocate Palestinians from Gaza was still on the agenda. He replied by saying that the decision would be left to the residents themselves. 'President Trump had a brilliant vision. It's called free choice. The people who want to stay – they can stay. But if they want to leave, they should be able to leave. It shouldn't be a prison.'
CNN
29-06-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Netanyahu says ‘opportunities have opened up' to free Gaza hostages following Iran operation
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said 'many opportunities have opened up' following Israel's military operations in Iran, including the possibility of bringing home the remaining hostages held in Gaza. Speaking at a Shin Bet security agency facility in southern Israel on Sunday, Netanyahu said, 'As you probably know, many opportunities have opened up now following this victory. Firstly, to rescue the hostages. Of course, we will also need to solve the Gaza issue, defeat Hamas, but I believe we will accomplish both missions.' Netanyahu's comments mark one of the first times he has clearly prioritized the return of the hostages over the defeat of Hamas. For months, Netanyahu has prioritized the defeat of Hamas in Gaza and talked about a 'total victory.' At the beginning of May, he called defeating Hamas the 'supreme objective,' not freeing the hostages. His comments Sunday mark a potentially significant change in how he has talked about Israel's goals in the war. He has repeatedly faced criticism from the families of hostages, opposition politicians and large segments of the Israeli public for not clearly placing the return of the hostages as Israel's primary goal. Reacting to his comments Sunday, the Hostages Families Forum Headquarters called for a single comprehensive deal to bring back all 50 hostages and end the fighting in Gaza. 'What is needed is release, not rescue. This difference of one word could mean the difference between salvation and loss for the hostages,' the forum said in a statement. Elsewhere in his speech, Netanyahu also said 'wider regional opportunities are opening up,' an apparent reference to efforts to expand the Abraham Accords that saw Israel normalize relations with several Gulf states. The comments by Netanyahu come amid increasing pressure on Israel from US President Donald Trump to make a ceasefire deal. Since the end of the conflict with Iran, negotiators have been pushing to restart stalled negotiations with Hamas in Gaza. Netanyahu held a high-level meeting on Gaza Sunday evening, according to two Israeli sources, meeting with some of his closest advisers, including Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, Defense Minister Israel Katz and others, to discuss the latest on Israel's military operation in the Palestinian enclave. Dermer is scheduled to hold meetings with the Trump administration in Washington, DC, on Monday. Trump has made clear his desire to secure a ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza and bring home the 50 hostages held by Hamas, at least 20 of whom are still alive. In a post on social media early Sunday morning, Trump pushed Israel to 'MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!' Trump had earlier thrown his support behind Netanyahu, calling his ongoing trial on corruption charges a 'POLITICAL WITCH HUNT' – the second time the president had called for an end to the prosecution of the long-time Israeli leader. With the conclusion of the operation in Iran – and Trump's sudden foray into Israel's legal system – Netanyahu has requested to postpone his upcoming trial sessions this week. After twice rejecting the requests, the court granted the delay following a confidential session in which the judge said there had been a change to the 'evidentiary structure' compared to the previous requests.
CNN
29-06-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Netanyahu says ‘opportunities have opened up' to free Gaza hostages following Iran operation
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said 'many opportunities have opened up' following Israel's military operations in Iran, including the possibility of bringing home the remaining hostages held in Gaza. Speaking at a Shin Bet security agency facility in southern Israel on Sunday, Netanyahu said, 'As you probably know, many opportunities have opened up now following this victory. Firstly, to rescue the hostages. Of course, we will also need to solve the Gaza issue, defeat Hamas, but I believe we will accomplish both missions.' Netanyahu's comments mark one of the first times he has clearly prioritized the return of the hostages over the defeat of Hamas. For months, Netanyahu has prioritized the defeat of Hamas in Gaza and talked about a 'total victory.' At the beginning of May, he called defeating Hamas the 'supreme objective,' not freeing the hostages. His comments Sunday mark a potentially significant change in how he has talked about Israel's goals in the war. He has repeatedly faced criticism from the families of hostages, opposition politicians and large segments of the Israeli public for not clearly placing the return of the hostages as Israel's primary goal. Reacting to his comments Sunday, the Hostages Families Forum Headquarters called for a single comprehensive deal to bring back all 50 hostages and end the fighting in Gaza. 'What is needed is release, not rescue. This difference of one word could mean the difference between salvation and loss for the hostages,' the forum said in a statement. Elsewhere in his speech, Netanyahu also said 'wider regional opportunities are opening up,' an apparent reference to efforts to expand the Abraham Accords that saw Israel normalize relations with several Gulf states. The comments by Netanyahu come amid increasing pressure on Israel from US President Donald Trump to make a ceasefire deal. Since the end of the conflict with Iran, negotiators have been pushing to restart stalled negotiations with Hamas in Gaza. Netanyahu held a high-level meeting on Gaza Sunday evening, according to two Israeli sources, meeting with some of his closest advisers, including Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, Defense Minister Israel Katz and others, to discuss the latest on Israel's military operation in the Palestinian enclave. Dermer is scheduled to hold meetings with the Trump administration in Washington, DC, on Monday. Trump has made clear his desire to secure a ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza and bring home the 50 hostages held by Hamas, at least 20 of whom are still alive. In a post on social media early Sunday morning, Trump pushed Israel to 'MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!' Trump had earlier thrown his support behind Netanyahu, calling his ongoing trial on corruption charges a 'POLITICAL WITCH HUNT' – the second time the president had called for an end to the prosecution of the long-time Israeli leader. With the conclusion of the operation in Iran – and Trump's sudden foray into Israel's legal system – Netanyahu has requested to postpone his upcoming trial sessions this week. After twice rejecting the requests, the court granted the delay following a confidential session in which the judge said there had been a change to the 'evidentiary structure' compared to the previous requests.
Reuters
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Israelis calm as Iranian retaliatory attacks loom
TEL AVIV, June 13 (Reuters) - The streets of Tel Aviv were calm on Friday morning, even as the country's leaders warned the public to brace for Iranian retaliation after Israel launched a widescale attack on Iran. The military closed schools nationwide and banned public gatherings, cancelling the annual Tel Aviv Pride parade, which normally attracts tens of thousands of revellers to the city. "We've already been in this scenario twice," said 31-year-old Uri, sitting on a bench outside a supermarket, questioning whether to open his restaurant or have to throw out the day's food. "I don't really care, honestly. I'll just go to a shelter and I'll be okay," he said, when asked whether he had any concerns about his own safety. Iran fired hundreds of drones and ballistic missiles at Israel in two attacks last year in response to Israeli strikes, rattling the Israeli public but causing only modest damage. Tehran has vowed retaliation for Israel's early morning attack on Friday on Iranian military and nuclear facilities that killed several top commanders. Israel said it was working to intercept 100 drones that were launched by Iran, but had not reached Israel. The Israeli public has been told to be prepared to spend long hours in bomb shelters, with the government warning that it would be carrying out a prolonged attack against its arch foe. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, invoked the horrors of the Nazi Holocaust during World War Two to justify his decision to attack Iran, framing the strikes as a decisive step to protect Israel from a future existential threat. Over the past year, Israel has openly clashed with Tehran, firing rocket salvos deep into Iran. After militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israeli communities in October 2023, Israel dismantled many of Iran's allies, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. "Iran? That's the first place we need to attack if you ask me," said Aviv, 38, adding he hoped the strikes would lead to the release of 53 mostly Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. In Gaza, which has been reduced to a wasteland by Israel's devastating campaign, some hoped that the strike on Iran might pave the way for an end to the war in the coastal enclave. "We hope that this time the Iranians will push for a comprehensive solution," said Abu Abdallah, a Palestinian businessman displaced to the south of Gaza. Across Israel, supermarkets and some cafes remained open, although some businesses chose to keep their doors shuttered. Shoppers stocked up on food and bottled water, prompting long queues at checkouts. "My fridge is empty," said 41-year-old Noha as she made her way to a supermarket. The mother of two said she was due to celebrate their wedding anniversary with her husband at a hotel. Noha said she was worried about the severity of any potential retaliatory strike, adding that people were asking whether the bomb shelters in their apartment buildings would be strong enough to withstand it, or if it might be safer to seek refuge underground. The strike on Iran comes as Netanyahu's right-wing coalition has faced growing domestic and international pressure over the Gaza war, now in its 21st month. "The way the government is handling things is horrible," Noha said, adding that she condemned the decision to strike Iran, fearing that it will put the country in further danger. "Because I feel like we have reached the top end of the scale, like this is serious this time. It feels like okay, they have nothing to lose," she said. In Jerusalem, others expressed support for the decision. "I am very happy for this. We were waiting for this," said 66-year-old Oral Liral. "Am Yisrael Chai. We are strong. We will be here. It's our country," she said, using a Hebrew expression of perseverance that means "the people of Israel live".
