Latest news with #KAN
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Freedom flotilla will not be allowed to dock in Gaza, sources confirm to the 'Post'
A senior Israeli defense source confirmed the matter to the 'Post,' adding that Defense Minister Israel Katz is expected to make more decisions on Thursday. The IDF decided that the "Madleen," which is sailing to Gaza and carrying 12 pro-Palestinian activists, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, will not be allowed to approach or dock in the Gaza Strip, KAN reported on Wednesday. A senior Israeli defense source confirmed the matter to The Jerusalem Post, adding that Defense Minister Israel Katz is expected to make more decisions on Thursday. The ship is expected to arrive within a week. According to the KAN report, Israel initially considered allowing the ship to dock in Gaza after security officials determined it did not pose a threat. However, authorities later reversed this decision. IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin told reporters at a press conference: 'The IDF is prepared to operate on all fronts, including in the maritime arena,' adding: 'We will act accordingly.' If permitted to dock, the activists would have been stranded in Gaza. To avoid setting a precedent that could undermine the blockade, Israel decided not to allow the Madleen to approach Gaza. The "Madleen," organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departed from Sicily on Sunday carrying humanitarian aid including baby formula, diapers, flour, rice, water filters, hygiene products, and medical equipment. Before setting sail, Thunberg told reporters: 'No matter how dangerous this mission is, it is nowhere near as dangerous as the silence of the entire world in the face of the lives being genocided," Reuters quoted. The activists on board, including Thunberg and Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham, have called on the international community to protect them after spotting a drone hovering over the ship on Tuesday.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Israel secretly diverted Gaza aid funds to 'security establishment'
The transaction was processed "under the radar," in order to hide it from the public, sources told public broadcaster KAN. The Israeli government transferred hundreds of millions of shekels earmarked for the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza to the "security establishment," Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported on Wednesday. The government reportedly approved the transfer of the funds in early May without specifying the intended purposes of the money and processed the transaction "under the radar," in order to hide it from the public, sources told KAN. The description of the recipient of the funds was written only as "security establishment," when such transactions usually are required to include the details of the specific ministry and purpose of the funds. The source of the funding is an across-the-board government cut, including civilian services, which was implemented in May. The Prime Minister's Office and the Finance Ministry denied KAN's report, stating, "Even this evening, the State of Israel is not funding humanitarian aid to Gaza." Both offices have previously denied financing the distribution of aid in the enclave. There has been speculation over direct Israeli involvement in the funding, as well as possible US involvement, notably from Israeli opposition leaders. Last week, Israeli officials expressed uncertainty over the funding for the distribution of aid in Gaza through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Opposition head MK Yair Lapid questioned the government about the source of funding for two agencies involved during a Knesset plenum debate on Monday. Lapid questioned whether Israel had secretly financed humanitarian aid to Gaza through two shell companies, GHF and the lesser-known Safe Reach Solutions (SRS), established in Switzerland and the US. According to Lapid, Gulf states were expected to fund the aid but declined, citing concerns about the companies' structure. 'If this money is indeed Israeli and the government is concealing it, it would not only be a deception of Israeli citizens-whose taxes fund it-but also one of the greatest diplomatic blunders in the country's history,' Lapid said. 'If our tax money is already purchasing humanitarian aid, funding food and medicine for children in Gaza, then let's at least gain international recognition for it. For once, let's have global headlines highlighting something positive Israel has done in Gaza.' Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this story.
Saudi Gazette
5 days ago
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Hamas submits response to Gaza ceasefire proposal, demands permanent truce and full Israeli withdrawal
GAZA — Hamas announced on Saturday that it has submitted its official response to a Gaza ceasefire proposal put forward by US envoy Steve Witkoff, through mediators Egypt and Qatar. In a statement issued by the group, Hamas outlined a set of key demands including a permanent ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, and guarantees for the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the territory. While the statement did not explicitly confirm acceptance of the US proposal, it emphasized that the response was the result of extensive national consultations and reflected the group's "responsibility toward the suffering of the Palestinian people." The Israeli public broadcaster KAN, citing government sources, reported that Hamas is seeking modifications to the Witkoff proposal, despite submitting a formal reply to the mediators. The proposal, backed by US President Donald Trump's administration, had earlier been accepted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It outlines a phased agreement including a prisoner exchange and Israeli military redeployment inside Gaza. According to details shared by regional and international sources, the plan calls for Hamas to release 10 Israeli captivesand hand over the remains of 18 deceased individuals in exchange for: 125 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences, 1,111 detainees from Gaza captured after October 7, 2023, and 180 Palestinian bodies. The releases would be implemented in two phases: the first group on day one, and the second on day seven, without public ceremonies. The deal also includes the immediate entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza under the supervision of the United Nations and the Red Crescent. The ceasefire would remain in effect throughout the implementation period and any agreed extensions. Following the exchange phases, the proposal requires a gradual redeployment of Israeli forces inside Gaza, beginning from the north and the Netzarim corridor down to the south. Israel has carried out a prolonged and deadly offensive in Gaza since October 2023, resulting in the deaths of nearly 54,400 Palestinians, most of them women and children, according to local health authorities. Humanitarian agencies continue to warn of a looming famine affecting more than two million residents of the enclave. International legal proceedings are also underway. In November, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over its conduct in Gaza. — Agencies
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Houthis launch two missiles at Israel, both intercepted by IDF
The missiles were launched only three hours apart, and sirens were only activated in the West Bank. The IAF intercepted a missile from Yemen, the IDF confirmed on Tuesday morning. No sirens were activated as the missile was intercepted outside of Israeli territory. Earlier on Tuesday morning, the IDF intercepted an additional missile that was fired by the Houthi terrorist organization. The missile fired towards Israeli territory caused rocket sirens to sound in the Samaria and Baqa'a areas of the West Bank. No casualties have been reported. The IDF stated that it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen on Sunday morning, which triggered sirens in the West Bank, as well as in Jerusalem and its surrounding areas. Shrapnel from Sunday's missile fell in an open area in the southern Hebron Hills, according to KAN. Last Friday morning at around 4 a.m., sirens sounded in central Israel in the early hours following yet another missile launched by the Houthis.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Netanyahu criticizes Attorney-General for missing Arab crime meeting
"I'm the prime minister and I'm here—she doesn't show up. Aren't human lives important enough?" Netanyahu said, according to a KAN report. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara due to her absence from the discussion during Israel's ministerial committee for the eradication of violence and crime in Arab society, KAN reported on Thursday. "I'm the prime minister, and I'm here—she doesn't show up. Isn't human life important enough?" he said in reference to the attorney-general, according to a KAN report. Deputy Minister Almog Cohen reportedly joined in the criticism, addressing Deputy Attorney-General Sharon Afek: "I can't understand the audacity and nerve she has not to attend such an important meeting." "Not only is she not cooperating—it seems that, to her, Arab lives are worth much less," Cohen said. Afek allegedly responded that Baharav-Miara had sent the relevant professional staff, the Deputy State Attorney, and himself. This confrontation follows Baharav-Miara's statements on Monday against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to advance the appointment of Maj.-Gen. Zini's position as head of the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) is invalid and illegal, Israeli media reported. In contraposition, the Israeli government "welcomed" Netanyahu's intention to appoint Zini as the head of the Shin Bet, according to a statement read at an Israeli Security Cabinet meeting, The Jerusalem Post learned.
