Page 18 - Israel

Arab League condemns Benjamin Netanyahu's 'Greater Israel' remarks

The League considered these statements to be a violation of the sovereignty of Arab states and an attempt to undermine security and stability in the region

UN chief warns Israel, Russia over alleged sexual violence by armed forces

In his annual report to the UN Security Council, Guterres warned that Israel and Russia could be listed next year for alleged patterns of rape and sexual violence in conflict zones

Netanyahu hints truce talks now focus on release of all hostages at once

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday hinted that ceasefire efforts in Gaza are now focused on a comprehensive deal that would release the remaining hostages all at once, rather than in phases. Arab officials told The Associated Press last week that mediators Egypt and Qatar were preparing a new framework for a deal that would include the release of all remaining hostages in one go in return for a lasting ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces. The long-running indirect talks appeared to break down last month. But a Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo for ceasefire talks on Tuesday, Egypt's state-run Qahera news channel reported, a sign that efforts have not been abandoned after 22 months of war. Israel has threatened to widen its military offensive against Hamas to the areas of Gaza that it does not yet control, and where most of the territory's 2 million residents have sought refuge. Those plans have sparked international condemnation and criticism within ...

Israel in talks to possibly resettle Palestinians from Gaza in South Sudan

Israel is in discussions with South Sudan about the possibility of resettling Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to the war-torn East African country, part of a wider effort by Israel to facilitate mass emigration from the territory left in ruins by its 22-month offensive against Hamas. Six people familiar with the matter confirmed the talks to The Associated Press. It's unclear how far the talks have advanced, but if implemented, the plans would amount to transferring people from one war-ravaged land at risk of famine to another, and raise human rights concerns. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he wants to realise US President Donald Trump's vision of relocating much of Gaza's population through what Netanyahu refers to as voluntary migration. Israel has floated similar resettlement proposals with other African nations. Palestinians, rights groups, and much of the international community have rejected the proposals as a blueprint for forcible expulsion in violation of .

Here's why Musk's Grok AI was briefly suspended on X before being restored

Elon Musk's Grok AI was briefly suspended on X, prompting speculation after the bot claimed it was punished for Gaza genocide remarks; X restored the account within minutes

War can end tomorrow if Hamas lays down arms, releases hostages: Netanyahu

Netanyahu told the international media that Hamas still has thousands of armed terrorists in Gaza and vows to repeat the October 7 massacre

Israeli PM Netanyahu defends planned military offensive in Gaza

Netanyahu said he has directed Israel's military in recent days to "bring in more foreign journalists" - which would be a striking development

Netanyahu's Gaza takeover push fuels crisis for Israel's global image

Notwithstanding US support, the Jewish state faces a crisis of international credibility, from which it may not be able to recover for a long time

Thousands rally against Netanyahu's Gaza plan, demand release of hostages

Public opinion polls show an overwhelming majority of Israelis favour an immediate end to the war to secure the release of the remaining 50 hostages held by militants in Gaza

Israel's plan to take over Gaza City stirs fears for civilians and hostages

Israel's decision to intensify its 22-month war with Hamas by taking over Gaza City has stirred fears for Palestinian civilians and Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, and renewed international pressure for an end to the conflict. Israel's air and ground war has killed tens of thousands of people in Gaza, displaced most of the population, destroyed vast areas and pushed the territory toward famine. The timing of another major ground operation is unclear. It will likely require mobilising thousands of troops and forcibly evacuating civilians, almost certainly worsening Gaza's humanitarian crisis. An official familiar with the plans to take over Gaza City said the operation would be gradual and that there is no start date. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. The UN Security Council announced an emergency meeting on Israel's plans was rescheduled to 10 am EDT on Sunday after originally being scheduled to take place at 3 pm EDT on Saturday. The U

Highlights: SC recalls order barring High Court judge from hearing criminal cases

Highlights: Mass protests broke out across Israel as the Cabinet met to decide on a full reoccupation of Gaza. Catch all the news developments here

Israel's security cabinet approves plan to take full control of Gaza

Before Israel's Security Cabinet meeting on Gaza's future, Benjamin Netanyahu had hinted that Israel has no intention to govern the territory and would hand over control to friendly Arab nations

Under pact, 6,774 Indian workers went to Israel for work as of July 1: Govt

Under a bilateral framework agreement signed in November 2023, a total of 6,774 Indian workers went to Israel for work as of July 1 this year, the government informed Parliament on Thursday. This was revealed by Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, in a written response to a query in Rajya Sabha on the total number of labourers recruited from India by Israel consequent to the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023. Singh said that during the ongoing conflict, "one Indian agriculture worker was killed in an attack from Lebanon in March 2024". "Three Indian nationals were injured, one in rocket fire from Gaza on October 7, 2023, and two more in an attack from Lebanon in March 2024," the minister said. The government said it accords highest priority to the safety, security and well-being of Indian nationals abroad, including Indian workers. In 2022, India and Israel commenced negotiations on a bilateral framework agreement for Indian nationals t

India, US should find common ground to resolve tariff issue: Netanyahu

The foundation of India-US relationship is "very solid' and both sides should find common ground to resolve the tariff issue, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday. The prime minister also said that the military equipment supplied to India by Israel performed well during Operation Sindoor and that the defence cooperation between the two countries are on an upswing. In an interaction with a group of visiting Indian journalists, Netanyahu said he would like to visit India "soon". As India-US ties are reeling under some strain after US President Donald Trump imposed 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods, the Israeli prime minister said both sides should amicably resolve the issue. To a question on whether he would give any advice to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on dealing with Trump, the Israeli leader half-jockingly said he would do so privately. "Modi and Trump are terrific friends of mine. Yes I would give Modi some advice (on dealing with Trump), but ...

Highlights: NDA authorises PM Modi, BJP chief Nadda to pick the alliance's V-P candidate

Highlights: Catch all the news developments here

What to know as Israel considers Gaza reoccupation amid war escalation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering ordering the full reoccupation of the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli media, a move that would draw fierce opposition internationally and within Israel. It would mark a stunning escalation of the nearly 22-month war in the territory that has already been largely destroyed and where experts say famine is unfolding. It would put the lives of countless Palestinians and about 20 living hostages at risk, and deepen Israel's already stark international isolation. It would also face fierce opposition within Israel: Families of the hostages would consider it a virtual death sentence, and much of the security establishment is also reportedly opposed to an open-ended occupation that would bog down and further strain the army after nearly two years of regional wars. The threat to reoccupy Gaza could be a negotiating tactic aimed at pressuring Hamas after talks mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar appeared to have broken down

Israel says Hamas starving hostages; UNSC says Israel starving Palestinians

Israel called an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Tuesday to demand the release of its emaciated hostages, including one seen digging his own grave. Their plight drew widespread sympathy -- but the 2 million Palestinians starving in Gaza got even more. Not only the Palestinians but most council members blamed the Israeli government and military for the two-month blockade of Gaza and failure to allow enough food into the conflict-wracked territory, where its health ministry has reported over 100 deaths from starvation, including many children. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who flew to New York to attend the council meeting, accused Russia and other unnamed council members as well as the international media of perpetuating "so many lies". He pointed to Hamas and Islamic Jihad's starvation of hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attacks in southern Israel "while the terrorists enjoy meat, fish and vegetables". Saar insisted that Israel is facilitating "huge

Netanyahu hints at wider war in Gaza, former military & spy chiefs object

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted at wider military action in devastated Gaza on Tuesday, even as former Israeli army and intelligence chiefs called for an end to the nearly 22-month war. The new pressure on Netanyahu came as Gaza's Health Ministry said the Palestinian death toll had surpassed 61,000. Health officials reported new deaths of hungry Palestinians seeking food at distribution points. As desperation mounts, the Israeli defence body coordinating aid announced a deal with local merchants to improve aid deliveries. Among those speaking out were former leaders of Israel's Shin Bet internal security service, Mossad spy agency and the military -- and also ex-Prime Minister Ehud Barak. In a video posted to social media this week, they said far-right members of the government are holding Israel "hostage" in prolonging the conflict. Netanyahu's objectives in Gaza are "a fantasy", Yoram Cohen, former head of Shin Bet, said in the video. "If anyone imagines that we

Israel mulls full Gaza control despite military and public concerns

Some Israeli military leaders have expressed reservations, the official said, while the plan would likely face considerable opposition

Israeli forces kill over 20 people seeking food in Gaza, say witnesses

Israeli forces killed at least 23 Palestinians seeking food on Sunday in the Gaza Strip, according to hospital officials and witnesses, who described facing gunfire as hungry crowds surged around aid sites as the malnutrition-related death toll surged. Desperation has gripped the Palestinian territory of more than 2 million, which experts have warned is at risk of famine because of Israel's blockade and nearly two-year offensive. Yousef Abed, among the crowds en route to a distribution point, described coming under what he called indiscriminate fire, looking around and seeing at least three people bleeding on the ground. I couldn't stop and help them because of the bullets, he said. Southern Gaza's Nasser Hospital said they had received bodies from near multiple distribution sites, including eight from Teina, about three km away from a distribution site in Khan Younis, which is operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a private US and Israeli-backed contractor that took over a