Page 22 - Israel

Spain summons Israeli envoy over Netanyahu office remarks amid Gaza war row

Spain summoned Israel's acting ambassador in Madrid Friday in response to comments made by the Israeli Prime Minister's office that accused the European nation's prime minister of threatening Israel. Spanish Foreign Minister Jos Manuel Albares called in Dana Erlich, Israel's charge d'affaires in Spain and the highest-ranking diplomat in the country to categorically reject the false and slanderous statements from the Israeli Prime Minister's office, an official at Spain's Foreign Ministry said. The Foreign Ministry official was not authorized to speak publicly and declined to be named. It's the latest development in an ongoing diplomatic tit-for-tat between the two countries that ensued after Spain's prime minister announced measures Monday to pressure Israel to end the Gaza war. In a post Thursday on social platform X, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Snchez had made a blatant genocidal threat," in reference to comments made by th

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Netanyahu killed hostage deal hopes with strike on Hamas in Doha: Qatar

Qatar's prime minister intensified his criticism of Israel over its attack targeting Hamas leaders in his country, saying Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu killed any hope of releasing hostages still held in the Gaza Strip. The comments from Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani ahead of appearing at the United Nations on Thursday underscored the wider anger among Gulf Arab countries over Israel's strike, which killed at least six people. I was meeting one of the hostage's families the morning of the attack, Sheikh Mohammed told CNN in an interview aired late Wednesday. They are counting on this (ceasefire) mediation, they have no other hope for that. Sheikh Mohammed added: I think that what Netanyahu has done yesterday, he just killed any hope for those hostages. Qatar and Egypt have been key mediators to try and reach a ceasefire in the war in Gaza. Qatar has hosted Hamas' political leadership for years in Doha, in part over a request by the US to encourage negotiation

Expel terrorists or bring them to justice: Netanyahu's warning to Qatar

Drawing references from the September 11 attack, Netanyahu said that Israel too has an event similar to September 11, referring to October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel

EU Commission President seeks sanctions against Israel over war in Gaza

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday said she plans to seek sanctions and a partial trade suspension against Israel over the war in Gaza. The 27-nation EU is deeply divided in its approach to Israel and the Palestinians, and it's unclear whether a majority will be found to endorse the sanctions and trade measures. Von der Leyen added that the commission will set up a Palestine donor group next month, part of which will focus on Gaza's future reconstruction. Von der Leyen said that the events in Gaza and the suffering of children and families has shaken the conscience of the world. Man-made famine can never be a weapon of war. For the sake of the children, for the sake of humanity. This must stop, she added, to applause in the European Parliament at its meeting in Strasbourg, France.

White House's rare criticism of Israel highlights risks in Gaza conflict

Caught between two US allies, Trump said he spoke with both Netanyahu and Qatari leaders after the strike and that he assured Qatar that such an attack wouldn't happen again

Oil prices edge higher after Israeli strikes on Hamas leaders in Qatar

Brent crude futures settled 37 cents, or 0.6 per cent, higher at $66.39 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures also climbed 37 cents, or 0.6 per cent, to close at $62.63 a barrel

Israel expands list of Hamas officials, allies killed in past 2 years

Israel has killed multiple senior officials with Hamas and its regional allies since the deadly October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas-led militants in southern Israel that triggered the war in Gaza. On Tuesday, Israel struck the energy-rich nation of Qatar, which has been mediating ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. Israel targeted a gathering of Hamas political leaders who were discussing the latest ceasefire proposal in Doha. Hamas said in a statement that six people were killed, but that all of the targeted officials survived. From Gaza to Lebanon to Iran, Israel has killed leaders with Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and Iranian military leaders. Here is a list of top officials who have been assassinated by Israel during the war: Saleh Arouri The deputy political head of Hamas and a founder of the group's military wing, Saleh Arouri was killed January 2, 2024, in a drone strike in a southern suburb of Beirut. Accused of masterminding attacks against Israel in the West

Trump tries to reassure Qatar after Israeli strikes but avoids rebuke

President Donald Trump was trying to walk a delicate line following Israel's attack on Hamas officials in Qatar, distancing himself from the strike Tuesday but stopping short of condemning Israel for carrying out an audacious strike on the soil of another major US ally. Trump said the unilateral action directed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not advance Israel or America's goals." He offered notably muted pushback, however, even suggesting this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for peace. This was a decision made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, it was not a decision made by me, Trump said on social media hours after the strikes. Trump is seeking to soothe concerns of a Gulf ally that has played a key role in mediating between the US and Iran and its proxies, including during talks with Tehran-backed Hamas as the war with Israel in Gaza grinds on. The US also has about 10,000 troops stationed at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, an installation that se

MEA calls for 'restraint' after Israeli strikes kill Hamas leaders in Doha

Earlier in the day, Israel carried out a strike against Hamas leadership in the capital of Qatar, which killed five top Hamas leaders

Israel urges full evacuation of Gaza City ahead of military escalation

The Israeli military urged a full evacuation of Gaza City on Tuesday morning ahead of its planned expanded offensive in the northern city, where hundreds of thousands of people struggle under conditions of famine. The announcement was the first warning for a full evacuation of the city in the current round of fighting. Previously, the military has warned specific sections of Gaza City to evacuate ahead of concentrated operations or strikes. Associated Press reporters saw more cars and trucks than in previous days passing from northern to southern Gaza on Tuesday, laden with supplies and people, but no widespread evacuation. Israel says multiple towers were destroyed in Gaza City. Defence Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday said Israel had demolished 30 high-rise buildings in Gaza, which it accused Hamas of using for military infrastructure. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Israel destroyed at least 50 terror towers that he said are used by Hamas. It was unclear if

Israel urges full evacuation of Gaza City ahead of expanded operations

The Israeli military urged a full evacuation of Gaza City on Tuesday morning, ahead of its planned expanded military operation in the city in northern Gaza. This is the first warning for a full evacuation of the city in the current round of fighting. Also on Tuesday, Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel had demolished 30 high-rise buildings in Gaza, which it accused Hamas of using for military infrastructure. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Israel plans to destroy at least 50 towers of terror that he said are used by Hamas. Over the past days, Israel has destroyed multiple high-rise buildings in Gaza City, warning that Hamas has installed surveillance infrastructure in them. The demolitions are part of Israel's ramping up its offensive to take control of what it portrays as Hamas' last remaining stronghold, urging Palestinians to flee parts of Gaza City for a designated humanitarian zone in the territory's south. There are around 1 million Palestinians i

'Horrific terror attack on our capital': Israel on Jerusalem shooting

Israel on Monday denounced the Jerusalem shooting as a "horrific terror attack" on its capital, as a top official in the Israeli government said that such incidents serve as reminders of past atrocities that have happened in his country. Palestinian attackers opened fire at a bus stop at a busy intersection in north Jerusalem on Monday, killing six people and injuring another 12, according to Israeli police, emergency rescue services and local hospitals. Hours after the incident, Yali Rothenberg, the Accountant General at Israel's Ministry of Finance who is currently visiting India, spoke to PTI Videos and shared his sentiments. "I know the bus stop, and actually know the mother of one of my employees was killed in that attack," he said. "This is an unfortunate reminder to all of us, to avoid those extremists, who do these inhumane acts, which are opposing all that we represent... Here in Israel and also in India, we are partners in that kind of relationship. "And, when we look a

India reduces local remedies exhaustion period for Israel under BIA

India has cut down the local remedies exhaustion period for Israeli investors to three years from the earlier five years under the Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) signed on Monday between the two countries. A similar provision was included in India's investment pact with the UAE, which came into effect last year. The India-Israel BIA, aimed at providing comfort to investors of both countries, also includes portfolio investments in a deviation from such treaties in the past. Local remedies exhaustion means that investors must first try to resolve their disputes using the legal system of the host country before they can take the matter to international arbitration. Normally, India keeps a five-year period for this. An official said that the India-Israel BIA was signed on the lines of the India-UAE bilateral investment treaty. Israel is the first OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) member with which India has inked this agreement. The pact includes ..

Four killed, 15 injured after shooting attack on bus in north Jerusalem

Paramedics said at least four people were killed in a shooting attack in Jerusalem after attackers opened fire in a bus at a busy intersection in north Jerusalem. It was the country's deadliest shooting attack in nearly a year. Police did not immediately respond to request for comment on the status of the attackers. At least 15 people were injured.

Israel airstrikes kill 5 in Lebanon, including 4 Hezbollah members

Israel launched airstrikes Monday on the outskirts of northeastern Lebanon, killing five people, including four Hezbollah members, according to officials. This comes as global pressure mounts to disarm the Lebanese militant group. Since Hezbollah and Israel's monthslong war ended in a US-brokered ceasefire in November, Israel has struck southern Lebanon almost daily in what they say are attacks to target the Lebanese militant group. The strikes in northeastern Lebanon, near Syria, far from the country's border with Israel, are rare. Monday's strikes hit the fringes of the provinces of Hermel and Bekaa, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry, wounding five people. A Hezbollah official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press, confirmed four of the five killed were group members. Israeli Arabic military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said their air forces targeted Hezbollah positions and infrastructure, including a training area for t

Houthi drone strikes Israel's Ramon Airport, causes flight disruptions

A drone fired by the Houthi militants in Yemen breached Israel's multilayered air defences on Sunday and slammed into the country's southern airport, the Israeli military said, briefly shutting down commercial airspace and diverting flights over southern Israel. Israel said Yemen's Houthi rebels attacked with several drones, most of which were intercepted outside of Israel. At least one of the drones slipped through Israel's defence system and crashed into the passenger terminal at the Ramon International Airport near the resort city of Eilat, the Israeli Airports Authority said, blowing out glass windows and sending smoke plumes billowing. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the strike. Israel's Magen David Adom emergency rescue service said it treated a 63-year-old man for light shrapnel wounds. The damage to Ramon Airport appeared limited and within a couple of hours it reopened as normal flights resumed. The attack comes days after Israeli strikes on Yemen's rebel-held capi

India, Israel likely to sign bilateral investment agreement next week

The expected treaty may offer investors from Israel and India protection based on international norms, promises non-discriminatory minimum treatment, and independent arbitration

Iran boosted near-weapons grade uranium stockpile before Israeli strike: UN

Iran further increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels before Israel launched its military attack on June 13, a confidential report by the United Nations' nuclear watchdog seen by The Associated Press said Wednesday. The report by the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency said that as of June 13, Iran had 440.9.6 kg of uranium enriched up to 60%, an increase of 32.3 kg since the IAEA's last report in May. The report stated that this figure is based on the information provide by Iran, agency verification activities between 17 May 2025 and 12 June 2025 (the day preceding the start of the military attacks), and estimates based on the past operation of the relevant facilities. That material is a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. The confidential report also stated that as of June 13, Iran's total enriched uranium stockpile was 9874.9 kg, which represents an increase of 627.3 kg since the last report in May. The UN nuc