Results for: Israel

Despite Hamas’ acceptance of a ceasefire proposed by Egypt and Qatar, the Israeli military has launched targeted strikes against the militant group in Rafah, southern Gaza. The strikes followed approval from Israel’s war cabinet. A Palestinian security official reported that Israeli tanks had entered Rafah, reaching close to the Egyptian border. Hamas’ Al-Aqsa TV stated that Israeli officials had informed Egypt of the planned withdrawal of troops after completing the operation. The Israeli military operation in Gaza has forced over a million people to flee to tents and apartments in Rafah. Israel views Rafah as Hamas’ last stronghold but the United States has expressed opposition to a full-scale invasion without a credible strategy for safeguarding civilians.

Amidst ongoing tensions, the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has decided to close down the local branch of Qatar-based global news channel Al Jazeera. Netanyahu has publicly labeled the channel as an ‘incitement channel.’ This action underscores the long-standing rift between Israel and the international news organization.

The announcement follows Israel’s rejection of Hamas’ demand to end the ongoing war in Gaza in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages. Netanyahu has maintained that such a move would perpetuate Hamas’ control over Palestine, posing a threat to Israel’s security. He has vowed to continue the military campaign until Israel’s objectives are achieved.

The Israel-Gaza conflict has resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians, including women and children. The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire amid concerns about a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. The United States has also condemned Hamas for obstructing efforts towards a ceasefire.

The Indian government has issued an updated travel advisory for its citizens traveling to Iran and Israel, advising them to remain vigilant and maintain contact with the Indian embassy in those countries. The advisory comes as tensions remain high in the Middle East following an Israeli air strike on an Iranian embassy complex in Damascus and subsequent retaliatory actions by Iran. The advisory replaces a previous one issued on April 12 that urged Indian citizens to avoid visiting Iran and Israel.

Turkey has suspended all trade activities with Israel in response to the ongoing violence in the Gaza Strip. This move comes after Turkey imposed restrictions on exports to Israel last month and follows the Israeli government’s continued aggression and the worsening humanitarian crisis in Palestine. Turkey will enforce these measures until Israel allows the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

India’s commitment to a Two-State solution for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict was reiterated by Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj, on Thursday. The solution envisions the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, with security considerations for Israel being taken into account.

Former President Trump has condemned the violence that erupted at anti-Israel protests on college campuses across the nation, calling for the removal of ‘weak and ineffective leadership’ at universities and the immediate cessation of antisemitism. Amidst the chaos, police were forced to intervene in several incidents, including an out-of-control situation at UCLA where pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel counterprotesters clashed violently.

Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., has fired nearly 50 employees for participating in protests against the company’s cloud project with Israel. The project, valued at $1.2 billion, was secured by Google and Amazon and involves collaboration with various branches of the Israeli government, including the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The workers claim that Google violated their labor rights by dismissing them for engaging in peaceful and non-disruptive protests that were directly related to their working conditions. Google maintains that the employees’ actions were unacceptable and disrupted operations in the office premises. CEO Sundar Pichai emphasized that the company is a workplace with clear policies and expectations, and employees should not engage in activities that disrupt coworkers or make them feel unsafe.

Israel has expressed concern that the International Criminal Court (ICC) may issue arrest warrants for its government officials over alleged war crimes committed during the Gaza conflict. The ICC is investigating the conflict, which began with a Hamas cross-border attack on Israel in October, and Israel’s subsequent military offensive. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has warned of a potential wave of antisemitism if arrest warrants are issued, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that any such decisions would not affect Israel’s actions but would set a dangerous precedent. The ICC has jurisdiction over potential war crimes committed by both Hamas and Israeli forces. However, Israel is not a member of the ICC and does not recognize its authority. The U.S., a close ally of Israel, has also stated that the ICC has no jurisdiction in this situation and does not support its investigation.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed optimism that Hamas would embrace Israel’s ‘extraordinarily generous’ proposal to cease offensive operations in Gaza in exchange for the release of hostages. Blinken emphasized that Hamas holds the key to a ceasefire, urging them to make the right decision swiftly. He highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and emphasized the need for a ceasefire and hostage release to create space for a more equitable and sustainable solution.

Moran Stella Yanai endured a harrowing 54-day captivity in Gaza after being captured by Hamas gunmen in October 2022. The 40-year-old jewellery designer recounted her ordeal in a recent interview, describing the terrifying moments when she was seized while hiding in a potato field and the subsequent ordeal she faced. Yanai was moved to seven different locations during her captivity and faced constant threats of violence, but she remained resilient and protected her own story. Yanai’s account sheds light on the horrors endured by hostages in Gaza, including sexual assault and psychological torture.