Israel pushes further into parts of north Gaza; new cracks in Netanyahu coalition
Cairo, Egypt/Jerusalem Reuters Israeli troops and tanks pushed on Saturday into parts of a congested northern Gaza Strip district that they had previously skirted in the more than seven-month-old war, killing and wounding dozens of Palestinians, medics and residents said. Israel’s forces also took over some ground in Rafah, a southern city by the Egyptian […]
Schumer calls for new elections in Israel, criticises Netanyahu
Washington DC, US Reuters US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called on Thursday for new elections in Israel, harshly criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as an obstacle to peace. Democrat Schumer, long a supporter of Israel and the highest-ranking US Jewish elected official, told the Senate that Netanyahu’s government “no longer fits the needs of […]
In meeting with Israel’s Gantz, US VP Harris presses on Rafah and Gaza aid
Washington DC, US Reuters US Vice President Kamala Harris urged Israel to craft a “credible” humanitarian plan before conducting major military activities in Rafah during a meeting with Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz, the White House said on Monday. Harris also pressed Israel to take more measures to get aid into Gaza, reiterating a […]
Hamas, mediators press on with Gaza truce talks in Israelis’ absence
Cairo, Egypt/Rafah, Gaza Strip Reuters Hamas and Egyptian mediators said on Monday they were pressing on with talks on securing a ceasefire in Gaza, despite Israel’s decision not to send a delegation. The ceasefire talks, which began on Sunday in Cairo, are billed as a final hurdle on the way to securing the first extended […]
Israel intensifies strikes on Gaza’s Rafah, large family killed in home
Rafah, Gaza Strip/Cairo, Egypt Reuters Israel intensified its bombardment of Rafah in Gaza’s south and over a dozen members of one family were killed in an air strike, residents said, as the ruined Palestinian enclave’s health ministry announced 29,313 deaths in the war so far. In Jerusalem, Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz cited “promising […]
Qatar seeking Israel-Hamas deal to free 50 hostages and three day truce – sources
Doha, Qatar/Cairo, EgyptReuters Qatari mediators on Wednesday sought to negotiate a deal between Hamas and Israel that included the release of around 50 civilian hostages from Gaza in exchange for a three-day ceasefire, an official briefed on the negotiations told Reuters. The deal, under discussion and coordinated with the US, would also see Israel release […]
Israel forms emergency war cabinet against Hamas as deaths and damage in Gaza mount
Updated: 12:45pm (AEDT)Jerusalem/GazaReuters Israel formed an emergency unity government on Wednesday as its jets pounded Gaza and tanks massed around the Palestinian enclave, and the army said it killed three Hamas militants in a fresh confrontation on nearby Israeli territory. Former Defence Minister Benny Gantz, a centrist opposition leader, spoke live on Israeli television alongside Prime […]
Israeli election seen as referendum on divisive Netanyahu
Jerusalem, IsraelAP Israelis vote Tuesday in their fourth parliamentary election in just two years. Once again, the race boils down to a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu, who has served as prime minister for the past 12 years, hopes voters will reward him for leading the country’s successful coronavirus vaccine rollout and his diplomatic outreach to […]