Articles in this Cluster
04-08-2025
The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) says Israeli artillery struck its clearly marked headquarters in Khan Younis, Gaza, killing worker Omar Isleem and injuring three others, with multiple hits causing a fire. The IDF said it is reviewing the claim and noted possible harm to uninvolved individuals during a strike in the area. The UN Human Rights office called for an independent investigation amid broader concern over killings of emergency workers; PRCS says 51 of its staff and volunteers have been killed since the war began. Separately, reports detailed deadly incidents near aid distribution sites, with disputed accounts over responsibility and casualties, as Gaza faces severe humanitarian shortages despite some aid airdrops and limited fuel entry. The conflict follows Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack on Israel, and Gaza’s health ministry reports over 60,000 deaths since.
04-08-2025
Around 600 retired Israeli security officials, including former heads of Mossad and Shin Bet, have urged US President Donald Trump to pressure Israel to immediately end the Gaza war, arguing Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat. The open letter calls for a ceasefire, return of hostages, and an end to civilian suffering, warning that expanding military operations—reportedly favored by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—will worsen Israel’s isolation and harm hostage recovery efforts. The appeal follows the release of videos showing emaciated Israeli hostages and comes amid severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where UN agencies warn of famine and the Hamas-run health ministry reports over 60,000 deaths since the war began. It remains unclear whether Trump will act, though he has continued to back Netanyahu publicly.
04-08-2025
A major fire broke out at an oil depot near Sochi, Russia, after debris from a Ukrainian drone reportedly hit a fuel tank, according to regional officials. The blaze, tackled by 127 firefighters, was later extinguished, and Sochi’s airport briefly suspended flights. Russia said the strike was part of a broader wave of Ukrainian drone attacks targeting energy infrastructure in multiple regions, while Ukraine has not commented. Meanwhile, Russia launched new strikes in southern Ukraine, killing one person in Kherson and injuring seven in Mykolaiv, and again damaging Kherson’s key Ostrivsky bridge. The escalation follows a deadly week of Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities, prompting renewed calls for tougher international sanctions on Moscow.
04-08-2025
Western leaders condemned videos showing severely malnourished Israeli hostages in Gaza, as the Red Cross demanded access to remaining captives. Footage released by Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas showed Rom Braslavski and Evyatar David in dire condition, prompting Israeli accusations that Hamas is starving hostages; Hamas denies intentional starvation, citing the broader hunger crisis. Israeli PM Netanyahu urged the Red Cross to provide food and medical care, while the ICRC said the videos show life-threatening conditions and reiterated calls for access. Hamas’s armed wing said it would allow Red Cross aid to prisoners if regular humanitarian corridors open and airstrikes pause during aid delivery. Protests in Israel pressed for a hostage deal. The images emerge amid UN warnings that famine is unfolding in Gaza, with rising malnutrition deaths; Israel denies responsibility and blames Hamas, as international criticism of Israel grows.
04-08-2025
Dozens of Palestinians were killed and hundreds wounded while seeking aid in Gaza amid severe shortages, with the Hamas-run Health Ministry reporting at least 91 dead in 24 hours, including 54 near the Zikim crossing. Israel said it fired warning shots and suggested gunfire came from within the crowd. As humanitarian conditions worsen and aid deliveries remain far below needed levels, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Israel and plans to visit Gaza to assess aid operations and discuss a possible ceasefire with Prime Minister Netanyahu. International pressure on Israel is mounting, with some Israeli rights groups accusing it of genocide—claims Israel rejects—and key allies like Canada, France, and the U.K. moving toward recognizing a Palestinian state. The U.S. revoked visas for Palestinian Authority and PLO officials, citing actions undermining the peace process, prompting criticism that Washington cannot act as a neutral mediator. The conflict, triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack, has left over 60,000 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, and about 50 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza.
04-08-2025
U.S. officials confirmed that Palestinian American Khamis Ayyad, in his 40s, died Thursday from smoke inhalation in Silwad, a West Bank village, after settlers allegedly set fires to homes and vehicles. The State Department offered condolences and condemned criminal violence, while Israeli police said they are investigating and cautioned against premature conclusions. The incident follows the July killing of Palestinian American Saifullah Kamel Musallet in the West Bank amid a broader surge in settler-Palestinian violence and Israeli military operations since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack and ensuing Israel-Hamas war.
04-08-2025
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee visited a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution site in Rafah amid a worsening humanitarian crisis and international outcry. They met with the IDF, GHF, and other agencies to assess conditions and brief President Trump on plans to increase food and medical aid. GHF claims to deliver over one million meals daily and says it has provided 100 million meals overall, but its sites—located in Israeli-controlled zones—have repeatedly seen deadly crowd chaos and gunfire, with hundreds reportedly killed over five months. Human Rights Watch criticized the “militarized” aid system as causing regular bloodshed. Despite resumed aid flows and airdrops, deliveries remain far below need amid security breakdowns and hoarding. The visit follows stalled ceasefire talks; the White House says the envoy’s mission is to boost aid, while Trump urged Hamas to surrender and release hostages. The conflict, sparked by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack, has led to over 60,000 Palestinian deaths per Gaza’s health ministry and ongoing hostage holdings by Hamas.
04-08-2025
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met privately in Tel Aviv with families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, pledging that he and former President Trump would work to secure their release after he withdrew from ceasefire talks, blaming Hamas. Families urged immediate action, rejecting an “all or nothing” deal as new hostage videos showed detainees severely emaciated, intensifying public outrage. The visit followed Witkoff and U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee’s tour of a controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid site in Rafah, where large crowds seeking food have repeatedly come under fire and faced deadly crushes. A U.N. report said 859 people were killed near GHF sites in two months; Israel and GHF dispute the toll. Israel’s military vowed continued pressure on Hamas if hostages aren’t freed, as the war’s death toll exceeds 60,000 in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.
04-08-2025
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee will enter Gaza to inspect food and aid distribution sites, meet residents, and develop a plan to increase deliveries amid a worsening humanitarian crisis. Their trip follows meetings with Israeli leaders and comes as President Trump pledges U.S.-Israeli cooperation on new food centers, while disputing Prime Minister Netanyahu’s claim that there is “no starvation” in Gaza. The visit also occurs amid controversy over the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which some U.S. senators want defunded in favor of UN-led mechanisms. The administration says $30 million in U.S. aid will be distributed soon and will brief the president after the visit to finalize an aid plan.
04-08-2025
US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff met in Tel Aviv with families of Israelis still held in Gaza for nearly three hours, telling them the United States’ top priority is securing the hostages’ return, according to the families’ forum. Around 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with at least 20 believed alive. CNN sought confirmation of Witkoff’s remarks from his team. The segment also notes Witkoff’s separate visit to a Gaza aid site amid broader humanitarian and diplomatic pressures surrounding the conflict.
04-08-2025
Ceasefire and hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas have stalled. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is leaning toward expanding military operations to free remaining hostages, while Hamas says it will only return to talks after the humanitarian crisis is addressed. US envoy Steve Witkoff signaled a push for an “all or nothing” deal to end the war and free all 50 hostages at once, though details are unclear. Families of hostages and retired Israeli security officials warned against expanding the war, urging a deal to end it and bring hostages home. Meanwhile, Gaza faces acute hunger and aid shortfalls, with the UN reporting nearly 1,400 people killed since late May while seeking food—most allegedly by Israeli forces—and alarming malnutrition among children. Israeli politics remain divided, with some far-right members advocating occupation and population displacement, as public opinion broadly favors ending the conflict and securing hostages’ release.
04-08-2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked the International Committee of the Red Cross to deliver food and medical care to hostages in Gaza after Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad released videos of two emaciated captives, sparking mass protests in Tel Aviv demanding a deal. The ICRC condemned the videos and urged an end to the crisis. Hamas said it would allow Red Cross aid to hostages only if humanitarian corridors open, claiming the captives’ condition reflects Gaza’s worsening famine-like situation; Israel rejects famine claims. Ceasefire talks remain stalled, with Israel and the US blaming Hamas for intransigence. Netanyahu signals a push to free hostages via military pressure, a strategy families of hostages oppose as risking their lives; they continue to call for a negotiated deal. About 50 hostages are still in Gaza, with at least 20 believed alive, as Gaza’s hunger crisis and deadly incidents around aid sites intensify.
04-08-2025
The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews rapidly delivered emergency aid—including medicines, surgical and ICU supplies, morgue equipment, and retired Israeli ambulances—to Druze and Christian communities in Syria’s Sweida region amid deadly attacks by jihadist forces aligned with Syria’s new president, Ahmed Al-Sharaa. At least 1,400 people were killed, dozens of villages burned, and Christian leaders targeted, including the murder of Pastor Khaled Mazhar and his family. Coordinating with the Israel Defense Forces, the Fellowship moved aid across Israel’s border despite Syria being an enemy state. Israeli Druze leaders involved described the violence as genocidal and religiously motivated, urging solidarity as Druze casualties also mount in Israel’s conflicts.
04-08-2025
European leaders condemned newly released Hamas videos showing long-held Israeli hostages Rom Braslavski and Evyatar David in emaciated condition. France’s Emmanuel Macron called the footage proof of Hamas’ “unlimited inhumanity,” renewed demands for an immediate cease-fire, full aid access, and the release of all hostages, and reiterated support for a two-state solution with Hamas demilitarized and excluded from governance. Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Hamas must have no future role in Gaza and urged Israel not to restrict aid. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy labeled the videos “sickening propaganda,” calling for an unconditional hostage release, Hamas disarmament, and an immediate cease-fire tied to aid access. The footage emerged as U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met families in Israel amid reports Washington is pushing for a comprehensive cease-fire-for-hostages deal, though progress remains uncertain.
04-08-2025
UNOPS data indicates that about 87% of aid trucks entering Gaza since May 19 did not reach their intended destinations, with goods looted either by desperate civilians or armed groups; a single day, May 31, saw 90 trucks looted. While some U.N. officials attribute the theft to severe shortages and limited entry routes, critics argue international organizations underplay their own failures and the role of Hamas in diverting and profiting from aid. Analysts note widespread theft by various actors, inflated prices by merchants, and politicized narratives that focus blame on Israel while minimizing Hamas’ strategy and control. The U.N. has declined to work with the U.S.- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which claims to have delivered 105 million meals, amid ongoing debate over responsibility for Gaza’s hunger crisis.
04-08-2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Hamas after a propaganda video showed 24-year-old Israeli hostage Evyatar David severely emaciated and forced to dig what he said was his own grave. Netanyahu called Hamas’ actions boundless cruelty and urged global condemnation, saying Israel allows humanitarian aid while Hamas starves hostages. He spoke with families of David and another emaciated hostage, Rom Braslavski, pledging relentless efforts to secure releases. David’s family decried his deliberate starvation as a “living skeleton” used for propaganda. Amid stalled ceasefire and hostage talks in Doha, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met Netanyahu and visited Gaza to assess aid distribution, aiming to inform a plan for delivering food and medical aid to civilians.
04-08-2025
Sarah Awaidah, a 30-year-old East Jerusalem aid organizer working with Mena Aid and the Multifaith Alliance, established a tightly controlled supply route coordinated with Israeli authorities that delivered 346 trucks of food and essentials to northern Gaza, reaching over 100,000 families between September 2024 and February 2025 and scaling up again in mid-2025. By bypassing Hamas and profiteering networks, her operation undercut black-market prices and exposed corruption tied to private merchants and political actors. As a result, she has received escalating death threats, including from people she once trusted, after refusing attempts to hijack the aid pipeline. Despite the risks, Awaidah insists she will continue, citing a verified, ID-based distribution model that maintains dignity and prevents diversion.
04-08-2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked the International Committee of the Red Cross to assist hostages held in Gaza. Hamas responded that it would grant Red Cross access only if Israel opens humanitarian corridors for food and aid across the Gaza Strip and halts airstrikes. The appeal comes amid growing pressure on Netanyahu over the hostage crisis and deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
04-08-2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he will brief the military on an updated strategy for the Gaza war focused on three goals: defeating Hamas, securing the release of remaining hostages, and ensuring Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. The move comes ahead of a UN Security Council session centered on hostages and amid mounting pressure at home and abroad over the fate of 49 captives still held in Gaza and the worsening humanitarian crisis, with UN-backed experts warning of famine. Netanyahu urged the ICRC to access and aid hostages, while Hamas signaled it would allow access in exchange for opening aid corridors. Mediation efforts for a truce have stalled, and ongoing Israeli strikes and aid shortages continue to fuel civilian casualties and hunger across Gaza.
04-08-2025
Newly released videos showing emaciated Israeli hostages in Gaza have shocked the Israeli public and intensified pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire with Hamas, despite his government weighing further escalation in the nearly 22-month conflict. The images have refocused attention on the hostages’ plight, prompted appeals for international involvement, and come amid worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza and calls from former Israeli security chiefs for U.S. mediation. Hamas has signaled it would allow aid for hostages if Israel opens humanitarian corridors and halts airstrikes.
04-08-2025
Hamas says it is ready to work with the Red Cross to deliver food and medicine to Israeli hostages in Gaza if Israel permanently opens a humanitarian corridor and halts airstrikes during aid distribution. The statement follows international outrage over videos showing Israeli hostage Evyatar David in emaciated condition, condemned by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas as “appalling.” Over 100 journalists have petitioned for unsupervised foreign press access to Gaza. Gaza’s health ministry reports six additional deaths from starvation in 24 hours (175 total, including 93 children) and at least 80 killed by Israeli fire, amid warnings of unfolding famine after earlier aid blockages. Israel denies causing famine and says it facilitates aid and does not intentionally harm civilians, blaming Hamas for endangering Gazans. Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack killed about 1,200 people and abducted 251; roughly 50 hostages remain, with about 20 believed alive. Gaza authorities say more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s offensive.
04-08-2025
Far-right Israeli security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa compound and reportedly prayed there, defying the long-standing status quo that allows Jewish visits but bans Jewish prayer at the site, which is holy to Muslims, Jews, and Christians. Ben-Gvir, a convicted extremist and key figure in Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, has pushed hardline policies including full conquest of Gaza. His visit drew condemnation from Palestinian officials, who called for international intervention, while Netanyahu insisted Israel’s policy at the site remains unchanged. The move risks inflaming regional tensions given Al Aqsa’s history as a flashpoint during the Israel-Hamas war.
04-08-2025
Palestinian officials say only 36 aid trucks entered Gaza on Saturday, far below the 600 daily they claim are needed, warning of worsening humanitarian conditions and alleging widespread looting amid “security chaos.” They called for immediate reopening of crossings and sufficient deliveries, including infant formula, and condemned “starvation” tactics. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the claims, accusing Hamas of propaganda and of deliberately depriving both hostages and Gaza residents of aid. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported an Israeli strike on its Khan Younis HQ, killing one staff member. Ceasefire and hostage-release talks remain stalled, as U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff suggested a plan to end the war; Hamas reiterated it would not disarm without an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as capital. Hamas released videos of emaciated Israeli hostage Evyatar David, heightening tensions.
04-08-2025
A U.S. delegation led by Trump envoy Steve Witkoff visited Gaza on a tightly controlled tour that avoided hospitals and major aid lines, drawing criticism from medics who described severe hunger and civilians “being shot like rabbits.” Despite claims that the U.S.-Israeli Gaza Humanitarian Foundation delivers a million meals daily, starvation and deadly chaos at aid sites persist, and truck entries remain far below needs. Emerging from meetings with Israeli hostage families, a nascent U.S. plan appears to push for a single deal to free all hostages, disarm Hamas, and end the war—an approach Hamas rejects without a path to an independent Palestinian state. With Israel’s government opposed to a two-state solution and the Trump administration distancing from international forums, political deadlock continues. Notably, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt jointly urged Hamas to disarm—an unprecedented regional pressure—but for now, both Israeli hostages and Palestinians in Gaza remain trapped in the crisis.
04-08-2025
Over 100 prominent journalists and war correspondents, including Alex Crawford, Christiane Amanpour, Clarissa Ward, Mehdi Hasan, and Don McCullin, have signed a Freedom To Report petition demanding immediate, unsupervised access for foreign media to Gaza. They urge both Israel and Hamas to allow independent coverage, warning that if access is denied, journalists may enter via legitimate means with support from humanitarian or civil groups. The petition argues unrestricted reporting is essential to document atrocities and protect press freedom, noting nearly 200—mostly Palestinian—journalists have been killed, making this the deadliest conflict for the press on record. Major outlets have highlighted dire conditions for local journalists, while international organizations and news groups continue pressing Israel to admit foreign media and allow journalists and their families to leave Gaza.
04-08-2025
Al Fashir, North Darfur’s capital with 900,000 residents, has been under a 14-month siege by the Rapid Support Forces, which are blocking food and fuel and shelling civilian areas. Markets are destroyed and empty, aid convoys are being attacked, and the collapse of nearby Zamzam displacement camp has cut the last supply route. With humanitarian access halted and community kitchens overwhelmed, families are surviving on animal feed and sorghum porridge. Medical and aid groups report catastrophic malnutrition, with previous IPC findings indicating famine conditions in 2024 that have since worsened. Local leaders and residents warn a full-scale famine is underway.
04-08-2025
Syria’s interim government under Ahmad al-Sharaa faces renewed violence that tests its shaky authority and ceasefires. In the south’s Sweida province, clashes between government forces and Druze militias killed at least two and wounded several, rupturing a tenuous truce amid dire humanitarian conditions and sectarian tensions with Bedouin clans. In the north’s Aleppo province, government-affiliated fighters and the Kurdish-led SDF traded fire near Manbij, with each side blaming the other as they struggle to implement a reintegration deal for northeastern areas. Separately, Israel carried out another raid in Quneitra near the annexed Golan Heights targeting alleged weapons trafficking, part of increased Israeli actions in southern Syria since Bashar Assad’s ouster. The flare-ups highlight distrust of Sharaa’s rule among minorities and the difficulty of consolidating control nationwide.
04-08-2025
New videos released by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad showing emaciated Israeli hostages have shocked Israelis and intensified pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire. The footage sparked one of the largest recent protests in Israel demanding a deal. Netanyahu condemned the videos, met with the Red Cross for access to hostages, and said Hamas seeks to use the clips to force concessions, while vowing to free hostages and defeat Hamas.
The releases come amid escalating famine warnings in Gaza, where aid access has been severely restricted and the U.N. reports rising malnutrition deaths among adults and children. Hamas claimed hostages receive the same food as fighters and civilians and offered to allow Red Cross deliveries if regular aid corridors open. Israel requested an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting on the hostages. The war, triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack that killed about 1,200 and abducted 251, has left over 60,900 Palestinians dead according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
04-08-2025
A heartbroken plea from the brother of 24-year-old Israeli hostage Evyatar David urges urgent international action—especially from President Trump—to secure a comprehensive deal to free all 50 remaining hostages held by Hamas. Citing a recent propaganda video showing Evyatar emaciated, forced to dig his own grave, and deprived of food and water, the writer condemns Hamas’ deliberate starvation and psychological torture, demands proof that humanitarian aid reaches hostages, and calls for maximum pressure on Hamas. He humanizes Evyatar as a gentle, music-loving young man and warns time is running out, asking global leaders not to let him die in a tunnel.
04-08-2025
Tens of thousands of Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square demanding an immediate end to the Gaza war and a comprehensive deal to free remaining hostages after Hamas released videos showing captives Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski emaciated and near collapse. Families of hostages delivered emotional pleas, condemning the government’s “phased” approach and urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to finalize a cease-fire to save the roughly 20 believed alive. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum warned the captives may not survive without urgent action. A U.S. envoy said a plan to end the war and free hostages is reportedly close, despite stalled talks earlier in the month. Protesters also displayed anti-occupation messages and staged visuals criticizing Netanyahu.
04-08-2025
After a June military victory over Iran that briefly boosted his authority, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to translate that momentum into a Gaza truce. Talks with Hamas have stalled as Israel shifts to seeking an all-at-once deal but refuses key compromises, mirroring Hamas’s stance. International backlash has intensified over severe hunger in Gaza tied to Israel’s blockade, prompting some allies to move toward recognizing a Palestinian state. At home, opposition to the war and pressure to secure hostages’ release are surging, while reservist fatigue and suicides raise doubts about the war’s sustainability. Analysts say Israel faces simultaneous societal, military, diplomatic, and U.S. relationship crises. The article also faults President Trump for not using his post-Iran-war leverage to push Netanyahu to end the Gaza conflict, allowing it to drag on.
04-08-2025
Five years after the Beirut port explosion, Lebanese families like that of George Bezdjian—who lost his daughter Jessica, a nurse killed at St. George Hospital—are still waiting for accountability. The blast devastated central Beirut and health facilities, and despite public outcry and an investigation led by Judge Tarek Bitar, political interference and legal obstacles have stalled justice. The article highlights enduring grief, institutional paralysis, and a broader national demand for truth and responsibility amid Lebanon’s ongoing crises.
04-08-2025
Dozens of Palestinians were killed or injured in Gaza as large crowds rushed toward scarce aid delivered both by land and airdrops, witnesses and health officials said. Nearly 22 months into the Israel-Hamas war, Israel’s blockade and military operations have made safe aid delivery extremely difficult, pushing the territory toward famine. Aid groups say Israel’s recent steps to increase aid are inadequate. Families of hostages worry starvation also threatens their loved ones but place blame on Hamas.
04-08-2025
Videos released by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad showing two severely malnourished Israeli hostages have shocked Israel, fueled massive protests demanding a ceasefire, and intensified pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Families say the footage shows deliberate starvation; Hamas denies this, saying hostages get the same food available and offering Red Cross access if aid corridors open regularly. Netanyahu condemned the videos, vowed to free hostages and defeat Hamas, and called Cabinet discussions on expanding operations. The crisis unfolds amid worsening famine warnings in Gaza, where aid access has been severely restricted and malnutrition-related deaths are rising, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry and the U.N. Israel requested an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting on the hostages. The war, sparked by Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023 attack that killed about 1,200 and abducted 251, has led to over 60,000 Palestinian deaths per Gaza’s Health Ministry.
