Benjamin Netanyahu under pressure to end Gaza conflict
A former prime minister, defence minister, and ex-spy chiefs are among 600 retired Israeli officials who've written to US President Donald Trump asking him to push harder for a ceasefire.
Speaking at a press conference, Mr Netanyahu didn't elaborate on what he has planned.
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ABC News
9 minutes ago
- ABC News
From understanding to disappointment, breaking down the Trump-Putin relationship
Before moving into the Oval Office for the second term as US president, Donald Trump made a declaration about the Russia-Ukraine war. "They're dying, Russians and Ukrainians. I want them to stop dying. And I'll have that done — I'll have that done in 24 hours," he said in 2023. Mr Trump recalled he "got along great" with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his first term as US president. Mr Putin spoke of his "pragmatic and trusting" relations with Mr Trump and remarked that the then-presidential candidate behaved like a "real man" during an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania. Now, Mr Trump has described the 24-hour declaration as an "exaggeration" to "make a point". "Obviously, people know that when I said that, it was said in jest, but it was also said that it will be ended," Mr Trump said in an interview. About six months into his second term as US president, the war wages on. Here's how the Trump-Putin relationship has waxed and waned since the beginning of the year. In the first days of January, Mr Trump made it clear that he "could understand" Mr Putin's feelings about Ukraine potentially joining NATO. By the time he was sworn in late in January, Mr Trump discussed a future meeting with his Russian counterpart. "From what I hear, Putin would like to see me, and we'll leave as soon as we can. I'd meet immediately. "Every day we don't meet, soldiers are being killed in the battlefield." After the first official call in February, Mr Trump said Mr Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wanted peace, and that he expected at least three in-person meetings with the Russian president. "He wants it to end. He doesn't want to end it and then go back to fighting six months later," Mr Trump said. "We expect that he'll come here and I'll go there and probably the first time, we'll meet in Saudi Arabia, to see if we can get something done. In a matter of weeks, Mr Trump's tone on the war, and support for Ukraine, began to shift after a now-infamous heated back-and-forth with Mr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office. The US later suspended military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. "You're either going to make a deal, or we're out, and if we're out, you'll fight it out. I don't think it's going to be pretty," Mr Trump told Mr Zelenskyy in the meeting at the Oval Office. That was the first time intelligence sharing between the two countries had been cut off since Russia's invasion in February 2022. In less than three days, Russia attacked energy facilities in Ukraine with dozens of missiles and drones leaving at least 10 people injured. The attack restricted the country's ability to deliver heat and light to its citizens, and to power weapons factories vital to its defences. The Trump administration lifted the pause on intelligence sharing with Ukraine days after the attack. It came after a meeting between US and Ukrainian officials in Saudia Arabia, where a 30-day ceasefire deal was agreed to by Ukraine. Within days, Mr Trump was taking questions from reporters aboard Air Force One about his second phone call with Mr Putin. "I'll be speaking to President Putin [tomorrow]. A lot of work's been done over the weekend," Trump said in late March. "We want to see if we can bring that war to an end. Maybe we can, maybe we can't, but I think we have a very good chance. "I think we have a lot of it already discussed very much by both sides, Ukraine and Russia. We're already talking about that, dividing up certain assets." There was no 30-day ceasefire in March but in late April, Mr Putin announced a temporary "Easter truce". The Kremlin claimed the ceasefire would last from 6pm, Moscow time, on Saturday April 19 to midnight following Easter Sunday. By the following Friday, Russia had launched 145 drones and 70 missiles, including 11 ballistic missiles, in the attack on the capital Kyiv, Ukraine's air force said on Telegram. At least 12 people were killed and 90 were injured. "I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying," Mr Trump said in a social post. By the middle of May, Ukraine and European leaders agreed to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire from May 12 with the backing of Mr Trump. About a week later, Mr Trump had another phone call with Mr Putin, after which the US president again mentioned a ceasefire was close. "Just completed my two-hour call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia. I believe it went very well," Mr Trump said in social post. "Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War. "The conditions for that will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be." But within days of Mr Trump's conversation with Mr Putin, Ukrainian officials said they were hit with 367 drones and missiles from the evening of May 24 to the following day. At the time, it was the largest single attack during the war, according to Ukrainian air force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat. At least 12 people were killed and dozens more were injured. Mr Trump condemned Mr Putin, going as far to say his actions would "lead to the downfall of Russia". "I've always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him," Mr Trump said in a social post. "He has gone absolutely CRAZY! He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I'm not just talking about soldiers. Missiles and drones are being shot into Cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever. In June, Ukraine launched Operation Spider's Web, which targeted scores of Moscow's nuclear-capable long-range bombers at sites deep inside Russia. Ukrainian officials claimed the attack destroyed 34 per cent of Russia's fleet of air missile carriers. There were no casualties, according to Russia's defence ministry. By the end of the week Moscow retaliated with strikes that killed four people, injured 20, and triggered fires in residential buildings in different parts of Kyiv, city authorities said. In response to the recent hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, Mr Trump compared them to children. "You see, in hockey, you see it in sports. The referees let them go for a couple of seconds, let them go for a little while before you pull them apart." Then in less than a week, Ukraine's second-largest city Kharkiv was hit by drone and missile attacks. Days later, residents of Kharkiv were hit again, this time with nine minutes of continuous drone strikes. When the drones were approaching, local resident Olena Khoruzheva raced to the hallway with her two children. Her youngest son lay on the floor with his hands over his head. "I was on top of him," the 41-year-old pharmacist told AFP. "We heard it approaching, silence, and then we were thrown against the wall." At least 10 people were killed, and more than 70 injured in the attacks. By the end of June, Mr Trump spoke at the NATO summit saying, "Look, Vladimir Putin really has to end that war." By July, Mr Trump threatened supporting a bill that would impose steep sanctions on Russia, including 500 per cent tariffs on nations that buy Russian oil, gas, uranium and other exports. He also pledged to send more defensive weapons to Ukraine. "We get a lot of bulls**t thrown at us by [Russian President Vladimir] Putin," Mr Trump said at a cabinet meeting. "He's very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless." When asked by a reporter what action he would take against Mr Putin, Mr Trump said: "I wouldn't tell you. We want to have a little surprise." Hours later, Russia fired a record 728 drones and 13 missiles at Ukraine. Russia's most recent attacks on Ukraine prompted Mr Trump to set a new deadline for ending the war. Two weeks ago, it was 50 days. Now it's within days. Speaking at his Trump Turnberry golf club in Scotland, the US president warned that if a ceasefire was not in place by the new deadline that he would impose severe tariffs on Moscow and its trading partners. Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev countered. "Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with [Trump's] own country," he posted on the social media platform X. The new deadline set by the Trump administration for peace talks is August 8 (US time). "I'm disappointed in President Putin," Mr Trump said during a visit to Scotland. "There's no reason for waiting. It was 50 days, I wanted to be generous, but we just don't see any progress being made," Mr Trump said.
Sky News AU
39 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
Read the vile antisemitic comments of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas after he praised Anthony Albanese in overnight phone call
The Palestinian leader who praised Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a phone call on Tuesday has previously compared Israel to the Nazis and claimed the Holocaust was "not about antisemitsm". The Prime Minister's office on Tuesday revealed Mr Albanese spoke with Palestinian Authority President and leader of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) Mahmoud Abbas on the ongoing situation in Gaza. In the conversation, Mr Albanese 'reiterated Australia's call for the immediate entry of aid' in Gaza as well as a 'permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages', according to a readout of the phone call. 'Prime Minister Albanese also reinforced Australia's commitment to a two-state solution because a just and lasting peace depends upon it,' the readout said. 'President Abbas thanked Prime Minister Albanese for Australia's economic and humanitarian support. 'The leaders discussed deepening cooperation across a range of areas, and agreed to meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.' But the same Palestinian leader who thanked Australia for its support has a grim past of shocking antisemitic rhetoric. In a speech to members of his Fatah party in August 2023, Mr Abbas denied the Holocaust was "not about antisemitism", and instead said Hitler's horrific killing of six million Jews was because of 'their social role", which had to do with "usury, money and so on'. In the same speech, he denied that European Jews had any lineage based in the Middle East, a widely discredited theory. 'When we hear them talk about Semitism and antisemitism — the Ashkenazi Jews, at least, are not Semites,' Mr Abbas said. In a speech to the UN in May 2023, Mr Abbas compared Israel to the Nazis and said the country lied like Joseph Goebbels. 'Israeli and Zionist claims continue by saying that Israel made the desert bloom. As if Palestine was a desert and they made the desert bloom,' Mr Abbas said at the UN event honouring the Palestinian Nakba. 'These are lies,' he said. 'They continue to lie, like Goebbels, and they continue to lie until people believe their lies and they continue therefore their false claims by saying that Israel made the desert bloom. Palestine was never a desert.' During a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in 2022, Mr Abbas also accused Israel of committing '50 holocausts' against Palestine since 1947. 'If we want to dig further into the past, yes, please, I have 50 massacres that were committed by Israel,' Mr Abbas said. 'Fifty massacres, 50 Holocausts, and to this day, every day, we have dead people killed by the (Israeli Defence Forces), by the Israeli army.' While Mr Albanese secured a phone call with Mr Abbas, he is still seeking the same with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Assistant Foreign and Trade Minister Matt Thistlethwaite told Sky News on Monday the PM was seeking to urgently make contact with Mr Netanyahu to convey the Australian government's position on the ongoing conflict in Gaza. 'A phone call is being pursued,' Mr Thistlethwaite told Sky News on Monday. It came after Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell revealed Mr Albanese was chasing a phone call with Mr Netanyahu. Mr Abbas has led both the Palestinian Authority and PLO since 2004. He abolished the parliament in 2007 and has led without a popular mandate ever since. His authority has also dwindled after a split with Hamas in 2007 in which the terrorist group took control of Gaza.
Daily Telegraph
an hour ago
- Daily Telegraph
Israel to push to reoccupy all of Gaza in ‘updated' war plan
Don't miss out on the headlines from World. Followed categories will be added to My News. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised to update Israel's Gaza war plan, a day before a UN Security Council meeting on the fate of hostages still held in the Palestinian territory. Addressing a cabinet meeting with the war well into its 22nd month, the Israeli leader told ministers on Monday that later in the week he would instruct the military on how 'to achieve the three war objectives we have set'. Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 and the Jerusalem Post newspaper quoted officials in Mr Netanyahu's office saying that the 'updated strategy' would be to reoccupy all of Gaza, including areas in Gaza City where the military believes hostages are being held. The cabinet would meet on Tuesday to endorse the plan, the reports said. Get all the latest news happening around the world as it happens — download the app direct to your phone. Mr Netanyahu said he would instruct the military on how 'to achieve the three war objectives we have set'. Picture; X There was no immediate official confirmation, but the Palestinian Authority's foreign ministry denounced what it called a 'leaked' plan and urged the international community to intervene to quash any new military occupation. Mr Netanyahu is facing mounting domestic and international pressure to bring the remaining hostages in Gaza home and allow much more aid into the starving territory. Israel – backed by the United States and Panama – is preparing to convene a UN Security Council meeting on Tuesday to highlight the fate of the hostages. Mr Netanyahu on Monday reiterated that Israel's three war goals remained 'the defeat of the enemy, the release of our hostages and the promise that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel'. His statement came after hundreds of retired Israeli security chiefs wrote to US President Donald Trump to urge him to convince Mr Netanyahu to end the war. 'Immediate mortal danger' Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said ahead of the UN meeting that 'the world must put an end to the phenomenon of kidnapping civilians. It must be front and centre on the world stage'. Of the 251 hostages seized during Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel, 49 are still being held in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead. The UN session was called after Palestinian militant groups last week published three videos showing hostages Rom Braslavski and Evyatar David appearing weak and emaciated, causing shock and distress in Israel. Mr Netanyahu said he had asked the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to provide food and medical treatment to the Israeli captives. Hamas's armed wing said it was willing to allow access to the hostages in exchange for opening aid corridors into all of Gaza, where UN-mandated experts have warned famine is unfolding. Mr Netanyahu said he had asked the International Committee of the Red Cross to provide food and medical treatment to the Israeli captives. Picture: Alex Wroblewski / AFP Mr Netanyahu's government has faced repeated accusations by relatives of hostages and other critics that it has not done enough to rescue the captives. 'Netanyahu is leading Israel and the hostages to ruin,' said the Hostages and Missing Families Forum campaign group. 'For 22 months, the public has been sold the illusion that military pressure and intense fighting will bring the hostages back. 'The truth must be said: expanding the war endangers the lives of the hostages, who are already in immediate mortal danger.' 'Only through a deal' Mediation efforts led by Qatar, Egypt and the United States have failed to secure a truce. Hundreds of retired Israeli security officials including former heads of intelligence agencies have urged US President Donald Trump to pressure their own government to end the war. 'It is our professional Judgement that Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat to Israel,' the former officials wrote in an open letter shared with the media on Monday. The war 'is leading the State of Israel to lose its security and identity', said Ami Ayalon, former director of the Shin Bet security service, in a video released to accompany the letter. The letter argued that the Israeli military 'has long accomplished the two objectives that could be achieved by force: dismantling Hamas's military formations and governance'. 'The third, and most important, can only be achieved through a deal: bringing all the hostages home,' it added. Palestinians struggle to get food and humanitarian aid from the back of a truck as it moves along the Morag corridor near Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday, August 4. Picture: AP Photo/Mariam Dagga 'We are starving' The October 2023 Hamas attack that sparked the war resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to a tally of official figures. Israel's campaign in Gaza has killed at least 60,933 people, also mostly civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory's health ministry, which are deemed reliable by the UN. Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli fire on Monday killed at least 19 Palestinians, including nine who were waiting to collect food aid from a site in central Gaza. In Gaza City, Umm Osama Imad was mourning a relative she said was killed while trying to reach an aid distribution point. 'We are starving … He went to bring flour for his family,' she said. 'The flour is stained with blood. We don't want the flour anymore. Enough!' UN rights chief Volker Turk on Monday said 'the images of people starving in Gaza are heart-rending and intolerable. That we have reached this stage is an affront to our collective humanity.' He called on Israel to urgently allow aid into the territory, adding that denying it 'may amount to a war crime'. He also described the videos of hostages as 'shocking', calling for the ICRC to be allowed immediate access to them. Originally published as Israel to push to reoccupy all of Gaza in 'updated' war plan
