Two US aid workers hurt: Gaza Humanitarian Foundation
The United States and Israeli-backed GHF said in a statement that the injured workers were receiving medical treatment and were in a stable condition.
"The attack - which preliminary information indicates was carried out by two assailants who threw two grenades at the Americans - occurred at the conclusion of an otherwise successful distribution in which thousands of Gazans safely received food," the GHF said.
The GHF, which began distributing aid in the Gaza Strip in May, employs private US military contractors tasked with providing security at their sites.
It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack.
The Israeli military, in a later statement, accused what it called "terrorist organisations" of sabotaging the distribution of aid in the Gaza Strip.
There has been an escalation in violence in the enclave as efforts continue to reach a ceasefire agreement.
Hamas on Friday reported it had responded positively to a US-brokered deal and was prepared to enter into talks.
US President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.
Gazan authorities reported at least 70 people have been killed in the territory by the Israeli military in the last 24 hours, including 23 near aid distribution sites.
The ministry did not specify where or how exactly they had been killed.
The Israeli military had no immediate comment on the reports.
In a statement on Friday, the military said that in the past week, troops had killed 100 militants in the Gaza Strip and claimed that it had "operational control" over 65 per cent of the enclave after an offensive against Hamas fighters in the north.
The Hamas-run interior ministry on Thursday warned residents of the coastal enclave not to assist the GHF, saying deadly incidents near its food distribution sites endangered hungry Gazans.
The GHF has said it has delivered more than 52 million meals to Palestinians in five weeks.
The GHF bypasses traditional aid channels, including the United Nations, which says the US-based organisation is neither impartial nor neutral.
Since Israel lifted an 11-week aid blockade on the Gaza Strip on May 19, the UN says more than 400 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid handouts.
A senior UN official said last week that the majority of people killed were trying to reach aid distribution sites of the GHF.
The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered in October 2023 when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing about 1200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
Gaza's health ministry says Israel's retaliatory military assault on the enclave has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians.
It has also caused a hunger crisis, internally displaced the strip's entire population and prompted accusations of genocide and war crimes.
Israel denies the accusations.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation says two US aid workers have suffered non-life-threatening injuries in a grenade attack at a food distribution site in the Gaza Strip.
The United States and Israeli-backed GHF said in a statement that the injured workers were receiving medical treatment and were in a stable condition.
"The attack - which preliminary information indicates was carried out by two assailants who threw two grenades at the Americans - occurred at the conclusion of an otherwise successful distribution in which thousands of Gazans safely received food," the GHF said.
The GHF, which began distributing aid in the Gaza Strip in May, employs private US military contractors tasked with providing security at their sites.
It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack.
The Israeli military, in a later statement, accused what it called "terrorist organisations" of sabotaging the distribution of aid in the Gaza Strip.
There has been an escalation in violence in the enclave as efforts continue to reach a ceasefire agreement.
Hamas on Friday reported it had responded positively to a US-brokered deal and was prepared to enter into talks.
US President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.
Gazan authorities reported at least 70 people have been killed in the territory by the Israeli military in the last 24 hours, including 23 near aid distribution sites.
The ministry did not specify where or how exactly they had been killed.
The Israeli military had no immediate comment on the reports.
In a statement on Friday, the military said that in the past week, troops had killed 100 militants in the Gaza Strip and claimed that it had "operational control" over 65 per cent of the enclave after an offensive against Hamas fighters in the north.
The Hamas-run interior ministry on Thursday warned residents of the coastal enclave not to assist the GHF, saying deadly incidents near its food distribution sites endangered hungry Gazans.
The GHF has said it has delivered more than 52 million meals to Palestinians in five weeks.
The GHF bypasses traditional aid channels, including the United Nations, which says the US-based organisation is neither impartial nor neutral.
Since Israel lifted an 11-week aid blockade on the Gaza Strip on May 19, the UN says more than 400 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid handouts.
A senior UN official said last week that the majority of people killed were trying to reach aid distribution sites of the GHF.
The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered in October 2023 when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing about 1200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
Gaza's health ministry says Israel's retaliatory military assault on the enclave has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians.
It has also caused a hunger crisis, internally displaced the strip's entire population and prompted accusations of genocide and war crimes.
Israel denies the accusations.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation says two US aid workers have suffered non-life-threatening injuries in a grenade attack at a food distribution site in the Gaza Strip.
The United States and Israeli-backed GHF said in a statement that the injured workers were receiving medical treatment and were in a stable condition.
"The attack - which preliminary information indicates was carried out by two assailants who threw two grenades at the Americans - occurred at the conclusion of an otherwise successful distribution in which thousands of Gazans safely received food," the GHF said.
The GHF, which began distributing aid in the Gaza Strip in May, employs private US military contractors tasked with providing security at their sites.
It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack.
The Israeli military, in a later statement, accused what it called "terrorist organisations" of sabotaging the distribution of aid in the Gaza Strip.
There has been an escalation in violence in the enclave as efforts continue to reach a ceasefire agreement.
Hamas on Friday reported it had responded positively to a US-brokered deal and was prepared to enter into talks.
US President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.
Gazan authorities reported at least 70 people have been killed in the territory by the Israeli military in the last 24 hours, including 23 near aid distribution sites.
The ministry did not specify where or how exactly they had been killed.
The Israeli military had no immediate comment on the reports.
In a statement on Friday, the military said that in the past week, troops had killed 100 militants in the Gaza Strip and claimed that it had "operational control" over 65 per cent of the enclave after an offensive against Hamas fighters in the north.
The Hamas-run interior ministry on Thursday warned residents of the coastal enclave not to assist the GHF, saying deadly incidents near its food distribution sites endangered hungry Gazans.
The GHF has said it has delivered more than 52 million meals to Palestinians in five weeks.
The GHF bypasses traditional aid channels, including the United Nations, which says the US-based organisation is neither impartial nor neutral.
Since Israel lifted an 11-week aid blockade on the Gaza Strip on May 19, the UN says more than 400 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid handouts.
A senior UN official said last week that the majority of people killed were trying to reach aid distribution sites of the GHF.
The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered in October 2023 when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing about 1200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
Gaza's health ministry says Israel's retaliatory military assault on the enclave has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians.
It has also caused a hunger crisis, internally displaced the strip's entire population and prompted accusations of genocide and war crimes.
Israel denies the accusations.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation says two US aid workers have suffered non-life-threatening injuries in a grenade attack at a food distribution site in the Gaza Strip.
The United States and Israeli-backed GHF said in a statement that the injured workers were receiving medical treatment and were in a stable condition.
"The attack - which preliminary information indicates was carried out by two assailants who threw two grenades at the Americans - occurred at the conclusion of an otherwise successful distribution in which thousands of Gazans safely received food," the GHF said.
The GHF, which began distributing aid in the Gaza Strip in May, employs private US military contractors tasked with providing security at their sites.
It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack.
The Israeli military, in a later statement, accused what it called "terrorist organisations" of sabotaging the distribution of aid in the Gaza Strip.
There has been an escalation in violence in the enclave as efforts continue to reach a ceasefire agreement.
Hamas on Friday reported it had responded positively to a US-brokered deal and was prepared to enter into talks.
US President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.
Gazan authorities reported at least 70 people have been killed in the territory by the Israeli military in the last 24 hours, including 23 near aid distribution sites.
The ministry did not specify where or how exactly they had been killed.
The Israeli military had no immediate comment on the reports.
In a statement on Friday, the military said that in the past week, troops had killed 100 militants in the Gaza Strip and claimed that it had "operational control" over 65 per cent of the enclave after an offensive against Hamas fighters in the north.
The Hamas-run interior ministry on Thursday warned residents of the coastal enclave not to assist the GHF, saying deadly incidents near its food distribution sites endangered hungry Gazans.
The GHF has said it has delivered more than 52 million meals to Palestinians in five weeks.
The GHF bypasses traditional aid channels, including the United Nations, which says the US-based organisation is neither impartial nor neutral.
Since Israel lifted an 11-week aid blockade on the Gaza Strip on May 19, the UN says more than 400 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid handouts.
A senior UN official said last week that the majority of people killed were trying to reach aid distribution sites of the GHF.
The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered in October 2023 when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing about 1200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
Gaza's health ministry says Israel's retaliatory military assault on the enclave has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians.
It has also caused a hunger crisis, internally displaced the strip's entire population and prompted accusations of genocide and war crimes.
Israel denies the accusations.
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The Advertiser
13 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Israeli PM says he believes Trump can help seal truce
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he believes his discussions with US President Donald Trump will help advance talks on a Gaza Strip hostage release and ceasefire deal. Israeli negotiators taking part in ceasefire talks in Qatar have clear instructions to achieve an agreement under conditions that Israel has accepted, Netanyahu said on Sunday before boarding his flight to Washington DC. "I believe the discussion with President Trump can certainly help advance these results," he said, adding that he was determined to ensure the return of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. "There are 20 hostages that are alive, 30 dead. I am determined, we are determined, to bring them all back. And we will also be determined to ensure that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel," Netanyahu said. It will be Netanyahu's third visit to the White House since Trump returned to power nearly six months ago. Public pressure is mounting on Netanyahu to secure a permanent ceasefire and end the war, a move opposed by some hardline members of his religious-nationalist coalition. Others including Foreign Minister Gideon Saar have expressed support. The document outlines plans for a 60-day ceasefire during which Hamas would hand over 10 living and 18 dead hostages, Israeli forces would withdraw to a buffer zone along the Gaza Strip's borders with Israel and Egypt, and significant amounts of aid would be brought in. The document says the aid would be distributed by United Nations agencies and the Palestinian Red Crescent. It does not specify what would happen to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the US organisation that has distributed food aid since May. As in previous ceasefire agreements, Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli facilities would be released in exchange for the hostages but the number is not yet agreed upon. The proposal stops short of guaranteeing a permanent end to the war - a condition demanded by Hamas - but says negotiations for a permanent ceasefire would take place during the 60 days. During that time, "President (Donald) Trump guarantees Israel's adherence" to halting military operations, the document says, adding that Trump "will personally announce the ceasefire agreement". The personal guarantee by Trump appeared to be an attempt to reassure Hamas that Israel would not unilaterally resume fighting as it did in March during a previous ceasefire, when talks to extend it appeared to stall. Hamas said on Friday it had responded to a US-backed Gaza Strip ceasefire proposal in a "positive spirit," a few days after Trump said Israel had agreed "to the necessary conditions to finalise" a 60-day truce. Netanyahu's office said in a statement that changes sought by Hamas to the ceasefire proposal were "not acceptable to Israel". However, his office said the delegation would still fly to Qatar to "continue efforts to secure the return of our hostages based on the Qatari proposal that Israel agreed to". Netanyahu has repeatedly said Hamas must be disarmed, a demand the militant group has so far refused to discuss. Netanyahu said he believed he and Trump would also build on the outcome of the 12-day air war with Iran last month and seek to further ensure that Iranian authorities never have a nuclear weapon. He said recent Middle East developments had created an opportunity to widen the circle of peace. On Saturday evening, crowds gathered at a public square in Tel Aviv near the defence ministry headquarters to call for a ceasefire deal and the return of about 50 hostages still held in the Gaza Strip. The demonstrators waved Israeli flags, chanted and carried posters with photos of the hostages. The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered on October 7, 2023 when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing about 1200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Gaza's health ministry says Israel's retaliatory military assault on the enclave has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians. with AP Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he believes his discussions with US President Donald Trump will help advance talks on a Gaza Strip hostage release and ceasefire deal. Israeli negotiators taking part in ceasefire talks in Qatar have clear instructions to achieve an agreement under conditions that Israel has accepted, Netanyahu said on Sunday before boarding his flight to Washington DC. "I believe the discussion with President Trump can certainly help advance these results," he said, adding that he was determined to ensure the return of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. "There are 20 hostages that are alive, 30 dead. I am determined, we are determined, to bring them all back. And we will also be determined to ensure that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel," Netanyahu said. It will be Netanyahu's third visit to the White House since Trump returned to power nearly six months ago. Public pressure is mounting on Netanyahu to secure a permanent ceasefire and end the war, a move opposed by some hardline members of his religious-nationalist coalition. Others including Foreign Minister Gideon Saar have expressed support. The document outlines plans for a 60-day ceasefire during which Hamas would hand over 10 living and 18 dead hostages, Israeli forces would withdraw to a buffer zone along the Gaza Strip's borders with Israel and Egypt, and significant amounts of aid would be brought in. The document says the aid would be distributed by United Nations agencies and the Palestinian Red Crescent. It does not specify what would happen to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the US organisation that has distributed food aid since May. As in previous ceasefire agreements, Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli facilities would be released in exchange for the hostages but the number is not yet agreed upon. The proposal stops short of guaranteeing a permanent end to the war - a condition demanded by Hamas - but says negotiations for a permanent ceasefire would take place during the 60 days. During that time, "President (Donald) Trump guarantees Israel's adherence" to halting military operations, the document says, adding that Trump "will personally announce the ceasefire agreement". The personal guarantee by Trump appeared to be an attempt to reassure Hamas that Israel would not unilaterally resume fighting as it did in March during a previous ceasefire, when talks to extend it appeared to stall. Hamas said on Friday it had responded to a US-backed Gaza Strip ceasefire proposal in a "positive spirit," a few days after Trump said Israel had agreed "to the necessary conditions to finalise" a 60-day truce. Netanyahu's office said in a statement that changes sought by Hamas to the ceasefire proposal were "not acceptable to Israel". However, his office said the delegation would still fly to Qatar to "continue efforts to secure the return of our hostages based on the Qatari proposal that Israel agreed to". Netanyahu has repeatedly said Hamas must be disarmed, a demand the militant group has so far refused to discuss. Netanyahu said he believed he and Trump would also build on the outcome of the 12-day air war with Iran last month and seek to further ensure that Iranian authorities never have a nuclear weapon. He said recent Middle East developments had created an opportunity to widen the circle of peace. On Saturday evening, crowds gathered at a public square in Tel Aviv near the defence ministry headquarters to call for a ceasefire deal and the return of about 50 hostages still held in the Gaza Strip. The demonstrators waved Israeli flags, chanted and carried posters with photos of the hostages. The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered on October 7, 2023 when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing about 1200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Gaza's health ministry says Israel's retaliatory military assault on the enclave has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians. with AP Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he believes his discussions with US President Donald Trump will help advance talks on a Gaza Strip hostage release and ceasefire deal. Israeli negotiators taking part in ceasefire talks in Qatar have clear instructions to achieve an agreement under conditions that Israel has accepted, Netanyahu said on Sunday before boarding his flight to Washington DC. "I believe the discussion with President Trump can certainly help advance these results," he said, adding that he was determined to ensure the return of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. "There are 20 hostages that are alive, 30 dead. I am determined, we are determined, to bring them all back. And we will also be determined to ensure that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel," Netanyahu said. It will be Netanyahu's third visit to the White House since Trump returned to power nearly six months ago. Public pressure is mounting on Netanyahu to secure a permanent ceasefire and end the war, a move opposed by some hardline members of his religious-nationalist coalition. Others including Foreign Minister Gideon Saar have expressed support. The document outlines plans for a 60-day ceasefire during which Hamas would hand over 10 living and 18 dead hostages, Israeli forces would withdraw to a buffer zone along the Gaza Strip's borders with Israel and Egypt, and significant amounts of aid would be brought in. The document says the aid would be distributed by United Nations agencies and the Palestinian Red Crescent. It does not specify what would happen to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the US organisation that has distributed food aid since May. As in previous ceasefire agreements, Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli facilities would be released in exchange for the hostages but the number is not yet agreed upon. The proposal stops short of guaranteeing a permanent end to the war - a condition demanded by Hamas - but says negotiations for a permanent ceasefire would take place during the 60 days. During that time, "President (Donald) Trump guarantees Israel's adherence" to halting military operations, the document says, adding that Trump "will personally announce the ceasefire agreement". The personal guarantee by Trump appeared to be an attempt to reassure Hamas that Israel would not unilaterally resume fighting as it did in March during a previous ceasefire, when talks to extend it appeared to stall. Hamas said on Friday it had responded to a US-backed Gaza Strip ceasefire proposal in a "positive spirit," a few days after Trump said Israel had agreed "to the necessary conditions to finalise" a 60-day truce. Netanyahu's office said in a statement that changes sought by Hamas to the ceasefire proposal were "not acceptable to Israel". However, his office said the delegation would still fly to Qatar to "continue efforts to secure the return of our hostages based on the Qatari proposal that Israel agreed to". Netanyahu has repeatedly said Hamas must be disarmed, a demand the militant group has so far refused to discuss. Netanyahu said he believed he and Trump would also build on the outcome of the 12-day air war with Iran last month and seek to further ensure that Iranian authorities never have a nuclear weapon. He said recent Middle East developments had created an opportunity to widen the circle of peace. On Saturday evening, crowds gathered at a public square in Tel Aviv near the defence ministry headquarters to call for a ceasefire deal and the return of about 50 hostages still held in the Gaza Strip. The demonstrators waved Israeli flags, chanted and carried posters with photos of the hostages. The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered on October 7, 2023 when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing about 1200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Gaza's health ministry says Israel's retaliatory military assault on the enclave has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians. with AP Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he believes his discussions with US President Donald Trump will help advance talks on a Gaza Strip hostage release and ceasefire deal. Israeli negotiators taking part in ceasefire talks in Qatar have clear instructions to achieve an agreement under conditions that Israel has accepted, Netanyahu said on Sunday before boarding his flight to Washington DC. "I believe the discussion with President Trump can certainly help advance these results," he said, adding that he was determined to ensure the return of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. "There are 20 hostages that are alive, 30 dead. I am determined, we are determined, to bring them all back. And we will also be determined to ensure that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel," Netanyahu said. It will be Netanyahu's third visit to the White House since Trump returned to power nearly six months ago. Public pressure is mounting on Netanyahu to secure a permanent ceasefire and end the war, a move opposed by some hardline members of his religious-nationalist coalition. Others including Foreign Minister Gideon Saar have expressed support. The document outlines plans for a 60-day ceasefire during which Hamas would hand over 10 living and 18 dead hostages, Israeli forces would withdraw to a buffer zone along the Gaza Strip's borders with Israel and Egypt, and significant amounts of aid would be brought in. The document says the aid would be distributed by United Nations agencies and the Palestinian Red Crescent. It does not specify what would happen to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the US organisation that has distributed food aid since May. As in previous ceasefire agreements, Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli facilities would be released in exchange for the hostages but the number is not yet agreed upon. The proposal stops short of guaranteeing a permanent end to the war - a condition demanded by Hamas - but says negotiations for a permanent ceasefire would take place during the 60 days. During that time, "President (Donald) Trump guarantees Israel's adherence" to halting military operations, the document says, adding that Trump "will personally announce the ceasefire agreement". The personal guarantee by Trump appeared to be an attempt to reassure Hamas that Israel would not unilaterally resume fighting as it did in March during a previous ceasefire, when talks to extend it appeared to stall. Hamas said on Friday it had responded to a US-backed Gaza Strip ceasefire proposal in a "positive spirit," a few days after Trump said Israel had agreed "to the necessary conditions to finalise" a 60-day truce. Netanyahu's office said in a statement that changes sought by Hamas to the ceasefire proposal were "not acceptable to Israel". However, his office said the delegation would still fly to Qatar to "continue efforts to secure the return of our hostages based on the Qatari proposal that Israel agreed to". Netanyahu has repeatedly said Hamas must be disarmed, a demand the militant group has so far refused to discuss. Netanyahu said he believed he and Trump would also build on the outcome of the 12-day air war with Iran last month and seek to further ensure that Iranian authorities never have a nuclear weapon. He said recent Middle East developments had created an opportunity to widen the circle of peace. On Saturday evening, crowds gathered at a public square in Tel Aviv near the defence ministry headquarters to call for a ceasefire deal and the return of about 50 hostages still held in the Gaza Strip. The demonstrators waved Israeli flags, chanted and carried posters with photos of the hostages. The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered on October 7, 2023 when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing about 1200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Gaza's health ministry says Israel's retaliatory military assault on the enclave has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians. with AP
SBS Australia
14 minutes ago
- SBS Australia
Gaza ceasefire talks to begin in Qatar
Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts . TRANSCRIPT Gaza ceasefire talks to begin in Qatar Calls for mandatory education, after an attack on a synagogue in Melbourne The Wallabies claim a narrow victory over Fiji Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to meet United States President Donald Trump at the White House amid renewed efforts to broker a Gaza ceasefire deal. It comes as an Israeli delegation travels to Qatar to discuss the new US sponsored proposal for a 60-day truce, which Hamas recently said it responded to positively. On the Israeli side, Mr Netanyahu's office has said Hamas requested "unacceptable" changes, as fighting continues in the Gaza Strip with casualties mounting over the weekend. Houthi forces in Yemen also continued their campaign in support of Gaza, with spokesperson Yahya Sarea confirming a missile was fired at Israel on Sunday. "Our support operations will continue until the aggression against Gaza stops and the siege on it is lifted. By the grace of God, we are prepared and ready to deal with any developments that may occur in the coming days." Israel says the Houthi missile was shot down, and there were no immediate reports of injury, death or damage. The Australian government is calling for mandatory training across the education and corporate sectors, as police continue to investigate an arson attack on the East Melbourne Synagogue. Antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal has called for antisemitism training to reduce societal ignorance about the issue, as at least four antisemitic attacks were recorded in Melbourne over the weekend - including the synagogue attack. A man appeared in court in Melbourne on Sunday, charged with reckless conduct endangering life (among other charges), after he allegedly lit the front door of the East Melbourne Synagogue on fire, while families shared Shabbat dinner inside. Immigration and Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke says there is no place for bigotry in Australia. "As you see people become braver with their bigotry, we need to remember intersecting this at the first possible moment is one of the kindest things you can do and one of the things that is most consistent with who we are as a nation." At least 70 people have died following flash floods in Texas, as rescuers continue a frantic search for 11 missing campers. The worst affected area is Kerr County, where officials have reported 59 deaths, including at least 21 children. The death toll is expected to rise. US officials say more than 850 people have been rescued so far, after a sudden storm dumped up to 38 centimetres of rain in the area around the Guadalupe River. The disaster has prompted speculation about how the Trump administration's funding cuts have impacted the ability of weather agencies to predict the flooding and provide advanced warning. Former administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Dr Rick Spinrad says the loss of jobs will inevitably lead to more lives lost in natural disasters. "Without research, without staff to do the work. We can assume that the predictions, and not just hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, drought, wildfires, tsunamis, for that matter, are undoubtedly going to degrade. And that means that people's ability to prepare for these storms will be compromised. It undoubtedly means that additional lives will be lost and probably more property damage." Mortgage holders are hoping for a rate cut on Tuesday, as the Reserve Bank's monetary policy board begins a two-day meeting this morning. It would be the first back-to-back rate cut in more than five years, if the predictions being made by the majority of economists are right. The RBA decision is due within days of U-S President Donald Trump's self imposed deadline to end a pause on so-called reciprocal tariffs. In rugby union, a last-minute try from Wallabies captain Harry Wilson has helped Australia beat Fiji 21-18 in a thrilling game in Newcastle. Australia fell behind in the 55th minute but they managed to scramble for the much-needed win. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended the game, highlighting Australia's commitment to provide $10 million over seven years to support the Fijian women's and men's teams in the Super Rugby Pacific and Australia Super W competitions. He told Stan Sport it's about building relationships in the Pacific. "Rugby is such a source of passion and of course the Fijian Prime Minister, who'll be with us today, Prime Minister Rabuka played for Fiji and was a great athlete and a very passionate supporter. We provide a lot of support for Rugby in the Pacific. It's about building on our economic relationship, our security relationship, and we're all part of the Pacific family. We have an important responsibility in our region to show leadership." The win for the Wallabies comes ahead of the series opener against the British & Irish Lions in Brisbane on July 19th.
The Age
24 minutes ago
- The Age
Police reveal identity of man charged over East Melbourne Synagogue fire
A group of about 20 people, some masked and wearing Palestinian keffiyeh scarves, entered the CBD Israeli restaurant, Miznon, at 8.15pm. They shouted offensive chants, scuffling with staff and knocking over tables, before police arrived and arrested one man. Footage from the Miznon incident shows diners screaming in fear inside the Hardware Lane restaurant, which is part-owned by an Israeli entrepreneur who has been promoting a controversial aid group in Gaza. A police source, who cannot be identified speaking about operational matters, said at least one of those who invaded the restaurant was part of a group known to counter-terrorism police for sometimes organising left-wing protests that turned violent. Victoria Police declined to comment on the identity of the person or the nature of the groups involved . A police spokesperson said investigations were ongoing into the incident at Miznon. Police are also investigating a third incident, where three cars were set on fire and the wall of a business in Melbourne's north-east was spray-painted with graffiti against the Israeli military about 4.30am on Saturday. The vandalised business, Lovitt Technologies Australia, on Para Road in Greensborough, is a weapons company with links to Israel and had previously been targeted by protesters opposing the Israeli military. The business was contacted for comment. Police condemn string of incidents No one was injured in any of the incidents and none were deemed terrorism, but Victoria Police Commander Zorka Dunstan said on Saturday that officers would investigate the motives of those involved. 'The investigation is under the security investigation unit, who is part of our counterterrorism command. The security investigation unit investigates matters of communal violence,' Dunstan said. 'We do recognise that these crimes are disgusting and abhorrent, but at this stage, we are not declaring this a terrorist incident. In the course of our investigation, we will examine the intent and the ideology of the persons involved or person to determine if this is, in fact, terrorism.' Dunstan alleged that the three incidents all had 'inferences of antisemitism' or anti-Israel protest activity, but investigators had yet to find a connection between them. 'We are taking all three incidents incredibly seriously. There's no place in Australia for hatred or discrimination of any kind, and we condemn it.' In addition to the significant police presence in the CBD for Sunday's pro-Palestine protests, officers are providing proactive patrols in the areas around the attacks. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Jacinta Allan both condemned the attacks on Saturday. Loading 'Antisemitism has no place in Australia,' Albanese said. 'Those responsible for these shocking acts must face the full force of the law, and my government will provide all necessary support toward this effort.' Allan said: 'This is disgraceful behaviour by a pack of cowards. That this happened on Shabbat makes it all the more abhorrent.' Restaurant targeted after calls for boycott About the same time the synagogue was set alight on Friday night, police said a splinter group of about 20 people broke off from a larger anti-police protest in Melbourne's CBD and walked to the Israeli restaurant on Hardware Lane, where they shouted offensive chants. An independent photographer at the scene said the group asked patrons why they were giving money to the restaurant. The group chanted 'death to the IDF' and 'Miznon out of Melbourne', the photographer said. Pro-Palestine protesters have been calling for a boycott of Miznon after it emerged that one of its part-owners, Israeli entrepreneur Shahar Segal, is also a spokesman for the controversial aid group Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. This week, the Associated Press reported that American contractors were using live ammunition and stun grenades to guard Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid distribution sites while hungry Palestinians scrambled for food. Loading Nina Sanadze, a Jewish gallery owner and friend of Miznon's owners, went straight to the restaurant after receiving a call on Friday night. When she arrived, police had blocked the street and Miznon staff were sweeping away broken glass and remnants of tomatoes thrown at the windows. Inside, Sanadze said, staff were 'hugging, crying and shaking'. 'It was a very, very scary experience.' Sanadze said that when the group arrived, the restaurant's managers tried to 'step in and push the protesters out', directing customers to the back of the restaurant. 'It was hard for customers to do anything,' she said. 'I think the brawl broke out because people were actually trying to stand up and say, 'go away'.' After closing the doors, Miznon managers apologised to their shaken staff for the ordeal and carried on with their usual Friday tradition of Shabbat, lighting candles, singing Jewish songs and eating challah. 'We were not in the mood to eat, it was more of a thing of tradition and resilience to stand together,' Sanadze said. Sanadze emphasised that Miznon's workers were a mix of nationalities and that the restaurant 'has nothing to do with the [Israeli Defence Forces] or anyone over there'. A 28-year-old person from Footscray was arrested 'for hindering police and has been released on summons' over the restaurant incident, police said. Loading Dunstan said there was not enough evidence to arrest anyone else, but the identities of those involved had been recorded as investigations continued and police combed social media and CCTV footage. Incidents follow string of attacks The 'death to the IDF' chant was also heard in Melbourne's Bourke Street Mall during last Sunday's regular anti-Israel protest, and shouted from the Glastonbury stage in the UK by rap duo Bob Vylan in its controversial performance. The attack follows the firebombing in December that gutted the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea. Counterterrorism police later revealed that the attack involved 'criminals for hire' and a known underworld getaway car, but have yet to rule terrorism in or out. Dunstan did not have further information on that investigation. In a separate incident last month, vandals targeted a historic synagogue in South Yarra. Attackers used red paint to scrawl 'free Palestine' and 'Iran is da bomb', set inside the outline of a nuclear mushroom cloud, on the heritage-listed synagogue.
