Evacuate now, Israel warns Gaza as Eid begins
"This is a final and urgent warning ahead of an impending strike," army spokesman Avichay Adraee said.
The army "will strike all areas from which rockets are launched."
The evacuation order comes at the beginning of the Eid al-Adha holiday, one of the main religious festivals of the Muslim calendar.
The Israeli military has recently stepped up its campaign in Gaza in what it says is a renewed push to defeat Hamas, whose October 2023 attack sparked the war.
International calls for a negotiated ceasefire have grown in recent weeks.
Hamas's lead negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya said on Thursday that the Palestinian group was ready to enter a new round of talks aimed at sealing a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
Talks aimed at brokering a new ceasefire have failed to yield a breakthrough since the last brief truce fell apart in March with the resumption of Israeli operations in Gaza.
Israel and Hamas appeared close to an agreement late last month, but a deal proved elusive, with each side accusing the other of scuppering a US-backed proposal.
Israel has faced mounting pressure to allow more aid into Gaza, after it imposed a more than two-month blockade that led to widespread shortages of food and other essentials.
It recently eased the blockade and has worked with the newly formed, US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation to implement a new aid distribution mechanism via a handful of centres in south and central Gaza.
But since its inception, the GHF has been a magnet for criticism from the UN and other members of the aid world – which only intensified following a recent string of deadly incidents near its facilities.
Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
According to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, at least 4,402 people have been killed since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18, taking the war's overall toll to 54,677, mostly civilians.--AFP
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The Star
21 minutes ago
- The Star
Three years of Marcos' presidency: A mix of promises achieved, still hanging
MANILA: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (pic) started his six-year presidency when the Philippines was still reeling from the challenges brought about by 'some factors of our own making' and those 'that are beyond our control.' But still, in his first State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa in 2022, he pointed out that 'the state of the nation is sound,' stressing that 'I know this in my mind, I know it in my heart, I know it in my very soul.' A year later, he maintained 'the new Philippines is now here,' indicating that the 'state of the nation is sound, and is improving.' As he said, the government has 'highly competent and dedicated workers.' This, as he had previously set out the plans he had to improve the economy, bring employment to people, recalibrate the educational system, boost agricultural production, improve healthcare and keep on with the social programmes for the poor. Last year, however, in his third address, he pointed out a hard lesson – that even though the Philippines has been considered among the best-performing economies in Asia, 'it is nothing to a Filipino,' especially those making do with whatever little they have. He called on everyone in government to always think of what is best for the country. But with only three years left, is Marcos close to delivering on his promises? took a look, and as he already stated in 2023, there are 'successes that we can lay claim to' and 'challenges that we continue to face.' P20/kilo of rice The promise of rice being sold at P20 (US$0.35 cents) a kilo was one of the promises made by Marcos that hooked Filipinos, considering that the high price of the grain has always been a serious concern for many. While a kilo of local and imported rice is still high at P38 to P68, the grain is sold at P20 in government outlets, which now operate in almost 100 locations. 9% poverty rate Marcos made a commitment to bring down the poverty rate to a single digit, or nine per cent, by the end of his six-year presidency from the staggering 13.2 per cent in 2021. Based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), poverty incidence slightly fell to 10.9 per cent in 2023, the second year of the Marcos administration, or from 3.5 million to 3 million. 6.5 to 8% GDP growth yearly One of the targets he laid out was the 6.5 per cent to 8 per cent annual expansion in gross domestic product (GDP) starting in 2023 until 2028, and a five to 7.5 per cent GDP growth in 2022. While the Philippines, as stated by the government itself, is still 'slightly far' from hitting the 6.5 per cent to eight per cent mark, GDP expanded to 5.7 per cent in 2024 from 5.5 per cent in 2023. 3% national government deficit to GDP ratio The national government deficit to GDP fell by 0.6 percentage points to 5.6 per cent in 2024 from 6.2 per cent in 2023, indicating a medium likelihood of achieving the three per cent target that Marcos set in 2022. But while the current 'pace of improvement' is a challenge, the PSA pointed out that the decrease, even though minimal, reflected a 'progress in fiscal consolidation.' Less than 60% debt-to-GDP ratio As the PSA pointed out, there is still a medium likelihood that the target of a 48 per cent to 53 percent debt-to-GDP ratio will be met by the end of the presidency of Marcos. This, even though data showed that the debt-to-GDP ratio slightly increased in 2024 by 0.6 percentage points to 60.7 per cent from 60.1 per cent a year before. 'Upper-Middle Income' status Marcos previously committed to achieving an upper-middle income status by 2024, however, the Philippines retained its classification as a lower-middle income country last year. Based on data from the World Bank, the Philippines recorded a gross national income of US$4,470 for every individual in 2024, US$26 short of the US$4,496 threshold required to attain the higher status. 2% to 4% inflation rate Inflation, which tracks changes in the cost of living based on movements in the prices of a specified basket of primary commodities, declined to 3.2 per cent in 2024 from six per cent in 2023. This was already within the government's target of two to four per cent by 2028, but the inflation rate continued to decline to 1.4 per cent in June 2025 from the record-high 6.4 per cent in July 2022. Higher revenue collection As stated by Marcos in his first address, 'tax administration reforms will be in place to increase revenue,' a promise he reiterated in 2023, 'to bolster public investments.' Last year, revenue collection reached P4.419 trillion, or 16.72 per cent, exceeding the government's target of 16.9 per cent to 17.3 per cent by 2028, the Bureau of Treasury said. Investments in public infrastructure and people's abilities Back in 2023, Marcos said, 'Investments in public infrastructure and in the capacity of our people—through food, education, health, jobs, and social protection—remain our top priority.' As of 2025, 63.2 per cent of the national budget was for economic and social services. However, this is lower than the 67.5 per cent in 2024, 66.7 per cent in 2023, and 69 per cent in 2022. Renewable energy 'When it comes to energy, renewable energy is the way forward. We are aggressively promoting renewables, so that it provides a 35 per cent share in the power mix by 2030, and then on to 50 per cent by 2040,' Marcos said. However, renewable energy still accounts for only 22 per cent of electricity generation, based on the latest data from the Department of Energy, which is now keeping a close watch on 'sleeping' renewable energy initiatives. New, stronger schools As Marcos promised to make learners more resilient, he said, 'our public schools and facilities are being increased and fortified,' pointing out that 'the shortage of classrooms and facilities is being addressed.' Last year, the Department of Education said 3,524 new classrooms were being constructed, but as of May 2025, the Philippines still has a backlog of 165,000 classrooms. Better healthcare system Marcos stated in 2023 that structural changes are in place to improve the healthcare system, stressing how 3,400 initiatives have been completed in 2022 to increase public health facilities, both in number and in capability. As of 2024, however, the Department of Health said there are only 0.5 hospital beds available for every 1,000 people when it should be about 1.5 beds for every 1,000 individuals. Employment When Marcos delivered his address in 2023, the employment rate was at 75.7 per cent, but he himself recognised the need to do more, especially for the remaining 4.3 per cent jobless, as well as the 11.7 per cent who are seeking better work. But while Marcos said the government's aggressive efforts to attract more investors is expected to create over 350,000 jobs, the unemployment rate was still 3.8 per cent in 2024, while the underemployment rate slightly increased to 11.9 per cent. Socialised housing To address the 6.5 million housing backlog, Marcos committed to constructing one million socialised housing units yearly. As he previously pointed out, at least 1.2 million units have been started since he assumed office. Earlier this year, however, Malacañang admitted failing to reach its target because of certain obstacles relating to construction and contracting, with only 12,731 housing units completed last year. Build, Better, More Marcos stated in 2023 that the government is expanding the already existing government infrastructure projects all over the country, resulting in a total of 207, based on data from the Department of Public Works and Highways. Infrastructure Flagship Projects, are worth US$176.7 billion, but as of 2025, only eight have been completed, while 70 are ongoing. Almost 30 have already been approved for implementation. 'We prefer local production' Last year, Marcos bragged about the two million metric tonnes of locally produced rice, the highest since 1987, while pointing out that local production will be given the highest priority as the government also works to bring down food prices. But even though the government is providing assistance to local farmers, it imported 4.8 million metric tonnes of rice in 2024. Food inflation, however, decreased to 4.5 per cent in 2024 from eight per cent in 2023. Irrigating new farmlands As Marcos himself said, 'this year, we will irrigate almost 45,000 hectares of new land, while giving back life to the irrigation of almost 38,000 hectares of land across the country. However, as of December last year, the National Irrigation Administration implied that the commitment is yet to be completed, saying that '[it has] plans to irrigate at least 45,000 hectares of new farmland.' Land reform He stated last year that in land reform, programmes and distribution of land titles to farmers are continuous, and based on the latest government data, 194,111 electronic titles covering 229,546 hectares of farmland have already been distributed. This translated to a 1,100-per cent increase. Bloodless drug war Marcos said his campaign against illegal drugs is 'bloodless,' pointing out that it adheres to the established '8 Es' of an effective anti-illegal drug strategy. 'Extermination was never one of them,' he said. But based on a monitoring made by the University of the Philippines Third World Studies Centre, 1,022 individuals have already been killed in the campaign against illegal drugs since July 2022. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
Sinar Daily
21 minutes ago
- Sinar Daily
Ex-South Korean lawmaker found dead in Yoon ties probe
Choi Ho was found dead on a hill in Pyeongtaek, 75 kilometres south of Seoul, at around 3am, about an hour after his family reported him missing. 28 Jul 2025 02:38pm Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol hold placards during a rally on a street in Seoul on April 2, 2025. - (Photo by PEDRO PARDO / AFP) PYEONGTAEK - A former member of the Gyeonggi provincial assembly was found dead on Monday amid an investigation into his alleged ties to former President Yoon Suk Yeol, police said. According to Yonhap News Agency, Choi Ho was found dead on a hill in Pyeongtaek, 75 kilometres south of Seoul, at around 3am, about an hour after his family reported him missing. Police said they believe he left his home around 5pm on Sunday and took his own life. No suicide note was found. Choi won the nomination of the then ruling People Power Party to run for mayor of Pyeongtaek in the June 2022 local elections. Prosecutors have been investigating suspicions then President Yoon and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, pushed for his nomination. - BERNAMA
Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
Only 73 Aid Trucks Allowed Into Gaza As Famine Expands, Authorities Say
Palestinians carry aid supplies that entered Gaza through Israel, in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip July 27, 2025. REUTERS/Ebrahim Hajjaj Humanitarian aid is airdropped over Gaza as seen from northern Gaza Strip July 27, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas Palestinians carry aid supplies that entered Gaza through Israel, in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, July 27, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas ISTANBUL, July 28 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Local authorities in Gaza said on Sunday that only 73 aid trucks entered the besieged enclave in the last 24 hours, amid a deepening famine caused by Israel's months-long blockade, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. In a statement, the government media office said the humanitarian crisis has reached unprecedented levels, with at least 133 people, including 87 children, dying from hunger since the start of the Israeli genocidal war. The office accused Israel of deliberately engineering chaos and hunger in the territory. bootstrap slideshow 'The famine is expanding at an alarming rate and now affects the entire population of Gaza, including 1.1 million children,' the statement said. While several governments and international organisations have announced plans to deliver hundreds of aid trucks to Gaza, the statement said that only 73 trucks have arrived, and many of those were looted or obstructed under Israeli surveillance. The media office said three airdrops were carried out over Gaza, but their total payload was equivalent to only two aid trucks. The drops landed in 'red zones' -- active combat areas marked on Israeli maps -- where civilians cannot safely retrieve supplies, it added. 'What is happening is a farce,' the office said, accusing the international community of complicity through 'false promises' and 'misleading information' coming from major powers like the United States (US). It renewed its call for the unconditional reopening of border crossings and the immediate entry of food, water, and infant formula.
