Trump hopeful for Gaza ceasefire, possibly 'next week'
WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump voiced optimism Friday about a new ceasefire in Gaza, as criticism grew over mounting civilian deaths at Israeli-backed food distribution centres in the territory.
Asked by reporters how close a ceasefire was between Israel and Hamas, Trump said: "We think within the next week, we're going to get a ceasefire."
The United States brokered a ceasefire in the devastating conflict in the waning days of former president Joe Biden's administration, with support from Trump's incoming team.
Israel broke the ceasefire in March, launching new devastating attacks on Hamas, which attacked Israel on October 7, 2023.
Israel also stopped all food and other supplies from entering Gaza for more than two months, drawing warnings of famine.
Israel has since allowed a resumption of food through the controversial US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which involves US security contractors with Israeli troops at the periphery.
United Nations officials on Friday said the GHF system was leading to mass killings of people seeking aid, drawing accusations from Israel that the UN was "aligning itself with Hamas."
Eyewitnesses and local officials have reported repeated killings of Palestinians at distribution centres over recent weeks in the war-stricken territory, where Israeli forces are battling Hamas militants.
The Israeli military has denied targeting people, and GHF has denied any deadly incidents were linked to its sites.
But following weeks of reports, UN officials and other aid providers on Friday denounced what they said was a wave of killings of hungry people seeking aid.
"The new aid distribution system has become a killing field," with people "shot at while trying to access food for themselves and their families," said Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian affairs (UNWRA).
"This abomination must end through a return to humanitarian deliveries from the UN, including @UNRWA," he wrote on X.
The health ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory says that since late May, more than 500 people have been killed near aid centres while seeking scarce supplies.
The country's civil defence agency has also repeatedly reported people being killed while seeking aid.
"People are being killed simply trying to feed themselves and their families," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
"The search for food must never be a death sentence."
Medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) branded the GHF relief effort "slaughter masquerading as humanitarian aid."
ISRAEL DENIES TARGETING CIVILIANS
That drew an angry response from Israel, which said GHF had provided 46 million meals in Gaza.
"The UN is doing everything it can to oppose this effort. In doing so, the UN is aligning itself with Hamas, which is also trying to sabotage the GHF's humanitarian operations," the foreign ministry said.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a report in left-leaning daily Haaretz that military commanders had ordered troops to shoot at crowds near aid distribution sites to disperse them even when they posed no threat.
Haaretz said the military advocate general, the army's top legal authority, had instructed the military to investigate "suspected war crimes" at aid sites.
The Israeli military declined to comment to AFP on the claim.
Netanyahu said in a joint statement with Defence Minister Israel Katz that their country "absolutely rejects the contemptible blood libels" and "malicious falsehoods" in the Haaretz article.
CIVIL DEFENCE SAYS 80 KILLED
Gaza's civil defence agency told AFP 80 Palestinians had been killed on Friday by Israeli strikes or fire across the Palestinian territory, including 10 who were waiting for aid.
The Israeli military told AFP it was looking into the incidents, and denied its troops fired in one of the locations in central Gaza where rescuers said one aid seeker was killed.
Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP six people were killed in southern Gaza near one of the distribution sites operated by GHF, and one more in a separate incident in the centre of the territory, where the army denied shooting "at all."
Another three people were killed by a strike while waiting for aid southwest of Gaza City, Bassal said.
Elsewhere, eight people were killed "after an Israeli air strike hit Osama Bin Zaid School, which was housing displaced persons" in northern Gaza.
MILITANTS ATTACK ISRAELI FORCES
Meanwhile, Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, said they shelled an Israeli vehicle east of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza on Friday.
The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas-ally Palestinian Islamic Jihad, said they attacked Israeli soldiers in at least two other locations near Khan Yunis in coordination with the Al-Qassam Brigades.
Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that sparked the Gaza war resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed at least 56,331 people, also mostly civilians, according to Gaza's health ministry. The United Nations considers its figures reliable.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
How Africa can foster sustainable diplomacy amidst global trade tensions
Ashraf Patel The abrupt exit of Donald Trump from the G7 Summit in Canada, without having side meetings with Global South leaders from South Africa, India et al, and this week's NATO Summit where core nations committed to a 5% of GDP spending on Defence amidst Trump tariffs has cemented 'nationalism as the new normal.' Meanwhile, 9 July is a key date when Trump tariffs kick in and will further erode African nations - who face high costs of capital and many face social conflicts amidst multiple cost of living crises facing the continent. In this context, South Africa should develop a smart agile and sustainable diplomacy rooted in both national interest and continental solidarity. Traditional blocks and alliances are no longer viable for middle powers. It is thus imperative that South Africa needs to craft a more nuanced trade and investment-people partnership to address its sagging economy and deep-seated structural problems such as unemployment, inequality, hunger and digital deficits. The recent announcement by China to accept duty-free access for 53 African nations is a huge boost that can promote exports and preserve jobs - but trade facilitation and meeting product standards will be crucial to leverage these opportunities. Both China and India offer a market of hundreds of millions of consumers that African exporters can tap into. Russia and the St Petersburg Economic Forum In early June Deputy President attended the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Russia's second-largest city. This year's forum, "Shared Values: The Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World attracted nearly 20,000 representatives from 140 countries and regions and heads of several international organizations. Russia has managed GDP growth and currency reserves despite sanctions and war and is the Gateway to Eurasia. This forum is held when the global economy is facing severe challenges. It is a platform for issues ranging from accelerating digitalization to addressing climate change and formulating specific, practical solutions that can adapt the global economy to new conditions. The forum included more than 150 events, with entrepreneurs from Russia, China, the United States, Türkiye, Brazil, Vietnam, India, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Africa. Southern Africa, SACU and AFCFTA expansion Our Southern African region comprises over 300 million citizens with huge trade and development potential. AFCFTA has been operational for five years but trade is negligible. Trade facilitation capacity and product quality support are needed as well as tech transfer. As the G20 host nation South Africa needs a new trade and investment package rooted in SADC industrialisation and energy plans. Smart tariffs would be needed with SACU nations Lesotho, Swaziland and Botswana. However, South Africa Inc.'s story in Africa has been that of a 'regional hegemon exploiting the rest of Africa', especially in mining and retail. Can a new AFCFTA be possible? One rooted in fair trade, solidarity and the SDG model with smaller nations? Here responsible diplomacy is needed beyond rhetoric. France and its commitments to Multilateralism and SDGs agenda In the current geopolitical situation, France is ensuring multilateralism and UN norms are adhered to. President Macron's stated position on advancing the two-state solution for Palestine will go a long way in ensuring a peaceful settlement. The Paris AI Safety Summit in February with France committing to a progressive vision for AI rooted in sustainability, inclusion and addressing inequality is progressive and aligned to UN and G20 commitments. The annual Paris Peace Conference is a global platform providing the world with a plethora of progressive ideas -and solutions on a range of key global issues for dialogue. At a bilateral level, a visit to France in early June saw Deputy President Paul Mashile deepen partnerships in areas of investment, development infrastructure, energy and technology. Indonesia, Malaysia and the ASEAN bloc ASEAN nations Indonesia and Malaysia nations offer enormous opportunities. With a population of 250 million, this is a major opportunity in trade especially in small business developments, exports, tourism and culture. Canada and Australia - progressive Commonwealth nations with common values Canada and Australia are fellow Commonwealth nations that currently have progressive governments in power with a deep commitment to multilateralism. Australia's Labour leader and Prime Minister Albanese is an example of smart diplomacy and managing a 'strategic autonomy' balance with major powers in the Asia Pacific region, China and the EU. His domestic agenda is rooted in progressive social policies from climate change to social cohesion. For example, the smartphone ban in Australian schools is seen as a game-changer in regulating social media and youth, a policy Africans can learn from. Canada too has a range of commitments to development aid and investments in skills development across Africa. Both nations are major investors in mining in Africa and committed to the sustainable mining agenda, although much more can be done in terms of human rights and mining. Solidarity and Sustainability in Latin America In Colombia President Gustavo Petro has showed the way of solidarity and banned coal exports to Isreal. The city of Bogota is known to be a model city in terms of urban transport and spatial transformation, something South African metros can draw upon. Chile a progressive social democracy and once a poster child of Chicago-style neoliberalism, now has a solid social democracy increasing well-being and wealth social safety nets, and higher education access. Here South Africa can learn much on how to manage the headwinds of neoliberalism and ensure our eroding social agenda is preserved. Bolivia's socialist government is maturing and learning to be in government. South Africa has cordial relations for two decades. With large reserves in lithium and being in the headwinds of large power competition for resource extractions, South Africa and African nations can better engage Bolivia and Latin American nations in the big development ideas on resource governance and the beneficiation of critical minerals for development, trade and the UN SDG sustainable agenda. While Trump 2.0 tariffs have severely disrupted African nations, neighbours Canada and Mexico, we can learn from Cuba, who for decades have endured the illegal US blockade yet managed to maintain their sovereignty and continue to advance their historical mission and revolution. By contrast, our current tariff challenges are merely a 'walk in the park'. Hence, internationalism and solidarity should still be a core feature of foreign policy while also being smart in navigating partnerships with a diverse range of nations across continents regardless of ideological blocs. However, in order to navigate the 'new nationalist normal' in this chaotic trade geopolitics nexus calls for a new generation of smart and agile diplomats. Smart and sustainable diplomacy and outreach are required by our embassies, chambers of commerce as well as academic institutes and civil society towards a more calibrated trade, investment, solidarity and people-to-people partnerships. We may do well to establish Bi-National Commissions with some of these nations. * Ashraf Patel is a Senior Research Associate at the Institute for Global Dialogue, UNISA. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL, Independent Media or The African.
The South African
14 hours ago
- The South African
1000 Afrikaners prioritised for US refugee status
The US administration, under President Donald Trump, is expected to welcome 1000 Afrikaner 'refugees' this year as part of its resettlement programme. This comes after two groups of white South Africans were granted asylum in America over their 'fear of persecution' and claims of 'racial discrimination' in the country. Meanwhile, in a controversial move, Trump has indefinitely halted refugees from other countries earlier this year. According to the Washington Post, US authorities have pledged to resettle around 1000 Afrikaner 'refugees' in the coming months. The group will be prioritised above any other countries that have applied for the US Refugee Admissions Programme (USRAP) The resettlement process is expected to run until the end of September. According to the publication, the Trump administration will also move to block 160 refugees who were scheduled to travel to the US ahead of the February ban. Another 1200 had been vetted and had their flights booked to arrive in the US after the ban was imposed. International Refugee Assistance Project attorney Melissa Keaney said of the administration: 'It simply doesn't want to process any other refugee populations other than white Afrikaners'. More white South Africans are expected to take up Trump's refugee status. Image: Saul Loeb / AFP. While US authorities claim that refugee status is open to all 'racial minorities' in South Africa, the first two groups that have resettled abroad have been from the white population. Despite initially being targeted at Afrikaner farmers and white people, US authorities have since included coloured, Indian, and 'mixed-race' South Africans. Applicants must prove that they are 'persecuted' South Africans who are victims of 'racial discrimination'. Jaco Kleynhans, of the Solidarity Movement, stated that many Afrikaners had applied for refugee status. He told the media earlier this month: 'Several more groups will fly to the USA over the next few weeks. The US Embassy in Pretoria, in collaboration with the State Department in Washington, DC, is currently processing 8,000 applications. And we expect many more Afrikaner refugees to travel to the USA over the next few months. 'They are settling in states across the USA, but particularly southern states such as Texas, North and, South Carolina, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska.' He continued: 'Our primary focus is not refugee status for Afrikaners. But rather to find ways to ensure a free, safe, and prosperous future for Afrikaners in South Africa. We remain 100% convinced that South Africa can and must create a home for all its people.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
eNCA
16 hours ago
- eNCA
Irish rappers Kneecap perform controversial Glastonbury set
Irish rap trio Kneecap staged a defiant performance at Britain's Glastonbury Festival Saturday, days after Prime Minister Keir Starmer said they should not be performing there. The group has made headlines in recent months with their pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel stance, and one of their members has been charged with a "terror" offence for allegedly supporting Hezbollah. "Glastonbury, I'm a free man", said Liam O'Hanna, who appeared in court earlier this month accused of having displayed a Hezbollah flag while saying "Up Hamas, Up Hezbollah" at a London concert last year. The Iran-backed Lebanese force Hezbollah and the Palestinian militant group Hamas are banned in the UK, and it is an offence to express support for them. AFP | Oli SCARFF O'Hanna, known by his stage name Mo Chara, has denied the charge. "This situation can be quite stressful but it's minimal compared to what the Palestinian people are (facing)," O'Hanna, wearing his trademark keffiyah and black sunglasses told thousands of cheering supporters, many waving Palestinian flags. O'Hanna also gave "a shout out" to Palestine Action Group, which interior minister Yvette Cooper announced last week would become a banned group under the Terrorism Act of 2000. - 'Playing characters' - Fellow band member DJ Provai wore a t-shirt dedicated to the campaign group, whose prohibition comes after its activists broke into a British Royal Air Force base and vandalised two planes. Before Kneecap took to the stage, rap punk duo Bob Vylan led the crowd in chants of "Death, death to the IDF", a reference to the Israeli Defence Forces. Later, Kneecap led the crowd chanting abuse directed at Starmer. Formed in 2017, Kneecap is no stranger to controversy. To their fans they are daring provocateurs who stand up to the establishment; to their detractors they are dangerous extremists. Their Irish and English lyrics are filled with references to drugs, they repeatedly clashed with the UK's previous Conservative government and have vocally opposed British rule in Northern Ireland. The group apologised this year after a 2023 video emerged appearing to show one singer calling for the death of British Conservative MPs. Two MPs have been murdered in Britain in the past nine years and many of them worry about their safety. But Kneecap deny the terrorism charge and say the video featuring the Hezbollah flag has been taken out of context. Asked whether he regretted waving it, and other comments caught on camera, Chara told the Guardian in an interview published Friday: "Why should I regret it? It was a joke -- we're playing characters." - Glastonbury rejects criticism - Since O'Hanna was charged, the group has been pulled from a slew of summer gigs, including a Scottish festival appearance and various performances in Germany. But Glastonbury organisers defied Starmer who had said it was not "appropriate" for Kneecap to perform at Glastonbury, one of the country's biggest and most famous music festivals. AFP | Oli SCARFF "People that don't like the politics of the event can go somewhere else," Michael Eavis, co-founder of the festival said in AN article published in a free newspaper for festival-goers. Public broadcaster the BBC faced pressure not to air the concert. In statement Saturday, a spokesperson for the broadcaster said the performance would not be shown live but would likely be available on-demand afterwards.
