Izz al-Din al-Haddad is Hamas' new de facto chief in Gaza
On Thursday, Brig Gen Effie Defrin, the Israeli military's spokesperson, said that al-Haddad was Hamas' new chief. Al-Haddad, who is in his mid-50s, helped plan the Hamas-led attack on Oct 7, 2023, the officials said. He is believed to be in firm opposition to Israeli efforts to dislodge Hamas from power, suggesting that he could block any push to release all remaining hostages before an end to the war in Gaza and a withdrawal of Israeli troops. Al-Haddad is thought to be based in Gaza City, his hometown. He is believed to have said in recent weeks that he will either achieve an "honorable deal" to end the war with Israel or else the war will become "a war of liberation or a war of martyrdom," the Middle Eastern intelligence official said. Since the Oct 7 attack, al-Haddad has been the only senior Hamas commander to give an on-the-record interview, appearing in an Al Jazeera documentary that aired in Jan.
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Indian Express
28 minutes ago
- Indian Express
India says no to trade deal under deadline pressure; Trinidad & Tobago backs Delhi for UNSC; Gaza ceasefire soon
India abstains from signing trade deal with the US under 'deadline pressure', says open for a mutually beneficial deal; during PM Modi's visits to Trinidad and Tobago, the two sides reaffirm the need for reforms in the UN; US President Trump voices frustration over Russian President Vladimir Putin's failure to end the fighting; Hamas says it is ready to start talks 'immediately' on a US proposal for a 60-day ceasefire – here is weekly roundup of key global news. Notwithstanding the July 9 deadline for the reciprocal tariff pause, India abstains from signing a trade deal with the US under 'deadline pressure' reiterating that 'all possibilities are open' for a mutually beneficial deal. India has been negotiating with the US to eliminate the 26 per cent reciprocal tariff imposed on April 2. As Indian trade negotiators returned from the US on Friday, a government official described sustained access for labour-intensive goods (such as textiles and footwear), auto component exports, and steel as key interests in the India-US negotiations. In addition, agriculture and dairy sectors, where India has drawn 'very big red lines', emerged as sticking points, with the US demanding access to the Indian market for genetically modified (GM) products. What are the other points of difference that averted a trade deal, and what are the future prospects? Let's explore. India has drawn 'red lines' around politically sensitive agriculture and dairy sectors and has imposed both tariff and non-tariff restrictions on certain goods, including corn, ethanol, and soybeans. It has managed to shield its dairy sector because of at least two major reasons: one, the sector employs more than 80 million people, many of whom are smallholders; and two, there are concerns that foreign dairy products intended for food may be derived from animals fed with internal blood meal, a high-protein feed made from animal blood. As far as soyabean and corn are concerned, it is argued that imports are unlikely to suit India's soybean industry, which has a strong foundation in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Similarly, millers are not too pleased about importing genetically modified corn as a feedstock for fuel ethanol. In addition, labour-intensive sectors such as textiles and footwear are among India's top demands in trade negotiations. It has sought lower tariffs in the textile trade in the US, similar to those offered to other FTA partners. India has also sought zero tariffs on electronic items exports, even as US President Donald Trump warned Apple of a 25 per cent tariff if it sold in the US iPhones built in India or anywhere else. Apple currently produces nearly 15 per cent of all iPhones in India, and plans to increase that to a quarter. India also aims to remove the US's additional duties on goods such as steel, aluminium, and auto components. In addition to the elimination of reciprocal tariffs, it has sought guarantees of no future tariffs. Moreover, New Delhi is seeking that the Trump Administration maintain a 'steady tariff differential' of 10-20 per cent between US tariffs on China and India, which is also a key reason to clinch the deal. This gives Indian traders an advantage over Chinese competitors and mitigates some of India's structural downsides, including infrastructural bottlenecks, logistics woes, and high interest costs. However, it may be noted here that this would hinge on how China leverages its dominance in rare earths to influence US tariff decisions. The growing concerns over Beijing's dominance in resources vital to new technologies were underscored at the recent Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting, where the grouping announced a Critical Minerals Initiative to 'collaborate on securing and diversifying' supply chains. The US has pushed hard for a broad-based opening of Indian sectors, from automobiles and whisky to agricultural items such as apples, corn and soya among others, as well as dairy. It has demanded the removal of a crucial regulation regarding dairy to sell its genetically modified (GM) products, resulting in tense discussions and even triggering protests from voices back home. The US eyes the Indian market amid a recent report by the US Department of Agriculture, which suggests that India's consumption of animal products (milk, eggs, fish, and meat) is likely to increase with population growth and rising per capita GDP. This could, in turn, boost demand for feed and create opportunities for US exports of these commodities (corn and soybeans) by the early 2030s, the report says. Moreover, the US sees India as a large market for its corn, soyabean and cotton amid the decline in exports of these products to China, which was its largest corn importer at $5.2 billion in 2022. Although India has said that the trade deal with the US will be signed when it is mutually beneficial, the two countries remain committed to more than double their bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. India is said to focus on areas where it has a competitive edge. Indian officials have indicated that diversifying oil and defence procurement is in the country's strategic interest, and that sourcing more from the US could significantly help bridge the goods trade gap. India's oil imports from the US have already jumped over 270 per cent year-on-year in the first four months of 2025. Moreover, in recent years, New Delhi and Washington have forged closer defence, technology, and diplomatic ties in a shared front against China. There is greater receptiveness now within India's policy circles to cut tariffs on some industrial goods, including automobiles, and some agricultural products of interest to Americans such as apples, almonds, walnuts, avocados and spirits. There is also more openness on the GM foods issue too. The NITI Aayog, in its Working Paper, has proposed that India import GM maize and soybeans, with the former as a feedstock for ethanol production, and the latter to extract oil for domestic consumption. In both cases, it calls for the export of their byproducts in their entirety – distiller's dried grains with solubles (maize) and de-oiled cakes and meals (soybean). It also called for concessions on agricultural products from the US such as edible oils and nuts where domestic supply gaps exist, and duty concessions to boost high-performing exports such as shrimp, fish, spices, rice, tea, coffee, and rubber. Additionally, the chances of India becoming the biggest market for the US are, perhaps, higher in cotton than in soyabean or corn. And it may be argued that duty-free imports of raw cotton can boost India's textile and apparel exports to the US itself, which stood at $10.8 billion in 2024. Notably, India-US trade negotiations have wrapped up for now, even as New Delhi strengthens its global diplomatic footprint. Support for India's permanent membership in the expanded United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and a shared commitment to fight terrorism are among the announcements made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Trinidad and Tobago, the first by an Indian Prime Minister since 1999. The two countries inked six agreements to boost cooperation in several sectors, including infrastructure and pharmaceuticals, following talks between Prime Minister Modi and his counterpart from Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar. The two leaders also delved into pressing global issues and reaffirmed the need for comprehensive reforms in the United Nations, including expansion of the UN Security Council, to better reflect current realities. The Caribbean nation also extended support to India's membership in the expanded UNSC. Modi and Bissessar called for dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward amid rising geopolitical tensions and global conflicts, and underlined the need for greater cooperation to deal with contemporary challenges such as climate change, disaster management, and cybersecurity. Prime Minister Modi also lauded the contribution of Indian-origin people to Trinidad and Tobago's development journey, and announced a decision to issue Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards up to the sixth generation of the Indian diaspora in the country, where over 40 per cent of the population is of Indian origin. Earlier on Friday, the Prime Minister addressed the parliament of the Caribbean nation and spoke about the cricket connection between the two countries. He also reiterated his offer to train aspiring young women cricketers from Trinidad and Tobago in India. PM Modi expressed appreciation for Trinidad and Tobago's strong support and solidarity to the people of India in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, as the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Modi is currently on a five-nation tour, which began with his visit to Ghana where he was honoured with Ghana's national award, 'The Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana,' in recognition of his 'distinguished statesmanship and influential global leadership'. Four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed, including in the areas of cultural exchange and traditional music. In his joint press statement following talks with John Mahama, the President of Ghana, Prime Minister Modi announced that they have decided to give India-Ghana ties the form of a Comprehensive Partnership. After Trinidad and Tobago, PM Modi has reached Argentina for the next leg of his tour. Later, he will attend the BRICS Summit in Brazil, and visit Namibia on his return. Russia launched the largest aerial assault on Ukraine in the over three-year long war amid reports that Moscow has been using banned chemical weapons in Kyiv, while US President Donald Trump voiced frustration over Russian President Vladimir Putin's failure to end the fighting. Russian forces have used increasing numbers of drones to target Ukrainian cities, with a record total of 539 drones and 11 missiles deployed against Kyiv on July 4, Reuters reported, citing the Ukrainian air force. Russia also downed dozens of Ukrainian drones in widely dispersed parts of the country, including two near the second-largest city of St Petersburg. Meanwhile, Dutch and German intelligence agencies said Russia's use of chemical weapons in this war is 'becoming more normalised, standardised, and widespread', with Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans calling for tougher sanctions against Moscow, reported Reuters. The US first accused Russia of using chloropicrin, a chemical compound more toxic than riot control agents and first used by Germany during World War I, in May last year. Ukraine also alleges thousands of instances of Russian chemical weapons use. Hours after Thursday's attack by Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with Trump, following which the US President said Ukraine would need Patriot missiles for its defence, Reuters reported. Commenting on the prospect of a ceasefire, Trump said, 'It's a very tough situation… I was very unhappy with my call with President Putin. He wants to go all the way, just keep killing people – it's no good.' Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, claiming it was needed to protect Russian-speaking civilians in eastern Ukraine and prevent the country from joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Notably, Trump has ruled out the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO and even halted shipments of weapons and military aid to it. Since 2022, every NATO summit has committed to aiding Ukraine in its war against Russia. Most NATO countries view Russia as a direct and immediate threat. All the while, Israel continues to kill starving Palestinians as Hamas said it is ready to start talks 'immediately' on a US proposal for a 60-day ceasefire, prompting US President Trump to say there could be a deal by next week. At least 50 Palestinians were killed in Gaza as Israeli forces again target people waiting for food, Al Jazeera reported, while the UN said on July 5 that it had recorded at least 613 killings both at aid points run by the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) and near humanitarian convoys run by other relief groups, including the UN. The United Nations has criticised the GHF, which began distributing aid at the end of May following a three-month Israeli blockade on Gaza, for bypassing the UN-led system and violating humanitarian impartiality rules. Meanwhile, Hamas responded in 'a positive spirit' to the Gaza ceasefire proposal, brokered by the US and mediated by Egypt and Qatar. Trump had earlier said that Israel had agreed 'to the necessary conditions to finalise' the ceasefire, which envisages a release of hostages and negotiations on ending the conflict. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, at least 57,268 people have been killed and 135,625 wounded in Israel's devastating war on Gaza since October 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing over 1,100 people and taking 251 hostage. In the meantime, the West Bank, occupied by Israel since the Six-Day War in 1967, has become a 'big prison' as Israel fences it in, Reuters reported. Walls and checkpoints erected by Israeli forces have long been a part of day-to-day life for the nearly 3 million Palestinian residents of the West Bank. But many now say that a dramatic increase in such barriers since the start of the war in Gaza has put towns and villages in a state of permanent siege. Experts like Talmiz Ahmad, a former ambassador to Oman, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, had underlined a number of provocations in the run up to the October 7 attack by Hamas, which included the surge in attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank. Send your feedback and ideas to
Mint
29 minutes ago
- Mint
Raj Thackeray's blunt advice to MNS workers after Marathi 'slapgate' case: 'Slap, but don't make video'
Raj Thackeray, who patched up with cousin Uddhav Thackeray nearly two decades, issued a blunt directive to his party workers just days after his party, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), landed in controversy for assaulting a restaurant owner for not speaking in Marathi. In a starkly blunt message to his party workers, Raj Thackeray said, 'Beat, but don't film it.' Speaking in Marathi, Raj Thackeray said, 'Be it a Gujarati or anyone else here, must know Marathi, but there is no need to beat people for that if they don't speak Marathi. Yet, if someone does some drama, you must hit them below their eardrums.' 'If you beat someone, don't make a video of the incident. Let the person beaten up tell that he has been beaten up; you don't need to tell everyone," Raj Thackeray added. The MNS chief was apparently addressing criticism after his men slapped and intimidated people, including street vendors, over their not speaking in Marathi. The much discussed Thackeray reunion unfolded against the backdrop of 'Marathi pride' sparked by the BJP-led Maharashtra government's move to introduce Hindi as a third language in schools – a decision that was later rolled back following intense backlash. Initially announced as a protest against the original move, Raj and Uddhav Thackeray's rally in Mumbai was converted to a celebration of the rollback. Raj Thackeray's assertion of 'Marathi pride' was followed by Uddhav Thackeray's speech, echoing the same sentiments. The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief also spoke in Marathi, stating: 'Yes, we are goons; if we have to be goons to get justice, we will do goondagiri.' At the much-hyped Mumbai rally, MNS Chief Raj Thackeray delivered a sharp, ironic jab — praising Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis. Raj claimed Fadnavis managed to do what even Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray could not. "Uddhav and I are coming together after 20 years… What Balasaheb Thackeray could not do that Devendra Fadnavis managed to do," Raj Thackeray claimed at the massive event in Worli. Uddhav Thackeray's split with Raj Thackeray happened when Bal Thackeray was alive, as he preferred son Uddhav over nephew Raj to hand over the Shiv Sena reins. Uddhav also criticised the BJP - in power in Maharashtra and the Centre - for allegedly imposing the agenda of 'Hindi, Hindu, Hindustan' on India. 'We will protect the ideology of Hindutva, in Marathi language,' he further said. Following the Thackeray brothers' cousins at the reunion rally, senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan stated that the introduction of Hindi as a third language from class 1 evoked statewide opposition. "It's fine if Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray claim credit for the withdrawal of the GRs. If they come together politically, our best wishes," Chavan told PTI.
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First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
Hamas signals willingness to negotiate Gaza ceasefire after US proposal
US President Donald Trump had announced a 'final proposal' for a 60-day ceasefire in the nearly 21-month-old war between Israel and Hamas, saying he anticipated a reply from the parties in coming hours read more A view of the site of Thursday's Israeli strike that damaged and destroyed residential buildings, at Shati (Beach) refugee camp, in Gaza City. Reuters Hamas said it had responded on Friday in 'a positive spirit' to a US-brokered Gaza ceasefire proposal and was prepared to enter into talks on implementing the deal, which envisages a release of hostages and negotiations on ending the conflict. US President Donald Trump had announced a 'final proposal' for a 60-day ceasefire in the nearly 21-month-old war between Israel and Hamas, saying he anticipated a reply from the parties in coming hours. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Hamas wrote on its official website: 'The Hamas movement has completed its internal consultations as well as discussions with Palestinian factions and forces regarding the latest proposal by the mediators to halt the aggression against our people in Gaza. 'The movement has delivered its response to the brotherly mediators, which was characterized by a positive spirit. Hamas is fully prepared, with all seriousness, to immediately enter a new round of negotiations on the mechanism for implementing this framework,' the statement said. In a sign of potential challenges still facing the sides, a Palestinian official of a militant group allied with Hamas said concerns remained over humanitarian aid, passage through the Rafah crossing to Egypt and clarity over a timetable of Israeli troop withdrawals. Trump said on Tuesday that Israel had agreed 'to the necessary conditions to finalise' a 60-day ceasefire, during which efforts would be made to end the US ally's war in the Palestinian enclave. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is due to meet Trump in Washington on Monday, has yet to comment on Trump's announcement, and in their public statements the two sides remain far apart. Netanyahu has repeatedly said Hamas must be disarmed, a position the militant group, which is thought to be holding 20 living hostages, has so far refused to discuss. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Israeli media cited an Israeli official as saying that Israel had received and was looking into Hamas' response to the ceasefire proposal. Trump expressed optimism late on Friday to reporters aboard Air Force One, who asked about Hamas' response. 'They said they gave me a positive response? Well, that's good,' Trump said, adding that he had not yet been briefed. 'There could be a Gaza deal next week.' An Egyptian security official told Reuters that Egypt, which along with Qatar is mediating ceasefire efforts, had seen Hamas' response and said: 'It includes positive signs that an agreement is near, but there are some demands from Hamas that need to be worked on.' Trump has said he would be 'very firm' with Netanyahu on the need for a speedy Gaza ceasefire, adding that the Israeli leader wants one as well. Attacks overnight Israeli attacks have killed at least 138 Palestinians in Gaza over the past 24 hours, local health officials said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Health officials at the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, said the Israeli military had carried out an airstrike on a tent encampment west of the city around 2 a.m., killing 15 Palestinians displaced by nearly two years of war. The Israeli military said troops operating in the Khan Younis area had eliminated militants, confiscated weapons and dismantled Hamas outposts in the previous 24 hours while striking 100 targets across Gaza, including military structures, weapons storage facilities and launchers. Later on Friday, Palestinians gathered to perform funeral prayers before burying those killed overnight. 'There should have been a ceasefire long ago before I lost my brother,' said 13-year-old Mayar Al Farr as she wept. Her brother, Mahmoud, was shot dead in another incident, she said. 'He went to get aid, so he can get a bag of flour for us to eat. He got a bullet in his neck,' she said. 'Make the deal' In Tel Aviv, families and friends of hostages held in Gaza were among demonstrators who gathered outside a US embassy building on US Independence Day, calling on Trump to secure a deal for all of the captives. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Demonstrators set up a symbolic Sabbath dinner table, placing 50 empty chairs to represent those who are still held in Gaza. Banners hung nearby displaying a post by Trump from his Truth Social platform that read, 'MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!' 'Only you can make the deal. We want one beautiful deal. One beautiful hostage deal,' said Gideon Rosenberg, 48, from Tel Aviv. Rosenberg was wearing a shirt with the image of hostage Avinatan Or, one of his employees who was abducted by Palestinian militants from the Nova musical festival on October 7, 2023. He is among the 20 hostages who are believed to be alive after more than 600 days of captivity. An official familiar with the negotiations said on Thursday that the proposal envisages the return of 10 of the hostages during the 60 days, along with the bodies of 18 others who had died since being taken hostage. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ruby Chen, 55, the father of 19-year-old American-Israeli Itay, who is believed to have been killed after being taken captive, urged Netanyahu to return from meeting Trump with a deal that brings back all hostages. Itay Chen, also a German national, was serving as an Israeli soldier when Hamas carried out its surprise attack, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostage. Israel's retaliatory war against Hamas has devastated Gaza, which the militant group has ruled for almost two decades but now only controls in parts, displacing most of the population of more than 2 million and triggering widespread hunger. More than 57,000 Palestinians have been killed in nearly two years of fighting, most of them civilians, according to local health officials.
