Foreign Minister Anand Reacts to ‘Haunting' Videos of Israeli Hostages
'The haunting images of Israeli hostages being held captive by Hamas are stark reminders of the horrors they have endured for more than 660 days,' Anand said in an Aug. 3 statement. 'The immediate release of all hostages from Gaza is imperative.'
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New York Post
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- New York Post
Netanyahu approves plan to fully occupy Gaza Strip, force Hamas to release hostages
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to order a full military occupation of the Gaza Strip to force Hamas to free the hostages, according to local reports. The expansion of the war would see the military, which already controls about 75% of Gaza, take over the remaining areas and conduct operations where the hostages are believed to be held, the Jerusalem Post reported. The move was reportedly made without the input of the Israeli military's chief of staff Eyal Zamir — with Netanyahu instructing him to fall in line or resign, according to the internal memo sent out. Advertisement 4 The family of 24-year-old hostage Evyatar David released a second Hamas propaganda video on Saturday showing him in visibly dire physical condition, a day after Hamas published what it claimed was a sign of life from the captive. Al-Qassam Brigade Footage 4 This screengrab from a video released on July 31 by Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad shows a hostage, identified as Rom Braslavski by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. 4 Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, speaks during a meeting on July31, 2025. 4 The Post's front cover on the plight of Evyatar David. Advertisement The decision to escalate the 21-month war comes despite calls from within Israel and around the world to find a diplomatic end to the fighting — with growing backlash over widespread hunger in Gaza and concern for the safety of the hostages.
UPI
28 minutes ago
- UPI
Israel's cabinet votes to fire attorney general prosecuting Netanyahu
Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Israel Prime Minister's Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet on Monday unanimously voted to fire Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miari, who is prosecuting the country's leader, prompting demonstrators to protest the decision in Jerusalem. This is the first time the Israeli government fired an attorney general in the 78-year history of the Jewish state. In February 2022, the government unanimously approved her appointment, the first woman to serve in the role. The dismissal is on hold because of a injunction by the High Court of Justice. The judges have ruled that they must first decide on the legality amid pending petitions by government watchdog groups and the attorney general. Haaretz reported the court is likely to strike it down because the rules were changed during the process. "The government has just unanimously approved the proposal of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Yariv Levin to immediately terminate the tenure of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara," according to a spokesperson for. In March, Levin sought to remove her, which led to a legal challenge and opposition among Israeli residents. Netanyahu, who didn't take part in the vote, has accused Baharav-Miari of abusing her power to undermine his policies and endanger the nation's rule of law. She also is accused of blocking the firing of Israel's domestic security agency. In Israel, the attorney general is not a political appointment and serves as the government's legal adviser and public watchdog. Baharav-Miari, in a letter to the minister, wrote that "through new rules to designed to ensure a desire outcome," the chief prosecutor in the case against Netanyahu is being dismissed. "From now on, the government will be able to fire any attorney general -- the state's top prosecutor -- without any oversight mechanisms, and even on improper grounds," she wrote. "For example, in retaliation for warning against illegal actions, ordering an investigation of a minister, refusing to halt a criminal case against a government member, or as part of a political deal. "This is deeply troubling in general, and especially so given that dismissing the attorney general and appointing a replacement could influence the prime minister's criminal trial and ongoing investigations involving other ministers and associates." The existing law requires the vote of the professional committee that initially approved her to agree to fire her. Instead, the cabinet established a new committee, which summoned her for a hearing. She refused calling the panel "corrupt and illegitimate." Senior government officials were offering a compromise: she would step down voluntarily and choose her successor, Haaretz reported. But she is unlikely to agree to this, Haaretz reported. "This conduct undermines the guarantees of independence and integrity across the entire civil service, especially for gatekeepers, and causes both immediate and cumulative harm," she said last week. Netanyahu was indicted in November 2019 for charges that include bribery, fraud and breach of trust, including allegedly accepting $200,000 in gifts from wealthy businessmen for favorable media coverage. The trial began in May 2020. The prosecution rested its case in July 2024. The defense's case has been continually delayed. Protesters appeared outside the prime minister's Office, waving Israeli flags, and holding signs and posters. Democrats party chairman Yair Golan said the cabinet meeting took place "as our hostages are dying in the tunnels, as Israeli society is tearing itself apart." He said "the Israeli government in these difficult times is only busy with itself." U.S. President Donald Trump has called for the cancellation of the trial, drawing parallels to his trial, calling it a "witch hunt" and "travesty of justice." Also Monday, about 600 former Israeli security officials urged Trump to pressure Israel to end the war against Hamas in Gaza. The open letter reads: "Your credibility with the vast majority of Israelis augments your ability to steer prime minister Netanyahu and his government in the right direction: end the war, return the hostages, stop the suffering." Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2003, with 1,200 Israelis, mainly civilians, initially killed with 251 abducted and an estimate 50 remain, including 33 presumed dead. More than 60,900 Palestinians, including more than half women and children, have died according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry. Israelis rally for release of hostages
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Israel's Netanyahu to convene cabinet on Gaza war goals
JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday he would convene his security cabinet this week to discuss how to instruct the military to meet his war goals in Gaza. "We must continue to stand together and fight together to achieve all our war objectives: the defeat of the enemy, the release of our hostages, and the assurance that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel," Netanyahu said at the outset of a regular cabinet meeting. Israel's Channel 12 cited an official from his office as saying that Netanyahu was inclining towards expanding the offensive and seizing the entire Palestinian enclave. Israeli media reported that the cabinet would meet on Tuesday to make a decision on that. Netanyahu's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Gaza war began when Hamas killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostage in an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, according to Israeli figures. Israel's offensive has since killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials. According to Israeli officials, 50 hostages now remain in Gaza, only 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
