Three killed in Israeli air raid on home in central Gaza
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Irish Independent
26 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Hamas is no longer a threat to Israel, 500 ex-spies tell Trump
In an open letter to the White House, the retired officials said the campaign, now approaching its 23rd month, has ceased to be a 'just war' and that it was 'leading the state of Israel to lose its security and identity' as a result. The 550 signatories urge Mr Trump to pressure Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, to agree to a ceasefire that would return the remaining hostages. They include former heads of Shin Bet, Israel's internal security service, the Mossad, its foreign spy agency, three former chiefs of the military, including a former prime minister, Ehud Barak, and two former defence ministers. It comes amid speculation that the government will announce a new direction for the campaign in Gaza in the coming days, in the absence of a hostage-return deal. Operation Gideon's Chariot, a dramatic expansion of the IDF's offensive, which was launched in May, has now effectively concluded. However, it has not succeeded either in defeating Hamas or in pressuring it to release the hostages, aims which were given as justification at the start. At the same time, Israel's international reputation has deteriorated as the humanitarian crisis, including mass displacement and widespread hunger, has worsened. Military analysts generally agree that Israel smashed Hamas's ability to fight as an organised terror army last year. Since then, the group has been operating as small groups of guerrilla fighters, but still inflicting a painful death toll on the IDF. 'It is our professional judgement that Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat to Israel,' the letter stated. 'At first this war was a just war, a defensive war, but when we achieved all military objectives, this war ceased to be a just war,' said Ami Aylon, a former Shin Bet director and one of the senior signatories. The letter argued that Israel has 'long accomplished' the objectives that can be achieved by military force, namely dismantling Hamas's military formations and governance. 'The third, and most important, can only be achieved through a deal: bringing the hostages home', it read. On Sunday, Mr Netanyahu said Israel was seeking a 'decisive military victory', in a message that elicited concern from hostage families. Using the momentum from the perceived victory over Iran in June, the White House put both Israel and Hamas under huge pressure to restart talks. The negotiations lasted for weeks but fell apart without a deal, with both sides accusing the other of making unrealistic demands. Although staunch in his support for Israel and Mr Netanyahu personally, Mr Trump criticised the plight of ordinary Gazans in recent weeks and made it clear he wants the conflict to end. But it is not known if he would go so far as effectively ordering Mr Netanyahu to stop fighting, or, if he did, whether the Israeli prime minister would comply. Yesterday, the Israeli press reported the future of the campaign could be decided at a security cabinet later this week. Options said to be on the table are a reduced offensive that allows in more military aid, total military occupation of the strip, or an 'encirclement' strategy, whereby the IDF withdraws to a number of zones around key Hamas areas and launches raids from those. (© Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd)
Euronews
27 minutes ago
- Euronews
US backtracks on tying FEMA funds to stance on Israel boycott
The Trump administration has reversed course on Monday after it faced backlash for threatening to withhold at least $1.9 billion (€1.64 billion) in disaster funds from cities and states that support boycotts of Israel and Israeli companies. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appears to have removed an article from its website under its internal terms and conditions which stipulated that states 'must not support severing commercial relations, or otherwise limiting commercial relations specifically with Israeli companies or with companies doing business in or with Israel' to qualify for the funding. States rely on the emergency line of funding to finance search and rescue operations in cases of natural disasters or local emergencies, staff salaries, equipment and resources. The DHS oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding operations. Spokesperson for the DHS Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement on Monday that 'FEMA grants remain governed by existing law and policy and not political litmus tests'. This marks a shift in the Trump administration's policy which has tried to penalise local governments, institutions, federal agencies and private companies for not aligning with its views on Israel or antisemitism. The now seemingly rebuked clause attempted to take aim at the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which is designed to place economic strain on Israel and force them to end their more than 20-month long offensive on Gaza. The old terms and conditions, which states must follow to be allowed access to funds, followed what the DHS called a 'discriminatory prohibited boycott', but the updated version, quietly published late on Monday no longer uses that language. 'There is NO FEMA requirement tied to Israel in any current NOFO. No states have lost funding, and no new conditions have been imposed,' wrote the Department of Homeland Security in a post on X. 'DHS will enforce all anti-discrimination laws and policies, including as it relates to the BDS movement, which is expressly grounded in antisemitism. Those who engage in racial discrimination should not receive a single dollar of federal funding.' The decision to quietly remove the clause from the terms and conditions comes after various US media outlets slammed the department for tying access to federal emergency funds to political agendas and ideologies. It also comes as global pressure and criticism mounts on Israel over its Gaza offensive. The Trump administration has routinely stated that it will continue to fight what it called a wave of left-wing induced antisemitism, stressing that it has no place in the Untied States and will not be tolerated.
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
National Couscous Day 2025: What is couscous and how to cook it perfectly?
Happy National Couscous Day! Whether you're a longtime fan of this fluffy staple or you're just now asking, 'Wait… what even is couscous?', today's the perfect time to give it a try, or give it a glow-up. Couscous might look like a grain, but it's actually a type of pasta, tiny steamed balls made from semolina flour and water. There are three main types: Moroccan couscous – The most common and smallest. It cooks lightning fast. Israeli couscous (aka pearl couscous) – Bigger, rounder, with a more chewy texture. Lebanese couscous (aka Moghrabieh) – The largest, and takes longer to cook. You'll find Moroccan couscous in most grocery stores usually in the rice or international foods section. Besides being fun to say (koos-koos!), couscous is a weeknight hero. It's ready in 5 minutes, soaks up sauces like a sponge, and plays well with everything from roasted veggies to grilled meats to cold salads. Oh, and it's naturally low in fat, high in selenium, and great for meal prepping. How to cook couscous (the right way) Let's talk about Moroccan couscous, since it's the most common and the easiest to get right. Basic fluffy couscous recipe What you need: 1 cup couscous 1 cup water (or broth for more flavor) 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter A pinch of salt Instructions: Boil the water or broth. Add the salt and olive oil. Take it off the heat, then stir in the couscous. Cover with a lid or foil. Let it steam for 5 minutes, don't peek! Fluff it gently with a fork. That's it! Pro tip: Want extra flavor? Add spices (like cumin or turmeric), chopped herbs, or a squeeze of lemon juice while fluffing. Cooking Pearl Couscous (Israeli Couscous) This one's more like cooking pasta. Quick rundown: Toast it in olive oil for 2–3 mins (optional but tasty). Add water or broth (1½ cups for every 1 cup of pearl couscous). Simmer uncovered for 10–12 mins until tender. Drain excess liquid, then fluff. It has a bouncier, nuttier vibe than the regular kind and holds up really well in salads. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn More - How Donating Sperm May Boost Your Income SpellRock Undo Fun ways to eat couscous Once you master the basics, couscous becomes a blank canvas. Here are some easy ideas: Roasted Veggie Couscous – Toss with zucchini, bell peppers, onions, and a dollop of pesto. Couscous Salad – Mix with chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, and lemon vinaigrette. Spicy Moroccan-Style – Add raisins, almonds, cinnamon, and serve with spiced chicken or lamb. Couscous Breakfast Bowl – Yes, really. Try it warm with cinnamon, nuts, and fruit. Few cooking tips: Don't boil it like pasta. It's more like steaming. Always fluff with a fork, not a spoon. Leftovers? Store in the fridge for 3–4 days and reheat with a splash of water or broth. Celebrate the day, one bowl at a time So this National Couscous Day, skip the plain rice and try something a little fluffier. Whether you go savory, sweet, spiced, or simple, couscous is the ultimate last-minute dinner saver—and way easier than it looks.
