US special envoy Steve Witkoff visits Gaza aid ‘death traps'
The GHF sites have become death traps for hundreds of people who've been killed trying to get near the food – with reports of another 13 people killed today. Before being briefed by Mr Witkoff President Trump – said he wanted to 'get people fed', and echoed Israeli claims that Hamas steal and sell the aid.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
11 minutes ago
- The Independent
Hamas claims it will keep fighting in Gaza unless a Palestinian state is established
Hamas has said it will carry on fighting until an independent Palestinian state is established in a fresh rebuke to a key Israeli demand to end the war in Gaza. The militants said Hamas would not stop ' armed resistance ' until an 'independent, fully sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital" is recognised. Israel considers the disarmament of Hamas a key condition for any deal to end the conflict, but Hamas has repeatedly said it is not willing to lay down its weapons. Last week, indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel aimed at securing a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza war and deal for the release of hostages ended in deadlock. On Tuesday, meditators Qatar and Egypt endorsed a declaration by France and Saudi Arabia outlining steps toward a two-state solution on condition of Hamas handed arms to a Western-backed Palestinian Authority. Last month, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said any future independent Palestinian state would be a platform to destroy Israel and said, for that reason, security control over the occupied Palestinian territories must remain with Israel. Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt last week called for the terrorist group to 'disarm' and disband. It was the first time these countries have condemned Hamas and demanded it play no part in the future of Palestine. The declaration read: 'In the context of ending the war in Gaza, Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international engagement and support, in line with the objective of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state.' Mr Netanyahu also criticised several countries, including the UK, for announcing plans to recognise a Palestinian state in response to devastation of Gaza. The war started when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza. Israel's subsequent military assault on Gaza has turned much of the enclave into a wasteland, killed over 60,000 Palestinians and set off a humanitarian catastrophe. Israel and Hamas traded blame after the most recent round of talks ended in an impasse, with gaps lingering over issues including the extent of an Israeli military withdrawal. Hamas also condemned Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff's visit to an aid distribution centre in Gaza on Friday as "nothing more than a premeditated staged show". Mr Witkoff and Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel, visited a centre run by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Hamas said the trip was "designed to mislead public opinion, polish the image of the occupation, and provide it with political cover for its starvation campaign and continued systematic killing of defenceless children and civilians in the Gaza Strip".
STV News
11 minutes ago
- STV News
Swinney brands Gaza crisis ‘genocide' after Fringe show disrupted
Scottish First Minister John Swinney has described the ongoing crisis in Gaza as a 'genocide' after a Fringe show he appeared at was repeatedly disrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters. Police were called to the Stand Comedy Club in Edinburgh after the First Minister was interrupted seven times by six different groups of protesters during a conversation with comedian Susan Morrison. The protesters urged the First Minister to describe the crisis as a genocide and stop state funding for arms companies. Speaking to journalists after the event, the First Minister said: 'It's quite clear that there is a genocide in Palestine – it can't be disputed. 'I have seen reports of terrible atrocities which have the character of being genocide. PA Media First Minister John Swinney appeared on stage with comedian Susan Morrison 'I've expressed that and obviously it's not reached all those individuals, but that's my feeling.' The Scottish Government has also been criticised for – while not funding directly the manufacturing of munitions – providing money for apprenticeships at firms which build weapons. But the First Minister said the Government's commercial arm, Scottish Enterprise, has the 'strictest assessments imaginable about the purpose and the use of public expenditure in companies that may be related to defence industries'. Pushed on providing money for staff who could potentially build munitions, the First Minister added: 'We're trying to enable companies to diversify their activities, that's the purpose. 'That's why the due diligence checks are applied and they are applied unreservedly.' Throughout the show, groups of attendees stood up, holding signs which spelt the word 'genocide', and heckled the First Minister. PA Media Police were called in to remove pro-Palestinian protesters from the event As the event continued, the interruptions became more forceful, before two groups stood at the same time, angrily shouting at the First Minister and chanting slogans such as 'call it genocide'. Members of his security team stood in front of the stage, stopping protesters from approaching the First Minister, before three uniformed police officers arrived at the venue to usher the protesters out. During the tense exchange, which lasted several minutes, a number of the crowd – who were not protesting – appeared to be in tears. A final disruption came from one woman in the crowd, who asked the First Minister why he had not responded to her letter about heavy metal band Disturbed playing at the Hydro in Glasgow. The band's lead singer, David Draiman, has been criticised after being pictured signing an Israeli bomb. The woman asked the First Minister why he did not speak out on Disturbed playing at the city's biggest venue, when he said it would be inappropriate for Irish band Kneecap to play the TRNSMT festival after comments members of the band had made about Tory MPs. The First Minister said his comments on Kneecap had come due to questions from the media and he 'didn't particularly' want to speak about the band earlier this year, adding that he did not want to choose what art people do and do not consume. The woman became increasingly angry with the First Minister's response and was eventually dragged from the venue by a police officer, whom she branded a 'thug'. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Mail
12 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel sends warning to Tua Tagovailoa after Donald Trump called out NFL quarterback
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel joked that Tua Tagovailoa has been given an 'executive order' to avoid getting hurt after Donald Trump told the quarterback he 'has got to stay healthy'. The 27-year-old started only 11 games last season amid concerns over his health after several nasty concussions. There were fears that Tagovailoa might have to call time on his career but he is back and preparing to lead the Dolphins into the 2025 campaign. On Thursday, president Trump namechecked the quarterback at the White House. Trump butchered the pronunciation of Tagovailoa but said he 'has really been fantastic.' 'When he's not injured, he's great. He's got to stay healthy. But he's a great guy,' the president said. On Saturday, McDaniel addressed Trump's comments during Dolphins training camp, telling NFL Network: 'If I was concerned about how serious he was taking his part in staying healthy, I think he got an executive order last night to stay healthy, if I'm not mistaken.' He then praised his quarterback, adding: 'It's been cool to watch him really evolve into who he is on the national stage but more so, really in his own skin, be the true leader of the team. 'It's real and authentic and all he's done is - in a ton of noise - focus on the right stuff. So there's a lot of things that go into staying healthy but first and foremost you have to front-end prioritize and really acknowledge what you mean to the team. 'And, like in years past, he lives and embraces "control-ables" and is not afraid of any work. So guys respond to him.' The president, 79, hosted multiple professional athletes, including golfer Bryson DeChambeau and Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, at the White House Thursday for an executive order signing that will reestablish the Presidential Fitness Test. A number of sports stars will form a newly-created council of to help with the reinstatement of the test, including Tagovailoa as well as Super Bowl winner Saquon Barkley. But Trump's attempt at praising the Dolphins passer was almost derailed when the president tripped over his last name, which is pronounced 'Tun-go-val-oa.' The Commander-in-Chief sounded out the last name of the signal caller, who is of Samoan descent, before butchering it anyway and pronouncing it 'Ta-go-valiah.' The Alabama product appears to be close to the president's extended family. Earlier this year, Tagovailoa and his former Dolphins teammate Braxton Berrios spent time with First Daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner. Ivanka, the eldest daughter of president Trump, shared photos of her family hanging out with the NFL stars, which included her son passing the pigskin around and playing chess with Tagovailoa.
