Latest news with #Gantz

Netanyahu: 'My Druze brothers, do not cross the border into Syria, let the IDF do its job'

Yahoo

4 days ago

Politics
Yahoo

Netanyahu: 'My Druze brothers, do not cross the border into Syria, let the IDF do its job'

Israeli officials react to the ongoing violence in Syria's Sweida between regime forces and the local Druze community. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Israeli Druze citizens not to cross the border amid ongoing clashes in Sweida in southern Syria on Wednesday afternoon. "You are endangering your lives; you could be killed, you could be kidnapped, and you are harming the IDF's efforts," Netanyahu said. "The IDF, air force, and other forces are operating. We are taking action to save our Druze brothers and to eliminate the regime's militias. Therefore, I ask you — return to your homes. Let the IDF do its job," he added. "To our Druze brothers in Israel: You can trust the IDF to protect your brothers in Syria. Netanyahu and I, as defense minister, have made a commitment, and we will uphold it," Defense Minister Israel Katz added. "The IDF will continue to operate forcefully in Sweida to destroy the forces that attacked the Druze until their full withdrawal," he continued. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar alleged that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's regime has committed "persecution and pogroms" against minority groups in Syria. "What is the international community waiting for?' he asked. 'Our interests in Syria are well known and clear, including preventing harm to the Druze community, with whom we have strong ties. If the regime in Damascus doesn't come to its senses, it will ultimately distance itself from all the key goals it has set for itself, foremost among them governance and economic prosperity. It would be best for it to come to its senses and restore order." "The shocking images from Syria prove one thing, once a jihadist, always a jihadist," National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir commented. "Whoever kills, cuts off mustaches, humiliates, rapes, should not be engaged in negotiations, and the only thing that should be done with Sharaa is to eliminate him," he threatened. "I love the Druze citizens of the State of Israel, I send them a warm hug and say – we need to eliminate the head of the snake," he concluded. Opposition Leader Yair Lapid spoke with Israeli-Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Muwafaq Tarif, affirming that he stands by the Druze community and its security, and will always stand by it. "The government has the backing to assist in protecting the Druze in Syria and the demilitarized zone," Blue and White Party leader, Benny Gantz, commented. "This is not only a moral duty but also an Israeli security interest," Gantz added. "We must continue to act actively to establish a reality where Israel's allies are safe, and its interests are preserved," he added. Gantz is also notably the former defense minister and former IDF chief of staff. Senior IDF staff hold situational assessment near Syrian border IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Tamir Yadai, Northern Command chief, Maj.-Gen. Uri Gordin, and 210th Division Commander Brig.-Gen. Yair Palai, along with Israel Police's Northern District Commander Assistant-Chief Meir Eliyahu held a situational assessment in Majdal Shams earlier on Wednesday with the heads of local councils, the military confirmed. Syria's Presidency condemns recent violence Meanwhile, the office of the Syrian Presidency issued a statement condemning the recent violence between the regime's forces and the local Druze community. "The Syrian government strongly condemns these heinous actions and reaffirms our full commitment to investigating all related incidents and holding accountable anyone proven to be involved, whether individuals or foreign organizations operating outside the law. Legal consequences will be imposed, and impunity will not be tolerated," the statement said. Amichai Stein and Avraham Bloch contributed to this report. Solve the daily Crossword

Former Israeli Defense Minister Feels Sorry over Civilian Casualties in Gaza, Iran

Leaders

01-07-2025

Politics
Leaders

Former Israeli Defense Minister Feels Sorry over Civilian Casualties in Gaza, Iran

Former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz felt sorry over civilian casualties in Israeli conflicts with both Gaza and Iran, according to Arab News. 'I'm very sorry for every Iranian civilian that was killed, just as I'm very sorry for every citizen in Gaza who is being killed,' Gantz said. Gantz's remarks come in a crucial time when Israel is killing Palestinians in Gaza who are experiencing the injustice of war and bombardment. Moreover, Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on Iran on June 13 under the name of Operation Rising Lion. The military campaign targeted Iran's nuclear facilities and killed top military commanders and nuclear scientists. As a response, Iran launched a retaliatory wave of missiles against Israel and targeted Tel Aviv. Israel also killed several Iranian nuclear scientists in line with its goal to eliminate Iran's nuclear program. Crucially, Israel announced that it was hit by over 50 missiles during the 12-day war with Iran, resulting in 28 deaths. However, the real extent of the damage may never be known because of media restrictions. The Israeli airstrikes on Iran killed at least 627 people and injured approximately 4,900. Related Topics: Saudi Arabia Condemns Israeli Settlers' Violence against Palestinians 9 EU Countries Call for Ending Trade with Israeli Settlements Qatar Tracks Radiation Amid Israeli Strikes on Iran Nuclear Sites Short link : Post Views: 8 Related Stories

'Exit 8' is an Exceptional Liminal Thriller and the Best Video Game Adaptation Ever Made [Cannes 2025 Review]

Business Mayor

24-05-2025

Entertainment
Business Mayor

'Exit 8' is an Exceptional Liminal Thriller and the Best Video Game Adaptation Ever Made [Cannes 2025 Review]

I've long been fascinated by what I call No Exit Horror , a term I've coined for a sub-genre rooted in existential dread, where characters are trapped in singular, oppressive spaces they cannot escape. Think of such liminal space thrillers as Cube , Dead End , Pontypool , or even The Shining . I took the name from French writer/philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, of course, and like his play No Exit , these films trap their characters not just in rooms but in loops of self-denial, regret, or moral indecision. Genki Kawamura's masterful Exit 8 , which just had its eerie and unforgettable premiere in the Cannes Midnight Screenings section, uses this trope so effectively that it might just be the most exceptional video game adaptation ever made. Adapted from a cult Japanese video game, Exit 8 follows 'The Lost Man,' played with raw and adorable restraint by Kazunari Ninomiya ( Letters from Iwo Jima , Gantz ). On a tedious underground commute home from his desk job, he quickly finds himself trapped in an endless underground subway corridor, forced to detect subtle anomalies, glitches in reality, that signal whether it's safe to proceed to the next exit, aka level. He loops back to the beginning if he misses something out of place. It's the perfect metaphor for the paralysis of modern professional life, trapped in the endless maze designed by the evils of capitalism: the hallway, sterile and endless, is less a location than a state of mind. He is, quite literally, going nowhere. And I'm sure most of us can find it relatable on some level . Exit 8 is more than just a stylish horror experiment or the astute staging of a unique and inexpensive IP. It's a tragic and intimate character study following a broken hero's journey where the monster isn't lurking around a corner. The Lost Man is on his way home from a job he clearly loathes. He's exhausted, emotionally disconnected, and stuck in the passive inertia of a life he never truly chose. And then, suddenly, fatherhood looms. Read More BioWare restructures around Mass Effect The great twist of Exit 8 is that its horror and drama are mostly emotional, not supernatural or sci-fi. Kawamura has crafted a film about the terror of becoming a parent before you're ready. About accepting love when you're not sure you're worthy. The anomaly in this man's life isn't a shadowy figure or an off-kilter passageway. Instead, it's the terrifying prospect of loving someone more than yourself. And being loved in return. The hallway becomes purgatory for a man who can't admit he's scared—scared of responsibility, commitment, and growing up. Ninomiya's performance is essential here. It's not flashy, but it's deep. He expertly plays emotional numbness, with shoulders sloped under decades of unspoken guilt and generational/gender expectation. There's a quiet beauty in how little he says and how much he shows. When change finally comes, it's not triumphant. It's terrifying. And it's earned. As The Lost Man repeats the corridor again and again, each loop becomes a step along a fractured, nonlinear path toward emotional accountability. He isn't trying to escape. He's trying to accept. He's trying to become someone capable of being loved, and of loving in return. And that might be the scariest journey a horror movie has ever asked of a man. And he's not alone. The eerie and quick introduction of 'The Walking Man' is frightening, then tragic. A perfect side quest during an already pristine mainline story. The atmosphere in Exit 8 draws on a similar liminal energy felt in brilliant liminal horror projects like P.T. and The Backrooms, but where those stories revel in abstract terror, Kawamura's film weaponises drama and character study with a teaspoon of hope. Ultimately, there isn't a clear resolution. But it does provide reflection. It asks what happens to those of us who live on autopilot. Those who accept careers we hate, relationships we don't nurture, and the futures we never chose. It's about how modern men inherit silence and mistake it for strength. And how love … real, scary, adult love … demands presence and vulnerability. It demands that you exit the loop. With Exit 8 , Genki Kawamura has crafted a haunting cautionary tale for the emotionally paralysed. It's a masterpiece of 'No Exit Horror': intimate, tragic, and impressively human. Forget boss battles, this is a video game adaptation where the final level is fatherhood, and like the process of being born, the only way out is through. Summary Genki Kawamura's masterful 'Exit 8' expertly draws on a liminal horror, character study, and realist drama to craft the best video game adaptation of all time. Tags: Cannes 2025 Exit 8 Featured Post Genki Kawamura Categorized:News Reviews

Idea of creating Palestinian state 'disconnected from reality', says Gantz

Roya News

06-05-2025

Politics
Roya News

Idea of creating Palestinian state 'disconnected from reality', says Gantz

National Unity Party leader Benny Gantz on Tuesday dismissed the idea of establishing a Palestinian state, calling it 'disconnected from reality' during remarks at the Makor Rishon Settlement Conference held in the West Bank settlement of Ofra, The Jerusalem Post reported. Gantz, a former 'Israeli' defense minister and former Israeli Occupation Forces chief of staff, reiterated his firm opposition to territorial concessions, emphasizing that 'Israel' 'cannot allow a direct and significant threat to its citizens on any border.' 'Anyone talking about a Palestinian state or withdrawals is simply disconnected from the security reality,' he said, insisting that 'Israel' must retain full security control and operational freedom in Gaza, the West Bank, southern Lebanon, and along the Syrian border. Reflecting on the 2005 Gaza Disengagement Plan, Gantz said one of 'Israel's' major mistakes was withdrawing from the northern Gaza communities of Dugit, Nisanit, and Elei Sinai. Maintaining a presence there, he argued, would have helped 'control the territory' and send a clear message that the pre-1967 lines 'are not relevant.' He warned against any efforts to rebuild settlements in Gaza, saying such a move would be a 'security mistake' that could deepen internal divisions at a time when national unity is crucial. Turning to regional threats, Gantz urged military preparedness against Iran's nuclear program. 'We must be prepared to act,' he said, emphasizing the importance of coordinated diplomatic, military, and economic pressure to prevent Iran from reaching the nuclear threshold. Gantz also criticized the previous 'change government,' in which he served, calling it politically ineffective. He specifically pointed to its failure to pass legislation requiring military or national service for ultra-Orthodox and Arab citizens.

Jordan News

17-04-2025

Politics
Jordan News

Gantz: It's Time to Change the Middle East - Jordan News

Gantz: It's Time to Change the Middle East Israeli opposition leader and head of the National Unity Party, Benny Gantz, stated that the time has come to change the Middle East in coordination with what he called "our great ally," the United States. His remarks followed a news report confirming that Israel had planned to strike Iranian nuclear sites next month, but former U.S. President Donald Trump intervened to stop the operation. اضافة اعلان In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Gantz described the Iranian regime as "an expert in buying time and procrastination," asserting that Israel is capable of attacking Iran and has the ability to do so. He added that Israel and the United States must rally their strength to bring about change in the Middle East. Israeli Plan Revealed The New York Times reported, citing officials and informed sources, that Israel was preparing to strike Iranian nuclear sites in May, but Trump prevented the move, opting instead to pursue a negotiated agreement with Tehran aimed at curbing its nuclear program. According to the American newspaper, Israeli officials were optimistic about securing approval from the White House and had drawn up attack plans for May. The paper also reported that Trump administration officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance, argued—supported by others—that Trump had a unique opportunity to reach a deal with Iran. Vance stated that if negotiations failed, Trump might support an Israeli military strike on Tehran. The New York Times also quoted a well-informed source saying that U.S. intelligence chief John Ratcliffe met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mossad Director David Barnea in Israel to discuss options for dealing with Iran, including covert operations with U.S. backing and the imposition of stricter sanctions. IAEA Warning Meanwhile, Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), warned against attacking Iranian nuclear facilities. After meeting Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran yesterday, Grossi stated: 'We have been very, very clear that attacks on nuclear facilities are unacceptable and only worsen the situation.' He pointed to the potential radioactive and environmental consequences of such strikes, as well as the risk of triggering a full-scale war. Diplomacy Not Ruled Out Although Trump favors negotiations and is working toward an agreement with Iran on its nuclear program, he has not ruled out military action if diplomatic efforts fail. The first round of indirect talks between Washington and Tehran was held last Saturday in Muscat, Oman, with a second round scheduled for next Saturday, where Abbas Araghchi and Steve Witkoff, the U.S. president's envoy, are expected to meet again. — (Agencies)