Latest news with #IzzAl-DinAl-QassamBrigades
Daily News Egypt
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily News Egypt
Escalation in Gaza as ceasefire talks remain fragile amid mounting humanitarian crisis
As ceasefire negotiations stall in Doha, Gaza is witnessing one of the deadliest escalations in recent weeks, with intensified resistance operations and surging humanitarian alarm over the ongoing Israeli assault. On the 641st day of the war, the Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, claimed responsibility for high-casualty attacks that killed five Israeli soldiers and wounded 14 others in northern Gaza. Footage released by the group showed strikes on Israeli military vehicles in Gaza City, while the Al-Quds Brigades—the armed wing of Islamic Jihad—reported destroying two Israeli vehicles in Shujaiya and targeting Israeli forces in Khan Younis. The latest attacks follow a sophisticated ambush in Beit Hanoun, where explosive devices and automatic weapons were used against Israeli soldiers from the 'Netzah Yehuda' unit of the Kfir Brigade. The ambush, which occurred inside an area under Israeli control, has sparked internal debate and criticism among Israeli security officials. Abu Obeida, spokesperson for Al-Qassam, vowed that the armed resistance would continue, stating that 'enemy funerals and corpses will become a regular event as long as this criminal war against our people continues.' While the violence intensifies on the ground, indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel resumed in the Qatari capital under the mediation of Qatar and Egypt. The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that discussions are still focused on a broad framework, with no detailed progress reported. US President Donald Trump, following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressed cautious optimism, claiming that 'things are going well' and that no serious obstacles remain to achieving a ceasefire. Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is reaching unprecedented levels. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) warned that conditions have become 'unbearable,' with widespread hunger, especially among children. The International Committee of the Red Cross reported that the overwhelmed healthcare system is collapsing, with hospitals struggling to cope with mass casualties, many of them injured near food distribution centres. The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that 60 Palestinians were killed by Israeli airstrikes since early Tuesday, bringing the total death toll since 7 October 2023 to 57,575, with 136,879 injured. Eight Palestinians were killed in the past 24 hours while waiting for food aid, raising the death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza's humanitarian operations to 766, with over 5,044 injured. The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor described the situation as a 'comprehensive erasure' of Gaza's population, stating that Palestinians are being forced to live in less than 15% of the territory under near-total surveillance and constant bombardment. In a statement from Geneva, the group said the enclave has become a 'giant open-air detention camp,' where civilians are deprived of food, water, shelter, medical aid, and the right to return to their homes. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini issued a stark warning: 'Gaza is dying.' In a statement released Monday, he said over 1,500 medical personnel and more than 600 civilians seeking food have been killed. 'It's a cruel choice between two forms of death,' he said, calling for an immediate ceasefire, the lifting of the blockade, and unhindered humanitarian access. International condemnation of the Israeli campaign continues to grow. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy warned that Britain may escalate its measures if the crisis persists. In May, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government imposed punitive steps, including suspending trade negotiations, introducing arms embargoes, and sanctioning violent Israeli settlers. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares also condemned Israel's actions, particularly the targeting of civilians waiting for aid. He called the situation 'unacceptable' and reiterated the need for an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian access, and the release of hostages. While Israel insists its military operations aim to neutralise threats from Hamas and other factions, international calls are intensifying for an immediate end to the campaign. With civilian casualties mounting and critical infrastructure shattered, Gaza's humanitarian crisis deepens by the day.
Daily News Egypt
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily News Egypt
Hamas releases US-Israeli detainee Edan Alexander amid ceasefire uncertainty
Amid the ongoing and intensifying Israeli war on Gaza—and despite mixed signals regarding the fate of ceasefire negotiations—Hamas announced the release of US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, describing the move as a 'gesture of goodwill' intended to support ongoing efforts to end the conflict and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. Israel's response, however, was far from conciliatory. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue and escalate military operations in the coming days, reaffirming that no concessions had been made in connection with the soldier's release. In a statement on Monday, the Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades—the military wing of Hamas—confirmed the release of Edan Alexander, citing 'important communications' with the U.S. administration. The group said the decision was made to demonstrate support for ceasefire efforts and to alleviate the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Hamas stressed that 'serious and responsible negotiations can lead to meaningful outcomes in securing the release of prisoners,' while warning that Israel's continued aggression only prolongs suffering and endangers civilian lives. The group reiterated its readiness to engage in negotiations for a comprehensive agreement that would include a permanent ceasefire, a full Israeli withdrawal, the lifting of the blockade, a prisoner exchange, and the reconstruction of Gaza. In a pointed appeal to Washington, Hamas urged the US administration to 'intensify efforts to stop the brutal war waged by war criminal Netanyahu against civilians.' Despite the goodwill gesture, Israel's reaction ran counter to expectations. Prime Minister Netanyahu insisted that 'Israel has not made any concessions,' and that negotiations for the release of other hostages 'will continue under fire.' He emphasized that the release of Alexander was not part of any formal deal but rather 'a coordinated arrangement to ensure the soldier's safe transfer.' While political and military tensions escalate, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate rapidly. Recent United Nations reports paint an increasingly dire picture, with Hamas warning of a growing 'humanitarian catastrophe' due to the ongoing siege and what it described as deliberate Israeli obstruction of food and medical aid. The group held Israel responsible for 'manufacturing famine' in the enclave. Hamas called for the immediate opening of all border crossings under United Nations supervision, demanding that aid deliveries be allowed to proceed without interference from Israeli authorities or their local collaborators, to ensure that critical supplies reach the population in need. Compounding the urgency, a new report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) revealed that approximately 22% of Gaza's population—roughly 470,000 people—are now facing imminent famine. The report warned that if the current conditions persist, all 2.1 million residents of Gaza will be in a state of 'crisis level or worse' by September 2025. Meanwhile, in its latest daily report, the Gaza Health Ministry confirmed 33 additional deaths and 94 injuries over the past 24 hours. This brings the total number of Palestinians killed since the beginning of Israel's military campaign on October 7, 2023, to 52,862, with 119,648 injured. Since the latest escalation began on March 18, 2025, the toll has been especially heavy: 2,749 people killed and 7,607 wounded, highlighting the intensity and scale of Israel's ongoing air and ground operations across the besieged territory.
Daily News Egypt
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily News Egypt
Israel expands ground offensive in Gaza in move to divide strip
The Israeli occupation army announced on Saturday the expansion of its ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, launching a new advance along the so-called 'Morag Axis' in the southern part of the enclave. The operation aims to further isolate the cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, a move Palestinian officials have condemned as an attempt to 'sustain occupation and divide Gaza.' This latest escalation comes amid mounting international concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has endured months of relentless Israeli bombardment and ground operations. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that 26 Palestinians were killed and 113 injured in the past 24 hours alone. Since 18 March, 1,335 people have been killed and 3,297 wounded, bringing the overall death toll since the start of the war to 50,695, with more than 115,338 injured. In a related development, the Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, released a video on Saturday showing two Israeli hostages who claimed they were bombed by Israeli forces during a rare nighttime outing. The footage, interpreted as a warning to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, emphasized that 'time is running out' for a hostage deal. Meanwhile, The New York Times published a video retrieved from the phone of a Palestinian paramedic killed by Israeli fire alongside 14 colleagues in Rafah on 23 March. The footage, reportedly shared by a senior UN diplomat, appears to contradict Israeli accounts of the incident. Some of the victims were reportedly shot at close range, with at least one found handcuffed. Prime Minister Netanyahu's office confirmed that he will travel to Washington on Sunday, following an invitation from US President Donald Trump. The two leaders are expected to discuss customs tariffs, hostage negotiations, Israeli-Turkish relations, the threat posed by Iran, and legal issues surrounding Netanyahu's war crimes charges at the International Criminal Court. In a major development on the ground, approximately 300,000 Palestinians have been forced to flee Rafah under intense aerial and ground bombardment. According to Rafah's Mayor Ahmed Al-Soufi, 90% of the city has been destroyed since Israel's initial incursion in early May 2024, including residential areas, infrastructure, public facilities, and medical services.
