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Roya News
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Roya News
At ‘Gaza Riviera' event, Smotrich calls for annexation, resettlement
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for what he termed a 'security annexation' of northern Gaza and claimed that 'Israel's' military chief supports the idea, according to The Times of Israel. Speaking Tuesday at a Knesset conference titled 'The Gaza Riviera – From Vision to Reality,' Smotrich said there is a 'tremendous opportunity' to begin reestablishing Jewish settlements in the Strip. 'We should start with the northern border and establish three communities there,' Smotrich said. 'We are already talking about it. Some call it a 'security annexation.'' He added that IOF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir 'said last week that there needs to be a security annexation.' Smotrich also declared: 'We have strong support from President Trump to turn Gaza into a prosperous region, a coastal city with settlement and employment. This is how peace is made. There is really an opportunity to think big. This is possible and realistic. I am completely optimistic. To conquer Gaza and settle it as an integral part of the State of Israel and the Land of Israel.' The conference title referenced a controversial proposal floated by US President Donald Trump earlier this year, in which he envisioned turning Gaza into a 'Riviera of the Middle East' while publicly encouraging the displacement of Palestinians from the territory.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Netanyahu diagnosed with food poisoning, to rest for 3 days while working from home
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is recovering from food poisoning and dehydration, according to statements from his office on Sunday. While his condition is stable, the 75-year-old leader will rest for the next three days and manage government affairs remotely. The announcement followed Netanyahu's absence from the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday morning. As questions arose about his whereabouts, the Prime Minister's Office clarified that he began feeling unwell overnight and was examined at home by Dr Alon Hershko, director of internal medicine at Hadassah University Hospital, Ein Kerem. Hershko diagnosed Netanyahu with intestinal inflammation caused by spoiled food, The Times of Israel reported. Netanyahu is currently receiving intravenous fluids to treat dehydration resulting from the illness. 'In accordance with his doctors' instructions, the prime minister will rest at home for the next three days and will conduct state affairs from there,' said his office, according to Reuters. This incident adds to a series of health-related episodes for the Israeli leader. In 2023, Netanyahu had a pacemaker installed after experiencing a transient heart block. A week earlier, he had been hospitalised for what was initially described as dehydration, later revealed to be tied to a long-standing heart conduction issue. Last December, he underwent surgery to remove his prostate following a urinary tract infection, and in March 2024, he had hernia surgery and missed work due to the flu. A medical report released in January 2023, his most recent made public, stated that Netanyahu was in a 'completely normal state of health' and that his pacemaker was functioning properly. (With inputs from Reuters, The Times of Israel)
The Independent
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Mike Huckabee makes a surprise appearance at Netanyahu's corruption trial but was quickly asked to leave
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee made a surprise appearance at Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial on Wednesday. Huckabee said he dropped in on Netanyahu's trial to 'see what's going on' but was asked to leave after proceedings were moved behind closed doors. It comes after President Donald Trump vowed to 'save Netanyahu' as he hit out at the Israeli leader's 'witch-hunt' corruption trial. 'Why did I come? I wanted to see what's going on. I'm watching, it's an open trial,' Huckabee said outside Tel Aviv District Court. Trump claimed Israel's prime minister was a 'great hero' and 'warrior' who faced politically motivated charges and called for the trial to be cancelled. Huckabee later wrote on social media: 'I stopped by the trial of @IsraeliPM in Tel Aviv today. My conclusion? @realDonaldTrump is right…again.' Huckabee was confirmed as the U.S. Ambassador to Israel in April 2025. The Senate confirmation of Huckabee, a well-known evangelical Christian, was reported as a relief to Israeli officials, although he told lawmakers during a March hearing that he would 'carry out the president's priorities, not mine' as ambassador. That pledge came in response to questions about some of his past statements about the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people. 'I am not here to articulate or defend my own views or policies, but to present myself as one who will respect and represent the president, whose overwhelming election by the people will hopefully give me the honor of serving as ambassador to the state of Israel,' Huckabee said at the time. Huckabee acknowledged his past support for Israel's right to annex the West Bank and incorporate its Palestinian population into Israel, but said it would not be his 'prerogative' to carry out that policy. Huckabee, a one-time presidential hopeful, also has repeatedly backed referring to the West Bank by its biblical name of 'Judea and Samaria,' a term that right-wing Israeli politicians and activists have thus far fruitlessly pushed the U.S. to accept. Netanyahu faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust and denies all of them. He was indicted in 2019. He pleaded not guilty after the trial, involving three criminal cases, began in 2020. In the first case, the Israeli leader is alleged to have committed fraud and breach of trust over claims he and his wife, Sara, received expensive gifts illicitly from a Hollywood media mogul, according to The Times of Israel. In the second instance, he is accused of fraud and breach of trust for allegedly attempting to persuade a newspaper publisher to provide favorable coverage in exchange for legislation that would weaken the newspaper's key rival. In the third case, Netanyahu is alleged to have passed legislation that financially benefited a telecommunications giant shareholder in return for more favourable media coverage. Trump frequently used the term 'witch-hunt' to describe his own legal battles prior to his re-election in November 2024. Israeli President Issac Herzog has the power to pardon Netanyahu but has been quoted by Israeli media as saying that it is 'not currently on the table.'
Middle East Eye
16-07-2025
- Health
- Middle East Eye
War on Gaza: Four Israeli soldiers kill themselves in under two weeks
Four Israeli soldiers have killed themselves in less than two weeks following their involvement in the war in Gaza, according to local media reports. Haaretz reported on Wednesday that two of the soldiers were conscripts on active duty. The other two were reservists who had recently been discharged after weeks of fighting in Gaza. On Tuesday, a fifth soldier was seriously injured in what appeared to be a suicide attempt, The Times of Israel reported. Since the war on Gaza began - during which Israeli forces have killed more than 58,000 Palestinians, including at least 17,000 children - there has been a notable rise in suicides among Israeli soldiers. According to data published in Haaretz, 43 soldiers have taken their own lives since the war began, including 14 this year. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters In 2024 alone, 21 soldiers died by suicide, the highest annual figure since 2011. Opposition leader Yair Lapid described the rising number of soldier suicides as unbearable. 'This war also kills souls,' he said in a post on X. Unreported cases Mental health organisations warn that the actual number of suicides may be higher as many cases remain unreported. The army's figures exclude suicides among soldiers who were not on active duty. Pain, loss, fear, panic, anger: Gaza's Palestinians are suffering psychological torment Read More » Haaretz reported that at least 12 individuals have taken their own lives since the war began, reportedly linked to their military service. Army sources told Haaretz that most suicides were likely linked to exposure to intense combat situations. The latest suicides come as Hamas has intensified its attacks on Israeli troops across the Gaza Strip in recent weeks, including attempted soldier captures. At least 12 soldiers have been killed in Palestinian ambushes in under two weeks. Since the war began, at least 893 soldiers have been killed, including 45 killed since Israel violated the ceasefire on 18 March. According to the Israeli Ministry of Defence, at least 19,000 more have been wounded. If you need support in the UK, then the Samaritans can be contacted at jo@ or on 116 123. For the US, please try the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255. For other countries, please see
The Print
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Will defeat these ‘monsters' and get our hostages back: Netanyahu on deal with Hamas
'I hope we can complete it in a few days,' he told Newsmax's Greta Van Susteren in an interview before flying back to Israel while indirect talks continued in Qatar amid signs of deadlock. 'We think we can bring it to completion,' said Netanyahu. 'So I wouldn't tell you that we have a war goal that is unachievable. We're going to defeat these monsters and get our hostages back.' Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed hope that a hostage release deal with Hamas may be concluded in the coming days, adding that the potential agreement could trigger a 60-day ceasefire during which Israel and Hamas might negotiate an end to the conflict, according to The Times of Israel. 'We'll probably have a 60-day ceasefire. Get the first batch out and then use the 60 days to try to negotiate an end to this,' he said on the last day of a four-day visit in which he met US President Donald Trump twice. 'And this could end tomorrow, today, if Hamas lays down its arms.' Netanyahu granted three interviews to US media during his trip, but no interviews to the Israeli press, The Times of Israel reported. Amid reports that the Trump administration does not intend to allow Israel to resume fighting in Gaza after a potential ceasefire, Netanyahu promised earlier Thursday that Israel would return to war if Hamas does not give in. 'We were told, 'You will not return to war,' after the first ceasefire, and we did return,' said Netanyahu in a video statement. 'We were told 'You will not resume your fight,' after the second ceasefire, and we did. Now they're saying 'You will not continue fighting' after the third ceasefire. Do I need to say more?' After Hamas invaded Israel on October 7, 2023, and Jerusalem declared war on the terrorist organization, the sides agreed to ceasefires in November 2023 and January 2025. Two sources told The Times of Israel on Wednesday that the Trump administration has assured mediators that it does not intend to allow Jerusalem to go back to fighting against Hamas in Gaza following a 60-day ceasefire, even if this is not explicitly included in the text of the deal being negotiated in Washington and Qatar. The issue of whether Israel will be able to restart its military campaign after the proposed 60-day ceasefire and the release of 10 living and 18 dead hostages is one of the main sticking points in talks, which have failed to produce a breakthrough even as leaders continue to express some optimism, The Times of Israel said. However, signs that negotiations remain stalled persisted on Thursday. Hamas said it opposes any ceasefire deal that includes a large Israeli military presence in Gaza, citing disagreements over troop withdrawal and the free flow of aid into Gaza, along with demands for 'real guarantees' for a lasting truce. In his Thursday video, Netanyahu said Israel is willing to discuss the end of the war in Gaza during the 60-day ceasefire, should Hamas and Israel come to an agreement. But, he cautioned, the war will end only under Israel's conditions: 'Hamas lays down its weapons, Gaza is demilitarized, Hamas no longer has any governmental or military capabilities. These are our basic conditions.' Netanyahu has made those demands throughout the war, which Hamas has repeatedly rejected. 'One way or another,' said Netanyahu, 'Israel's war aims will be achieved. If this can be achieved through negotiations — that's great. If it is not achieved through negotiations in 60 days, we will achieve it in other ways; by using force, the force of our heroic army,' The Times of Israel quoted him as saying, following a memorial service for two embassy employees who were murdered in May. In the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump told reporters, 'We're getting very close to a deal on Gaza.' That came after Netanyahu stated there was a 'good chance' to reach a deal, and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said he thought an agreement to end 21 months of fighting was 'achievable.' Netanyahu also addressed criticism about how long the war has lasted. 'First of all, this is a war zone that no army in the world has faced,' he said. 'And thanks to the heroism of the fighters, thanks to the sacrifice of the fallen, thanks to the creativity, we dismantled most of Hamas's military capabilities. But not all of them. There are still thousands of fighters there with weapons.' The Times of Israel reported that Netanyahu reiterated Israel's dual approach: 'We want to act, again, with a combination of diplomacy and military force, and military force if diplomacy doesn't work, to complete the mission.' Regarding the order in which hostages will be released, Netanyahu said he would prefer to get everyone out at once, but 'we are dealing with a cruel terrorist organization. Of course, we would like to rescue everyone, and from our point of view, they are all humanitarian. I want to rescue everyone in one fell swoop.' 'Here we are dealing with two stages, but the choice is not always ours. We will do everything to maximize this release in the best possible way. Not everything is in our hands.' Netanyahu told hostage families on Wednesday that Hamas will determine which hostages will be released during the 60-day truce, a source present at the Washington meeting told The Times of Israel. The source said Netanyahu told the families that, from Israel's perspective, all hostages are considered 'humanitarian' — meaning no living captive group will be prioritised over another, given their dire conditions after 643 days in Gaza. However, two sources told the Haaretz daily that intelligence on the hostages' conditions is being delivered to Netanyahu's office, and the political leadership will decide on the order of release. Earlier Thursday, Netanyahu addressed a memorial service for slain embassy employees Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim at the Israeli mission in Washington. 'The agony of losing a brother is great,' Netanyahu said. 'The agony of losing a son is greater.' He also acknowledged Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, who lost his son in the war in Gaza. According to The Times of Israel, Netanyahu shared that he spoke about the victims with Trump. After seeing their photo, Trump reportedly said, 'What a beautiful couple.' Netanyahu signed a memorial book, unveiled a plaque with a photograph of the two victims, and affixed a new mezuzah at the embassy ceremony, which Milgrim's parents and Lischinsky's siblings attended in person while his parents watched via Zoom. Having a Jewish state 'comes with a heavy cost,' Netanyahu said, pledging to fight rising antisemitism amid what he described as an organized campaign. 'When we began the great return to our land,' he said, 'the first thing Israel did was create an army. God helps those who help themselves.' 'We do not bow down. We do not surrender. We win,' Netanyahu concluded. This report is auto-generated from ANI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. Also Read: Trump says Israel has agreed to 60-day ceasefire on Gaza, urges Hamas to accept the deal
