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Tag: Israel

  • Merkel denounces attack on Israel

    Merkel denounces attack on Israel

    Former German chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday, condemned the unprecedented, multi-front attack launched by the militant group Hamas against Israel.

    In a statement, Merkel said “I condemn the attacks by Hamas on the state of Israel in the strongest possible terms.

    “My thoughts and solidarity are with the Israeli people and the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,” said Merkel, a centre-right politician who led Germany from 2005 to 2021.

    Current Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged Germany’s support in a phone call with Netanyahu on Sunday. His government also said that Germany’s humanitarian aid for Palestinians will also be reviewed.

  • WAR: Seven interesting facts about Israel – Palestine crisis

    WAR: Seven interesting facts about Israel – Palestine crisis

    Hamas

    Hamas is an Islamist militant group in Palestine which rules the Gaza Strip. The group has been at war with Israel since it took power in 2027.

    After winning the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections, Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007 following a violent conflict with its rival, Fatah. Since then, Hamas has been the de facto authority in Gaza, while Fatah governs the West Bank.

    Hamas has fired or allowed other groups to fire thousands of rockets at Israel, and carried out other deadly attacks. Israel has also repeatedly attacked Hamas with air strikes, and, together with Egypt, has blockaded the Gaza Strip since 2007 in what it says is for its security.

    The United States, the European Union and the UK, as well as other powers have labelled Hamas a terrorist group.

    However, there are reports that Hamas has the backing, of Iran. It’s believed that Iran funds  and provides weapons and training for the group.

    Gaza Strip

    The Gaza Strip is a 41km (25-mile) long and 10km-wide territory between Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea. It is home to about 2.3 million people and has one of the highest population densities in the world.

    Governed by Hamas, the territory is largely cut off from the rest of the world by an Israeli blockade of Gaza’s land, air and sea dating back to 2007. Egypt controls Gaza’s southern border crossing, Rafah. Israel has placed heavy restrictions on the freedom of civilian movement and controls the importation of basic goods into the narrow coastal strip.

    Israel controls the air space over Gaza and its shoreline and restricts who and what goods are allowed in and out through its border crossings. Similarly, Egypt controls who passes in and out through its border with Gaza.

     Israel largely provides and controls Gaza’s water supply, electricity and communications infrastructure

     

    Disput Between Israel and Palestine

    Fighting between the two sides has surged in the last two years. The violence has been driven by frequent Israeli military raids in Palestinian towns and cities, which Israel has said are a necessary response to a rising number of attacks by Palestinian militants on Israelis.

    The West Bank and Gaza, which are known as the Palestinian territories, as well as East Jerusalem and Israel all formed part of land known as Palestine since Roman times.

    These were also the lands of Jewish kingdoms in the Bible, and are seen by Jews as their ancient homeland.

    Palestine enjoys partial recognition as a nation states whilst Israel is given recognition as a state in the United Natons.

    Israel was declared a state in 1948, though the land is still referred to as Palestine by those who do not recognise Israel’s right to exist. Palestinians also use the name Palestine as an umbrella term for the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.

    There is constant tension between Israel and Hamas, but the attack by the militants on Saturday came without warning. Hamas fired thousands of rockets at Israel while dozens of fighters breached the border and invaded Israeli communities, killing dozens of civilians and taking others captive.

    Israel launched immediate air strikes, saying it was targeting militant sites in Gaza.

    Renewed Hostilities

    Shocked Israelis woke on the last day of the Jewish high holidays to the wail of sirens as Hamas and Islamic Jihad fired thousands of rockets from Gaza and armed militants broke down the hi-tech barriers surrounding the strip to enter Israel, shooting and taking hostages. Militants in boats also tried to enter Israel by sea.

    It was a staggering and unprecedented offensive by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and a catastrophic intelligence failure by Israel – and both will have long-lasting repercussions and consequences. The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, declared that Israel was at war and that Palestinians would pay a heavy price.

    Militants infiltrated Jewish communities near the border with Gaza, killing and seizing civilians and soldiers. Unverified videos showed terrified Israelis covered in blood, and with hands tied behind their backs, being taken by Palestinian gunmen. Many people rushed to safe rooms in their homes as the carnage unfolded around them.

    Hundreds of young people at an all-night dance festival in southern Israel found themselves under fire. “They were going tree by tree and shooting. Everywhere. From two sides. I saw people were dying all around,” said one survivor. Authorities later said that 260 bodies had been recovered.

    By nightfall on Saturday, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) estimated there were still 200-300 Palestinian militants inside Israel. There were eight “points of engagement” where the IDF was trying to regain control from militants.

    Israel has indicated it may launch a ground invasion, although this would carry huge risks both for IDF troops and for Israeli hostages being held in the territory.

    Israel has cut off electricity and fuel supplies to Gaza, which may soon affect the strip’s medical facilities that are already under extreme pressure from people injured in the bombardment.

    Reasons for Hostilities

    The exact reasons for the attack are not clear, but there has been growing violence for months between Israeli soldiers and settlers and Palestinians in the West Bank. Armed settlers have attacked Palestinian villages; militants in the West Bank have attacked soldiers and settlers, and there have been repeated IDF raids on Palestinian cities.

    Declaration of War

    Israel has formally declared war on Hamas, setting the stage for a major military operation in Gaza as fighting continues to rage on Israeli soil.

    Tanks and personnel carriers could be seen on the move near the Israel-Gaza border on Sunday, after Hamas – an Islamist militant group – launched an unprecedented and highly coordinated surprise assault this weekend that has so far killed over 700 Israelis.

    Saturday was the deadliest day in decades for Israel and came after months of surging violence between Palestinians and Israelis, with the long-running conflict now heading into uncharted and dangerous new territory.

    Netanyahu vows revenge after surprise Hamas attack

    Israel Prime Minister, Netanyahu told his stunned nation in a televised address that the war against the militant group Hamas will “take time.”

    Israel has carried out a number of airstrikes in Gaza and has clashed with gunmen at the border fence around the coastal territory.

    Netanyahu said the Israeli military will use all of its strength to destroy Hamas’ capabilities. He also vowed to extract a heavy price if “even a single hair” is harmed on the Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity.

     

    TNG with additional information from BBC, Al Jazeera

  • War: Nigerian government takes position on crisis between Israel and Hamas

    War: Nigerian government takes position on crisis between Israel and Hamas

    The Federal Government of Nigeria on Saturday took a position on the latest crisis between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas’ militant group.

    Nigeria has called for the de-escalation of the crisis, saying there should be ceasefire.

    The Federal Government, in a statement signed by Amb. Yusuf M. Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said Nigeria is deeply concerned about the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in the early hours of Saturday.

    The cycle of violence and retaliation that the current escalation has assumed, only serves to perpetuate an unending cycle of pain and suffering for the civilian population that bears the brunt of every conflict.

    “The Federal Government of Nigeria, therefore, calls on both sides to exercise restraint, prioritize the safety of civilians and give room for humanitarian considerations.

    “We are therefore calling for a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue,” the statement said.

  • Saudi Arabia, UN, Biden speak on ongoing war between Palestine, Israel

    Saudi Arabia, UN, Biden speak on ongoing war between Palestine, Israel

    The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has issued a statement expressing regret over the ongoing war between Israel and Palestine.

    The country has called for a de-escalation of the crisis

    The early hours of Saturday, the Palestinian militant group, the Hamas launched an unprecedented and offensive attack by infiltrating Israel.

    The attack has resulted in the confirmed deaths of over hundreds of people in Israel, with over a hundred others currently receiving medical treatment in hospitals.

    In response, Israeli forces have carried out retaliatory strikes in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of nearly 200 people.

    In a statement made available in the media earlier, the Hamas military commander, Mohammed Deif, claimed that the attacks were a reprisal for Israel’s alleged “desecration” of the Al-Agsa Mosque in Jerusalem and the killing and injuring of hundreds of Palestinians this year. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia has stated that it is closely monitoring the situation.

    Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has, however, noted that it is monitoring developments closely.

    The Kingdom calls for an immediate halt to the escalation between the two sides, the protection of civilians, and restraint,” the statement reads.

    It added: “The Kingdom recalls its repeated warnings of the dangers of the explosion of the situation as a result of the continued occupation, the deprivation of the Palestinian people of their legitimate rights, and the repetition of systematic provocations against its sanctities.

    “The Kingdom renews the call of the international community to assume its responsibilities and activate a credible peace process that leads to the two-state solution to achieve security and peace in the region and protect civilians.”

    Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN) has condemned the attack by Hamas, adding that the body is worried about civilians caught in the crossfire.

    In a statement released after Hamas’ attack and the following reprisal, the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, said: “Civilians must be respected and protected in accordance with international humanitarian law at all times,” the statement reads.

    “The Secretary-General extends his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and calls for the immediate release of all abducted persons.

    “The Secretary-General urges all diplomatic efforts to avoid a wider conflagration. He stresses that violence cannot provide a solution to the conflict, and that only through negotiation leading to a two-state solution can peace be achieved.”

    Also, US President Joe Biden, in a post on X, expressed support for Israel and sent his condolences to families who have lost loved ones.

    “Today, I spoke with the Israeli prime minister about the appalling Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel,” Biden said.

  • Israel: Thousands march as former officials appeal for Netanyahu to halt Judicial overhaul

    Israel: Thousands march as former officials appeal for Netanyahu to halt Judicial overhaul

    Tens of thousands of protesters marched into Jerusalem on Saturday evening in a last-ditch show of force aimed at blocking Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s contentious judicial overhaul, as more than 100 of Israel’s former security chiefs signed a letter pleading with the Israeli premier to halt the legislation.

    In scorching heat that reached 33 degrees Celsius, 91 degrees Fahrenheit, the procession turned the city’s main highway into a sea of blue and white Israeli flags as marchers completed the last leg of a four-day, 70 kilometer, 45-mile, trek from Tel Aviv to Israel’s parliament.

    The marchers, who spent the last three nights along the way in rows of small white tents, were welcomed in Jerusalem by throngs of cheering protesters. They planned to camp outside the Knesset, or parliament, ahead of Monday’s expected vote. Meanwhile, tens of thousands flooded the streets of the coastal city of Tel Aviv, the country’s main hub.

    Netanyahu and his far-right allies claim the overhaul is needed to curb what they say are the excessive powers of unelected judges. But their critics say the plan will destroy the country’s system of checks and balances and put it on the path toward authoritarian rule.

    The proposed overhaul has drawn harsh criticism from business and medical leaders, and a fast-rising number of military reservists in key units have said they will stop reporting for duty if the plan passes, raising concern that the country’s security interests could be threatened.

    Over 100 top former security chiefs, including retired military commanders, police commissioners and heads of intelligence agencies joined those calls on Saturday, signing a letter to Netanyahu blaming him for compromising Israel’s military and urging him to halt the legislation. The signatories included Ehud

    Barak, a former Israeli prime minister, and Moshe Yaalon, a former army chief and defense minister. Both are political rivals of Netanyahu.

    “The legislation is crushing those things shared by Israeli society, is tearing the people apart, disintegrating the IDF and inflicting fatal blows on Israel’s security,” they wrote.

    “The legislative process violates the social contract that has existed for 75 years between the Israeli government and thousands of reserve officers and soldiers from the land, air, sea, and intelligence branches who have volunteered for many years for the reserves to defend the democratic state of Israel, and now announce with a broken heart that they are suspending their volunteer service,” the letter said.

    After seven straight months of the most sustained and intense demonstrations the country has ever seen, the grassroots protest movement has reached a fever pitch.

    The parliament is expected to vote Monday on a measure that would prevent the Supreme Court judges from striking down government decisions on the basis that they are “unreasonable.”

    Proponents say the current “reasonability” standard gives the judges excessive powers over decision making by elected officials. But critics say that removing the standard, which is invoked only in rare cases, would allow the government to pass arbitrary decisions, make improper appointments or firings and open the door to corruption.

    Monday’s vote would mark the first major piece of legislation to be approved.

    The overhaul also calls for other sweeping changes aimed at curbing the powers of the judiciary, from limiting the Supreme Court’s ability to challenge parliamentary decisions, to changing the way judges are selected.

    Protesters, who make up a wide swath of Israeli society, see the overhaul as a power grab fueled by various personal and political grievances by Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption charges, and his partners, who want to deepen Israel’s control of the occupied West Bank and perpetuate controversial draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men.

    In a speech Thursday, Netanyahu doubled down on the overhaul and dismissed as absurd the accusations that the plan would destroy Israel’s democratic foundations.

    “This is an attempt to mislead you over something that has no basis in reality,” he said. Alarmed by the growing mass of reservists refusing to serve, the country’s defense minister, Yoav Gallant, pushed for a delay in Monday’s vote, according to reports in Israeli media. It was unclear if others would join him.

     

  • Chaos in West Bank as Israeli settlers riot after deadly attack

    Chaos in West Bank as Israeli settlers riot after deadly attack

    Angry Israeli settlers have rioted against Palestinians in the West Bank after a deadly attack on Israelis there.

    Dozens of settlers set fire to shops, vehicles, fields, a petrol station, and olive trees, Israeli media reported on Wednesday.

    In addition, dozens of settlers returned to the Evyatar settlement outpost, which was vacated two years ago, in response to the attack.

    Two Palestinian attackers had killed four Israelis and wounded four others near an Israeli settlement in the West Bank on Tuesday.

    They opened fire on a petrol station and a neighbouring restaurant not far from Eli. Both attackers were subsequently killed.

    The Islamist Hamas movement, which controls the Gaza Strip, said they belonged to the military arm of the organisation.

    Hamas called the attack a reaction to Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

    It also referred to a military operation in Jenin on Monday in which six Palestinians were kille – some of them militants.

    The death toll in Jenin rose to seven after a 15-year-old girl succumbed to her injuries, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

    Jenin is considered a stronghold of Palestinian militants.

    Violent confrontations with the Israeli military are a daily occurrence in the city.

    The army has been conducting more raids in the West Bank since a series of attacks on Israelis.

    Since the beginning of the year, 133 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military operations, confrontations, or following attacks of their own.

    In the same period, 22 Israelis, one Ukrainian, and one Italian were killed in attacks.

    Israel took control of the West Bank and East Jerusalem during the 1967 Six-Day War.

    Palestinians claim the territories for their own state.

  • Israel send Brazil out of U20 FIFA World Cup in historic win

    Israel send Brazil out of U20 FIFA World Cup in historic win

    An exquisite solo goal scored by Dor Turgeman saw debutants Israel come from behind to defeat five-time champions Brazil 3-2 in an instant FIFA U-20 World Cup classic.

    Israel will now play the USA-Uruguay winners in the semi-finals in La Plata, while A Seleção will have to pack their bags for the journey home.

    Israel had the better of the first half, but Brazil had its best chance following fine play from Savio down the right, Marquinhos’s effort from the back post, yards out, was kept out by the leg of Tomer Zarfati.

    Marcos Leonardo’s excellent strike with his weaker left foot put Brazil ahead at the start of the second in the 56th minute.

    But Anan Khalaili equalised with the header of the tournament, barely four minutes later in the 60th minute.

    Kaique then pulled off a superb save to deny Turgeman and send the game to extra time.

    Extra time held more drama and goals than an average 90-minute match.

    Andrey Santos’s exquisite flick set up Matheus Nascimento to restore Brazil’s lead in the 91st minute.

    But Hamza Shibli turned a cross in at the back post immediately to level things up again in the 93rd minute.

    The decisive moment came at the end of the first half of extra time when Turgeman dribbled through Brazil’s defence before unleashing an unstoppable curler past Kaique in the 105th minute.

    An incredible second period of extra time saw Israel fail to score from the penalty spot twice, but Ofir Haim’s side were able to hold on and complete an historic victory.

    The result meant Israel became the first debutants to reach the semi-finals of a FIFA U-20 World Cup in eight years, since Senegal achieved the feat in 2015.

  • Argentina 2023: Israel dump Brazil out of U-20 World Cup

    Argentina 2023: Israel dump Brazil out of U-20 World Cup

    Debutant Israel came from behind to defeat five-time champions Brazil 3-2 in their 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup quarter-final tie on Saturday night.

    A tightly contested encounter saw Israel come back from behind twice before grabbing the shock victory through Dor Turgeman’s brilliant solo strike. The Israelis will face either Uruguay or the United States in the semi-finals.

    Marcos Leonardo’s excellent strike with his weaker left foot put Brazil ahead at the start of the second, but Anan Khalaili equalized with the header of this tournament.

    After a scoreless first half at the Bicentenario stadium, Brazil, five-times winners of the tournament, broke through in the 56th minute on Marcos Leonardo’s superbly-taken, first-time left-foot shot.

    Anan Khalaili brought Israel level, rising at the back post to angle home a header from a pinpoint El Yam Kancepolski cross in the 60th minute, delighting a largely pro-Israel crowd in the stands.

    But Israel’s hopes dimmed just 20 seconds into extra time, when Andrey Santos set up Matheus Nascimento to restore Brazil’s lead.

    Just two minutes later, however, Hamza Shibli equalized, tapping in a low ball from Ilay Feingold at the back post to make it 2-2.

    The decisive goal came, near the end of the first period of extra-time, when Turgeman collected the ball on the edge of the box, jinked cleverly past two defenders and then fired past Kaique Pereira.

     

     

  • Iran reacts as Israel attacks Islamic Jihad in Gaza, killing 13

    Iran reacts as Israel attacks Islamic Jihad in Gaza, killing 13

    Thirteen people were killed after Israel attacked targets of the militant Palestinian organisation Islamic Jihad, according to officials on Tuesday.

    The Palestinian Health Ministry said the dead included four women and four children in the strikes on Gaza and Rafah.

    Russians Jamal Khaswan and his wife and son were also among those killed in Israeli air strikes on Gaza, according to the Russian mission in the West Bank.

    About 30 Palestinians were injured, some of them critically, the ministry said.

    Militant groups said they would retaliate.

    Israel’s army justified the operation by citing rocket attacks from Gaza on the Israeli border area in recent weeks.

    The Israeli army said the three militants were Chalil Bahitini, a commander in the northern part of the Gaza Strip who was responsible for recent rocket attacks on Israel.

    Jahed Ahnam, head of the military council and Tarek Az Aldin, coordinated the attacks in the West Bank.

    UN envoy, Tor Wennesland, condemned the civilian deaths as unacceptable.

    “I urge all concerned to exercise maximum restraint to avoid an escalation.

    “We must be prepared for every scenario – the IDF and security forces are prepared to defend every front,” Israeli Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, said.

    The military was ordered to prepare for a possible mobilisation of reservists.

    The opposition backed the Israeli government’s deployment.

    The U.S. was informed about the plans, according to media reports.

    Several Arab countries, including Egypt and Jordan, condemned the Israeli attacks.

    Civilians in southern Israel were ordered to stay near a designated shelter until Wednesday.

    Border crossings with Gaza were closed and regional rail traffic was restricted.

    According to eyewitnesses, the Gaza region saw little traffic, while schools, universities and all ministries and public services were closed.

    Amid fears of escalation, Managing Director of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), Tamir Hayman, has said.

    “As far as Israel is concerned, Hamas is not the target of the operation but the main question that will determine the intensity of this conflict and its duration is whether or not Hamas will join the campaign.’’

    Israeli news site Ynet reported that Israel had sent a message to Hamas that they were not targeted.

    A Hamas spokesman said that the Palestinian people know how to respond to the crime of the targeted killing of Jihad members and attack the occupying power.

    A Jihad spokesperson said that Israel had ignored all the initiatives of the mediators.

    In August last year, Israel killed jihadi military chief, Chalid Mansur, in an air strike.

    Two other jihad members were killed, including Mansur’s deputy.

    At that time, there were massive rocket attacks from the Palestinian territory and further Israeli air strikes.

    An Egyptian-brokered ceasefire came into effect three days later.

    The latest tensions stem from the death of Khader Adnan a week ago.

    The senior member of the Islamic Jihad movement died after spending almost three months on hunger strike in an Israeli jail.

    The Gaza Strip is home to more than two million people living in very poor conditions, while Hamas seized power in the Palestinian territory by force in 2007.

    In response, Israel tightened a blockade of the coastal area, which was supported by Egypt.

    The U.S., the EU and Israel classify Hamas and Islamic Jihad as terrorist organisations.

    Both groups were committed to the destruction of Israel.

    Islamic Jihad, however, was seen as more radical than Hamas.

    Iran strongly condemns Israel’s airstrikes on Gaza Strip

    The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman on Tuesday strongly condemned the Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip earlier in the day.

    In a statement posted on the ministry’s website, Nasser Kanaani highlighted the necessity of an immediate, effective, deterrent and coordinated action by Muslim states to stop Israel’s crimes.

    After the Israeli attack on Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) militants in the Gaza Strip that killed at least 13 people, including women, children and three senior PIJ military leaders, and injured at least 20 others.

    Kanaani said the Israeli offensive was aimed at diverting public opinion away from Israel’s very shaky and critical domestic situation.

    The spokesman added that the silence and inaction of Western countries and relevant international organisations in the face of Israel’s recent escalation of tensions with the Palestinian people had greatly emboldened Israelis to continue their crimes.

    On Tuesday, Israeli fighter jets and unmanned drones carried out simultaneous and surprising airstrikes against buildings and apartments that host senior PIJ military leaders in the Gaza Strip.

    The Israeli military said in a statement that three PIJ leaders were killed in the airstrikes.

    They were identified by the PIJ as Khalil Bahitini, the commander of the Al-Quds Brigades in the northern Gaza Strip, Tariq Izz al-Din.

    The spokesperson for the movement who also managed retaliatory operations in the West Bank and Gaza, and Jihad al-Ghannam, secretary of the movement’s military council said.

    The airstrikes came less than a week after over 100 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel following the death of PIJ official Khader Adnan.

    Adnan, who had been on hunger strike for 86 days while under Israeli custody.

  • Israel launches airstrike on Gaza, Lebanon

    Israel launches airstrike on Gaza, Lebanon

    The Israeli military has launched airstrikes on Lebanon early Friday morning.

    Loud blasts rocked different areas of Gaza, as Israel said its jets hit 10 targets including tunnels and weapons manufacturing and development sites of Hamas, which controls the blockaded southern coastal strip.

    The military said the attacks were a response to a barrage of 34 rockets fired from Lebanon into northern Israel on Thursday, which it blamed on Hamas.

    Tensions are high following two nights of Israeli police raids at the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem earlier this week.

    The raids triggered violent confrontations with Palestinians inside the mosque, which is the third holiest site in Islam, and caused anger across the region.

    The development has further escalated violence at Jerusalem holy site this week.

    The Israeli military was yet to provide information about its intended targets in Lebanon. It however said it targeted tunnels and weapon sites in the Gaza Strip.

    The current wave of violence started Wednesday during an incident at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem’s Old City, where some worshipers gathered.

    However, a member of Lebanon’s Civil Defense at the scene on Friday morning said there were no casualties.

    In its reaction to the airstrikes in Lebanon,  the U.S. State Department condemned the launch of rockets from Lebanon and earlier strikes from Gaza and said Israel had the right to defend itself.