CEASING MILITARY AID
Trump says US will stop $4 billion military aid to Israel at end of 2026
US President Donald Trump said Washington would end its annual $4 billion military aid to Israel after 2026 under an agreement with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump said Israel no longer needed the funding, while adding that the US would continue to provide assistance if the country required it.
No power, no water and winter approaching: How Melania Trump got involved in rescuing Ukraine’s forgotten city after weeks of unusual negotiations
Oleshky residents have been facing critical shortages of basic supplies due to prolonged conflict and occupation. A temporary ceasefire is scheduled to start soon, allowing for humanitarian assistance delivery and civilian evacuations. US First Lady Melania Trump played a significant role in facilitating this agreement between Russia and Ukraine. The success of this ceasefire will depend on proper implementation and safe transport of aid.
Ukrainian negotiator says local humanitarian ceasefire with Russia will start on Tuesday
A ceasefire in the Kherson region of Ukraine will commence to enable humanitarian efforts in Oleshky. Melania Trump has played a crucial role in organizing aid delivery and civilian evacuations. The agreement was reached between Ukrainian, Russian and US negotiators ahead of the mission. Civilians in Oleshky are facing dire conditions with limited food and medical supplies. Safety measures for the mission will include mine clearance and secure evacuation routes.
Trump's diesel deal with Putin draws criticism from a frustrated Congress
Donald Trump recently announced a controversial agreement with Vladimir Putin to import Russian diesel to the U.S. The deal has drawn bipartisan criticism due to its implications on the ongoing war in Ukraine. Lawmakers have urged Trump to reverse course, citing legal concerns over U.S. sanctions against Russia. Despite the backlash, Trump remains firm in his position, blaming Ukraine for rising diesel prices.
On September 2, 1945, two Japanese officials signed the surrender document in a 23-minute ceremony. They were later convicted of war crimes
The formal end of Japan's war took place on September 2, 1945, during a historic signing ceremony aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. This pivotal surrender marked the culmination of years of brutal conflict, with different nations commemorating this date in varying ways each year. Following the surrender, Japan underwent a seven-year occupation by the U.S., eventually leading to strengthened relations and development aid initiatives across Asia.
AP-NORC poll finds Democrats and Republicans split on Israel's responsibility for war's escalation
A new poll reveals that about half of American voters are extremely worried about the possibility of an all-out regional war in the Middle East, although fewer believe the U.S. will be drawn into war. There's significant partisan divide over the blame for the conflict's escalation, with broader support for sanctions on Iran than for sending U.S. troops to aid Israel.
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Israel's army says it will pause daytime fighting along a route in southern Gaza to help flow of aid
The army said that the daily pause would begin at 8 a.m. (0500 GMT) and last until 7 p.m. (1600 GMT) and continue until further notice. It's aimed at allowing aid trucks to reach the nearby Israel-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing, the main entry point, and travel safely to the Salah a-Din highway, a main north-south road, the military said. The crossing has had a bottleneck since Israeli ground troops moved into Rafah in early May.
Eight Israeli soldiers killed in southern Gaza
Last month, Israel’s Supreme Court ordered an end to government subsidies for many ultra-Orthodox men who don’t serve in the army. A new draft law hasn't been passed, but the coalition of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week voted in favor of extending exemptions for religious men. Although the vote was only procedural, it caused an uproar by being approved during a war in which hundreds of soldiers have died and many others remain inside Gaza or on the front lines against Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.
Heavy fighting in Gaza's Rafah keeps aid crossings closed and sends 110,000 civilians fleeing
The World Food Program will run out of food for distribution in southern Gaza by Saturday, said Georgios Petropoulos, an official with the U.N. Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Rafah. Aid groups have said fuel will also be depleted soon, forcing hospitals to shut down critical operations and bringing to a halt trucks delivering aid across south and central Gaza.
Israel says it reopened a key Gaza crossing after a rocket attack but the UN says no aid has entered
The Israeli military reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza after days of closure, but no humanitarian aid has entered yet, and there is no one to receive it on the Palestinian side after workers fled during Israel's military incursion. The closure, prompted by a Hamas rocket attack that killed four Israeli soldiers, has raised concerns about aid operations in Gaza. The U.S. paused a bomb shipment to Israel last week over fears of a full-scale assault on Rafah, further straining U.S.-Israel relations.
Israeli forces seize Rafah crossing in Gaza, threatening aid and putting cease-fire talks on edge
Israeli tank brigade seizes Gaza's Rafah crossing during intense cease-fire talks, impacting aid and escalating conflict. UN warns of collapse. Hospital evacuation and hostage release demands add complexity. Egypt's condemnation raises tensions.
Israeli forces take control of the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing with Egypt
Israeli forces have seized control of the Gaza side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, escalating tensions amid ceasefire negotiations with Hamas. The move, involving the 401st Brigade, aims to prevent terrorist activities at the crossing. Despite Hamas accepting a cease-fire proposal, Israel rejected it for not meeting core demands. The development raises concerns about further conflict escalation and its impact on Gaza's already dire humanitarian situation.
Israel closes Gaza crossing after Hamas attack and vows military operation 'in the very near future'
Israel closes Gaza crossing, hindering ceasefire efforts after Hamas attack. Defence minister hints at Rafah operation. UN warns of famine. Cabinet approves Al Jazeera shutdown. Netanyahu downplays hopes due to Hamas' extreme demands and ongoing conflict.
An Israeli airstrike in Gaza kills 3 sons and 4 grandchildren of Hamas' top leader
Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed three sons and four grandchildren of Hamas' top political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, escalating tensions during delicate cease-fire negotiations. Hamas accused Israel of revenge, while Israel claimed the deceased were Hamas operatives. The strikes may hinder peace talks and come amid international pressure, particularly from the U.S., for Israel to change its approach in Gaza. Despite the tragedy, Hamas vowed to stand firm. The conflict has devastated Gaza, prompting urgent calls for humanitarian aid.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu vows to carry out Rafah invasion, which US says would be a mistake
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to invade the southern Gaza city of Rafah, despite international opposition. He claims Rafah is Hamas' last stronghold in Gaza and believes a ground operation there is essential for victory. However, the international community, including the US, warns that the operation could endanger the roughly 1.4 million civilians seeking shelter in Rafah. Israel insists it has a plan to protect civilians. Netanyahu's statement comes as Israeli negotiators discuss cease-fire efforts with Hamas in Cairo.
Aid group says Israeli strike kills 7 of its workers in Gaza, including foreigners
Footage showed the bodies of the dead at a hospital in the central Gaza town of Deir al-Balah. Several of them wore protective gear with the charity's logo. Those killed include three from Britain, one from Australia, one from Poland, and a U.S. and Canadian dual citizen, according to hospital records.
UN chief Antonio Guterres says it's time to 'truly flood' Gaza with aid and calls starvation there an outrage
"Any further onslaught will make things even worse - worse for Palestinian civilians, worse for hostages and worse for all people in the region," Guterres said. He spoke a day after the UN Security Council failed to reach consensus on the wording of a U.S.-sponsored resolution supporting "an immediate and sustained cease-fire." Guterres repeatedly noted the difficulties of getting aid into Gaza, for which international aid agencies have largely blamed Israel.
Israel launches another raid on Gaza's main hospital, charging that Hamas has regrouped there
Israeli forces conducted a raid on Gaza's largest hospital, Shifa, citing the presence of Hamas militants who allegedly fired from within the compound. Tens of thousands of people, including patients and staff, are sheltering there. The EU's top diplomat accused Israel of obstructing aid delivery to Gaza, contributing to a man-made famine. The Israeli army released videos showing militants firing from the hospital. Hospitals in Gaza are struggling due to fuel and medical supply shortages amid ongoing Israeli strikes, with over 31,000 Palestinians killed in the conflict.
Israel strikes across Gaza as US says it will block another cease-fire resolution at UN
Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have killed at least 18 people, as the US plans to veto another draft UN cease-fire resolution. The US hopes to broker a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected international calls for a pathway to Palestinian statehood. The conflict has resulted in a high number of civilian casualties and has severely impacted Gaza's healthcare system.
UN chief calls for resumed funding of Palestinian aid agency after allegations of militant ties
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urges countries to resume funding for UNRWA, the main aid agency in Gaza, amid accusations that a dozen of its employees participated in a Hamas attack on Israel. Guterres warns of scaling back aid to over 2 million Palestinians by February, emphasizing the dire humanitarian crisis. The US and eight other countries, comprising nearly 60% of UNRWA's budget, have suspended funding. Meanwhile, progress is reported in US-brokered cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas, aiming for a two-month halt to the deadly conflict.
Blinken meets Jordan's king and foreign minister on Mideast push to keep Gaza war from spreading
Jordan and other Arab states have been highly critical of Israel's actions and have eschewed public support for long-term planning, arguing that the fighting must end before such discussions can begin. They have been demanding a cease-fire since mid-October as civilian casualties began to skyrocket. Israel has refused and the U.S. has instead called for specified temporary "humanitarian pauses" to allow aid to get in and people to get to safety.
Israel faces new calls for truce after killing of hostages raises alarm about its conduct in Gaza
Israel faces European calls for a Gaza war ceasefire after mistaken killings and intense conflict. The war's impact on Gaza includes vast destruction, displacements, and dire humanitarian conditions, prompting appeals for aid and truce. France, UK, and Germany urge immediate cease-fire for hostage release and aid. The US Defense Secretary's visit aims to discuss scaling down operations. The conflict escalates amid civilian casualties, renewed pressure for peace talks, and global scrutiny over military actions and civilian harm.
Israel and the US face growing isolation over Gaza as offensive grinds on with no end in sight
Israel and the United States found themselves increasingly isolated as global demands for a cease-fire in Gaza grew, with a non-binding vote expected to pass at the United Nations later on Tuesday. Despite international calls, Israel continued its offensive against Gaza's Hamas rulers, stating that the operation could extend for weeks or even months.
Hamas releases 12 more hostages, Israel frees 30 Palestinian prisoners on fifth day of temporary cease-fire
In the latest swap since the cease-fire began Friday, Israel said 10 of its citizens and two Thai nationals were freed by Hamas and had been returned to Israel. Soon after, Israel released 30 Palestinian prisoners. The truce is due to end after one more exchange Wednesday night.
US and Israel strike militias tied to Iran in reminder of risks in mideast
As Israel has pushed deeper into Gaza, the United States has been moving military assets, including fighter jets, missile defense systems, and an aircraft carrier, to the Middle East, to prevent a regional war that could drag U.S. forces into conflict with Iranian proxies in Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Syria. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said the United States is not seeking a broader conflict with Iran but would not hesitate to respond to attacks on U.S. soldiers.
Gaza needs billions in aid to reverse years of restrictions- UN trade body
A report from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) states that Gaza is in urgent need of billions of dollars in economic aid to compensate for years of restrictions that have hindered its economy. The report highlights the dire economic conditions in Gaza and emphasizes that aid should not be seen as a substitute for ending the restrictions and closures. The director of UNCTAD's division on globalization and development strategies estimates that Gaza would need billions of dollars in aid.
Israeli military strikes Hamas targets in Gaza Strip after militants fire rockets
In a statement, the military said fighter jets, attack helicopters and tanks hit Hamas underground infrastructure and military posts. It said two rockets were launched into Israel, with one reaching the southern Israeli city of Ashdod and the other stretching into central Israel.
US should stop being manipulated by Pakistan: ex-Pentagon official Christopher D Kolenda
"Let's stop being manipulated by Pakistan. It's time for the United States to restore dignity in its relationship with Pakistan," he said in the opinion piece published in The Hill.
LTTE declares unilateral cease-fire
Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels have declared a unilateral cease-fire amid growing concern for thousands of civilians trapped amid the fighting.
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