Tag: Hamas

A ‘new front’ in Hamas war depends on Israel’s actions, says Iran

BAGHDAD, Oct 12, 2023 (AFP) – Iran’s foreign minister, whose government supports Hamas and other Middle East militant groups, said on Thursday opening a “new front” against Israel would depend on Israel’s actions in Gaza. Although Tehran has been a long-term backer of Hamas, Iranian officials have been adamant that the country had no involvement in the militants’ attack against its arch enemy Israel on Saturday. Nevertheless, the United States fears the opening of a […]

Tears and trauma as Thai evacuees return from Israel

BANGKOK, Oct 12, 2023 (AFP) – The first flight of Thai evacuees fleeing the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas landed in Bangkok on Thursday, with several recounting harrowing escapes as they were reunited with tearful family members. Worried families gathered at the airport hours before the arrival of a flight carrying 41 Thais, including 15 evacuees, who were flown out with assistance from their country’s diplomats. Around 30,000 Thais work in Israel, […]

UK deploys military to eastern Mediterranean to support Israel: PM office

LONDON, Oct 12, 2023 (AFP) – The British government will send two Royal Navy ships and surveillance aircraft to the eastern Mediterranean to support Israel, the prime minister’s office said Thursday. “Alongside our allies, the deployment of our world class military will support efforts to ensure regional stability and prevent further escalation,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement. “Our military and diplomatic teams across the region will also support international partners to re-establish […]

Israel ’emergency government’ sworn in

JERUSALEM, Oct 12, 2023 (AFP) – Israeli lawmakers on Thursday endorsed an expanded “emergency government”, parliament said, a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a war-time partnership with a rival. Benny Gantz and four members of his party were sworn in as ministers without portfolio, in parliament shortly after the 66-4 vote. Netanyahu, dressed in black, told parliament ahead of the vote that “the unity we are establishing sends a message of great force”, […]

Blinken to visit Qatar Friday to discuss Hamas: US official

JERUSALEM, Oct 12, 2023 (AFP) – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Doha later this week to discuss Hamas with Qatari leaders amid a devastating war between Israel and the militant group. “Tomorrow, Secretary Blinken will travel to Qatar to meet with senior officials there,” a US official said Thursday. A source with knowledge of the visit told AFP that Blinken’s discussions would “focus on joint Qatari-US efforts to secure the release […]

US ‘always by your side’, Blinken tells Israel in war with Hamas

By Shaun Tandon with Adel Zaannoun in Gaza City TEL AVIV, Oct 12, 2023 (AFP) – Secretary of State Antony Blinken vowed unwavering US support for Israel in its war on Hamas during a visit Thursday but said the Palestinians also have “legitimate aspirations” not represented by the Islamists. Hamas gunmen killed 1,200 people in Israel and took about 150 hostages in their surprise onslaught from Gaza on Saturday. Israel has retaliated by raining air […]

Israeli artillery fires on Gaza every 30 seconds

By Patrick Anidjar NETIVOT, Israel, Oct 12, 2023 (AFP) – Like clockwork, every 30 seconds Israeli artillery goes into action against a barely visible target somewhere in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. Israel has vowed to “crush” Hamas after gunmen from the Palestinian Islamist group stormed across the border and killed 1,200 people — the deadliest attack on the country since it was founded 75 years ago. Six days since the offensive took Israel by surprise, […]

Hamas waging propaganda war on Israel with shocking videos: experts

By Célia LEBUR PARIS, Oct 10, 2023 (AFP) – A grandmother’s death live streamed, fighters announcing to Israelis their relatives have been killed or humiliating hostage videos show Hamas’s determination to use social media propaganda alongside violence, experts say. Mor Bayder’s phone didn’t buzz on Saturday morning — her grandmother’s routine call to ask if she was awake. Instead, she discovered her grandmother’s “brutal murder” during the Hamas attack on a village bordering the Gaza […]

Israel retakes Gaza border zones from Hamas as war toll mounts

By Adel Zaanoun, with Rosie Scammell in Jerusalem GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories, Oct 11, 2023 (AFP) – Israel said it recaptured Gaza border areas from Hamas on Tuesday, the fourth day of fierce fighting that has left thousands dead on both sides since the militants launched a surprise attack. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Israel’s military campaign following Saturday’s onslaught is only the start of a sustained war to destroy Hamas and “change the […]

Pres. Biden condemns ‘sheer evil’ of Hamas attacks on Israel

By Danny KEMP WASHINGTON, Oct 10, 2023 (AFP) – President Joe Biden condemned the attacks by Hamas on US ally Israel as “sheer evil” in an emotional speech Tuesday and said Washington is ready to deploy more military assets to the region. The Palestinian militant group had carried out atrocities including murders of entire families and rapes of women, an indignant Biden said from the White House, also mentioning “stomach-turning reports of babies being killed.” […]

‘My heart dropped’: families fear for Thais held by Hamas

By Montira Rungjirajittranon and Chayanit Itthipongmaetee BANGKOK, Oct 10, 2023 (AFP) – The families of Thai labourers held hostage by Hamas spoke Tuesday of their fears for their safety, after the Palestinian militant group threatened to execute civilian captives in its war with Israel. At least 18 Thais have been killed and 11 seized since Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on Saturday. Hamas dragged off around 150 people as hostages in its attack, […]