Al Mayadeen – July 25, 2024
Day 293 of genocide: 39,175 killed, 90,403 injured by 'Israel'
"Israel" has murdered 30 Palestinians over the past 24 hours in Gaza, some of whose bodies are still trapped beneath the rubble.
The Health Ministry in Gaza's daily report updating the death toll resulting from the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza revealed that 39,175 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF), while 90,403 others have been injured, since October 7.
On the 293rd day of the genocide, the IOF committed three massacres against Palestinian civilians, killing 30 and injuring 146.
A number of victims are still trapped beneath the rubble, with rescue and civil defense teams unable to reach them.
The Government Media Office in Gaza declared earlier in June that 3,500 more children were at risk of dying from malnutrition and starvation, and 34 children had already starved to death.
This prompted the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to issue a dire warning over the effects of hunger on Palestinian mothers and children in Gaza as a result of "Israel's" genocide.
In an X post, it said: “According to doctors, it has become increasingly common for premature and low-weight babies to be born in Gaza”.
It added that “malnutrition poses a great danger to pregnant women and newborns, leading to an increase in stillbirths, low-weight babies, and children suffering from wasting and delayed growth," as it called for a ceasefire because it “is the solution to save their lives.”
Five rockets fired from Lebanon into northern Israel amid tension
Fears grow about full-fledged war between Israel, Hezbollah amid exchange of almost daily attacks
Five rockets were fired from Lebanon into northern Israel on Thursday amid growing tensions between Hezbollah and Tel Aviv, according to Israeli media.
Israeli Channel 12 said four rockets were fired on the Shtula settlement near the borders with Lebanon with one rocket hitting a house.
An anti-armor missile also hit a house in the Menara settlement, causing damage, the broadcaster said.
No injuries were reported in the rocket fire.
Fears have grown about a full-fledged war between Israel and Hezbollah amid an exchange of almost daily attacks.
The escalation comes against the backdrop of a deadly Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip, which has killed nearly 39,200 people since Oct. 7 last year following an attack by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas.
Netanyahu wants anti-Iran 'Abraham Alliance,' reiterates demand for 'total victory' in Gaza
'All countries that are at peace with Israel and all those countries who will make peace with Israel should be invited to join this alliance,' says Israeli leader
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used an address before a joint session of Congress on Wednesday to urge the creation of a regional anti-Iranian security pact that he dubbed the "Abraham Alliance."
Netanyahu told lawmakers that the world saw "a glimpse" of his proposed pact on April 14 when Arab states and the US intercepted a slew of Iranian missiles and drones bound for Israel that were launched by Tehran in retaliation for an earlier Israeli attack on Iran's Consulate in Damascus that killed senior military officials.
The alliance would be a "natural extension" of normalization agreements known as the "Abraham Accords" that Israel brokered with Arab states during the Trump administration, said Netanyahu.
"All countries that are at peace with Israel and all those countries who will make peace with Israel should be invited to join this alliance," he added in the address that drew repeated ovations from lawmakers with the notable exception of Rep. Rashida Tlaib who held up a two-sided black and white sign that read: "War criminal" and "Guilty of Genocide."
Turning to his war against the besieged Gaza Strip, Netanyahu reiterated his demands for "total victory," saying Israel would not stop until it is achieved.
"Give us the tools we need, and we will finish the job," said Netanyahu.
"Israel will fight until we destroy Hamas' military capabilities, and its rule in Gaza, and bring all our hostages home," he said. "That's what total victory means. And we will settle for nothing less."
Netanyahu also thanked President Joe Biden, saying "I want to thank him for half a century of friendship to Israel, and for being, as he says. A proud Zionist. Actually, he says, a proud Irish American Zionist."
Turning to the protests against Israeli attacks on Gaza, the prime minister said that many protesters "choose to stand with evil".
"They stand with Hamas... These protesters stand with them. They should be ashamed of themselves," said Netanyahu, and recalled an assessment of American intelligence that Iran was behind the protest in the US.
"I have a message for these protesters, when the tyrants of Tehran who hang gays from cranes and murder women for not covering their hair, are praising, promoting and funding you, you have officially become Iran's useful idiots," said Netanyahu.
He also took aim at International Criminal Court that said Israel was deliberately cutting off food to the people in Gaza.
"The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has shamefully accused Israel of deliberately starving the people of Gaza. This is utter, complete nonsense," said Netanyahu.
In his remarks, Netanyahu falsely claimed that Israel has enabled more than 40,000 aid trucks to enter Gaza, saying "That's half a million tons of food. And that's more than 3,000 calories for every man, woman and child in Gaza. If there are Palestinians in Gaza who aren't getting enough food, it's not because Israel is blocking it. It's because Hamas is stealing it."
However, the UN and international relief groups have repeatedly sounded the alarm at Israeli restrictions on the entry of humanitarian assistance, denials on forward movement once the convoys enter Gaza, and Israel's repeated attacks on convoys as they attempt to make badly-needed deliveries.
The Israeli prime minister also claimed that the lowest casualties are in Rafah.
"Despite all the lies you've heard, the war in Gaza has one of the lowest ratios of combatants to non-combatants casualties in the history of urban warfare,” he said. "You want to know where it's lowest in Gaza? It's lowest in Rafah."
He also said his vision for the Palestinian enclave is "a demilitarized and de-radicalized Gaza".
"Israel does not seek to resettle Gaza, but for the foreseeable future, we must retain overriding security control there to prevent the resurgence of terror, to ensure that Gaza, never again poses a threat to Israel," said Netanyahu.
Regarding the conflict on the Blue Line with Lebanon's Hezbollah, Netanyahu said Israel prefers to achieve a diplomatic solution, adding: "But let me be clear. Israel will do whatever it must do to restore security to our northern border, and return our people safely to their homes".
"All our enemies should know this. Those who attack Israel will pay a very heavy price. And as we defend ourselves on all fronts, I know that America has our back," said Netanyahu.
The premier also thanked the US for it military assistance and intelligence support.
"We've jointly developed some of the most sophisticated weapons on Earth. I choose my words carefully: we've jointly developed some of the most sophisticated weapons on Earth, that help protect both our countries. And we also help keep American boots off the ground while protecting our shared interests in the Middle East," he said.
*Servet Gunerigok contributed to the story
Netanyahu’s Congress address signals prolonged Gaza occupation, experts say
Israeli Prime Minister's address in Washington, marked by a belligerent and misleading tone, has been criticised by observers as a tactic to undermine peace talks and consolidate support for Tel Aviv's ongoing war in Gaza.
BY SADIQ BHAT
In his address to the US Congress, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a high-stakes bid to redefine the narrative of the Gaza war, igniting a firestorm of controversy and uproar in its wake.
Observers say Netanyahu's speech on Wednesday was a declaration of Israel's intentions, pledging to persist in the war against Gaza until "total victory" is achieved. His uncompromising stance is being seen as a strategic manoeuvre designed to shift the discourse and pre-empt mounting criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Professor Nizar Farsakh from George Washington University gave TRT World an insight into Netanyahu's rhetoric, suggesting it forms part of a broader strategy to control the narrative.
"Netanyahu is attempting to alter the narrative here," Farsakh explained.
"He aims to pre-empt criticism about Gaza by portraying pro-Palestinian protesters as 'useful idiots' of Iran, labelling them as naive and uninformed. This strategy allows him to position himself as the figure in command, certain that his approach represents the best possible solution."
Delegitimising ceasefire talks
The implications of Netanyahu's speech reach beyond mere rhetoric and are seen as an attempt to undermine the ongoing peace process. Farsakh observed that Netanyahu's proposal appears to be a calculated move to delegitimise the negotiations, which are aimed to resolve the conflict.
"He is clearly trying to undermine the peace process and delegitimise the current talks intended to achieve a ceasefire in the besieged enclave," Farsakh said. "By setting such conditions, Netanyahu effectively dismisses any genuine attempts at reconciliation."
Dr Samuel Greenfield, an international relations analyst with extensive experience in conflict studies, shared his perspective with TRT World over phone from California. He remarked that Netanyahu's speech offered no indication that Israel’s campaign in Gaza is nearing its end.
"Netanyahu’s insistence on maintaining a military presence in Gaza signifies that the occupation will persist," he noted. "Such a stance is unacceptable to the other side and something Palestinians would never consent to. It demonstrates a blatant disregard for their aspirations and rights."
Netanyahu's aggressive stance during his US Congress address is seen as a strategic move to bolster support for Israel’s actions in Gaza while sidelining international peace efforts
"War criminal" and "liar"
Greenfield further ellaborated that Netanyahu’s approach might be intended to obstruct any meaningful progress.
"What Netanyahu is suggesting," he said, "is a tactic to drag his feet on the peace process and ceasefire, thereby prolonging the conflict. Essentially, he is implying that the occupation of Gaza could become an official and enduring reality."
"Even within Israel, Netanyahu's speech wasn't well received. Israeli opposition leader (Yair) Lapid criticised the address to the US Congress as 'disgraceful'. That tells you something," Greenfield added.
While expectations for Netanyahu's speech were modest, his aggressive posture from the pulpit of the US Congress is seen as part of a broader strategy to consolidate support for Israel's actions in Gaza.
Both US Senator Bernie Sanders and Democratic Representative Nancy Pelosi sharply criticised Netanyahu's address to Congress.
Sanders denounced Netanyahu as a "war criminal" and "liar," accusing his government of blocking aid and causing widespread starvation in Gaza. Pelosi condemned the speech as the "worst" by any foreign dignitary and urged Netanyahu to focus on a cease-fire.
"Netanyahu's approach is not solely about current military objectives but about setting the stage for continued control over Gaza," Farsakh concluded.
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