Netanyahu promises ‘victory’ despite ‘painful losses’ in Gaza
The Hindu
Israel PM Netanyahu vows to continue war on Hamas despite "painful losses"; Hamas leader Haniyeh accuses Israel of committing "massacres" and vows "resounding defeat"; Gaza health ministry says 3,648 children among 8,796 killed in Israeli strikes; 800,000 Palestinians have fled south; Israel has allowed international aid to enter, but aid workers say it's not enough; Blinken suggests Palestinian Authority should have governance and security responsibility for Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Wednesday to continue Israel’s war on Hamas despite suffering “painful losses” in ground fighting inside the Gaza Strip.
“We have so many important achievements, but also painful losses. We know that every soldier of ours is an entire world,” Mr. Netanyahu said in a televised address after the Army confirmed at least 11 soldiers were killed in ground fighting on Tuesday.
The leader of Palestinian militant group Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, on Wednesday accused Israel of committing “massacres” in the Gaza war to cover its own “defeats”.
Haniyeh, whose Islamist group launched the bloody October 7 attacks on Israel that sparked the Gaza war, accused Israel of “committing barbaric massacres against unarmed civilians”. “Its villainy will not save them from resounding defeat,” he vowed in a speech broadcast by Al Jazeera.
The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Wednesday that 3,648 children are among 8,796 people killed in Israeli strikes since the war erupted.
The isolated Palestinian enclave, home to 2.3 million people, is in the grip of a severe humanitarian crisis amid a siege imposed by Israel. Over half the population has fled their homes, and supplies of food, medicine, water and fuel are running low. A territory-wide blackout has left hospitals reliant on generators that could shut down soon as Israel has barred all fuel imports.
Israel has been vague about its operations in Gaza, but residents and spokesmen for militant groups say troops appear to be trying to take control of the two main north-south roads.
Uganda's President Museveni leads early election results with 76.25% amid allegations of fraud and unrest surrounding his main challenger.
China firmly opposes the U.S.-Taiwan trade deal, reiterating its stance on the one-China principle.
Trump threatens to invoke the Insurrection Act to quell ongoing protests in Minneapolis amid escalating tensions over immigration enforcement.
Four Arab states urged the U.S. and Iran to de-escalate tensions to avoid regional instability after potential military action.
South Korea's court sentences ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol to five years for obstructing arrest and other charges.
A fire in Seoul's last shanty town forces evacuations, with over 1,200 responders deployed to control the blaze.
Canada and China aim for historic gains through a new strategic partnership, as Prime Minister Mark Carney visits Beijing.
U.S. seizes sixth sanctioned tanker linked to Venezuela, enhancing Trump's efforts to control the country's oil amid ongoing sanctions.
U.N. Security Council addresses Iran's protests, urging restraint and dialogue amid escalating tensions following U.S. request for intervention.
Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodríguez embraces a new era of U.S. relations and oil investment post-Maduro.
The U.S. and Taiwan finalize a $250 billion trade deal, reducing tariffs on Taiwanese goods and enhancing tech investments.
Trump announces the formation of a Gaza "board of peace" to oversee post-war governance and support peace efforts.
Senate passes bill boosting federal science funding, supporting NASA and NSF despite proposed budget cuts by the White House.