Israel

Israel approves plan to attack Rafah but keeps truce hopes alive

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Israel approves plan to attack Rafah but keeps truce hopes alive

Israel approved a potential assault on Rafah in Gaza but also plans to send a delegation to Qatar for talks on a possible hostage deal with Hamas. Netanyahu’s office confirmed the attack plan, citing Hamas’ stronghold in Rafah and the intention to evacuate residents. The U.S. expressed cautious optimism about a ceasefire-for-hostages proposal by Hamas, which includes releasing Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Despite global concerns over civilian casualties, Israel aims to eliminate Hamas fighters. A recent Israeli airstrike in Gaza City killed or wounded several people. Hamas has offered a counter-proposal for a truce, involving the release of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, but gaps remain between the Israeli and Hamas positions. The war began with a Hamas attack on October 7, killing 1,200 and taking 253 hostages, leading to an Israeli assault that has killed over 31,000 and displaced nearly all of Gaza’s population. The first aid ship, Open Arms, arrived in Gaza, bringing food and water, amidst warnings of famine and malnutrition in the region.

Cypriot film community denounces Cyprus-Israel partnership

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Cypriot film community denounces Cyprus-Israel partnership

The ratification of a film co-production agreement between the Republic of Cyprus and Israel is condemned by 100 individuals from the Cypriot film industry. This condemnation was organized by the network Film Workers for Palestine – Cyprus, under the call titled “No to the exploitation of cinema as an alibi for whitewashing the genocide of Palestinians.” The individuals opposing this agreement express their concern over the use of cinema to whitewash the actions of the state of Israel and its government against Palestinians.

Tourism to keep head up high in 2024

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Tourism to keep head up high in 2024

– Cyprus’ tourism head, Costas Koumis, is optimistic about the tourism sector’s performance in 2024, aiming for arrivals close to the 3.97 million record of 2019.
– Despite geopolitical unrest and other challenges, the goal is to maintain tourist arrivals at similar levels to the previous year, with a possible deviation of 30,000 to 50,000.
– In 2023, Cyprus saw 3.85 million tourist arrivals, marking the third-best historical performance with a 20% annual increase, despite losing the Russian and Ukrainian markets.
– The tourism sector’s contribution to Cyprus’ GDP in 2023 was estimated at 12.8%, with tourism revenue reaching €2.99 billion, a 22.6% nominal increase from 2022.
– The average per capita expenditure in 2023 increased by 2.1% to €778, and daily expenditure rose by 11.6% to €90.
– The average length of stay for holidaymakers in Cyprus decreased to 8.6 days in 2023 from 9.4 days in 2022.
– Sea arrivals in 2023 were around 322,000, with expectations of a decrease in 2024 due to the conflict in Israel.
– Challenges for 2024 include conflicts in the Middle East, economic downturns in Germany and the UK, and an aviation sector crisis.
– Air connectivity remains the same with 55 airlines, but available seats are expected to decrease from the initial estimate.
– Tourism from Poland, Scandinavian countries, Romania, and Serbia is expected to increase, while UK and German markets remain stable.
– The government and ministry are committed to enhancing Cyprus’ tourism product, with €11.24 million allocated for 16 subsidy schemes in 2024, including €8.1 million from the EU-funded Recovery and Resilience Plan.

Aid supply ship from Cyprus reaches Gaza coast

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Aid supply ship from Cyprus reaches Gaza coast

– A ship towing a barge loaded with food arrived off Gaza as a test run for a new aid route from Cyprus.
– The ship was arranged by the World Central Kitchen (WCK) charity and is carrying nearly 200 tonnes of aid.
– A second ship is expected to sail soon to deliver aid to Gaza.
– The aid is to be delivered via a jetty being prepared in Gaza.
– There are few details on how the aid delivery and distribution will work in Gaza.
– The new sea route aims to ease the hunger crisis in Gaza, where there is a looming famine after five months of Israel’s military campaign.
– Aid agencies have stated that bringing in aid by sea and through air drops will not fully compensate for the difficulties of getting supplies by land.
– The war in Gaza began on Oct. 7 with Hamas fighters attacking Israel, killing 1,200 people and seizing 253 hostages according to Israeli tallies.
– Israel’s military campaign in response has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians and driven most of the population from their homes, according to health authorities in Hamas-run Gaza.

Aid ship reaches Gaza as Israel rejects Hamas truce offer [VIDEO]

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Aid ship reaches Gaza as Israel rejects Hamas truce offer [VIDEO]

– The first ship carrying food aid, the Open Arms vessel with 200 tonnes of food, reached the coast of the Gaza Strip.
– The charity World Central Kitchen (WCK) aims to deliver the aid on a temporary jetty.
– The aid is intended to ease the hunger crisis in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands face malnourishment.
– The war began with an attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 253 hostages in Israel.
– An Israeli assault has killed more than 31,000 people and displaced nearly the entire 2.3 million population of Gaza.
– Hamas’s latest ceasefire counter-proposal, which includes the release of hostages and talks to end the war, was rejected by Israel.
– Israel demands only temporary pauses in fighting and refuses to discuss ending the war until Hamas is eradicated.
– Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, criticized Israel’s rejection of the ceasefire proposal.
– Efforts for a ceasefire continue, with mediators from the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar involved.
– The United Nations reports all 2.3 million people in Gaza are suffering from a food crisis.
– Israel denies blame for the hunger crisis and calls for better food distribution by aid agencies.
– At least 21 people were killed and 150 wounded by Israeli forces during a food distribution event.
– U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called for Israelis to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, criticizing his approach to the conflict.

UK redefines extremism after rise in hate crimes against Jews, Muslims

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UK redefines extremism after rise in hate crimes against Jews, Muslims

Britain introduced a new definition of extremism in response to a significant increase in hate crimes against Jews and Muslims following the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak highlighted the threat to Britain’s multi-ethnic democracy from Islamist and far-right extremists. Antisemitic incidents surged by 147% in 2023, reaching record levels, particularly after the Oct. 7 attacks, as reported by the Community Security Trust. Similarly, Tell Mama reported a 335% increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes since the attacks. The new definition of extremism, according to Communities Minister Michael Gove, aims to protect democracy and values of inclusivity and tolerance from extremist groups. However, critics argue it could infringe on freedom of speech. The definition specifies extremism as the promotion of an ideology based on violence, hatred, or intolerance, aiming to undermine the UK’s liberal parliamentary democracy or fundamental rights and freedoms. Groups identified as extremist will not face criminal action but will be excluded from government funding and engagement. No groups have yet been officially defined as extremist under the new or previous definitions.

EU humanitarian chief urges Israel to boost land access to Gaza

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EU humanitarian chief urges Israel to boost land access to Gaza

– Air drops and a maritime corridor are insufficient to replace the supplies usually transported by trucks into Gaza, according to the European Union’s top humanitarian aid official.
– Janez Lenarcic, the EU’s humanitarian aid and crisis management chief, emphasized that land routes are the most efficient way to deliver supplies to Gaza.
– Lenarcic warned of a famine risk in Gaza, with credible indications of existing famine pockets.
– Gaza has been isolated since Israel’s war with Hamas began following an attack by Hamas on October 7.
– The United Nations estimates over half a million people in Gaza, out of a population of 2.3 million, are on the brink of starvation, with child malnutrition levels being extremely high, especially in the northern part of Gaza.
– Lenarcic called for a surge in humanitarian aid and its distribution within Gaza, stressing the importance of land access and urging Israel to open additional land crossings.
– Officials from the European Union, the United States, the United Nations, Britain, Cyprus, the UAE, and Qatar discussed establishing a maritime aid corridor from Cyprus amid international pressure on Israel to alleviate hunger in Gaza.
– A shipment from the U.S.-based charity World Central Kitchen, carrying 200 million tons of aid, departed from Cyprus to Gaza earlier in the week.

UK redefines extremism after rise in hate crimes against Jews, Muslims

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UK redefines extremism after rise in hate crimes against Jews, Muslims

Britain introduced a new definition of extremism in response to an increase in hate crimes against Jews and Muslims following the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. This change has been criticized for potentially infringing on freedom of speech. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak highlighted the threat of extremism to Britain’s multi-ethnic democracy. Antisemitic incidents rose by 147% in 2023, reaching record levels, while anti-Muslim hate crimes increased by 335% since the Oct. 7 attacks. The new definition of extremism is described as the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred, or intolerance, aiming to undermine or replace the UK’s liberal parliamentary democracy or fundamental rights and freedoms. Critics, including the Archbishop of Canterbury and former Conservative government ministers, have expressed concerns about the potential impact on civil liberties. The government clarified that the definition would not restrict freedom of expression, religion, or belief, and named specific organizations for assessment under this new definition.

US expected to impose new sanctions against occupied West Bank outposts, Axios reports

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US expected to impose new sanctions against occupied West Bank outposts, Axios reports

The Biden Administration is expected to impose new sanctions on two illegal outposts in the occupied West Bank and on three Israeli settlers. These sanctions are in response to attacks by “extremist” Israeli settlers against Palestinians. The U.S. aims to target entities and individuals providing logistical and financial support to these attacks. Previously, in February, the administration imposed sanctions on four Israeli men for settler violence and criticized Israel’s settlement expansion as inconsistent with international law. Since the 1967 Middle East war, Israel has occupied the West Bank, where it has built settlements deemed illegal by most countries, a claim Israel disputes. Recent increases in raids in the West Bank have been noted since the Gaza war began in October, with significant casualties reported in both the West Bank and Gaza.

Split in Israel coalition points to return of politics as normal

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Split in Israel coalition points to return of politics as normal

– A centrist bloc in Israel’s unity government led by former defence minister Benny Gantz has dissolved.
– This development is increasing pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the ongoing Gaza war, which has lasted for five months.
– Gideon Saar, a former justice minister and ex-member of Netanyahu’s Likud party, left the partnership with Gantz to form a separate centre-right bloc in parliament.
– The coalition shifts, including Saar’s move, are common in Israeli politics and are not expected to immediately affect the government’s stability.
– Analysts interpret the breakup as a sign of a return to the usual political dynamics in Israel, highlighting a growing divide between right-wing and center-left factions.
– Gantz, considered a strong candidate for Israel’s next prime minister, recently made unapproved visits to Washington and London, causing upset among right-wing and religious nationalist coalition partners.
– Gantz has called for unity in the government and suggested that elections should be held after the war to allow candidates to present their contributions to the country.
– A poll by Channel 12 showed increasing support for early elections, with 50% of right-wing voters in favor, and Gantz’s National Unity Party leading over Likud by a significant margin.