Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday participated in a protest organized by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Egmore, Chennai, condemning Israel’s ongoing strikes in Gaza. The protest, which saw significant participation from DMK alliance workers and supporters waving Palestinian flags, comes amid growing concerns over civilian casualties in the conflict.

Speaking to the media at the event, CM Stalin described the situation in Gaza as a “humanitarian” crisis and called for an immediate halt to the Israeli operations. He said, “We should not see the Gaza strike by Israel as an issue between other countries. It must be seen as a humanitarian issue…All arrested must be released…I condemn the attack against the Gaza people and appeal immediately to stop the strike by Israel…The Israeli strikes against Gaza are worrisome not only to us but also globally… the striking act against the UN agreement should be stopped immediately by Israel…”

Highlighting the human cost, Stalin added, “In the past one year, Israel’s attacks on Gaza has increased. So far, about 11000 women and 17000 children, 175 journalists, 125 UN officials – more than 50,000 people have died. 26000 children have lost their parents, over 1 lakh people have been injured and hospitalised. In short, in one year the majority of Gaza’s land has been destroyed, and people are still protesting against Israel’s encroachment there. To illustrate the atrocities happening there, this past June, Israel shot down 45 hungry Palestinians who were seeking food, the heart pains seeing all of this. How can anyone not condemn the crimes against humanity, how can we be quiet? Another news came a few days ago, to provide food and medicines for the Palestinian people and food for children, caught in the brink of death, volunteers from 47 countries were prevented and arrested by Israel. Can we keep quiet when they break the international laws? Israel should immediately stop the attack. The BJP-led Union government should take steps to pressure Israel to stop the strike immediately and to bring peace in Gaza.”

Stalin further noted that a resolution condemning the Israeli attacks and calling for an immediate ceasefire will be introduced in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly session, reflecting the sentiments of the state’s people.

The Chief Minister’s direct engagement in a foreign policy matter has raised eyebrows, as India’s Constitution grants the central government exclusive authority over international relations. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had welcomed progress in peace efforts in Gaza, highlighting the release of hostages as a significant step and affirming India’s continued support for efforts toward lasting peace.

The protest in Chennai, attended by a large crowd, underscored Tamil Nadu political leaders’ vocal support for Palestine, but experts say state-level interventions in foreign policy matters can breach federal norms.

The DMK’s anti-Israel stand also exposes the hypocrisy of a party that often accuses others of mixing religion with politics. At a time when Tamil Nadu is struggling with mounting fiscal stress, industrial slowdown, farmer distress, and rising crime, the Chief Minister’s decision to prioritise street protests on foreign affairs rather than addressing urgent governance issues reflects distorted political priorities.

Critics argue that this episode once again highlights the DMK’s tendency to divert attention from its administrative failures by resorting to populist theatrics and identity-driven politics. With the state facing mounting challenges, Tamil Nadu’s citizens might well ask: Should their Chief Minister be focusing on Gaza — or on governance at home?

(With inputs from ANI)

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On 19 September 2025, a large rally was held in the city by various organizations and artists, calling for an end to Israel’s ongoing violence against the Palestinian people.

The demonstration was organized under the banner of the Coalition of Periyarists. Key figures, including Thol. Thirumavalavan, leader of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, M.H. Jawahirullah, president of the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, Dehlan Baqavi of the Socialist Democratic Party of India, Thirumurugan Gandhi, coordinator of the May 17 Movement, as well as actors Sathyaraj, Prakash Raj, and filmmakers Ameer and Vetrimaran, were among the participants in the march, which took place on Langs Garden Road in Pudupet. More than 5,000 people took part in the protest.

Baqavi emphasized that Israel had been relentlessly bombing Gaza, displacing over 900,000 Palestinians who were left without refuge.

Jawahirullah condemned the ongoing attacks, criticizing the escalation of violence in Gaza. He also pointed out that while Israel continued its actions, the U.S. had blocked a United Nations resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the region.

(With Inputs From The Hindu)

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Between 2024 and 2025, a wave of pro-Palestine activism by Indians abroad has drawn global attention, sparking debates on free speech, academic freedom, and political accountability. From university campuses in the United States to red carpets in Europe and even the tightly regulated streets of Singapore, Indian-origin students, artists, and professionals have voiced solidarity with Gaza in diverse and often controversial ways. Their actions ranging from fiery speeches and essays to symbolic gestures and disruptive protests have not only highlighted the intensity of global outrage over the Israel-Palestine conflict but also triggered sharp institutional and political responses. In this report, we compile 10 such instances.

#1 Filmmaker Anuparna Roy Voices Support for Palestine at Venice Film Festival

At the 82nd Venice Film Festival on 7 September 2025, Indian filmmaker Anuparna Roy made headlines by using her Best Director acceptance speech to express solidarity with Palestine. Hailing from Purulia in West Bengal, Roy declared that every child deserves peace and freedom, including those in Palestine. Acknowledging her words could upset her country, she said it “doesn’t matter anymore.”

The remarks were widely reported in India and abroad, sparking heated debate on whether cultural platforms should be used for political statements. The filmmaker’s bold stance has since gone viral, drawing both praise and criticism on social media.

#2 MIT Bans Indian-American Student Megha Vemuri After Pro-Palestine Speech

On 29 May 2025, MIT’s Class of 2025 President Megha Vemuri, an Indian American student, was banned from the graduation ceremony after a fiery pro-Palestine speech. Addressing peers in Cambridge, Massachusetts, she accused MIT of maintaining ties with Israel’s military, which she linked to atrocities against Palestinians. Vemuri said MIT was complicit in attempts to “wipe Palestine off the face of the earth.”

MIT’s class president, Megha Vemuri, spent her graduation speech bashing Israel.

Then President Sally Kornbluth spoke immediately after and oh boy was that awkward. pic.twitter.com/PjsBNEQxmy

— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) May 29, 2025

The university swiftly barred her, citing violations of event rules. Her remarks drew global attention, with activists praising her courage and critics accusing her of politicising an academic event. Video clips of her speech quickly went viral.

#3 Georgetown Scholar Badar Khan Suri Arrested Amid Pro-Palestine Activity

On March 20, 2025, Badar Khan Suri, a postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University’s Alwaleed Bin Talal Center, was arrested outside his Virginia home on charges of promoting Hamas propaganda under the guise of pro-Palestine activism. Married to a U.S. citizen from Gaza, Suri had been vocal about Gaza’s plight through academic and online forums. U.S. authorities accused him of spreading extremist content, triggering deportation proceedings. His arrest has sparked criticism from civil liberties groups, who argue that dissent is being criminalised. Supporters insist his work was academic in nature, while detractors view it as a front for radical propaganda.

#4 Columbia Student Ranjani Srinivasan Self-Deports After Visa Revocation

On 15 March 2025, Columbia University doctoral student Ranjani Srinivasan left the U.S. after her visa was revoked over alleged support for pro-Palestine protests. The Indian-origin student in urban planning had participated in campus demonstrations against Israel’s actions in Gaza. U.S. authorities accused her of supporting Hamas, a claim she denied. Facing deportation, she voluntarily self-deported on 11 March 2025. Her case has drawn widespread attention as part of a broader crackdown on campus activism in the U.S.

#5 MIT Scholar Prahlad Iyengar Suspended Over Pro-Palestine Essay

In December 2024, MIT suspended Indian-origin PhD scholar Prahlad Iyengar for publishing a controversial essay titled On Pacifism in the student journal Written Revolution. The piece featured images linked to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a designated terror group, and language that officials said “could be interpreted as a call for violent protests.” MIT barred Iyengar from campus, sparking a debate over the boundaries of academic freedom. While some defended Iyengar’s right to express dissent, others said he crossed into glorification of violence.

#6 Actress Kani Kusruti Shows Solidarity with Palestine at Cannes 2024

At the Cannes Film Festival on 24 May 2024, Indian actress Kani Kusruti made a symbolic statement of solidarity with Palestine by carrying a clutch shaped like a sliced watermelon. The fruit has become a global emblem of the Palestinian cause due to its resemblance to the Palestinian flag’s colors. Kusruti, attending the screening of her film, instantly drew global media attention. While some lauded her courage, others accused her of politicising the red carpet. She later faced trolling online but defended her gesture as an act of conscience. The Cannes spotlight amplified the visibility of her protest worldwide.

#7 Shruthi Kumar Speaks for Pro-Palestine Students at Harvard

On 13 May 2024, Shruthi Kumar, an Indian-origin student from Harvard University’s Class of 2024, publicly criticised the institution during its commencement ceremony for barring 13 classmates from graduating due to pro-Palestine protests. Addressing the audience, Kumar said she could not celebrate while her friends and their families suffered injustice.

“Solidarity is not dependent on what we know”: In Harvard graduation speech, Indian American student, Shruthi Kumar, stands with Gaza, pro-Palestine protesters

Watch: pic.twitter.com/FE185WFUEq

— Maktoob (@MaktoobMedia) May 28, 2024

Her emotional speech resonated widely, highlighting the tensions between student activism and institutional discipline. Videos of her remarks circulated on social media, earning her praise from pro-Palestine groups.

#8 Indian Student Leads ‘Azadi’ Chants for Palestine at Columbia

On 21 April 2024, an Indian student at Columbia University became the face of viral campus protests by leading chants of “Azadi” (freedom) for Palestine. Videos showed her shouting slogans such as “Palestine ki Azadi” and “Chheen ke lenge, Azadi” during mass demonstrations.

An Indian student leads the chants demanding freedom for Palestine at Columbia University. pic.twitter.com/ygkfsisUqo

— PALESTINE ONLINE (@OnlinePalEng) April 21, 2024

The footage spread rapidly on social media, amplifying the visibility of student-led pro-Palestinian activism across U.S. campuses. While her identity was not officially disclosed, her slogans drew sharp reactions, hailed by activists as inspiring and criticised by detractors as incendiary. The chants linked South Asian protest traditions with the global Palestine solidarity movement.

#9 Microsoft Engineer Vaniya Agrawal Protests Gaza War at Company Event

On 6 April 2025, Indian-origin Microsoft engineer Vaniya Agrawal disrupted the company’s 50th anniversary celebration in Redmond, Washington, by accusing its leadership of enabling Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Addressing tech giants including Bill Gates and Satya Nadella, she alleged Microsoft’s AI technologies were being used to “murder 50,000 Palestinians.”

 

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Her fiery remarks stunned attendees and quickly went viral. Agrawal resigned shortly after, effective April 11.

#10 Indian Woman Charged in Singapore for Pro-Palestine Procession

On 1 June 2024, 35-year-old Indian woman Annamalai Kokila Parvathi was formally charged in Singapore for organising a pro-Palestine procession without a permit earlier that year. Despite the city-state’s strict protest laws, she and two others led a march to express solidarity with Gaza. Authorities imposed additional bail conditions, though the court later allowed her to visit her grandparents in Kerala after posting an extra SGD 10,000. The case underscores Singapore’s zero-tolerance stance on unauthorised protests.

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The Bombay High Court on 25 July 2025 dismissed a petition filed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM) challenging the Mumbai Police’s refusal to permit a protest at Azad Maidan against the ongoing conflict in Gaza, urging the party to turn its attention to domestic issues instead.

A division bench of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam Ankhad rejected the petition, remarking that instead of protesting about events “thousands of miles away,” the party should address problems closer to home.

“Our country has enough issues. We don’t want anything like this. I am sorry to say, you are all short-sighted. You are looking at issues in Gaza and Palestine. Look at your own country. Be patriots. This is not patriotism. People say they are patriots,” the Bench observed during the hearing.

The judges further suggested that the party focus on civic concerns such as waste management, pollution, sewerage, and flooding in Mumbai, noting that such issues directly impact the daily lives of citizens.

“You are an organisation registered in India. If you could take up issues like garbage dumping, pollution, sewerage, flooding. We are just giving examples. You are not protesting on those but on something happening thousands of miles outside the country,” the Bench stated.

The petition stemmed from a June 17 decision by Mumbai Police denying permission to the All India Solidarity Organisation to hold a protest against the alleged genocide in Gaza. The application was rejected on grounds that the demonstration could disrupt public order and run counter to India’s foreign policy stance.

Senior Advocate Mihir Desai, appearing for CPI(M), argued that the right to protest is constitutionally protected, even if the demonstration opposes the government’s foreign policy. He also cited previous Supreme Court rulings affirming citizens’ right to assemble peacefully at designated public venues.

However, the State, represented by the Additional Public Prosecutor, contended that the police had received objections and were concerned about potential law and order issues arising from the event.

In its ruling, the Court held that the CPI(M) lacked the locus standi to file the petition since it was not the original applicant before the Mumbai Police.

The Bench also issued a caution about the diplomatic repercussions of such demonstrations, particularly when they pertain to international conflicts.

“You don’t know the dust it could kick up… getting on to the Palestine side or the Israel side. Why do you want to do this? It’s obvious, going by the party you represent, that you don’t understand what this could do to the foreign affairs of the country,” the Court said.

The petition was accordingly dismissed.

(With inputs from Bar and Bench)

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Twelve passengers, including climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, who were aboard a yacht bound for Gaza with humanitarian aid, have been brought to Ben Gurion Airport for deportation after the vessel was seized in the Israeli port of Ashdod.

The deportation process follows their interception at sea by Israeli forces. Taking to X, the Israel Foreign Ministry said, “The passengers of the ‘Selfie Yacht’ arrived at Ben Gurion Airport to depart from Israel and return to their home countries.” “Those who refuse to sign deportation documents and leave Israel will be brought before a judicial authority,” it added.

The group of activists, part of a mission organised by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), had set out on a journey to deliver critical aid to Gaza, including rice and baby formula. The boat, named Madleen, was reportedly intercepted about 185 kilometres west of the coast of Gaza. A video released by the group showed Israeli forces boarding the vessel as the activists stood with their hands raised, with one of them stating that nobody was injured during the operation.

Following the seizure, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the activists were taken for medical examinations on Monday evening and shown a “horror film documenting the October 7 massacre” committed by Hamas.

“When they saw what it was about, they refused to continue watching,” Gallant claimed, accusing Thunberg and the other activists of ignoring Hamas’s atrocities and “closing their eyes to the truth.” The FFC strongly condemned the operation, accusing Israeli forces of “attacking” and “unlawfully boarding” the vessel.

The coalition said the aid mission was entirely humanitarian, aiming to bring relief to Gaza, which has faced significant restrictions on aid since the beginning of Israel’s blockade. Among those on board were citizens from Brazil, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey. Apart from Greta, the group included notable figures such as Rima Hassan, a French Member of the European Parliament, and Omar Faiad, a French journalist with Al Jazeera. French President Emmanuel Macron was among the leaders who spoke out strongly, urging Israel to release the detained activists swiftly.

“Requested that the six French nationals be allowed to return to France as soon as possible,” said the French presidential office. Macron emphasised France’s commitment to protecting its nationals abroad, stating the country was “vigilant” and “stands by all its nationals when they are in danger.” The French government also demanded Israel ensure the “protection” of the activists, with Macron labelling the humanitarian blockade on Gaza as “a scandal” and a “disgrace.”

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday confirmed that Mohammed Sinwar, Hamas leader in Gaza and brother of late Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, was killed in an Israeli airstrike earlier this month. Speaking in parliament, Netanyahu said Israel was at a “dramatic turning point” in its war against Hamas and that the military had “eliminated Mohammad Sinwar.”

He added that recent Israeli operations were focused on dismantling Hamas’ governing capabilities in Gaza. There was no immediate confirmation from Hamas or independent sources regarding Sinwar’s death. It marked the first official acknowledgment of his killing, following a joint Israeli military and Shin Bet strike on May 13 that targetted a bunker beneath the Gaza European Hospital in Khan Younis, Xinhua news agency reported.

The airstrike killed 26 people, according to the Gaza health authorities, but Mohammed Sinwar’s fate had remained unconfirmed. Mohammad Sinwar, 49, was a senior Hamas political and military figure who assumed leadership of the group’s Gaza-based operations and its armed wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, in October 2024 after the killing of his brother.

Netanyahu also provided an update on the hostages held in Gaza, saying that, according to Israeli intelligence, 20 are still alive and 38 are believed to be dead. Meanwhile, Hamas said in an official statement on Wednesday that it has reached an agreement with US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff on a general framework for Gaza ceasefire.

According to Hamas, the framework includes the release of 10 Israeli hostages and several bodies, in exchange for the release of an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners, guaranteed by mediators. Hamas said it is awaiting a final response to this framework, adding that “it is making significant efforts to halt the brutal war on the Gaza Strip.”

–IANS

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The Israel-Palestine conflict remains one of the most enduring and contentious disputes in contemporary history, shaping geopolitical dynamics far beyond its immediate vicinity. This multifaceted conflict encompasses religious, intra-religious, and geopolitical aspects, all of which are expertly examined by Stanly Johny in his latest book, Original Sin: Israel, Palestine and the Revenge of Old West Asia. In this work, he traces the historical origins of the conflict up to the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, along with the ensuing retaliation and its ramifications.

The author structures the book into seven chapters, beginning with an examination of the origins of the Arab-Israeli conflict. He delves into the roots of Zionism, the events leading to the Balfour Declaration, and the internal divisions within the Zionist movement. Additionally, the text explores how the establishment of a Jewish state provoked a violent reaction from Arab nations. Immediately following its creation, Israel faced military aggression from four Arab countries, and by the conclusion of the war, it had acquired more territory than was allocated in the United Nations’ 1948 plan. The subsequent experience of the Palestinians is referred to as the naqba (catastrophe), during which approximately 750,000 Palestinians were forcibly removed from their homes. Stanly identifies a recurring theme in this narrative, referencing a 1937 diary entry by David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first Prime Minister, in which he wrote, “We must expel Arabs and take their place.”

The book elaborates on all the Arab-Israeli conflicts, particularly highlighting the Six-Day War, which significantly altered the region’s trajectory, notably by establishing Israel as a strategic ally of the United States in West Asia. Following this, the Yom Kippur War forced Israel to acknowledge the concept of a Palestinian state for the first time, leading to recognition from a prominent Arab country, Egypt. Additionally, the Oslo Accords and the emergence of Hamas are interconnected, as the Oslo agreement contributed to the decline of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in its struggle for dominance against Hamas. The book is enriched with personal anecdotes that the author gathers throughout his journeys in the conflict zone. He describes Ramallah as “one of the most challenging government administrative centres to reach due to Israeli occupation.” Regarding Jerusalem, he astutely notes that it is “a city where history is frozen in every corner.” Stanly also clarifies the importance of the Temple Mount, Haram esh-Sharif, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for the three Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.

In his examination of Iran’s Axis of Resistance, the author characterizes Iran as the “strategic octopus of West Asia,” with the Ayatollah-led regime at its center and militias such as Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Islamic Jihad serving as its extensions. Hezbollah was established by Iran in response to Israel’s assault on Lebanon in the early 1980s, while Hamas emerged independently but has since received Iranian support to confront its adversaries, Israel and the United States. Through this Axis of Resistance, Iran effectively maintains a buffer against conflict at its borders, employing asymmetric warfare tactics against Israel within the region.

The book also includes a chapter on India’s approach to the crisis. Since the era of Nehru, when India distinctly supported Palestine, there has been a notable shift under Prime Minister Modi, characterized by a clear inclination towards Israel. This shift, often referred to as the de-hyphenation of India’s policy on Israel and Palestine, began during the premiership of P.V. Narasimha Rao in 1991. The concluding section of the book examines the transformation of India’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Officially, India endorses a two-state solution that envisions a sovereign and independent Palestine. Following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, India expressed solidarity with Israel; however, the subsequent indiscriminate bombings of Palestinian territories prompted India to advocate for a ceasefire and urge Israel to consider civilian casualties in Palestine. Despite this criticism, Israel has largely minimized these concerns, and the amicable relationship between the two nations persists.

Stanly perceives Israel’s confrontational and aggressive posture, characterized by its reliance on military force, as a moral, geographical, and historical entrapment. The Jewish nation continues to bear the consequences of this stance, as peace in the Middle East remains unattainable—a situation that will persist until the fundamental issue of the Palestinian question is addressed. During a visit to Bethlehem, located less than 10 kilometers from Jerusalem and recognized as the birthplace of Jesus, the author reflects deeply. His insights encapsulate the conflict: “On one side, you have the place where Jesus was born; just a few hundred meters across the square, you have a mosque where Islam’s second Caliph prayed. And in between, a pub where you can sit back and deliberate on what went wrong over the centuries.”

Foreign policy is primarily grounded in practical considerations and is characterized by a pragmatic approach. Ethical and moral principles typically fall outside the realm of geopolitics. The global perspective on this conflict is influenced by realpolitik. When India interacts with Israel while simultaneously advocating for a sovereign and independent Palestine, it appears to diverge from its pro-Palestine stance maintained for nearly four decades. Nevertheless, India exemplifies the notion articulated by Palmerston: “Nations have no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests.”

Original Sin offers a compassionate viewpoint on the West Asian conflict, showcasing the author’s profound emotional engagement with the topic, in addition to the extensive first-hand research he has conducted. This book is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the origins of the conflict, the diverse stakeholders involved, and the far-reaching consequences of the war.

Kanishk Shekhar is a columnist and also teaches students preparing for Civil Services Exam.

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The Israeli army has killed a senior Qassam Brigades commander and another Palestinian during a large-scale military operation in the eastern neighbourhood of the northern West Bank city of Jenin.

According to Palestinian security sources and eyewitnesses, the Israeli forces, backed by large reinforcements, surrounded several residential buildings in the eastern neighbourhood of Jenin, which led to violent clashes that resulted in the killing of Aysar al-Saadi and another young man, Xinhua news agency reported.

The incident came as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) expanded its ongoing counterterrorism raid, dubbed “Operation Iron Wall,” in the northern West Bank to additional neighbourhoods of Jenin. In a first, troops were using “Eitan” armoured personnel carriers in Jenin amid the operation, which are more heavy duty than the APCs normally deployed in the West Bank.

On Tuesday morning, as part of the expanded operation, Border Police officers along with IDF troops attempted to arrest the commander of Hamas’s terror network in Jenin, Aysar al-Saadi, following information on his whereabouts provided by the Shin Bet. Following an exchange of fire, Saadi and another gunman were killed, and three wanted Palestinians were detained, according to the IDF, police, and Shin Bet.

Hamas mourned the death of Saadi, accusing Israel of resorting to “assassinations after failing to confront the resistance on the ground”. In a statement, the Israeli army confirmed the killing of Saadi, alleging that he was responsible for planning attacks against Israeli targets. The Israeli troops found an assault rifle, handgun, and several other weapons during scans of the building where Saadi was holed up.

Another gunman was killed in a separate exchange of fire in the same area, the IDF added. On Tuesday, a Palestinian man who approached Israeli forces at a checkpoint near the West Bank settlement outpost of Homesh while brandishing a knife was shot dead by troops, according to a military source. The statement also claimed that the second Palestinian killed “posed a threat” to Israeli forces in the area.

The army emphasised that military operations would continue in Jenin to pursue what it described as “terrorist elements”. Jenin governor Kamal Abu al-Rub said that two Palestinians were killed, “and many young men were arrested,” while the Palestinian Health Ministry identified one of the dead as Aysar al-Saadi, saying the 21-year-old’s body was taken away by troops after he was shot.

The head of the Jenin government hospital, Wisam Baker, told media that a man identified as Jihad Alawneh was declared dead on arrival at the facility early on Tuesday.

Baker said that Alawneh, 25, had bled out after being shot in the thigh. Governor Abu al-Rub said the raid had caused “devastation and massive destruction” in Jenin’s eastern neighbourhood, “which has not experienced an Israeli assault like this before.”

He said that the main electricity line was cut off, dozens of families were forced to leave, and army bulldozers had left behind a trail of damage. More than 40,100 Palestinians have left their homes since the launch of Operation Iron Wall, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) figures from mid-February.

The IDF has said troops have killed more than 75 Palestinian terror operatives and detained some 450 amid the major ongoing counter-terrorism operation. The military has also acknowledged mistakenly killing several civilians during the operation, including a toddler and a pregnant woman. Troops have also seized nearly 200 weapons.

–IANS

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Israeli officials said on Thursday that the military would not withdraw from the strategic strip along the Gaza-Egypt border despite a ceasefire agreement that calls for a pullout by Saturday.

In the early hours of Thursday, Israel received the bodies of four hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, marking the final swap under the first phase of a three-stage ceasefire deal set to expire on Saturday. Three of the hostages were killed while in captivity, while the fourth died during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, according to the Prime Minister’s office. Forensic experts in Tel Aviv confirmed the identification of the four bodies after Hamas handed them over.

“Based on intelligence and all available information, Ohad Yahalomi, Tsahi Idan, and Itzik Elgarat were murdered while held hostage in Gaza,” the office said. It added that Shlomo Mantzur, 86, was killed during the October 7 attack and his body had been taken into Gaza. There was no immediate comment from Hamas, which has previously claimed that heavy Israeli bombardments killed hostages, Xinhua news agency reported. Under the ceasefire deal, Israel is required to begin withdrawing troops from the Philadelphi Corridor by Saturday.

However, a senior Israeli official told state broadcaster Kan that the military “will not withdraw” from the area, saying, “We will not allow Hamas militants to roam our border again with trucks and rifles, and we will not let them rearm through smuggling.” Energy Minister Eli Cohen told Kan Reshet Bet Radio that 59 hostages remain in Gaza and that securing their release remains a top priority.

He said Israel would only move to the next phase of the ceasefire if four conditions were met: the release of all hostages, the removal of Hamas from power, the demilitarization of Gaza, and full Israeli security control over the enclave. Cohen also noted that support from the US administration and the resumption of heavy bomb shipments — previously suspended by the Biden administration — had bolstered Israel’s resolve to maintain its demands. Hamas said it was ready to negotiate the next phase of the ceasefire. In a statement, the group said the “only way” to secure the release of the remaining hostages was through a commitment to a lasting truce.

–IANS

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The Trump administration has imposed a freeze on all foreign aid, including millions of dollars allocated for contraceptive distribution in Gaza. This decision follows President Donald Trump’s recent executive order, “Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid,” which aims to reassess US financial commitments abroad.

A White House official explained that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has temporarily halted grants, loans, and federal assistance programs to ensure alignment with the administration’s priorities. “If the activity is not in conflict with the President’s priorities, it will continue with no issues,” the official told Fox News.

During her first press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt highlighted the decision to withdraw funding for contraceptives in Gaza, citing concerns over taxpayer money. “The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and OMB found that $50 million in taxpayer dollars was about to be allocated for condoms in Gaza. That is a preposterous waste of taxpayer money,” she said.

BREAKING: DOGE and OMB (Office of Management and Budget) found that the Biden admin was about to send $37M to the World Health Organization and $50M to fund condoms for Gaza. pic.twitter.com/u0gtiLQbwX

— Autism Capital (@AutismCapital) January 28, 2025

Leavitt further stated that the administration’s broader foreign aid freeze applies to all nations, including Ukraine, with exceptions made only for Israel and Egypt. Emergency food aid and military assistance for these two countries will continue.

The decision aligns with Trump’s broader policy goals, including eliminating funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, the Green New Deal, and certain NGOs deemed contrary to U.S. interests.

What Could Be The Reason That Trump Banned The Condom Aid?

Reports documented that Palestinian militants repurposed condoms and balloons as makeshift airborne incendiary devices, carrying flaming rags and explosives across the border into Israel. These improvised weapons caused widespread damage to farmlands, nature reserves, and infrastructure, destroying thousands of hectares of land and resulting in millions of shekels in damages. The devices also posed risks to civilians, including children.

In response, Israeli authorities imposed restrictions on the import of condoms, helium, and balloons into Gaza to curb these attacks. The Trump administration’s aid freeze aligned with its foreign policy goals of eliminating support for programs it viewed as inefficient or harmful to U.S. and allied interests. A 2020 Jerusalem Post report specifically highlighted damage to southern Israel’s educational institutions, farmlands, and roadways from these devices.

Wonder what the condoms could be used for? https://t.co/9woFI8R1SI pic.twitter.com/gr650UKR9R

— Autism Capital (@AutismCapital) January 28, 2025

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