In a big blow to Israel-Hamas ceasefire attempts, Qatar has backed down from its ceasefire mediation in Gaza. Qatar said that it will stall efforts to mediate a ceasefire until Israel & Hamas show "willingness and seriousness" to resume talks. However, there was no official response from Hamas or Israel to the statement given by the Qatar Foreign Ministry. The latest round of talks in mid-October failed to produce a deal, with Hamas rejecting a short-term ceasefire proposal. Israel on several occasions rejected ceasefire or temporary ceasefire proposals for a longer truce. Notably, the Gulf country has been working alongside the US, and Egypt for months on fruitless talks between the warring sides in Gaza. Notably, Qatar has hosted Hamas political leaders since 2012 as part of a deal with the US, and the group's presence there has facilitated the progress of talks. The country hosts the largest US airbase in the Middle East but also allows Hamas and Afghanistan's Taliban to operate offices in Doha. It is unclear how many Hamas officials live in Doha, but they include several possible replacements for killed Hamas Chief Sinwar. The group's previous leader Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Iran in July was also based in Doha and his body was flown to Qatar for burial.
10 November,2024 06:08 PM IST
On November 2, amid escalating tensions in West Asia, Lebanon launched three projectiles at Israel’s Tira, injuring 11 people after one rocket struck a building. Israeli emergency services reported sirens activated in several central regions, while the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed to have intercepted multiple rockets. This incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. The rocket fire coincided with diminishing prospects for a ceasefire, highlighting the instability in the region. Concurrently, Israel conducted a strike in Gaza, eliminating Hamas official Izz Al-Din Kassab amid ongoing discussions surrounding a potential hostage deal.
02 November,2024 04:49 PM IST
On the occasion of Israel marking the one-year anniversary of the October 7 attacks, Television actor Madhura Naik recalled her family's harrowing encounter with terrorists last year in Israel and termed it as "the darkest day."The actress, who is a Jew of Indian origin said that she lost her first cousin and her brother-in-law in a crossfire in Sderot during the attacks on Israel last year. Speaking at an event in New Delhi organised by the Israeli Embassy, Naik said, "We follow Judaism but along with that we also have adapted to Hindu traditions, thus proving that the Jews were always open to cross-cultures and adapted very well to new environments. My grandmother being the 14th child, 13 of her brothers and sisters moved back to Israel in the 70s. where they flourished back in their homeland along with their fellow Jews. It was more than just a sense of belonging. It was home for them. But unfortunately, on October 7, it was the darkest day for my family. "
11 October,2024 12:46 PM IST
On the occassion of Israel marking the one-year anniversary of the October 7 attacks, Television actor Madhura Naik recalled her family's harrowing encounter with terrorists last year in Israel and termed it as "the darkest day."The actress, who is a Jew of Indian origin said that she lost her first cousin and her brother-in-law in a crossfire in Sderot during the attacks on Israel last year. Speaking at an event in New Delhi organised by the Israeli Embassy, Naik said, "We follow Judaism but along with that we also have adapted to Hindu traditions, thus proving that the Jews were always open to cross-cultures and adapted very well to new environments. My grandmother being the 14th child, 13 of her brothers and sisters moved back to Israel in the 70s. where they flourished back in their homeland along with their fellow Jews. It was more than just a sense of belonging. It was home for them. But unfortunately, on October 7, it was the darkest day for my family. "
11 October,2024 12:38 PM IST
The ongoing conflict involving Israel, Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis has escalated significantly since the deadly October 7 attack. In retaliation for the death of Nasrallah, Iran has launched rockets into Israel, intensifying the crisis. Amid this turmoil, Reena Pushkarna, an Indian expatriate in Israel for 40 years, has voiced urgent concerns about the war's impact on her community and the broader situation. She highlighted the plight of hostages and the severe economic downturn facing the hotel industry, with revenues plummeting by 50-60%. Pushkarna has appealed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to collaborate with global allies to seek a resolution and end the cycle of violence. She emphasized the necessity of finding a peaceful solution, stating that no one desires to live under the shadow of conflict and terrorism
09 October,2024 01:55 PM IST
On September 15, 2024, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that Yemen launched surface-to-surface missiles into Central Israel. This missile attack followed a warning siren from Israel. This incident came after Israel had struck Yemen's Al Hudaydah port in retaliation for over 200 missiles and drones fired by the Houthis since October. Earlier, in July, the Iran-aligned Houthis fired a drone at Tel Aviv, killing one person and injuring four others. Israel responded with a major air strike on Houthi targets in Yemen, resulting in at least three deaths and 87 injuries. The situation in West Asia has worsened, with Houthis and Hezbollah getting involved in the ongoing conflict involving Israel and Hamas. Watch video for more.
15 September,2024 04:21 PM IST
The Israel-Palestine war continues to grab headlines. At a recent Palestine solidarity convention, Palestinian Ambassador to India, Adnan Abu Al-Haija, emphasized that India has a history of supporting Palestine. He acknowledged India's friendship with both Israel and Palestine and expressed hope for India to take on a mediator role. Abu Al-Haija praised India's peaceful nature and urged the country to help achieve a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine. He called on India to support an international conference aimed at resolving the conflict and establishing an independent Palestinian state. This state would include the land from 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The ambassador's message was clear: he sees India as a crucial ally in working towards peace and a fair solution for the Palestinian people. Watch video for more.
08 September,2024 12:58 PM IST
Israeli forces encircled a house in Hebron and killed a Palestinian suspect believed to be involved in a shooting attack at the Idna Tarqumiya Junction. The incident occurred on September 1, when three Israeli police officers were killed after their vehicle came under fire at the same junction near Hebron. Witnesses reported a prolonged exchange of gunfire between the soldiers and the suspect inside the building. Following over an hour of intense shooting, Israeli troops breached the structure and retrieved the suspect's body. This operation is part of a broader Israeli campaign involving hundreds of troops conducting raids across the West Bank. The raids are focused on targeting Iranian-backed Islamist militants, reflecting ongoing tensions and conflict in the region.
03 September,2024 04:39 PM IST
It seems that Israel-Hamas war is not going to end soon. As the Israel-Hamas war entered its 332nd day on September 2, the conflict showed no signs of resolution. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continued its intensive operations in Gaza, aiming to free Israeli hostages. Tragedy struck as six Israeli hostages, abducted alive on October 7, were found dead in a southern Gaza tunnel. The hostages were murdered between August 29-30, according to the Israeli Health Ministry. Global leaders expressed their shock and grief, with US President Biden condemning the killings, French President Macron demanding an immediate ceasefire and hostage release, and Australian PM Anthony Albanese and UK PM Keir Starmer also offering condolences. Currently, 97 of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas remain in Gaza, with some released during a brief truce in late November and a few prior to that.
02 September,2024 05:15 PM IST
With just 97 days until the U.S. Presidential election, the battle between Republicans and Democrats is heating up. Amid the ongoing fuss, former President Donald Trump has sharply criticized Vice President Kamala Harris, who is his rival in the upcoming race. Trump accused Harris of changing her racial identity, claiming she went from being known for her Indian heritage to identifying as Black in recent years. He suggested this shift was sudden and done for political gain. This controversy adds another layer to the already intense election campaign, making it even more intriguing to see who will win. Watch video for more.
01 August,2024 11:39 AM ISTADVERTISEMENT
