All articles tagged with #israel gaza war
On the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023, attack, global reactions diverged sharply. While survivors testified at the UN about captivity and loss, pro-Palestinian vigils occurred worldwide. The war in Gaza continues despite a declared ceasefire, with rising death tolls and no resolution to the hostage crisis.
On the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani released a statement that drew sharp criticism from Jewish leaders and local officials. While Mamdani acknowledged the 1,100 Israeli victims, critics noted that the majority of his remarks focused on what he called an 'ongoing genocide' in Gaza. The controversy highlights a deepening divide in how the anniversary is commemorated, with some emphasizing the Hamas attack and others focusing on the subsequent war in Gaza.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani faced escalating backlash from both Jewish leaders and pro-Palestinian protesters after issuing a statement marking the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks. While the statement acknowledged the 1,200 Israelis killed, critics argued it disproportionately focused on Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which Mamdani labeled a 'genocide.' The controversy intensified when pro-Palestinian demonstrators disrupted a Union Square vigil, shouting insults at the mayor. Mamdani defended his remarks, stating he must mourn all lives, while City Council Speaker Julie Menin argued the anniversary should focus solely on the Hamas attack, not its aftermath.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faced intense bipartisan criticism and physical protests after issuing a statement marking the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. While Mamdani condemned the attack as a war crime, critics argued his statement disproportionately focused on accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. The controversy escalated when pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted a memorial vigil in Union Square, booing the mayor, while Israeli and American officials condemned his remarks as an attempt to hijack the day of mourning.
Marking the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023, attacks, former hostages and families of victims are sharing their experiences of captivity and loss. Omer Shem Tov, held for 505 days, has published a book detailing his survival and criticized the documentary 'NAZA' for ignoring the Israeli perspective. Other survivors, including Keith Siegel and twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, describe the long-term psychological impact of their captivity. Meanwhile, the mother of a killed hostage, Rachel Goldberg-Polin, highlights the enduring grief of families who lost loved ones. These accounts underscore the ongoing struggle for recognition and peace in the aftermath of the war.
Three years after the October 7, 2023 attack, Israeli military operations in Gaza continue, resulting in rising death tolls despite a ceasefire declared in October 2025. While Israel commemorates the anniversary with national mourning, Palestinian civilians report ongoing fear and displacement. The conflict remains unresolved, with significant humanitarian consequences and stalled peace negotiations.
Brett McGurk, a former senior Middle East adviser to President Biden, disclosed in a new interview that the U.S. president was on the verge of imposing severe sanctions on Israel following the April 2024 drone strike that killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers. McGurk stated that Biden only halted this potential 'draconian' response after intelligence revealed an imminent, large-scale Iranian aerial attack on Israel. The former aide also detailed the Biden administration's internal debates over cutting off weapons supplies, its failure to act on early Saudi normalization offers, and the lack of U.S. intelligence warnings prior to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.
Met Police have asked organizers of a pro-Palestinian student march to move their event from October 7 to a different date, citing the distress it would cause on the third anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel. Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman stated that while the march does not meet the legal threshold for a ban, police will impose strict conditions if it proceeds. The event, planned by the University of London Coalition, expects around 300 participants to march through central London. Police have written to four London universities to ensure student safety, particularly for Jewish students, amid rising antisemitic incidents. The Met is deploying over 600 officers for various protests and events in the coming week, including a larger pro-Palestinian demonstration on October 10 and a counter-protest.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the UN General Assembly on September 24, 2026, after dozens of delegates walked out in protest. He condemned the walkouts as acts of moral cowardice and clashed verbally with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who had previously called for his arrest. Outside the UN headquarters, approximately 100 pro-Palestinian demonstrators, including local politicians, were arrested by the NYPD. Netanyahu defended Israel's military actions in Gaza and Iran, while critics and Mamdani accused him of committing genocide and war crimes.
Israeli documentary 'NAZA' won the Special Jury Prize at the 83rd Venice Film Festival on September 12, 2026, following a 24.5-minute standing ovation. Directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, the film features anonymized testimonies from 24 Israeli military personnel alleging that the IDF used an AI system called 'Lavender' to systematically target Palestinian civilians in Gaza. The IDF rejected the claims as unverified, while the filmmakers argued the violence was deliberate rather than accidental.
A Guardian investigation shows seven World Central Kitchen aid workers were killed in an April 2024 Gaza airstrike after being designated as terrorists by association under Israel's haflala policy, which lets field commanders incriminate individuals based on proximity to armed men. The strikes hit clearly marked humanitarian vehicles; prosecutors declined to press charges, while WCK and several governments demand accountability. The report highlights how incrimination, amid a broader mission to erode Hamas's governance, risks civilians and aid workers in Gaza, with no Israeli soldier convicted of wrongdoing to date.
Rep. Dan Goldman said it was sad a Brooklyn cafe banned him over his Israel stance after a viral post mentioning AIPAC; the cafe’s posts were deleted, Goldman recalled a kind encounter with a hijab-wearing barista, and his primary challenger Brad Lander criticized the move as unbecoming of a public official. The case drew commentary from DOJ leaders, and Goldman emphasized he supports Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state but does not endorse all of its government’s actions.
U.S.-led strikes on Iran are intensifying Democratic primary debates over Israel and Gaza policy and are fueling heavy AIPAC-backed spending, visible in Illinois, North Carolina, and Michigan races as candidates navigate Gaza, Iran policy, and war-power questions ahead of the 2028 cycle.
Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip killed at least 32 people late Friday into Saturday, according to the Gaza Health Ministry; Israel said it targeted Hamas militants and weapons sites, while Gaza officials said the dead were predominantly women and children, including those in tents for displaced people in Khan Younis.
At Davos, the Trump administration unveiled a grand redevelopment plan for the Gaza Strip—featuring high-rise cities, data centers and a tourist beachfront—that starkly contrasts with the ongoing destruction, humanitarian crisis and Palestinian input on the ground, highlighting a sharp gap between political visions and present-day realities.