Israel issues ‘last’ warning for Gaza City residents to flee - Newstrends
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Israel issues ‘last’ warning for Gaza City residents to flee

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Israel issues ‘last’ warning for Gaza City residents to flee

NUSEIRAT, Palestinian Territories: Israel’s defense minister issued a final warning for Gaza City residents to flee south on Wednesday, as Hamas weighed US President Donald Trump’s plan to end nearly two years of war in the Palestinian territory.

Witnesses reported heavy bombardment in Gaza’s largest urban center, as Israel Katz warned the military was tightening its encirclement of the city.

“This is the last opportunity for Gaza residents who wish to do so to move south and leave Hamas operatives isolated in Gaza City,” Katz posted on X, adding that those who remained would “be considered terrorists and terrorist supporters.”

Katz said the military had captured the Netzarim corridor in the central Gaza Strip through to the western coast, a move he said cut the north of Gaza off form the south.

He added anyone leaving Gaza City for the south would have to pass through Israeli military checkpoints.

The announcement came hours after the military said it was closing the last remaining route for residents of southern Gaza to access the north.

On the ground in Gaza City, 60-year-old Rabah Al-Halabi, who lives in a tent on the premises of Al-Shifa Hospital, described relentless explosions.

“I will not leave because the situation in Gaza City is no different from the situation in the southern Gaza Strip,” he told AFP by telephone.

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“All areas are dangerous, the bombing is everywhere, and displacement is terrifying and humiliating,” he said.

“We are waiting for death, or perhaps relief from God and for the truce to come.”

‘Ceasefire at any cost’

The International Committee of the Red Cross on Wednesday said that intensified military operations in Gaza City had forced it to temporarily suspend its activities there, warning that “tens of thousands… face harrowing humanitarian conditions.”

It came days after medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said it had been forced to suspend its work there because of Israel’s offensive.

UN agencies and some aid organizations still operate in Gaza City.

Meanwhile, Hamas mulled a peace plan put forward by Trump and backed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu which calls for a ceasefire, the release of hostages within 72 hours, Hamas’s disarmament and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

A Palestinian source close to Hamas’s leaders told AFP that “no final decision” had been made and that “the movement will likely need two to three days.”

“Hamas wants to amend some of the items such as the disarmament clause and the expulsion of Hamas,” the source said.

They added that Hamas had informed mediators of the “need to provide international guarantees for a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and guarantees that Israel will not violate a ceasefire through assassinations inside or outside Gaza.”

Gaza’s civil defense agency — a rescue force operating under Hamas authority — reported that Israeli strikes killed at least 13 people in Gaza City on Wednesday.

When asked by AFP, the Israeli military said it was looking into the reports.

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Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties accessing swathes of the territory mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by the civil defense and the Israeli military.

Fadel Al-Jadba, 26, said he would not leave Gaza City.

He said tanks were in the Tal Al-Hawa neighborhood and that he “would not be surprised if they advance into Al-Rimal,” where he was sheltering.

“We want a ceasefire at any cost because we are frustrated, exhausted, and find no one in the world standing with us.”

‘Two opinions’ in Hamas

Trump told reporters on Tuesday that Hamas had “about three or four days” to accept his 20-point Gaza plan, later warning that the Islamist movement would “pay in hell” if it refused.

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A source familiar with negotiations taking place in the Qatari capital Doha told AFP that “two opinions exist within Hamas.”

“The first supports unconditional approval, as the priority is a ceasefire under Trump’s guarantees, with mediators ensuring Israel implements the plan,” the source said.

“The second has serious reservations regarding key clauses, rejecting disarmament and the expulsion of any Palestinian from Gaza. They favor conditional approval with clarifications reflecting Hamas’s and the resistance factions’ demands,” the source added.

Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed at least 66,148 Palestinians, according to health ministry figures in the Hamas-run territory that the United Nations considers reliable.

These figures do not specify the number of fighters killed, but indicate that more than half of the dead are women and children.

Israel issues ‘last’ warning for Gaza City residents to flee

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Trump Declares “I’m the Boss” as G7 Summit Ends in France

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Trump Declares “I’m the Boss” as G7 Summit Ends in France

Trump Declares “I’m the Boss” as G7 Summit Ends in France

United States President Donald Trump sparked global attention at the closing stage of the G7 summit in France, after declaring “I’m the boss” as he arrived for a morning session attended by fellow world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron.

The remark was made as Trump entered the meeting room in Evian, a resort town on the shores of Lake Geneva, where leaders of the world’s major advanced economies gathered for three days of talks on global security, economic stability, and geopolitical tensions.

According to accounts from officials present, Trump made the comment while other leaders were already seated. The statement reportedly triggered laughter in the room, with Macron responding in a relaxed and conversational tone as the session continued.

“I’m the boss,” Trump said before taking his seat, after which proceedings moved on to scheduled discussions.

The G7 summit brought together leaders of the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Canada, and Japan, with key talks centered on trade relations, international conflicts, and energy security.

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Diplomatic sources said Trump remained a dominant presence throughout the summit, actively participating in discussions and supporting a joint communique at the conclusion of the meeting. His full attendance until the end was also noted as significant, contrasting with previous summits where he had departed early.

The gathering came at a politically sensitive moment, following heightened global tensions and recent international negotiations involving the United States. Trump’s presence added increased global attention to the summit’s outcome and policy direction.

At the close of the meeting, Macron extended a private invitation to Trump for a dinner at the Palace of Versailles outside Paris. French officials clarified that the dinner was intended as a working engagement rather than a ceremonial gala, amid domestic political scrutiny over the optics of hosting the US president in such a setting.

Observers say the “I’m the boss” remark has become one of the most talked-about moments of the summit, reflecting Trump’s assertive communication style and continued influence on the global diplomatic stage.

The incident has since circulated widely across international media and social platforms, adding a viral moment to an otherwise formal gathering of world leaders.

Trump Declares “I’m the Boss” as G7 Summit Ends in France

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TRUMP SAYS IRAN DEAL ‘ALL SIGNED’ AS STRAIT OF HORMUZ PARTIALLY REOPENS

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BREAKING: Trump Cancels US Strikes on Iran at Last Minute

TRUMP SAYS IRAN DEAL ‘ALL SIGNED’ AS STRAIT OF HORMUZ PARTIALLY REOPENS

 

President Donald Trump on Monday announced that a landmark agreement between the United States and Iran has been finalized, declaring that the deal is “all signed” and that the strategically important Strait of Hormuz has already been partially reopened to maritime traffic.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, Trump said the agreement would pave the way for the full reopening of the vital shipping route by the end of the week.

“The deal’s all signed. And the strait is already partially opened. On Friday, it’ll be completely open,” Trump stated.

The development marks a significant breakthrough in efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East following months of heightened security concerns and disruptions to international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoints.

According to U.S. officials, the agreement, described as a memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, was digitally signed on Sunday. Vice President JD Vance confirmed that both parties had completed the signing process ahead of a formal ceremony expected to take place in Geneva later this week.

While details of the accord have not yet been made public, reports indicate that the agreement includes measures to restore navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, reduce military tensions in the region, and establish a framework for renewed negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.

Trump said the full text of the agreement would be released following the formal signing ceremony.

The announcement was welcomed by global energy markets, with crude oil prices falling amid expectations that shipping activities through the Strait of Hormuz would gradually return to normal levels.

However, security experts cautioned that a complete restoration of maritime operations could take time. Officials familiar with the situation noted that demining operations and security assessments remain ongoing, meaning full commercial traffic may not resume immediately despite the political agreement.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through the narrow channel, making its stability crucial to global energy security.

The agreement is expected to be closely scrutinized by lawmakers, regional allies, and international observers as further details emerge in the coming days.

 

TRUMP SAYS IRAN DEAL ‘ALL SIGNED’ AS STRAIT OF HORMUZ PARTIALLY REOPENS

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UK Announces Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

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UK Announces Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

UK Announces Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

The United Kingdom has announced plans to introduce one of the world’s toughest online safety measures, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirming that children under the age of 16 will be banned from accessing major social media platforms.

The proposed legislation, expected to be presented to Parliament later this year, will prohibit under-16s from using platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube, and X. The government says the move is aimed at protecting children from harmful content, online predators, cyberbullying, and addictive digital features that negatively impact mental health.

Announcing the policy on Monday, Starmer said social media platforms are increasingly “making children unhappy” and exposing them to content that is both dangerous and deliberately designed to keep young users engaged for extended periods.

According to the British government, the ban is expected to take effect in spring 2027 if approved by lawmakers. Officials say technology companies will be required to implement robust age-verification systems to prevent underage users from accessing restricted platforms.

While the restrictions will apply to most major social networking services, messaging applications such as WhatsApp and Signal will remain exempt from the ban. Authorities argue that these services primarily facilitate direct communication rather than content-driven engagement.

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In addition to social media restrictions, the UK government plans to introduce tougher regulations for gaming services and livestreaming platforms that allow children to interact with strangers online. Starmer emphasized that children should not be exposed to unknown adults through digital platforms without adequate safeguards, indicating that further measures are being developed to limit such interactions. Officials have described the planned reforms as “world-leading,” with additional details expected to be unveiled in July.

The government is also considering a range of extra protections for young internet users. These include overnight social media curfews for minors, mandatory breaks from infinite scrolling features, and stricter default privacy settings for teenagers. Officials say the proposals are intended to reduce excessive screen time and minimize exposure to potentially harmful online content. The reforms follow a government-led consultation in which British teenagers tested social media bans and app time limits, helping shape the final policy framework.

Starmer acknowledged that the UK’s approach was partly inspired by Australia, which became the first country to implement a nationwide social media ban for under-16s. However, British officials insist that the UK’s proposals go further by extending restrictions to gaming platforms, livestreaming services, and potentially certain AI-powered companion chatbots that may pose risks to children.

The announcement has generated debate within the technology industry. A spokesperson for YouTube warned that a blanket ban could push children toward less-regulated online services, potentially creating new safety concerns. Other industry stakeholders have questioned how age-verification requirements will be enforced and whether teenagers will find ways to circumvent the restrictions.

Despite the criticism, the government remains committed to the policy, arguing that stronger intervention is necessary to protect children in an increasingly digital world. Supporters of the proposal say the ban could help tackle growing concerns about mental health issues, online addiction, cyberbullying, and harmful content exposure among young people.

If approved, the legislation would position the UK among the global leaders in regulating children’s online activity and could influence similar policy discussions in other countries.

UK Announces Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

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