ABUJA, Nigeria (BN24) — Nigerian security forces have killed at least 30 gunmen in a counteroffensive following coordinated armed attacks on villages in the country’s volatile northwest, officials said Thursday.
The joint operation by police and military units was launched Wednesday after hundreds of heavily armed assailants stormed several communities the previous evening, according to Nasir Mua’zu, commissioner for home affairs in Sokoto State.
Three police officers and two soldiers were killed during the clashes, Mua’zu said in a statement.
“We are working tirelessly with federal security agencies to ensure the safety of all citizens,” he said, vowing sustained efforts to push back armed gangs that have repeatedly targeted rural areas.
The northwest and north-central regions of Nigeria have seen a surge in attacks in recent months, with armed groups carrying out raids on villages and highways. Authorities say hundreds of people have been killed or injured.
Many of the assailants, often referred to as bandits, are organized groups that evolved from clashes between nomadic herders and farming communities. Over time, the groups have grown into powerful criminal networks, profiting from kidnappings for ransom and extortion.
Analysts say the limited security presence across Nigeria’s mineral-rich northwest has emboldened dozens of gangs to impose their own control over large swaths of territory.
The country is also grappling with a long-running insurgency in the northeast, where extremist violence has killed more than 35,000 people and displaced over 2 million, according to United Nations figures.
PARIS (BN24) — The first Hermès Birkin handbag, conceived in an impromptu sketch on an airplane sick bag and later carried by Jane Birkin herself, sold Thursday for a record 7 million euros ($8.2 million) at auction, underscoring the enduring allure of the world’s most coveted accessory.
The unprecedented price, which sparked applause and gasps in the auction room, eclipsed the previous record for a handbag—$513,040 for a White Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Diamond Retourne Kelly 28, according to Sotheby’s.
Bidding began at 1 million euros and quickly escalated as phone bidders competed fiercely. With fees included, the winning bid from a Japanese collector totaled 8.6 million euros ($10.1 million), Sotheby’s said.
The one-of-a-kind Birkin was commissioned in 1984 by Hermès for Birkin, the British-born actor and singer who inspired the design after a chance conversation with Hermès chief Jean-Louis Dumas during a flight.
According to Sotheby’s, Birkin had complained to Dumas about the lack of spacious, practical handbags. She drew her ideal version on a vomit bag mid-flight, prompting Hermès to create a custom model embossed with her initials, J.B., on the front flap.
The resulting design became the prototype for what evolved into the Birkin bag—an emblem of exclusivity that commands six-figure price tags and years-long waiting lists.
“There is no doubt that the Original Birkin bag is a true one-of-a-kind—a singular piece of fashion history that has grown into a pop culture phenomenon that signals luxury in the most refined way possible,” said Morgane Halimi, head of handbags and fashion at Sotheby’s.
The Paris auction room was electric as the auctioneer described the bag as “the most famous bag of all time.” Bids swiftly climbed past 2 million euros, then 4 million, 5 million, and ultimately to 7 million euros. When the hammer fell, many in attendance applauded and whistled.
The Original Birkin, the handbag crafted by French luxury fashion house Hermes for artist Jane Birkin and offered to her in 1985, is displayed during a media preview of Sotheby’s Paris Fashion Icons Sale at Sotheby’s auction house in Paris, France, July 2, 2025. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson
The Birkin bag’s origin dates back to the 1980s, when Birkin was traveling with her daughter, Charlotte, and struggling to juggle her belongings. As she told the story later, handbags then were too small for a young mother.
Hermès produced the bag in black leather with seven unique features that set it apart from commercial Birkins. It is the only Birkin with a fixed shoulder strap—intended for practicality—and includes a nail clipper attachment because Birkin preferred natural nails.
Other distinctive details include gilded brass hardware and bottom studs. The bag was adapted from the brand’s existing Haut A Courroies model.
Birkin carried the prototype for nearly a decade. In 1994, she auctioned it for an AIDS charity. It was sold again in 2000 and has since remained in private collections.
Jane Birkin, who died in 2023 at age 76, became synonymous with understated elegance, and her style—loose bangs, denim, basket bags—remains a benchmark of French chic. She once quipped that her obituary would likely read: “Like the bag,” before adding, “Well, it could be worse.”
Hermès eventually gifted her four additional Birkins. But none matched the cultural resonance of the original, which Sotheby’s described as “more than just a bag—a timeless cultural icon.”
“It is a red-carpet staple, a fashion magazine mainstay, and a coveted piece in the wardrobes of celebrities, artists, and stylists,” the auction house said.
CONCORD, N.H. (BN24) — A U.S. federal judge on Thursday again blocked the Trump administration from denying citizenship to some U.S.-born children, invoking an exception in the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that limited judges’ ability to halt national policies.
U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante ruled in favor of immigrant rights advocates seeking to certify a class action representing all children whose citizenship could be threatened by President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting birthright citizenship.
The decision, issued after a hearing in Concord, marks the latest legal setback for the policy, which Trump signed in January on his first day back in office. Laplante paused his order for seven days to give the administration time to appeal, which a Justice Department lawyer indicated it would.
“This is going to protect every single child throughout the country from this lawless, unconstitutional, cruel executive order,” said Cody Wofsy, an American Civil Liberties Union attorney who argued the case.
Laplante, appointed by Republican President George W. Bush, concluded that certifying the case as a class action allowed him to reissue a national injunction under the Supreme Court’s June 27 decision. That ruling invalidated three other nationwide injunctions blocking Trump’s order but carved out an exception for class actions.
“It is the greatest privilege that exists in the world,” Laplante said of citizenship, calling the potential harm to children “irreparable.”
The Supreme Court ruling narrowed judges’ power to issue so-called universal injunctions and required lower courts to reconsider their scope. But it also made clear that class action lawsuits could still seek relief for large groups.
Trump’s order directs federal agencies to deny citizenship to U.S.-born babies if neither parent is an American citizen or a lawful permanent resident. Immigrant rights advocates say more than 150,000 newborns each year could be affected.
White House spokesperson Harrison Fields condemned Thursday’s ruling as “an obvious and unlawful attempt to circumvent the Supreme Court’s clear order against universal relief.”
“This judge’s decision disregards the rule of law by abusing class action certification procedures,” Fields said in a statement, pledging that the administration would “fight vigorously” to defend the policy.
The ruling follows months of litigation over Trump’s directive. Earlier this year, four federal judges, including Laplante, issued injunctions halting enforcement after finding it likely violated the 14th Amendment’s citizenship clause. That provision was interpreted in the Supreme Court’s landmark 1898 decision, United States v. Wong Kim Ark, to guarantee citizenship to children born on U.S. soil regardless of their parents’ immigration status.
While Laplante limited his earlier injunction to members of three nonprofit organizations that brought the case before him, judges in Maryland, Massachusetts and Washington imposed broader nationwide bans.
The Supreme Court’s conservative majority ruled that such nationwide injunctions exceeded judges’ authority. Justice Amy Coney Barrett, writing for the 6-3 majority, said class actions remained an available path to seek comparable relief.
Immigrant rights groups quickly responded, filing two proposed class actions within hours of the Supreme Court decision. One of them, before Laplante, advanced on Thursday when he granted provisional class certification.
During the hearing, Laplante said he preferred class actions to sweeping universal injunctions, describing them as “fairly routine” and more appropriate for resolving broad constitutional disputes.
“It’s a better process to narrow these decisions and not have judges create national policy,” he said.
Still, Laplante acknowledged that the Supreme Court had emphasized the need for rigorous scrutiny when granting class certification.
“That said, the Supreme Court suggested a class action is a better option,” he noted.
Trump’s executive order is set to take effect on July 27 if higher courts do not extend the pause.
ISTANBUL (BN24) — Turkish authorities have detained more than 500 of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s political opponents over the past nine months in what officials describe as a sweeping anti-corruption probe, a Reuters review of court documents and state records shows.
The investigation, which Erdogan has likened to dismantling “an octopus whose arms stretch to other parts of Turkey and abroad,” has rapidly escalated in recent weeks and focuses exclusively on municipalities controlled by the main opposition Republican People’s Party, or CHP.
The crackdown has seen 14 elected CHP mayors jailed pending trial—including Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul’s popular mayor and Erdogan’s chief rival—and more than 200 party members and officials swept up in the operation.
Erdogan and his government reject allegations that the probe is politically motivated, insisting courts are independently evaluating evidence of widespread corruption. But CHP leaders say the campaign is an unprecedented attempt to crush the country’s largest secular opposition and hobble it ahead of any future election.
“These investigations are being used as a tool for political attrition rather than the objective investigation of concrete events,” said Ertugrul Gunay, a former minister in Erdogan’s government who resigned after thousands were jailed during the 2013 Gezi Park protests.
While Erdogan has faced waves of criticism in Turkey and abroad over democratic backsliding, the latest crackdown has drawn only muted reaction from Western allies, even as street protests erupted in the spring.
At the heart of the case is Imamoglu, who was jailed in March on corruption charges he denies. His arrest, the most significant detention of an opposition politician in decades, prompted large demonstrations and a sharp sell-off of the Turkish lira.
According to the Reuters review, more than 500 people have been detained or questioned since the investigation began in Istanbul last October, including at least 202 in the past week alone. Over 220 have been either imprisoned or placed under house arrest, figures compiled from court filings and state-run Anadolu Agency reports show.
Erdogan has publicly defended the probe, telling lawmakers Wednesday, “This is a legal process, not a political one. We are not involved in any aspect of this process.”
But the investigation has drawn comparisons to Turkey’s past military coups, when high-profile politicians were removed from office under similarly sweeping accusations.
“Not since the coups of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s have so many political leaders been removed based on evidence that is still unpublished,” Gunay said.
Police documents reviewed by Reuters show the allegations against Imamoglu include claims he met associates to discuss bribe payments. Interrogators cited 150 instances when his phone connected to the same cell tower as theirs—a connection he dismissed, saying his home was near the café in question.
Prosecutors have not yet issued formal indictments.
Beyond Istanbul, the investigation has spread to other cities captured by the CHP in last year’s municipal elections, including Izmir, Antalya, Adana and Adiyaman—areas that delivered Erdogan’s ruling party its worst-ever local defeat.
Erdogan’s office and the Justice Ministry did not respond to Reuters’ questions on the figures or critics’ allegations that officials’ public statements about the investigation undermine judicial independence.
The CHP maintains that the corruption accusations are fabricated. Still, it announced it would review the conduct of one deputy mayor after state broadcaster TRT aired footage showing him allegedly taking bribes.
While Erdogan’s government insists the CHP is not being targeted selectively, Reuters found no evidence that similar probes have been launched in the 14 Istanbul districts governed by Erdogan’s AKP.
The arrests have fueled speculation about Erdogan’s intentions ahead of the next presidential vote, currently scheduled for 2028 but which could be brought forward if he seeks to extend his rule beyond Turkey’s two-term constitutional limit.
CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel denounced the wave of detentions as “a coup against Ataturk’s party” in a speech Sunday—a statement that itself has triggered a separate investigation for allegedly insulting the president.
AWKA, Nigeria (BN24) — Panic gripped two communities in Nigeria’s southeastern Anambra State on Wednesday as dozens of unidentified gunmen stormed the area, shooting indiscriminately and killing at least four people, according to residents.
The attackers, described by witnesses as heavily armed and operating in large numbers, invaded Ekwulobia and Oko communities in Aguata Local Government Area around 8 a.m., triggering chaos as workers and traders fled for safety.
Videos circulating on social media showed people running through the streets as gunfire rang out and vehicles burned.
One eyewitness, who declined to be named over fear of reprisal, said the gunmen mounted positions on a newly constructed bridge in Ekwulobia before opening fire on a joint patrol team made up of police, army, and state vigilante operatives.
“There was confusion everywhere,” the witness said. “About four people were already dead, and many others injured. Two people were shot while in a tricycle.”
The motive for the assault remained unclear. While residents said at least four people had been killed, police put the official toll at two.
Anambra police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the incident and said security forces had regained control of the area.
“The Anambra State Police Command-led security force contained a shooting incident in the early hours of today at Oko and Ekwulobia flyover,” Ikenga said.
According to police, the gunmen opened fire without warning beneath the Ekwulobia flyover and set a security vehicle ablaze.
A swift response from the joint security team led to an exchange of fire in which one of the attackers was neutralized. Officers recovered an AK-47 rifle, an automatic pump-action shotgun, and four vehicles believed to have been used by the gunmen.
The recovered vehicles included a red Toyota Camry, a custom-color Mercedes Benz GLK, a golden Lexus 330, and a Toyota Highlander, police said.
Ikenga added that the burned vehicle was a brown Toyota Sienna allegedly belonging to the Anambra State Vigilante Group.
Separately, the Oko Divisional Police Headquarters came under attack, but police repelled the assault. No casualties were recorded in that incident.
“Given the above, adequate security measures have been put in place at the instance of the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu,” Ikenga said. “Residents are urged to remain calm as efforts to ensure their safety continue.”
Bodies of the victims have been deposited in the morgue, and authorities said investigations and pursuit of the assailants were ongoing.
WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump escalated his trade offensive Wednesday by slapping a sweeping 50% tariff on Brazilian exports to the United States and ordering a formal investigation into what he called Brazil’s unfair trade practices, a move that could trigger even higher duties in the months ahead.
The tariff, effective August 1, dwarfs the 10% duty imposed on Brazilian goods in April and was announced in a letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. In the letter, Trump aired grievances over what he described as Brazil’s attacks on free elections and speech, as well as “secret and unlawful censorship orders to U.S. social media platforms.”
Trump also vented anger over what he called the “Witch Hunt” trial of Lula’s right-wing predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro.
Citing the Trade Act of 1974, Trump directed the U.S. Trade Representative’s office to launch an investigation under Section 301, the same legal tool used in earlier tariff wars. The probe could lead to additional levies on Brazilian goods if officials determine the country’s policies harm American interests.
Brazil, Latin America’s largest economy, ranked as the 15th largest U.S. trading partner in 2024, with two-way trade reaching $92 billion. Despite the tensions, the U.S. logged a $7.4 billion trade surplus with Brazil last year.
In the letter, Trump repeated language he has used in form letters to other leaders, describing Brazil’s trading relationship as “very unfair.”
The escalation comes as the Trump administration moves closer to finalizing a trade pact with the European Union, Washington’s biggest trading bloc. Trump said negotiations with both China and Europe were progressing and that he would likely inform EU officials of expected tariff rates within two days.
“They treated us very badly until recently, and now they’re treating us very nicely,” Trump said of EU leaders. “It’s like a different world, actually.”
EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic told lawmakers that the two sides had made good progress on a framework agreement and that a deal might be possible within days. Italian Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti, however, warned that negotiations remained “very complicated” and could stretch up to the deadline.
According to EU and auto industry sources, negotiators are weighing a package that could include tariff cuts, import quotas, and credits to protect European automakers exporting to the U.S.
Wednesday’s move against Brazil was part of a broader tariff campaign Trump has unleashed over recent months. He announced new tariffs against seven smaller trading partners, including a 20% tariff on goods from the Philippines and levies ranging from 25% to 30% on products from Sri Lanka, Algeria, Iraq, Libya, Brunei, and Moldova.
These countries accounted for a combined $15 billion in U.S. imports in 2024, a fraction of Brazil’s trade volume.
Earlier this week, Trump also imposed 50% tariffs on imported copper and signaled he would soon introduce long-threatened duties on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, rattling companies and fueling uncertainty in the global economy.
Following the new measures, researchers at Yale Budget Lab estimated that U.S. consumers now face an effective average tariff rate of 17.6%, the highest since 1934.
Trump’s administration has framed the tariffs as a powerful revenue generator. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington has already collected about $100 billion this year and projected that total could rise to $300 billion by year’s end.
Despite Trump’s claim of “90 deals in 90 days,” so far only two agreements have been reached—one with Britain and one with Vietnam—and talks with India are still underway.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, a Democrat, sharply criticized Trump’s moves.
“President Trump was elected to lower costs, and all he is doing is raising prices and hurting our businesses,” she said in a statement.
WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump expressed surprise at Liberian President Joseph Boakai’s English-speaking abilities during a White House meeting Wednesday, asking where the African leader learned the language despite English serving as Liberia’s official language for more than two centuries.
The exchange occurred as Trump hosted a group of African leaders at the White House, with many participants speaking through interpreters in their native languages. When Boakai addressed the gathering in fluent English, Trump appeared genuinely impressed by the president’s command of the language.
“Liberia is a longtime friend of the United States and we believe in your policy of making America great again,” Boakai said during the diplomatic meeting, before advocating for increased U.S. investment in his West African nation. “We just want to thank you so much for this opportunity.”
Trump responded with apparent admiration for Boakai’s linguistic skills, though his comments revealed a lack of awareness about Liberia’s colonial history and official language status. The American president’s inquiry suggested unfamiliarity with the unique relationship between the United States and Liberia.
“Such good English,” Trump said during the meeting. “Where did you learn to speak so beautifully?”
Boakai appeared to react with amusement to the question, chuckling softly before responding to Trump’s continued inquiries about his language acquisition. The Liberian leader’s reaction suggested awareness of the historical context that Trump seemed to miss.
“In Liberia?” Trump asked, seeking clarification about where Boakai had developed his English proficiency. “Yes sir,” Boakai confirmed, maintaining diplomatic composure despite the nature of the question.
Trump expressed continued fascination with Boakai’s language abilities, making a comparison that drew attention to the communication skills of his own administration officials. The president’s comments reflected his apparent surprise at encountering an African leader who spoke English as fluently as native speakers.
“That’s very interesting,” Trump said following Boakai’s confirmation. “I have people at this table who can’t speak nearly as well.”
The exchange highlighted a significant gap in understanding about Liberia’s unique history and its deep connections to the United States. Liberia was established in 1822 as a colony specifically designed for free Black Americans, representing a complex chapter in American history that directly explains the country’s adoption of English as its official language.
The West African nation emerged from the efforts of white Americans who sought to address what they perceived as a demographic challenge following the abolition of slavery. These colonization advocates believed that creating a separate African homeland for freed slaves would resolve questions about the future integration of Black Americans into post-slavery society.
Liberia’s founding as an American colonial project established English as the primary governmental and educational language from the nation’s inception. The American Colonization Society, which orchestrated the settlement, ensured that English would serve as the official language of the new republic, making it integral to Liberian governance, education, and official communications.
While English functions as Liberia’s official language for government operations, legal proceedings, and formal education, the country maintains rich linguistic diversity through multiple indigenous languages spoken by various ethnic groups throughout the nation. These local languages continue to play important roles in daily communication and cultural preservation.
The historical connection between the United States and Liberia extends beyond language to encompass political, economic, and cultural ties that have persisted for more than two centuries. Liberia’s constitution and governmental structure were modeled after American institutions, reflecting the deep influence of its American founders.
Boakai’s presence at the White House represented continuation of the long-standing diplomatic relationship between the two nations. His advocacy for increased American investment in Liberia during the meeting demonstrated ongoing efforts to strengthen economic partnerships that trace back to the countries’ shared historical foundations.
The diplomatic encounter occurred as part of Trump’s broader engagement with African leaders, though the president’s surprise at Boakai’s English proficiency revealed limitations in his understanding of Africa’s colonial history and contemporary realities. Many African nations maintain European languages as official languages due to their colonial experiences.
Trump’s comments about his own officials’ speaking abilities compared to Boakai’s English skills added an unexpected dimension to the diplomatic exchange. The comparison suggested that the president found the Liberian leader’s articulation superior to that of some members of his own administration.
The incident underscored broader questions about diplomatic preparation and cultural awareness in high-level international meetings. Such exchanges between world leaders often require careful attention to historical context and cultural sensitivity to avoid misunderstandings or unintended diplomatic complications.
Liberia’s status as Africa’s oldest republic and its unique relationship with the United States make it an important partner in American diplomatic efforts across the African continent. The nation’s English-speaking leadership has historically facilitated communication and cooperation between the two countries in various international forums.
NEW YORK (BN24) — Bitcoin surged to a record high near $112,000 late Wednesday, driven by persistent institutional demand and growing risk appetite as major financial firms deepened their embrace of the world’s largest cryptocurrency.
The digital asset touched an unprecedented peak of $111,988.90 before easing slightly to trade up 0.4% at $111,259. Since the start of the year, bitcoin has climbed more than 18%, underscoring renewed momentum across the crypto sector.
“Bitcoin is the only asset I am aware of where it becomes less risky as it grows in size,” Anthony Pompliano, founder and CEO of Professional Capital Management, wrote in a letter to investors Wednesday. “There were few sophisticated capital allocators who could gain exposure when bitcoin was a $100-200 billion market cap. Now that the asset is measured in trillions, almost every capital allocator on the planet can put the exposure on.”
Analysts also credited the Trump administration’s crypto-friendly policies for fueling the rally, saying regulatory openness has unlocked new pools of capital for digital assets.
Trump Media & Technology Group, led by the president’s family, disclosed in a filing with U.S. market regulators Tuesday that it plans to launch an exchange-traded fund investing in multiple crypto tokens, including bitcoin, ether, solana and ripple.
Bitcoin’s surge lifted other major cryptocurrencies. Ether, the second-largest digital currency by market capitalization, hit a one-month high of $2,794.95 and was last up 5.4% at $2,740.99.
Crypto-related stocks also posted gains. Strategy, the firm co-founded by bitcoin treasury advocate Michael Saylor, rose 4.7% to $415.41. Coinbase Global advanced 5.4% to $373.85.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (BN24) — Hamas said Wednesday it has agreed to release 10 hostages as part of ongoing negotiations over a potential Gaza ceasefire, describing the talks as “difficult” but necessary to ease the suffering of civilians.
The announcement came after four days of indirect discussions brokered by Qatar and as the United States signaled optimism that an agreement could be finalized before the end of the week. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said the proposed deal would include a 60-day truce and the return of 10 living hostages taken during Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault on southern Israel.
Of the 251 hostages seized in the cross-border attack, 49 remain in captivity inside Gaza, according to Israeli authorities, including 27 who the military says are dead.
In its statement, Hamas cautioned that significant obstacles remain. The group cited demands for unimpeded humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza, a withdrawal of Israeli forces, and what it called “real guarantees” for a permanent cessation of hostilities.
“The movement displayed the required flexibility and agreed to release 10 prisoners,” Hamas said. “Despite the difficulty of negotiations over these issues until now due to the intransigence of the occupation, we continue to work seriously and with a positive spirit with the mediators to overcome the hurdles and end the suffering of our people and ensure their aspirations to freedom, safety and a dignified life.”
Israeli officials have also expressed guarded optimism in recent days. Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir said military operations had created the conditions necessary to secure the hostages’ return.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking to FOX Business Network’s Mornings, suggested that a resolution could be near. “I think we’re getting closer to a deal,” Netanyahu said. “There’s a good chance that we’ll have it.”
After meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington on Tuesday, Netanyahu maintained that Israel would not abandon its campaign to dismantle Hamas but did not rule out agreeing to a temporary halt in fighting.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said a limited truce was “achievable” and could open the door to further negotiations toward a lasting peace. President Isaac Herzog described the talks as offering “a historic opportunity” for change in the conflict that has devastated Gaza and reshaped Israeli politics.
Hamas’s October attack on Israeli communities near the Gaza border killed roughly 1,200 people, triggering a military response that has since left tens of thousands dead across Gaza, according to local health officials. The fighting has displaced most of the territory’s 2.3 million residents, caused widespread hunger, and destroyed vital infrastructure.
As negotiations in Doha continued, aid agencies and mediators expressed hope that an initial agreement could allow more humanitarian supplies to reach civilians and create space for further diplomacy.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (BN24) — Israeli airstrikes killed at least 40 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, including 10 members of a single family sheltering in a tent, as President Donald Trump continued diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire that could end the 21-month war and secure the release of dozens of Israeli hostages.
The deadly strikes occurred as Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the second time in two days at the White House on Tuesday evening, though the high-level discussions showed no apparent signs of breakthrough in the protracted negotiations.
Hospital officials at Nasser Hospital in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis confirmed the casualties included 17 women and 10 children among the dead. The medical facility has continued operating despite Gaza’s severely damaged health system, with several hospitals rendered inoperable and leading physicians killed in Israeli strikes throughout the conflict.
The Israeli military reported conducting strikes against more than 100 targets across Gaza over the past day, including militant positions, booby-trapped structures, weapons storage facilities, missile launchers and tunnel systems. Israeli forces maintain that Hamas deliberately positions weapons and fighters among civilian populations, complicating military operations.
Um Mohammad Shaaban, whose nickname means Mohammad Shaaban’s mother, mourned the loss of the 10 Shaaban family members killed in the Israeli strike while they sheltered inside their tent in Khan Younis. The grieving woman discovered the devastating scene after the attack on what she believed was a designated safe area.
“I found all my children dead, and my daughters’ three children dead,” Um Mohammad Shaaban said through tears. “It’s supposed to be a safe area where we were.”
She noted that strikes have intensified despite rising hopes for a potential ceasefire agreement. “The hospital last night was jam-packed,” she observed, reflecting the surge in casualties from the ongoing bombardment.
Crowds of Palestinians gathered Wednesday to bid farewell to the Shaaban family members, with mourners struggling to release the bodies of the three grandchildren before burial. The emotional scene underscored the human cost of the continuing conflict as diplomatic efforts remain stalled.
Palestinians throughout Gaza are desperately seeking an end to the war that has killed tens of thousands, destroyed vast areas of the territory and displaced approximately 90 percent of the population. Aid organizations report that Israeli restrictions and the breakdown of law and order have severely hampered humanitarian assistance delivery, creating widespread hunger and fears of famine.
In the sprawling coastal Muwasi area, where hundreds of thousands of displaced people live in tents after fleeing their homes, residents described the daily struggle to secure basic necessities. Abeer al-Najjar said she had battled constant bombardments to obtain food and water for her family in the temporary settlement.
“I pray to God that there would be a pause, and not just a pause where they would lie to us,” she said, referencing an earlier ceasefire that Israel ended in March. “We want a full ceasefire.”
Her husband, Ali al-Najjar, emphasized that life has become especially difficult during the summer months with limited access to drinking water. “We hope this would be the end of our suffering and we can rebuild our country again,” he said before rushing through crowds with two buckets to fill them from a water truck.
Desperate residents chased the water vehicle as it departed for another location, highlighting the severe shortage of basic resources. Amani Abu-Omar explained that the water truck arrives only every four days, insufficient for her dehydrated children who have developed skin rashes from the summer heat and harsh living conditions.
“We had expected ceasefires on many occasions, but it was for nothing,” Abu-Omar said, expressing the frustration felt by many Palestinians who have endured repeated false hopes for peace.
The current conflict began after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Most hostages have been released through earlier ceasefire agreements, though dozens remain in captivity. Israel’s military offensive in Gaza has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians, with more than half identified as women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The Health Ministry, operating under Gaza’s Hamas-run government, does not distinguish between civilian and combatant casualties in its reporting. The United Nations and other international organizations consider the ministry’s figures to be the most reliable statistics available on war casualties.
Netanyahu has maintained his commitment to continue the war until Hamas is completely destroyed, while the militant group insists it will only release the remaining hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The fundamental disagreement between the parties has complicated diplomatic efforts to reach a resolution.
Netanyahu told reporters Tuesday that he and Trump see “eye to eye” on the necessity of destroying Hamas and that coordination between Israel and the United States has reached unprecedented levels. The Israeli leader’s comments suggested alignment on military objectives despite ongoing negotiations over ceasefire terms.
Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to travel to Doha, Qatar, later this week to continue indirect negotiations with Hamas regarding the ceasefire proposal. The diplomatic mission represents a continuation of intensive efforts to break the deadlock in peace talks.
Witkoff and other senior administration officials met with Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and Qatari officials at the White House on Tuesday to address remaining obstacles in the negotiations. A key sticking point involves Israel’s desire to maintain a military presence in Gaza during a potential 60-day truce, according to a White House official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
When asked about the meeting, Trump declined to confirm that “secret” talks had occurred but expressed hope that such engagement would advance peace efforts. “We want to have peace. We want to get the hostages back. And I think we’re close to doing it,” Trump stated, suggesting cautious optimism about the diplomatic progress.
The ongoing violence in Gaza continues despite the intensive diplomatic efforts, with Palestinian civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict as both sides maintain their fundamental positions. The international community watches closely as Trump administration officials work to bridge the gap between Israeli security demands and Palestinian calls for an end to the devastating war.
