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Dutch foreign minister resigns over Israel sanctions deadlock

Dutch Foreign Minister Resigns Over Cabinet Deadlock on Israel Sanctions

Fola Badmus4 weeks ago4 weeks ago04 mins

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp has resigned after failing to secure cabinet backing for additional sanctions against Israel amid its ongoing military operations in Gaza. Veldkamp, a member of the centre-right New Social Contract party, announced his resignation on Friday, citing the government’s refusal to support what he called “meaningful measures” in response to the worsening humanitarian crisis. “I also see what is happening on the ground in Gaza — the attack on Gaza City, and in the West Bank, the settlement expansion in E1 and East Jerusalem,” Veldkamp told reporters. “I can no longer defend a foreign policy that ignores these realities.” His resignation has triggered broader political fallout, with all New Social Contract ministers and state secretaries stepping down in solidarity, leaving the caretaker government further weakened as it prepares for elections in October. Sanctions Push Met with Resistance Veldkamp had pushed for targeted sanctions, including entry bans for far-right Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, citing their roles in inciting settler violence. He also revoked three export permits for components used in Israeli naval vessels, warning of “deteriorating conditions” and the risk of misuse. Additionally, Veldkamp advocated for suspending the EU-Israel trade agreement — a move reportedly blocked by Germany. “There was increasing pressure from Dutch lawmakers and the public,” said Al Jazeera’s Step Vaessen, reporting from Berlin. “Many believed the Netherlands should act unilaterally rather than wait for Brussels.” Despite his efforts, Veldkamp said resistance from within the cabinet rendered his position untenable. Netherlands Caught in Broader EU Tensions While the Netherlands has taken limited steps toward sanctioning Israel, it remains a key node in the supply chain of Israel’s F-35 fighter jet programme. Research from the Palestinian Youth Movement shows that F-35 components regularly pass through the port of Rotterdam, operated by Maersk. These aircraft have played a central role in Israel’s aerial campaign in Gaza, which has killed over 62,000 people since October 2023, according to local health authorities. Earlier this week, the Netherlands joined 20 other nations in condemning Israel’s approval of a major West Bank settlement expansion, calling the move “unacceptable and contrary to international law”. No Immediate Successor The Dutch caretaker government, in place since the coalition collapse on 3 June, will remain until a new government is formed post-elections — a process that may take months. No immediate successor to Veldkamp has been named. Veldkamp’s departure comes at a critical moment for the EU, which continues negotiations with the United States over tariffs and faces growing pressure to enforce accountability in the Israel-Gaza conflict. The famine officially declared in Gaza City on Friday by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has further intensified calls for urgent international action.

Gaza Famine Deepens: 263 Dead from Starvation, Including 112 Children

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago04 mins

Starvation deaths in Gaza are rising sharply as Israel’s blockade and bombardment fuel a man-made famine that has left families without food, clean water, or medical care. According to health officials in Gaza, at least 263 people have now died from starvation, including 112 children, as of August 17. Hospitals are struggling to cope with the growing number of malnourished patients, many of them infants and toddlers in critical condition. Children Among the Most Vulnerable One of the most harrowing cases is that of seven-month-old Hasan Ahmed Felfel, whose worsening malnutrition has put his life at serious risk. Doctors in Gaza City say they are treating him and dozens of other children under dire conditions, with shortages of medicine, baby formula, and therapeutic food supplies. Malnutrition strikes children hardest, especially within the first 1,000 days of life—from pregnancy through age two. Without treatment, starvation causes organ failure, brain damage, stunted growth, and in many cases, death. Blockade and Aid Restrictions The famine crisis is rooted in Israel’s near-total blockade of Gaza’s crossings. Between March and mid-May, food, water, and humanitarian aid were completely sealed off, creating catastrophic shortages. Relief groups report that hundreds of aid trucks—once supplying 500 truckloads a day before October 2023—now sit idle in Egypt and Jordan, barred from entering Gaza. More than 100 humanitarian organisations, including Oxfam, Doctors Without Borders, Amnesty International, and the Norwegian Refugee Council, have accused Israel of deliberately weaponising aid by blocking life-saving supplies. On August 14, Amnesty International stated that Israel’s policies amount to a “deliberate strategy of starvation”, describing the conditions imposed on Palestinians as part of an ongoing campaign of destruction. Measuring Famine International experts warn that Gaza is moving deeper into famine. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) defines famine as a situation where: Humanitarian agencies say all three thresholds are either already being met or dangerously close. Visible Signs of Crisis Images emerging from Gaza show children with swollen bellies caused by severe protein deficiency, sunken eyes, and skeletal frames—many measuring below the 11.5cm threshold on MUAC malnutrition tapes, which signals severe acute malnutrition. Without immediate intervention, these children face a high risk of death. Doctors say the famine is “entirely man-made” and preventable, but without access to food and medical supplies, the death toll will continue to climb daily.

Netanyahu Pushes for Full Occupation of Gaza Security Cabinet to Decide

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly decided to pursue the full occupation of the Gaza Strip, with his security cabinet expected to meet this week to approve the plan. According to Israeli outlet Ynet, a senior official close to Netanyahu said, “This is die cast — we are going for the full occupation of the Gaza Strip. There will be operations even in areas where hostages are being held. If the chief of staff doesn’t agree, he should resign.” The Times of Israel reports that the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) currently control about 75% of Gaza, and the new strategy would involve seizing the remaining territory. In response, Hamas dismissed the threats as “repetitive, worthless and without influence” on its decisions. During a visit to IDF recruits at a base near Tel Aviv, Netanyahu stressed the need to finish the campaign. “It is still necessary to complete the defeat of the enemy in Gaza, release our hostages and ensure that Gaza never again constitutes a threat to Israel. We are not giving up on any of these missions,” he told the troops. The push for total occupation comes amid ongoing fighting and mounting international pressure for a ceasefire.

Israel Kills Over 40 in Gaza as Aid Agencies Call for Immediate Ceasefire

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

More than 41 Palestinians have been killed in fresh Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip since dawn on Monday, including at least 20 people who were reportedly seeking humanitarian aid, according to local health authorities. The escalating violence has drawn urgent calls from international aid agencies, who warn that Gaza is on the brink of irreversible humanitarian collapse unless an immediate ceasefire is implemented. Speaking to Al Jazeera, aid organisations painted a dire picture of the situation in Gaza, where hunger and desperation continue to deepen amid near-total destruction and a critical shortage of supplies. “Without a cessation of hostilities, Gaza is spiralling into a humanitarian catastrophe that may soon become irreversible,” one aid official said. Despite a partial easing of the Israeli blockade since July 27, humanitarian access remains severely limited. Officials in Gaza say over 22,000 aid trucks are waiting outside the Strip, while an average of only 84 trucks per day are currently entering—far below the 600 daily trucks aid groups say are needed to meet basic human needs. Photos emerging from the ground show scenes of devastation and displacement. Among them is Zainab Dakka, a displaced mother seen standing outside her makeshift tent in Gaza City with her daughter and a bag of flour from a rare aid delivery. As food scarcity worsens, many Palestinians are now risking gunfire by scavenging for scraps to feed their families—underscoring the deadly consequences of the ongoing siege. Global pressure is mounting for a ceasefire, but diplomatic efforts so far have failed to yield progress.

Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Ship Handala as Strikes Kill 71 in a Day

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

By Kamal Yalwa | July 27, 2025 Gaza Strip – The Israeli military has intercepted and surrounded the Handala, a humanitarian aid ship en route to Gaza in an effort to break Israel’s blockade of the besieged enclave. The move comes as Israeli airstrikes intensified across Gaza, killing at least 71 Palestinians since dawn on Saturday—including 42 civilians reportedly attempting to access humanitarian aid. Among those on board the Handala is a former member of the European Parliament from France, who confirmed via satellite link that the vessel had been blocked in international waters by Israeli naval forces. The ship, bearing Palestinian flags and a banner reading “Handala”, had attracted global attention for its symbolic and direct challenge to Israel’s restrictions on humanitarian access to Gaza. Organizers said it was carrying medical supplies, food, and basic necessities intended for civilians suffering under what many international observers describe as a “man-made famine.” Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies continue to push back against Israeli claims that aid is being distributed effectively. The United Nations and other relief groups argue that access restrictions, targeted strikes near aid centers, and red tape are preventing life-saving supplies from reaching those in desperate need. “This is not a logistics failure—it’s a deliberate policy choice,” said one UN official who requested anonymity for security reasons. The rising death toll on Saturday follows weeks of escalating violence and worsening humanitarian conditions. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 200,000 people have been killed or wounded since the beginning of the conflict, with food insecurity now reaching catastrophic levels. Despite mounting international pressure and growing outrage over civilian casualties, Israel continues to defend its operations, citing ongoing security threats from Hamas and other armed groups. As of Saturday evening, the fate of the Handala and its crew remains uncertain.

Horrors Upon Horrors: US Congress Reacts to Mounting Hunger Crisis in Gaza

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

By Kamal Yalwa | July 27, 2025 Images of starving children emerging from Gaza are beginning to stir discomfort—and in some cases, condemnation—among members of the United States Congress, as the humanitarian catastrophe in the Palestinian enclave worsens under Israel’s ongoing blockade. While a growing number of Democratic lawmakers have issued urgent appeals for humanitarian access to the territory, few have directly held Israel accountable for the deepening crisis, despite widespread international criticism of the siege. In a rare and scathing rebuke, Senator Bernie Sanders described Israel’s actions as part of a broader campaign of ethnic cleansing, saying on Friday, “Having already killed or wounded 200,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, the extremist Israeli government is using mass starvation to engineer the ethnic cleansing of Gaza.” He further accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of pursuing an “extermination campaign.” Sanders’ statement came as outrage builds over the controversial GHF food distribution mechanism—backed by the US and Israel—which has reportedly led to the deaths of over 1,000 Palestinians attempting to access aid. Despite this, most members of Congress have stopped short of attributing blame. Many have instead opted for generalized calls for aid to enter Gaza, avoiding criticism of Israeli policies directly responsible for restricting access. The lack of accountability is striking given that the United States continues to supply military support to Israel. Just last week, the House of Representatives passed a bill approving $500 million in missile defense funding for Israel, reinforcing the strong bipartisan support the country has long enjoyed on Capitol Hill. Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies and rights groups continue to sound the alarm, calling the situation in Gaza “man-made” and demanding immediate political intervention to lift the siege and allow aid to flow freely. As the death toll rises and hunger escalates, pressure is mounting on Washington to not only speak out—but to act.