Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has submitted his response to the probe into the October 7 Hamas attack, pushing back against personal responsibility and shifting blame toward the IDF and Shin Bet. The submission comes amid intense scrutiny over intelligence failures and decision-making ahead of the attack.


Israel: Netanyahu Submits Reply On Oct 7 Probe, Deflects Blame Towards IDF, Shin Bet 

Israel on Tuesday (Jan 13) announced that it was withdrawing from dozens of international organisations, while ordering a wider review of cooperation with others. The nation said that persistent bias, politicisation and actions hostile to Israel were behind its decision to sever contact with several United Nations agencies and international bodies. This comes after the United States last week announced its decision to withdraw from 66 international organisations.<h2>Trump's US inspired Israel</h2>On January 7, 2025, US President Donald Trump signed an order withdrawing the United States from 66 organisations and treaties, which, as per a White House memorandum, are "contrary to the interests of the United States." Roughly half of the organisations and treaties the US exited are affiliated with the United Nations.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-pulls-us-out-of-66-organisations-and-treaties-including-india-led-international-solar-alliance-1767847347430">Trump pulls US out of 66 organisations and treaties, including India-led International Solar Alliance | FULL LIST HERE</a>Now, seemingly inspired by the US, Israel has withdrawn from multiple UN agencies. In a statement posted on X on Tuesday, Israel's Foreign Ministry said Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar had ordered an immediate severing of contact with a number of UN bodies after an internal examination of their conduct. The review, the ministry said, was made after the US decision and by Israel's own experience with these organisations."Israel will immediately sever all contact with the following UN agencies and international organizations," the ministry said, adding that Sa’ar has also instructed officials "to immediately examine, in consultation with relevant government ministries, when necessary, the continued cooperation between Israel and other organizations." While naming and shaming seven organisations, the nation said that, "Further decisions will be made following thorough examination and an additional discussion."<h2>Which organisations did Israel leave and why?</h2>As per the X post by Israel’s Foreign Ministry, Tel Aviv has severed ties with the Office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, which Israel accused of "shamelessly" blacklisting the Israel Defense Forces in 2024. Israel noted that it was placed on the list alongside groups such as ISIS and Boko Haram and said that the ties with the office were formally cut in June 2024.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-accuses-us-of-plotting-regime-change-after-trump-tells-protestors-help-is-on-its-way-1768353184275">Iran accuses US of plotting 'regime change' after Trump tells protesters, 'HELP IS ON ITS WAY'</a>Israel also confirmed it has ended cooperation with UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UNWOMEN), accusing the agency of ignoring sexual violence against Israeli women during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.Cooperation with UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) had already been frozen, said Israel, slamming what it described as "virulent anti-Israel reports annually".The nation stated that it will also disengage from the UN Alliance of Civilizations, UN Energy, and the Global Forum on Migration and Development. The Foreign Ministry accused these bodies of excluding Israel, serving as “platform for attacks against Israel,” platforms for criticism, and undermining national sovereignty.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">After an examination and discussion conducted following the US withdrawal from dozens of international organizations, Israel&#39;s Minister of Foreign Affairs <a href="https://twitter.com/gidonsaar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gidonsaar</a> has decided that Israel will immediately sever all contact with the following UN agencies and international…&mdash; Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) <a href="https://twitter.com/IsraelMFA/status/2011119369435205875?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Israel has announced it is cutting ties with several UN agencies and international bodies. The move comes days after President Donald Trump pulled the US out of 66 international organisations. WION explains what Israel did, and why it matters.

Israel on Tuesday (Jan 13) announced that it was withdrawing from dozens of international organisations, while ordering a wider review of cooperation with others. The nation said that persistent bias, politicisation and actions hostile to Israel were behind its decision to sever contact with several United Nations agencies and international bodies. This comes after the United States last week announced its decision to withdraw from 66 international organisations. Trump's US inspired Israel On January 7, 2025, US President Donald Trump signed an order withdrawing the United States from 66 organisations and treaties, which, as per a White House memorandum, are "contrary to the interests of the United States." Roughly half of the organisations and treaties the US exited are affiliated with the United Nations. Also read | Trump pulls US out of 66 organisations and treaties, including India-led International Solar Alliance | FULL LIST HERE Now, seemingly inspired by the US, Israel has withdrawn from multiple UN agencies. In a statement posted on X on Tuesday, Israel's Foreign Ministry said Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar had ordered an immediate severing of contact with a number of UN bodies after an internal examination of their conduct. The review, the ministry said, was made after the US decision and by Israel's own experience with these organisations. "Israel will immediately sever all contact with the following UN agencies and international organizations," the ministry said, adding that Sa’ar has also instructed officials "to immediately examine, in consultation with relevant government ministries, when necessary, the continued cooperation between Israel and other organizations." While naming and shaming seven organisations, the nation said that, "Further decisions will be made following thorough examination and an additional discussion." Which organisations did Israel leave and why? As per the X post by Israel’s Foreign Ministry, Tel Aviv has severed ties with the Office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, which Israel accused of "shamelessly" blacklisting the Israel Defense Forces in 2024. Israel noted that it was placed on the list alongside groups such as ISIS and Boko Haram and said that the ties with the office were formally cut in June 2024. Also read | Iran accuses US of plotting 'regime change' after Trump tells protesters, 'HELP IS ON ITS WAY' Israel also confirmed it has ended cooperation with UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UNWOMEN), accusing the agency of ignoring sexual violence against Israeli women during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Cooperation with UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) had already been frozen, said Israel, slamming what it described as "virulent anti-Israel reports annually". The nation stated that it will also disengage from the UN Alliance of Civilizations, UN Energy, and the Global Forum on Migration and Development. The Foreign Ministry accused these bodies of excluding Israel, serving as “platform for attacks against Israel,” platforms for criticism, and undermining national sovereignty.

Israel has announced it is cutting ties with several UN agencies and international bodies. The move comes days after President Donald Trump pulled the US out of 66 international organisations. WION explains what Israel did, and why it matters.

Israel says it will 'immediately sever all contact' with several UN bodies | FULL LIST HERE

As the world marks the second anniversary of Hamas's Oct 7 attack, here’s a closer look at the human and material toll of the conflict that shows no sign of truly ending.

As the world marks the second anniversary of Hamas's Oct 7 attack, here’s a closer look at the human and material toll of the conflict that shows no sign of truly ending.

Gaza war, two years later: The staggering toll in lives lost, hunger and devastation

It has been two years since Hamas launched its deadly Oct 7, 2023 attack on Israel, sparking a war in Gaza that has since claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. As the world marks the grim anniversary, protests have erupted across major cities. Let's take a look.

It has been two years since Hamas launched its deadly Oct 7, 2023 attack on Israel, sparking a war in Gaza that has since claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. As the world marks the grim anniversary, protests have erupted across major cities. Let's take a look.

In pictures: Protests globally as world marks two years since Hamas’ Oct 7 attack

The Palestinian militant group Hamas allegedly used sexual violence as "part of a deliberate genocidal strategy" during the October 7 attack on Israel, a group of Israeli legal and gender experts claimed in a new report.The Dinah Project, in its report, stated what it describes as a "legal blueprint for prosecuting these crimes, even when direct attribution to individual perpetrators is impossible".The report is based on a review of evidence, which further includes testimony from a survivor of an attempted rape and 15 former hostages held in Gaza.According to the report, the Palestinian militant group used sexual violence as a "tactical weapon", as part of a genocidal scheme and with the goal of "terrorising and dehumanising Israeli society".It also "creates a pathway to justice for victims of the 7 October attack and potentially for victims in other conflict zones", the group stressed.The authors of the report stated that they reviewed several sources from social media as well as recorded testimonies. They also gathered forensic evidence and visual and audio evidence.One of the 15 former hostages said that she was forced to perform a sexual act, which was preceded by sexual abuse and verbal and physical sexual harassment, as per the report. While continuing to express her ordeal, she also said that she endured forced nudity.Almost all the hostages reported verbal and some physical harassment, including "unwanted physical contact in private parts", the report read. While six hostages alleged that they also faced threats of forced marriages.Not just women, two men hostages also alleged that they were subjected to forced nudity and physical abuse when naked.According to the report, five witnesses reported at least four separate cases of gang rape. Moreover, 27 first responders described dozens of cases which showed "clear signs of sexual violence across six locations", including the Nova festival, Route 232, and the kibbutzim of Be'eri, Alumim, Nahal Oz and Re'im.<h2>Hamas denies allegation of ‘sexual abuse’</h2>&nbsp;However, Hamas has denied the allegations, saying that they did not commit sexual violence or mistreat any women while keeping them hostage.In March 2024, a United Nations mission concluded that there were "reasonable grounds" to believe that conflict-related sexual violence happened during the October 7 attack in Israel, including rape and gang rape. It added that there was "convincing information" that the Israeli hostages faced sexual violence and sexualised torture.&nbsp;

According to the report, the Palestinian militant group used sexual violence as a "tactical weapon", as part of a genocidal scheme and with the goal of "terrorising and dehumanising Israeli society".

The Palestinian militant group Hamas allegedly used sexual violence as "part of a deliberate genocidal strategy" during the October 7 attack on Israel, a group of Israeli legal and gender experts claimed in a new report. The Dinah Project, in its report, stated what it describes as a "legal blueprint for prosecuting these crimes, even when direct attribution to individual perpetrators is impossible". The report is based on a review of evidence, which further includes testimony from a survivor of an attempted rape and 15 former hostages held in Gaza. According to the report, the Palestinian militant group used sexual violence as a "tactical weapon", as part of a genocidal scheme and with the goal of "terrorising and dehumanising Israeli society". It also "creates a pathway to justice for victims of the 7 October attack and potentially for victims in other conflict zones", the group stressed. The authors of the report stated that they reviewed several sources from social media as well as recorded testimonies. They also gathered forensic evidence and visual and audio evidence. One of the 15 former hostages said that she was forced to perform a sexual act, which was preceded by sexual abuse and verbal and physical sexual harassment, as per the report. While continuing to express her ordeal, she also said that she endured forced nudity. Almost all the hostages reported verbal and some physical harassment, including "unwanted physical contact in private parts", the report read. While six hostages alleged that they also faced threats of forced marriages. Not just women, two men hostages also alleged that they were subjected to forced nudity and physical abuse when naked. According to the report, five witnesses reported at least four separate cases of gang rape. Moreover, 27 first responders described dozens of cases which showed "clear signs of sexual violence across six locations", including the Nova festival, Route 232, and the kibbutzim of Be'eri, Alumim, Nahal Oz and Re'im. Hamas denies allegation of ‘sexual abuse’ However, Hamas has denied the allegations, saying that they did not commit sexual violence or mistreat any women while keeping them hostage. In March 2024, a United Nations mission concluded that there were "reasonable grounds" to believe that conflict-related sexual violence happened during the October 7 attack in Israel, including rape and gang rape. It added that there was "convincing information" that the Israeli hostages faced sexual violence and sexualised torture.

According to the report, the Palestinian militant group used sexual violence as a "tactical weapon", as part of a genocidal scheme and with the goal of "terrorising and dehumanising Israeli society".

Did Hamas use sexual violence as 'tactical weapon'? Israeli report accuses militant group of terrorising society

Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on Saturday (June 29) said that they killed one of the founders of Hamas and the planner of the October 7 terror attack, in an airstrike in Gaza City last night. Hakham Muhammad Issa Al-Issa was also one of the founders of Hamas’ military wing.Issa was killed in a strike in the Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza City, according to the Israeli military.The IDF shared a post on X, announcing his elimination, further vowing that Israel will continue to eliminate all terrorists involved in the October 7 onslaught.<h2>Who was he?</h2>Issa led Hamas’ force build-up, training, and planned the October 7 massacre. As Head of combat support, he advanced aerial and naval attacks against Israelis, the Israeli Defence Forces said.He was the central source of knowledge and one of the last senior Hamas operatives who held high-level positions before October 7 and remained in the Gaza Strip.Moreover, Issa also led Hamas's force build-up efforts in the Gaza Strip, and served as head of the training division, and was a member of Hamas's general military council, according to the ministry's statement. “Issa played a significant role in planning and executing the murderous massacre on October 7," the military added.Even during the war, including in recent days, he served as head of combat support, "advancing terror plans from the air and sea against Israeli civilians and IDF troops operating in the Gaza Strip."“Alongside advancing these plans, Issa worked to rebuild Hamas’s arrays that were damaged during the war,” it stressed.Moreover, the Israeli military vowed to continue to locate and eliminate all terrorists involved in the October 7 massacre.Earlier on Friday, Israeli government spokesman David Mencer accused Hamas of looting aid entering Gaza, adding that the Palestinian militant group is “on its last legs”. He also said that Iran’s nuclear programme had been “set back by many years” following the US and Israeli strikes.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The IDF shared a post on X, announcing his elimination, further vowing that Israel will continue to eliminate all terrorists involved in the October 7 onslaught.

Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on Saturday (June 29) said that they killed one of the founders of Hamas and the planner of the October 7 terror attack, in an airstrike in Gaza City last night. Hakham Muhammad Issa Al-Issa was also one of the founders of Hamas’ military wing. Issa was killed in a strike in the Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza City, according to the Israeli military. The IDF shared a post on X, announcing his elimination, further vowing that Israel will continue to eliminate all terrorists involved in the October 7 onslaught. Who was he? Issa led Hamas’ force build-up, training, and planned the October 7 massacre. As Head of combat support, he advanced aerial and naval attacks against Israelis, the Israeli Defence Forces said. He was the central source of knowledge and one of the last senior Hamas operatives who held high-level positions before October 7 and remained in the Gaza Strip. Moreover, Issa also led Hamas's force build-up efforts in the Gaza Strip, and served as head of the training division, and was a member of Hamas's general military council, according to the ministry's statement. “Issa played a significant role in planning and executing the murderous massacre on October 7," the military added. Even during the war, including in recent days, he served as head of combat support, "advancing terror plans from the air and sea against Israeli civilians and IDF troops operating in the Gaza Strip." “Alongside advancing these plans, Issa worked to rebuild Hamas’s arrays that were damaged during the war,” it stressed. Moreover, the Israeli military vowed to continue to locate and eliminate all terrorists involved in the October 7 massacre. Earlier on Friday, Israeli government spokesman David Mencer accused Hamas of looting aid entering Gaza, adding that the Palestinian militant group is “on its last legs”. He also said that Iran’s nuclear programme had been “set back by many years” following the US and Israeli strikes.

The IDF shared a post on X, announcing his elimination, further vowing that Israel will continue to eliminate all terrorists involved in the October 7 onslaught.

ELIMINATED: Hamas Oct 7 massacre planner Hakem al-Issa killed in Israeli airstrike - Who was he?

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Israel: Netanyahu Submits Reply On Oct 7 Probe, Deflects Blame Towards IDF, Shin Bet

Israel says it will 'immediately sever all contact' with THESE UN bodies

Gaza war, 2 years on: The staggering toll in lives lost, hunger and devastation

In pictures: Protests globally as world marks 2 years since Hamas’ Oct 7 attack

Israeli report accuses Hamas of using sexual violence during Oct 7 attacks

Hamas Oct 7 massacre planner killed in Israeli airstrike - Who was he?