News
Israel’s Successful Rescue Operation Creates Pressure On Hamas To Secure A Deal
By Henry Gabriel
Israel’s successful rescue operation in Nuseirat, in the Palestinian territory has put both Hamas and the Israeli government under added pressure to secure a deal, an expert has said.
Avi Melamed, a former Israeli intelligence official and regional analyst, sheds light on the implications of the operation and its impact on the ongoing negotiations.
Melamed, who has extensive experience in Arab affairs and served as a negotiator during the first and second intifadas, emphasizes the significance of the rescue operation.
He revealed the overwhelming sense of relief, rejoicing, and unity that swept across Israel following the successful rescue of Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv.
The morale boost resulting from the operation, according to him, has not only uplifted the Israeli populace but also strengthened the military and the government.
Melamed suggests that this success underscores the immense pressure that Israel’s military force can exert on Hamas. It is hoped that this pressure will push Hamas towards a more amenable negotiating position.
However, Melamed also emphasizes that true victory will only be achieved when all the remaining hostages are returned.
This reminder puts additional pressure on Israel’s government to take decisive action and facilitate the release of the remaining captives.
The families of the hostages are eagerly waiting for their loved ones to come home, while the deceased hostages deserve a proper burial in Israel.
“The successful rescue operation in Nuseirat has brought a sense of relief and unity to our nation,” Melamed states.
“But it is crucial to remember that our mission is not complete until all the hostages are safely returned. We must continue to apply pressure on the Israeli government to prioritize the well-being of our citizens and bring an end to this ordeal.”
The operation’s success has bolstered the confidence of the Israeli people, who now look to their government for swift and effective action.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in particular, is facing increased expectations to bring about a resolution to this crisis.
Elanza News reports that the public sentiment is clear: the rescue operation was a significant achievement, but it should not be seen as the final goal.
As the negotiations continue, the international community is closely monitoring the situation. Many countries have expressed their support for Israel’s efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages. The United States, in particular, has reaffirmed its commitment to Israel’s security and the well-being of its citizens.
Israel’s successful rescue operation in Nuseirat has not only provided a morale boost to the nation but has also intensified the pressure on both Hamas and the Israeli government to secure a deal.
Avi Melamed’s insights shed light on the significance of this operation and emphasize the importance of returning all the hostages to their families.
Elanza News reports that the ongoing negotiations will determine the outcome of this crisis, and the international community stands ready to support Israel in its efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution.
Aides, Allies Disown Him, Say You’re a Traitor, We’re not Leaving PDP
Barely two weeks after his defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), crisis has enveloped the political camp of a member of the House of Representatives for Obokun/Oriade federal constituency in Osun State, Oluwole Oke.
Indeed, these are not the best of times for him as his defection to the APC is eliciting rejection from his close circles and constituency.
His key allies who he groomed into politics and government positions have rejected his calls on them to join him to defect to the APC.
A source said that in the last few days, key aides and allies of the lawmaker have rejected his movement to the APC, describing it as a political tragedy.
“With the way he betrayed PDP, Oluwole Oke is like the proverbial Leopard that can never change the spots on its body. He will also betray the APC. We are staying back in PDP while severing political links with him”, one of his allies, Bamidele Johnson said.
Some of his allies were said to have openly declared that the defection marks a political waterloo for the 6th term legislator.
For instance, some of Oke’s allies in his Local Government scorned his move as “a decision borne out of greed and selfishness.”
One of them described him as “an ingrate who betrayed a party on whose platform he got married in life as a lawmaker and on whose platform he gained all his material riches.”
The Northern Youths Consultative Forum for Justice (NYCJ) has urged Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara State, citing a complete breakdown of governance, law, and order.
In a statement issued on Monday in Kano, NYCJ President Dr Sanusi Rano described the situation in Zamfara as “organised abandonment of duty” by elected officials.
“What we are witnessing in Zamfara is not governance. It is betrayal of the people,” Rano said, pointing to the absence of a functional state House of Assembly and allegations linking officials to criminal activities.
The group highlighted the suspension of 10 lawmakers who spoke out against the deteriorating security situation, arguing that their removal has left Zamfara without a legally recognised legislative body.
“This is a dictatorship of silence,” said Rano, adding that the lack of checks and balances has deepened the state’s crisis.
“The same hands that should protect Zamfara are profiting from its destruction,” Rano stated.
Calling for decisive action, the group demanded the appointment of a non-partisan administrator to rebuild the state’s institutions.
“If this is not done now, Zamfara risks becoming a permanent state of anarchy, which threatens our democracy,” Rano warned.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme of a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, on Monday, sentenced the husband of late gospel singer, Osinachi, Peter Nwachukwu, to death by hanging.
Nwachukwu was found guilty of culpable homicide resulting in the death of the deceased ( his wife) on April 8, 2022.
The judge held that the prosecution had proven the burden of proof placed on it by the law and subsequently found the defendant guilty.
Nwachukwu was arraigned on June 3, 2022 by the Office of Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF), on behalf of the Federal Government, on a 23-count charge .
The charge was on culpable homicide punishable with death, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, criminal intimidation of children, spousal battery, among others.
In the course of trial, the prosecution called 17 witnesses, including two children of the late Osinachi, who testified as fourth prosecution and fifth prosecution witnesses, PW4 and PW5 respectively.
The prosecution also tendered 25 documents as exhibits before the court.
The defendant testified for the defence and further called four other witnesses and tendered four exhibits in his defence.
Shortly before sentencing, the defendant, counsel , Reginald Nwali, in his allocutus pleaded with the court to be lenient in its judgment.
Similarly, the prosecution counsel, Mrs Aderonke Imala, urged the court to give force to the law as stipulated.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme subsequently sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging on Count 1, while he was sentenced to two years imprisonment each on Counts 2, 3, 8,9, 12, 13, and 18.
The court sentenced the defendant to six months imprisonment on Count 10, three years imprisonment in Count 11, while he was fined the sum of N500,000 and N200,000 respectively on Counts 6 and 7 respectively. (NAN)