New images of emaciated Israeli hostages held in Gaza have horrified Israelis and added pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a ceasefire with Hamas, even as his government considers another expansion of the nearly 22-month war.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Israel and Iran have agreed a ceasefire after a twelve day conflict. Meanwhile, Israel strikes in Gaza continue with the humanitarian crisis deepening.

Middle East Conflict

Videos depicting two visibly frail Israeli hostages in Gaza have heightened public distress and led to mass demonstrations in Israel, with tens of thousands demanding a deal for the hostages' release. The footage, released under duress, has drawn widespread condemnation from international leaders, who have criticized Hamas and called for urgent humanitarian intervention. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed horror at the videos and requested the International Committee of the Red Cross provide aid to the remaining hostages. Hamas has stated it would allow Red Cross access if regular humanitarian corridors are established in Gaza. The UN Security Council has convened to discuss the ongoing situation, with less than half of the 49 remaining hostages believed to be alive.

Videos of hostages increase pressure on Netanyahu for ceasefire

The videos showing two frail, emaciated Israeli hostages came as a terrible reminder of the plight of the dozens still detained in Gaza. France 24 is only broadcasting stills of the videos, which were made under extreme duress. These are Evyatar David and Ron Braslavsky, before they were kidnapped on October 7, 2023, 668 days ago. In Israel, the reaction was one of deep distress. More than 60,000 Israelis gathered on Saturday, demanding a deal for the hostages' release. My child is dying. I've seen it with my own eyes. And the prime minister saw it too. And he knows his situation and the situation of the rest of the hostages. And yet, he chooses again and again not to save him. By that, this father means Benjamin Netanyahu is choosing to continue the war, at the hostages' expense. For his part, Netanyahu said he was horrified by the video and asked the International Committee of the Red Cross to provide the hostages still held in Gaza with food and medical equipment. They starve them like the Nazis starve the Jews. Internationally, leaders were unanimous. A German chancellor said the videos show that Hamas should not play a role in the future of Gaza. The EU's top ambassador condemned the group's barbarity, while the French president called it abject cruelty and unlimited in humanity. Continuing, this is what Hamas embodies. The UN Security Council was meeting Tuesday to discuss the situation. Of the 49 hostages still held, less than half are thought to be alive. Hamas' military wing said it was ready to allow Red Cross access to them if humanitarian corridors for aid deliveries are opened in a regular and permanent manner in Gaza.

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Sana'a

Migrant boat sinks off Yemen, killing at least 68

After two unverified videos of Israeli hostages were released, Hamas said the hunger crisis in the region puts them at risk. The militant group said it would deliver food from the Red Cross to the hostages under a couple of conditions, including permanent humanitarian corridors.

Jerusalem

Hamas says hunger crisis putting hostages at risk

U.S. President Donald Trump fired the U.S. commissioner of labour statistics after weak jobs numbers signaled tariffs weren’t yet leading to his promised economic boom.

Washington

Trump dismisses weak jobs numbers, fires labour statistics chief

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A volcano in Russia's Far East has erupted after sitting dormant for 600 years. Scientists believe the eruption was triggered by the massive earthquake that struck the region last week.

Kamchatka Peninsula

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An independent watchdog agency responsible for enforcing a law against partisan political activity by federal employees has opened an investigation into Jack Smith, the special counsel who brought two criminal cases against Donald Trump before his election to the White House last year.

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New outbreaks of violence overnight into Sunday (August 3) rocked Syria straining a fragile ceasefire. Meanwhile residents in Sweida are calling access to more humanitarian aid.

As Suwayda

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Parts of the European Commission's much-anticipated AI Act come into force this weekend. It's been hailed as the first piece of comprehensive legislation aimed at regulating AI globally, though critics say it doesn't go far enough.

Brussels

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EU's landmark AI act enters new phase

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Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Ukraine uncovers major drone procurement graft scheme

Over the past few days, Hamas and its ally Islamic Jihad have released three videos showing two hostages seized during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that triggered the ongoing war in Gaza. The videos sparked reactions from Israelis who are stepping up calls for a truce.

Israeli hostage families protest in Tel Aviv

Pope Leo XIV celebrated the concluding mass of one of the most important events of the Holy Year. A million faithful filled the Tor Vergata esplanade in Rome. Pope Leo sent a message of hope for the young people afflicted by wars and recalled the words of his predecessor.

Rome

Pope Leo urges Catholic youth to spread faith and enthusiasm

President Trump explained why he fired Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer on Friday. Government data showed fewer jobs were added to the U.S. economy last month than expected.

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Former Special Counsel Jack Smith, who ran two federal prosecutions of President Trump, is under investigation for allegedly violating a law barring federal employees from using their position to influence elections.

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Montana authorities released a new surveillance image showing who they have identified as the suspect in a bar shooting in Anaconda. Meanwhile, nearly 2,000 miles away, police in Tennessee are searching for a quadruple homicide suspect.

Anaconda

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Los Angeles officials are praising an appeals court ruling limiting immigration stops, but the decision may only escalate a battle over transparency and control. Elise Preston has the latest information.

Los Angeles

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Disturbing new video shows a severely malnourished Israeli hostage being held in what appears to be an underground tunnel. This comes as witnesses and aid workers say Israeli troops opened fire on hungry civilians at two Gaza food distribution sites.

Sderot

Hamas propaganda shows malnourished Israeli hostage

Donald Trump has ordered the repositioning of two United States nuclear submarines to “appropriate regions” relative to Russia, blaming a heated exchange with Dmitry Medvedev, Moscow’s military leader and former president.

Moscow

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U.S. President Donald Trump said he's ordered his administration to fire the commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, on the same day new data was released showing weak job growth in July. The Labor Department also sharply revised job growth for May and June down.

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U.S. President Donald Trump says he ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in the "appropriate regions" as a response to comments made by Russia's former president. CBS News' Charlie D'Agata reports.

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Jeffrey Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell has been transferred to a Bryan, Texas, prison, CBS News confirms. Maxwell was previously held in Tallahassee, Florida.

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The announcement comes as international pressure mounts on Israel over the war in Gaza and the deepening humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave.

Ljubljana

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The United States imposed sanctions on Palestinian Authority officials just as other nations are stressing the importance of the PA in governing Gaza in the event of an end to the devastating war in the enclave.

New York

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Ukraine’s Parliament has reversed a controversial law signed last week by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which would have allowed the government greater control over anti-corruption agencies. The decision comes as the country faces one of its most significant political crises since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

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U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order increasing tariffs on Canadian goods that don't meet the terms of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement to 35 per cent.

Videos of hostages increase pressure on Netanyahu for ceasefire

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