Israel’s far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir sparked global condemnation after visiting and praying at the sensitive holy site of al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, defying a decades-old convention. The visit came as hospitals in Gaza reported 27 more Palestinians killed by Israeli fire.
Ben-Gvir renewed calls for Israel to “declare sovereignty over Gaza” and to “encourage voluntary migration”. His actions were swiftly condemned by Palestinian leaders, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, who accused him of provoking further escalation.
The al-Aqsa compound is administered by a Jordanian religious foundation and Jews can visit but may not pray there. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expressed its strongest condemnation in the strongest terms for Ben-Gvir’s actions, stating that they fuel conflict in the region.
In Gaza, hospitals reported 119 people killed and 866 injured in the past 24 hours, with a total death toll now reaching 60,839. The health ministry also reported six adults dying from famine and severe malnutrition, bringing the total number of deaths attributed to hunger-related causes to 175.
Protests broke out across the occupied West Bank’s major cities as Palestinians rallied against the war in Gaza and in support of those held in Israeli prisons. Fresh clashes erupted in Syria, straining a fragile ceasefire and calling into question the ability of the transitional government to exert its authority.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned Hamas’ “inhumanity without bounds” after the group released videos showing two visibly emaciated Israeli hostages held in Gaza. The family of one of the hostages accused Hamas of starving him, while thousands more protested in solidarity with Palestinians killed or imprisoned by Israel.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/aug/03/israel-gaza-war-live-netanyahu-hostage-video-famine-latest-updates-news