Coin Press - Israel escalates War to crush Hamas

NYSE - LSE

BCC	-2.1%	98.3	$
NGG	2.5%	65.57	$
GSK	0.57%	38.74	$
AZN	1.29%	73.79	$
SCS	-1.8%	11.1	$
CMSD	0.04%	22.71	$
CMSC	-0.13%	22.83	$
BTI	0.17%	40.51	$
RBGPF	100%	68.22	$
RIO	-2.15%	61.03	$
BCE	-0.83%	22.97	$
RELX	0.18%	50.16	$
RYCEF	0.1%	9.92	$
JRI	-1.01%	12.87	$
VOD	0.95%	9.45	$
BP	-1.62%	33.86	$

Israel escalates War to crush Hamas

Israel has intensified its military campaign in the Gaza Strip, declaring an unwavering resolve to eradicate Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, regardless of the consequences. This latest escalation, which shattered a fragile ceasefire established in January, has plunged the region into renewed violence, with devastating tolls reported on both sides. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz have reiterated that the destruction of Hamas and the release of all remaining hostages are non-negotiable objectives, signalling a shift to an uncompromising strategy.

The ceasefire, brokered after 15 months of relentless conflict, collapsed on 18 March when Israel launched a series of surprise airstrikes across Gaza. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 400 Palestinians were killed in the initial 24 hours alone, marking it the deadliest day since 2023. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) claimed the strikes targeted Hamas "terror infrastructure," including senior officials such as Essam Addalees, the de facto head of Hamas’s government in Gaza, and Mahmoud Abu Watfa, a high-ranking security official. Hamas confirmed these losses but condemned the attacks as assaults on "defenceless civilians," urging international mediators to intervene.

Israel’s renewed offensive follows weeks of stalled negotiations over extending the ceasefire’s second phase, which aimed to secure the release of approximately 59 hostages still held by Hamas from the 251 abducted during the group’s 7 October 2023 attack. Israel demanded that Hamas free half the captives as a precondition, a proposal the group rejected, insisting on a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent truce. Netanyahu, addressing the nation, stated, "From now on, Israel will act against Hamas with increasing military force until it no longer poses a threat." Katz echoed this sentiment, warning that "the gates of hell will open in Gaza" if Hamas fails to comply.

The military strategy has expanded beyond airstrikes. On 19 March, the IDF resumed ground operations in central and southern Gaza, retaking the Netzarim Corridor—a strategic bisecting line—previously relinquished during the truce. Reports indicate Israel is preparing to deploy additional troops, including a division recently active in Lebanon, to intensify the ground offensive. Defence Minister Katz has also alluded to implementing "US President Trump’s voluntary transfer plan" for Gaza’s two million residents, a controversial proposal to relocate Palestinians elsewhere, which the Palestinian Authority and Hamas have decried as "ethnic cleansing."

The human cost has been staggering. Gaza health officials report over 49,500 Palestinian deaths since the war began, with the latest strikes adding hundreds more, including children and civilians. A notable incident on 22 March saw an Israeli airstrike on Khan Younis’ Nasser Hospital kill two, including a 16-year-old boy and Ismail Barhoum, a Hamas political bureau member, sparking outrage over the targeting of medical facilities. Israel justified the strike, asserting it hit a Hamas operative within the hospital, a claim consistent with its narrative of blaming civilian casualties on Hamas’s use of populated areas.

Internationally, reactions have been swift and polarised. The United States, under President Donald Trump, has expressed staunch support, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt affirming that "Hamas will see a price to pay." Conversely, Egypt, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates—key mediators—condemned the assault, warning of catastrophic repercussions. The United Nations has highlighted the illegality of forced displacement under international law, while protests in Jerusalem reflect domestic dissent, with families of hostages accusing Netanyahu of abandoning their loved ones.

Despite the heavy toll inflicted, Hamas has shown resilience. Israeli and Palestinian sources acknowledge the group’s ability to absorb losses and maintain governance, with rocket attacks on Tel Aviv resuming on 20 March—the first since the ceasefire’s collapse. Analysts suggest that while Israel’s military superiority is undeniable, eradicating Hamas entirely may prove elusive given its deep-rooted presence in Gaza.

As the conflict escalates, the international community braces for a protracted war. Netanyahu’s pledge that this is "only the beginning" underscores Israel’s determination, but at what cost—to both Palestinians and its own citizens—remains a question that looms large over this unrelenting crisis.

Trump announces Homan as new 'border czar'

EU: How do we deal with Donald Trump?

Watch Live: Trump or Harris? America votes!

Georgia: Ruling party celebrates election victory

Asylum seekers: Return centres – a Solution?

Climate change: A farm in Rotterdam

EU: Overcoming barriers to equality

Germany and its outdated pension system

How important is sustainable development?

Berlin: EU-Summit of western Balkan heads of state

Putin's War Will Go Bankrupt if the Oil Prices Drop

Germany: The fight against economic migrants

Featured

Stargate project, Trump and the AI war...

In a dramatic return to the global political stage, former President Donald J. Trump, as the current 47th President of the United States of America, has unveiled his latest initiative, the so-called ‘Stargate Project,’ in a bid to cement the United States’ dominance in artificial intelligence and outpace China’s meteoric rise in the field. The newly announced programme, cloaked in patriotic rhetoric and ambitious targets, is already stirring intense debate over the future of technological competition between the world’s two largest economies.According to preliminary statements from Trump’s team, the Stargate Project will consolidate the efforts of leading American tech conglomerates, defence contractors, and research universities under a centralised framework. The former president, who has long championed American exceptionalism, claims this approach will provide the United States with a decisive advantage, enabling rapid breakthroughs in cutting-edge AI applications ranging from military strategy to commercial innovation.“America must remain the global leader in technology—no ifs, no buts,” Trump declared at a recent press conference. “China has been trying to surpass us in AI, but with this new project, we will make sure the future remains ours.”Details regarding funding and governance remain scarce, but early indications suggest the initiative will rely heavily on public-private partnerships, tax incentives for research and development, and collaboration with high-profile venture capital firms. Skeptics, however, warn that the endeavour could fan the flames of an increasingly militarised AI race, raising ethical concerns about surveillance, automation of warfare, and data privacy. Critics also question whether the initiative can deliver on its lofty promises, especially in the face of existing economic and geopolitical pressures.Yet for its supporters, the Stargate Project serves as a rallying cry for renewed American leadership and an antidote to worries over China’s technological ascendancy. Proponents argue that accelerating AI research is paramount if the United States wishes to preserve not just military supremacy, but also the economic and cultural influence that has typified its global role for decades.Whether this bold project will succeed—or if it will devolve into a symbolic gesture—remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that the Stargate Project has already reignited debate about how best to safeguard America’s strategic future and maintain the balance of power in the fast-evolving arena of artificial intelligence.

Truth: The end of the ‘Roman Empire’

The fall of the Roman Empire in the fifth century AD has long captivated historians and the public alike. For centuries, scholars have debated the precise causes of the Empire’s decline, offering myriad explanations—ranging from political corruption and economic instability to moral degeneration and barbarian invasions. Yet despite the passage of time and the wealth of research available, there remains no single, universally accepted answer to the question: why did the Roman Empire truly collapse?A central factor often cited is political fragmentation. As the Empire grew too vast to govern effectively from one centre, Emperor Diocletian introduced the Tetrarchy—a system dividing the realm into eastern and western halves. While initially intended to provide administrative efficiency, this division ultimately paved the way for competing centres of power and weakened the unity that had long defined Roman rule. Frequent changes of leadership and civil wars further sapped the state’s coherence, undermining confidence in the imperial regime.Economics played an equally crucial role. Burdened by expensive military campaigns to protect ever-extending frontiers, the Empire resorted to debasing its currency, provoking rampant inflation and eroding public trust. The resulting fiscal strains fuelled social unrest, as high taxes weighed heavily upon small farmers and urban dwellers alike. Coupled with declining trade routes and resource depletion, these pressures contributed to a persistent sense of crisis.Compounding these challenges was the growing threat from beyond Rome’s borders. Germanic tribes such as the Visigoths, Vandals, and Ostrogoths gradually eroded the Western Empire’s defensive capabilities. While earlier Roman armies proved formidable, internal discord had dulled their edge, allowing external forces to breach once-impenetrable frontiers.Modern historians emphasise that the Empire did not fall solely because of barbarian invasions, moral decay, or fiscal collapse; instead, its downfall was the outcome of a confluence of factors, each interacting with the other. The story of Rome’s fall thus serves as a stark reminder that even the mightiest of civilisations can succumb to the inexorable weight of political, economic, and social upheaval.

China Targets Dollar at US Critical Moment

China has intensified its financial offensive against the United States, deploying significant measures to undermine the dominance of the US dollar at a time when America faces mounting economic and geopolitical challenges. Reports indicate that the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) has directed major state-owned banks to prepare for large-scale interventions in offshore markets, selling dollars to bolster the yuan. This move, seen as a direct challenge to the dollar’s status as the world’s reserve currency, coincides with heightened US vulnerabilities, including domestic political instability and a ballooning national debt nearing $35 trillion.The strategy builds on years of Chinese efforts to internationalise the yuan and reduce reliance on the dollar. Since 2022, China has accelerated dollar sell-offs, with Reuters noting similar directives from the PBOC in October of that year amid a weakening yuan. More recently, Beijing has leveraged its position as a key holder of US Treasury securities—still over $800 billion despite gradual reductions—to exert pressure. Analysts suggest that China aims to exploit the US’s current economic fragility, exacerbated by inflation and supply chain disruptions, to advance its long-term goal of reshaping global financial power.Russia’s alignment with China has further amplified this campaign, with both nations increasing trade in non-dollar currencies. In 2023, yuan transactions surpassed dollar-based exchanges in Sino-Russian trade, a trend that has only deepened. Meanwhile, whispers of more aggressive tactics persist, including unverified claims of plans to confiscate US assets within China, encompassing government, corporate, and individual investments. While such measures remain speculative, they reflect the growing audacity of Beijing’s financial warfare.The timing is critical. The US faces a contentious election cycle and a Federal Reserve grappling with interest rate dilemmas, leaving the dollar exposed. China’s actions also resonate within the BRICS bloc (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), which has openly discussed de-dollarisation, with proposals for a unified currency gaining traction at recent summits. If successful, this could erode the dollar’s global hegemony, a cornerstone of American economic influence since the Bretton Woods agreement of 1944.Yet, China’s gambit carries risks. Flooding markets with dollars could destabilise its own economy, heavily reliant on export surpluses tied to dollar-based trade. Moreover, the US retains significant retaliatory tools, including sanctions and control over the SWIFT financial system. For now, Beijing’s “big guns” signal intent more than immediate triumph, but the message is clear: China sees this as America’s moment of weakness—and its opportunity to strike.