Netanyahu to visit Trump at White House for Gaza and tariffs talk – follow live
Chemical burns, assaults, electric shocks – Gazans tell BBC of torture in Israeli detentionpublished at 17:42 British Summer Time
Alice Cuddy
Senior international reporter
Warning: This post contains distressing content
Palestinian detainees released back to Gaza have told the BBC they were subjected to mistreatment and torture at the hands of Israeli military and prison staff, adding to reports of misconduct within Israel’s barracks and jails.
We have conducted in-depth interviews with five released detainees, all of whom were arrested in Gaza.
The men were held under Israel’s Unlawful Combatants Law, external, a measure by which people suspected of posing a security risk can be detained for an unspecified period without charge.
In the men’s testimony:
- They each describe being stripped, blindfolded, cuffed and beaten
- Some also say they were given electric shocks, menaced by dogs, and denied access to medical care
- Some say they witnessed the deaths of other detainees
- One says he witnessed sexual abuse
- Another says he had his head dunked in chemicals and his back set on fire
The BBC sent a lengthy right of reply letter to the IDF. The IDF did not respond to any of the specific allegations, but said it “completely rejects accusations of systematic abuse of detainees”.
- You can read the full story detailing the detainees’ allegations
Senate blocks motion to end arms shipments to Israelpublished at 17:28 British Summer Time
Image source, Getty Images
On Thursday, the US Senate overwhelmingly rejected a bid to block $8.8bn (£6.8bn) in arms sales to Israel over humanitarian concerns for Palestinians in Gaza.
At the beginning of March, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed a declaration to use emergency powers expediting the delivery of $4bn (£3.1bn) in military assistance to Israel.
“The Trump Administration will continue to use all available tools to fulfil America’s long-standing commitment to Israel’s security, including means to counter security threats”, Rubio said.
The US is a key supplier of military assistance to Israel.
Where things stand in the 18-month war in Gazapublished at 17:14 British Summer Time
Image source, Getty Images
In March, Israel resumed strikes on Gaza, following the collapse of a fragile ceasefire with Hamas.
Talks on a second phase of the agreement were due to begin on 1 March, but so far no progress has been made.
Israel has closed all border crossings into Gaza for more than one month, meaning crucial aid shipments of food and medicine cannot enter the area.
Netanyahu said in a statement the military have been instructed to take “strong action” against Hamas following their “repeated refusal to release our hostages” as well as its rejection of US proposals.
The decision to resume military action has not gone down well with the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which accuses the Israeli government of “a complete deception” for pulling out of the deal.
What we’re expecting to be discussed at today’s meetingpublished at 17:07 British Summer Time
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the first foreign leader to visit Trump since the tariffs announcement last week. He arrived in Washington DC yesterday.
Today, the prime minister is scheduled to meet the president at 13:00 local time (18:00 BST).
We expect the leaders to talk about Iranian nuclear activity, the war in Gaza, developments in Syria and Israel-Turkey relations – as well as tariffs, which will certainly be on the agenda.
The two leaders will deliver a press conference at 14:30 local time (19:30 BST).
A packed agenda for Netanyahu’s second trip to the White Housepublished at 17:04 British Summer Time
Imogen James
Live reporter
Image source, Getty Images
US President Donald Trump is set to meet with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today – marking the second meeting between the two leader’s since Trump’s term in office began.
The Israeli leader is heading to the White House later today, and the two have a lot to discuss.
Today marks 18 months since Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel and the beginning of the war in Gaza. Pressure continues to mount on Netanyahu to bring the remaining Israeli hostages home.
Hostages were being released weekly, but the collapse of a fragile ceasefire deal with Hamas and a resumption in Israel’s military operations in Gaza last month means plans to return the remaining 59 hostages have stalled.
At Netanyahu’s last visit, Trump suggested forcibly removing Palestinians from Gaza and turning the area into a “riviera of the Middle East”, a plan the Israeli leader praised.
Also expected on the agenda are tariffs, with Israel facing a 17% tariff on goods following Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement last week.
Our correspondent Anthony Zurcher will be heading to the White House, and we’ll be bringing you the latest lines, so stay with us.
