Democrat Rep. Stansbury goes on profane tirade during sanctuary city hearing: ‘total bulls***’
Democrat Rep. Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico went off in a curse-laden tirade against the Trump administration and Republicans during a House Oversight Committee hearing on sanctuary cities, calling the hearing “absolute bulls–t.” Testifying at the hearing were mayors Eric Adams of New York City, Michelle Wu of Boston, Brandon Johnson of Chicago and Mike Johnston of Denver, all of whom are Democrats and lead cities with migrant “sanctuary” policies. These laws ban or restrict law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities to deport illegal immigrants, including those with criminal charges. Stansbury, who represents a heavily blue border state, came to the defense of the sanctuary mayors and bashed Republicans for what she said was an attempt to intimidate local elected officials. ‘SANCTUARY’ CITY MAYOR CONFRONTED AFTER GANG MEMBER ALLEGEDLY ASSAULTS FEDERAL OFFICERS “I always think that we should sage this room after these hearings because we hear a lot of crazy stuff in here,” she began. “Our mayors are sitting here, enduring this ridiculous, ridiculous hearing as they’ve been threatened in front of the American people.” CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE “I want to reject the fundamental premise of this hearing,” she went on. “Because what this entire effort is about is intimidating state and local officials, attacking law-abiding immigrant families and spending millions of dollars of taxpayer dollars both in the administration and in Congress to make ads that are complete smoke and mirrors, trying to say that Donald Trump has somehow secured America’s safety.” “Its total bulls–t, absolute bulls–t,” she yelled. “They are not making America safer again, and what they are doing is terrorizing immigrant families. That is what they are doing.” TOM HOMAN: MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNOR SHOULD BE ‘BRINGING HELL’ TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT RAPISTS WITH ME Stansbury also asserted that President Donald Trump “failed to execute on the most basic thing that he said he would do, which was to pass immigration reform when he got into office.” Throwing up her hands and looking around the room, Stansbury said: “Here we are Donald Trump, where’s your immigration bill? Oh wait, you don’t have one, that’s right. Because none of this is actually about making America safer.” Stansbury also caught the spotlight Tuesday night when she was spotted standing on the House floor shortly before Trump’s joint address to Congress, holding a sign reading: “This is not normal.”
Young father killed by illegal immigrant highlights ‘betrayal’ of sanctuary cities, says Republican
Louisiana Rep. Clay Higgins, a Republican, said during a House Oversight Committee hearing on sanctuary cities that President Donald Trump has “ripped the curtains from the rods,” revealing the impact of the Biden administration’s illegal immigration policy and sanctuary policies across America. Testifying during the hearing were New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, all of whom are Democrats and oversee cities with sanctuary city policies. Higgins said that “Americans are fed up with this betrayal of oath” and that mayors will be “held accountable” for upholding sanctuary policies that ban or limit law enforcement from cooperating with ICE to deport dangerous criminal illegal immigrants. Higgins pointed to the case of Welsey Hayes, a young Louisiana husband and father, who he said was killed by an illegal immigrant in Texas, leaving behind his wife, Olivia Hayes, and daughter, Anne Marie. BOSTON’S MAYOR WU OFFERS CONDOLENCES TO FAMILY OF SUSPECT SHOT AFTER ALLEGEDLY TRYING TO STAB PEOPLE “The policies of these mayors and our previous president have consequences, real-life consequences,” said Higgins. “I have a family here today, Mr. Chairman, who lost their beautiful loved one.” CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE “This young man was killed by an illegal immigrant in Texas that never should have been in our country,” he continued. “He’ll never be here to raise his daughter, Anne Marie, and to love and cherish and honor and uphold his beautiful wife, Olivia.” Raising his voice, Higgins took aim at the mayors, saying: “You mayors, you have a responsibility not just to your communities and citizens you’re sworn to serve but by extension to the entire republic.” CHICAGO ALDERMAN SAYS MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON CAN’T DEFEND SANCTUARY CITY POLICIES “All you want to talk to the children, separation of children,” he said. “If you commit a felony in America, you get arrested and prosecuted and convicted and incarcerated. You can expect to be separated from your children. But let me say there’s a sunset to that separation, because when you do your time, you’ll be released. You can return to your family. This young man will never return to his family, and he should have never been removed from his family if we had a president and heads of our municipalities that were willing to uphold the federal law that exists.” “Three months ago we were at the tail end of four years of millions and millions of illegals coming into our country, [it] was out of control. The only thing that has happened since then is we had an election in November, and now we’re not pulling the curtain back, we have ripped the curtain from the rods. We have revealed to America just how fast we could have secured our border if you had an executive that was willing to enforce the law,” he said. “America is moving into a new era of enforcement of our own laws. Welcome to it.”
Trump issues ‘last warning’ to Hamas terrorists, demands release of hostages: ‘HELL TO PAY’
President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Hamas in a Truth Social post Wednesday, calling for the terrorist group to release all hostages immediately. The post came after Trump met with seven former Hamas hostages who traveled to Washington, D.C., this week. The group included Eli Sharabi, Doron Steinbrecher, Keith Siegel, Aviva Siegel, Naama Levy, Omer Shem Tov and Iair Horn, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. “‘Shalom Hamas’ means Hello and Goodbye – You can choose,” the president’s post began. “Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you. “Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted!” KAROLINE LEAVITT EXPLAINS US EFFORTS TO NEGOTIATE WITH HAMAS TO FREE AMERICAN HOSTAGES Trump added that he is “sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job,” and that “not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say. “I have just met with your former Hostages whose lives you have destroyed,” Trump added. “This is your last warning! For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance.” “Also, to the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!” Trump’s post came hours after the White House was challenged by Fox News senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy on its decision to negotiate with the Palestinian terrorist group. ISRAEL AGREES TO TRUMP ENVOY’S TEMPORARY GAZA CEASEFIRE EXTENSION PROPOSAL AS FIRST PHASE EXPIRES: REPORTS “If the U.S. has a long-standing policy that we do not negotiate with terrorists, then why is the U.S. now negotiating directly and for the first time ever with Hamas?” Doocy asked. “Well, when it comes to the negotiations that you’re referring to, first of all, the special envoy who’s engaged in these negotiations does have the authority to talk to anyone,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded. Leavitt added that Israel was “consulted on this matter,” and that Trump believes in putting forth “good-faith effort[s] to do what’s right for the American people.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “These are ongoing talks and discussions. I’m not going to detail them here,” she continued. “There are American lives at stake.” Fox News Digital’s Landon Mion contributed to this report.
Fox News Politics Newsletter: Supremes Thaw Out Frozen Aid
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, Capitol Hill and more Fox News politics content. Here’s what’s happening… -Elon Musk PAC thanks Trump for ‘saving the American Dream’ in new million-dollar ad –Dem Rep. Al Green, booted from Trump’s address to Congress, doubles down on impeachment -Conservatives erupt with praise on social media after Trump’s speech to Congress: ‘Run through a wall’ The Supreme Court on Wednesday denied the Trump administration’s request to block a lower court’s order for the administration to pay nearly $2 billion in foreign aid money, delivering a near-term reprieve to international aid groups and contractors seeking payment for previously completed projects. In a 5-4 ruling, the justices said that the Feb. 26 deadline imposed by a lower court for the Trump administration to pay the funds had already expired and directed the case back to the district court to clarify any additional details on payment. “Given that the deadline in the challenged order has now passed, and in light of the ongoing preliminary injunction proceedings, the District Court should clarify what obligations the Government must fulfill to ensure compliance with the temporary restraining order, with due regard for the feasibility of any compliance timelines,” the Court said…Read more ‘WE NEED GREENLAND’: Trump says America would welcome Greenland during joint address to Congress GREEN TO GOLD: Trump touts $5 million ‘gold card’ as new path to citizenship ‘WORST PRESIDENT’: 6 times Trump bashed Biden in address to Congress THUMBS UP: Snap polls reveal how speech watchers reacted to Trump’s address to Congress ‘INAPPROPRIATE’: Trump earns largely positive speech reaction, but ejected Dem’s behavior widely deemed inappropriate: CNN poll ‘MAKING AMERICA HEALTHY’: Trump NIH appointee defends president’s research funding cuts, lays out new vision for future CONFESSED: ISIS-K member confessed to scouting Abbey Gate attack route, training Moscow attackers: affidavit ‘READY TO FIGHT’: China, reacting to Trump tariffs, promises to ‘fight till the end’ in trade war ‘or any other type of war’ ‘FEEL THE PAIN’: Canadian premier threatens to cut off energy to US in response to Trump tariffs: ‘They need to feel the pain’ MONEY TALKS: Columbia battles radical activists, limits entry to former Israeli leader’s visit as Trump weighs pulling $5B ‘THEY ARE AFRAID OF THIS’: After Trump speech, AOC tells Democrats to organize in GOP districts against Medicaid cuts BAD SIGN: ‘Squad’ member delivers real-time whiteboard responses to Trump: ‘No king!’ ‘OLIGARCHIC SOCIETY’: Bernie Sanders seethes US has become ‘oligarchic society’ following Trump speech TRUMP CARD: GOP rebels head to White House for meeting to avoid government shutdown ‘MOST DIVISIVE’: House Minority Leader Jeffries describes Trump’s address to Congress as ‘most divisive’ in American history GRASS IS GREENER: Dueling Al Green censure efforts stir frustrations within GOP as Republicans demand consequences STANDING O: Independents and Republicans went wild for Trump’s declaration that ‘America is back’ WILL HE RUN?: Buttigieg says he’s ‘looking at’ possible Senate run in battleground state ‘TREMENDOUS LOSS’: Texas Democratic Rep. Sylvester Turner dead at 70 ‘DEFIANT’: Resolution punishing Al Green circulates House after Dem is thrown out of Trump speech NOT MOVING THE DIAL: Democrats unimpressed by Trump’s gesture to family of young girl killed by illegal migrants ‘SHERLOCK HOLMES’ NOT NEEDED: Inside Elon Musk’s Huddle with GOP senators: Don’t need to be ‘Sherlock Holmes’ to find waste ‘COMPLICATED QUESTION’: Democrats refuse to define ‘woman’ when pressed on Capitol Hill ‘ATROCIOUS’ ALLEGATIONS: Andrew and Tristan Tate face Florida criminal probe days after US homecoming ‘BIG IMPACT’: Red state sheriff credits Trump’s border policies for already helping his small county DC ‘EVOLUTION’: DC Black Lives Matter Plaza to get new look, replace street mural as part of ‘evolution’ Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
DJ Daniel visits Trump in Oval Office following joint address honor: ‘One more thing I’ve got for ya’
DJ Daniel, a 13-year-old brain cancer survivor with a dream of working in law enforcement, visited President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House just hours after warming millions of hearts Tuesday night when he was named an honorary Secret Service member during the president’s joint address to Congress. In a video shared on X, Daniel could be seen standing next to Trump in the Oval Office before saying, “There’s one more thing I got for ya: a big hug.” The president responds, “OK good, that’s very nice,” as they embrace. 13-YEAR-OLD CANCER SURVIVOR EARNS STANDING OVATION AS HE BECOMES SECRET SERVICE AGENT DURING TRUMP SPEECH Trump then shakes Daniel’s father’s hand and asks how he is doing, before adding, “That was a big evening last night, right? That was a big evening.” The Texas boy’s expression during the surprise Tuesday night went viral on social media, along with video of his father holding him up in the air to hug director of the U.S. Secret Service Sean Curran, who presented him with a customized Secret Service badge. SOCIAL MEDIA EXPLODES AFTER DEMS DO NOT STAND FOR 13-YEAR-OLD CANCER SURVIVOR: ‘TRULY SICK PEOPLE’ “I was not expecting it,” Daniel told “Fox & Friends” co-host Steve Doocy on Wednesday. “Nobody even told us [it was going to happen].” Doctors gave him just five months to live after his brain cancer diagnosis in 2018, yet he survived and endured numerous surgeries. During the address, Trump noted Daniel’s father had been on a “quest” to make his son’s dream of becoming a police officer come true, and Daniel had already been sworn in as an honorary member of several local police departments. Daniels later told “Fox & Friends” he hoped the brown cowboy hat he gifted Trump from Texas made it past security. Tuesday night’s honor was not the first heartwarming moment for Daniels caught on camera. Tennessee Highway Patrol shared a flashback video of Daniel being sworn in as an honorary trooper and Nashville Police Department officer in 2022. “From an honorary Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper and @MNPDNashville Police Officer, to the newest honorary Special Agent of the United States @SecretService – Congratulations #DJDaniel,” the agency wrote. Fox News’ Taylor Penley contributed to this report.
House Speaker Mike Johnson’s chief of staff arrested for alleged DUI after Trump’s address to Congress
The chief of staff for House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., was recently arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated, Fox News can confirm. Hayden Haynes was arrested just before midnight on Tuesday evening for allegedly getting behind the wheel of a vehicle while drunk. The arrest took place around an hour after President Donald Trump‘s joint address to Congress wrapped up. U.S. Capitol Police (USCP), who did not identify the suspect, confirmed the arrest to Fox News. “A driver backed into a parked vehicle last night around 11:40 p.m,” a USCP spokesperson said. “We responded and arrested them for DUI.” HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED DURING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S 6TH WEEK IN OFFICE Haynes has worked in Johnson’s office since 2017 and became chief of staff in October 2023, according to LegiStorm records. He was Johnson’s campaign manager in 2016. A Louisiana native, Haynes graduated from Louisana Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in 2011, later earning a graduate degree from Gonzaga University in 2014. In a statement obtained by Fox News Digital, Johnson’s office said that the speaker still has “full faith and confidence” in Haynes’ “ability to lead the Speaker’s office.” TRUMP GIVES JOHNSON ‘COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT’ AHEAD OF SPEAKERSHIP FIGHT “The Speaker is aware of the encounter that occurred last night involving his Chief of Staff and the Capitol Police,” the statement read. “The Speaker has known and worked closely with Hayden for nearly a decade and trusted him to serve as his Chief of Staff for his entire tenure in Congress.” “Because of this and Hayden’s esteemed reputation among Members and staff alike, the Speaker has full faith and confidence in Hayden’s ability to lead the Speaker’s office.” Before the arrest took place, Johnson appeared on “Hannity” to praise Trump’s speech and said that Democrats “brought shame on themselves and their party” by disrupting the event. “I’m sure it was received as well at home as it was there by the Republicans and the audience up in the gallery,” Johnson said. “It was really shameful what the Democrats did. I mean, they really it was quite a spectacle. They brought shame on themselves and their party.” “But the American people are following what the president is delivering, and they are appreciating it.”
Vance takes victory lap in border visit as illegal immigrant numbers plummet
Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday took a victory lap as he toured the southern border, hailing a sharp drop in border encounters that he tied directly to the policies of the Trump administration. Vance, alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, toured the border in Eagle Pass, Texas. They met with Texas officials, including Gov. Greg Abbott, participated in an aerial tour of the border and observed a stretch of recently built border wall. In remarks to the press, Vance referenced remarks President Donald Trump made in his speech to the joint session of Congress on Tuesday. VANCE HEADS TO SOUTHERN BORDER AS TRUMP TOUTS SHARP DROP IN CROSSINGS: ‘THEY HEARD MY WORDS’ “It turns out we didn’t need new laws. We didn’t need fancy legislation. We just needed a new President of the United States. And thank God, that’s exactly what we have,” Vance said. The trio also visited a Border Patrol detention facility before participating in a roundtable discussion with local and national participants. “Border security is national security,” Hegseth told Fox News before the trip. He added, “We’re sending those folks home, and we’re not letting more in. And you’re seeing that right now.” Vance pointed to numbers saying that crossings had dropped from 1,500 a day to 30 a day, and an 85% reduction in those dying at the border. TRUMP HONORS LIVES OF LAKEN RILEY, JOCELYN NUNGARAY WHILE CELEBRATING STRIDES ON SECURING BORDER “Every single day that we continue to keep this border safe, that means less migrant crime. That means less fentanyl coming into our communities. That means more safety and security for the people of the United States of America,” he said. “Our mission is very clear. Our objective is to keep the American people safe,” Gabbard said, highlighting the president’s designation of cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. Trump, whose campaign centered on cracking down on illegal immigration, had signed executive orders to declare a national emergency at the border and deploy the military. He also ordered the resumption of border wall construction and the end of Biden parole policies. The Pentagon quickly deployed troops and opened up Guantánamo Bay to flights of migrants. The Department of Homeland Security has taken limits off of interior enforcement and expanded the use of expedited removal, while the State Department secured additional cooperation with countries to return migrants. That’s in addition to an interior enforcement campaign that has led to the arrests of thousands of illegal immigrants throughout the country, including in “sanctuary” cities. In February, there were just 8,326 southern border encounters, down from 189,913 in February 2024. The administration has so far removed more than 55,000 illegal immigrants from the U.S. CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE A Border Patrol source told Fox News that there were just 271 total encounters for the entire southern border on Tuesday, and just 14 in the Del Rio Sector where Vance is visiting. Trump also pointed to a drop in crossings during his address on Tuesday evening. “Within hours of taking the oath of office, I declared a national emergency on our southern border and I deployed the U.S. military and Border Patrol to repel the invasion of our country. And what a job they’ve done. As a result, illegal border crossings last month were by far the lowest ever recorded, ever,” he said. “They heard my words, and they chose not to come.” Fox News’ Brooke Taylor and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Democrats, protesters gather at DOGE’s ‘ground zero’ to protest spending cuts
FIRST ON FOX: Democratic lawmakers joined protesters outside what they described as “ground zero” for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to oppose recent spending cuts by the newly formed cost-cutting department. Protesters, some of whom say they were laid off from their federal jobs during DOGE cuts, gathered outside the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Tuesday ahead of President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress. Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and representatives Don Beyer, D-Va.; Kweisi Mfume, D-Md.; Glenn Ivey, D-Md.; and Johnny Olszewski Jr., D-Md., attended the protest, and some revealed they would not be attending Trump’s speech later that evening. “This is ground zero. This is where Elon Musk and DOGE have taken up shop,” Olszewski said at the protest. DOGE SLASHES NEARLY $1M FOR ALPACA FARMING IN PERU, OTHER QUESTIONABLE GRANTS IN LATEST WASTEFUL SPENDING CUT “It’s where the fight is really happening,” the congressman added. This is an agency that is supposed to have a workforce that reflects the diversity of our country and is supposed to be based on merit, and we’re not seeing that. In fact, we’re seeing the opposite.” Protesters held signs that said “Evict DOGE from OPM now,” “Federal employees are taxpayers too,” and “We all deserve better.” Mfume, speaking at the event, claimed the cost-cutting initiative was “anti-American.” “Even if you worked for a snake, a snake would tell you we’re getting ready to take your job,” Mfume said, before saying he needed to “calm myself” when talking about Musk. “Every event like this is a small step in the right direction,” Beyer said. DOGE INITIAL FINDINGS ON DEFENSE DEPARTMENT DEI SPENDING COULD SAVE $80M, AGENCY SAYS One attendee, Cecilia, said she was sent an email “overnight” saying she had a few hours to “pack up and leave.” “I worked here. I dedicated over 16 years of federal work in this place, and I was part of an entire department that was dismantled,” the woman said. The White House told Fox News Digital the protests would not deter the administration’s cost-cutting efforts. “Protests will not deter President Trump and Elon Musk from delivering on the promise to establish DOGE and make our federal government more efficient and more accountable to the hardworking American taxpayers across the country,” Harrison Fields, special assistant to the president and principal deputy press secretary, told Fox News Digital in a statement. While some Democrats skipped the president’s joint address in protest of the administration’s actions, Trump used the speech to highlight DOGE’s work to cut costs. “I have created the brand-new Department of Government Efficiency,” Trump said before highlighting areas where “wasteful spending” had been cut. “Under the Trump administration, all of these scams — and there are far worse — but I didn’t think it was appropriate to talk about them,” the president said. “They’re so bad. Many more have been found out and exposed and swiftly terminated by a group of very intelligent, mostly young people headed up by Elon, and we appreciate it. We found hundreds of billions of dollars of fraud.”
Sudanese starve as soup kitchens close down and warring parties block aid
The United States’ decision to suspend foreign aid is exacerbating a catastrophic hunger crisis in Sudan, where millions risk dying from malnutrition-related illnesses. Since assuming office in January, US President Donald Trump’s administration has put on leave or fired the vast majority of employees at the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and paused almost all of the global projects it funds. Last year, USAID contributed 44 percent to Sudan’s $1.8bn humanitarian response, according to the United Nations. A portion of this sum went to supporting Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs), which are neighbourhood relief groups that support hundreds of “community kitchens” across the country. “About 80 percent of the 1,460 community kitchens across Sudan were shut down [when USAID paused all funding],” said Hajooj Kuka, the spokesperson for the ERRs in Khartoum state. Sudanese women from community kitchens run by local volunteers distribute meals for people who are affected by conflict and extreme hunger and are out of reach of international aid efforts, in Omdurman, Sudan, July 27, 2024 [File: Mazin Alrasheed/Reuters] Filling the gap Since a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted into civil war in April 2023, communal kitchens have kept hundreds of thousands of people alive in regions where UN agencies and global relief organisations are unable to reach due to the wilful obstruction of aid by the warring parties, according to local and foreign relief workers. Advertisement Despite the efforts of ERR volunteers, more than 600,000 people in Sudan are coping with famine levels of hunger and some eight million are on the verge of slipping into famine, according to the global hunger monitor, the UN Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). The pause in USAID funding now risks compounding the hunger crisis. According to Iyad Agha, the humanitarian coordinator for international nongovernmental organisations in Sudan, some organisations obtained waivers from the US government to continue administering life-saving services. However, many of these services were eventually terminated after a subsequent review by the US determined that they were not necessary to sustain life. Days later, the Trump administration reversed some terminations and permitted some services to resume. Agha said Washington’s decisions appear to be “completely random”. “NGOs are paralysed and don’t know how to proceed amidst the chaos and confusion and the affected people [who need aid in Sudan] are the most impacted by all of this chaos,” he told Al Jazeera. “The problem is that if some other donors want to step in [for the absence of USAID] there is [a large gap] to fulfil,” Agha added. ERRs have taken matters into their own hands to find alternative funding. Kuka said that community kitchens have solicited funding from the Sudanese diaspora and smaller charitable organisations in order to keep providing meals to beleaguered civilians during the holy month of Ramadan, which began earlier in March. Advertisement Their efforts have helped hundreds of community kitchens to reopen across the country, yet 63 percent remain shuttered since the US government paused most foreign aid, said Kuka. “There is only so much we can do. There simply isn’t enough food for people,” he told Al Jazeera. “But we have started an online drive for people to donate and during Ramadan, people tend to donate more during this time,” he added. Impediments and looting Both sides in Sudan’s civil war are responsible for generating the hunger crisis, say local and foreign relief workers. One issue cited by some relief workers is that UN agencies recognise the Sudanese army as the de facto government. This policy has empowered the army to approve or deny aid shipments coming across the borders from neighbouring countries such as Chad and South Sudan, which the army does not control. Critics previously told Al Jazeera that humanitarians should work with the relevant authorities in each area of Sudan in order to reach as many needy people as possible. In addition, UN agencies that treat the army as the de facto government are required to base all humanitarian operations out of Port Sudan, which makes it logistically difficult to reach faraway regions such as the Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan and the sprawling region of Darfur. A banner of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), stands in Omdurman, Sudan with the words ‘the people are with you’ written beneath his image [Sara Creta/EPA] The army is also accused of imposing bureaucratic impediments to obstruct and delay aid shipments. Advertisement “The army’s procedures are very cumbersome. It’s a mountain of paperwork,” explained Leni Kinzli, the spokesperson for the World Food Programme (WFP). “We have to deal with the different authorities: military intelligence, the Humanitarian Aid Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the General Intelligence Services and National Intelligence Services. “Basically, for any [aid truck to move], we need to get a stamp from all of those agencies,” she told Al Jazeera. Analysts and relief workers also accuse the SAF of prohibiting aid to regions under RSF control. But army spokesperson Nabil Abdullah has repeatedly denied this accusation and criticised the RSF for starving civilians. Hind al-Atif, the spokesperson for the ERR in Sharq el-Nile, a sprawling neighbourhood in Khartoum, accused the RSF of exacerbating the hunger crisis. She said that the group looted all the main markets in Khartoum ahead of Ramadan and that many civilians are hesitant to leave their neighbourhoods to look for food out of fear that they could be attacked at RSF checkpoints. “People are scared to flee because the RSF often robs people of their money and phones,” she told Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera contacted the RSF’s press office for comment on allegations that its fighters are robbing civilians at gunpoint and looting markets, but the group did not respond before publication. Insecurity and starvation As fighting escalates between the RSF and Sudanese army, local relief groups and aid agencies are finding it increasingly difficult to reach beleaguered civilians. Advertisement In the Zamzam displacement camp, where more
US confirms direct talks with Hamas over Gaza captives
Talks come as Israel continues to block supplies of humanitarian aid into Gaza after first phase of ceasefire expired. The United States is engaging in direct talks with Hamas as negotiations on a ceasefire agreement between the Palestinian armed group and Israel are hanging by a thread. “These are ongoing talks and discussions, I’m not going to detail them here, there are American lives at stake,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday, confirming a report by Axios media outlet that talks between the two sides were taking place. “Look, dialogue and talking to people around the world to do what’s in the best interest of the American people is something that the president has proven is what he believes is [a] good faith, effort to do what’s right for the American people,” Leavitt said. Adam Boehler, Trump’s nominee to be special envoy for hostage affairs, participated in the direct talks with Hamas. A Hamas official cited by the AFP news agency confirmed the negotiations over Israeli-US captives held in Gaza. The US had previously publicly refused direct contact with the Palestinian group since banning them as a “terrorist” organisation in 1997. Advertisement Israel said it had been consulted by the US on the direct talks. Israeli officials say about 24 living captives – including Edan Alexander, an American citizen – as well as the bodies of at least 35 others are believed to still be held in Gaza. Al Jazeera’s Hamdah Salhut, reporting from Jordan, said the two sides discussed captives held in Gaza. “We understand it’s in order to secure the retrieval of the bodies of Israeli-American captives who are still being held in Gaza and one Israeli captive with US citizenship who is believed to be alive. “The Americans are saying that their envoys have the power to negotiate with anyone, and it’s not just over the captives who hold American citizenship, it’s also for an end to the war,” she said. Fragile truce Confirmation of the talks comes days after the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire expired, with Israel pushing for an extension while Hamas insists on progressing to the second phase of the deal agreed in January. The first phase saw Hamas release 33 hostages in exchange for Israel releasing more than 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Israel has said the proposal to extend the first phase of the truce was drafted by the US envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff. The new plan would require Hamas to release half its remaining captives in exchange for a ceasefire extension and a promise to negotiate a lasting truce. Israel made no mention of releasing more Palestinian prisoners – a key component of the first phase. Advertisement Aid blocked After the first phase expired, Israel on Sunday suspended humanitarian aid deliveries, including fuel, aid and medicine, into Gaza, as the government aims to put pressure on Hamas to accept the new terms – a move that the Palestinian group slammed as a violation of the original deal. France, the United Kingdom and Germany on Wednesday warned Israel against using aid as a “political tool”, calling on it to ensure the “unhindered” delivery of humanitarian supplies to the war-ravaged Palestinian enclave. “We call on the government of Israel to abide by its international obligations to ensure full, rapid, safe and unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance to the population in Gaza,” the countries said in a joint statement. “A halt on goods and supplies entering Gaza such as that announced by the government of Israel would risk violating international humanitarian law,” they said. “Humanitarian aid should never be contingent on a ceasefire or used as a political tool.” The three European nations described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “catastrophic”. Adblock test (Why?)