Syrian security forces detonate leftover munitions, source says
The source from Syria's General Security Service, which is broadly responsible for security matters, told Reuters no-one was wounded in the controlled blast.
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Residents had heard a loud blast and saw a plume of smoke rising in the western neighborhoods of the city early on Tuesday evening.
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Telegraph
4 hours ago
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Gunmen posing as Gaza aid workers killed in IDF strike, says Israel
A group of militants posing as aid workers in Gaza have been killed in an Israeli strike, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said on Tuesday. 'Five armed terrorists' were driving in a vehicle marked with the insignia of World Central Kitchen (WCK), a US-based charity founded by chef José Andrés, they said. Israeli forces confirmed with WCK that the men had 'no affiliation with the organisation' before carrying out the drone strike over the weekend. WCK, whose staff have previously been killed by Israel, confirmed to The Telegraph that the men and vehicle were not affiliated with the aid organisation. The IDF released footage of the men – dressed in yellow vests, with some appearing to handle guns – using a car clearly marked with the WCK logo near Deir al-Balah in the centre of the Strip. The military said it 'eliminated' the five armed men as they 'posed a threat to our troops'. It could not confirm whether the men were connected to Hamas. 'The terrorists deliberately affixed the emblem and wore yellow vests in an attempt to conceal their activity and avoid being targeted, cynically exploiting the status and trust afforded to aid organisations,' the IDF said. Responding to the strike, the WCK said: 'We strongly condemn anyone posing as World Central Kitchen or other humanitarians, as this endangers civilians and aid workers. The safety and security of our teams are our top priority.' It comes amid a global outcry over Israel's targeting of a prominent Al Jazeera correspondent and five other journalists in a strike on Sunday. The IDF accused Anas al-Sharif of leading a Hamas terror cell and carrying out rocket strikes against Israel – a claim Al Jazeera has strongly denied. On Tuesday, the IDF said the 28-year-old had received a salary from Hamas amid growing calls for Israel to provide clear evidence of Sharif's affiliation with the terror group. The UN and other rights groups have condemned the targeting of media workers. At least 192 journalists have been killed in the Gaza conflict, the Committee to Protect Journalists said. WCK, a relief group founded in 2010 that has worked in conflict zones from Haiti to Ukraine, has been providing meals to civilians in Gaza since the start of the war. In April 2024, Israel faced international condemnation when it targeted a WCK convoy, killing seven of its aid workers, including three British men. The IDF said the strike had been a mistake and opened an investigation. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister, called it a 'tragic' accident. The IDF later admitted to a 'serious failure' and sacked two senior military officers. Last November, an Israeli strike on a WCK vehicle killed three of its aid workers. The IDF claimed one of the employees was part of the Hamas attack on Oct 7. At the time, the WCK said it had 'no knowledge that any individual in the vehicle had alleged ties to the October 7 Hamas attack'.
BBC News
5 hours ago
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Seán Rooney: Appeal lodged against sentences for killing of Irish soldier
Prosecutors in Lebanon have formally lodged an appeal against the sentences handed down over the killing of an Irish soldier on a UN peacekeeping mission. Pte Seán Rooney was in an armoured UN vehicle which came under fire while travelling to Beirut on 14 December 24 year old was the first Irish soldier to die while on UN peacekeeping duty in Lebanon in more than 20 years. Three others were injured in the Ayyad was sentenced to death in Lebanon over the killing of Pte Rooney last month. He did not appear in court and remains at large. Another man was sentenced to three months in prison and four others were ordered to pay fines. A seventh defendant was acquitted. Unifil, the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, said Lebanon's permanent military court found six individuals who were charged over Mr Rooney's killing guilty. One person was acquitted. Tánaiste (deputy Irish prime minister) and Minister for Defence Simon Harris confirmed the appeal on Tuesday evening following earlier talks with the Lebanese justice and defence ministers. Harris said he wrote to the Lebanese government following last month's trial to express the Irish government and Rooney family's disappointment at the sentences handed down. In a statement following the sentence, Pte Rooney's mother, Natasha Rooney, criticised the Irish government for issuing public statements before speaking to the called the trial a "sham". On Tuesday, the tánaiste said he met the Rooney family last week. He said he informed Ms Rooney that an appeal against the sentences was formally lodged with the military court. He also confirmed the Lebanese government has appointed a new military chief prosecutor who will now take over the case. Harris said he has "committed to following up directly with the Lebanese government in relation to the appeal itself"."In my calls with my Lebanese counterparts, I made it clear that the sentences handed down in this case are simply not acceptable and are very disappointing," he said."They have caused great upset and insult to the Rooney family and everything must be done to ensure justice is served for Seán and his colleagues who were injured."
The Independent
5 hours ago
- The Independent
Israel rejects UN allegations that its forces have sexually abused detained Palestinians
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