Egypt deports dozens planning pro-Palestinian march, say organisers
Egyptian authorities have deported dozens of foreign nationals who arrived in Egypt to take part in a pro-Palestinian march and dozens more face deportation, the organisers and airport and security sources said on Thursday.
Hundreds of people came to Egypt this week for the Global March to Gaza, an international initiative intended to exert pressure for an end to an Israeli blockade of the Palestinian enclave and draw attention to the humanitarian crisis there.
Organisers said people from 80 countries were set to begin the march to Egypt's Rafah Crossing with Gaza, and confirmed some had been deported or were detained at the airport.
Three airport sources told Reuters at least 73 foreign nationals had been deported on a flight to Istanbul on Thursday after authorities said they violated entry protocols, and that about 100 more were at the airport awaiting deportation.
The foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. It had earlier said visits to the Rafah border region must be coordinated in advance with Egyptian embassies or government entities, and underlined the need to follow official procedures to ensure safety and security.
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IOL News
37 minutes ago
- IOL News
Israel intensifies Iran threats as the third day of fighting rages on
Smoke billows following an explosion in central Tehran on June 15, 2025. Image: Atta Kenare / AFP Israel unleashed a punishing barrage of strikes targeting the capital Tehran on Sunday, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to make Iran pay "a very heavy price" for killing civilians, on the third day of fierce fighting. With no let-up in sight, Iran said it would begin opening mosques, metro stations and schools to serve as makeshift bomb shelters for civilians, as Israel kept up its withering blows. After decades of enmity and war by proxy, the latest conflict marked the first time the arch-enemies have traded fire with such intensity, triggering fears of a prolonged conflict that could engulf the entire Middle East. As Israel continued to target sites across the Islamic republic, Iran launched a new barrage of missiles aimed at Israel on Sunday afternoon, setting off air raid sirens in Jerusalem and elsewhere. Earlier Sunday, Netanyahu slammed Iran for allegedly targeting civilian areas, despite the fact that Israel's attacks have reportedly killed more civilians in Iran. "Iran will pay a very heavy price for the premeditated murder of civilians, women and children," Netanyahu said during a visit to the site of a missile strike on a residential building in the coastal city of Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv. The remarks came hours came after Iranian missile fire targeting Israel killed at least 10 people overnight, according to authorities, pushing the death toll up to 13 since Iran began its retaliatory strikes Friday, with 380 reported injured. Iranian media, citing the health ministry, meanwhile reported at least 128 killed in Israeli attacks from Friday to Saturday, including women and children, with 900 more reported injured. 'Make a deal' In Tehran, a heavy cloud of smoke hung above the city after Israeli aircraft hit two fuel depots. Local media later reported an Israeli strike hit the police headquarters in the city centre. The Israeli military said its air force had targeted "more than 80" positions in Tehran overnight. US President Donald Trump said Washington "had nothing to do" with Israel's intense bombardment campaign that was launched early Friday, hitting key military and nuclear sites as well as residential areas. But Trump also threatened to launch "the full strength and might" of the US military if Iran attacks American interests, later urging the two foes to "make a deal". Iran's top diplomat Abbas Araghchi nonetheless said that Tehran had "solid proof" that US forces had supported Israel in its attacks. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Israeli police said six people were killed and at least 180 injured at the site of an overnight missile strike in Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv on Israel's Mediterranean coast. First responders wearing helmets and headlamps picked through the bombed-out building as dawn broke. "There was an explosion and I thought the whole house had collapsed," said Bat Yam resident Shahar Ben Zion. "It was a miracle we survived." In northern Israel, rescuers and medics said a strike late Saturday destroyed a three-storey building in the town of Tamra, killing four women. 'Red line' In Iran's capital early Sunday, AFP journalists heard a series of blasts. The head of Tehran's traffic police Ahmad Karami told IRNA news agency "heavy traffic was reported at the capital's exit points". Israel said its forces had struck the defence ministry headquarters in Tehran, where Iranian news agency Tasnim reported damage. The Israeli military also said it had struck nuclear sites, including the secretive Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND), fuel tankers and other targets. The Iranian oil ministry said Israel targeted two fuel depots in the Tehran area. An AFP journalist saw a depot at Shahran, northwest of the capital, on fire. Iranian media later said that police had arrested two suspects over alleged links to Israel's Mossad spy agency. On Sunday, the Israeli military warned Iranians to evacuate areas near weapons facilities nationwide. "The Zionist regime crossed a new red line in international law" by "attacking nuclear facilities", Araghchi told foreign diplomats, according to state TV. "If the aggression stops, naturally our responses will also stop," he added. 'More fiercely' Araghchi also condemned on Sunday Israel's attack a day earlier on a major gas facility operating at South Pars, the world's largest known gas reserve located off of Iran's southern Bushehr province. Iran scrapped nuclear talks with the US planned for Sunday, saying it was "meaningless" to negotiate while under fire. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Sunday they had struck sites used by Israeli warplanes for refuelling. The Guards in a statement vowed to respond "more fiercely and more broadly" if Israel keeps up its deadly campaign. Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels also said they had launched several missiles at Israel in attacks that were "coordinated with the operations carried out by the Iranian military". AFP
The Citizen
7 hours ago
- The Citizen
Naledi Pandor contniues to receive threats, 'they never stopped'
In February 2024, in the midst of South Africa's case against Israel at ICJ, Pandor's security was beefed up amid threats. As Israel and Iran continue to trade blows, South Africa's former International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor and her family continue to receive threats. An insider close to the family told The Citizen that the threats against Pandor and her family have not ceased since South Africa brought Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for genocide committed against Palestinians in Gaza. 'Threats' 'No, they never stopped. The threats are ongoing and you shouldn't get to close [to us] because you become a target,' the insider told The Citizen at a function in Gauteng. The insider did not want to disclose more information, fearing that the threats would escalate. 'We don't want our security compromised.' Friends of Naledi Pandor were all eliminated by Israel last night. June 13, 2025 ICJ case In February 2024, in the midst of South Africa's case against Israel at the ICJ, Pandor's security was beefed up amid threats against her and her family. South Africa approached the World Court seeking several orders, including for Israel to immediately suspend its Gaza offensive; to stop forced displacement; to enable humanitarian access to thousands of displaced Palestinians; and to preserve evidence. In its judgment, the ICJ ordered Israel to take 'all measures within its power' to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza. ALSO READ: Israeli forces seize Gaza-bound Madleen with aid and Greta Thunberg [VIDEO] Security beefed up Following President Cyril Ramaphosa's State of the Nation Address (Sona) on 8 February 2024, Pandor told journalists that she believed the threats were related to the ICJ case. The minister did not disclose who the threats were from, but confirmed that then-Police Minister Bheki Cele had to strengthen her security detail. 'I spoke to Minister Cele because of the various messages I was getting, and I felt it would be better if we had extra security. What I am more concerned about is my family because in some of the social media messages, my children are mentioned and so on.' Gaza Pandor said, despite the personal cost of taking on Israel, South Africa will see the ICJ matter through. 'This is part of the course, the Israeli agents' intelligence services are how they behave, and they seek to intimidate you. So, we must not be intimidated; there is a course that is underway. The people of the world and of Palestine didn't draw back when the apartheid state was at its worst. 'They stood with the liberation movement, so we can't stand back now, we must be with them, and I think one of the things we must not allow is a failure of courage. It's extremely important we continue with this, we talk to the South African people and they understand why it is that we have taken up this moral course,' Pandor said. ALSO READ: SA calls for urgent probe after 32 Palestinians killed while waiting for food Israel and Iran Meanwhile, Pretoria has expressed profound concern regarding the attacks conducted by Israel on targets within Iran on Friday, including reported impacts on military areas, nuclear facilities, and civilian infrastructure. 'Reports of civilian casualties, alongside military personnel, are deeply troubling,' the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said. 'These actions raise serious concerns under international law, including the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the protection of civilians enshrined in the UN Charter and international humanitarian law'. Nuclear safety Phiri added that South Africa has taken note with particular concern of the implications for nuclear safety and security arising from attacks in the vicinity of nuclear facilities. 'We recall the firm stance of the IAEA General Conference, reflected in resolutions such as GC(XXIX)/RES/444 and GC(XXXIV)/RES/533, against armed attacks on peaceful nuclear installations as violations of the UN Charter and international law. 'South Africa extends its sincere condolences to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the families of all victims,' Phiri said. 'Peaceful resolutions' Phiri reiterated Pretoria's 'unwavering commitment' to the peaceful resolution of disputes. 'South Africa urges maximum restraint by all parties and calls for the urgent intensification of diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and promote stability in the Middle East. 'We support ongoing bilateral discussions, such as those between the USA and Iran, and reaffirm the critical importance of establishing a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in the Middle East,' Phiri said. In February this year, South Africa's Head of Public Diplomacy Clayson Monyela dismissed claims of any cooperation with Iran on nuclear energy. The claims of nuclear cooperation between South Africa and Iran were levelled by US President Donald Trump's administration in an executive order on 7 February 2025. ALSO READ: Israel accused of starving Gaza 'by design' — South Africa addresses ICJ
TimesLIVE
8 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Yemen's Houthis target Israel with ballistic missiles in co-ordination with Iran
Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis said on Sunday they targeted Israel in co-ordination with Iran, the first time an Iran-aligned group has publicly announced joint co-operation on attacks with Tehran. The Yemeni group targeted central Israel's Jaffa with several ballistic missiles in the past 24 hours, military spokesperson Yehya Sarea said in a televised address. 'Triumphing for the oppressed Palestinian and Iranian peoples ... This operation was co-ordinated with the operations carried out by the Iranian army against the criminal Israeli enemy,' he added. The Israeli military earlier said sirens were activated in several areas in the country after missile launches from Iran and Yemen. Israel and Iran continued to exchange missile attacks since Israel launched its biggest-ever military strike against its long-standing enemy on Friday. On the same day Israel launched its attack on Iran, Israel said a missile that was launched from Yemen towards Israel fell in Hebron in the occupied West Bank. The Yemeni group however did not claim responsibility for the missile launch. The Houthis have been launching attacks against Israel, most of which have been intercepted, in what they say is support for Palestinians in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war there since Hamas' October 7 2023 attack on Israel. Israel has carried out a series of retaliatory strikes. The US also launched intensified strikes against the Houthis this year, before President Donald Trump halted the offensive after the Houthis agreed to stop attacks on American ships.
