Global Displacement Tops 122 Million
Israa Farhan
The number of people displaced by war and persecution worldwide has surged to over 122 million, according to the latest report from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), highlighting a worsening crisis as international aid funding plummets to its lowest level in a decade.
The agency's data, released Thursday,
reveals
that ongoing conflicts in countries such as Sudan, Ukraine, and Myanmar have forced more than two million additional people to flee their homes since the start of 2025.
Despite the return of some Syrian refugees following the fall of Bashar al-Assad, the net number of displaced individuals continues to rise.
Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, attributed the increase to the failure to resolve long-standing conflicts and the persistence of major wars. He described the current global landscape as one marked by severe disruption in international relations, shaped by modern warfare and severe humanitarian distress.
UNHCR's report also warns that aid funding has dropped back to 2015 levels — a time when the global number of refugees was roughly half of today's figures. The organisation labelled this drastic cut in assistance as both "brutal and ongoing", stating it places refugees and vulnerable communities at significant risk.
The agency stressed that current funding levels are unsustainable and could jeopardise life-saving services, especially for women and children. Reduced support, it warned, increases the likelihood of sexual violence against displaced women and exposes children to greater risk of human trafficking.
read more
Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685
NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria
Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO
Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided
News
Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks
News
Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank
News
Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region
News
One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid
News
China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier
Sports
Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer
Lifestyle
Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt
News
Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies
Business
Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War
Arts & Culture
Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies
News
Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
News
Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan
Videos & Features
Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream
Technology
50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al-Ahram Weekly
31 minutes ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
🔴 LIVE UPDATES: Israel strikes on Tehran housing complex, kills 60 including 20 children - Region
The Middle East has woken to an unprecedented and perilous escalation on Friday, as Israel launched a large-scale military attack on Iran, targeting critical nuclear facilities, military installations, and even residential areas across the Islamic Republic, pushing Tehran to retaliate by hitting Tel Aviv. Related Iran retaliates to Israeli strikes by waves of missiles Iran's Foreign Ministry calls nuclear talks with US 'meaningless' after Israeli attacks Jordan says intercepted drones, missiles in its airspace Overnight, the conflict between Israel and Iran escalated significantly, as Tehran retaliated to Tel Aviv's attacks. Here's a brief rundown: Iranian Missile Barrages on Israel: Iran launched multiple waves of ballistic missiles at Israel through late Friday and into Saturday morning. Air raid sirens blared across Israel, with explosions reported in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. While Israel's Iron Dome and US aided Israel in interceptions as well, some missiles penetrated, causing damage to buildings and vehicles, particularly in Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan, and killing at least 3 Israelis. Continued Israeli Strikes on Iran: Simultaneously, the Israeli military confirmed it conducted overnight strikes on dozens of targets in Iran, including air defenses in the capital region and missile bases in Kermanshah and Tabriz. Satellite images have begun to confirm damage to Iran's ballistic missile arsenal at these locations. Heightened Alert and Airspace: Israel has paused natural gas supplies to Egypt, leading to energy shortfalls. Jordan reopened its airspace this morning after closing it due to the crossfire. Diplomatic Fallout: Iran's Foreign Ministry has deemed further nuclear talks with the United States "meaningless". Leadership Reactions: Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed that Israel would not "escape safely" from its "great crime," while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned of "more strikes on the way." International Reactions: IAEA Monitoring: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed the Natanz site was hit but reported no increase in radiation levels. It also confirmed that the Fordo and Isfahan nuclear sites were not impacted. Calls for Restraint: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, the UK, and other nations have condemned the escalation and urged immediate de-escalation and a return to diplomacy. Economic Impact: Global oil prices have surged by as much as 13% due to heightened tensions in the critical oil-producing region. Saturday 14 June 14:23 Seven Israeli soldiers were wounded by an Iranian ballistic missile strike in central Israel last night, the Israeli army said. 13:34 Three Revolutionary Guards were killed in an Israeli attack on the northwestern Iranian city of Zanjan, Tansnim news agency reported Saturday. This comes following the assassination of General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, the head of the country's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), by Israel's series of airstrikes in Iran's capital. Israel has also killed three more Iranian nuclear scientists, state television reported Saturday, bringing to nine the total figure. "Three of the country's nuclear scientists -- Ali Bekaei Karimi, Mansour Asgari, and Saeed Borji -- were martyred during the Zionist regime's terrorist attacks," the broadcaster said. Iranian media had said earlier that six others were killed in the Israeli attack. 13:22 Iran has warned the US, UK and France that their military bases and ships will be targeted if they help block the Iranian missile and drone retaliation for Israel's attack. 13:21 Israel's Ben Gurion international airport is closed until further notice, a spokeswoman said on Saturday."There is no date or day set to reopen the airport," airport spokeswoman Lisa Diver told AFP. 13:12 In a major military leadership reshuffle, following the Israeli attacks, Major General Amir Hatami has been appointed Chief Commander of the Iran's army by order of Commander-in-Chief Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, IRNA news agency reported. Hatami has previously served as Defense Minister from 2013 to 2021. Khamenei also appointed a new head of the Revolutionary Guards air arm on Saturday to replace the one killed by an Israeli strike. Majid Mousavi will replace Amirali Hajizadeh as commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps aerospace force. 13:00 Following Jordan, Syria and Lebanon reopened their airspace on Saturday, a day after imposing closures as Israel and Iran traded fire. The escalation has led to airspace closures across Israel, Iran, Iraq, Jordan and Syria. Global airlines cancelled or rerouted flights to Tel Aviv, Tehran and other destinations in the region amid the shutdown. 12:15 Around 60 people, including 20 children, were killed in an Israeli attack on a housing complex in Iranian capital Tehran, Iran's state TV reported. 12:00 Jordan's civil aviation authority said it reopened its airspace on Saturday, a day after suspending it as Israel and Iran traded fire. 11:25 Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi emphasized the urgent need for the United Nations to take swift steps in response to Israel's aggression. In a telephone conversation on Friday with the U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Araqchi provided details about Israel's strikes on multiple sites inside Iran, including military bases, nuclear facilities, and residential buildings, Iran's official news agency, (IRNA) said. The top diplomat noted that Iran preserves its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the U.N. Charter and called on the U.N. to act immediately in line with its duties as per the U.N. Charter to condemn the Israeli strikes and take necessary measures to hold the regime accountable. 11:10 UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on Israel and Iran to halt their military attacks, warning against further escalation and urging a return to diplomacy. 'Israeli bombardment of Iranian nuclear sites. Iranian missile strikes in Tel Aviv. Enough escalation. Time to stop. Peace and diplomacy must prevail,' Guterres wrote on X on Saturday. Israeli bombardment of Iranian nuclear sites. Iranian missile strikes in Tel Aviv. Enough escalation. Time to stop. Peace and diplomacy must prevail. — António Guterres (@antonioguterres) June 13, 2025 10:45 Iran's ambassador to the United Nations has warned that Tehran will respond 'decisively and proportionately' to Israeli strikes on Iranian territory, describing them as 'acts of terrorism," the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported Speaking at an emergency UN Security Council session late on Friday, Saeed Iravani said Iran reserves the right to respond 'at a time, in a place, and by means of its choosing.' He said the attacks violated international law and Iranian sovereignty, the news agency added. 10:00 Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman called further nuclear talks with the United States 'meaningless' after Israeli strikes on the country, state television said. 'The U.S. did a job that made the talks become meaningless,' Baghaei was quoted as saying. He added that Israel has passed all Iran's red lines by committing a 'criminal act' through its strikes. However, he stopped short of saying the talks were cancelled. 09:50 Tehran launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes on Israel into Saturday morning, killing at least 3 people and wounding dozens, after a series of blistering Israeli attacks on the heart of Iran. Sirens and the boom of explosions, possibly from Israeli interceptors, could be heard in the sky over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv early Saturday. AP journalists in Tel Aviv could see what appeared to be at least two Iranian missiles hit the ground, but there was no immediate word of casualties. Damaged buildings at a site hit by a missile fired from Iran in the Israeli city of Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv on June 14, 2025. AFP This photo shows rocket trails and intercepts in the sky over the Israeli city of Netanya on June 14, 2025. AFP 02:30 Fire and heavy smoke billowed from Mehrabad airport in the Iranian capital early Saturday, an AFP journalist said, as local media reported a blast in the area. The local ISNA news agency shared a video showing columns of heavy smoke rising from the area of the airport in western Tehran while Mehr news agency reported a "blast" there. 01:24 Iran has launched a third wave of missiles on Israel. 01:00 One women died and at least 60 injured in Israel, according to Israeli media. Members of the Israeli security forces inspect a site hit by a missile fired from Iran, in Ramat Gan on the outskirts of Tel Aviv on June 13, 2025. AFP Friday 13 June 23:10 Iran's airspace will remain closed until Saturday after Israel launched a large scale attack that hit multiple cities, state media reported. "The Civil Aviation Organization... has announced in aviation notices (NOTAM) that the country's airspace will be closed until tomorrow, Saturday," the official IRNA news agency reported. 22:45 The US military is helping intercept missiles that Iran fired in retaliation at Israel, a US official says. The US has been moving assets nearer to Israel to assist in missile intercepts and to provide better protection of US bases in the region. 22:00 Israeli rescuers said that seven people were injured on Friday in the centre of the country, shortly after Iran fired a salvo of missiles at Israel. Speaking on Israel's Channel 12, Eli Bin, the spokesman for the Magen David Adom rescue service, said that seven people were lightly injured in central Israel. Images on Channel 12 showed what appeared to be a building hit by a missile. 21:30 The Israeli army says that dozens of additional missiles were launched toward Israel. 21:25 Iran's state news agency reported that Iran has fired hundreds of ballistic missiles toward Israel as part of its retaliation for Israel's Friday attack on Iranian nuclear and military sites. 21:19 Israel army says the country is under fire as Iran fires projectiles 🚨All of Israel is under fire as Iran fires projectiles🚨 — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 13, 2025 20:44 The Israeli military said it struck on Friday Iran's nuclear facility in Isfahan as it pressed on with its strikes on the Islamic republic. "I can now confirm that we struck the nuclear facility in Isfahan. The operation is still ongoing," military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin told journalists. 19:50 Israel's army chief on Friday said the military was keeping up "full force" to achieve its goals after launching a wave of strikes on military and nuclear sites in Iran. 18:30 Egypt's Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources activated its pre-prepared emergency plan regarding priorities for natural gas supply following the escalating regional tensions and the halt in gas supplies from the East. 17:20 Egyptian Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority affirmed that the radiological situation at Iran's Natanz nuclear facility remains under control, with no signs of radioactive leakage reported so far. 17:00 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday he ordered the airstrikes on Iran six months ago, on 24 November, with the operation initially planned for late April but delayed for 'operational reasons.' 'Today's strike was no coincidence,' Netanyahu said in a televised address in Hebrew, claiming that Israel destroyed the Natanz nuclear facility and describing Iran's ballistic missiles as a 'strategic threat.' Netanyahu said Israel acted without US military backing but had briefed Washington beforehand. 'What the United States chooses to do now is up to them,' he said. He did not give a timeline for the operation's end but warned of further strikes, claiming Iran was 'in disarray' and expected to retaliate in 'severe waves.' 16:00 The Israeli spy agency, the Mossad, alleges that the video below captures two agents inside Iran setting up precision-guided attack systems "developed to target and dismantle Iranian air defenses." The authenticity, date, and location of the videos remain unverified by independent sources. Last night, Israeli statements indicated that Mossad was working on the ground inside of Iran while the Israeli air force was striking Nuclear facilities and leadership. Turns out, they were. Mossad built a secret drone base inside of Iran near Tehran, using it to target Iran's… — FUNKER530 (@FunkerActual) June 13, 2025 15:45 Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation has confirmed a radiation leak inside the Natanz nuclear facility following Israeli airstrikes on the site. 'There is internal radioactive contamination at Natanz, but no external radiation has been detected and there is no cause for concern,' the agency said in a statement carried by Al Jazeera on Friday. It said decontamination was under way and damage would be assessed once cleanup was complete. The Natanz site is central to Iran's uranium enrichment programme and has been repeatedly targeted in sabotage operations widely attributed to Israel. The head of the UN nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, said he was ready to travel to Iran to assess the situation. He confirmed that Iran's Fordow enrichment plant and another nuclear site in Esfahan were not hit. 'There are no elevated radiation levels,' Grossi said, likely referring to external emissions. He urged all sides to avoid further escalation and return to dialogue. File photo: A satellite image shows the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran. 15:30 A loud blast was heard Friday afternoon near a military airbase in Iran's western Hamedan province, Iran's state media reported, following a major Israeli attack on the country. "A few hours ago, a loud blast was heard near Hamedan," more than 300 kilometres (186 miles) from the capital Tehran, the IRNA state news agency said, adding that "it was heard near the Nojeh airbase". 14:15 President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Iran will make Israel "regret" its deadly attack which targeted multiple areas including nuclear sites. "The Iranian nation and the country's officials will not remain silent in the face of this crime, and the legitimate and powerful response of the Islamic Republic of Iran will make the enemy regret its foolish act," Pezeshkian said in a video statement aired on state TV. 13:55 Israeli forces sealed off Palestinian cities across the occupied West Bank and forcibly cleared worshippers from Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque, hours after launching airstrikes on Iranian targets. Witnesses told the Palestinian news agency WAFA that Israeli police stormed the Al-Aqsa compound after dawn prayers on Friday, expelled worshippers and sealed the mosque's gates. Local sources said it was the first time the site had been fully emptied and closed by Israeli forces since the COVID-19 pandemic. Taking advantage of the world's focus on its attack on Iran, Israeli occupation authorities close the gates leading to Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied Jerusalem, blocking any presence of Muslim worshipers. — Quds News Network (@QudsNen) June 13, 2025 13:45 A Hezbollah official said the Lebanese armed group would not unilaterally launch its own attack on Israel in response to Israeli strikes on Iran. 'Hezbollah will not initiate its own attack on Israel in retaliation for Israel's strikes,' the official told Reuters. A public statement from Hezbollah condemned Israel's strikes and expressed full solidarity with Iran. Earlier, Lebanon's government reportedly informed Hezbollah that it would not tolerate the group joining any Iranian retaliation against Israel. According to Saudi outlet Al Arabiya, officials warned Hezbollah that it would bear full responsibility for dragging the country into war. 'The time when the organisation bypassed the state in deciding to go to war is over,' Lebanese authorities were quoted as saying. 13:30 Airlines in the Gulf cancelled flights to many Middle East destinations on Friday as some governments closed their airspace following Israeli strikes on Iran. Emirates, the Middle East's largest airline, said it had cancelled flights to and from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Iran after Israel launched the strikes. Several flights scheduled for Friday and one Tehran flight on Saturday were listed as cancelled on the airline's website. Qatar Airways, the country's national carrier and one of the Middle East's largest, said it had "temporarily cancelled flights to Iran and Iraq due to (the) current situation in the region". UAE airports warned of disruption, with Dubai posting on X that "some flights at @DXB and DWC - Al Maktoum International have been cancelled or delayed due to airspace closures over Iran, Iraq, and Syria". Abu Dhabi airport warned "flight disruptions are expected through today (Friday)" as a result of the Israeli strikes. Kuwait's civil aviation authority posted on X that "some flights at Kuwait International Airport have been diverted, cancelled and rescheduled." Earlier Friday, Jordan and Iraq, which both lie between Israel and Iran, announced they had closed their airspace and grounded all flights after Israel's strikes. Jordan's military said it intercepted drones and missiles that had violated the kingdom's airspace, after Iran vowed there would be "no limits" in its response to Israeli attacks. 13:20 US President Donald Trump urged Iran to "make a deal", warning that there will be more "death and destruction." "There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end," Trump said on his Truth Social platform. "Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left... JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE," he said. 13:10 Israeli warplanes have reportedly destroyed Tabriz airport in north-west Iran in a fresh wave of strikes targeting Iranian air force assets, according to Israel's Channel 12. 13:00 A senior adviser to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was wounded during Israel's deadly attack, state media reported. "Ali Shamkhani, an advisor to the supreme leader... was injured in today's attack by the Zionist regime," according to state TV. 12:55 A fresh round of explosions was heard in northwestern Iran, state television reported. "A few minutes ago, new explosions were heard in East Azerbaijan," the broadcaster said, as the Tasnim news agency said an earlier wave of strikes had hit 10 sites in the province, killing at least three people. A building damaged in an Israeli strike on Tehran on June 13, 2025. AFP 12:45 EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called for all sides to "exercise restraint." "The situation in the Middle East is dangerous. I urge all parties to exercise restraint and prevent further escalation. Diplomacy remains the best path forward, and I stand ready to support any diplomatic efforts toward de-escalation," Kallas wrote on X. EU officials said Kallas spoke to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar in the "early hours" of Friday following the strikes. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen added her voice to the calls for calm, urging "all parties to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate immediately and refrain from retaliation". "A diplomatic resolution is now more urgent than ever, for the sake of the region's stability and global security," von der Leyen wrote on X. 12:35 Iran says Israel's deady strikes on its military and nuclear facilities were a "declaration of war" and called on the UN Security Council to act. In a letter to the United Nations, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the attack as a "declaration of war" and "called on the Security Council to immediately address this issue," the ministry said. 12:25 Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei swiftly appointed new Revolutionary Guards and armed forces chiefs to replace those killed in targeted Israeli strikes on Friday. In separate decrees, Khamenei named Mohammad Pakpour to replace Hossein Salami as commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Abdolrahim Mousavi to replace Mohammad Bagheri as chief of the armed forces general staff. 11:45 'Avoid escalation': World reacts to Israel strike on Iran World leaders urged restraint on Friday after Israel pounded Iran, striking 100 targets including nuclear and military sites, and killing senior figures, including nuclear scientists and the armed forces chief of staff. Here is a roundup of key reactions: 'Cannot have nuclear bomb': United States US President Donald Trump, told Fox News he was aware Israel was going to conduct strikes on Iran before it happened and said: "Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see." Fox News also reported that "Trump noted the US is ready to defend itself and Israel if Iran retaliates." 'Maximum restraint': UN UN chief Antonio Guterres asked "both sides to show maximum restraint, avoiding at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the region can hardly afford," according to a spokesperson. Guterres was "particularly concerned" by Israel's strikes on nuclear installations amid the ongoing US-Iran negotiations. 'Deeply worried': China "The Chinese side... is deeply worried about the severe consequences that such actions might bring," foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said, calling "on relevant parties to take actions that promote regional peace and stability and to avoid further escalation of tensions". 'Reasonable reaction': Czech Republic Czech Republic Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said Iran "is supporting so many players, including the Hezbollah and Hamas movements, with the intention to destroy the state of Israel, and also seeking a nuclear bomb", that "I see that this was a reasonable reaction from the state of Israel towards a possible threat of a nuclear bomb". 'Avoid any escalation': France - "We call on all sides to exercise restraint and avoid any escalation that could undermine regional stability," France's foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on X. 'Dangerous escalation': Hamas "This aggression constitutes a dangerous escalation that threatens to destabilise the region," said the Iran-backed, Palestinian militant group, whose October 2023 attack on Israel sparked the Gaza war. No 'battleground': Jordan "Jordan has not and will not allow any violation of its airspace, reaffirming that the Kingdom will not be a battleground for any conflict," a government spokesperson told AFP after Jordan closed its airspace. 'Dangerous approach': Oman Nuclear talks mediator Oman said "calls on the international community to adopt a clear and firm position to put an end to this dangerous approach, which threatens to rule out diplomatic solutions and jeopardise the security and stability of the region". 'Strong condemnation': Qatar Gaza mediator Qatar expressed "its strong condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli attack," the Gulf state's foreign ministry said, adding that the "dangerous escalation threatens security and stability of the region and hinders efforts to de-escalate and reach diplomatic solutions". 'Aggressive actions': Turkey "Israel must put an immediate end to its aggressive actions that could lead to further conflicts," Turkey's foreign ministry said in a statement. 'Reduce tensions urgently': UK British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement: "The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. Escalation serves no one in the region." 'Legitimate right to defend itself': Yemen's Houthi rebels Tehran-backed Huthi rebels said on Telegram they backed "Iran's full and legitimate right to... develop its nuclear programme" and that "we strongly condemn the brutal Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran and affirm its full and legitimate right to respond by all possible means". 11:20 NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Friday said it was "crucial" for allies of Israel to work to de-escalate tensions, after Israel struck some 100 targets in Iran, including Tehran's nuclear and military sites. "I think it is now crucial for many allies, including the United States, to work, as we speak, to de-escalate. I know that they are doing that and I think that is now the first order of the day," Rutte told reporters at a press conference in Stockholm. "This was a unilateral action by Israel," Rutte said, speaking alongside Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, while noting it was "obviously a rapidly evolving situation". 11:10 UN nuclear watchdog head Rafael Grossi said on Friday that nuclear facilities "must never be attacked" and called "on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid further escalation" following Israeli strikes on Iran. "This development is deeply concerning... I reiterate that any military action that jeopardizes the safety and security of nuclear facilities risks grave consequences for the people of Iran, the region, and beyond," Grossi, who heads the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said in a statement to board members. 11:00 Iran sharply criticised the UN nuclear watchdog on Friday, accusing it of "silence" over Israel's strikes on its nuclear facilities and scientists. In a statement, Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation said it considers the "silence" from the International Atomic Energy Agency "as a form of cooperation with the Zionist regime," adding that the Israeli attack was a "defeat for the IAEA resulting from its unjustifiable shortcomings". Shortly afterwards, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi issued a statement saying nuclear facilities "must never be attacked". What We Know So Far: In the early hours of Friday, June 13, Israel launched a large-scale military operation, "Operation Rising Lion," targeting various sites across Iran. Targets: Confirmed targets include Iran's main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, as well as other military installations and residential areas in Tehran and other cities like Tabriz and Isfahan. Scale: The Israeli military reported using over 200 aircraft, dropping more than 330 munitions on approximately 100 targets. Israeli operations were confirmed to be ongoing throughout the morning. Justification: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the strikes were preemptive, aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and removing an "existential threat." Iranian Casualties: Top Military Officials Killed: Iranian state media confirmed the deaths of the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hossein Salami, and the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Scientists Killed: At least six Iranian nuclear scientists, including Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, were reported killed. Civilian Casualties: Reports from Iran indicate civilian casualties, including women and children, in residential areas struck in Tehran, with dozens injured. Iranian Response: Drone Launches: Iran launched over 100 drones towards Israel in retaliation. Interim Leadership: Iran quickly appointed interim replacements for its fallen military leaders: Habibollah Sayyari as temporary commander of the Armed Forces and Ahmad Vahidi as temporary IRGC commander. Vowed Retaliation: Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has warned Israel of a "bitter and painful fate" and promised a "harsh response."Airspace Closures and Travel Disruptions: Nuclear Talks Halted: Iran has declared it will not participate in scheduled nuclear negotiations with the United States or any future talks "until further notice." Regional Closure: Israel, Iraq, Iran, and Jordan have all closed their airspace to commercial flights. Flight Cancellations/Diverted: Major international airlines have canceled or rerouted flights, causing widespread travel disruptions. Drone Interceptions: Both Israeli and Jordanian air forces are actively intercepting incoming Iranian drones, with some interceptions occurring outside Israeli territory. International Reactions: IAEA Monitoring: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed the Natanz site was hit but reported no increase in radiation levels. It also confirmed that the Fordo and Isfahan nuclear sites were not impacted. US Stance: The United States confirmed it had advance notice of the strikes but stated it was not directly involved in the operation. President Donald Trump reiterated that Iran "cannot have a nuclear bomb." Calls for Restraint: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, the UK, and other nations have condemned the escalation and urged immediate de-escalation and a return to diplomacy. Economic Impact: Global oil prices have surged by as much as 13% due to heightened tensions in the critical oil-producing region. Codenamed "Operation Rising Lion" by Tel Aviv, these audacious strikes, which commenced in the early hours of Friday, June 13, 2025, have profoundly reshaped the decades-long covert conflict between the two regional adversaries. The ramifications are already stark and immediate. Iranian state media has confirmed the tragic loss of top military figures, including the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hossein Salami, and the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri. Additionally, at least six prominent nuclear scientists are reported among the dead, alongside confirmed civilian casualties in residential districts of Tehran. In a swift and direct response, Iran launched over 100 drones towards Israel, prompting widespread airspace closures across the region, including Israel, Iraq, Iran, and Jordan, causing significant global air travel disruptions. While Israeli air defense systems are actively intercepting these drones, some reportedly outside Israeli territory, Jordan's air force is also engaged in downing threats in its airspace. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has framed the offensive as a preemptive strike, vital to neutralize an "imminent threat" of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, vowing to continue the operation "as long as it takes." Meanwhile, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has promised a "harsh response" and a "bitter and painful fate" for Israel, with Tehran quickly appointing interim military leaders and formally halting scheduled nuclear negotiations with the United States. The international community is gripped by alarm, with urgent calls for de-escalation emanating from global powers and regional players alike. While the IAEA confirms the Natanz facility was hit, it reports no increase in radiation levels and states other key Iranian nuclear sites remain untouched. The United States, while acknowledging advance notice, has distanced itself from direct involvement, reiterating its stance against an Iranian nuclear bomb. As the world watches with bated breath, fears of a broader, more devastating conflict are mounting. Oil prices have surged, and both nations are on heightened alert, bracing for further retaliation. Ahram Online begins its live coverage now, bringing you real-time updates as this critical situation unfolds. Stay with us for the latest developments, analyses, and reactions from across the globe. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
an hour ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt urges equitable funding in global plastics treaty talks - Foreign Affairs
Egypt's environment minister, Yasmine Fouad, has called for greater fairness in financing a proposed global treaty to curb plastic pollution, warning that the burden must not fall disproportionately on developing countries. Fouad raised the issue during a meeting with the European commissioner for the environment, Jessika Roswall, on the sidelines of the third United Nations (UN) Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice. The discussions come ahead of significant treaty negotiations scheduled for 5-14 August 2025 at Geneva's Palais des Nations. Egypt is concerned that 'financial resources would become a burden on developing countries or be placed on the private sector, it must stem from a shared responsibility,' Fouad said, according to Egypt's environment ministry. The treaty, which aims to establish a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution, including marine waste, has emerged as a key focus for international environmental cooperation. Fouad said progress would depend on consensus over contentious provisions, including financing and implementation. She proposed Articles 3, 6, and 11 as particularly important and called for changes to ensure that developing countries are not sidelined in access to funding or technology. Fouad also advocated creating an independent funding mechanism to support the treaty's goals rather than relying on existing bodies such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF). She said this would ease pressure on limited multilateral funds and mirror Egypt and the European Union's (EU) shared approach to financing the new global biodiversity framework. She also stressed the importance of technology transfer as part of the treaty, particularly for countries transitioning away from single-use plastic, which struggle to transition effectively due to the lack of viable alternatives. Egypt has introduced several domestic measures to address plastic waste, including its first waste management law in 2020, which contains specific provisions to regulate single-use plastics. National awareness campaigns, including the recent Qallelha (Reduce) initiative, have also been launched to curb plastic consumption. According to UN data, less than 10 percent of the seven billion tonnes of plastic waste produced to date has been recycled globally. Much of the remainder ends up in landfills or in the environment, damaging ecosystems and public health. The estimated annual economic costs are between $300 billion and $600 billion. Egypt's plastic consumption was estimated at around five million tonnes in 2022–23. According to a report from the cabinet's Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC), the sector remains one of the country's largest employers, supporting more than 550,000 jobs across the value chain. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
an hour ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
El-Sisi, Macron urge restraint amid rising Middle East tensions - Foreign Affairs
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, have called for restraint in the Middle East following an Israeli strike on Tehran that heightened fears of a broader regional conflict. In a phone call on Friday, the two leaders discussed the escalating tensions and said coordinated efforts to prevent further violence were urgent. They also called for adherence to international law amid growing concern over the risk of a wider war. Israel targeted sites in the Iranian capital early on Friday in what appeared to be a response to Tehran's earlier missile and drone barrage. The attack is believed to have focused on infrastructure linked to Iran's nuclear programme. Additionally, the leaders discussed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the status of the postponed French-Saudi conference on Palestinian statehood at the United Nations headquarters in New York. 'While we have to postpone this conference for logistical and security reasons, it will take place as soon as possible,' Macron said at a press briefing in Paris. The two leaders also discussed economic and trade cooperation, though no new initiatives were announced. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
