Power restored in north Tehran after Israeli attack: Iran media
"The outages were completely resolved in northern Tehran," Tasnim news agency said, citing the regional electricity company.
AFP
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L'Orient-Le Jour
3 hours ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Israel PM says new plan for Gaza 'best way to end the war'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended his plan to take control of Gaza City and target the remaining Hamas strongholds, saying Sunday it was "the best way to end the war," despite growing calls to stop the fighting. More than 22 months into the war, sparked by Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel, the country is gripped by a yawning divide pitting those demanding an end to the conflict and a deal for the release of the hostages against others who want to see the Palestinian militants vanquished once and for all. Criticism has only intensified after Netanyahu's security cabinet announced plans to expand the conflict and capture Gaza City. Netanyahu was defiant on Sunday, telling journalists: "This is the best way to end the war, and the best way to end it speedily." During a press conference in Jerusalem, he said the new operation would be implemented on "a fairly short timetable." The operation will aim "to dismantle the two remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza City and the central camps," while establishing secure corridors and safe zones to allow civilians to leave the area. "Israel has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas. Now, we've done a great deal. We have about 70 to 75 percent of Gaza under Israeli control, military control," he said. "But we have two remaining strongholds, OK? These are Gaza City and the central camps in Al Mawasi." A Hamas spokesperson later called the prime minister's comments a "series of lies." 'Just another plan' In Gaza, an Israeli strike on Sunday killed five Al Jazeera journalists, including a prominent reporter, according to the Qatar-based broadcaster. The attack was the latest to see journalists targeted in Gaza, with around 200 media workers killed over the course of the conflict, according to media watchdogs. Over the weekend, thousands of people took to the streets in Tel Aviv to protest the security cabinet's decision. "The new plan is just another plan that is gonna fail, and it could very well be the end of our hostages, and of course, it will take probably more lives of our soldiers," protester Joel Obodov told AFP. Netanyahu has faced regular protests over the course of the war, with many rallies calling for the government to strike a cease-fire and hostage-release deal after past truces saw captives exchanged for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody. Netanyahu, however, has also come under pressure from the far right to go harder on Hamas, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich slamming the new plan as half-hearted. "They decided once again to repeat the same approach, embarking on a military operation that does not aim for a decisive resolution," Smotrich said. The far-right members of Netanyahu's cabinet, including Smotrich, have maintained considerable influence in the coalition government throughout the war – with their support seen as vital to holding at least 61 seats for a parliamentary majority. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, also of the far right, told Kan radio on Sunday: "It is possible to achieve victory. I want all of Gaza, transfer and colonization. This plan will not endanger the troops." 'We will win' The cabinet's decision to expand the war touched off a wave of criticism across the globe. "If these plans are implemented, they will likely trigger another calamity in Gaza, reverberating across the region and causing further forced displacement, killings and destruction," U.N. Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca told a Security Council meeting on Sunday. Foreign powers, including some of Israel's allies, have been pushing for a truce to secure the hostages' return and alleviate a humanitarian crisis, following repeated warnings of famine taking hold. Despite the backlash and rumors of dissent from Israeli military top brass, Netanyahu has remained firm. "We will win the war, with or without the support of others," he told the press on Sunday. "Our goal is not to occupy Gaza, but to establish a civilian administration in the Strip that is not affiliated with Hamas or the Palestinian Authority," he said. The premier's office later said he had spoken by phone with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss the new military plans. Out of 251 hostages captured during Hamas's 2023 attack, 49 are still being held in Gaza, including 27 the military says are dead. Israel's offensive has killed at least 61,430 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry, figures the United Nations says are reliable. According to Gaza's civil defense agency, at least 27 people were killed by Israeli fire across the territory Sunday, including 11 who were waiting near aid distribution centres. Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel, which triggered the war, resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
L'Orient-Le Jour
3 hours ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Series of condemnations after Israeli strike kills 6 journalists in Gaza
Anti-Gaza war graffiti on the Western Wall in Jerusalem Graffiti condemning Israel's war in the Gaza Strip was discovered Monday morning on the Western Wall in Jerusalem, a holy site for Judaism, sparking outrage in Israel. "There is a holocaust in Gaza," read the graffiti, spray-painted in Hebrew on the southern section of the wall, in a more secluded area where Jewish worshippers pray without distinction of gender, unlike in the main section of the wall. The same inscription was found earlier this morning on the facade of the Great Synagogue of Jerusalem, with an addition in broken Hebrew stating, "Everything published is a lie." Police announced Monday that they had arrested a 27-year-old suspect from Jerusalem, who will "appear in court later today ... to request an extension of his detention." The graffiti has drawn unanimous Israeli political condemnation, AFP reported. 13:56 Beirut Time Syrian government pledges accountability after video of execution in Sweida Syria's Interior Ministry vowed to find and bring to justice those responsible for an execution at a hospital in Sweida during violence in July, following the release of a video that appeared to attribute it to government forces. "We condemn and denounce this act in the strongest possible terms," the ministry said in a statement, relayed by AFP, "whose perpetrators will be brought to justice and held accountable ... regardless of their affiliation." 13:56 Beirut Time Qatar denounces Israel's "deliberate targeting" of Al Jazeera journalists The Prime Minister of Qatar denounced Israel's "deliberate targeting" of Al Jazeera journalists in the Gaza Strip, where five employees of the Qatari channel were killed overnight in an Israeli attack. "Israel's deliberate targeting of journalists in the Gaza Strip reveals how far these crimes go beyond imagination," Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said on X, paying tribute to the memory of "Anas al-Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh, and their colleagues" killed in the attack on a tent in Gaza City. 13:31 Beirut Time Palestinian journalist becomes sixth victim of Israeli strike on Al Jazeera tent A Palestinian journalist was killed in a deadly Israeli strike last night on a tent used by a crew from the Qatari channel Al Jazeera in Gaza City, bringing the death toll to six, the local Civil Defense and a hospital official announced Monday. "Photojournalist Mohammed Al-Khaldi has succumbed to his injuries ... This brings to six" the number of victims of this strike, after which Al Jazeera announced the deaths of two journalists and three cameramen, the spokesperson for the Civil Defense in the Gaza Strip, Mahmoud Bassal, told AFP. Khaldi was a freelance journalist who occasionally collaborated with local media. The director of Al-Shifa Hospital – near where the tent was pitched – Mohammed Abu Salmiya, confirmed his death, which occurred Monday morning "from his injuries." 13:02 Beirut Time Hezbollah condemns killing of journalists as 'war crime' Following the Israeli strike that killed Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza City, Hezbollah condemned a "horrific and brutal crime." The party said in a statement that "this is considered a full-fledged war crime that reveals the brutality, criminality, and moral and human depravity of this entity." "This systematic assassination of journalists, after the Israeli enemy decided to occupy the Gaza Strip, aims to prevent the media from playing their role in denouncing crimes and massacres, including genocide and starvation of the people, as a prelude to the imposition of a forced displacement of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip," the party said. 12:38 Beirut Time RSF denounces killing of Al Jazeera journalist in Gaza by the Israeli army The press rights organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) "strongly and angrily" condemned the assassination claimed by the Israeli army of a journalist from Al Jazeera in the Gaza Strip. "Anas al-Sharif, one of the most famous journalists in the Gaza Strip, was the voice of the suffering imposed by Israel on the Palestinians in Gaza," the NGO said in a statement sent to AFP, calling for "strong action from the international community to stop the Israeli army." 11:37 Beirut Time Israeli ambassador to Australia says Australian recognition of Palestinian state 'undermines Israel's security' The Israeli embassy in Australia stated in a letter published on X, among other sites, that the Australian Labor government's moves to recognize a Palestinian state "undermine Israel's security" and "strengthen the position of Hamas." Ambassador Amir Maimon wrote: "By recognizing Palestinian statehood while Hamas continues to kill, abduct, and reject peace, Australia is undermining Israel's security, derailing hostage negotiations, and handing a victory to those who oppose coexistence." 11:37 Beirut Time 'Gaza's children are dying of hunger and bombardment,' warns UNRWA The U.N. Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA, said that "children in Gaza are dying of hunger and bombardment." "Entire families, entire neighborhoods, and an entire generation are being wiped out," UNRWA added in a social media post. "Inaction and silence are a form of complicity. It is time for statements to be turned into actions and for an immediate cease-fire." 11:37 Beirut Time Family killed in Israeli attack on house in Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza An Israeli attack on a house in the Gaza City neighborhood of Zeitoun killed an entire family, the state-run Palestinian Wafa news agency reported. The victims included a couple and their six children, it said. This attack followed another bombing earlier in the morning on a tent housing displaced people in the city, which killed at least three people. 11:37 Beirut Time Palestinian and Australian officials discussed recognition of Palestinian statehood. In a statement released on X, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said that Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin had spoken with her Australian counterpart, Penny Wong, about the recognition of the Palestinian state. The ministry said the two officials discussed the findings of a telephone conversation between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the issue. 11:16 Beirut Time Recognition of Palestine puts Australia 'at odds with the US,' says opposition leader Australian opposition leader Sussan Ley and the opposition coalition said they had "serious concerns about the Albanese government's decision to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state outside of a process of peace and coexistence between the two states," reported The Guardian. In a statement, Ley and opposition foreign affairs spokesperson Michaelia Cash said today's decision "puts Australia at odds with the United States of America, our most important ally and the most influential actor in the Gaza conflict." 10:09 Beirut Time According to L'Orient Today's correspondent's sources, the explosion heard overnight in the districts of Marjayoun and Nabatiyeh was caused by a house detonation operation by the Israeli army in Khiam (Marjayoun). Israeli troops are still stationed on the hills of this border village, in Lebanese territory. 09:51 Beirut Time Good morning! Thank you for joining us for our live coverage today. Be sure to read the Morning Brief so that you are caught up with what has been happening. Netanyahu continues to deny starvation in Gaza and 6 Lebanese soldiers killed in south Lebanon explosion: Everything you need to know this Monday Australia to recognize the State of Palestine Australia will recognize the State of Palestine at the U.N. General Assembly in September, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Monday, following other countries such as France and Canada. "A two-state solution is humanity's best hope for breaking the cycle of violence in the Middle East and bringing an end to the conflict and suffering" in Gaza, the Labor leader told reporters in Canberra. "Australia will recognize the right of the Palestinian people to a state of their own." "Peace can only be temporary" until Israelis and Palestinians have their own states, he said. Five Al Jazeera journalists killed in Israeli 'targeted' strike, including Anas al-Sharif Al Jazeera announced the deaths of five of its journalists yesterday in an Israeli strike in the Gaza Strip, including a reporter well-known to its viewers, whom the Israeli army admitted targeting, calling him a "terrorist." As the Israeli government shows determination to implement its new operational plan in the Palestinian territory devastated and starved by 22 months of war, the Qatar-based channel reported "what appears to be a targeted Israeli attack" on a tent used by its journalists in Gaza City, outside al-Shifa Hospital. It announced the deaths of its correspondents Anas al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh, as well as cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa. Their names join the list of nearly 200 journalists killed in the war launched in retaliation for the bloody attack by the Palestinian movement Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, according to Reporters Without Borders. 09:51 Beirut Time Netanyahu: New Israeli plan is 'best way to finish the job' The new Israeli plan to conquer Gaza City "is not aimed at occupying Gaza," Benjamin Netanyahu said last night, saying it was the "best way to finish the job" by ending the 22-month war in the Palestinian territory. He also said Sunday that he expected to complete this new offensive in Gaza "fairly quickly," and said it was "thanks to Israel" that the Lebanese authorities were now pushing for the disarmament of Hezbollah. 09:51 Beirut Time Hamas delegation heads to Egypt to continue indirect negotiations with Israel A source told The New Arab that a Hamas delegation, including senior Hamas leaders, will arrive in Cairo later today to resume negotiations with Israel for a hostage and cease-fire agreement through Egyptian mediators. The source added that communication with Egyptian mediators had been reestablished with Turkey's help following a Hamas delegation's visit to Ankara last week. The delegation includes Khalil Hayyeh, who heads the negotiating team and replaced former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza last year.
L'Orient-Le Jour
3 hours ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Video of Syria hospital killing revives calls for independent Sweida probe
Syrian rights activists renewed their calls for an independent investigation into violence last month in Druze-majority Sweida province after footage emerged Sunday appearing to show government forces killing a volunteer medic in a hospital. The week of bloodshed began on July 13 with clashes between local Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes, but the violence rapidly escalated as it drew in outside forces, eventually killing some 1,400 people, many of them Druze civilians, according to a war monitor. Syrian authorities have said their forces intervened to stop the clashes, but witnesses, Druze factions and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights have accused them of siding with the Bedouin and committing abuses against the Druze, including summary executions. Brutal videos have previously circulated on social media, with some appearing to show civilians killed at the hands of armed men in military or security forces uniforms. Local news outlet Suwayda 24 on Sunday published what it said was surveillance footage from the main hospital in Sweida city on July 16, showing a group of people who appear to be staff crouched on the floor in a corridor. Several armed men are seen standing in front of the group, most wearing military garb and one dressed in an interior ministry uniform. A brief scuffle breaks out with a man who Suwayda 24 identified as "one of the volunteers with the medical team" at the hospital. The forces then shoot the man, whose body is dragged off, leaving a smear of blood. The Syrian authorities did not immediately respond to a request for comment. One 30-year-old man who appears in the video told AFP by telephone that he had responded to the hospital's call for volunteers and confirmed that "the incident occurred on July 16." A doctor at the hospital, speaking on condition of anonymity, also confirmed to AFP that the video was taken inside the facility. 'Shocking' execution The observatory also published the footage, calling it a "shocking field execution" carried out by "members of the defence and interior ministries." It urged accountability and "an independent, impartial international commission of inquiry" into the violence in Sweida. Fadel Abdul Ghany, head of the Syrian Network for Human Rights, urged authorities to act immediately and called on an existing U.N. body tasked with looking into rights abuses in Syria to "investigate the violations committed by all parties involved in Sweida." In a statement on X, he said a committee announced by the authorities last month to investigate the Sweida violence "lacks credibility." Mohammad al-Abdallah, executive director of the Syria Justice and Accountability Centre, said U.N. investigators "must enter Sweida immediately," noting medical personnel should be protected under international law. Others also took to social media to call for accountability, including Samih Choukaer, a prominent Syrian Druze musician who strongly opposed now-ousted ruler Bashar al-Assad. "In a country that respects itself, every video documenting these crimes is in itself enough to bring down a government," he wrote.
