
Gaza rescuers say Israel army kills at least 47 people near aid site
GAZA CITY: Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli forces on Tuesday killed at least 47 people gathered near an aid distribution site in Khan Yunis in the south.
Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that at least 47 people were killed and more than 200 wounded as thousands of Palestinians gathered to receive flour at a charity aid centre in the morning. 'Israeli drones fired at the citizens.
Gaza rescuers say Israel fire kills 36, six of them near aid centre
Some minutes later, Israeli tanks fired several shells at the citizens, which led to a large number of martyrs and wounded,' he said.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
‘Systematic destruction of an entire population': Piers Morgan on Gaza
Long associated with Western media orthodoxy, British journalist and media personality host Piers Morgan has recently shifted his tone on Israel's aggression in Gaza, calling it a 'genocide' and the 'systematic destruction of an entire population', and explained this shift during an exclusive interview with Arabian Business on Tuesday. His current stance marks a stark departure from his earlier position which was sympathetic towards the Israeli agenda and military campaign. 'What they're doing now is unjustified, unacceptable, probably illegal – and it needs to stop,' he said of the Israeli military campaign. 'Some of the people in that government absolutely are, in their heads, waging a form of genocide – and that is a crime,' Morgan was quoted as saying by Arabian Business. Israeli aggression has brought destruction in Gaza, killing over 55,000 Palestinians and leaving thousands others injured. Morgan hosts a show 'Piers Morgan Uncensored' on YouTube with nearly 4 million subscribers. He hosted a variety of voices on his show such as Bassem Youssef, Mehdi Hassan as well as Israeli military officials facing-off about Israel's aggression in Gaza. During the interview, Morgan pointed to specifically to recent statements by Israeli government officials, notably Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's declaration that the mission was no longer about self-defence but about removing all Palestinians from Gaza. 'Whatever way you want to dress it up – it's genocide.' In a 2024 interview with Candace Owens Morgan had said, 'I take issue with people who want to frame it as genocide.' 'It's not just people like me,' Morgan further quoted. 'It's also leaders of some of Israel's biggest allies – the UK, France, Germany – even former Israeli Prime Ministers now coming out accusing the Israeli government of committing war crimes. This is very serious.' The ongoing Israeli aggression has destroyed extensive civilian infrastructure and created humanitarian crisis of historic proportions. Morgan identifies early 2024 as his personal turning point. 'I just started getting more and more exercised about what I saw as a failure by the Israeli government to achieve its objective,' he said. He added how he saw 'no endgame to this war'. 'Trump's the only one who has the muscle to pull the plug on Netanyahu – and he should,' Morgan further quoted to Arabian Business. On social media 'Social media has become very toxic, very tribal,' Morgan observes. 'People don't want to hear other views. They don't want to hear any facts that may go against their side.' He also added how he responded to criticism. 'I've got the skin of a thousand rhinoceros,' he declares. 'Don't worry about me. It's all just water off a duck's back. I don't care.' On Dubai A recent trip to Dubai for the Arab Media Forum left him visibly impressed with the region's transformation. 'To be back there after so long and to see just how much has been done since I was there was staggering,' he was quoted as saying. 'The rate of growth… There's just a real dynamism about the whole Middle East now, which is very infectious with a real can-do mentality, a lot of optimism, a lot of drive, a lot of creative energy.'


Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
NA Budget Debate sees tensions flare between PPP and MQM
Listen to article The debate on Pakistan's proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year in the National Assembly intensified on Tuesday as tensions flared between Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and (Muttahida Qaumi Movement) MQM members. PPP's Shazia Marri, in her address, called criticised the government's failure to announce minimum wages for workers and called for a reasonable increase in government employees' salaries. Her speech took a unexpected turn when a heated exchange broke out between PPP and MQM members, escalating tensions in the assembly. As Shazia stressed the importance of Karachi remaining an integral part of Sindh, MQM's Asiya Ishaq approached PPP members, leading to an intervention by Aseefa Bhutto, Sahar Kamran, and others. Read: Budget: will it power tech economy or stall its promise? This led to a tense exchange of harsh words between both parties. Javed Hanif remarked, "You people have abandoned Karachi, and now you threaten us." Meanhile Shazia also condemned the Israeli attacks on Iran, as well as Israel's aggression against Palestinians and India's actions. She also praised the Iranian Parliament for expressing gratitude towards Pakistan. She highlighted the Prime Minister's decision to send a delegation abroad, which was led by Bilawal Bhutto. She lauded Bilawal Bhutto for effectively representing Pakistan on the global stage, stating, "Bilawal Bhutto has fought Pakistan's case everywhere, and his success is our success. Bilawal has made us all proud." Shazia Marri also criticised the government for failing to address rising inflation and not announcing a minimum wage in the budget. She acknowledged that PPP had raised salaries but pointed out the government's internal divisions over the budget. She strongly opposed the 18% tax on solar panels, calling it unacceptable and stating that PPP does not support it. Lastly, she remarked on the opposition government's performance, saying, "Everyone has witnessed the government of this opposition. You have taken the highest amount of loans in history." Read more: Essential items' prices soar after federal budget Mian Khan Bugti, belonging to the Pakistan Muslims League - Nawaz (PML-N) commended the government for allocating Rs 250 billion for the development of Balochistan, highlighting the focus on vital connectivity projects in the province. Syed Amin-ul-Haque pointed to positive economic indicators, such as a reduction in inflation and growth in foreign exchange reserves and remittances. He noted that global financial institutions are recognizing the country's economic recovery. Shahida Begum raised concerns over the inadequacy of the budget for education and healthcare, urging the government to increase allocations for these sectors to 4% of GDP. Read more: Teachers decry budget, demand upgrades Ibrar Ahmed, in his speech, declared the budget as people-friendly, stating that it outlines a vision for national development. Engineer Amir Muqam, Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, highlighted the relief provided to employees and the public in the budget. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan emphasised the need for innovative solutions to help the people and proposed tax exemptions for employees earning up to Rs 2.2 million annually. Syed Hussain Tariq stressed the importance of supporting the agriculture sector to ensure food security for the country. Other members also shared their perspectives on the budget. Mian Khan Bugti praised the allocation of Rs 250 billion for Balochistan's development, with a focus on essential connectivity projects in the province.


Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Israel- Iran trade deadly strikes for fifth day
Israel and Iran are trading missile strikes well into the firth day of the conflict between the two Middle Eastern countries as loud explosions were heard over Tel Aviv, West Jerusalem and Tehran. These strikes come shortly after Israeli defense forces issued warnings about incoming Iranian missiles followed with claims by Israel that it had assasinated Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff, according to Al Jazeera. According to Iran military X accounts, Operation True Promise 3 was launched in waves targeting Israeli sites with both missiles and drones as part of retaliation against Israels assault on Iran dating back to June 13 where nuclear installations and top military brass were targetted. IRGC Spokesperson: Over the past 72 hours, we have continuously and without interruption targeted objectives across the occupied territories with 545 attack drones—and these operations will continue.#OpTruePromise3 — Daily Iran Military (@IRIran_Military) June 16, 2025 Israel claims assassination of top IAF Chief of Staff The Israeli military has announced the targeted killing of Ali Shadmani, identified as Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff and head of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters. Israel had described Shadmani as one of the closest military figures to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. For the second time in 5 days— the IDF has eliminated Iran's War-Time Chief of Staff, the regime's top military commander. Ali Shadmani, Iran's senior-most military official and Khamenei's closest military advisor, was killed in an IAF strike in central Tehran, following precise… — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 17, 2025 Iran has not issued a response so far. This comes just days after the assassination of his predecessor, Gholam Ali Rashid and soon after Iranian missiles targetted Israeli cities of Tel Aviv and Herzilya. Iranian missiles target Tel-Aviv, Herzliya According to Iran's state-run Press TV, Iranian armed forces launched a new round of airstrikes on Israeli positions. The Israeli military announced that it intercepted several drones launched from Iran over the southern Golan Heights. In a statement posted on X, Iran's army said: 'Following the sirens that sounded in the Ramat Magshimim and Haspin areas, the Air Force intercepted several UAVs launched from Iran toward Israeli territory.' The new launches included missiles and drones, as reported by the Fars News Agency. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei posted on X that 'the Islamic Republic will defeat the Zionist entity.' The Israeli military announced that it intercepted several drones launched from Iran over the southern Golan Heights. Al Jazeera cited several Israeli media outlets that reported several explosions heard across central on Tuesday. Two direct impacts were confirmed in Israel with one in Tel Aviv and one in Herzliya. Ynet News, cited by Al Jazeera, said four sites were hit in total, though no casualties were reported at that stage. An eight-storey building in Herzliya sustained visible damage. Israeli sources described the latter strike as targeting a "sensitive site"—a term often used for strategic or military assets. Media censorship imposed by Israeli authorities has limited the release of further details. Iran's Tabriz city reports blast Earlier Iran's Mehr News Agency reported that smoke was seen rising over the northwestern Iranian city of Tabriz following a powerful explosion. Video footage shared online showed a thick plume, though the source of the explosion was not immediately confirmed. Iran's Asriran news agency reported that Tehran had activated its air defence system in Natanz. Israel's Haifa oil refinery operations halted Iranian missiles struck the Bazan oil refinery complex in Haifa late June 15, damaging pipelines and transmission lines, the Times of Israel news portal reported, citing a statement from the complex's operator, the Bazan Group according to Anadolu agency. All operations at the Bazan Group's oil refinery in Haifa Bay were shut down after the retalliatory Iranian missile strikes overnight killed three people and caused significant damage to the facility's power infrastructure, the company said June 16. The company said while other facilities halted operations, oil refining activities continued, 'As a result of damage to the facilities, the power plant was significantly damaged, and therefore all of the refinery's and subsidiary companies' facilities were shut down,' Bazan Group said in a statement to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, according to the Israeli newspaper The Times of Israel according to Anadolu Agency. It is currently working with the Israel Electric Corporation to restore electricity to the site, the statement added. IDF attacks Eastern Tehran In response, Israeli warplanes struck densely populated residential neighborhoods in eastern Tehran on evening of June 16, shortly after the army issued evacuation orders for Iranian residents, local media said. Iran's Press TV reported the attacks, without giving details about targets or casualties. Earlier on June 16, the Israeli army ordered residents of Tehran's District 3, where also government ministries and foreign embassies are located, to immediately evacuate before a new wave of airstrikes. 'In the coming hours, the IDF (army) will operate in the region to attack military structures of the Iranian regime, as it has done across Tehran in recent days,' the army said. 'Your presence in this area puts your life in danger,' it warned. The evacuation order is the first by Tehran residents since Israel and Iran exchanged attacks on Friday, their worst ever confrontation. Israeli attacks on other parts of capital have also killed three Iranian Red Crescent Society workers who were carrying out rescue operations according to Al Jazeera. Furthermore, Iran's press TV reported deaths of Mojtaba Maleki who was martyed after brutal Israeli assault on Red Crescent ambulance based in Tehran. Photo of the Iranian paramedic, Mojtaba Maleki, who was martyred after a brutal Israeli strike on a Red Crescent ambulance in Tehran. Follow: — Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) June 16, 2025 Iran-Israel conflict Regional tensions have escalated since Friday, when Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on multiple sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes. Israel launched 'Operation Rising Lion' with a surprise attack on Friday, targeting Iranian military leadership, nuclear facilities, and ballistic missile production sites. The operation resulted in the deaths of dozens, including top Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists. Israeli officials said the campaign would intensify in the coming days. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue striking 'every target of the regime,' while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that further attacks would trigger 'a more severe and powerful response.' In retaliation, Iran launched waves of drones and missiles at Israeli targets over the weekend, hitting both military bases and civilian infrastructure. Israeli authorities said that at least 24 people have been killed and hundreds injured in Iranian missile attacks since Friday according to Anadolu Agency. Iran, for its part, said that at least 224 people have been killed and over 1,000 others wounded in the Israeli assault.