Latest news with #Israelis
Scoop
16 minutes ago
- Politics
- Scoop
UN Official Reiterates Call For Gaza Ceasefire As ‘Nightmare Of Historic Proportions' Unfolds
23 July 2025 Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, told ministers and ambassadors that ongoing talks must lead to a permanent end to hostilities, the release of all hostages, unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid and for recovery and reconstruction to begin. He painted a grim picture of conditions on the ground, citing expanded Israeli military operations, particularly in Deir Al-Balah, which have led to further mass displacement. UN premises were also struck, hampering humanitarian operations and exacerbating the already dire situation. ASG Khiari briefs the Security Council. Humanitarian toll deepens At least 1,891 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since 30 June, according to figures from Gazan health authorities, including 294 people reportedly killed while attempting to collect aid near militarised distribution points. Evacuation orders continue to force repeated displacement while food insecurity and malnutrition are worsening despite a limited uptick in the entry of humanitarian supplies. On the Israeli side, 13 soldiers have been killed in the same period. Palestinian armed groups have continued sporadic rocket attacks into Israel. According to Israeli sources, 50 hostages, including 28 believed to be dead, are still being held by Hamas and other groups. ' The Secretary-General has repeatedly condemned the continued holding of hostages by Hamas and other armed groups,' Mr. Khiari stressed. ' Hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally. ' Places of worship struck The briefing also highlighted growing concerns about civilian casualties and attacks on protected sites. Mr. Khiari condemned a 17 July strike on the Catholic Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City, which killed three and injured several others. The strike forced the evacuation of roughly 600 Palestinians, including children and persons with special needs, who had been sheltering there. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office expressed regret, describing the strike as the result of 'stray ammunition' and said an investigation was underway, Mr. Khiari reported. Dire fuel shortages Since 9 July, Israel has allowed limited fuel deliveries through the Kerem Shalom/Karim Abu Salem crossing after 130 days of a full blockade. However, the amount is ' a fraction of what is required to run essential life-saving services in Gaza, where nearly every aspect of life depends on fuel ', Mr. Khiari warned. Occupied West Bank Turning to the occupied West Bank, Mr. Khiari reported high levels of violence, including deadly Israeli military operations, attacks by settlers on Palestinians and retaliatory attacks by Palestinians against Israelis. He noted that the Palestinian Authority (PA) is facing a severe fiscal crisis, with $2.7 billion in withheld clearance revenues, crippling its ability to pay salaries and provide basic services. ' Unless urgently addressed, the deterioration of the PA's fiscal and institutional situation could have catastrophic consequences, undermining the significant progress made over many years to build up Palestinian institutions,' he warned, urging immediate international support. Tensions in the wider region Mr. Khiari also highlighted continued tensions along the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel as well as renewed violence in Syria's Sweida region and Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory. He urged both Israel and Syria to adhere to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and to avoid any actions that risk escalating the conflict. Call for a political horizon Mr. Khiari concluded by reiterating that only a revived political process towards the two-State solution can deliver a sustainable solution. ' Our goal is clear: realising the vision of two States – Israel and a viable and sovereign Palestinian State of which Gaza is an integral part – living side by side in peace and security within secure and recognised borders on the basis of the pre-1967 lines with Jerusalem as the capital of both States,' he said.
L'Orient-Le Jour
an hour ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Iran blames Israel amid wave of fires and explosions
Over the past two weeks, an unusual wave of seemingly random fires and explosions across Iran has reignited speculation about possible Israeli involvement, reports the New York Times. These incidents, occurring almost daily, have damaged various infrastructures ranging from major oil refineries to residential buildings and even a highway near a large airport. Three Iranian officials, including a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, told the NYT they believe these events are acts of sabotage directly orchestrated by Israel. A European official corroborated this assessment, believing recent developments fit Israel's methods of psychological warfare and strategic targeting. These suspicions were based in particular on Israel's well-established habit of carrying out covert operations on Iranian soil: explosions, targeted assassinations of scientists and military personnel, and sabotage of nuclear facilities. Last June, the director of the Mossad, Israel's external intelligence agency, said that "we [Israelis] will be there, as we always have been," suggesting operations would continue in Iran even after the 12-day war ended. The debris left by a recent explosion in a residential building in Qom was so widespread that no building in the adjacent block was spared. According to Iranian officials cited by the American newspaper, an apartment had been rented by agents who deliberately caused the blast by turning on the gas appliances before leaving. Another reported target was a complex housing judiciary employees. Authorities say this attack was likely intended to intimidate the judges and prosecutors living there, a direct message that they too could become targets — a tactic similar to those Israel is believed to have used in the past against Iranian scientists. Iranian authorities, however, continue to downplay the significance of these events. Most of the fires are said to be due to domestic accidents, mainly gas leaks. Tehran's fire and safety services chief, Ghodratollah Mohammadi, cited "equipment wear and tear," the use of "poor-quality gas appliances," and "failure to follow safety rules" as explanations for the incidents. This is one among several attempts by authorities to prevent panic among the population, in a context of heightened military fragility since the recent war. 'Mysterious' death of an Iranian general Despite these communication efforts, the increase in explosions is fueling growing anxiety. Omid Memarian, a researcher at a Washington-based foreign policy think tank, said that "the Iranian government's history of cover-ups and lack of transparency has only compounded public fear and mistrust." These incidents come as suspicion remains high following the mysterious death of General Gholamhossein Gheybparvar, a senior commander in the IRGC. Officially, his death was attributed to the deterioration of old injuries. This event only deepened public distrust. Conservative political leader Mahdi Mohammadi echoed this warning, saying: "We are not even in a cease-fire: we are living in a fragile suspension, which could shatter at any moment and plunge us back into war." Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian said Wednesday in an interview with Al Jazeera that his country is "fully prepared for any new Israeli military offensive."
The Journal
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Basketball Ireland 'assessing next steps' for Israel fixture amid humanitarian crisis in Gaza
BASKETBALL IRELAND HAS said it is deciding what it will do regarding the women's match against Israel in November, as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza reaches breaking point. The last time they played Israel, in February 2024, the Irish players refused to shake hands with the Israelis, contrary to the pre-match custom. The controversial move followed calls for an outright boycott of the match in protest, which the Ireland team did not heed. The FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers draw, which took place today, saw Ireland drawn in Group A, meaning they'll play back-to-back home games against Luxembourg on 12 November, followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina on 15 November, before an away game against Israel on 18 November. Basketball Ireland subsequently released a statement saying it is 'extremely alarmed' by the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza. Advertisement It said that it will liaise with players, coaching staff, Sport Ireland, and the government to make a decision on whether the team will go ahead with the match, which would require the team to travel to Israel. It added that it is awaiting clarity from FIBA, the international basketball federation, 'on a number of matters'. Basketball Ireland would be subject to a fine of up to €80,000 should Ireland fail to fulfil their first fixture with Israel, while failure to play the return game would lead to a fine of up to €100,000 and removal from the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers, as well as the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2029 Qualifiers. Should Basketball Ireland elect to withdraw from the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers campaign entirely before they commence, a fine of up to €30,000 would be applied, or risk disqualification or exclusion from future competitions. When the sporting controversy first reared its head in 2024, four months after the events of 7 October, Basketball Ireland CEO John Feehan said that a boycott wouldn't 'make a blind bit of difference' . Feehan said he is 'not prepared to destroy my sport for a gesture that will have no impact'. The World Health Organisation today warned of man-made 'mass starvation' in Gaza, with food deliveries into the Palestinian territory 'far below what is needed for the survival of the population'. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Irish women's basketball team consider ‘next steps' after being drawn against Israel once again in Euros qualifiers
Basketball Ireland said it was 'extremely alarmed by the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza' after the draw as the IDF's blockade and on-going military offensive continues in the Palestinian territory. Ireland are due to begin their European campaign against Luxembourg on November 12 at home before also facing Bosnia and Herzegovina (November 15) in Dublin and Israel away (November 18). However they may reluctant to play the Israelis again, given the Irish women's team found themselves in the middle of a diplomatic storm last year when they faced them in the previous European qualifying campaign. 'Basketball Ireland have spoken to FIBA Europe subsequently and are awaiting clarifications on a number of matters,' the governing body said in a statement this evening. 'Basketball Ireland will also be liaising with players, coaching staff, Sport Ireland, the Government, and other stakeholders over the coming days and we will provide an update next week.' While Ireland fulfilled last year's games citing fines and expulsion from competition, the worsening conditions in Gaza may change things with the World Health Organisation warning of famine conditions there.
The 42
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The 42
Basketball Ireland 'assessing next steps' for Israel fixture amid humanitarian crisis in Gaza
BASKETBALL IRELAND HAS said it is deciding what it will do regarding the women's match against Israel in November, as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza reaches breaking point. The last time they played Israel, in February 2024, the Irish players refused to shake hands with the Israelis, contrary to the pre-match custom. The controversial move followed calls for an outright boycott of the match in protest, which the Ireland team did not heed. The FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers draw, which took place today, saw Ireland drawn in Group A, meaning they'll play back-to-back home games against Luxembourg on 12 November, followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina on 15 November, before an away game against Israel on 18 November. Advertisement Basketball Ireland subsequently released a statement saying it is 'extremely alarmed' by the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza. It said that it will liaise with players, coaching staff, Sport Ireland, and the government to make a decision on whether the team will go ahead with the match, which would require the team to travel to Israel. It added that it is awaiting clarity from FIBA, the international basketball federation, 'on a number of matters'. Basketball Ireland would be subject to a fine of up to €80,000 should Ireland fail to fulfil their first fixture with Israel, while failure to play the return game would lead to a fine of up to €100,000 and removal from the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers, as well as the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2029 Qualifiers. Should Basketball Ireland elect to withdraw from the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers campaign entirely before they commence, a fine of up to €30,000 would be applied, or risk disqualification or exclusion from future competitions. When the sporting controversy first reared its head in 2024, four months after the events of 7 October, Basketball Ireland CEO John Feehan said that a boycott wouldn't 'make a blind bit of difference'. Feehan said he is 'not prepared to destroy my sport for a gesture that will have no impact'. The World Health Organisation today warned of man-made 'mass starvation' in Gaza, with food deliveries into the Palestinian territory 'far below what is needed for the survival of the population'. Written by Mairead Maguire and posted on
