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Daily Maverick
39 minutes ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Russia says Israel attacks on Iran are illegal, notes Iran's commitement to NPT
People stand on top of the remains of an Iranian missile in the Negev desert near Arad, on October 2, 2024, in the aftermath of an Iranian missile attack on Israel. - Israel vowed to make Iran "pay" for firing a barrage of missiles at its territory, with Tehran warning on October 2 it would launch an even bigger attack it is targeted. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) June 17 (Reuters) - Russia's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday denounced continued Israeli attacks on Iran as illegal and said a solution to the conflict over Tehran's nuclear programme could only be found through diplomacy.
The Citizen
13 hours ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Trump says wants ‘real end' to Israel-Iran conflict, not ceasefire
Israel's intense air raids kill Iranian commanders as Tehran retaliates with missile strikes. Trump calls for peace but threatens overwhelming force. People take shelter in a parking lot in Tel Aviv amid a fresh barrage of Iranian rockets on June 17, 2025. Israel's military said air raid sirens sounded in several areas of the country on June 17 after identifying missiles launched from Iran, as AFP journalists reported booms over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) US President Donald Trump said he wants a 'real end' to the conflict between Israel and Iran, not just a ceasefire, as the arch foes traded fire for a fifth day on Tuesday. The escalating clashes saw Israeli warplanes target military sites in Iran, killing a senior commander and drawing retaliatory missile fire from Iran. Explosions were heard over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem shortly after air raid sirens sounded in many parts of Israel following missile launches from Iran, the Israeli military said. The air force was 'operating to intercept and strike where necessary to eliminate the threat', the military said. About 20 minutes later, it said people could leave shelters as police reported debris fell in the Tel Aviv area and the fire brigade said it was tackling a blaze in the surrounding area. ALSO READ: MTN Group downplays Iran strife The Israeli military said it killed senior Iranian commander Ali Shamdani in an overnight strike on a 'command centre in the heart of Tehran', just four days after his predecessor, Golam Ali Rashid, was killed in a similar Israeli attack. It also said it targeted multiple missile and drone sites in west Iran, including infrastructure, launchers and storage facilities, with black-and-white footage showing some of them exploding. Despite mounting calls to de-escalate, neither side has backed off from the missile blitz that began Friday, when Israel launched an unprecedented aerial campaign targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities. A new wave of Israeli strikes on Tehran — including a dramatic hit on state television headquarters that the broadcaster said killed three people — prompted both sides to activate missile defence systems overnight. A cyberattack on Tuesday crippled Sepah Bank, one of Iran's main state-owned banks, the Fars news agency reported. ALSO READ: US warship reported heading toward Mideast as Iran, Israel fight 'Complete give-up' Trump said on Tuesday that he wanted a 'complete give-up' by Iran in return for peace. 'I'm not looking for a ceasefire, we're looking at better than a ceasefire,' he told reporters on the plane home after cutting short his attendance at a Group of Seven summit in Canada. Trump again warned Iran against targeting US troops and assets in the Middle East, saying 'we'll come down so hard, it'd be gloves off'. Trump had earlier issued an extraordinary warning on his Truth Social platform, saying: 'Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!' Trump has repeatedly declined to say if the United States would participate in Israeli military action, although he has said Washington was not involved in initial strikes. ALSO READ: 'They never stopped' – Naledi Pandor continues to receive threats Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said the United States was deploying 'additional capabilities' to the Middle East. The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz left Southeast Asia Monday, scrapping a planned Vietnam port call, amid reports it was heading to the region. China accused Trump of 'pouring oil' on the conflict. 'Making threats and mounting pressure will not help to promote the de-escalation of the situation, but will only intensify and widen the conflict,' said foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun. After decades of enmity and a prolonged shadow war, Israel launched its surprise air campaign last week, saying it aimed to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons — an ambition Tehran denies. ALSO READ: UK moves warplanes to Middle East amid Iran crisis Iran has responded with multiple missile salvos. The Revolutionary Guards vowed Monday night the attacks would continue 'without interruption until dawn'. State television said the Tel Aviv headquarters of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency was among the Guards' targets. G7 urges de-escalation The escalation has derailed nuclear talks and stoked fears of broader conflict. At least 24 people have been killed in Israel and hundreds wounded, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. Iran said on Sunday that Israeli strikes had killed at least 224 people, including military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians. It has not issued an updated toll since then. ALSO READ: Iran media reports 'massive explosion' after Israeli drone strike on refinery Netanyahu said Israel was 'changing the face of the Middle East, and that can lead to radical changes inside Iran itself'. Iran's ISNA news agency quoted a medical official saying all doctors and nurses had their leave cancelled and were ordered to remain at medical centres. International calls for calm have mounted. At the G7 summit, leaders including Trump called Monday for 'de-escalation' while stressing Israel had the right to defend itself. 'We urge that the resolution of the Iranian crisis leads to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza', G7 leaders said in a joint statement that also affirmed 'Iran can never have a nuclear weapon'. ALSO READ: Iran launches fresh wave of attacks on Israel The United States and Iran had engaged in several rounds of indirect talks on Tehran's nuclear programme in recent weeks, but Iran said after the start of Israel's campaign that it would not negotiate while under attack. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Monday that 'absent a total cessation of military aggression against us, our responses will continue'. 'It takes one phone call from Washington to muzzle someone like Netanyahu. That may pave the way for a return to diplomacy,' he wrote on X. – By: © Agence France-Presse
The Citizen
19-05-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
WHO chief says 2 million ‘starving' in Gaza
WHO says famine risk is rising in Gaza, with 160 000 tons of food stuck at the border and hospitals under siege. Israeli troops work on their armoured vehicles at a position by Israel's border with the Gaza Strip on May 18, 2025. Israel's military has announced a day earlier the expansion of its operations, saying it is aimed at 'achieving all the war's objectives' including releasing hostages and 'the defeat of Hamas', the Palestinian movement that runs Gaza. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) Two million people are 'starving' in the Gaza Strip, with the deliberate blocking of aid driving up the risk of famine, the World Health Organization chief warned Monday. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the WHO and other UN agencies stood ready to deliver aid into the Palestinian territory — if and when it is allowed to enter. Israel has said its blockade since March 2 was aimed at forcing concessions from the Palestinian militant group Hamas. 'Two million in Gaza starving' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday it was necessary for Israel to prevent a famine in Gaza for 'diplomatic reasons' after his government announced it would allow in limited food aid. 'Two months into the latest blockade, two million people are starving,' Tedros said, while 160,000 metric tonnes of food 'is blocked at the border just minutes away'. ALSO READ: Israel launches expanded Gaza offensive aimed at defeating Hamas 'The risk of famine in Gaza is increasing with the deliberate withholding of humanitarian aid, including food, in the ongoing blockade.' Speaking at the opening of the annual World Health Assembly, Tedros said that increasing hostilities, evacuation orders, shrinking humanitarian space and the Gaza aid blockade were 'driving an influx of casualties to a health system that is already on its knees'. 'People are dying from preventable diseases as medicines wait at the border, while attacks on hospitals deny people care, and deter them from seeking it,' he said. People dying from preventable diseases Netanyahu said Monday that Israel would 'take control' of the whole of Gaza, as the military pressed a newly intensified campaign in the war-ravaged territory, which Israel says aims to free hostages and defeat Hamas. Tedros said that since November 2023, the WHO had supported medical evacuations of more than 7,300 patients, including 617 cancer patients, from the Gaza Strip. ALSO READ: 'I don't believe we pray to the same God' – The heartbreaks at the centre of the Gaza conflict However, more than 10 000 patients still needed medical evacuation out of Gaza, he added. 'We ask member states to accept more patients, and we ask Israel to allow these evacuations, and to allow urgently-needed food and medicine to enter,' said Tedros. 'WHO stands ready, with our UN partners, to move rapidly to deliver it if and when it is allowed to enter. 'I hope peace will prevail that can transcend generations. War is not the solution.' – By: © Agence France-Presse
IOL News
06-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Israel cabinet approves plan for Gaza 'conquest'
An Israeli soldier prepares a tank at a position near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, on May 5, 2025. Israel was issuing orders to call up tens of thousands of reservists ahead of an expanded offensive in Gaza, Israeli media reported on May 3, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attacked truce mediator Qatar. Image: Menahem KAHANA / AFP Israel's security cabinet approved the expansion of military operations in Gaza including the "conquest" of the Palestinian territory, an official said on Monday, after the army called up tens of thousands of reservists for the offensive. It comes as the United Nations and aid organisations have repeatedly warned of the humanitarian catastrophe on the ground, with famine again looming after more than two months of a total Israeli blockade. The Israeli official said the expanded operations "will include, among other things, the conquest of the Gaza Strip and the holding of the territories, moving the Gaza population south for their protection". A different senior security official said "a central component of the plan is a large-scale evacuation of the entire Gazan population from the fighting zones... to areas in southern Gaza". The plan, approved by the cabinet overnight, comes amid a push by Israel for Palestinians to leave the territory. A "voluntary transfer program for Gaza residents... will be part of the operation's goals," the senior security official added. The European Union voiced concern and urged restraint from Israel, saying the plan "will result in further casualties and suffering for the Palestinian people". Israel resumed major operations across Gaza on March 18 amid deadlock over how to proceed with a two-month ceasefire that had largely halted the war with Hamas, which was sparked by the militants' October 2023 attack. Israel has since carried out intensive aerial bombardments and expanded ground operations across the Palestinian territory. Gaza rescuers on Monday said Israeli air strikes killed at least 19 people. Most of Gaza's population had resided in the north of the territory and nearly all have been displaced at least once during the war. The cabinet, which includes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several ministers, "unanimously approved" the plan aimed at defeating Hamas and securing the return of hostages held in the territory. The official source said the plan included "powerful strikes against Hamas", without specifying their nature. "I think, as an Israeli citizen, that it's a smart move to finally address the root problem properly", public employee Yossi Gershon, 36, told AFP. "All the steps of backing down -— we can see that unfortunately, there really isn't peace with the other people." The senior security source said the troop deployment would "allow a window of opportunity" for a possible hostage deal coinciding with US President Donald Trump's upcoming visit to the Middle East in mid-May. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Sunday that at least 2459 people had been killed since Israel resumed its campaign on March 18, bringing the overall death toll from the war to 52 567. Hamas's attack on October 7 resulted in the deaths of 1218 people on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Militants also abducted 251 people, 58 of whom are still being held in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead. Israel says its renewed offensive is aimed at forcing Hamas to free its remaining captives, although critics charge that it puts them in mortal danger. "It is a thoughtless way of endangering more lives on both sides", student Tamar Lazarow, 59, told AFP. "Enough innocent people have died... I do not really trust our government to make decisions coming from the right place." An Israeli campaign group representing the relatives of hostages said the plan for an expanded offensive was "sacrificing" those held in Gaza. Alongside the plan for the expansion of the war, Netanyahu "continues to promote" a proposal by Trump for the departure of Gazans to neighbouring countries, the official said. The US president's plan, unveiled in early February, has been rejected by Arab nations and governments around the world and the Palestinians. Israel's security cabinet also approved the "possibility of humanitarian distribution, if necessary" in Gaza, "to prevent Hamas from taking control of the supplies and to destroy its governance capabilities". Israel has accused the Palestinian militant group of diverting aid, which Hamas denies. A grouping of UN agencies and aid groups in the Palestinian territory has said Israel is seeking to "shut down the existing aid distribution system... and have us agree to deliver supplies through Israeli hubs under conditions set by the Israeli military". The plan "contravenes fundamental humanitarian principles and appears designed to reinforce control over life-sustaining items as a pressure tactic –- as part of a military strategy", the bodies said in a statement. Hamas said on Monday the new Israeli aid framework amounted to "political blackmail". Israel's cabinet said there was "currently enough food" in Gaza. Cape Times
The Citizen
05-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Israel cabinet approves plan for Gaza ‘conquest'
Israel's cabinet backs a plan to expand operations in Gaza, as humanitarian groups warn of worsening famine. This picture taken from Israel's southern border with the Gaza Strip shows buring fields in front of destroyed houses in northern Gaza on May 4, 2025. Israel was issuing orders to call up tens of thousands of reservists ahead of an expanded offensive in Gaza, Israeli media reported on May 3, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attacked truce mediator Qatar. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) Israel's security cabinet approved the expansion of military operations in Gaza including the 'conquest' of the Palestinian territory, an official said Monday, after the army called up tens of thousands of reservists for the offensive. It comes as the United Nations and aid organisations have repeatedly warned of the humanitarian catastrophe on the ground, with famine again looming after more than two months of a total Israeli blockade. The plan, approved by the cabinet overnight, includes the holding of territories in the besieged Gaza Strip, the official said, and comes amid a push by Israel for Gaza's people to leave the territory. Israel resumed major operations across Gaza on March 18 amid deadlock over how to proceed with a two-month ceasefire that had largely halted the war with Hamas, which was sparked by the militants' October 2023 attack. Israel has since carried out intensive aerial bombardments and expanded ground operations across the Palestinian territory, with Gaza rescuers on Monday saying Israeli air strikes killed at least 19 people in the north. ALSO READ: Israel accused of starving Gaza 'by design' — South Africa addresses ICJ The Israeli official said the plan for expanded operations 'will include, among other things, the conquest of the Gaza Strip and the holding of the territories, moving the Gaza population south for their protection'. The majority of Gaza's population had resided in the north of the territory, particularly Gaza City, and nearly all have been displaced at least once since the war began. The cabinet, which includes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several ministers, 'unanimously approved' the plan aimed at defeating Gaza's rulers Hamas and securing the return of hostages held in the territory. The official source said the plan included 'powerful strikes against Hamas', without specifying their nature. 'Sacrificing' hostages On Sunday, army chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said the military was calling up 'tens of thousands' of reservists to expand its offensive. ALSO READ: SA among 38 countries to present at ICJ hearings on Israel's actions Israeli media reported that the plan would not be implemented before US President Donald Trump's visit to the region next week. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Sunday that at least 2,436 people had been killed since Israel resumed its campaign on March 18, bringing the overall death toll from the war to 52,535. Hamas's attack on October 7 resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Militants also abducted 251 people, 58 of whom are still being held in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead. Israel says its renewed offensive is aimed at forcing Hamas to free its remaining captives, although critics charge that it puts them in mortal danger. ALSO READ: West Bank campus a dystopian shelter for Palestinians uprooted again An Israeli campaign group representing hostages' relatives said the plan for an expanded Gaza offensive was 'sacrificing' hostages held in the territory. Alongside the cabinet-approved plan for the expansion of the war, Prime Minister Netanyahu 'continues to promote' a proposal by US President Donald Trump for the voluntary departure of Gazans to neighbouring countries such as Jordan or Egypt, the official said. Cairo and Amman, along with other Arab allies, governments around the world and the Palestinians themselves, have flatly rejected the proposal, but the notion has been seized on by Israeli ministers. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said in February that a special agency would be established for the 'voluntary departure' of Gazans. 'Political blackmail' Israel's security cabinet also approved overnight the 'possibility of humanitarian distribution, if necessary' in Gaza, 'to prevent Hamas from taking control of the supplies and to destroy its governance capabilities'. ALSO READ: Qatar's chief negotiator says 'frustrated' by pace of Gaza talks The Axios news website on Friday reported that representatives from the United States, Israel and a new international humanitarian foundation were discussing a mechanism for resuming aid delivery to Gaza 'without it being controlled by Hamas'. A grouping of UN entities and NGOs in the Palestinian territory accused Israel of seeking to 'shut down the existing aid distribution system… and have us agree to deliver supplies through Israeli hubs under conditions set by the Israeli military'. The plan 'contravenes fundamental humanitarian principles and appears designed to reinforce control over life-sustaining items as a pressure tactic –- as part of a military strategy', the Humanitarian Country Team of the Occupied Palestinian Territory said in a statement. 'The UN Secretary-General and the Emergency Relief Coordinator have made clear that we will not participate in any scheme', it added. Hamas said Monday a new Israeli framework for aid delivery amounted to 'political blackmail' and blamed Israel for the territory's 'humanitarian catastrophe'. ALSO READ: Gazans resort to turtle meat in hunt for food Israel's cabinet said there was 'currently enough food' in Gaza, although humanitarian organisations and UN agencies have warned of the blockade's dire consequences for Gaza's 2.4 million people. Crowds of desperate Gazans were seen piling up at a charity kitchen in the territory at the weekend, in photos published by AFP. – By: © Agence France-Presse
