Latest news with #USSecurityCouncil
Irish Examiner
08-08-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
'More unbearable suffering': Condemnation of Israel's new plans for Gaza
The Israeli government's plan for a full-scale military takeover of Gaza will cause more deaths and suffering and must be halted immediately, the United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Turk said on Friday. Israel's political-security cabinet approved a plan early on Friday to take control of Gaza City, as the country expands its military operations despite intensifying criticism at home and abroad over the devastating almost two-year-old war. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that Israel intended to take military control of the entire Gaza Strip, but the plan announced on Friday stopped short of this. On Friday, Mr Turk said: "The Israeli government's plan for a complete military takeover of the occupied Gaza Strip must be immediately halted. It runs contrary to the ruling of the International Court of Justice that Israel must bring its occupation to an end as soon as possible, to the realisation of the agreed two-State solution and to the right of Palestinians to self-determination. "On all evidence to date, this further escalation will result in more massive forced displacement, more killing, more unbearable suffering, senseless destruction and atrocity crimes. The war in Gaza must end now. And Israelis and Palestinians must be allowed to live side by side in peace. "Instead of intensifying this war, the Israeli government should put all its efforts into saving the lives of Gaza's civilians by allowing the full, unfettered flow of humanitarian aid. "The hostages must be immediately and unconditionally released by Palestinian armed groups. Palestinians arbitrarily detained by Israel must also be immediately and unconditionally released." After Israel's security cabinet approved a plan to take over Gaza City, Turkey's foreign ministry condemned it and called on the international community and US Security Council to act to prevent the plan's implementation. The ministry also said Israel must immediately halt its war plans, agree a ceasefire in Gaza, and start negotiations for a two-state solution. Turkey said each step by Israel's government to continue what it called Israel's genocide and occupation of Palestinian lands dealt a heavy blow to global security. Israel has repeatedly rejected accusations of carrying out genocide in its war in Gaza. Hamas described the Israeli government's plan to take control of Gaza City as a 'new war crime', warning the operation would cost it 'dearly'. According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), the group said in a statement: "The Zionist cabinet's approval of plans to occupy Gaza City and evacuate its residents constitutes a new war crime that the occupation army intends to commit against the city. "We warn the criminal occupation that this criminal adventure will cost it dearly and will not be an easy journey." Meanwhile, German chancellor Friedrich Merz has said his country will not authorise any exports of military equipment that could be used in Gaza 'until further notice'. The move by Germany, which had previously stopped short of tougher lines against Israel's government taken by some of its European Union allies, appears likely to further isolate Israel over the military takeover plan which has been condemned by supporters of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. British prime minister Keir Starmer said Israel is 'wrong' to approve plans to occupy Gaza City saying the new offensive will 'bring more bloodshed'. 'The Israeli government's decision to further escalate its offensive in Gaza is wrong, and we urge it to reconsider immediately," he said. 'This action will do nothing to bring an end to this conflict or to help secure the release of the hostages. It will only bring more bloodshed.' Spain and the Netherlands have also condemned the Israeli government's decision to escalate its military occupation of Gaza.
Shafaq News
02-08-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Waterway dispute rekindles tensions between Iraq and Kuwait
Shafaq News A 2012 agreement regulating navigation in the Khor Abdullah waterway between Iraq and Kuwait remains highly controversial in Iraq. Critics warn the deal blurs maritime boundaries and threatens national sovereignty. Some call for its annulment, while others support renegotiation to better safeguard Iraq's rights. Kuwait maintains the maritime boundary and navigation rights in Khor Abdullah are firmly grounded in international law, insisting that any unilateral attempt by Iraq to revoke the agreement is invalid and unacceptable. The Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also lodged formal protests, urging Iraq to honour its commitments under binding international treaties. It further reaffirmed Kuwait's sovereignty over its territorial waters and its right to shared navigation in the waterway. Meanwhile, many Iraqis view the border demarcation, imposed by the US Security Council after expelling Saddam Hussein's army in 1991, as unfair and exploitative of Iraq's weakened state at the time.
Euronews
26-07-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Cambodia calls for 'immediate ceasefire' with Thailand as deaths rise
Cambodia's UN Ambassador called for an 'immediate, unconditional' ceasefire with Thailand on Friday after the dispute between the two countries entered its third day. So far, at least 30 people have been killed, including civilians, and thousands have been forced to flee their homes. The US Security Council held an emergency meeting behind closed doors late Friday in New York, with all 15 members called on the parties to deescalate, show restraint and resolve the dispute peacefully. "We also call for the peaceful solution to the dispute," said Chhea Keo. He responded to accusations that Cambodia attacked Thailand asking how a small country with no air force could attack a much larger country with an army three times its size, stressing, 'We do not do that.' Thailand's UN ambassador left the meeting without stopping to talk to reporters. But, Thailand's acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, said Friday that Cambodia may be guilty of war crimes due to the deaths of civilians and damage caused to a hospital. He said Thailand had exercised the 'utmost restraint and patience in the face of provocations and aggression' from Cambodia. Tensions over a disputed border area erupted into fighting after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers on Wednesday. Clashes break out across border areas The Thai military reported clashes early Friday in multiple areas along the border, including near the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple claimed by both sides. The Thai army said Cambodian forces had used heavy artillery and Russian-made BM-21 rocket launchers, prompting what Thai officials described as 'appropriate supporting fire' in return. Thailand said six of its soldiers and 13 civilians were killed while 29 soldiers and 30 civilians were wounded. Early Saturday, Cambodian Gen. Maly Socheata, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defence, told reporters Saturday that seven more civilians and five soldiers have died from two days of fighting. It earlier reported one fatality — a man who was killed when the pagoda he was hiding in got hit by Thai rockets. The Cambodian Education Ministry claimed that on Friday two Thai rockets had hit a school compound in Oddar Meanchey but caused no injuries. It said all schools in the province have been closed. The Thai army denied it targeted civilian sites in Cambodia, and accused Cambodia of using 'human shields' by positioning their weapons near residential areas. The 800-kilometre frontier between Thailand and Cambodia has been disputed for decades, but past confrontations have been limited and brief. The last major flare-up in 2011 left 20 dead.
Metro
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Metro
Map shows safest countries to be in if global conflict breaks out
As the US joins Israel in its strikes on Iran and its nuclear facilities and Iran retaliates with attacks on Israel, fears have grown over 'World War 3' breaking out. Overnight 20 Israeli jets targeted military infrastructure in Kermansh in western Iran and vowed to continue hitting the country, while they also continue to pummel Gaza and its people. Iran meanwhile appears to have fired just the one drone towards Israel overnight, which Israeli officials say was shot down. It's not clear if their limited response is down to a depleted missile capacity or if the Iranian leadership is just considering its next move. But United Nations ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told an emergency meeting of the US Security Council on Sunday he feared the conflict would escalate significantly, saying 'no one knows what new catastrophes and suffering it [the Israeli attacks on Iran] will bring.' He said Russia offered to mediate an agreeable solution to Iran's nuclear programme, but the US – especially its leaders – are 'clearly not interested in diplomacy today.' Nebenzia warned: 'Unless we stop the escalation, the Middle East will find itself on the verge of a large scale conflict with unpredictable consequences for the entire international security system, plus the entire world might end up on the verge of a nuclear disaster.' There are also ongoing fears war between the west and Russia could break out after an escalation in nuclear threats from Putin. Vladimir Putin previously said he he had lowered the bar for carrying out a nuclear strike. Russia's official nuclear doctrine, which previously said the country could only use nuclear weapons in response to a nuclear attack, last year said the country can use such weapons in response to conventional strikes. Analysts said the move was an open threat to the US and UK, who allowed Ukraine to fire longer-range Western-supplied missiles into Russia. Open conflict between the powers would likely drag in allies from across the globe. If 'World War III' did break out, however, some parts of the world are likely to avoid the brunt. Here we take a closer look at where might be a sensible place to hide out. The continent sits at the most southerly point of the planet making it one of the safest places to survive a nuclear war. There is an enormous geographic distance between Antarctica and countries with nuclear warheads. With more than 14 million square kilometres, there is plenty of room for people to take refuge. But some may find the icy and freezing climate unforgiving. Iceland has earned a reputation as one of the most peaceful countries in the world. The country has consistently topped the Global Peace Index, having never taken part in a full-scale war or invasion. Iceland's government has signed bilateral agreements with Ukraine, although its support is limited to financing and a small amount of transportation. A relatively remote island geographically, it would avoid the effects of conventional war in Europe – although the fallout of widespread nuclear strikes on the mainland would likely reach its shores in small amounts. New Zealand ranks second in the Global Peace Index and has taken a neutral stance on most conflicts. The country also has a mountainous terrain making it easier for citizens to be protected. The Kiwi government has provided financial support to Ukraine's military and assisted in action against Russia in the International Court of Justice. However it is extremely unlikely to face any attacks in the event of a Western conflict with Russia. This country is the most readily associated with political neutrality, even during World War Two. It is well protected by its terrain, landlocked geography and various nuclear shelters. Switzerland is one of the few European countries not to have provided assistance to Ukraine, and has even been accused of favouring Russia through its neutrality – so Putin is unlikely to see it as an enemy. The Swiss government has blocked the delivery of Swiss-made weapons and ammo bought from other European countries who blocked them. Greenland is the world's largest island and it belongs to Denmark. It is geographically remote, and politically neutral. The island's current population of 56,000 people means it is unlikely to be targeted by any superpower. Indonesia has often taken a neutral stance on political issues, with the country's first president, Achmed Sukarno, describing their foreign policy as 'free and active'. They act independently within international affairs, and say they are most concerned with world peace. Tuvalu is located in the Pacific Ocean, halfway between Hawaii and Australia. Only 11,000 people live on the island and it has weak infrastructure. It also has a limited number of natural resources, meaning it would make an undesirable target to any aggressors. Although Argentina has engaged in conflict, most notably during the Falklands War in 1982, the country is one of the most likely places to survive famine. The country has an abundance of crop, including wheat, which means if nuclear dust were to block the sun, Argentinians will already have crops in supply. In 1971 Bhutan declared itself neutral in regards to any conflict after joining the United Nations. It is also landlocked and surrounded by mountainous regions, making it easier to defend the country. The country's 4,000 mile long coastline spans the distance between Moscow and Madrid. Chile is also home to a variety of different crops and natural resources, making survival easier. Its infrastructure and development is also considered the most advanced in South America. The island nation is 2,700 miles away from its closest country Australia. Along with a lack of clear military strategy and an army consisting of just 6,000 soldiers, Fiji ranks highly on the Global Peace Index. More Trending Much of the island is also made up of dense forests, minerals and fishing spots. South Africa is home to multiple sources of food, fertile land and fresh water, making survival easy. The country's modern infrastructure could also increase chances of survival as these resources are managed. This is an updated version of a previous article published November 22, 2024. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Iran threatens to return '50,000 US soldiers in coffins' after Trump's strikes MORE: Meet Britain's Doomsday preppers stockpiling for World War Three MORE: Four places which could be safe if World War Three erupts – including one in UK
Metro
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Metro
Russia accuses Trump of 'opening Pandora's box' with strikes on Iran
Russia has accused Donald Trump of 'opening Pandora's box' with the US bombardments on three Iranian nuclear facilities. United Nations ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told an emergency meeting of the US Security Council that 'no one knows what new catastrophes and suffering it [the attacks] will bring.' He said Russia offered to mediate an agreeable solution to Iran's nuclear programme, but the US – especially its leaders – are 'clearly not interested in diplomacy today.' Nebenzia warned: 'Unless we stop the escalation, the Middle East will find itself on the verge of a large scale conflict with unpredictable consequences for the entire international security system, plus the entire world might end up on the verge of a nuclear disaster.' While the Kremlin's call for restraint may be a little ironic – after all, it is not exactly known for straying away from global provocations – it underscores the level of international alarm following the US attacks. Israel and Iran continued to trade air and missile strikes overnights as the world braced is bracing for the Islamic Regime's response. Antagonizing Iran even further, the US president spewed a series of posts on Truth Social about the strikes. He wrote: 'Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images. Obliteration is an accurate term… The biggest damage took place far below ground level. Bullseye!!!' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Trump also confirmed that the 'great' B-2 bomber pilots behind the strikes landed back in Missouri, after he also called for a regime change in Iran. More Trending 'If the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!,' he said. Iran's armed forces stressed that the US should expect 'serious consequences' for its strikes. The attacks have expanded the scope of legitimate targets for Iran's armed forces, a spokesperson for its Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said. Ebrahim Zolfaqari ended his statement in English: 'Mr Trump, the gambler, you may start this war, but we will be the ones to end it.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: El Al airline announces rescue flights from Israel to London MORE: Is it safe to travel to Dubai right now? Latest Foreign Office tourist advice after US strikes Iran MORE: Why Iran closing this 103-mile stretch of ocean could be catastrophic for the world
