Latest from Roya News
Roya News
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Roya News
Hamas condemns 'Israel's' announcement of Operation Gideon's Chariots 2
Hamas issued a statement on Wednesday condemning 'Israel's' announcement of a new military campaign against Gaza City, calling it an extension of the ongoing 'genocide' against Palestinians. The statement came after the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) declared the launch of what it has named Operation Gideon's Chariots 2, targeting Gaza City and the nearly one million residents and displaced people sheltering there. 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to formally approve the operation on Thursday. Hamas described the move as 'a blatant disregard' for mediation efforts aimed at securing a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange deal. The group said it had already accepted the latest proposal put forward by mediators, but accused 'Israel' of rejecting diplomacy in favor of escalating violence. 'The Zionist government insists on continuing its brutal war against innocent civilians, seeking to destroy Gaza City and displace its people in a full-fledged war crime,' the statement read. Hamas also accused Netanyahu of blocking progress on a deal, alleging he has no interest in the welfare of 'Israeli' captives held in Gaza. 'His refusal to respond to the mediators' proposal proves that he is the true obstacle to any agreement,' the group said. The movement vowed that the newly announced operation would fail as previous campaigns had, warning that an occupation of Gaza would not be 'a walk in the park.' Hamas called on mediators to increase pressure on 'Israel' to halt its offensive and accused both the 'Israeli' government and the United States of bearing 'full responsibility' for the humanitarian consequences of the assault. The announcement marks a new stage in 'Israel's' war in Gaza, which has entered its 23rd month with no ceasefire in sight.
Roya News
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Roya News
Netanyahu admits 'Israel' struggling to win Gen Z support
'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged that his country is struggling to connect with younger generations in Western nations, admitting in a recent interview that 'Israel' has 'work' to do in winning them over. Speaking on the UK-based Triggernometry podcast, the 'Israeli' leader was pressed on whether 'Israel' risks losing Western support once Generation Z, those born roughly between 1997 and 2012, grows into positions of power. "If you're telling me that there's work to be done on Gen Z and across the West, yes," Netanyahu said. His remarks come amid widespread protests against 'Israel's' military campaign in Gaza, which have drawn massive turnouts of young demonstrators across Western capitals. Polling reflects the same generational divide: a recent Gallup survey found that just six percent of Americans aged 18 to 34 hold a favorable view of Netanyahu, while only nine percent back 'Israel's' military actions in Gaza. Netanyahu attributed Gen Z's opposition to what he described as a larger ideological battle. He repeated an unverified claim of a coordinated effort against both 'Israel' and the West, though he declined to specify who he believes is driving it. Meanwhile, 'Israel's' defense minister on Wednesday authorized a plan to seize Gaza City and approved the mobilization of 60,000 reservists. The move comes as mediators continue to press for a ceasefire between 'Israel' and Hamas. Netanyahu also touched on 'Israel's' ties with Washington, praising US President Donald Trump's unwavering backing since returning to office in January. "Trump has proven an exceptional, exceptional friend of Israel, an exceptional leader," Netanyahu said, contrasting his approach with that of European leaders. "I think we've been very fortunate to have a leader in the United States who doesn't act like the European leaders, who doesn't succumb to this stuff."
Roya News
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Roya News
Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif rejects claims of retirement
Algerian Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif has dismissed reports suggesting she is stepping away from the sport, calling the claims fabricated and damaging. Khelif, who won gold in the women's 66kg category at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, was forced to address rumors after French outlet Nice Matin quoted her former manager as saying she had retired. The comments sparked widespread speculation over her future. In a statement posted on Facebook, the 26-year-old athlete said, "I would like to make it clear to the public that the reports of my retirement from boxing are false." She went on to accuse her ex-manager, Nasser Yesfah, of spreading lies, "He has betrayed my trust and my country with his false and malicious statements. This person no longer represents me in any way." Khelif reiterated her commitment to the sport, insisting that she continues to train actively both in Algeria and Qatar, "I have never announced my retirement from boxing. I remain committed to my sporting career, I train regularly, and I maintain my physical condition between Algeria and Qatar in preparation for upcoming events." The boxer, who was at the center of a gender eligibility controversy during the Paris Olympics, now faces a packed schedule ahead. The World Boxing Championships are scheduled for September 4–14 in Liverpool, with the entry deadline fast approaching next week.
Roya News
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Roya News
German court rules Holocaust memorial can deny entry to visitors wearing Palestinian keffiyeh
A German court ruled Wednesday that the Buchenwald concentration camp memorial can legally refuse entry to visitors wearing the Palestinian keffiyeh scarf. The higher administrative court in Thuringia dismissed a woman's request to attend a commemorative event at the memorial while wearing the scarf. Local reports say she was previously turned away during the 80th anniversary of the camp's liberation in April. She then petitioned the courts to return for another ceremony this week while wearing the keffiyeh. The court sided with the memorial, citing the woman's stated intent to 'send a political message against what she saw as the (memorial's) one-sided support for the policies of the Israeli government.' "It is unquestionable that this would endanger the sense of security of many Jews, especially at this site," the ruling said, adding that her right to freedom of expression was outweighed by the memorial's 'interest in upholding the purpose of the institution.' Germany has long been one of 'Israel's' strongest allies. In recent months, however, it has criticized 'Israel's' actions in Gaza, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz announcing a halt to new arms export licenses that could be used in the enclave. The Buchenwald memorial faced controversy last month when an internal document labeled the keffiyeh as 'closely associated with efforts to destroy the state of Israel.' Jens-Christian Wagner, the memorial's director, later described the document as containing 'mistakes' and said it would be revised. He told broadcaster NDR that the keffiyeh is not automatically 'a forbidden symbol,' but its use alongside other symbols that seek to relativize Nazi crimes would be prohibited. Buchenwald and its annex, Mittelbau-Dora, near Weimar, held roughly 340,000 prisoners, including Jews, Roma, homosexuals, and Soviet POWs. Around 56,000 people died at Buchenwald through execution, starvation, or forced labor, while Mittelbau-Dora saw another 20,000 deaths as inmates worked on the Nazis' V1 and V2 rockets.
Roya News
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Roya News
International Criminal Court condemns US sanctions as 'flagrant attack'
The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday strongly criticized new US sanctions targeting four of its judges and deputy prosecutors, calling the move a 'flagrant attack' on judicial independence and the international rules-based order. "The International Criminal Court deplores the announcement of new designations for sanctions by the US administration against ICC Judges Kimberly Prost (Canada), Judge Nicolas Guillou (France), Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan (Fiji) and Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang (Senegal),' the court said in a statement. The sanctions come after earlier measures targeting four other ICC judges and the chief prosecutor. 'These sanctions are a flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution which operates under the mandate from 125 States Parties from all regions. They constitute also an affront against the Court's States Parties, the rules-based international order and, above all, millions of innocent victims across the world," the ICC added. The court affirmed that it will continue its work in strict accordance with its legal framework, 'without regard to any restriction, pressure or threat.' It also urged governments to support the court's mission, stating, "The Court calls upon States Parties and all those who share the values of humanity and the rule of law to provide firm and consistent support to the Court and its work carried out in the sole interest of victims of international crimes." The US sanctions include a judge who authorized arrest warrants for 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
