Israel has lost support of international public

At BRICS, South Africa’s stance on Palestine welcomed

Africa /

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa said many countries have welcomed the position his country took on the Palestinian issue, including its genocide case against Israel at the top UN court. Ramaphosa made the remarks in his BRICS media wrap-up late Thursday, saying he got an opportunity to have bilateral discussions with countries such as Egypt, Congo, as well as Iran, and the UAE. ‘‘All of them welcomed the stance that has been taken by South Africa in relation to Palestine,’’ he said, a video of which was posted on his official X account. Ramaphosa attended the Oct. 22-24 BRICS summit in the Russian city of Kazan. Ramaphosa said he informed the countries that in a few days South Africa will be submitting its full genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). South Africa filed a case with the ICJ tribunal based in The Hague in late 2023, accusing Israel, which has bombed Gaza since last October, of failing to uphold its commitments under the 1948 Genocide Convention. Several countries, including, Türkiye, Nicaragua, Palestine, Spain, Mexico, Libya and Colombia, have all joined the case which began public hearings in January. In May, the ICJ ordered Israel to halt its offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. It was the third time the 15-judge panel issued preliminary orders seeking to rein in the death toll and alleviate humanitarian suffering in the blockaded enclave, where the death toll nears 43,000. Ramaphosa said the expansion of BRICS strengthens the Global South, calling it a platform that promotes multilateralism and development. He said during bilateral talks, leaders wished South Africa well for its upcoming G20 presidency in December. Ramaphosa said Pretoria will be promoting the interests of Africa and the Global South, promoting the concept of solidarity, equality and sustainable development.

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Iranian foreign minister arrives in Egypt amid tensions with Israel

Egypt /

 Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Cairo late Wednesday, according to an announcement from Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei on X. His visit comes amid heightened anticipation of an Israeli strike on Iran following a retaliatory missile attack by Tehran against Israel earlier this month. Baghaei shared a picture of Araghchi’s arrival in Cairo, saying, “We just arrived in Cairo. Iran and Egypt are significant countries with rich histories and civilizations, and they are influential players in the region.” He added that “important discussions will take place on Thursday with senior officials in Egypt.” The official Iranian news agency, IRNA, reported Araghchi’s arrival as part of a regional tour to meet senior Egyptian officials, noting a formal reception. IRNA pointed out that the last visit by a senior Iranian official to Egypt occurred 14 years ago when Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the late Iranian foreign minister, traveled to the Egyptian capital for the inauguration of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Cairo is the eighth stop on Araghchi’s tour, which began two weeks ago “to coordinate efforts aimed at halting the crimes of the Zionist entity and activating a cease-fire in Gaza and Lebanon,” according to IRNA. The top diplomat’s visit is his first since he assumed his foreign minister’s post two months ago. He arrived from Jordan and is expected to visit Türkiye, following stops in Lebanon, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq and Oman. Earlier Wednesday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty disclosed in statements that Araghchi’s visit is part of “Egyptian efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.” Regional tensions have escalated due to Israel’s brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 42,400 people, mostly women and children, following a Hamas attack last year. The conflict has spread to Lebanon, with Israel launching deadly strikes across the country, which have killed more than 1,500 people and injured over 4,500 others since last month.

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Paris demonstration demands end to Gaza genocide

World /

 Supporters of Palestine gathered at the Place de la Republique in Paris to protest the violence in the Gaza Strip, which has been under Israeli attack for one year. Demonstrators demanded an end to the genocide and insisted that the Israeli military halt its assaults on Gaza and Lebanon. The protest, organized by supporters of Palestine and Lebanon, drew a large crowd who carried Palestinian and Lebanese flags. Protesters held banners with poignant messages such as “Toys in Gaza are losing their children” and “Free Palestinian political prisoners,” while chanting: “Free Palestine” and “Long live Palestinian resistance.” One of the most striking parts of the demonstration was the display of two trees adorned with a banner that read: “Israel’s favorite targets.” Red-painted children’s clothing and toy dolls, symbolizing the blood of children affected by the conflict, were hung beneath the banner, serving as a powerful visual condemnation of the violence. Notable figures in attendance included Marine Tondelier, leader of the Green Party (EELV), Thomas Portes, a far-left La France Insoumise (LFI) Member of Parliament and Salah Hamouri, a Palestinian-French lawyer and author of The Prisoner of Jerusalem. Tondelier voiced deep frustration and sorrow about the continued violence in Gaza in her speech. “This helplessness is terrible because we have been protesting for a year, and this atrocity has been going on for a year,” said Tondelier, accusing world leaders of turning a blind eye to the actions of the Israeli military. She specifically criticized French President Emmanuel Macron for what she described as his lack of meaningful action. “After a year of Israel’s attacks on Gaza, Macron now says: ‘We must listen to the United Nations.’ It’s been a year. Who is he fooling?” she asked.

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Some US lawmakers urge Biden to halt military aid to Israel

World /

Some US lawmakers on Monday voiced concern over the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, and called on the Biden administration to stop military aid to Israel. “(Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu is committing human rights abuses over and over again – bombing hospitals, burning Palestinians alive, blocking food aid, and killing aid workers,” Congresswoman Ilhan Omar said on X. “This evil genocide must end and President Biden has to stop enabling it. That starts with cutting off military aid,” she added. Her remarks came after the Pentagon announced on Sunday the deployment to Israel of a THAAD anti-missile system battery and a crew of US military personnel to operate it in order to help bolster the country’s air defenses. Congresswoman Cori Bush also called for an arms embargo to Israel. “There are no words powerful enough to capture the agony of human beings being massacred & burned alive,” Bush said, referring to images of Gazans being burned alive due to Israeli attacks. Four people were killed and 40 others injured early Monday when Israeli warplanes hit a hospital courtyard in the central city of Deir al-Balah, burning 30 tents where people were sleeping. “The U.S. is funding & arming the Israeli military’s extermination of the Palestinian people. It’s unconscionable. End this genocide. There must be an #ArmsEmbargoNow,” Bush said on X. – When will US ‘stop funding this madness?’ Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American member of Congress, said “genocidal maniac” Netanyahu is burning Palestinians alive, bombing hospitals, starving people, and killing aid workers. “When will our country stop funding this madness? When?” she said on X. During its offensive in Gaza, Israel has numerous times attacked hospitals, schools, and houses of worship – civilian sites normally off limits to attacks, raising the specter of war crimes. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – a member of the progressive “Squad” group in the US House of Representatives, along with Omar, Bush, and Tlaib – wrote on X: “The horrors unfolding in northern Gaza are the result of a completely unrestrained Netanyahu gov, fully armed by the Biden admin while food aid is blocked and patients are bombed in hospitals. This is a genocide of Palestinians.” “Arms embargo now,” she added. Over the last year, Israel has killed more than 42,000 Palestinians in Gaza and displaced nearly the entire population of 2.3 million people, while also generating famine-like conditions and the spread of disease. It is now also carrying out air and ground raids in Lebanon, despite warnings that this could turn the war into a larger regional conflict. The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the Gaza Strip amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine. Mediation efforts led by the US, Egypt, and Qatar to reach a Gaza cease-fire and prisoner swap agreement between Israel and Hamas have failed over Netanyahu’s refusal to halt the war. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.

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African Union Responds to Israel’s ‘unwanted’ Guterres decla...

Africa /

One hundred four UN member countries and the African Union have voiced strong concern over Israel’s declaration of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as an “unwanted person,” expressing their support for him. The coalition, which includes Turkey, issued a letter highlighting that Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz’s labeling of Guterres as “unwanted” undermines the UN’s capacity to fulfill its mission. The letter stressed that mediation and humanitarian assistance in the Middle East are essential responsibilities of the UN. It underscored the vital role of the Secretary-General during periods of heightened tension, affirming, “We want to reiterate our full support and confidence in the Secretary-General and his work.” The letter also expressed trust in Guterres’s dedication to peace, security, and international law, urging all parties to engage in constructive dialogue with the UN. “We demand respect for the UN’s leadership and mission,” the letter stated, calling for actions that support the UN’s vital role and contribute to a peaceful resolution of the Middle Eastern crisis. In a related development, Israel had designated Guterres as an “unwanted person,” announcing a ban on his entry into the country after he called for a reduction of tensions in the region. On October 1, it was claimed that Guterres failed to mention Iran in connection with missiles fired at Israel and did not explicitly condemn Tehran’s actions. In response to Iran’s missile attacks, Guterres stated, “I condemn the escalation of conflict in the Middle East,” and called for an urgent ceasefire.

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UNRWA chief warns of humanitarian crisis in Gaza

World /

The Gaza Strip has been “unrecognizable” and there is no end in sight to the violence engulfing the Middle East, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said Wednesday. “One year after the abhorrent attacks against Israel, and the catastrophic war on Gaza, no end is in sight to the brutal violence engulfing the region,” Philippe Lazzarini said at a Security Council meeting on the situation in the Palestinian enclave. “It has been a year of profound loss and suffering,” he said. Gaza has become a sea of rubble and a graveyard for tens of thousands of people including far too many children, he said, noting that almost the entire population is displaced. Turning to the situation in the occupied West Bank, he warned of escalating violence where nearly 700 people have been killed in the past year, more than 160 of them being children. “Civilian life is increasingly militarized, and settlement activity is expanding aggressively,” he said. He said Lebanon is the latest casualty of the widening conflict. “Civilians are paying a heavy price. Airstrikes by Israeli forces are killing and enduring thousands and displeasing hundreds of thousands,” said Lazzarini. He highlighted the importance of the UNRWA in Gaza, cautioning that the agency’s operational space is shrinking amid Israeli attacks. The commissioner said senior Israeli officials are describing destroying UNRWA as their “war goal” and Israel wants to ban the agency’s presence and operation. “Failing to push back against attempts to intimidate and undermine the United Nations in the occupied Palestinian territory will eventually compromise humanitarian and human rights war worldwide,” he said, as he urged the Security Council to decide to which extent it will tolerate acts that compromise international peace and security. “The climate of impunity that prevails will not dissipate without decisive action,” he added. Lisa Doughten, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)’s director of the financing and partnerships division, began by slamming Israeli evacuation orders for civilians in northern Gaza. “Once again, utter chaos ensues as the world watches on,” said Doughten. She denounced Israeli legislation seeking to ban UNWRA’s activities. “This would be disastrous for the provision of aid and essential services to millions of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank,” she said. Doughten said women and children are hard-hit by the trauma of the war and each day, according to UNRWA,10 children are losing one or both of their legs. “Gaza is home to the largest cohort of child amputees in modern history. Women are three times more likely to miscarry, and three times more likely to die from childbirth,” she said. “We cannot claim ignorance to what is happening — nor can we afford to look away. That is why we repeat our calls for the Security Council, and member states, to take action.” Flouting a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire, Israel has continued its brutal offensive on Gaza following an attack by the Palestinian group, Hamas, a little more than a year ago, which killed nearly 1,200 people, according to Israeli figures. Since then, more than 42,000 people have been killed, mostly women and children, and over 97,700 injured, according to local health authorities. The Israeli onslaught has displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine.

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Israel has killed 146 doctors in Gaza: Ministry

World /

 Israel has killed 146 doctors from various specialties in Gaza, while most medicines and medical supplies have been depleted amid the Israeli military’s genocide in the enclave, the Gaza Health Ministry announced Sunday. In a statement marking one year since the start of the Israeli genocide, the ministry said that 83% of medical supplies and 60% of medications are unavailable in hospitals and health centers. The ministry also noted that there are 25,000 patients and injured people in need of treatment outside the besieged territory. Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, 2023, Israel has cut off electricity to Gaza and prevented the entry of fuel to operate its only power plant in addition to halting water supplies, communication, food and medical supplies and closing crossings. Since the onset of the genocide, Israel has prevented the entry of humanitarian, medical and fuel aid, allowing only a small amount for international organizations, which does not meet the needs of residents. Israel has continued its brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas last Oct. 7, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire. Nearly 41,900 people have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 97,100 others injured, according to local health authorities. The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the territory amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine. Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.

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UN ‘alarmed’ by Israel’s heavy airstrike on Beirut

World /

The UN on Friday expressed “great alarm” over the developments in Lebanon’s Beirut following latest heavy Israeli bombardment.  “We are watching the developments unfolding in Beirut with great alarm,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters during a news conference after Israeli army on Friday evening carried out a heavy and unprecedented airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburb area, claiming to have attacked the main headquarters of Lebanese group Hezbollah. He expressed the UN’s deep concern about “the sharp escalation of hostilities across the Blue Line with strikes in Lebanon.” Emphasizing that the latest developments place both Lebanese and Israeli civilians at risk, Dujarric said they also threaten regional security and stability. “I can tell you that our peacekeeping mission here, better known as UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), continues to engage actively with the parties to help de-escalate tensions along the Blue Line and avoid further misunderstandings,” he added. Dujarric reiterated the UN’s support for diplomatic efforts for ending violence, restore stability and prevent further humanitarian suffering in the region. He also renewed calls for an immediate de-escalation, return to cessation of hostilities and urged for full implementation of the UN Security Council resolution 1701. UN Security Council Resolution 1701, adopted on August 11, 2006, calls for a complete cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel and establishes a zone free of armed personnel and weapons, except for the Lebanese army and UNIFIL forces, between the Blue Line (the border between Lebanon and Israel) and the Litani River in southern Lebanon. “Despite the extremely difficult situation, the peacekeeping missions, military and civilian peacekeepers, remain committed to their mission and continue to adapt in order to deliver on the mission’s mandate amidst a very hostile situation,” he added. In response to a reporter’s question on the cause of “great alarm” for UN regarding Lebanon, Dujarric said: “Anyone who looks at the pictures and smoke billowing from a densely populated area should be alarmed to say the least.” Dujarric also announced Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya’s allocation of $10 million from UN “Central Emergency Response Fund for the humanitarian response in Lebanon.” “This is in addition to $10 million released earlier this week from the Lebanese humanitarian fund,” he said, adding that the UN will continue to closely monitor the humanitarian situation and further support the Lebanese government, which is leading in the aid response. Israel has pounded Lebanon since Monday morning, killing over 700 people and injuring nearly 2,200 others, according to figures released by the Lebanese Health Ministry. The ministry also said that the death toll in Lebanon since last October is 1,540, in addition to more than 77,000 displaced from southern and eastern parts of the country. Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in cross-border warfare since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza, which has killed more than 41,500 people, mostly women and children, following a cross-border attack by Hamas last Oct. 7. The international community has warned against the strikes on Lebanon, as they raise the specter of turning the Gaza conflict into a regional war.

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UN: World cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza

World /

 UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday that the world cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza, emphasizing that an all-out war “must be avoided at all costs.” “The people of Lebanon, as well as the people of Israel and the people of the world, cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza,” Guterres told a UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East situation. He called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged all parties to take concrete steps toward implementing UN Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1701. “Civilians must be protected. Civilian infrastructure must not be targeted,” he added. The UN chief also emphasized the need for the safety and security of all UN personnel, saying international law must be respected by all sides. “Let us say in one clear voice, stop the killing and destruction, tone down the rhetoric and threats step back from the brink. An all-out war must be avoided at all costs. It would surely be an all-out catastrophe,” he warned. The UN chief highlighted that recent exchanges of fire between Lebanon and Israel have repeatedly violated Security Council Resolution 1701, as has the daily use of weapons by non-state armed groups, which also violates Resolutions 1559 and 1701.  Guterres also revealed that escalating violence has forced nearly 200,000 people in Lebanon and over 60,000 people in northern Israel to flee their homes since October of last year. “The communities of northern Israel and southern Lebanon must be able to return to their homes and live in safety and security without fear,” he said, noting that many lives have been lost.  The secretary-general underscored the need for respecting Lebanese sovereignty and allowing the Lebanese state to exercise full control over weapons within its borders. He reaffirmed the UN support for strengthening the Lebanese Armed Forces to help stabilize the region. “All of this must stop,” Guterres said, reiterating the urgent need for peace and stability in the region. Israel has launched waves of deadly airstrikes on Lebanon since Monday morning, killing nearly 610 people and injuring over 2,000 others, according to Lebanese health authorities. Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in cross-border warfare since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza, which has killed over 41,400 people, mostly women and children, following a cross-border attack by Hamas last Oct. 7. The international community has warned against the strikes on Lebanon, as they raise the specter of spreading the Gaza conflict regionally.

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Blinken to head to Egypt to discuss Gaza cease-fire, hostage deal

World /

 US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Egypt this week to attend the US-Egypt Strategic Dialogue and discuss ongoing efforts to reach a Gaza cease-fire and hostage deal. Blinken will depart Tuesday for Egypt, where he will co-chair the opening of the US-Egypt Strategic Dialogue with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, aiming to “strengthen the bilateral relationship and deepen economic development,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. “In addition to co-chairing the strategic dialogue, the Secretary will meet with Egyptian officials to discuss ongoing efforts to reach a cease-fire in Gaza that secures the release of all hostages, alleviates the suffering of the Palestinian people, and helps establish broader regional security,” he added. The visit, Blinken’s 10th to the Middle East since Oct. 7 last year, comes as the US, along with Qatar and Egypt, are working to secure a cease-fire and hostage swap deal between Israel and Hamas. US President Joe Biden said on May 31 that Israel presented a three-phase deal that would end hostilities in Gaza and secure the release of hostages held in the coastal enclave. The plan includes a cease-fire, a hostage-prisoner exchange, the Israeli military’s withdrawal from Gaza, a surge in aid and a permanent end to hostilities. A bridging proposal put forward by the US, Egypt and Qatar on Aug. 16 aimed to bridge the gaps over the prisoner exchange. However, critics argue that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s opposition to withdrawing from the Philadelphi Corridor, a strategic border area between Gaza and Egypt, has complicated potential prisoner exchange deals with Hamas. Hamas continues to demand a full Israeli withdrawal from the enclave and the return of displaced Palestinians. While US officials say that 90% of the terms of a Gaza cease-fire and hostage deal have been agreed upon, Netanyahu rejects their assessment that a deal is close. Israel has continued its brutal offensive on Gaza since an Oct. 7 attack last year by the Palestinian group Hamas which killed 1,139 people and led to the taking of around 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Since then, more than 41,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed and nearly 94,400 injured, according to Gaza health authorities.​​​​​​​ Israel currently holds at least 9,500 Palestinian prisoners, while it estimates that 101 Israeli hostages are being held in Gaza, an unknown number of whom are believed to have been killed while in captivity.

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