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Dozens of Gazans waiting for food aid killed by Israeli fire

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Gaza War

The Gaza Ministry of Health said on Thursday said over 100 people were killed and more than 750 wounded, with the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemning what it said was a cold-blooded “massacre”.

The ministry said the attack was part of Israel’s ongoing “genocidal war”, calling on the international community to “urgently intervene” to forge a ceasefire as “the only way to protect civilians”.

People had congregated at al-Rashid Street, where aid trucks carrying flour were believed to be on the way. Footage showed the bodies of dozens of killed and wounded Palestinians being carried onto trucks as no ambulances could reach the area.

Al Jazeera reported that after opening fire, Israeli tanks advanced and ran over many of the dead and injured bodies.

“The numbers will rise. Hospitals are no longer able to accommodate the huge number of patients because they lack fuel, let alone medicine. Hospitals have also run out of blood,” Al Jazeera’s Ismail al-Ghoul stated, reporting from the scene.

Reporting from occupied East Jerusalem, Al Jazeera’s Bernard Smith stated the Israeli military “initially tried to pin the blame on the crowd” saying that dozens were hurt as a consequence of being crushed and trampled when aid trucks arrived.

“And then, after some pushing the Israelis went on to say that their troops felt threatened, that hundreds of troops approached their troops in a way they posed a threat to them so they responded by opening fire,” Smith added.

One Palestinian man told Quds News Network the military attack was a “crime”.

“I have been waiting since yesterday. At about 4:30 this morning, trucks started to come through. Once we approached the aid trucks, the Israeli tanks and warplanes started firing at us, as if it was a trap,” he said.

“To the Arab states I say, if you want to have us killed, why are you sending relief aid? If this continues, we do not want any aid delivered at all. Every convoy coming means another massacre,” he added.

Jadallah al-Shafei, the head of the nurses’ department at al-Shifa Hospital, said that “the situation is beyond any words”, adding that “the hospital was flooded with dozens of dead bodies and hundreds of injured”.

“The majority of the victims suffered gunshots and shrapnel in the head and upper parts of their bodies. They were hit by direct artillery shelling, drone missiles and gun firing,” he told Al Jazeera.

The mass shooting was the latest instance of systematic attacks on hungry people waiting for scraps of food. Over the past few days, Palestinians gathered in large groups waiting for aid trucks on Salah al-Din Street near Gaza City have been shot at by Israeli forces, said Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Rafah in the enclave’s south.

Recently, a truck that was supposed to deliver aid to people in Gaza tragically turned into the truck carrying those injured and killed, he added.

With aid agencies unable to deliver supplies to northern Gaza since January 23, many are taking a long trek towards the south by foot.

On Wednesday, Carl Skau, deputy executive director of the World Food Programme (WFP), told the United Nations Security Council more than 500,000, or one in four people, were at risk of famine, with one in every six children below the age of two considered acutely malnourished.

“The risk of famine is being fuelled by the inability to bring critical food supplies into Gaza in sufficient quantities, and the almost impossible operating conditions faced by our staff on the ground,” he said.

He described dangerous conditions for WFP trucks trying to get food to the north earlier this month.

“There were delays at checkpoints; they faced gunfire and other violence; food was looted along the way; and at their destination, they were overwhelmed by desperately hungry people,” added Skau.

Aid agencies claim that Israel has been delaying deliveries. Israel denies that charge. It submitted a report to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the measures taken to avert suffering in the besieged enclave. Rights groups say Israel acted in breach of the ICJ order issued in January.

Israel launched a deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip following a Hamas-led attack on October 7. More than 30,000 people are reported to have been killed to date, mostly women and children.

Putin claims Russia in possession of weapons capable of hitting targets on territory of its adversaries

By
IFP Media Wire
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Vladimir Putin

According to the Russian head of state, the consequences for possible interventionists in Russia will be much more tragic than in previous eras.

“They (the West) should finally understand that we also have weapons, yes, they know about it, and I’ve just said this, there are weapons that can hit targets on their territory, and that everything they are inventing now, what they are scaring the whole world with, that all this really threatens a conflict with the use of nuclear weapons, and thus the destruction of civilization,” the president said.

The Russian leader stressed that the actions of the United States and its satellites have actually led to the dismantling of the European security system.

According to Putin, “this creates risks for everyone.”

“Don’t they realize that or what? These are people, you know, who have not gone through hard trials. They have already forgotten what war is. Here we are, even our current generation, went through such hard trials during the fight against international terrorism in the Caucasus. Now the same thing is happening in the conflict in Ukraine. They think it’s all some kind of cartoon for them,” he added.

“In fact, Russophobia, like other ideologies of racism, national superiority and exclusivity, blinds, deprives of reason,” the president emphasized.

Putin warned that the consequences for possible interventionists in Russia will be much more tragic than in the past.

“We remember the fate of those who once sent their contingents to the territory of our country. But now the consequences for possible interventionists will be much more tragic,” he stated.

In addition, the Russian leader said that the claims that Russia is preparing to attack Europe are nothing but nonsense.

“The West provoked the conflict in Ukraine, in the Middle East, in other regions of the world, and continues to lie. Now, they shamelessly say that Russia allegedly intends to attack Europe. You and I understand that they are talking nonsense,” Putin added.

“At the same time, they themselves are choosing targets for strikes on our territory, choosing the most effective, as they think, means of defeat. They are talking about the possibility of sending NATO military contingents to Ukraine,” the Russian leader pointed out.

Politicians in the West sought to weaken Russia from within, just like they did in Ukraine, but they failed, Putin continued.

“They essentially would like to do to Russia exactly what they did to many other regions of the world, including Ukraine: bring discord to our home and weaken us from within. But they miscalculated,” the president said, adding, “It is absolutely obvious today.”

The West “faced the firm position and determination of our multinational people. Our soldiers and officers, Christians and Muslims, Buddhists and followers of Judaism, representatives of different ethnicities, cultures and regions have proved in practice, better than through a thousand words, that the centuries-old cohesion and unity of the people of Russia is an immense, all-conquering force. Standing together, shoulder to shoulder, they are fighting for their common, shared Motherland”, Putin went on to say.

Gaza death toll from Israeli onslaught tops 30,000: Health ministry

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Gaza War

At least 30,035 Palestinians have been killed and 70,457 others injured in Israel’s offensive on the Gaza Strip, now in its 146th day, the health ministry in the enclave said Thursday.

The towering figure stresses a horrific, months-long ordeal for Palestinians in the territory, during which Israel’s bombing and ground campaigns have displaced the vast majority of the population and created a dire humanitarian crisis.

Israel is facing mounting pressure globally to halt the conflict, but its campaign in Gaza has retained the support of the United States, its key ally and largest supplier of military aid.

The US proposed a “temporary ceasefire” at the United Nations earlier this month, but has vetoed calls for an immediate halt in the conflict.

The death toll highlights fears of more suffering in Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city where more than 1 million people are crammed, and where Israel is expected to launch a fresh invasion.

Gaza’s health ministry does not distinguish between civilians and fighters but has said in recent updates that around 70% of the casualties are women and children.

The war has pushed 85% of Gaza’s population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

Iran Red Crescent rescues thousands amidst snow, blizzard crisis

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Iran Snow

Severe weather disasters, including blizzards and flooding, have affected 26 provinces, excluding Ilam, Bushehr, Khuzestan, Kurdistan, and Kermanshah.

Babak Mahmoudi revealed, “Red Crescent rescuers intervened in 105 areas, encompassing 60 mountainous regions, 3 cities, and 42 villages.”

He said the organization provided relief to a total of 15,986 people and offered emergency accommodation to 6,056 individuals.

Highlighting specific actions, Mahmoudi noted, “83 people were safely relocated, and 8 sick or injured individuals received transportation to medical centers.”

Additionally, 1,202 vehicles were evacuated, and 68 residential houses were cleared of water and mud during this challenging period.

Emphasizing the dedication of the Red Crescent, Mahmoudi mentioned that 391 operational teams, involving 1,618 personnel, worked tirelessly to provide assistance to the victims during the weather-induced crisis.

Miraculous emergency birth rescue in snow-stranded region in northern Iran

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

After 25 exhausting minutes and relentless efforts by the 115 Emergency Communications Specialist, a mother and her newborn son, named Abdollah, were successfully saved.

This incident occurred in the upper regions of Babolkenar, where impassable routes due to heavy snowfall hindered the mother’s transfer to a medical center.

The head of Babol’s 115 Emergency stated, “The situation was alarming as both the newborn and the mother were at risk. The baby wasn’t crying after birth, and the pair hadn’t left the mother’s side.”

Thanks to the guidance provided by Emergency Specialist Mrs. Mehravar, the family’s father was instructed to stimulate the baby by hitting his legs, ultimately saving the lives of the mother and child.

After telephonic consultations, Babol’s 115 Ambulance, with the support of HeliMed and the Red Crescent, reached the location, transporting the mother and child to the hospital.

Following necessary care and the elimination of risks, they were discharged, marking the family’s joyous addition of a baby boy to their two daughters.

EU seeking to completely stop Russian gas transit via Ukraine

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Russia Gas

According to McPhie, the total transit volume to such EU nations as Austria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Italy, currently amounts to about 15 billion cubic meters (bcm) a year.

“The European Commission is working closely with these countries to ensure that they have the necessary gas supplies,” McPhie said.

“I will not talk about specific routes, but we are talking about ensuring that these countries can receive gas through other gas pipelines, as well as liquefied natural gas, and we are confident that it’s possible,” he told a briefing in Brussels on Wednesday.

Brokered by the EU, the current five-year contract between Russia and Ukraine was signed in 2019 just 24 hours before the previous agreement was due to expire. Under the deal, Russian energy giant Gazprom agreed to transit 65 billion cubic meters of gas through Ukraine in 2020, and 40 billion annually between 2021 and 2024. The transit line through Ukraine and the European arm of TurkStream are the only two remaining conduits for piped Russian gas to reach Central and Western Europe.

However, European Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson told an EU Parliament committee meeting earlier this month that the bloc has no intention of extending the current gas transit contract with Russia via Ukraine.

The EU plans to completely phase out energy imports from Russia by 2027. However, many member states still greatly rely on gas flows from the sanctioned country – particularly Austria and Hungary. While most EU countries slashed imports of Russian gas over the Ukraine conflict, Austria, which covers about 80% of its domestic consumption with fuel from Russia, actually ramped up purchases.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said recently that the country may one day do without Russian gas, but this is unlikely to happen in the short term. For the time being, Vienna will continue to buy fuel from Moscow, he stressed. Nehammer pointed out that Austria’s largest gas provider, OMV, has contracts signed with Gazprom until 2040 and cannot simply pull out of those at the stroke of a pen.

Israeli police warn curbing Palestinians access to Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan may fuel tensions

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Al-Aqsa Mosque

Recently, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for not allowing West Bank residents to enter Islam’s third holiest site during the Muslim fasting month while only permitting entry to Palestinian citizens of Israel aged 70 and above.

Israel’s Channel 12 quoted unnamed senior police officials as saying that a decision on the matter will be made next weekend.

The officers said that if a decision is made in response to Ben-Gvir’s demands, it could inflame tensions in Jerusalem and mixed cities inhabited by Israelis and Palestinians.

The Abraham Initiatives organization sent a letter to Israeli Police Commissioner Yaakov Shabtai warning of a potential escalation.

The Jewish-Israeli and Palestinian-Israeli organization advances social inclusion and equal rights for Israel’s Palestinian citizens by influencing public policy, shaping public opinion and demonstrating practical models for a shared society, according to its website.

It warned that “irresponsible behavior by police officers who will be stationed in the Old City of Jerusalem and at the entrances to Al-Aqsa Mosque could ignite the area”.

In its letter, the organization’s directors wrote that since the start of the Gaza war last October, police have significantly reduced the possibility of entry for Muslim Israeli citizens (Palestinians in the 1948 territories) to Al-Aqsa Mosque for prayers, according to Channel 12.

The organization also called on the police leadership to give clear instructions to all police officers who will be working in Jerusalem during Ramadan to preserve freedom of worship and avoid humiliating behavior towards the Muslim faithful.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Israeli newspaper Maariv said that security agencies objected to Ben Gvir’s intention to prevent Palestinians from the West Bank from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan and to restrict entry for Israeli Palestinians.

It explained that the police’s position is to allow West Bank residents aged 60 and above and Israeli Palestinians aged 45 and above to enter.

The Shin Bet (Israel’s General Security Service) demands allowing West Bank residents aged 45 and above to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan unconditionally, as well as unrestricted entry for Palestinian citizens of Israel.

The number of Palestinian citizens of Israel totals 2.065 million, accounting for 21% of the population of 9.795 million, according to the latest official Israeli census.

Since the start of the war on the Gaza Strip, Israeli police have imposed restrictions on the entry of Palestinian faithful from all areas to Al-Aqsa Mosque, especially on Fridays.

Israel has launched a deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border incursion by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7. The ensuing Israeli bombardment has killed nearly 30,000 people and injured over 70,000 with mass destruction and shortages of necessities.

The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza’s population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

US trying to persuade Turkish banks, companies to cut ties with Russia: Report

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Turkey Economy

At the behest of the US authorities, Turkish banks already do not process trade payments from Russia except for food and are now facing the threat of having currency swaps cut off if they do not terminate relations with their Russian partners.

In a separate report earlier this week, Aydinlik revealed that US officials had visited some Turkish companies and financial institutions and threatened to penalize them over trade relations with Russia.

Earlier this month, many Turkish banks started closing the corporate accounts of Russian businesses and tightening policies for individuals in light of the threat of secondary sanctions from the US.

According to some media reports, Turkish financial institutions have already cut ties and suspended processing payments with almost all Russian banks to avoid the risk of sanctions.

The emerging payment issues come after US President Joe Biden signed an executive order in December allowing for secondary sanctions to be placed on foreign banks suspected of supporting Russia.

US officials have repeatedly highlighted Turkey as a potential hub of sanctions evasion, with some Western officials raising concerns about allegations of trade between Turkish firms and sanctioned Russian entities.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated in early February that the Russian authorities were aware of the situation and confirmed that negotiations were underway, blaming “unprecedented, blatant and aggressive US pressure on Turkey and Turkish companies.”

US Officials say Pentagon pondering $4 billion Ukraine weapons supply

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Russia Ukraine War

While the Pentagon previously explained that the funds could not be used until Congress authorized new spending, officials are now searching for an internal “financial cushion” that would allow it to use its last $4 billion for arming Kiev, the outlet reported on Wednesday.

Unnamed defense officials stressed that no final decision had been made, but suggested the military was reviewing its options as Ukrainian forces face major setbacks on the battlefield.

Asked about the possibility of tapping into the $4 billion fund ahead of new appropriations, Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Garron Garn told CNN that the Defense Department “continues to urge Congress to pass a supplemental to support Ukraine in its time of need and to replenish our stocks”.

Though $60 billion in aid for Ukraine was approved by the Senate earlier this month, House Republicans have stalled the legislation for weeks, demanding major reforms to US border policy to stem the flow of illegal immigration. Even after meeting with President Joe Biden and congressional leaders this week, Speaker Mike Johnson has refused to put the bill to a vote, leaving its fate uncertain.

During a press briefing last month, Pentagon press secretary Gen. Patrick Ryder highlighted concerns about drawing on the remaining aid before new spending is approved, saying it was a “question of impacting our own readiness as a nation”.

“So, yes, while we do have that $4.2 billion in authority, we don’t have the funds available to us to replenish those stocks should we expend that. And with no timeline in sight, we have to make those hard decisions,” he added.

While Washington quickly became Kiev’s top backer after Russia launched its military operation in 2022, US assistance all but ground to a halt after Ukraine’s summer counteroffensive failed to make any significant gains. Ukrainian officials have called for additional arms throughout the conflict, with President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly warning last week that his country would “surely lose the war” without continued US support.

Moscow has repeatedly warned that foreign weapons transfers would only prolong the fighting without deterring its military aims, stating that Western-supplied arms would “burn” on the battlefield.

Israel to end year with 12k disabled soldiers: Analyst

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Israeli Army

Speaking to Israeli 103FM radio on Wednesday, military analyst Yossi Yehoshua said the Israeli army had already lost “a considerable number” of soldiers and commanders, in addition to thousands injured.

Yehoshua was commenting on the incident on Tuesday that left two soldiers killed and seven others injured in battles in northern Gaza.

He added that based on the numbers and figures of casualties in the Israeli army, the country “will end the year with 12,000 disabled soldiers.”

Early on Wednesday, the Israeli army announced that two more soldiers were killed and seven others seriously wounded in battles with Palestinian fighters in northern Gaza.

The Israeli army also reported on Tuesday that 13 soldiers were injured in battles across the Gaza Strip in one day.

At least 242 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the start of the Israeli ground operation on Oct. 27, while the death toll of the Israeli army since the launch of the Israeli onslaught against Gaza on Oct. 7 has risen to 582.

According to Israeli unofficial figures, a total of 2,988 Israeli soldiers have been injured since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza on Oct. 7, including 472 soldiers injured since Oct. 27.

Israel launched a deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip following a Hamas attack on Oct. 7. The ensuing Israeli bombardment has killed nearly 30,000 Palestinians and injured over 70,000 with mass destruction and shortages of necessities.

The Israeli war on Gaza has pushed 85% of the territory’s population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

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