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Tasnim exclusive images: Dozens of Palestinian prisoners freed from Israel’s Ofer prison as exchange begins

By
IFP Media Wire
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Exclusive footage and photos published by Tasnim showed heightened Israeli security measures around the prison compound as buses carrying released prisoners departed toward Ramallah.

Families of the detainees gathered outside the Ramallah Cultural Center, awaiting the return of their relatives amid uncertainty about the full list of names included in the exchange.

Tasnim correspondent Lama Abu Hilu reported that despite the start of the release process, many families remained unaware of whether their relatives were among those freed, following repeated delays and procedural obstacles by Israeli authorities.

In total, 251 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,719 others are expected to be freed and transferred to Gaza as part of the ongoing prisoner exchange deal.

Kurdish leader says reached first deal on merging forces with Syria’s army

By
IFP Media Wire
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Abdi, who heads the powerful Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), had met Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus last week, along with US envoy Tom Barrack and US commander Brad Cooper.

While the Kurdish forces — who control large swathes of Syria’s oil-rich northeast — had signed an agreement with the new Syrian authorities in March to merge their civil and military institutions, the deal’s terms were not implemented.

“What is new in our recent talks in Damascus is the shared determination and strong will to accelerate the implementation of the terms” of the agreement, Abdi told AFP in an interview at a military base in the northeastern city of Hasakeh on Sunday.

“The most important point is having reached a preliminary agreement regarding the mechanism for integrating the SDF and the (Kurdish) Internal Security Forces within the framework of defence and interior ministries,” he added.

The Washington-backed SDF and Kurdish security forces consist of around 100,000 male and female members, according to them.

The SDF played a vital role in the fight against the Islamic State group in Syria, which ultimately led to the jihadist organisation’s territorial defeat in the country in 2019.

Abdi said that military and security delegations from his forces are currently in Damascus to discuss the mechanism for their integration.

After the fall of longtime leader Bashar al-Assad in December, Sharaa announced the dissolution of all armed groups, to be absorbed by state institutions.

Abdi explained that “the SDF will be restructured through its integration into the defence ministry”, as part of several formations.

However, some disagreements remain.

“We demand a decentralised system in Syria… we have not agreed on it,” he added, as they are “still discussing finding a common formula acceptable to all”.

He stressed that they “agree on the territorial integrity of Syria, the unity of national symbols, the independence of political decision-making in the country, and the fight against terrorism”.

“We all agree that Syria should not return to the era of war, and that there should be stability and security. I believe these factors are sufficient for us to reach a permanent agreement.”

During the last meeting with Sharaa, Abdi said he had called for “modifying or adding some clauses to the existing constitutional declaration” announced in March, particularly those related to “guaranteeing the rights of the Kurdish people in the constitution”.

“There was a positive response to this matter, and we hope this will happen soon,” he added.

Abdi also expressed his gratitude to the United States and France for facilitating negotiations with Damascus.

Asked about Damascus’s main backer Turkey, which has always been hostile to the SDF, Abdi stated “any success of the negotiations will certainly depend on Turkey’s role”, expressing hope that it will play a “supportive and contributing role in the ongoing negotiation process”.

 

Hamas releases all living Israeli hostages in Gaza Strip

By
IFP Media Wire
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The hostages were handed over to Red Cross teams in two groups in the Gaza Strip.

In exchange for the released Israeli hostages, 1,968 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 sentenced to life, will be released under the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

US President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of a 20-point plan he laid out on Sept. 29 to bring a ceasefire to Gaza, release all Israeli captives being held there in exchange for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the entire Gaza Strip.

Phase one of the Gaza ceasefire agreement took effect at midday Friday. Israeli forces completed a gradual withdrawal to the so-called yellow line, triggering a 72-hour window for the exchange process.

A second phase of the plan calls for the establishment of a new governing mechanism in Gaza without Hamas’ participation, the formation of a security force comprising Palestinians and troops from Arab and Islamic countries, and the disarmament of Hamas.

Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed over 67,000 Palestinians in the enclave, most of them women and children, and rendered it uninhabitable.

 

Iran reaffirms commitment to NPT and safeguards, criticizes Europe’s “hostile” approach

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Esmail Baghaei

Speaking on Monday, Baqaei said that Iran has sought to maintain constructive engagement with the IAEA under the framework of the Cairo understanding. However, he added, “the opposite parties, particularly the three European countries, have failed to take advantage of the goodwill approach.”

Baghai, emphasized that for the Islamic Republic of Iran, October 18 marks the end of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 concerning the Iran nuclear deal and the lifting of restrictions outlined in the resolution.

He stated, “We believe that Resolution 2231 should conclude on schedule. The Security Council has not made any decision on this, and what has been announced is the result of actions by three European countries— the UK, France, and Germany.”

Referring to the strikes by the US and Israel in June against Iran, he pointed out that Iran had already warned that any hostile measures, including attempts to revive previously annulled UNSC resolutions, would render implementation of the Cairo understanding impossible.

Baqaei noted that while diplomatic exchanges continue, “there is currently no plan for new meetings or contacts in the coming days.”

Addressing a reported message from Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu conveyed via Russian President Vladimir Putin claiming Israel does not want to pursue the path of hostilities with Iran, Baqaei said Iran “listens to friendly countries but remains fully alert,” stressing that Iran will preserve its defensive posture given Israel’s record of “deception.”

He criticized the latest joint anti-Iran statement by the UK, France and Germany as “repetitive and insincere,” urging Europe to demonstrate independence and restore its diplomatic credibility.

Ukraine to get Tomahawks if ‘war not settled’: US

By
IFP Media Wire
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Trump stressed that Ukraine “would like to have Tomahawks,” but he would discuss that with Putin.

“I might say, look, if this war is not going to get settled, I’m going to send them tomahawks,” he said.

Putin has repeatedly emphasized that Moscow was ready to end the conflict, but the “root causes” of it need to be addressed first, including the rights of the Russian population living in Ukraine, neo-Nazi divisions, NATO expansion.

Moscow has repeatedly accused the authorities in Kiev of being unwilling to end hostilities.

Trump has recently claimed he actually made the decision on whether Ukraine will get long-range Tomahawk missiles, but will have to “ask the question where are they sending them.”

Tomahawks cost an estimated $1.3 million each and have a range of 2,500km (1,550 miles), meaning that they could potentially reach Moscow and far beyond.

Commenting on the prospects of the missiles being supplied to Ukraine, Putin stressed that “our response would be the strengthening of the Russian Federation’s air defenses.” He also argued that Ukrainian forces would be unable to operate such a sophisticated system without the “direct participation of American military personnel.”

Reuters, citing anonymous sources, reported that the US was unlikely to supply Tomahawks to Ukraine, as the current inventories were committed to the US Navy and other uses.

The Financial Times also reported that some people inside Trump’s inner circle were skeptical as to the Tomahawks’ ability to change battlefield dynamics.

Isreal’s war on Gaza ‘over’: Trump

By
IFP Media Wire
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He has just boarded Air Force One, taking off for Israel ahead of the hostage releases.

Trump is expected to address Israel’s parliament as well as meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the families of the hostages. Later, leaders from more than 20 countries will join the US president in Egypt for a summit on Gaza’s future. Israel and Hamas representatives will not be attending the ceremony.

”The war is over. Okay? You understand that?” Trump stated when asked if he was confident that the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group was finished.

Trump will be accompanied on his visit to the region by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, along with a host of other high-ranking administration officials.

“Everybody’s very excited about this moment in time. This is a very special event…Everybody’s cheering at one time. That’s never happened before,” he told reporters.

According to the deal unveiled by President Trump in late September, all 48 Israeli hostages, dead and alive, will be recovered from the enclave. Israel is in turn required to free 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans detained since 2023.

 

Ukraine warns Russia exploiting lack of ‘attention’ on war

By
IFP Media Wire
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Volodymyr Zelensky

Diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s three-and-a-half year invasion of Ukraine have stalled in recent months.

Moscow has meanwhile renewed its campaign of air strikes against Ukraine’s energy grid, cutting power to hundreds of thousands of people ahead of winter.

In separate calls with US President Donald Trump and France’s Emmanuel Macron on Sunday, Zelensky requested more missiles and help strengthening his country’s “long-range capabilities”.

“Russia is now taking advantage of the moment — the fact that the Middle East and domestic issues in every country are getting maximum attention,” Zelensky said in a readout of his call with Macron.

Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin for talks in August but failed to extract any kind of peace deal.

In his call with Trump on Sunday, his second in two days, Zelensky stated that the two countries would work to strengthen Ukraine’s “defence capabilities”.

“We agreed with President Trump that our teams, our military would handle everything we discussed,” Zelensky added, without elaborating.

The White House did not immediately comment on the call.

Zelensky has in recent weeks lobbied Washington to supply Kyiv with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, a request that the White House says it is considering.

Russia says that supplying the missiles to Ukraine would risk rupturing its ties with the United States and cause a new round of escalation.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov renewed that warning on Sunday, warning Moscow could treat any launches of the missile as though they were carrying nuclear warheads.

“Just imagine, a long-range missile takes off and flies, and we know it could be nuclear-armed. What is the Russian Federation to think?” Peskov told a reporter from state television.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, describing it as a “special military operation” to demilitarise the country and prevent the expansion of NATO.

Kyiv and its European allies say the war is an illegal land grab that has resulted in tens of thousands of civilian and military casualties and widespread destruction.

Millions of Ukrainians have been forced to leave their homes since 2022, while Russia now occupies around a fifth of Ukrainian territory — much of it ravaged by fighting.

 

US ‘wants to help China, not hurt it’: Trump

By
IFP Media Wire
-

Trump’s statements on Friday as well as his threat to cancel a meeting with Xi later this month sent Wall Street stocks tumbling into negative territory as traders worried the trade war between Washington and Beijing could reignite.

“The U.S.A. wants to help China, not hurt it!!!” Trump said in Sunday’s post on Truth Social, adding that “respected President Xi (Jinping)… doesn’t want Depression for his country.”

Trump on Friday stated that he would impose the extra levies from November 1 in response to what he called “extraordinarily aggressive” new Chinese export curbs on the rare-earths industry.

Beijing, in turn, accused Washington of acting unfairly, with its Ministry of Commerce on Sunday calling Trump’s tariff threat a “typical example of ‘double standards.'”

The ministry said Washington had ratcheted up economic measures against Beijing since September.

“Threatening high tariffs at every turn is not the right approach to engaging with China,” it added.

Chinese goods currently face US tariffs of 30 percent under levies that Trump imposed while accusing Beijing of aiding in the fentanyl trade as well as unfair trade practices.

China’s retaliatory tariffs are currently at 10 percent.

Rare earths have been a major sticking point in recent trade negotiations between the two superpowers.

They are critical to manufacturing everything from smartphones and electric vehicles to military hardware and renewable energy technology but produced and processed almost exclusively by China.

Tehran rejects invitation to Gaza summit, says it cannot sit with those who attacked Iran

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Masoud Pezeshkian Abbas Araghchi

Araghchi, in a post on X, expressed gratitude for Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s invitation but made clear that neither President Masoud Pezeshkian nor himself would meet with hostile counterparts.

Araghchi was referring to US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities during Israel’s 12-day war of aggression, as well as sanctions targeting the country’s economy and energy sector.

He reiterated Iran’s firm support for any Palestinian decision that ends Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

“Iran welcomes any initiative that ends Israel’s genocide in Gaza and ensures the expulsion of occupation forces,” he said.

“Palestinians are fully entitled to secure their fundamental right of self-determination, and all states remain obliged, more than ever, to assist them in their lawful and legitimate cause.”

The minister added that Iran remains “a vital force for peace in the region,” in contrast to the Israeli regime’s pursuit of “forever wars.”

“Iran has always been, and will always remain, a vital force for peace in the region. Contrary to the genocidal Israeli regime, Iran is not after forever wars, particularly on the dime of its purported allies, but seeks forever peace, prosperity, and cooperation.”

The forthcoming Sharm al-Sheikh summit, co-chaired by el-Sisi and US President Donald Trump, was designed to formalize a ceasefire and lay out reconstruction and governance steps after the two-year war in Gaza.

More than 20 countries were expected to take part in the talks, held in the wake of a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

The summit comes after two years of US-Israeli genocide in Gaza that killed around 70,000 people, injured many more, and left much of the territory in ruins.

 

Ex-Sepahan coach: France order, Israeli war forced my Iran exit

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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“The French government asked all its citizens to leave Iran and did not permit their return,” Carteron said.

“I had no choice but to terminate my three-year contract. It was not a personal decision or a dispute with the club.”

Carteron praised Sepahan’s professionalism and the quality of the squad, noting the team’s strong campaig.

“I was satisfied with my life and work in Isfahan,” Carteron said. “We had a clear three-year plan and were preparing to build the team further. The war changed everything.”

While lauding players and the club atmosphere, Carteron criticized the state of domestic infrastructure.

“The players are very good and the league is strong, but the quality of pitches and training grounds is poor. You cannot play high-level football on such fields,” he said.

Two days after leaving Sepahan, Carteron joined Qatari side Umm Salal. He denied that the move reflected preexisting negotiations: “Umm Salal contacted me shortly after my resignation. It was a straightforward decision given the circumstances.”

Asked about a possible return to Iranian football, Carteron replied positively: “Yes. If an offer comes, I would gladly come back. Iran has one of the strongest football cultures in Asia—passionate fans and high-quality football.”

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