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US announces nuclear submarines to be positioned near Russia

By
IFP Media Wire
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Trump cited in a Truth Social post what he called “highly provocative statements” from Medvedev and said the submarines were “just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that.”

In a rhetorical tit for tat this week, Trump told Medvedev in a Truth Social post Thursday to “watch his words,” calling Russia and India “dead economies.”

Medvedev responded with a Telegram post referencing the Soviet doomsday plan called the “dead hand” in which lower-level officials could trigger a nuclear response if its leaders were taken out.

On Truth Social on Friday, Trump expressed hope that the matter would not escalate further, even as he repositioned nuclear assets closer to Russia.

“Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences, I hope this will not be one of those instances,” he wrote.

The president has threatened to institute “severe” tariffs on Russia in recent weeks in a bid to pressure the Kremlin to halt the ongoing war in Ukraine. Earlier this week, he reduced a 50-day timeline for Russia to reach a ceasefire with Ukraine before the U.S. imposed economic sanctions, pushing the deadline to early August.

Medvedev, the deputy chair of Russia’s security council, knocked Trump on social platform X for “playing the ultimatum game.”

“Trump’s playing the ultimatum game with Russia: 50 days or 10…” he wrote.

“He should remember 2 things: 1. Russia isn’t Israel or even Iran. 2. Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country. Don’t go down the Sleepy Joe road!”

Trump stepped up his rhetoric against the former Russian president, telling him to “watch his words” in a post that also lashed out at India, which has yet to reach a trade deal with the U.S.

“I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care. We have done very little business with India, their Tariffs are too high, among the highest in the World,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“Likewise, Russia and the USA do almost no business together. Let’s keep it that way, and tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he’s still President, to watch his words. He’s entering very dangerous territory!” the president added.

Death toll from starvation in Gaza reaches 169

By
IFP Media Wire
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The new deaths, recorded in the past 24 hours, brought the total number of starvation-related fatalities since October 2023 to 169, including 93 children, the ministry said in a statement.

It warned that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate as the Israeli blockade, now in its 18th year, prevents the entry of sufficient food and medical supplies.

“The situation is deteriorating rapidly,” the ministry stressed, renewing calls for the international community and humanitarian organizations to intervene immediately to stop the suffering and deliver urgent aid.

Since March 2, Israeli authorities have completely sealed off all border crossings, intensifying famine-like conditions across the enclave.

Rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, the Israeli army has pursued a brutal offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, killing more than 60,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children. The relentless bombing has destroyed the enclave and led to a high risk of famine.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.

Hamas links truce negotiations to aiding Gaza as Israel abandons ‘partial deals’

By
IFP Media Wire
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In a statement, the Palestinian movement said it was ready to “immediately re-engage in negotiations once aid reaches those in need and the humanitarian crisis and famine in Gaza are brought to an end.”

It added that continuing talks under current conditions would be “meaningless and futile” while Israel maintains what it described as a policy of starvation against Palestinians in the besieged enclave.

Since March, Israel has imposed a near-total blockade on aid and goods entering Gaza. Health officials say the policy has led to a growing number of deaths from malnutrition, with at least 159 people – including 90 children – now reported to have died from starvation-related causes.

Earlier this week, a leading UN-backed global hunger monitoring body warned that the “worst-case scenario of famine” is unfolding in Gaza.

“The starvation war waged by the Zionist occupation in the Gaza Strip has reached an unbearable level and has become the greatest threat to the lives of more than two million Palestinians,” Hamas announced in its statement.

Khalil al-Hayya, the Qatar-based Hamas political bureau member overseeing Gaza affairs, said over the weekend that there was no longer any justification for continuing negotiations with Israel “while the genocide against Gaza continues and civilians are deprived of basic needs”.

Last week, the United States and Israel unexpectedly withdrew from ceasefire talks with Hamas, despite what mediators described as significant progress toward an agreement.

According to the Times of Israel, both an Arab diplomat and a source involved in the mediation said that Hamas negotiators in Doha had made it clear they would not return to the negotiating table unless the starvation crisis in Gaza was resolved.

The outlet also reported rising tensions between Hamas and the main Arab mediators – Qatar and Egypt – especially after they signed on to a joint declaration calling on Hamas to disarm and relinquish control of Gaza.

In his recent recorded speech, Hayya addressed Egypt and Jordan directly, urging both governments and their people to mobilise to lift the siege on Gaza – comments that reportedly sparked irritation in both Cairo and Amman.

In Israel, a senior official speaking at a media briefing stated that “there will be no more partial deals”, signalling a shift in Tel Aviv’s negotiating stance.

Echoing this position, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told a far-right conference that the complete disarmament and exile of Hamas, along with the return of all captives, is the “only acceptable deal”.

These latest remarks suggest that Israel has abandoned the previously discussed phased ceasefire framework and is now working with the United States to pursue a comprehensive agreement.

According to several officials in recent months, Israel is expected to demand the expulsion of senior Hamas military leaders from Gaza, the disarmament of the group and guarantees that neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority will be allowed to govern the territory under any future deal.

Hamas, however, has repeatedly rejected any proposal involving its disarmament.

Last week, Abu Obaida, spokesperson for Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, warned that the group would not return to partial agreements if the latest round of talks – which now appears to have collapsed – failed to produce a deal.

Hamas has consistently pushed for a comprehensive agreement since the war began, proposing the release of all captives in exchange for a complete end to the war.

Since the war began in October 2023, Israeli forces have killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, including at least 18,500 children.

The military offensive has devastated the enclave, with the vast majority of residential buildings, hospitals, schools and mosques either damaged or completely destroyed. Nearly the entire population has been displaced.

Gaza Children dying at ‘an unprecedented rate’: UNICEF

By
IFP Media Wire
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“Today, I want to keep the focus on Gaza, because it’s in Gaza where the suffering is most acute and where children are dying at an unprecedented rate. We are at a crossroads, and the choices made now will determine whether tens of thousands of children live or die,” Ted Chaiban, UNICEF deputy executive director, said at a briefing on his recent travel to the Middle East.

Visiting both Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, including both Gaza and the West Bank, Chaiban stated that this was his fourth visit to Gaza since the war began on Oct. 7, 2023.

“You see the images on the news, and you know what has happened, but it’s still shocking when you’re there; the marks of deep suffering and hunger are visible on the faces of families and children,” he added.

Over 18,000 children have been killed in Gaza since the beginning of the war, he stressed.

“Gaza now faces a grave risk of famine. … One in three people in Gaza are going days without food, and the malnutrition indicator has exceeded the famine threshold, with global acute malnutrition now at over 16.5%. Today, more than 320,000 young children are at risk of acute malnutrition,” he continued.

What is happening on the ground is “inhumane,” he said, adding that what children need from all communities is a sustained ceasefire and a political way forward.

When asked whether he sees any difference after more and more countries are airdropping aid into Gaza, Chaiban stated: “Look, at this stage, every modality needs to be used, every gate, every route, every modality, but airdrops cannot replace the volume and the scale that convoys by road can achieve.”

Chaiban stressed that it is needed to move back towards a volume of around 500 trucks a day through all routes, and that includes both humanitarian and commercial aid.

Slovenia becomes first EU state to impose arms embargo on Israel

By
IFP Media Wire
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Israel Army

“At the initiative of Prime Minister Robert Golob, the Slovenian government confirmed a decision prohibiting the export and transit of military weapons and equipment from or through the Republic of Slovenia to Israel, or the import from Israel to Slovenia,” a government statement read.

Golob announced the decision after a government meeting, saying that his country is the first EU nation to take such a step.

Two weeks ago, Slovenia was also the first EU country to declare two Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, persona non grata, accusing them of making “genocidal statements” against Palestinians.

In June 2024, Slovenia followed Norway, Spain and Ireland in recognising Palestine as an independent state and has been among the most vocal European nations in its criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, with President Natasa Pirc Musar describing the onslaught as a genocide.

In their meeting in mid-July, the EU’s 27 foreign ministers failed to agree on the suspension of the controversial EU-Israel Association Agreement, which covers both trade and political relations. They also failed to agree on nine other possible measures against Israel put forward after it was found to have breached the human rights provisions of the trade agreement.

The measures that would have been agreed last month included full suspension of the agreement, suspension of its preferential trade provisions, an arms embargo, sanctions on Israeli ministers, or imposing a ban on trade with Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine.

Slovenia’s Golob has repeatedly stated that his government would act independently if the EU fails to take concrete measures against Israel by mid-July.

“People in Gaza are dying because humanitarian aid is systematically denied them. They are dying under the rubble, without access to drinking water, food and basic medical care,” Golob stated.

“This is a complete denial of humanitarian access and a deliberate prevention of basic conditions for survival. In such circumstances, it is the duty of every responsible state to take action, even if it means taking a step ahead of others.”

The government added that more measures will be announced in the coming weeks in response to “serious violations of international humanitarian law” by Israel.

Sweden and the Netherlands on Thursday called on the EU to suspend the trade agreement with Israel over the continued Gaza siege and ban on the UN’s humanitarian aid operations.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that the situation in Gaza had become “utterly deplorable” and that Israel was failing to uphold its obligations with regards to the delivery of aid.

“Sweden therefore demands that the EU, as soon as possible, freezes the trade component of the association agreement,” he wrote on X, adding, “Economic pressure on Israel must increase. The Israeli government must allow unrestricted humanitarian aid in Gaza.”

Two days earlier, a similar stance was taken by the Netherlands, as Dutch foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp advocated suspending the trade element of the Association Agreement if aid was not stepped up in Gaza.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has accused the EU of double standards for failing to apply sanctions to Israel.

“It makes absolutely no sense that we’ve passed 18 sanction packages on Russia for its aggression against Ukraine and Europe but, with double standards, haven’t even been able to suspend the Association Agreement with Israel when they are flagrantly violating Article 2 in terms of human rights,” he stressed in June.

Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands have led efforts calling for the EU to review the Association Agreement since February 2024.

Israel’s war on Gaza, now widely recognised as a genocide, has killed over 60,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children.

Since the full siege imposed by Israel on 2 March, over 150 adults and children died of starvation and over 1,000 aid-seekers were killed while trying to reach the US-Israeli run aid distribution sites in southern Gaza.

US imposes sanctions on Palestinian officials over ICJ and ICC cases

By
IFP Media Wire
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White House

According to the State Department, the unnamed officials were “not complying with their commitments and undermining the prospects for peace”.

It cited “initiating and supporting actions at international organizations” and “taking actions to internationalize its conflict with Israel such as through the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ)”.

Washington accused the figures of violating the PLO Commitments Compliance Act of 1989 (PLOCCA) and the Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2002 (MEPCA).

Since the war on Gaza began in October 2023, Israel has found itself diplomatically isolated as a result of atrocities committed against Palestinians in Gaza and its occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

It faces two cases at the ICJ, one over what the court called a “plausible” case for genocide in Gaza, and another for its occupation of Palestinian territories.

The former was filed by South Africa and is backed by several other states, and the latter is a result of a UN General Assembly resolution from 2022, calling for the ICJ to issue an advisory opinion on the legality of the occupation.

The draft motion for that resolution had been filed by the Palestinian mission to the UN.

At the ICC, prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former minister of defence, Yoav Gallant, for crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The US had previously sanctioned ICC prosecutor Karim Khan and had threatened Palestinian officials with sanctions for their role in using international law to bring Israel to account.

Washington’s manoeuvre against the PA comes as momentum builds in the international community for recognition of a Palestinian state.

France has already announced that it will recognise the state of Palestine at the upcoming UN General Assembly, while Canada and the UK have announced they will also recognise the state under conditions that leave the countries diplomatic space to backtrack.

Gazans ‘very hungry’: Trump

By
IFP Media Wire
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WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: U.S. President Donald Trump, accompanied by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaks during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on April 7, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump is meeting with Netanyahu to discuss ongoing efforts to release Israeli hostages from Gaza and newly imposed U.S. tariffs. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

“It’s terrible, what’s occurring there. Yeah, it’s a terrible thing. People are very hungry,” Trump told reporters at the White House.

“It’s a terrible situation.”

His comment came one day before Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee were scheduled to visit Gaza to inspect Israeli-run food distribution sites, according to the White House.

“They will be traveling into Gaza to inspect the current distribution sites and secure a plan to deliver more food and meet with local Gazans to hear firsthand about this dire situation on the ground,” stated White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt.

Leavitt did not specify which “local Gazans” the officials would be meeting with ahead of the visit.

According to the UN, over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed at aid distribution cites run by the Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation since May.

The trip follows what Leavitt described as a “very productive” meeting between Witkoff, Huckabee and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday in Israel.

“The special envoy and the ambassador will brief the president immediately after their visit to approve a final plan for food and aid distribution in the region,” she said.

Israel has imposed a blockade on the Gaza Strip for 18 years and, since March 2, has shut down all crossings, preventing humanitarian aid convoys from entering the enclave despite growing international pressure.

At least 154 Palestinians have died from starvation since October 2023, including 89 children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Over 18,500 children killed by Israel in Gaza since start of war: Health Ministry

By
IFP Media Wire
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The ministry’s records showed that many of the victims were killed in their earliest days of life. Some died just hours after birth, struck by Israeli airstrikes or bombs.

Figures released by the ministry showed that the victims included nine babies killed on the day of their birth, five killed on the first day, five on the second day, and eight on their third day.

The ministry explained that the dead children also included 88 aged one month, 90 aged two months, and 78 aged three months.

The Israeli army has pursued a brutal offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, killing over 60,200 Palestinians. The relentless bombardment has devastated the enclave and led to food shortages.

On Monday, Israeli rights groups B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, citing the systematic destruction of Palestinian society and the deliberate dismantling of the territory’s healthcare system.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.

Iran launches Arbaeen pilgrimage sea route from Khorramshahr to Basra

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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The organization’s managing director Saeid Rasouli said up to four daily round-trip voyages can be arranged based on demand.

The Khorramshahr-Basra passenger line has been reestablished to facilitate pilgrim transit and fulfill social responsibility goals.

With only 17 nautical miles between the two ports, this is the shortest maritime route from Iran to southern Iraq. Rasouli noted that the service strengthens infrastructure for pilgrims and enhances Iran-Iraq bilateral relations.

This is the second consecutive year the route is operational, following extensive coordination with Iraqi counterparts.

A private-sector vessel with a 235-passenger capacity and modern amenities will serve the route.

Authorities plan to continue the service year-round if demand increases.

Iranian journalism professors urge President Pezeshkian to end internet filtering

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Internet restrictions in Iran

The appeal follows the Pezeshkian administration’s decision to withdraw the controversial draft bill titled “Combating the Dissemination of False News Content”.

In their letter, the professors praised the withdrawal of the bill but underlined that broader changes are needed to make Iran compatible with the realities of the modern information age.

“Now that the bill has been withdrawn, we teachers of journalism and communications expect that the barriers of filtering will be lifted, especially in a world undergoing such rapid transformation in communication technologies”, the letter said.

The academics warned that ignoring professional organizations and expert views in the policymaking process, particularly through the imposition of unscientific laws, poses serious threats to social cohesion and freedom of expression.

“Without recognizing the right to express differing views and ensuring citizens’ freedom of speech, the very foundations of social life are endangered”, they said.

The signatories described the removal of internet filtering as a matter of national interest and a step toward safeguarding fundamental rights and democratic discourse in the country.

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