Friday, April 17, 2026
type here...
Home Blog Page 265

25 states, EU condemn Israel ‘inhumane killing’ of civilians in Gaza

By
IFP Media Wire
-

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of 25 countries and the EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib, said the suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached “new depths.”

“The Israeli government’s aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity,” it added.

“We condemn the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food.”

Labelling the killing of over 800 Palestinians while seeking aid since the start of operations by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in late May as “horrifying,” the statement noted that the Israeli government’s denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is “unacceptable.”

“Israel must comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law,” read the statement, signed by the foreign ministers of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK as well as the EU commissioner.

Also condemning the detention of hostages, they called for their “immediate and unconditional release.” Hamas took around 250 Israeli hostages in its Oct. 7, 2023 attack. Around 20 are still believed to be alive.

“We call on the Israeli government to immediately lift restrictions on the flow of aid and to urgently enable the UN and humanitarian NGOs to do their life saving work safely and effectively.”

Calling on all parties to protect civilians and uphold the obligations of international humanitarian law, the statement said proposals to remove the Palestinian population into a “humanitarian city” are “completely unacceptable.”

“Permanent forced displacement is a violation of international humanitarian law. We strongly oppose any steps towards territorial or demographic change in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.”

The parties also reaffirmed their “complete support” to the efforts of the US, Qatar and Egypt to achieve immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire.

Beijing slams EU for including Chinese firms in anti-Russia sanctions

By
IFP Media Wire
-

On Friday, Brussels blacklisted two Chinese banks and five companies as part of the 18th sanctions package against Russia over the Ukraine conflict, claiming that they helped circumvent earlier sanctions.

“China has consistently opposed unilateral sanctions that lack a basis in international law and are not authorized by the UN Security Council,” a spokesperson for the ministry told journalists on Monday, warning that the EU’s move will severely impact bilateral trade, as well as economic and financial cooperation.

The ministry called for an immediate halt to “the erroneous practice,” adding that China will “take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests” of its sanctioned businesses.

Heihe Rural Commercial Bank and Heilongjiang Suifenhe Rural Commercial Bank were included in the EU sanctions list for allegedly providing cryptocurrency services which, according to Brussels, were “frustrating the purpose of the sanctions” on Russia. This is the first time Chinese lenders have been added to the EU sanctions list since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022.

The latest round of EU sanctions also targets seven UAE-based enterprises accused of engaging in oil trading or ship management services supporting Russian exports. Nayara Energy, an Indian oil refinery in which Russia’s Rosneft holds a 49% stake, was also included.

In addition, the bloc sanctioned eight Belarusian-based companies in the military-industrial sector, claiming that they support Russia through manufacturing or facilitating military technologies. Four Turkish companies were also targeted for allegedly supplying dual-use goods and technologies that could support Russia’s military-industrial complex.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the EU’s latest sanctions as a “double-edged sword,” warning that “each new package adds a negative effect for the countries joining it.” He stressed that Russia has already developed “a certain immunity” to the “illegal” Western sanctions.

Gaza death toll surges past 59,000 as Israel continues war on Palestinians

By
IFP Media Wire
-

A ministry statement said that 134 bodies were brought to hospitals in the last 24 hours, while 1,155 people were injured, taking the number of injuries to 142,135 in the Israeli onslaught.

“Many victims are still trapped under the rubble and on the roads as rescuers are unable to reach them,” it added.

The ministry also noted that 99 Palestinians were killed and over 650 injured while trying to get humanitarian aid in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of Palestinians killed while seeking aid to 1,021, with over 6,511 others wounded since May 27.

The Israeli army resumed its attacks on the Gaza Strip on March 18 and has since killed 8,196 people and injured 30,094 others, shattering a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that took hold in January.

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’s Lake Urmia on brink of total desiccation

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Lake Urmia

The warning was issued by Director General of Environmental Protection in West Azarbaijan Province Hojjat Jabbari.

Speaking on Monday, Jabbari confirmed that satellite images and local reports show the northern half of the lake is nearly dry, with only a thin layer of water, just four to five centimeters deep, is covering an area of about 100 square kilometers.

“This thin layer of water will disappear within a week”, Jabbari said.

He added that from an ecological perspective, the area can already be considered dry. The lake’s southern basin, which currently holds about 600 to 700 square kilometers of water at a depth of 15 to 20 centimeters, is also expected to dry completely by the end of summer.

According to the official, autumn rainfall will not significantly improve the situation, as most seasonal precipitation occurs during winter and spring.

“The lake has essentially become seasonal since around 2011…without a substantial change in water management, it will only retain water in wet seasons and dry up in summer”, Jabbari said.

Experts warn that complete drying of Lake Urmia will have severe environmental, health, and socio-economic consequences for West and East Azarbaijan Provinces.

Iran prioritizes strengthening defense capabilities and post-war recovery

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Iran Air Defense System

Pourmohammadi noted that relevant meetings are underway to expedite these efforts and ensure that the armed forces can operate effectively.

Responding to questions about the government’s plans following the 12-day war, Pourmohammadi said strengthening national defense is the foremost priority for the entire system, with coordinated efforts between the government, parliament, and the judiciary.

He also referred to the efforts during the war to support the armed forces and first responders during the recent war, noting that in the early days, the Red Crescent and emergency services received necessary resources.

Given that several provinces were affected by the conflict, funds were allocated to help local authorities provide better services to citizens.

Pourmohammadi added that with coordination from the Armed Forces General Staff, the Plan and Budget Organization has efficiently managed logistical support for the military.

Iran to host three-way talks with Russia and China amid efforts to prevent snapback sanctions

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

Esmaeil Baqaei said Iran is in continuous consultations with these two countries to prevent the activation of the snapback mechanism, aimed at reimposing inti-Iran sanctions, or at least mitigate its consequences.

Responding to a question about how much Iran can rely on Russia and China if the snapback threat materializes, Baqaei noted that both countries are parties to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal known as JCPOA and are also permanent members of the UN Security Council, which gives them influential roles in any process of the top world body.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman added that Iran shares aligned positions with Moscow and Beijing and enjoys strong relations with both nations.

Baqaei further said that from legal, ethical, and political perspectives, there is no valid basis to reinstate the sanctions lifted under the JCPOA.

Iran leader’s advisor: National unity requires tangible change and public satisfaction

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Ali-Akbar Velayati

Echoing Ayatollah Khamenei’s repeated calls for cohesion, Velayati suggested that true unity may require adjustments in the government’s social approach, with a stronger focus on the people’s satisfaction in ways they can tangibly feel.

“The people have proven themselves,” he said, “and now it is the officials’ turn”.

Velayati also noted that outdated governance methods are no longer effective for the purpose of addressing the needs of the post-war society.

More Mossad-linked agents captured in Iran

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Iran Police

The public and revolutionary prosecutor of North Khorasan, Javad Ilali, said on Monday that the judicial system in the province is firmly determined to take decisive action against the criminals engaged in espionage activities.

He added that 15 individuals are being prosecuted in the province on charges of spreading lies and propaganda against Iran during the recent 12 days of Israeli-US aggression.

Late last month, three men convicted of collaborating with Mossad and smuggling bombs and demolition charges into Iran to assassinate distinguished Iranian figures were executed.

Iran has arrested hundreds of operatives affiliated with Mossad across the country in recent weeks.

Security forces have also dismantled many underground drone facilities operated by Mossad agents.

The arrested suspects are accused of planning to use attack drones, building bombs, spying on military sites, and transmitting sensitive information to the Israeli regime.

Israel seeking to fund tour for MAGA and pro-Trump influencers: Report

By
IFP Media Wire
-

The daily on Sunday reported that the planned tour will feature 16 influencers, all under the age of 30, who support US President Donald Trump’s MAGA (Make America Great Again) and America First campaigns.

The influencers each have hundreds of thousands to millions of followers. They will be flown in to counter what the Israeli government sees as declining support for Israel among young Americans, the report said, without citing any date.

“With the rise of the America First movement and MAGA in American politics, it’s essential for Israel that the movement adopt a pro-Israel position,” Yacov Livne, senior deputy director of the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s Department of Public Diplomacy, was quoted as saying in the report.

The Israeli foreign ministry aims to bring 550 influencer delegations to Israel by the end of the year through such tours, it added.

“[While] older Republicans and American conservatives still hold pro-Israel views, positive perspectives towards Israel are falling across all younger age groups,” it noted, according to the report.

The influencers will be pushed to share messaging that aligns with Israeli policy regarding the Palestinians. “We are working with influencers, sometimes with delegations of influencers,” an unnamed source from the ministry told Haaretz.

“Their networks have huge followings and their messages are more effective than if they came directly from the ministry.”

The tour will be carried out through an organisation called Israel365, which is in a “unique position to convey a pro-Israel stance that aligns entirely with the MAGA and America First agenda”, Haaretz quoted the foreign ministry as saying.

Israel365 promotes support for Israel, specifically among Christians, based on biblical principles. Its website says the group “stands unapologetically for the Jewish people’s God-given right to the entire Land of Israel”.

The organisation also rejects a two‑state solution as a “delusion” and describes its mission as defending “Western civilization against threats from both Progressive Left extremism and global jihad”.

The ministry said it has struck a 290,000-shekel ($86,000) deal to carry out the tour, Haaretz reported.

Since the war on Gaza began in October 2023, Israel365 “deepened ties with MAGA and America First movements, appearing at their major events and helping recruit prominent conservative figures to visit Israel”, the report added.

Starvation kills 86 Gazans, including 76 children, since start of war: Health Ministry

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Gaza

“Famine has killed 86 people in Gaza, including 76 children, as a result of starvation and malnutrition,” the ministry said in a statement.

It described the crisis as a “silent massacre” unfolding in the blockaded territory and held both Israel and the international community responsible for the worsening humanitarian conditions in the enclave.

The ministry noted that 18 people had starved to death in Gaza in the last 24 hours, calling for the immediate reopening of Gaza’s border crossings to allow the entry of food and medicine.

Israel has sealed all crossings with Gaza since March 2, effectively cutting off access to humanitarian aid and accelerating the spread of famine.

Israel has killed nearly 59,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, in Gaza since October 2023. The relentless bombing has destroyed the enclave, almost collapsed the health system, and created famine-like conditions.

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.

1...264265266...5,149Page 265 of 5,149

© All Content by IFP News ( Iran Front Page ) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

About Us

Popular Articles

Editor Picks