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Hamas releases video of injured Israeli captive in Gaza

By
IFP Media Wire
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Israel Hostages

In the footage, the visibly injured captive, wearing a bandage over his head, states that he is among the 59 captives still being held in Gaza. He mentions that he was wounded in an Israeli airstrike but “escaped death,” saying, “I am in a very difficult situation.”

Herkin describes the circumstances surrounding his captivity as a direct result of the “military pressure” exerted by the Israeli regime on Hamas to release the captives.

He added he does not have access to medication, which is extremely difficult to obtain in Gaza due to a total Israeli blockade on all humanitarian aid into the Palestinian territory. He stated that going to the hospital is also “out of the question.”

Additionally, he expresses concern for another Israeli captive who was with him during the attack, saying that he does not know what happened to him.

Herkin suggests that if Prime Minister Netanyahu’s son or the children of his ministers were held in Gaza, the war would have ended a long time ago.

In a rare acknowledgment, Netanyahu said Thursday that defeating Hamas was more important than securing the release of the remaining captives in Gaza.

Netanyahu has faced frequent protests from the families of the captives and others who call on him to implement a ceasefire with Hamas and secure their release.

The prime minister stated on Thursday that bringing the captives back was important, but added, “In war, there is a supreme objective. And that supreme objective is victory over our enemies.”

Netanyahu’s remarks mark the first time the prime minister has explicitly described returning the captives as a secondary goal of the war in Gaza.

Israeli authorities have said in recent weeks that they believe only about two dozen of the 59 remaining captives are still alive in Gaza.

Hamas has warned that relentless Israeli bombings have put the lives of the captives at risk.

Iran’s decorated wrestler Yazdani to miss 2025 World Championships

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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According to Haft-e Sobh, Yazdani is currently undergoing rehabilitation under medical supervision in France.

Though his doctors are satisfied with his progress, they have advised against an early return to competition. The decision has drawn international attention.

Yazdani, who underwent surgery after winning silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics, said, “Recovery is going well, but I’m not in a rush. My priority is to be fully fit for 2026.”

The three-time world champion and Olympic medalist also revealed that he will no longer compete in the 86kg weight class. Depending on his physical condition after resuming technical training, he may return in the 92kg or 97kg categories.

Yazdani is currently focusing on physical conditioning and may return to mat training by October.

United World Wrestling highlighted his absence as one of the key storylines ahead of the 2025 championships.

With 10 world and Olympic medals, Yazdani remains a legendary figure in global freestyle wrestling.

Russia responds to Ukraine’s Victory Day threats

By
IFP Media Wire
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Kremlin

On Saturday, Ukrainian leader reiterated his refusal to accept Moscow’s proposal for a three-day ceasefire starting May 8 and continuing through the World War II Victory Day celebrations, dismissing it as a “theatrical production.” Zelensky also appeared to threaten the world leaders expected to take part in the May 9 events in Moscow, stating that Kiev cannot guarantee their safety.

Zelensky’s remarks “once again prove the neo-Nazi nature of the Kiev regime, which has turned into a terrorist cell,” Zakharova said in a statement.

“Today [Zelensky] hit a new low: now he is threatening the physical safety of veterans who will come to parades and ceremonial events on that sacred day,” she added.

“After every terrorist attack on Russian territory, the Kiev regime, its security services, and Zelensky personally boast that it was their doing and that it will continue to be like this. Therefore, the phrase that he ‘does not guarantee security on May 9 on Russian territory,’ since this is not his area of responsibility, is, of course, a direct threat,” Zakharova stressed.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov offered a similar take on Zelensky’s remarks, stating the proposed ceasefire is a “test” for Kiev, and the apparent refusal to join it “clearly shows that neo-Nazism is the ideological basis of the contemporary Kiev regime.”

The 72-hour ceasefire was announced unilaterally by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday. The president ordered the suspension of all military action against Ukraine’s forces from midnight on May 7 to midnight on May 10 and urged Kiev to join the truce. Zelensky and other top Ukrainian officials, however, dismissed the proposal as a “manipulation attempt,” demanding an immediate 30-day ceasefire instead.

The Victory Day truce follows a similar unilaterally announced pause during Easter weekend in April that ended up being only partially successful. While a certain lull in the hostilities was observed, Kiev violated the truce more than 3,900 times, according to estimates by the Russian Defense Ministry.

Senior analyst: Deep gaps could derail Iran-US talks

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Araghchi Witkoff

Speaking to Didar News, he emphasized that conflicting narratives from Tehran, Washington, and Oman as the mediator of the indirect talks, highlight a complex diplomatic landscape.

According to Abolfat’h, US officials claimed there had never been a confirmed schedule for talks on Saturday, while Iran and Oman cited unspecified logistical issues.

“Regardless of the reason, it was predictable that talks would face serious obstacles,” he said.

He warned that if hardline US positions – such as demands to end all uranium enrichment in Iran, dismantle its ballistic missile program, and cut support for groups like Yemen’s Houthis (Anasrullah) – are formally raised in negotiations, the entire process could collapse.

“If the negotiations follow the recent rhetoric of figures like (US Secretary of State Marco) Rubio or (special envoy to the Middle East, Steve) Witkoff, reaching an agreement seems impossible,” he stated.

Abolfat’h stressed that no official date has been set for the next round, and both sides are waiting for the other to make the next move.

He also noted that Iran’s stance remains firm on its right to enrichment and insists on clarity regarding the lifting of US sanctions.

57 Palestinians in Gaza dead from starvation amid Israeli blockade

By
IFP Media Wire
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Gaza War

“The number of victims of the starvation policy has risen to 57 martyrs and the toll is likely to increase amid the continued closure of crossings and the ban on the entry of food, infant formula, nutritional supplements, and dozens of essential medications,” warned the office in a statement.

Earlier Saturday, a medical source told Anadolu that a child had died from malnutrition and dehydration at Al-Rantisi Children’s Hospital in Gaza City.

The media office condemned Israel’s use of food as a weapon of war, accusing it of imposing a suffocating siege on more than 2.4 million Palestinians in Gaza by closing all border crossings for the 63rd consecutive day.

The majority of those who have died from starvation are children, elderly individuals, and patients with chronic illnesses, according to the office.

It also denounced “the international silence in the face of Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza,” urging the global community, humanitarian organizations, and rights groups to “take immediate action to open all border crossings and ensure the urgent entry of food and medicine before it is too late.”

Palestinian and UN officials have repeatedly warned of a deepening humanitarian crisis as Israel has kept Gaza’s crossings closed since early March.

Nearly 52,500 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in the brutal Israeli onslaught since October 2023, most of them women and children.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November 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.

Official: Iran advances key AI document implementation

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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AI

Abdolhossein Khosropanah said substantial progress has been made in executing the national AI framework, which aims to boost the country’s AI development, despite the absence of a National AI Organization.

Khosropanah emphasized that once the document is formally approved by the council, the president will issue an executive order for its implementation.

He expressed hope that with the full implementation of the plan, Iran will accelerate its efforts to develop AI technologies in the coming decade.

Additionally, Khosropanah revealed that the Quantum Technology document was approved by the designated council and is currently under review by the Supreme Council.

If no objections arise in the next two weeks, it will be sent for final approval before being communicated to the president, he noted.

Khosropanah also underscored the importance of government investment and private sector involvement in advancing AI and urged universities to adopt modern, smart methodologies rather than relying on traditional approaches.

UN calls for independent probe into Gaza aid ship attack

By
IFP Media Wire
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“We have seen the worrying reports on the incident. We are unable to independently confirm them. However, it is crucial that there be independent, impartial, and effective investigation by competent authorities into the incident leading to apparent fire on board the vessel and a distress call in international waters, with a view to ensuring accountability,” human rights spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan told Anadolu in a statement.

The vessel Conscience, organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, caught fire after reportedly being bombed by drones early Friday while carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. The Maltese government confirmed the fire was contained with the help of a nearby tugboat and that all 12 crew members and four civilians aboard were safe, although they refused to abandon the ship.

The vessel remains in international waters under monitoring.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition blamed Israel for the attack, calling for Israeli ambassadors to be summoned over what it described as violations of international law, including the blockade and the bombing of the civilian ship.

Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for Palestine, also condemned the attack and urged EU leaders to denounce it and demand an urgent investigation.

The Palestinian group Hamas similarly accused Israel and appealed to the UN Security Council to act against Israeli “violations.”

Al-Kheetan also pointed to the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, saying restrictions on movement and the flow of goods have severely affected the population for more than 17 years.

“It amounts to the collective punishment of Gaza residents,” he said.

He added that conditions have worsened recently, with Israel blocking all goods from entering Gaza since March 2, which has only intensified the already dire situation. “Collective punishment is prohibited by international humanitarian law and amounts to a war crime,” he stressed.

“As the occupying power, Israel has the obligation — under international humanitarian law — to ensure food and medical supplies for the population to the fullest extent of the means available to it, or to agree to and facilitate by all means at its disposal humanitarian relief schemes by other States or impartial humanitarian organizations,” the spokesperson added.

“We call on Israel to urgently lift the blockade on Gaza and allow the entry of life-saving material,” he concluded.

Nearly 52,500 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in a brutal Israeli onslaught since October 2023, most of them women and children.

Israeli military calls up tens of thousands of reservists to expand Gaza war

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Israel Army

“The tens of thousands of reservists being called up would begin to show up in the military in the coming week,” it said.

The move comes amid an already deteriorating humanitarian situation in the enclave.

Israel has blocked all aid, medicine, food and commercial goods from entering Gaza since March 2.

Nearly 52,500 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in the brutal Israeli onslaught since October 2023, most of them women and children.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November 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.

Trump could skip NATO upcoming summit over tensions with Europe: Spiegel

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Trump NATO

US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker has repeatedly demanded that European member states shell out 5% of their GDP on defense, as opposed to the military bloc’s previous target of 2%, according to the outlet, citing “confidential reports” from German officials in Brussels. Whitaker reportedly warned that failure to meet the new benchmark could result in Trump declining to attend NATO’s summit in The Hague scheduled for late June.

Der Spiegel noted that during a phone call with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius last month, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth “conveyed the administration’s intent for European allies to assume primary responsibility for Europe’s conventional defenses,” and urged his counterpart to “actualize defense spending increases,” as reported in a readout published by the Pentagon.

In an interview with The Free Press last week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the current arrangement within the military bloc as the US and a “bunch of junior partners that aren’t doing their fair share.”

Hegseth has echoed the sentiment, proclaiming that the “time of the United States… being the sole guarantor of European security has passed. It’s long overdue Europe has to step up, fund its military, and lead.” He similarly stated that NATO’s current 2% defense spending target is insufficient.

Last month, Trump said he would not rule out withdrawing some or all of the 84,000 US troops currently stationed in Europe since Washington foots the bill for the continent’s security, while not getting “reimbursed by much.”

As of 2024, 23 of the 32 NATO member countries had reached the 2% benchmark set in 2014, according to the bloc’s own estimates cited by the BBC. The US currently spends around 3.5% of its GDP on defense and is NATO’s biggest overall contributor.

Dust storm in southern Iran sends over 800 to hospitals due to respiratory, cardiac issues

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Dust Storms

“Of those affected, 92 have been hospitalized while the rest received outpatient treatment and were discharged”, Dr. Moazzi said.

He urged residents, especially vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with underlying respiratory conditions, to remain indoors during periods of poor air quality.

The Khuzestan Meteorological Organization had issued a red-level warning ahead of the storm, noting that the dust originated from neighboring Iraq and was expected to impact the region from Thursday through Friday.

Dust storms are a recurring issue in Khuzestan. The storms, often originating from Iraq or Syria, pose significant public health risks, particularly in densely populated urban areas like Ahvaz.

Airborne particulate matters during such events frequently exceed global safety standards and lead to spikes in hospitalizations, school closures, and reduced outdoor activity.

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