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Israel threatens to further shrink, isolate Gaza, around 51k Gazans slaughtered

By
IFP Media Wire
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Israel Army

“Gaza will become smaller and more isolated, and more and more of its residents will be forced to evacuate from the fighting zones,” Katz said in a post on his X account

He added that during the Jewish Passover holiday, the Israeli military took control of the Morag axis—a 12-kilometer (7.45-mile) corridor stretching east to west across Gaza that separates the cities of Khan Younis and Rafah.

The area between the Philadelphi Corridor and Morag has now been turned into “part of the Israeli security zone,” he stated

Katz said Israel has also expanded the buffer zone in northern Gaza, displacing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians and converting part of the territory into Israeli security zones.

He noted the moves are part of a broader strategy aimed at pressuring the Palestinian group Hamas into accepting a deal to release hostages.

He added that the Israeli military would continue escalating operations for as long as Hamas refuses Israel’s conditions “while continuing to thwart its operatives and destroy its infrastructure.”

In recent days, the Israeli army has issued forced evacuation orders for areas in Beit Lahia, Beit Hanoun and Jabalia in northern Gaza as well as for the entire city of Rafah and parts of Khan Younis.

On Saturday, the Israeli military announced it completed the encirclement of Rafah and established the Morag axis separating it from Khan Younis.

The Israeli army renewed its assault on Gaza on March 18, shattering a Jan. 19 ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement.

More than 50,900 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in a brutal Israeli aggression 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.

Historic runner-up finish for Iranian squash player in Japan

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Competing with a world ranking of 263, Eghtedari advanced to the final of the $6,000 PSA tournament after impressive victories over opponents from Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea.

In the final, she was defeated 3–0 by Malaysia’s Ainaa Amani Kumar but secured the silver medal and her first-ever finals appearance at this level of international competition.

Iranian documentary filmmaker, Arash Kordsali, laid to rest

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Kordsali passed away on April 9 at the age of 47 due to illness.

Widely recognized for his significant contributions to documentary cinema, Kordsali had earned both national and international accolades.

His independent documentaries, including Naft, Divar, Tehran 995, and Naft, Atash, Khak, brought him critical acclaim and awards such as Best Documentary at the Tehran Short Film Festival and Iran’s Cinema Verité Festival.

In separate statements, the Governor of Khuzestan and the province’s Director-General of Culture and Islamic Guidance extended condolences over his passing, acknowledging Kordsali’s lasting legacy in Iranian cinema.

The funeral and burial ceremony was attended by a large number of Khuzestan’s artistic community.

Israel bombs Gaza hospital, forcing patients to flee

By
IFP Media Wire
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Critically ill patients were left on the street after fleeing the attack in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Authorities in Gaza have condemned the bombing, noting that al-Ahli Hospital was treating hundreds of patients when it was hit by at least two missiles.

In October 2023, Palestinian health officials said nearly 500 people had been killed in an Israeli air attack on the al-Ahli Hospital. Israel attributed the explosion at the facility to a misfired rocket launched by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, an allegation denied by the armed group.

Israel has repeatedly attacked hospitals in the Palestinian enclave with impunity throughout its devastating war – according to the Government Media Office in Gaza, Israel has targeted 36 hospitals since October 2023.

Israel has in the past claimed that attacks on civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, are necessary to target armed fighters. It has, however, not provided proof to back its claims.

The Government Media Office in Gaza described the attack as a “flagrant violation of all international charters and the Geneva Conventions prohibiting the targeting of medical facilities”.

It announced in a statement that al-Ahli Hospital was “one of the oldest and most important health institutions” in Gaza, describing the bombing as a “heinous” and “terrible” crime.

Hamas called the attack on the hospital as a “new war crime”, and said the Israeli military had no regard for humanitarian laws and norms. It held the United States, Israel’s main ally, responsible for the “brutal crime”.

The attack came after Gaza’s Ministry of Health said Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,560 people since Israel broke a fragile ceasefire with Hamas on March 18. According to Palestinian Civil Defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal, at least 500 children are among the dead since Israel resumed its offensive.

In its latest update on Sunday, the Health Ministry in Gaza said at least 50,944 Palestinians have now been confirmed and 116,156 wounded since the start of the war.

On Saturday, the Israeli military said it had encircled Rafah, in the south of Gaza, cutting it off from the rest of the territory. It also ordered residents in Khan Younis and Nuseirat to leave immediately, warning of imminent attacks “with great force”.

The forced displacement orders came as Hamas said it had fired three rockets from the Gaza Strip towards the occupied territories. The Israeli military said its air force intercepted all three rockets. No casualties were reported.

Russia and Ukraine to hold direct talks in Ankara: CNN Turk

By
IFP Media Wire
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Russia Ukraine War

Delegations from the two countries will meet to discuss security in the Black Sea, the outlet said in an article on Sunday.

The meetings will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Turkish Naval Forces headquarters in Ankara, according to sources.

During talks between Russian and US experts in Riyadh in late March, it was agreed to move towards reviving the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which according to the Kremlin, should include the removal of Western restrictions against the Russian Agricultural Bank and other financial institutions involved in the international sale of food and fertilizers.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative, originally brokered in July 2022 by the UN and Türkiye, envisioned the safe passage of Ukrainian agricultural products in exchange for the US and EU lifting its restrictions on Russian grain and fertilizer exports. Moscow withdrew from the deal a year later, citing the West’s failure to uphold its obligations.

US President Donald Trump confirmed last month that his administration is considering lifting some curbs on Moscow in order to revive the Black Sea Grain Initiative, saying that “there are about five or six conditions. We are looking at all of them.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ruled out relaxing EU restrictions on Moscow, insisting they should “remain in effect until a just and lasting peace is established in Ukraine.”

Iranian lawmakers condemn desecration of Quran in the Netherlands

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Iranian Parliament

The lawmakers denounced the incident, which involved an extremist individual burning a copy of the Quran on April 2, 2025, outside Amsterdam’s city hall.

Describing the act as deeply offensive and a direct assault on the beliefs of over a billion Muslims worldwide, the statement said such actions not only violate the sanctity of a holy book but also threaten peaceful coexistence and mutual respect among societies.

The Iranian lawmakers emphasized that while everyone has the right to express their views, such expressions must not infringe on the dignity and spiritual values of others.

They warned that under the pretext of free speech, provocation and Islamophobia must not be tolerated.

The statement further called on the Dutch government to prevent such Islamophobic acts and to swiftly identify and prosecute those responsible. It also cautioned the Netherlands government not to fall into alignment with supporters of the “inhuman crimes of the Zionist regime.”

Dozens killed in Russia strikes on Ukrainian city of Sumy, deadliest in 2025

By
IFP Media Wire
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At least 84 people, including several children, have also been wounded in the strikes on the city’s center, according to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, making it the worst single attack on Ukrainian civilians since 2023.

Last week, a Russian missile attack killed 20 people in the central city of Kryvyi Rih.

Zelensky said the deadly strikes were carried out by ballistic missiles and called for a “strong response from the world” in a statement.

“Russia wants exactly this kind of terror and is dragging out this war,” he said, adding, “Without pressure on the aggressor, peace is impossible. Talking has never stopped ballistic missiles and bombs. We need to treat Russia as a terrorist deserves.”

The raids hit the city center on Palm Sunday as residents were attending church services on one of the busiest church-going days of the year, according to Ukraine’s Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.

Two ballistic missiles were fired by Russia into the city center, said Volodymyr Artyukh, head of the military administration in the region.

“At that time, a lot of people were on the street,” he continued, adding, “The enemy was hoping to inflict the greatest damage on people in the city of Sumy.”

Artem Kobzar, acting mayor of Sumy, confirmed the death toll, stating, “Many people were killed today as a result of the missile strike.”

A video posted by Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko shows firefighters responding at the scene, putting out cars on fire and evacuating a woman from her home. Among the destruction seen in the city center are destroyed buildings, blown-out windows and piles of rubble. Bodies covered in emergency blankets can be seen on the ground.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called it “absolute evil” to launch the attacks on a Christian holiday and noted that the missiles hit a residential area of the city.

“We urge partners to provide Ukraine with additional air defense capabilities and increase pressure on Moscow,” Sybiha said in a statement posted to X.

“Strength is the only language they can understand and the only way to put an end to the horrific terror,” he added.

Unverified photos and video from the scene show bodies lying on the street and rescue efforts underway. Footage posted to Telegram shows the moment strikes hit the city, registering a loud noise and a large cloud of black smoke billowing into the air.

Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, called the incident a “horrific example of Russia intensifying attacks while Ukraine has accepted an unconditional ceasefire.”

Russia has increased air attacks and missile strikes on the Sumy region in recent weeks as it has pushed Ukrainian forces out of much of the adjoining Russian territory of Kursk. Its troops have also occupied a few small settlements just inside Sumy region.

Iranian MP praises professionalism of nuclear negotiation team

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Speaking during Sunday’s parliamentary session, Hassan Qashqavi highlighted the national consensus in support of the nuclear talks between Iran and the US in Muscat.

He stated, “The world acknowledges the professionalism of Iran’s negotiation team, and the Nuclear Committee fully supports the process.”

Addressing claims by MP Mehdi Koochakzadeh that the committee opposes the negotiations, Qashqavi clarified, “Members of the Nuclear Committee, including myself, (Mahmoud) Nabavian, and (Ali) Khezrian, are in favor of the talks.”

He dismissed allegations of internal disagreements, reaffirming the parliament’s supervisory role and adherence to the Leader’s directives regarding the talks.

Qashqavi also criticized media campaigns opposing the negotiations, particularly those driven by extremist pro-Israeli factions.

He reiterated the parliament’s alignment with the Leader, emphasizing unity and respect for expert opinions.

Separately, MP Salman Es’haqi lauded Iran’s negotiation team for upholding constitutional principles and coordinating with national authorities.

He assured that the team would not cross any red lines, adding, “Iran’s strength lies in its people, social capital in the Islamic world, and military capabilities, placing the nation in a position of pride.”

The Iranian delegation concluded the first round of talks with the US on Saturday, described by both parties as ‘constructive’. The second round is slated for Saturday.

Iran’s Leader emphasizes strengthening armed forces’ weaponry capabilities

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

In a meeting with commanders and officials of Iran’s armed forces, Ayatollah Khamenei stressed enhancing weaponry capabilities, organizational structure, and the welfare of the armed forces. He added that software readiness—faith in the goal and mission, and certainty in the righteousness of the path—is crucial, despite hostile efforts to undermine it.

He noted that what provokes enemies is not the name of the Islamic Republic, but the determination of a country to be Muslim, independent, and dignified, relying on itself for its honor.

The Leader pointed to the double standards of global powers, who consider their possession of the most destructive weapons permissible but deem defensive progress by others as impermissible.

Ayatollah Khamenei attributed the anger of adversaries and their media uproar to Iran’s ongoing progress, emphasizing that the Islamic Republic enjoys significant momentum and advancement, though some tangible economic challenges remain that must be addressed.

At the start of the meeting, Major General Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, referred to the events of 2024 in Iran and the region, highlighting the global awakening on the Palestinian issue and the historic resistance of the people of Gaza and Lebanon against the Zionist regime’s atrocities as proud peaks in the fight against oppression.

General Bagheri listed strengthening defensive and deterrent capabilities, producing advanced equipment and weaponry, conducting numerous high-quality military exercises, full coordination among the armed forces, contributing to national progress and construction, and synergy between field operations and diplomacy as key programs and actions of the armed forces.

He stated that Iran’s armed forces, backed by the people, are fully prepared and will leave the enemies’ sinister goals unfulfilled.

Iranian currency strengthens amid positive signals from indirect Iran-US nuclear talks

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Dollar

The dollar’s value in Iran’s unofficial market, which had peaked at 106,000 tomans, saw a sharp drop to approximately 85,000 tomans on Sunday following the first round of talks held in Muscat, Oman, on Saturday.

According to IRNA news agency, cryptocurrencies such as Tether also reflected similar downward trends, now trading at around 87,000 tomans.

Brokers in Tehran’s Ferdowsi Street and Istanbul Crossroads continue limited transactions amidst fears of further declines in currency values.

One broker reported that sellers primarily consist of individuals with small investments concerned about additional losses. Buyers, however, are mostly travelers or individuals transferring funds abroad.

Despite market uncertainty, activity persists for currencies including euros and Iraqi dinars.

Another broker noted reduced buyer presence, with most transactions driven by panic among sellers ahead of anticipated negotiations next Saturday.

Speculation remains high, with the prospect of further price drops if talks yield positive outcomes, or potential rebounds should negotiations falter.

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