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Hamas claims most of Israeli captives in Gaza ‘missing’ after bombardment

By
IFP Media Wire
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Israel Hostages

The armed wing of the Palestinian group, Al-Qassam Brigades, made the announcement on Friday, as the Israeli regime continues its intensified bombardment of the besieged Palestinian territory.

“Most of the enemy captives have gone missing due to the incessant Zionist aggression,” a source from the Brigades told Al Jazeera Arabic.

The source stressed that al-Qassam “once again holds the Israeli regime and its military army fully responsible for the lives and fate of the captives” being held across the blockaded Palestinian region.

Al-Qassam Brigades in recent months has released a series of video messages, saying Netanyahu does not care about the fate of the Israeli captives and is deliberately killing them.

In video messages released by Hamas, Israeli captives in Gaza slam Netanyahu’s failure to secure their release through a deal with the movement. The videos also contain pictures of a number of Israeli captives, who were killed in Israeli military attacks on Gaza.

Hamas has time and again warned Israel that the lives of captives are in danger unless the regime reverses its course.

Hamas held captive around 250 people during its unprecedented operation against the occupied territories on October 7, 2023. The resistance released 105 of the captives during a week-long truce in November 2023.

Six captives were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the southern Gaza Strip in September.

Hamas announced at the time that Netanyahu “is directly responsible for the killing of dozens of captives due to bringing the ceasefire efforts to a failure.”

Al-Qassam Brigades in a recent message said that Netanyahu and the Israeli military’s chief of staff Herzi Halevi “are seeking to get rid of their captives in Gaza by all means.”

The developments come as the Israeli regime continues its intensified bombardment of the northern part of the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli prime minister has long been obstructing mediation for a truce and a deal to release the captives still held by Palestinian groups in Gaza.

The families of the captives have held numerous rallies to call for a deal as public and diplomatic pressure has been mounting on the Netanyahu regime.

Hamas has repeatedly said that there is no alternative other than “a ceasefire, the withdrawal of the occupation forces, and the implementation of a prisoner exchange agreement” in exchange for the release of the Israeli captives.

IRGC unveils new missile city

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Iran Drone Missile

The unveiling ceremony, held on Friday in the presence of Major General Hossein Salami, Commander-in-Chief of the IRGC, and Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force, showcased Iran’s latest missile base.

According to General Hajizadeh, the newly unveiled missile base is poised to become operational swiftly, posing a significant threat to enemies.

He cited part of the operations True Promise 1 and 2 against Israel were carried out using this underground missile base, where missiles bypassed numerous Israeli defense systems to destroy the Nevatim Airbase, a primary F-35 fighter jet station, which still remains non-operational.

The base houses strategic liquid-fuel missiles such as Emad, Qadr, and Qiam, with only a small section showcased, as the IRGC officials stated, adding approximately 90% of the base remains off-camera, with more missile systems being added across the country daily.

Speaking on an inspection visit to the southwestern city of Abadan, Major General Salami highlighted the ‘uninterrupted growth’ of Iran’s missile capabilities, with ongoing enhancements in quantity, quality, skills, and design.

The senior commander indicated that the IRGC Aerospace Force will continue unveiling new missiles and bases in the near future.

Embassy: Iranian president to sign strategic cooperation treaty during Russia visit

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Masoud Pezeshkian

President Pezeshkian will meet with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and other high-ranking Russian officials to discuss and finalize the agreement, the embassy announced on Friday.

The treaty aims to enhance bilateral relations between Iran and Russia across various fields, including economy, trade, energy, environment, defense and security.

The agreement is seen as an update to the cooperation agreement signed by the two countries in the late 1990s, reflecting the expansion of ties over the past three decades.

Iran’s ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko in preparation for the visit to discuss the formalities and details of the schedule.

The visit is expected to elevate bilateral relations to a new level and facilitate the advancement of mutual collaborations.

Both sides emphasized the importance of the comprehensive strategic cooperation treaty, which will enhance the interactions between Iran and Russia and promote the development of joint projects.

Israel launches air attacks against Yemen’s power station, ports

By
IFP Media Wire
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Israeli Fighter Jet

The Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV broadcaster reported on Friday that air raids hit the western ports of Ras Isa and Hodeidah, the Hezyaz Central Power Station near Sanaa, and the Harf Sufyan district of Amran province.

An employee at the Ras Isa port was killed and six others were injured, the outlet said.

A worker at the Hezyay power plant was among three people wounded and a number of homes were damaged in 13 strikes targeting the plant, Al Masirah reported.

The Israeli army issued a statement acknowledging its strikes, claiming that the power plant served “as a central source of energy for the Houthi terrorist regime in its military activities”.

“The State of Israel has the right and obligation to defend itself,” the statement added, alluding to Houthi drone and missile attacks launched towards Israel and attacks on ships in the Red Sea deemed to be affiliated with the nation.

In recent days, the Houthis fired three drones at Israel’s commercial hub Tel Aviv and more drones and missiles at the American aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman in the Red Sea, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said.

Yemeni political commentator Hussain al-Bukhaiti told Al Jazeera that it was “clear” the Israeli military “does not have a clue where the Yemen military installations are”.

He added the Houthis would continue their attacks against Israel, referring to rumours that they might use “new types of hypersonic ballistic missiles” to hit “legitimate targets” like “their power station and airport”.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Houthis were being punished for their repeated attacks on his country.

“As we promised, the Houthis are paying, and they will continue to pay, a heavy price for their aggression against us,” he stated, pledging not to tolerate attacks against Israel.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that Tel Aviv would “hunt down” Houthi leaders.

“The Hodeidah port is paralysed, and the Ras Isa port is on fire – there will be no immunity for anyone,” he said in a video statement.

Italy FM calls for talks on relaxing Syria’s sanctions

By
IFP Media Wire
-

Tajani met Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus on Friday, saying that sanctions imposed after al-Assad’s crackdown on anti-government protests that triggered the country’s 13-year war “absolutely must not hit the Syrian population”.

“They were imposed because there was a different regime. It’s important to open discussions on the changed situation,” he added, refering to last month’s opposition takeover of the country, led by al-Sharaa’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham armed group, which brought al-Assad’s rule to an abrupt end.

Tajani said Italy wanted to help Syria recover from civil war and rebuild its broken economy, serving as a bridge between Damascus and the EU.

“The Mediterranean can no longer just be a sea of death, a cemetery of migrants but a sea of commerce a sea of development,” he added.

Tajani arrived in Damascus after hosting talks in Rome with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, and officials from the United Kingdom, France and Germany on Thursday.

He stated that the meeting of the so-called Quintet on Syria was key to beginning the discussion about a change to the EU sanctions.

Kallas said earlier on Friday that the 27-nation bloc could begin lifting sanctions if Syria’s new rulers took steps to form an inclusive government that protects minorities.

“The EU could gradually ease sanctions provided there is tangible progress,” Kallas wrote on X.

In Damascus, Tajani also met Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, who announced that he would soon make his first official tour of Europe.

Al-Shaibani has already visited Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Jordan since the start of the month.

Al-Shaibani stated he welcomed Tajani’s focus on sanctions.

“We share his opinion that the reasons for imposing them no longer exist, and could be an obstacle to encouraging the return of refugees from outside Syria”, he added.

More than half a million people were killed in Syria’s war, which also ravaged the economy and forced millions of people to flee their homes, including to Europe.

Former minister suggests Iranian gov’t express sympathy for Los Angeles fire victims

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

In a message on his Telegram channel, Azari Jahromi wrote, “It is appropriate for the Iranian government to express condolences to the victims of the devastating Los Angeles fires, especially to our dear Iranian compatriots residing in those areas, just as the US government expressed its sympathy with the people of Iran during the tragic Bam earthquake” in 2003.

He emphasized that humanity transcends conflicts, stating, “Humanity is higher than differences…”

The Los Angeles wildfires began on January 9 and have caused unprecedented devastation.

The fires, which were fueled by dry conditions and powerful winds, have burned over 37,000 acres, destroyed around 10,000 buildings and claimed at least 11 lives so far.

IRGC intelligence forces dismantle spy network in Iran’s Khuzestan

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
IRGC Ground Force

The network, linked to the intelligence services of a Persian Gulf country, was apprehended on Friday, through the relentless efforts of the intelligence forces, the statement said.

The IRGC’s Intelligence Organization announced that the foreign intelligence-linked individuals involved in the network were actively gathering information from sensitive centers within the province.

The detainees have been handed over to judicial authorities for further investigation.

Gaza deaths undercounted by 41 percent: Study

By
IFP Media Wire
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Gaza War

The peer-reviewed statistical analysis published in The Lancet journal was conducted by academics at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Yale University and other institutions.

Using a statistical method called capture-recapture analysis, the researchers sought to assess the death toll from Israel’s air and ground campaign in Gaza between October 2023 and the end of June 2024.

Up to June 30 last year, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Hamas-run Gaza reported a death toll of 37,877 in the war.

However, the new peer-reviewed study used data from the ministry, an online survey and social media obituaries to estimate that there were between 55,298 and 78,525 deaths from traumatic injuries in Gaza by that time.

The study’s best death toll estimate was 64,260, which would mean the Health Ministry had underreported the number of deaths to that point by 41 percent.

The study estimated that 59.1 percent of those killed were women, children and people over the age of 65. It did not provide an estimate of Palestinian fighters among the dead.

That toll represented 2.9 percent of Gaza’s pre-war population, “or approximately one in 35 inhabitants”, the study said.

The toll was only for deaths from traumatic injuries, so did not include deaths from a lack of healthcare or food, or the thousands of missing believed to be buried under rubble.

Israel’s war in Gaza has killed at least 46,006 Palestinians and wounded 109,378 since October 7, 2023, the territory’s Health Ministry announced.

The war began on October 7 2023, after Hamas-led attacks across the border with Israel killed at least 1,200 people and led to 250 people being taken captive.

In the first months of the war, the official Health Ministry death count was based entirely on bodies that arrived in hospitals.

It later came to include other methods, including distributing an online survey to Palestinian people inside and outside the Gaza Strip, who were asked to provide data on their ID numbers, names, age at death, sex, location of death, and reporting source.

The Lancet study noted that the Palestinian Health Ministry’s capacity for maintaining electronic death records had previously proven reliable, but has currently deteriorated under Israel’s military campaign, which has included raids on hospitals and other healthcare facilities and disruptions to digital communications.

Nearly 90% of Israelis support captive exchange deal: Poll

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Israel Protest

The survey, published by the daily Maariv, stated that 52% of respondents said they support a comprehensive exchange agreement while 36% favor a partial agreement. Only 6% opposed any deal, and 6% expressed no opinion.

The poll also indicated that if elections were held today, Netanyahu would struggle to form a government.

His political bloc is projected to secure only 49 seats in the Knesset, compared to 61 seats for the opposition. Arab parties would secure an additional 10 seats.

This marks a shift from a similar poll conducted last week, which showed Netanyahu’s bloc with 50 seats and the opposition with 60 seats.

The Knesset consists of 120 seats requiring at least 61 for a majority government.

According to the poll, Netanyahu’s Likud party would secure 22 seats. The opposition National Unity Party led by Benny Gantz would win 19 seats, while Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu party is projected to gain 15 seats. Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid would secure 14 seats.

Among the religious and far-right parties, Shas is expected to win 10 seats and Jewish Power, led by Itamar Ben Gvir, six seats.

Maariv noted that the Likud party lost two seats compared to last week, primarily due to stagnation in the Gaza war, high casualties among Israeli soldiers, the retrieval of the bodies of two hostages, and the lack of progress in hostage exchange negotiations.

Despite calls for early elections, Netanyahu has rejected the idea, citing the ongoing war as his government’s priority.

The Israeli army has continued a genocidal war on Gaza that has killed over 46,000 people, mostly women and children, since Oct. 7, 2023, despite a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for 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.

US Congress backs sanctions on ICC over arrest warrants for Israeli officials

By
IFP Media Wire
-
The International Criminal Court (ICC)

The Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act would impose sanctions on ICC officials and entities supporting the court’s investigations, arrests, and detentions of Americans and citizens of allied countries. The legislation was passed 243 to 140.

In a statement ahead of the vote, Representative Brian Mast, who leads the House Foreign Affairs Committee, called The Hague-based judiciary a “kangaroo court”.

The bill will now move to the Senate, where Republicans have the majority. The Democrats blocked a similar bill when they controlled the Senate in June.

In November, the ICC issued warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant, as well as three senior Hamas members, on charges of committing war crimes in Gaza.

The ICC lacks any means of enforcing its legal decisions without the active participation of states bound by the Rome Treaty. Israel, like the US, Russia, and China, does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction.

Israel has since killed Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, and claimed to have killed the group’s military chief, Mohammed Deif. All three were sought by the ICC. Hamas did not confirm Deif’s death.

More than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the fighting erupted in October 2023, according to the local Hamas-run authorities. Human rights groups and the UN have repeatedly called for a ceasefire, but the sides so far only agreed to a weeklong truce in November 2023.

The conflict was triggered on October 7, 2023 when Hamas carried out a surprise attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. Around 100 of them are still being held in Gaza.

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