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Lebanon calls on cease-fire monitoring committee to stop Israeli violations

By
IFP Media Wire
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Lebanon War

Speaking during a meeting of the cease-fire monitoring committee, Mikati stressed the need to “stop the Israeli violations and to immediately withdraw Israeli forces from the border areas in southern Lebanon”.

The Lebanese government said in a statement that Mikati reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to the agreement, calling the Israeli violations of the cease-fire deal “unacceptable”.

He urged the monitoring committee to “pressure Israel to implement the terms of the cease-fire agreement, particularly withdrawing from occupied areas and halting its violations”.

The committee also includes representatives of the US, France, Israel, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Under the terms of the Nov. 27 cease-fire, Israel is required to withdraw its forces south of the Blue Line – a de facto border – in phases, while the Lebanese army is to deploy in southern Lebanon within 60 days.

More than 4,000 people were killed and over 16,500 injured in Israeli attacks in Lebanon, in addition to over 1 million displaced since October 2023, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Iran lifts Ban on WhatsApp, Google Play in a landmark decision

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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This marks the first step in the government’s promise to ease internet restrictions, a decision hailed as a major policy shift.

Minister of Communications Setareh Hashemi on Tuesday expressed optimism on social media, emphasizing that this step reflects unity and commitment to improving internet access.

Similarly, Elyas Hazrati, head of the Government Information Council, celebrated the decision as the fulfillment of a key presidential promise.

Nima Ghazi, head of the Tehran E-Commerce Association, noted that lifting these restrictions signals a new perspective in governance, moving away from the longstanding policy of censorship.

Ali Sharifi Zarchi, a professor at Sharif University of Technology, wrlcomed the decision and highlighted the economic burden of VPN usage, which has fueled a lucrative market for sellers at the expense of ordinary citizens.

However, critics cautioned about the potential challenges. Issa Zarepour a former communications minister urged accountability, stressing that those responsible for such decisions must ensure effective regulation and mitigate “risks associated with increased digital access”.

Many say this decision, while seen as a hopeful sign, underscores the complexities of balancing open internet access with regulatory oversight in Iran.

One child gets killed every hour in Gaza: UN

By
IFP Media Wire
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Gaza War

In a post on X, UNRWA, which has been banned from operating within Israel and occupied East Jerusalem by the Israeli parliament, wrote: “One child gets killed every hour. These are not numbers. These are lives cut short. Killing children cannot be justified. Those who survive are scarred physically and emotionally.”

“Deprived of learning, boys & girls in Gaza sift through the rubble. The clock is ticking for these children. They are losing their lives, their futures & mostly their hope.”

Israel has continued a genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since a Hamas attack on Oct. 7 last year despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

More than 45,300 people, mostly women and children, have been killed and over 107,700 injured, according to local health authorities.

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

Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.

Several killed in blast at explosives factory in Turkey

By
IFP Media Wire
-

The explosion at a facility in the Karesi district of Balikesir province occurred around 8:25am local time on Tuesday, CNN Turk reported.

One of the buildings of the factory complex partially collapsed as result of the blast, Ustaoglu told the broadcaster. The other buildings remained unaffected, he added.

“I would like to stress that there was no sabotage. We assume that there was a technical malfunction, but, of course, it will all become clear after a detailed investigation,” the governor said.

Turkey’s Center for Combating Disinformation issued a statement urging the public to only use official sources for information about the blast, and not to “give credence to unfounded allegations”.

The head of a nearby settlement told CNN Turk that the explosion was so powerful that tremors were felt in the village.

Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced that an investigation was launched, which will be carried out by four public prosecutors under the coordination of a deputy chief prosecutor.

The affected facility specializes in producing munitions for light weapons for domestic and international markets. It has been operating since 2014, according to Turkish media.

Zelensky claims over 3k North Korean soldiers killed, wounded in Russia

By
IFP Media Wire
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North Korean Soldiers

Russia has reportedly deployed about 12,000 North Korean troops to help oust Ukrainian troops fighting in Kursk Oblast since early August.

Zelensky warned of the global risks posed by deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, including the transfer of modern warfare experience and advanced military technology.

“There are risks of North Korea sending additional soldiers and military equipment to the Russian army, and we will have tangible responses to this,” Zelensky stated.

He added that increased collaboration between Russia and North Korea threatens to destabilize the Korean Peninsula and nearby regions.

Zelensky’s estimation, that he said comes from Ukraine’s intelligence, is a significant increase from other recent reports about the North Korean casualties.

South Korean MP Lee Sung-kwon told reporters on Dec. 19 that at least 100 North Korean troops have been killed and 1,000 injured, with casualties linked to their lack of experience with terrain and modern drone warfare.

Reports of North Korean troops fighting in Kursk Oblast emerged earlier in November, but Russia reportedly started using them in ground assaults in December. Pentagon spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder confirmed on Dec. 16 that North Korean soldiers had sustained their first casualties during combat in the region.

Ukrainian officials note that while North Korean forces are particularly vulnerable to drones, their presence has enabled Russian troops to make limited territorial gains in the oblast, retaking some of the land held by Ukrainian troops.

The deployment of North Korean forces follows Ukraine’s surprise cross-border incursion into Kursk Oblast in August, marking an escalation of the war into Russian territory.

Iran Judiciary: No complains lodged against ex-FM Zarif over dual citizenship

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Javad Zarif

“As of now, no complaints have been submitted to the judiciary concerning Mr. Zarif or any other individual in relation to dual citizenship or relatives with foreign citizenship,” the spokesperson stated on Tuesday.

He added, “If such complaints are filed, and upon investigation, if they are deemed criminal under the law and carry prescribed punishments, the Judiciary will certainly take the necessary actions to address them.”

This comes as some members of the Iranian Parliament have requested the annulment of Mohammad Javad Zarif’s appointment as Masoud Pezeshkian’s vice president for strategic affairs on the grounds of his family holding dual citizenship.

Zarif says his children automatically received US citizenship after being born in New York while he served a large part of his career with the Iranian delegation at the United Nations in New York.

Although his children now reside in Iran, the Law on the Appointment of Individuals to Sensitive Positions, enacted in October 2022, bans Zarif from holding his position as vice president for strategic affairs, his opponents claim.

Iran to unveil first AI-equipped oil well

By
Golrokh Askarieh
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Azadegan oil field

Hossein Afshin said the center marks a significant step from business intelligence to artificial intelligence (AI) in the oil industry.

He also revealed that the country’s first AI-equipped oil well will be unveiled next year in Sepehr and Jofair oil fields, southern Iran.

Afshin also mentioned that the first smart refinery in Qeshm, in the Persian Gulf, is currently being prepared.

Highlighting the importance of AI in the oil industry, he stressed the need for a foundation in business intelligence before transitioning to AI.

The WRFM Center, managed by the Pasargad Energy Development Company, utilizes advanced sensors, data management systems, AI, and real-time data analysis to oversee and optimize operations related to wells, reservoirs, and surface facilities.

The project, completed with domestic capabilities, positions Iran at the forefront of technological advancements in the region.

The smart refinery in Qeshm will be another milestone for the country, showcasing Iran’s ability to implement high-tech solutions independently, the vice president said.

Syrian rights group compiles list of over 16k Assad gov’t affiliates accused of crimes against civilians

By
IFP Media Wire
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“The ousted Assad regime committed serious violations that affected millions of Syrians,” the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) announced in a statement.

The rights group highlighted its efforts to establish a comprehensive database of atrocities committed under the rule of Assad, who was overthrown by armed groups on Dec. 8.

The network divided the perpetrators into two categories: 6,724 individuals from the military and security apparatus and 9,476 members of allied militias.

The group emphasized the importance of focusing legal and judicial efforts on the senior leadership of the military and security services over their responsibility for planning and overseeing crimes against civilians.

The SNHR stressed the need to ensure all victims have the right to file lawsuits against those responsible for their suffering and underscored the broader scope of accountability to include non-military supporters of the regime.

“Among the implicated are actors, writers, and politicians who supported the regime’s crimes through various means, including incitement to violence. Their actions should be evaluated under transitional justice frameworks,” it added.

Israel violates cease-fire in Lebanon, killing 2 people

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Lebanon War

Lebanon’s official National News Agency reported that “two martyrs and one wounded” were the result of an airstrike that targeted a group of people near the Tayibe Official School in the area.

This raid brings the total casualties from Israeli violations of the cease-fire in southern Lebanon to 32 killed and 38 wounded, according to data from the Health Ministry and the official news agency.

The Israeli military continues to violate the cease-fire agreement daily, with widespread destruction of homes and villages in southern Lebanon under the pretext of targeting Hezbollah positions.

On Monday, Israeli army spokesperson Ella Wawia stated that as part of the October ground incursion into southern Lebanon, the military conducted extensive operations around 20 villages in southern Lebanon, without naming them.

As of yet, Hezbollah has not commented on the Israeli military’s statement.

Under the terms of the Nov. 27 cease-fire, Israel is required to withdraw its soldiers south of the Blue Line – a de facto border – in phases, while the Lebanese army is to deploy in southern Lebanon within 60 days.

More than 4,000 people have been killed and over 16,500 injured in Israeli attacks in Lebanon, in addition to over 1 million displaced since October 2023, according to Lebanese health authorities.

UN General Assembly seeking ICJ advisory opinion on Israel’s obligations in occupied Palestinian territory

By
IFP Media Wire
-
ICJ

The decision comes amid heightened tensions in the region and increased international focus on the humanitarian and developmental needs of Palestinians.

Israel’s decision to ban the operations of the UN Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA, in the country, along with challenges faced by other UN agencies in delivering aid to Gaza over the past year, prompted the move.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ), also known as the World Court, is the UN’s highest judicial body.

While its advisory opinions carry significant legal and political weight, they are not legally binding and lack enforcement mechanisms.

Under international humanitarian law, occupying powers are obligated to consent to relief efforts for those in need, facilitate such programs “by all means at their disposal”, and ensure adequate food, medical care, hygiene, and public health standards.

Although the new Israeli law does not explicitly ban UNRWA operations in the West Bank and Gaza, it is expected to severely hinder the agency’s ability to function effectively.

Senior UN officials and the Security Council have described UNRWA as the cornerstone of humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza.

Israel has continued a genocidal war on Gaza that has killed more than 45,300 people, most of them women and children, since an attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023.

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

Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.

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