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Fmr. Spksmn.: Israeli regime ‘the loser in action’

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Israeli strike on Iranian consulate in Syria

“The Israeli regime has lost its mental-psychological balance,” said Hamidrezaa Asefi in an interview with ISNA, referring to Israel’s Monday raid on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.

“The situation is tougher than ever for this regime,” he added.

He noted the Tel Aviv regime is facing a crisis both at home and abroad.

The former spokesman underlined the necessity of responding to the crimes committed by the regime while cautioning against hasty action.

“Giving a firm response does not necessarily mean giving an impulsive response and failing to give it careful consideration,” he explained.

“The response to be given should be well-thought-out,” he said.

The ex-spokesperson made the comments following an Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy in the Syrian capital, Damascus, which killed several top Iranian military commanders.

Tehran has roundly condemned the attack, vowing a firm response.
Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khemeni has said that Iran will make the Tel Aviv regime regret its attack.

The deadly strike has drawn international condemnation, namely from the United Nations.

Protesters clash with Israeli police near Netanyahu’s residence

By
IFP Media Wire
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Israel Protest

Protesters clashed with Israeli police outside Netanyahu’s home in Jerusalem on Tuesday night as they called for him to step down, according to media reports.

Israel’s public broadcaster Kan aired a video showing dozens of protesters removing police barriers and clashing with officers near Netanyahu’s house.

The police reported in a statement that they removed protesters who attempted to approach the residence, adding that some rioters hurled flares at police officers.

Thousands also demonstrated outside the Knesset, or Israeli parliament, for a third straight day, demanding early elections and a prisoner exchange deal with the Palestinian group Hamas.

Hamas, which is believed to be holding nearly 130 Israeli hostages, demands an end to Israel’s offensive on the Gaza Strip in return for a hostage deal with Tel Aviv.

A previous deal in November last year saw the release of 81 Israelis and 24 foreigners in exchange for 240 Palestinians, including 71 women and 169 children.

Israel has waged a deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7 cross-border attack by Hamas which killed some 1,200 people.

More than 32,900 Palestinians have since been killed and 75,500 others injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.

Israel has also imposed a crippling blockade on the Gaza Strip, leaving its population, particularly residents of northern Gaza, on the verge of starvation.

The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza’s population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which on Thursday asked it to do more to prevent famine in Gaza.

Israelis accused Netanyahu of trying to use the war to prolong his hold on power, claiming he was prioritizing his political survival over the broader interests of the Israeli people. They also held the prime minister responsible for his government’s failure to prevent the October 7 attack. Netanyahu has also been accused of not doing enough to bring home hostages held by Hamas in the besieged enclave.

Slain Iranian military commander remembered at holy shrine in Damascus

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

Mourners carried the body of Major General Mohammadreza Zahedi through a holy shrine in Damascus, honoring the late commander.

Seven Iranian military advisors were killed in an Israel’s missile attack on the Iranian consulate in the Syria capital, Damascus, on Monday evening.

Iran has called the raid a clear violation of the international laws including those pertaining to the immunity of diplomatic premises and persons.

Tehran says it reserves the right to retaliate.

US responsible for all Israeli crimes: Iran UN envoy

By
IFP Media Wire
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Biden Netanyahu

Addressing a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on “threat to international peace and security”, held in New York on Tuesday, Ershadi called on the Security Council to vehemently condemn the Israeli regime’s unjustified criminal act and terrorist attack that resulted in the martyrdom of seven Iranian military advisers in Syria’s Damascus.

The full text of the speech by Iran’s ambassador is as follows:

Madam President,

At the outset, allow me to congratulate you for assuming the presidency of the Security Council for this month.

We thank Russia for requesting this urgent meeting which focuses on the heinous and terrorist attacks committed by the Israeli regime against the diplomatic premises in flagrant violation of international law.

We also thank China and other members who supported convening the meeting.

We thank Mr. Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for his briefing.

Madam President,

Yesterday, we urgently notified the Security Council members of yet another flagrant violation of international law committed by the Israeli regime within Syria territory.

As reflected in our letter, on 1st April 2024 our diplomatic premises in Damascus came under terrorist attacks carried out by the Israeli regime.

Seven missile airstrikes from the occupied Golan Heights, specifically and intentionally targeted the diplomatic premises of Iran including the consular section building and the ambassador’s residence.

Tragically, these heinous attacks resulted in the martyrdom of seven Iranian personnel, including senior military advisors, and some others were injured.

Alongside the complete destruction of the consular building, the embassy’s administrative parts also suffered significant damage due to the explosions.

The final and accurate death toll remains uncertain as the entire diplomatic premise has been destroyed, with individuals trapped under the rubble.

Madam President,

The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns these horrific crimes and cowardly terrorist attacks.

The Israeli regime committed a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic.

The crime committed yesterday by the Israeli regime goes beyond mere criminality; it represents a profound affront to the shared principle of the international community, namely, the inviolability of representatives and diplomatic and consular premises.

This principle is a cornerstone upon which international relations are built, universally recognized, and upheld.

This crime bluntly breaches the fundamental principle of diplomatic and consular immunity and flagrantly violated the 1961 Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Internationally Protected Persons, including Diplomatic Agents of 1973.

Madam President,

The Security Council has consistently united in unequivocal condemnation of violent assaults on embassies and consular premises of Member States.

The Security Council has always reaffirmed that such reprehensible acts, regardless of motive or perpetrator, are unjustifiable.

Given the grave repercussions of this reprehensible act, which could escalate tensions in the region and potentially spark further conflict involving other nations, we call on the Security Council to vehemently condemn this unjustified criminal act and terrorist attack.

Madam President,

It’s now crystal clear that Israeli ongoing destabilized and irresponsible actions and atrocities against the nations in our region are a real threat to regional and international peace and security.

This regime has consistently demonstrated disregard for international law, the UN Charter, and humanitarian and human rights principles.

Israeli agenda is obvious: to escalate and perpetuate the conflict while evading accountability.

It did not redline to kill civilians and even used starvation as a method of warfare.

Its primary concern is the unlawful use of force to advance its apartheid policies, ethnic cleansing, genocidal acts, and military objectives in Gaza at all costs.

Despite repeated calls from Council members, Israel continues in its atrocious and genocidal acts against the defenseless people of Gaza.

And, despite international pressure and UNSC resolutions calling for a ceasefire, Israel has defied these resolutions. Rather, its focus remains on committing more atrocious crimes, showing no regard for international legal obligations.

Just today, this regime outraged and killed the World Central aid workers in Gaza, As the Under Secretary General, highlighted, “They were the heroes, killed while trying to feed starving people”.

Regrettably, the absence of accountability and the Council’s inaction has only encouraged and even emboldened this regime to continue its violations unchecked.

It is high time for the Security Council to shoulder its responsibility and address the real threat to international peace and security.

The Security Council must promptly fulfill its duty in response to Israel’s reckless defiance.

Urgent and enforceable measures must be taken to compel this regime to uphold its obligations.

Madam President,

The Islamic Republic of Iran has exercised considerable restraint, but it is imperative to acknowledge that there are limits to such forbearance.

The occupying regime must bear full responsibility for its consequences.

Iran reserves its legitimate and inherent right under international law and the United Nations Charter to take a decisive response to such reprehensible acts.

Madam. President,

The representative of the US and UK once again tried to deny its responsibility for the current situation in the Syria and broad region by falsely blaming Iran.

Iran strongly rejects these allegations. Iran is never seeking to contribute to the spillover of the conflict in the region nor does it to escalate or spread the tension to the entire region.

Despite expressing concern over the spillover of the tension in the region, the US tries to misuse the situation to destabilize Syria and the region.

The United States is responsible for all crimes committed by the Israeli regime.

The savage and genocide acts in Gaza could not be happened without explicit consent, and comprehensive political, financial, and military support, as well as partnership, from the United States.

Ironically, the United States talks too much about protecting civilians in Gaza and also expresses its concerns about the violation of humanitarian law, at the same time, it has blocked the Security Council for over six months from taking urgent and appropriate action to stop the war in Gaza.

If the US genuinely cares about civilians and upholds humanitarian international law, it should refrain from blaming Iran and instead compel the Israeli regime to implement the UNSC Resolution calling for a ceasefire.

About the UK allegations, instead of deflecting blame onto others, the UK should face up to its mistakes and rectify its detrimental policies that have adversely affected the people of the region.

The longstanding suffering of the Palestinian people, persisting for over seven decades, can be traced back directly to the colonial policies of the UK.

I thank you, Madam President.

Worshippers hold vigils, pray on Laylat-al-Qadr across Iran

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims stay up all night, say prayers and read Quranic verses on three nights known as Laylat-al-Qadr, when the Holy Quarn was revealed to the Prophet Mohammad.

Based on Islamic precepts, Muslims’ destiny for the year ahead is determined on Laylat-al-Qadr.

The exact date of the revelation is not clear, but according to Islamic sources, it is believed to be either on 19th, 21st or 23rd of the holy month of Ramadan.

Netanyahu confirms Israel has killed World Central Kitchen workers in Gaza

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Gaza War

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the deadly attack on the aid workers as unintended and “tragic” and pledged an independent inquiry.

“Unfortunately, in the past day, there was a tragic event in which our forces unintentionally harmed non-combatants in the Gaza Strip,” Netanyahu said in a video statement on Tuesday.

“This happens in war. We are conducting a thorough inquiry and are in contact with the governments. We will do everything to prevent a recurrence,” he added.

Citizens from Australia, the United Kingdom and Poland, as well as Palestinians and a dual citizen of the United States and Canada were killed.

WCK, which was founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres, announced they had been travelling in two armoured cars and another vehicle.

The convoy was hit after leaving a Deir el-Balah warehouse after unloading more than 100 tonnes of humanitarian food aid brought to Gaza by sea.

The Israeli military said it was conducting a thorough review at the highest levels to understand the circumstances of the incident, and pledged an investigation by “an independent, professional and expert body”.

Several humanitarian aid organisations, including WCK, suspended operations in Gaza on Tuesday.

The groups stressed they need to determine whether their workers can safely provide aid in the territory.

“We are horrified and heartbroken by the tragic killing of seven innocent humanitarians in Gaza,” stated Chris Skopec, executive vice president of global health at Project HOPE, which operates health clinics in Rafah and Deir al-Balah and provides medical supplies and other aid to area hospitals.

Erin Gore, chief executive of WCK, said the attack was “unforgivable”.

“This is not only an attack against WCK, this is an attack on humanitarian organisations showing up in the most dire of situations where food is being used as a weapon of war,” Gore continued, adding, “This is unforgivable.”

Last week, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued new provisional measures as part of the genocide case brought by South Africa ordering Israel to take all necessary and effective action to ensure basic food supplies can reach the civilian population in Gaza to halt spreading famine.

In response, Israeli officials accused the United Nations and other international bodies of “failure” over the problems in getting aid to hungry people, saying they lack the logistical capacity to perform their jobs.

The attack on the aid convoy drew widespread outrage and criticism from some of Israel’s main allies.

The UK summoned Israel’s ambassador in London to express its “unequivocal condemnation of the appalling killing” of the WCK workers.

“Israel must urgently explain how this happened and make major changes to ensure safety of aid workers on the ground,” British Foreign Secretary David Cameron wrote on X.

The US said it was “outraged” by the Israeli airstrike and that President Joe Biden called WCK’s founder to share his condolences.

“We were outraged to learn of an IDF [Israeli army] strike that killed a number of civilian humanitarian workers yesterday from the World Central Kitchen,” White House spokesperson John Kirby told reporters during a briefing in Washington.

Asked whether the US would condemn the Israeli airstrike, Kirby said of his use of the word “outraged”.

“I think you can fairly characterise that as condemning the strike itself.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated he had urged Israel to carry out a swift, thorough and impartial investigation into the attack.

“We’ve spoken directly to the Israeli government about this particular incident. We’ve urged a swift, a thorough and impartial investigation,” he told a news conference in Paris alongside French Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Sejourne.

“These people are heroes, they run into the fire, not away from it. We shouldn’t have a situation where people who are simply trying to help their fellow human beings are themselves at grave risk,” Blinken added.

Sejourn expressed France’s “firm condemnation” of the Israeli air raid and said “nothing can justify such a tragedy”.

Asked whether incidents like the killing of WCK staff gave the US pause in light of its recent approval of a new weapons package worth $2.5bn, Blinken argued Washington had “a longstanding commitment to Israel’s security and to help it ensure its ability to defend itself”.

US denies involvement in Israeli raid on Iranian consulate in Syria

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Israeli strike on Iranian consulate in Syria

White House national security spokesman John Kirby labelled Iranian accusations of US involvement in Monday’s bombing as “nonsense” and cautioned that Washington would react to any retaliatory strikes.

“Let me make it clear. We had nothing to do with the strike in Damascus,” he told a briefing, adding, “We weren’t involved in any way.”

“We always take our force protection very seriously, to protect our troops, our facilities in Iraq and Syria,” Kirby said.

“We will do whatever we need to do to protect those troops.”

Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said Israel provided no advance warning of the strike on the Iranian mission in the Syrian capital.

“We were not notified by the Israelis about their strike or the intended target of their strike in Damascus,” Singh a briefing, adding that Iran had been privately told the US was not behind the strike.

Israeli warplanes bombed the Iranian consulate, situated next to the embassy building in Damascus’s Mezzeh district, on Monday afternoon.

Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps named Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a commander of the IRGC’s Quds Force, and his deputy General Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi were among the seven martyrs of the terrorist attack.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has vowed that Iran will “punish” Israel and make the evil regime “regret” its crime of assassinating the country’s military advisors in Syria.

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi has also said Israel had resorted to indiscriminate assassinations after back-to-back failures in the face of the resistance, warning that the regime’s latest crime against Iranian military advisers in Syria “will not go unanswered”.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian stated, as the Israeli regime’s biggest supporter, the United States should be “answerable” over the deadly strike.

He said Iran’s Foreign Ministry had summoned the chargé d’affaires of Switzerland, which represents Washington’s interests in Tehran, after the attack.

“During the summoning, the dimensions of the Israeli regime’s terrorist attack and crime were explained, and the American administration’s responsibility underlined,” he stated

“An important message was relayed to the American administration as the Zionist regime’s supporter,” it continued, adding, “The United States should be answerable.”

Infrastructure damages of Gaza war estimated at $18.5bn: Report

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Gaza War

The report estimated that the damage was equivalent to 97 percent of the combined GDP of the occupied West Bank and Gaza in 2022.

“The level of destruction in the Gaza Strip since October 2023 is unprecedented,” the Interim Damage Assessment Note released on Tuesday said.

The continuing conflict has damaged or destroyed approximately 62 percent of all homes in Gaza, equivalent to 290,820 housing units, and more than a million people are without homes. Housing accounts for 72 percent of the total damage costs, at an estimated value of $13.3bn.

Public service infrastructure, such as water, health and education, account for 19 percent, while commercial and industrial buildings make up 9 percent.

The energy, water and municipal sectors have suffered nearly $800m in damages and the water and sanitation system has been significantly reduced, delivering less than 5 percent of its previous output.

With 84 percent of health facilities damaged or destroyed, and a lack of electricity and water to operate the remaining ones, the population has minimal access to healthcare, the report found.

The education system has collapsed, with all of Gaza’s 625,000 students out of school. Damage to education infrastructure amounts to $341m as an estimated 56 school facilities have been destroyed and 219 partially damaged.

Additionally, 26 million tonnes of debris and rubble have been left in the wake of the destruction, an amount that is estimated to take years to remove.

“To date, 80 percent of total damages were concentrated in the governorates of Gaza, North Gaza, and Khan Younis,” the report said, noting that significant damage was also recorded in Beit Lahiya and Rafah governorates.

“The municipality of Gaza alone accounted for US$7.29 billion of total damage, with Jabalya following at $2.01 billion, Khan Younis at US$1.82 million, and Beit Lahiya accounting for US$1.08 billion of the total,” it added.

Such costs “are expected to increase substantially along with the magnitude of damages as the conflict continues. This is particularly true in the south of the Gaza Strip which has seen greater destruction in recent weeks,” it noted.

The assessment, conducted with support from the European Union, used remote data collection sources and analytics to provide a preliminary estimate of damages to physical structures in Gaza from the conflict.

These initial findings are likely to be an underestimate of the real damages, losses and needs, which the organisations said would require a second analysis “as the situation allows”.

The report called for an increase in humanitarian assistance, food aid and food production, the provision of shelter and housing solutions for displaced people and the resumption of essential services.

UN chief condemns fatal attack on Iran consulate in Damascus

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
António Guterres

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres had a telephone conversation.

During the phone call, UN Secretary-General Guterres expressed condolences following the attacks launched by the Zionist regime against the consular section of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Damascus and the subsequent martyrdom of Iranian military advisors.

Guterres also emphasized three concerns of the United Nations, namely, the immediate need for a ceasefire in Gaza, the provision of humanitarian aid to the enclave, and the prevention of further escalation of conflict.

Amirabdollahian, for his part, said the recent “crimes committed by the Zionist regime” resulting in the martyrdom of seven official military advisors of the Islamic Republic and six innocent Syrian citizens, as well as the injury of some other Syrians, constitute a clear violation of international conventions concerning the immunity of diplomatic personnel and facilities.

Amirabdollahian stressed: “We expect the United Nations to strongly condemn this terrorist act by the Israeli regime.”

He also requested the Secretary-General’s assistance in convening an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council on this matter.

The top Iranian diplomat pointed out Israel is holding the international community hostage today, and the actions of this regime are jeopardizing the peace and security of the region and the world.

Sisi sworn in for third term as Egypt president

By
IFP Media Wire
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Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi

Speaking at the new parliament building, Sisi highlighted the challenges Egypt withstood in recent years while promising continued development, which many Egyptians say they feel excluded from.

“The past few years have shown that the path of nation-building is not paved with roses … between terrorist attempts at home, sudden global crises abroad, fierce wars around us,” Sisi told lawmakers and religious, government, and military officials.

Sisi swept to victory in an election last December with 89.6% of the vote and no serious challengers.

As the war raged in neighbouring Gaza his message of stability and security resonated with some voters, but many, preoccupied with economic hardships, expressed indifference about the election, saying the result was a foregone conclusion.

“You carry a heavy load!” shouted one attendee during the ceremony, while another interjected “If God is with you, then no one can be against you!”

Sisi’s term runs to 2030, following constitutional amendments that extended presidential terms to six years and allowed him to stand for a third election.

In his speech, Sisi promised increased spending on programmes targeting the poor and engaging the private sector in line with commitments that helped secure last month’s expanded $8 billion deal with the International Monetary Fund.

Since Sisi became president in 2014, Egypt has embarked on an infrastructure splurge spearheaded by the military, which he says is essential for economic development and to accommodate a population that has grown by 6 million since hitting the 100 million mark four years ago.

The $58 billion New Administrative Capital in the desert east of Cairo is the largest of the mega projects, which also include an expansion of the Suez Canal, extensive road building, and other new cities.

Critics blame such projects for contributing to Egypt’s economic woes, saying they divert resources away from more urgent needs and increase Egypt’s debt burden.

In his inauguration speech, Sisi promised investment in several sectors, including energy, as well as rationalized public spending, and committed to continuing to build new cities.

Former Egyptian presidential hopeful Ahmed Tantawy said the speech was typical in repeating promises of a “new republic” but offering no real solutions.

“We strongly demand transparency and frankness with the great Egyptian people… who are struggling under debt, poverty, human rights deteriorating record,” Tantawy told Reuters.

The former leftist lawmaker, who had emerged as the most popular challenger during last year’s election, ended his campaign after he was unable to secure the required number of public endorsements. Last month, he was found guilty of forging election documents and ordered to pay a fine and barred from upcoming elections.

Though economic troubles threatened Egypt’s stability, its global position has been bolstered by the Gaza crisis, in which it has served as the main conduit for aid and an initiator of ceasefire talks.

Sisi, a former intelligence general, rose to power a decade ago after deposing of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohamed Mursi, Egypt’s only freely elected president.

Rights groups estimate tens of thousands of people including liberal activists and Islamists have been jailed since Mursi’s ouster.

Sisi and his supporters say that stability and security are paramount, and that the state is working to safeguard social rights such as housing and jobs.

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