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Gaza ceasefire negotiations end with ‘no substantial answer or solution’

By
IFP Media Wire
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Gaza War

“Hamas’s delegation left Cairo this morning for consultation with the leadership of the movement, with negotiations and efforts continuing to stop the aggression, return the displaced and bring in relief aid to our people,” a Hamas statement said on Thursday.

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri stated Israel had been “thwarting” efforts to conclude a ceasefire mediated by Qatar and Egypt during four days of talks in Cairo.

Abu Zuhri added Israel was rejecting Hamas’s demands to end its offensive in the enclave, withdraw its forces, and ensure freedom of entry for aid and the return of displaced people.

There was no immediate comment from Israel.

Israel did not send a delegation to these recent negotiations, during which representatives from Hamas, Qatar and Egypt tried this week to secure a 40-day ceasefire in time for Ramadan, which begins early next week.

The agreement would see captives being held by Hamas and other Palestinian groups in the besieged enclave be exchanged for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.

At least 1,139 people were killed and about 250 captives were taken in Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 7. More than 100 captives were released during a weeklong ceasefire in November.

Hamas pledged to continue the negotiations, but officials in the Palestinian armed group said a ceasefire must be in place before captives are freed, Israeli forces must leave the strip and all Gaza residents must be able to return to the homes they have fled.

Despite earlier comments that the negotiations were at an impasse, the United States announced on Wednesday that a truce was still possible.

“We continue to believe that obstacles are not insurmountable and a deal can be reached, … so we’re going to continue to push for one,” US Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller stated in Washington, DC.

The Ministry of Health in Gaza confirmed the number of Palestinians confirmed killed in Israel’s war has surpassed 30,800.

President Raisi stresses regional security, sovereignty in talks with Armenian defense chief

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Raisi and Armenian defense chief

Firmly rejecting alterations to regional borders and geopolitics, President Raisi underscored the importance of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity of the regional countries, and non-interference by external powers.

Raisi expressed Iran’s support for initiatives promoting peace in the Caucasus and voiced hope that discussions between the Armenian Defense Minister and his Iranian counterpart would enhance regional security.

Describing the Iran-Armenia relationship as vital, the president emphasized the effectiveness of cooperation between the two nations in various sectors for regional development and security.

The Iranian president insisted that regional security is achievable only through collaboration among neighboring countries, asserting that foreign involvement hinders peace.

In response, Armenian Defense Minister Papikian commended Iran’s commitment to upholding sovereignty and championing peace, declaring the establishment of peace in the Caucasus as Armenia’s top priority.

He stressed that mutual respect for territorial integrity and national sovereignty is at the forefront of Armenia’s agenda in the pursuit of regional stability.

Dozens of military commanders killed in Gaza: Israel’s army

By
IFP Media Wire
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Israeli Army

The deaths included four colonels, six lieutenant colonels, 39 battalion commanders, 13 company commanders, and seven other officers, Israeli Army Radio reported.

Israeli military figures showed that at least 587 soldiers have been killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, including 247 since Tel Aviv expanded its ground operations in the enclave on Oct. 27, 2023.

Israel has waged a deadly military offensive, now in its 153rd day, on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7 attack by the Palestinian group Hamas, which Tel Aviv said killed nearly 1,200 people.

More than 30,800 Palestinians have since been killed and over 72,000 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. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

One killed, 3 injured in oil refinery blast in southern Iran

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Iran Firefighters

The incident happened on Thursday during the repairs and troubleshooting of a furnace at Aftab Bandar Abbas Oil Refining Company.

The injured were swiftly transported to medical centers in Hormozgan province, as reported by the Public Relations of the oil company.

Habib Bahadori, the Acting Governor of Bandar Abbas, expressed condolences and verified the unfortunate death of one individual.

He further disclosed that the incident, attributed to the neglect of safety precautions, resulted in two injuries, with the condition of one victim reported as critical.

Aftab Oil Refining Company, a key player in the private sector as the largest exporter of petroleum derivatives in the country, relies on various raw materials supplied by the Ministry of Petroleum and collaborates with gas and oil refineries nationwide for its refining operations.

Russia summons US envoy, threatens to expel diplomats over “meddlesome” remarks

By
IFP Media Wire
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Russian Foreign Ministry

The American envoy was summoned by the ministry to notify her about the changed legal status of three organizations that have the backing of the embassy she leads, the statement said. Russia stressed these NGOs are working on “projects of an anti-Russian nature, which are aimed at recruiting ‘agents of influence’ under the guise of educational and cultural exchanges”.

Ambassador Tracy was issued a formal note, which demanded that Washington’s embassy cut all ties with these outlawed groups. Among other things, its website and social media should remove all mentions of the three.

Moscow will act to prevent “any subversive actions and dissemination of disinformation,” up to and including declaring embassy staff persona non grata, should they violate the Russian law, the statement added.

An organization that is deemed “undesirable” in Russia has many of its rights suspended. It may not establish offices in the country or use its financial system, and can’t publish anything under its name. Individuals and entities are banned from doing any business with such groups in any Russian jurisdiction.

The list of undesirable organizations is kept by the Justice Ministry. The current version on its website has 146 entries and was last updated in mid-February.

US ‘quietly’ approved dozens of arms sales to Israel during Gaza war: Report

By
IFP Media Wire
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Gaza War

US officials told members of Congress in a recent classified briefing that the sales include thousands of precision-guided munitions, small diameter bombs, bunker busters, small arms and other lethal aid, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday.

The report comes as only two approved weapons sales authorized by US President Joe Biden had been made public so far but the latest triple-digit figure has not been previously reported.

The Biden administration bypassed Congress to initiate $106 million in sales of tanks ammunition as well as $147.5 million of components needed to make 155 mm shells.

However, the 100 other weapons transfers were processed without any public debate because each fell under a specific dollar amount that requires the executive branch to individually notify Congress.

Israel launched the devastating war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory’s Palestinian resistance groups carried out a surprise retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying entity.

Since then, the United States has supplied the Tel Aviv regime with more than 10,000 tons of military equipment, and used its veto power against all United Nations Security Council resolutions that called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The relentless Israeli military campaign against Gaza has so far killed more than 30,800 people, most of them women and children.

Iran Leader says new parliament brings fresh hopes for country

By
IFP Media Wire
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Ayatollah Khamenei

The Leader made the remarks in a meeting with the chairman and members of the Assembly of Experts in Tehran on Thursday.

Ayatollah Khamenei said a new parliament is like fresh blood in Iran’s political and social structure.

The Leader urged the newly-elected Iranian lawmakers to be cautious not to embitter the nation and the political atmosphere of the country.

Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that divisive words, quarrels and hostilities, which are favorable to the enemy, can kill the “sweetness” of the new parliament, advising the new lawmakers “to be very careful”.

Addressing members of the Assembly of Experts, the Leader stressed the body should never overlook the fixed principles of the Islamic Republic in its decisions.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei stated that the recent tragic events in the Gaza Strip were a clear example of the arrogant front’s oppression and aggression against the owners of a land, the destruction of their assets and brutal killing of women and children.

The Islamic Republic opposes such atrocities and crimes which are supported by the US, Britain and some European countries, despite the fact that they are condemned by common sense, Sharia and human conscience, the Leader emphasized.

“It should be made clear and obvious that the arrogant front has disguised cruelty, oppression, aggression and killing in the name of democracy, human rights and liberalism,” Ayatollah Khamenei added.

The Leader stressed that Iran should always stand at the forefront of the battle against global arrogance and added that the country should strengthen its fight every day and never allow anyone to defeat it.

Iran stands up to oppression, arrogance and aggression, the Leader said.

Ayatollah Khamenei explained that Iran has no conflict with governments, countries and nations but it opposes oppression, arrogance and aggression, like the events currently unfolding in Gaza.

A nation in possession of a land is being oppressed in its own homeland, the Leader lamented, adding that women, children and family members are killed cold-bloodedly and the nation’s infrastructure is destroyed as some countries are only watching such criminal acts and refrain from ending their support for the perpetrators and rather help them, Ayatollah Khamenei added.

The Leader reiterated that Iran opposes the help provided by the US, Britain and some European countries to the perpetrators of such criminal acts.

China’s FM calls for permanent UN membership for Palestine

By
IFP Media Wire
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China FM Wang Yi

Noting that the failure to end the humanitarian disaster caused by the Palestinian-Israeli conflict today in the 21st century is a tragedy for humanity and a disgrace for civilization, Wang called on the international community to act to give priority to an immediate ceasefire.

The foreign minister stated the Palestinian people have the right to live in the world, calling for the release of all those held captive.

Restoring justice to the Palestinian people and fully implementing the two-state solution is the only way to break the vicious circle of Palestinian-Israeli conflicts, Wang added.

“We support Palestine’s full membership in the UN, and urge certain UN Security Council member to stop laying obstacles to that end,” Wang said.

He added that China calls for a more broad-based, more authoritative, and more effective international peace conference to work out a timetable and road map for the two-state solution.

Official: ICAO court issues ruling on Ukraine plane crash in favor of Iran

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Ukraine Plane Crash

Mohammad Dehghan gave an update on the legal case, saying despite the court ruling, a few countries have filed lawsuits against Iran with two courts, including at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), that are going through the legal procedures.

He explained that Iran has filed an objection against some European countries that have taken the legal measure, although their citizens were not on the plane, without naming any country.

All the 176 on board the Ukraine flight PS752 en route to Kiev were killed after it crashed minutes after takeoff near Tehran on January 8, 2020.

Iran’s Judiciary has dismissed reports that the suspect in the incident has been released on bail.

South Africa asks ICJ for more measures against Israel over Gaza ‘famine’ as death toll from hunger rises to 20

By
IFP Media Wire
-
ICJ

In its application, South Africa warned that Palestinians in Gaza were facing starvation and asked the court to order that all parties cease hostilities and release all hostages and detainees.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the South African presidency warned that the people of Gaza cannot wait.

“The threat of all-out famine has now materialised. The court needs to act now to stop the imminent tragedy by immediately and effectively ensuring that the rights it has found are threatened under the Genocide Convention are protected,” it added.

South Africa also asked to court to order that Israel take “immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address famine and starvation” in Gaza.

It noted that the ICJ, also known as the World Court, should take these measures without scheduling a new round of hearings because of the “extreme urgency of the situation”.

The United Nations has warned that widespread famine in the Gaza Strip is “almost inevitable” without action.

Aid organisations have blamed military operations, insecurity and extensive restrictions to the delivery of essential supplies for the shortage of food in the enclave, which has been under an Israeli siege and assault since October.

The five-month war has killed more than 30,000 people in the strip, according to health officials in Gaza.

At least 20 people have died from malnutrition and starvation in Gaza since Israel launched its assault, Palestinian authorities have said.

The number of humanitarian aid convoys entering Gaza daily must at least double to meet some of the population’s most basic needs, the World Food Programme (WFP) stated on Wednesday.

“I would say that we need to double the level we have now. We are now at around 150 trucks. We need a minimum of 300 trucks a day coming in,” Carl Skau, deputy executive director and chief operating officer at the World Food Programme, told the Reuters news agency.

“But of course, that also in the longer run needs to be supplemented with commercial [supplies].”

In January, the ICJ ordered Israel to refrain from any acts that could fall under the Genocide Convention and to ensure its troops commit no genocidal acts against Palestinians, after South Africa accused Israel of state-led genocide in Gaza.

Israel described the allegation as baseless.

The request on Wednesday is the second time Pretoria has asked the court for additional measures – its first request to pressurise Israel to halt an offensive against the Gaza city of Rafah in February was denied.

A final ruling in the case in The Hague could take years.

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