Eight Israeli soldiers were killed in an explosion in southern Gaza on Saturday, one of the military’s heaviest losses during the ongoing conflict. The blast hit an armored vehicle near Rafah amid fierce street battles between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants. The incident brings Israel’s death toll to 306 since the ground offensive began in October. Intense cross-border violence also erupted between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, raising fears of the conflict spilling over regionally.
Category: MIDDLE EAST
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US sanctions Israeli group for blocking aid to Gaza
The United States imposed sanctions on the Israeli extremist group Tzav 9, accusing it of blocking and looting aid convoys attempting to deliver humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict. The State Department condemned Tzav 9’s acts of sabotage and violence targeting essential aid, stating such assistance is vital to prevent a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Fire in Kuwaiti building housing workers kills 41
A devastating fire in a workers’ accommodation building in Mangaf, Kuwait, claimed at least 41 lives on Wednesday morning. The Kuwaiti deputy prime minister blamed the tragedy on real estate owners’ greed and violations, accusing them of cramming too many workers into inadequate housing facilities. Kuwait, June 12, 2024. REUTERS
Iran approves six candidates for 28 Jun presidential vote
Iran has approved six candidates, mostly conservatives, for the June 28 presidential election to replace Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash. The approved candidates include conservative Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, ultraconservative former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, and one reformist candidate, Massoud Pezeshkian. Former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was disqualified again. The elections come amid tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and the ongoing Gaza war between Israel and Iran-backed Hamas. Reuters file photo
Netanyahu says Israel won’t ‘surrender’ after hostages rescued
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “Israel does not surrender to terrorism” after troops rescued four hostages alive from Gaza Strip militants. The hostages, kidnapped during a music festival attack on October 7, were identified as Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv. Netanyahu vowed to bring home all remaining hostages, both alive and dead, from the militant group Hamas. The October 7 attack had resulted in over 1,000 Israeli deaths and nearly 37,000 Palestinian casualties. AFP
Hajj pilgrimage to start June 14: KSA
Saudi Arabia announced that the annual Hajj pilgrimage will start on June 14, after astronomical observatories spotted the crescent moon marking the beginning of the Islamic month Dhu al-Hijjah. The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and must be undertaken by all able-bodied Muslims at least once. It involves a series of rituals over four days in Makkah and surrounding areas, with the high point on June 15 when pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat. image: Reuters
Gaza hospital says 37 dead in strike on UN school
A Gaza hospital reported at least 37 people killed in an Israeli strike on a UN school, which Israel alleged housed Hamas militants. The strike came amid talks for a truce in the 8-month Gaza war sparked by a Hamas attack on Israel last October. The US called for transparency, while the UN condemned the civilian toll. Spain joined a case accusing Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice. Tensions escalated with cross-border violence between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. AFP
Helicopter carrying Iranian President Raisi makes rough landing: media
An Iranian helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister made a rough landing on Sunday due to heavy fog in a mountainous area while returning from Azerbaijan. Rescue efforts were hampered by bad weather. Raisi, elected in 2021, has ordered tighter morality laws, overseen a crackdown on protests, and pushed hard in nuclear talks. Though the president wields less power than the supreme leader in Iran’s dual system, Raisi is seen as a potential successor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Photo: Reuters