Articles in this Cluster
29-06-2025
At least 81 Palestinians were killed and over 400 injured in Israeli strikes across Gaza in 24 hours, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The strikes included a hit near a stadium in Gaza City housing displaced people, killing at least 11, including children. The Israeli military said it was unaware of injuries aside from a "suspicious individual who posed a threat." US President Donald Trump expressed hope for a ceasefire in the next week, while Qatari mediators believed US pressure could help achieve a deal. Israeli attacks continued, with reports of further deaths, including children, in strikes on an apartment block, a tent, and a neighbourhood near a school sheltering displaced Gazans.
29-06-2025
The head of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), Johnnie Moore, has defended the group's aid operation in Gaza after hundreds of Palestinians were killed near aid distribution sites. Moore disputed claims that all casualties were due to proximity to GHF sites, accusing the UN and other organizations of spreading unverified information. The GHF has been condemned by UN agencies, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calling it "inherently unsafe." The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reports over 500 Palestinians killed and 4,000 injured while seeking aid since GHF took over distribution. Eyewitnesses and medics have described Israeli forces opening fire on crowds near aid points, with an Israeli newspaper reporting that IDF soldiers were ordered to shoot at unarmed civilians. Moore claimed that the GHF is trying to understand incidents and has found no evidence of people being killed near their sites, despite the UN and aid groups expressing alarm at near-daily reports of Palestinians being killed.
29-06-2025
Dozens were killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza from Friday into Saturday morning, with at least 72 people reported dead by Hamas-run health ministry officials. The strikes occurred as President Trump said a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas could be possible within the next week, stating "I think it's close" and "we think within the next week, we're going to get a ceasefire." The Trump administration has pushed for a pause in fighting, with a proposed 60-day ceasefire that includes the release of hostages and prisoners, but Hamas responded with "notes and amendments" that were deemed "totally unacceptable" by Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. The conflict has killed over 56,000 Palestinians, with many more facing a dire humanitarian crisis due to limited access to food and other essential supplies.
29-06-2025
The US State Department announced $30 million in funding for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private food distribution organization criticized for operating in a way that puts Palestinians at risk. The GHF has distributed over 46 million meals since May, but its record is marred by reports of civilians being killed trying to access its distribution hubs, with the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health reporting 549 deaths and over 4,066 wounded. The UN has reported a lower death toll of 410. Critics, including the UN's agency for Palestinian refugees and Doctors Without Borders, have called the GHF operation a "death trap" and a "slaughter masquerading as humanitarian aid", citing repeated instances of violence around its sites. The GHF denies these claims, attributing them to "misinformation" and "Hamas propaganda". The Israeli military has denied accusations of a deliberate policy to shoot at crowds near GHF hubs, but acknowledged investigating recent reports of civilians being harmed.
29-06-2025
Hamas has allegedly placed bounties on the heads of workers from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), including US security personnel and local aid staff, offering monetary rewards for their injury or death. The GHF reported credible information that Hamas is targeting its workers and has positioned armed operatives near humanitarian zones to disrupt aid delivery. In a recent attack, Hamas killed 12 GHF workers and tortured others. The GHF has distributed nearly 50 million meals and received a $30 million funding boost from the US State Department. The organization's leaders are calling on the international community to condemn Hamas' actions and support their work. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee criticized the UN's silence on Hamas' brutality, and GHF's executive chairman warned that Hamas would be unwise to test President Trump's resolve.
29-06-2025
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that they killed Hakham Muhammad Issa Al-Issa, a founder of Hamas and senior figure in its military wing, in a joint operation with the Israel Security Agency (ISA) in Gaza City on Friday. Al-Issa played a significant role in planning and executing the October 7th massacre and helped plan recent attacks on Israeli civilians and IDF troops. He was also attempting to rebuild Hamas' organizational systems damaged during the war. The IDF also reported killing Abbas Al-Hassan Wahbi, a Hezbollah terrorist, in southern Lebanon on Saturday.
29-06-2025
At least 72 people have been killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza, with multiple fatalities reported near the Palestine Stadium in Gaza City and in southern Gaza. The strikes occurred as US President Donald Trump suggested a ceasefire agreement could be reached within a week, with Israeli minister Ron Dermer set to visit Washington for talks on the ceasefire and other issues. The conflict in Gaza has resulted in over 56,000 Palestinian deaths since it began in October 2023, with the UN warning of widespread starvation in the territory.
29-06-2025
The head of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), Johnnie Moore, has called UN data on Gaza deaths "disinformation", claiming it is part of a campaign to shut down the GHF's efforts in the Gaza Strip. The UN reported at least 410 Palestinians killed seeking food since Israel lifted an 11-week aid blockade on May 19, while the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry reported at least 549 deaths. The GHF, backed by Israel and the US, has delivered over 44 million meals to Gazans, but other aid groups have refused to cooperate with it, citing concerns it will be ineffective and violate humanitarian principles. Critics argue the GHF's distribution system is too closely tied to Israel and the US, and may lead to further displacement of Palestinians. The US has approved $30m in funding for the GHF despite concerns from some US officials. Other charities, including Oxfam and Save the Children, have expressed concerns over the GHF's methods and the violence surrounding aid distribution.
29-06-2025
At least 71 people were killed in Israel's attack on Tehran's Evin prison, Iran's judiciary said, including staff, soldiers, prisoners, and visiting family members. The claim could not be independently verified.
29-06-2025
Iran has held a state funeral for around 60 military commanders and others who died during a recent 12-day conflict with Israel. Coffins bearing the Iranian flag were paraded in Tehran's Enghelab Square as huge crowds chanted and waved portraits of those who were laid to rest, among them Mohammad Bagheri, Iran's chief of staff of the armed forces. The conflict ended after a US intervention, with US bombing of key nuclear sites. Iranian authorities reported 627 people were killed, while Israel reported 28 deaths. The funeral was attended by President Masoud Pezeshkian and other prominent officials. The conflict has sparked a war of words between Trump and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with Trump claiming he would consider further attacks on the country and Khamenei saying the strikes had achieved "nothing significant."
29-06-2025
Hundreds of thousands of mourners attended a state funeral in Tehran for top Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists killed in a 12-day war with Israel. The caskets of prominent figures, including Revolutionary Guard chief Gen. Hossein Salami, were paraded through the streets as crowds chanted "Death to America" and "Death to Israel." Over 1 million people were reported to have attended the funeral procession. The war resulted in the deaths of around 30 Iranian commanders and 11 nuclear scientists, as well as over 1,000 others, including at least 417 civilians. Iran fired over 550 ballistic missiles at Israel, killing 28 people. The funeral was the first public ceremony for the fallen commanders since a ceasefire was declared. Iranian leaders, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, attended the ceremony, but Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was not seen. Khamenei has since released a pre-recorded video claiming victory over Israel and warning the US and Israel.
29-06-2025
Iran held a funeral for top military commanders and nuclear scientists killed during the country's 12-day war with Israel, with attendees shouting "Death to America" and "Death to Israel." The deceased included IRGC chief Gen. Hossein Salami and the head of the IRGC's ballistic missile program, Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh. Israeli forces had claimed to have killed nine senior nuclear scientists and over 20 Iranian commanders during "Operation Rising Lion." Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attended the funeral, but Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was notably absent. Since the war, Iran has intensified its internal security crackdown, with reports of mass arrests and executions of those accused of espionage on behalf of Israel.
29-06-2025
Thousands of people attended a funeral procession in Tehran for Iranian military commanders and scientists killed in a 12-day war with Israel. The event, dubbed the "funeral procession of the Martyrs of Power", was held for 60 people, including senior commanders and nuclear scientists. Chants of "death to America" and "death to Israel" were heard as coffins were driven through the streets on trucks adorned with flowers and pictures of the deceased. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior figures attended the funeral, with the president later thanking people for their turnout.
29-06-2025
Donald Trump's presidency has been marked by a reluctance to engage in regime change, instead preferring to make deals with existing rulers. This approach is being tested by the Iran crisis, where Trump's pledge to keep America out of Middle Eastern conflicts may be at odds with his stated goal of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
29-06-2025
The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, has warned that Iran could restart enriching uranium for a possible bomb in "a matter of months" due to its existing industrial and technological capacities. Recent US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites caused "severe but not total" damage, contradicting Donald Trump's claim that the facilities were "totally obliterated". Iran has since suspended cooperation with the IAEA, but Grossi hopes to negotiate with Tehran to find a diplomatic solution. Iran's nuclear program was previously restricted under a 2015 deal, but the US withdrew in 2018 and Iran has since breached the restrictions, amassing enough 60%-enriched uranium to potentially make nine nuclear bombs.
29-06-2025
US President Donald Trump ended the week on a triumphant mood after a string of significant wins, both domestically and internationally. The wins include a ceasefire between Israel and Iran following a US strike on Iranian nuclear facilities; a commitment by Nato countries to spend 5% on defense; a landmark Supreme Court decision limiting judges' power to block Trump's orders; and a peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, potentially ending decades of conflict and securing critical minerals for American businesses. However, the week was not without setbacks, such as roadblocks to his legislative tax bill priority and an ongoing failure to achieve peace in Gaza and Ukraine.
29-06-2025
European leaders, including those from Britain, France, and Germany, are meekly accepting Donald Trump's unilateral diplomatic approach, effectively endorsing his "Lone Ranger" style of international relations, including potential military strikes on Iran's nuclear program and imposing a ceasefire.
29-06-2025
President Donald Trump is being credited with achieving multiple peace deals globally, including ceasefires between Iran and Israel, India and Pakistan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres has been criticized for not delivering similar results despite earning a higher base salary than Trump, at $418,348. Critics argue that the UN, which is largely funded by the US, is plagued by anti-American bias, corruption, and waste, and that Guterres' high salary and benefits are indicative of managerial capture and the "Deep State UN".
29-06-2025
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated that Iran's nuclear facilities suffered significant damage from recent US and Israeli actions, including bombing and the killing of top nuclear scientists. Grossi noted that while some facilities were destroyed, others remain intact, and the IAEA will need to re-establish access to assess the situation. He expressed hope that diplomatic efforts, including potential talks between the US and Iran, could lead to a resolution, with the IAEA playing a role in verifying any agreement. Grossi also addressed Iran's new law suspending cooperation with IAEA inspectors, stating that while it's a concern, Iran is still bound by the Non-Proliferation Treaty and international law takes precedence over internal laws. The IAEA has not been informed of Iran's measures to protect nuclear assets ahead of the strikes, and Grossi emphasized the need for the agency to reconnect with Iran to ensure monitoring and verification.
29-06-2025
The head of the UN nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, says Iran could resume enriching uranium "in a matter of months" despite damage to its nuclear facilities from US and Israeli attacks, as some of the facilities are still operational.
29-06-2025
The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have signed a peace deal in Washington aimed at ending decades of conflict. The deal requires the "disengagement, disarmament and conditional integration" of armed groups in eastern DR Congo. US President Donald Trump hailed the agreement as a "glorious triumph" and a "tremendous breakthrough". The conflict escalated earlier this year when M23 rebels seized control of large parts of eastern DR Congo, killing thousands and displacing hundreds of thousands. The deal's details are still unclear, and previous peace agreements in the region have failed, but it is seen as a significant diplomatic success for DR Congo's President Félix Tshisekedi.
29-06-2025
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have signed a US-brokered peace deal aimed at ending decades of conflict in eastern DRC that has killed six million people. US President Donald Trump claimed he brokered the deal, which also secured "a lot of mineral rights" for the US. However, doubts linger over the deal's success as the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group was not directly involved and has suggested it won't be bound by the agreement. The deal pledges to implement a 2024 agreement, including the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from eastern DRC within 90 days.
