Jerusalem, Undefined | AFP | Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday threatened to inflict “very strong blows” on Hamas after fresh violence along the border with the Gaza Strip controlled by the Islamist group. “Hamas has apparently not understood the message — if these attacks do not stop, they will …
Read More »Pope says ‘very worried’ by Mideast violence
Vatican City, Holy See | AFP | Pope Francis said Wednesday he was “very worried” by escalating violence in the Middle East after 60 Gazans were shot dead by Israeli troops while protesting the US embassy’s move to Jerusalem. “I am very worried about the escalation of tensions in the …
Read More »UN Human Rights Council to meet after Gaza killings
Geneva, Switzerland | AFP | The United Nations Human Rights Council will hold a special session on Friday to discuss “the deteriorating human rights situation” in the Palestinian Territories, after Israeli forces killed 60 Palestinians. “The special session is being convened per an official request submitted this evening by Palestine …
Read More »Iran says Israelis should be tried as ‘war criminals’
Tehran, Iran | AFP | Iran said on Tuesday that Israeli officials should be tried as war criminals over the “brutal massacre” of Gazan protesters the previous day. “The killing of children, women and defenceless people of Palestine and the occupation of Palestinian lands has become the main strategy of …
Read More »In Gaza, a day of blood and sorrow overshadows US embassy move
Gaza, Palestinian Territories | AFP | At Gaza’s Shifa Hospital, people search desperately for loved ones. Some already know they are dead and grimly work their way through bodies. Others have received no news so scour the wards, before descending to the morgue. There a young man cries “Why are …
Read More »S.Africa recalls Israel ambassador over Gaza deaths
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | South Africa recalled its ambassador to Israel on Monday after at least 52 Palestinians were killed in clashes with Israeli forces during protests over the US embassy opening in Jerusalem. “Given the indiscriminate and grave manner of the latest Israeli attack, the South African …
Read More »Iran does not want ‘new tensions’ in Mideast: Rouhani
Tehran, Iran | AFP | Iran does not want “new tensions” in the Middle East, President Hassan Rouhani told German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday, after Israel carried out strikes against what it called Iranian targets in Syria. “Iran has always sought to reduce tensions in the region, trying to …
Read More »Russia seeks mediator role between Israel and Iran
Moscow, Russia | AFP | Following Israeli strikes on Iranian targets in Syria, Russia has positioned itself as a mediator between the Middle Eastern rivals as it has maintained good relations with both countries. “The Kremlin is sitting on two chairs,” Russian analyst Alexei Malashenko told AFP. “It is a …
Read More »Netanyahu praises Trump’s ‘bold’ withdrawal from Iran deal
Jerusalem, Undefined | AFP | Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed strong support for US President Donald Trump’s “bold” decision Tuesday to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, which the Israeli leader has repeatedly criticised. Israel’s army meanwhile asked authorities in the occupied Golan Heights to open and prepare missile shelters …
Read More »Trump not going to Jerusalem for US embassy opening: WHouse
Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump will not travel to Israel next week for the opening of the new US embassy in Jerusalem, the White House said Monday, announcing that Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan will lead the delegation. Trump’s daughter Ivanka and her husband, senior …
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