Footage from the al-Falouja School showed rescue workers rushing casualties out of the school compound amid widespread debris and crowds of people. One video showed men wrapping a mangled, severed torso in a plastic sheet and putting body parts into a cooler.

Israeli forces have repeatedly struck schools, saying Hamas fighters use them as “command centers” to plan attacks without providing any credible evidence, as well as independent witnesses and investigators disputing such claims.

However, the strike have brought heavy civilian death tolls. Tens of thousands of Palestinians are living packed in schools across Gaza after fleeing their homes in the face of Israeli bombardment and offensives. More than 1.9 million of Gaza’s 2.4 million people have been displaced in the nearly yearlong conflict, according to the United Nations.

In the southern city of Khan Younis, authorities buried in a mass grave the bodies of 88 Palestinians that Israel returned to the Gaza Strip a day earlier. A bulldozer dug a trench in one of the city cemeteries, and the bodies were laid inside in blue plastic bags before the bulldozer covered them over with dirt.

Gaza's Health Ministry denounced what it called the “inhumane and immoral” way Israel had treated the bodies, saying they were sent back piled in a truck with no information to identify them.

Throughout Israel's offensives in Gaza, troops have dug up multiple graveyards as well as mass graves created at hospitals holding the bodies of Palestinians killed during assaults on the facilities. The military has taken an unknown number of bodies into Israel, saying it is searching for potential bodies of Israeli hostages or militants.

Israel’s campaign in Gaza has killed more than 41,500 Palestinians and wounded more than 96,000 others, according to the latest figures released.

In an address to the U.N. General Assembly in New York, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan also said countries in the region were providing funding, weapons and mercenaries to the RSF, though he did not name any country.

"We in Sudan's government are ready to engage in any initiative that ends this war whenever this initiative supports national ownership of the solution and ends the occupation by the rebel militia of various regions," Burhan said, in reference to the RSF.

He said the army-backed government would not accept participation of any country that supported the RSF in a peace process, and that any such process must include the RSF laying down its arms and a comprehensive political settlement.

"We are proceeding to defeat and dislodge these aggressors, no matter how much assistance and support they find," he said.

Burhan's comments came after the army launched a push on Thursday to regain ground in Sudan's capital Khartoum with heavy artillery fire and air strikes.

The army spurned U.S.-led talks in Switzerland last month aimed at improving humanitarian access and charting a course towards a ceasefire in Sudan.

The army objected to the involvement in the talks of the United Arab Emirates, which has provided material support to the RSF, according to reports that U.N. experts say are credible.

The UAE has denied sending weapons to the RSF.

In his address on Thursday, Burhan also said the army-backed government was doing what it could to make sure those in need received relief.

Aid workers have said that the government and the army have often held up humanitarian aid, while the RSF has looted aid supplies. 

(Reuters)

The package includes $3.5 billion for essential wartime procurement, which has already been received and earmarked for critical military purchases, and $5.2 billion designated for air defense systems including the Iron Dome anti-missile system, David's Sling and an advanced laser system.

Israel is currently waging devastating wars on two fronts in Gaza and Lebanon. 

The aid announcement came after negotiations at the Pentagon between Eyal Zamir, the director general of Israel's defense ministry, and U.S. defense officials, including acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Amanda Dory, Israel's Defense Ministry said in a statement.

"This substantial investment will significantly strengthen critical systems such as Iron Dome and David's Sling while supporting the continued development of an advanced high-powered laser defense system currently in its later stages of development," it said.

The ministry said the deal underscores the "strong and enduring strategic partnership between Israel and the United States and the ironclad commitment to Israel's security".

(Reuters)

In recent years, Syria has been welcomed back into the regional fold, and yet Damascus has still not normalised with Ankara, and Turkish troops remain on Syrian soil. 

We look at the possibility of Turkish forces leaving Syria, what it means for the Syrian opposition supported by Turkey, what it means for Kurdish areas in Syria's north east, and what a possible deal for the millions of refugees living in Turkey. 

Joining us, we have Joseph Daher (), a professor at Lausanne University, Switzerland, and the author of . Also, Pinar Dost () nonresident fellow and the former deputy director of the Atlantic Council’s Turkey Program, and author of .

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (). 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at  or email podcast@newarab.com

The cargo carried by the German-owned MV Katherine is set to arrive in the Balkans state for transfer to an arms manufacturer supplying arms to Israel.

Lisbon has been critical of Israel's actions in Gaza, and in March pledged an extra 10 million euros to the UN's Palestinian refugees agency, despite Israeli calls for a boycott.

Last week, Presidency Minister AntĂłnio LeitĂŁo Amaro said a legal review was underway on withdrawing the Portuguese flag, however, no action has been taken.

Calls for Portugal to disassociate itself from the MV Katherine grew in August when Namibia refused its permission to dock due to the Israel-bound cargo.

Portuguese Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel responded to concerns raised at the time by highlighting that the ship was German-owned, was not headed to Israel and was not carrying weapons. However, in interviews given to Portuguese media last week, the minister conceded that the material would be headed to arms factories, including in Israel.

On Wednesday, UN Special Rapporteur for Palestine Francesca Albanese took to X to urge Portugal to take action.

"Over the past year, I have commended 's principled stance concerning Palestine, especially in the face of the hypocrisy displayed by many other European countries," Albanese wrote.

"I now implore the Portuguese government to preserve this integrity, and urgently request the removal of its flag from Vessel , as it carries weapons destined to Israel," she added, highlighting the obligation of states to "respect and ensure respect" for the Geneva convention in light of the World Court's recognition of plausible genocide in Gaza.

In Portugal, a petition of 3,000 names calling for the flag's removal was recently delivered to the Council of Ministers by Left Bloc (BE) coordinator Mariana MortĂĄgua.

Rangel is set to hold a hearing on the matter on 15 October, weeks after the vessel is due to dock.

Israel's war on Gaza has killed over 41,000 Palestinians and wounded tens of thousands more, with vast areas of the coastal enclave now in ruins.

The assault has increased pressure on states to ensure that arms exports to Israel are not used to commit war crimes against Palestinians.

Earlier in September, the United Kingdom became the latest European country to restrict arms exports to Israel. Italy, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands have imposed full or partial restrictions on the exports.

The legislation, named Joint Resolution of Disapproval, sought to obstruct the sizeable amount of US weapons sales to Israel, which had been bombarding the Gaza Strip for almost a year, killing at least 41,534 Palestinians.

"Sending more weapons to Netanyahu's extremist government is immoral and illegal," Sanders said in a statement, stressing that "US weapons are responsible for far too many civilian casualties in Gaza."

"We must end our complicity in this atrocity," he added.

Israel has received billions of dollars in weapons from the US amid its war on the Gaza Strip since 7 October.

Evidence suggested that US weaponry had been used in attacks which killed Gazan civilians in the war, including an incident in December, where US-made Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) were used on civilians in two strikes which killed 43 Palestinians in central Gaza.

Sanders, who is of Jewish descent, went on to criticise Netanyahu for waging a war against the Palestinian people, and for bombarding hospitals and schools, starving children and "making life unlivable in Gaza".

However, he said Israel "had the right" to respond to Hamas’ unprecedented attack on October 7 on southern Israel.

The progressive lawmaker also pointed to the contradiction of the sending of US weapons to Israel while trying to secure a ceasefire.

"Congress must now act to uphold US and international law and use our leverage to advance US policy goals," he said.

The Senate is expected to vote on the resolution when it reconvenes in November.

Though this attempt failed spectacularly, as Emmy award last night for Outstanding Hard News Feature Story: Short Form, this speaks volumes about Hollywood’s attempts to dehumanise Arabs and Palestinians, and how audiences are finally looking past the tropes they have been fed for years. 

The vilifying of Arabs, Muslims, and Palestinians in the entertainment industry is nothing new.

Since its inception, the industry has clung to stereotypes of men in keffiyehs being terrorists, and Muslim women being property, painting the Middle East as a land of sorrow and war.

Jack Shaheen goes into depth on this horrifying trend in his 2001 book, , which shows us how pervasive this problem truly is, dating back to the early 1900s, and gives us an idea of why so many in the industry refuse to accept Bisan’s reporting as the truth it clearly is.

History tells us that Bisan’s win last night couldn’t be possible, but what happened at the 45th annual News & Documentary Emmys says the tides are changing, at last.

“I was shocked, but maybe not surprised,” shared when hearing the news of the 100+ entertainment individuals, including Selma Blair and Debra Messing, who tried to rescind Bisan’s nominations.

“The question is, do you know who you're attacking? Do you understand how insidious and evil you're making yourself look, like actually Disney villainous?”

The work that Bisan has done over the last 11 months has changed the way people have thought about Gaza, Palestine, and Arab/Muslim dominant countries, and has even landed her a Nobel prize nomination.

Her documentary, and her videos on social media in general, have destroyed the stereotypes that people thought of as truth.

However, the signatories of the open letter sought to associate Bisan with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a political movement deemed as a “terrorist organisation” by many Western countries, including the United States, because they can’t seem to shake the tropes they were raised on themselves.

To them, Bisan propels the nasty ideas of terrorism, but to the world of viewers who actually listened to what she had to say, she has completely shattered them. 

In a way, it’s vindicating to see audiences react to the attempt to silence Bisan as the blatant racism it is, with the internet abuzz with outrage from all over.

But as Rolla reminds us, “I feel like the outrage wasn't from within Hollywood, the outrage was from outside of Hollywood. Where was the outrage within Hollywood? Where are all the artists? Where are all the stars? Where's all the celebrities?”

While audiences and people outside of the industry rally up support for Bisan and her nomination and throw tomatoes at the likes of Messing and Blair, their colleagues are stone silent.

The vast majority of celebrities, actors, writers – everyone, really – have refused to say anything to defend the Palestinian people, and it once again reminds us of the cognitive dissonance required to be successful in an industry like Hollywood. 

“There's a complete disconnect with what it means to be human,” Rolla says.

“I think Hollywood is completely disconnected from humanity. I think less and less people are caring about Hollywood movies or what Hollywood is actually producing."

The filmmaker adds: "More people care about what they're seeing, the stories they're seeing on social media, the stories that people are putting out on YouTube independently.”

As Hollywood continues to lose all of its creativity in favour of reboots, remakes, and strictly only making content out of existing intellectual property (IP), audiences are finding more meaningful work by storytellers like Bisan.

“I think people are more interested in truth versus something manufactured, and they're starting to really understand what the difference is,” Rolla explains.  

So, what can we do?

If it’s clear that audiences are siding with Bisan and we want to see perspectives that truly matter, instead of buying another set of tickets to yet another Disney remake or reboot, how do we get Hollywood to meet us where it matters?

We have to hit these corporations where it hurts most: Their wallets.

"As consumers, we have the power,” Rolla continues.

“We are the ones who signal to Hollywood what we want to see, what we don't want to see, what we are morally with and what we are not. So I would say, number one, boycott any movies or TV shows that are doing injustice to really, to anyone.

"Don't watch it. Don't give your money to it, don't support it."

She adds, "And on the other hand, if you do know of Palestinian filmmakers or creatives or writers, definitely support their work by watching it, by putting your consumer power behind them and letting them know that you support what they're doing and that you love what they're doing.”

It’s clear that Hollywood is behind the times, but the good news is that the people who really have the power are ahead of them.

The power of boycotting has shown us what the people are capable of when you look at Starbucks and McDonalds, and Hollywood is no different.

There may be a massive disconnect between Hollywood and humanity today, but if we ban together again, it’s only a matter of time before the next Emmys or Oscars are filled with Palestinian storytellers finally getting their dues. 

Tariq Raouf is a Palestinian-American Muslim writer, based in Seattle

Follow them on X: 

On Wednesday, the Shia town of Maaysra, located within Keserwan - a predominantly Christian district with a large Maronite population - was also targeted, killing and injuring dozens.

Israel claims its attacks on Lebanon are focused on "Hezbollah targets", but since Monday, it has killed over 500 people within 48 hours, including over 50 children and more than 90 women.

Its attacks, which had mostly focused on Shia areas in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley and the southern suburbs of Beirut, have targeted Lebanon's Shia community, which Tel Aviv views as the base of support for Hezbollah.

While it appears that Israel may be sending a message to Shia communities near the villages it attacks, Lebanese media has discussed another prominent message these strikes send.

Lebanon's L'Orient-Le Jour daily reported on Thursday that by attacking Christian-majority areas, Israel was discouraging Lebanese Christians from supporting their Shia neighbours, particularly following the show of national solidarity in the wake of its earlier attacks in September, which saw some pagers and wireless devices explode across the country.

Historically, relations between Shias from Maaysra, Keserwan, and Jbeil and their Christian neighbours have remained cordial, even during the Lebanese Civil War, when sectarian violence largely bypassed these areas.

Following Israel's latest attack on Lebanon, the town of Maaysra had welcomed displaced Lebanese, particularly from the southern Lebanese town of Houla. The town's officials worked with local organisations and municipalities to help house those displaced.

Israel's attack on the town sought to stir sectarian tension among the town's residents in a bid to prevent them from welcoming displaced Lebanese, particularly in the Keserwan district and other predominantly Christian areas, Lebanese journalist Pierre Akiki said in his report for °źÂț”ș's Arabic language site .

Similarly, Lebanese political analyst Karim Bitar told  that Israel's shelling of Christian areas in Lebanon had sought to incite division among locals by provoking Christians, particularly through claims that weapons were being stockpiled in their regions.

In a video released on X on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly addressed Lebanese people, saying his country's war "is not with you, it's with Hezbollah". 

"For too long, Hezbollah has been using you as human shields. It placed rockets in your living rooms and missiles in your garages. These rockets and missiles are aimed directly at our cities, directly at our citizens," he said.

"I urge you - take this warning seriously. Do not let Hezbollah endanger your lives and the lives of your loved ones. Please get out of harm’s way now. Once our operation is finished, you can come back safely to your homes," he added.

The message appeared to be directed at non-Shia communities, implying that Israel was "concerned" for their safety.

Israel and Hezbollah have been engaged in cross-border attacks since October 2023 after Israel began its war on the Gaza Strip, where it killed over 41,500 people - mostly women and children.

Hezbollah said it had opened a front against the Israeli military in support of Palestinians in Gaza. 

Lebanon said on Thursday that more than 1,500 people had been killed in almost a year of the cross-border attacks, which spiralled into a wider-scale war this week.

According to figures in a statement released by the country's disaster management unit, 1,540 people have been killed, 60 of them in the past 24 hours, and 5,410 wounded in the ongoing attacks.

Russia has been accused of forcibly deporting thousands of Ukrainian children from schools, hospitals and orphanages in parts of the country controlled by its forces.

The "family reunification process involves the safe reunification of nine minors and one adult with their families in Ukraine," a Qatari official said.

"It will also include the reunification of four minors with their families in Russia."

The nine Ukrainian children, aged between 12 and 17, with one 19-year-old sibling accompanying them, include a child who lost his one remaining parent following the invasion and others who were staying with relatives when they were separated from their family.

Also among the Ukrainian minors are two teenagers with cerebral palsy, one of whom was placed in a children's home before the war. Both are accompanied by medical teams for their return.

The Russian children, aged between two and seven, include two who were in care centres before the war started, while the other two had been staying with relatives.

Qatari representatives will host the children at the embassy in Moscow before they are reunited with their families in Ukraine or elsewhere in Russia.

Ukraine has said some 20,000 children were taken to Russia following Moscow's February 2022 invasion.

Ukraine says the invading forces took them illegally to Russia and accuses the Russian authorities of trying to wipe out their Ukrainian identity.

Teenagers who returned to Ukraine have said they were subjected to Russian patriotic education and made to praise the Russian army.

Moscow has denied forcibly taking children to Russia, saying that minors were moved for their own safety if they were without parental care.

The exchange is the latest in a series of family reunifications brokered by Qatar. Scores of children have returned to Ukraine and Russia following visits by Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani to Kyiv and Moscow last year.

"Qatar remains committed to its efforts to support the reunification of separated families and to ensure the safety, welfare and the reunification of children with their families," the Qatari official said.

The timing of the alleged transfer, which Iran officially denies, is noteworthy since it comes shortly after the inauguration of a new Iranian president who seeks, among other things, sanctions relief for Tehran.

During a , Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder confirmed media reports that Iran transferred Fath-360 close-range ballistic missiles to Russia. Senior Ukrainian officials estimate Iran has shipped to Russia via the Caspian Sea.

The foreign ministers of Britain, France, and Germany , describing it as “a further escalation of Iran’s military support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine”.

The US and these three European powers on Iran’s national airline, alongside companies and individuals helping facilitate the growing military partnership between Tehran and Moscow.

Iran’s newly inaugurated president, Masoud Pezeshkian, advocates developing more balanced foreign relations, especially with Europe, and attaining much-needed sanctions relief for his country.

Transferring missiles to Russia undoubtedly undermines these stated goals, raising questions about the true extent of Pezeshkian’s power and ability to implement government policy. Iranian presidents typically have relatively limited power since Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has the final say on all decisions made in Iran.

â€ÀáłÙ’s not actually clear when exactly the missiles were delivered and when they had been ordered and what the process was like,” Arash Azizi, senior lecturer in history and political science at Clemson University and author of 'The Shadow Commander: Soleimani, the US, and Iran’s Global Ambitions', told °źÂț”ș.

“But we should bear in mind that Putin and Moscow have been understandably jittery about Pezeshkian’s election since he has brought Moscow sceptics such as (former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad) Zarif back to power, even though he has also appointed Mehdi Sanayi (as a vice chief of staff),” Azizi said.

“So, this might be an attempt, either on the part of the IRGC (Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps paramilitary) or Tehran as a whole, to reassure Moscow of Iranian support or to gain supposed leverage over the West in any upcoming talks.”

Iran has denied transferring missiles. Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, Tehran maintains it hasn’t transferred any loitering munitions, single-use explosive drones, to Moscow since the current Ukraine war began.

Incidentally, Ukraine’s foreign ministry that Russia launched a staggering 8,060 Iranian-made Shahed loitering munitions into Ukraine since initiating its devastating drone campaign against Ukrainian infrastructure two years ago.

Tehran may value the unprecedented military partnership it forged with Russia in 2022 - when the latter launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and became heavily dependent on Tehran for arms - more than repairing relations with Europe.

It could also be gambling that transferring Russia these missiles, atop the thousands of Shaheds, will gain it access to Russian weaponry and technology.

“Iran is in the position where it can benefit more from a deepening security relationship with Russia than from adhering to sanctions threats from Europe and the United States,” Nicholas Heras, senior director of strategy and innovation at the New Lines Institute, told TNA.

“Iran is deepening cooperation with Russia across several security sectors, including weapons transfers, intelligence sharing, and coordination in the Middle East,” Heras added.

“Russia also is a potential source of advanced weaponry that could benefit Iran, especially the Su-35, but also in the cyber and espionage fields.”

Iran expects to receive Russian Su-35 Flanker fighter jets to upgrade its air force. While it did , there still aren’t any signs Russia has delivered the twin-engine Flankers.

The Guardian about American and British concerns that Russia may be sharing nuclear secrets with Iran in exchange for the missiles.

At the same time, Iran has shown reluctance to transfer ballistic missiles exceeding a certain range. When reports first emerged that Russia sought Iranian ballistic missiles in 2022, Tehran was reportedly exceeding the multilateral Missile Technology Control Regime’s recommended limit of 186 miles, especially before UN restrictions on its missile and drone exports expired in October 2023.

In early August, on Russian military personnel receiving training on the Fath-360 in Iran. The news agency previously cited sources in February claiming Iran supplied Russia with 400 Fateh-110 short-range ballistic missiles but was told by European intelligence sources that there was no indication such a delivery had indeed taken place.

The Fateh-110 family of missiles have ranges between 186 and 435 miles while the close-range Fath-360s has an estimated 75-mile range, putting the latter well within the MTCR’s limitations.

“Delivery of Fath-360s might very well mean that Iran is careful about violating certain limits, not just on procedural grounds but as a broader political-diplomatic note of caution,” Azizi said.

At the same time, close-range tactical ballistic missiles are precisely what Russia needs for its ongoing ground war in eastern Ukraine.

“Iran is going to supply Russia with the weapons systems that it most requires, which in the Ukraine battlespace are short-range munitions,” Heras said.

A timely provision of short-range munitions like the Fath-360 could enable Russia to reserve its existing stockpiles of short-range ballistic missiles for strikes against strategic targets deeper inside Ukraine.

“All of these transfers are going to be commensurate with the state of the Russo-Iranian security partnership, meaning the Iranians will be cautious against providing their more advanced systems until Russia increases the scope and quality of its weapons systems transfers to Iran,” Heras said.

In another twist that may give insight into Iran’s intentions, Tehran reportedly did not deliver the mobile launchers with the Fath-360s, according to unnamed European and American officials .

Two experts cited in that report speculated Russia may want to modify existing trucks for its new Iranian missiles. On the other hand, they suggested, Iran might have decided to intentionally withhold delivering the launchers for now to allow “space for new talks with Western powers” on easing tensions.

â€ÀáłÙ’s not clear what specifically is in Iran for this deal, and there hasn’t been much corroboration on the Guardian’s story about nuclear secrets being received in return,” Azizi said.

“But the IRGC and the broader Iranian military value their ties with Russia immensely and see it as a particular point of pride that a superpower like Russia now relies on Iran for military help,” he added.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has spoken in prideful terms about these ties, according to Azizi, while telling Europeans that it shows that sanctions haven’t worked.

“But given the cunningness of Khamenei and the return of Russia sceptics to at least some power positions in Iran, it should also be remembered that Iran might think of this as a leverage it has now gained over the West, to be used for a deal.”

Paul Iddon is a freelance journalist based in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, who writes about Middle East affairs.

Follow him on Twitter: 

"Jhumpa Lahiri has chosen to withdraw her acceptance of the 2024 Isamu Noguchi Award in response to our updated dress code policy," the museum said in a statement on Wednesday.

"We respect her perspective and understand that this policy may or may not align with everyone's views." Lahiri received the Pulitzer Prize in 2000 for her book "Interpreter of Maladies."

The New York Times first reported the news.

Across the world, protesters demanding an end to Israel's war in Gaza have worn the black-and-white keffiyeh head scarf, a symbol of Palestinian self-determination.

Anti-apartheid South African leader Nelson Mandela was also seen wearing the scarf on many occasions.

Israel's supporters, on the other hand, say it signals backing extremism.

In November, three students of Palestinian descent in Vermont were shot in an attack. Two were wearing the keffiyeh.

Israel's ongoing assault on Gaza has killed 41,534 and displaced nearly everyone there.

Last month, the art museum, founded by Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi, announced a policy prohibiting employees from wearing anything that expressed "political messages, slogans or symbols." Three employees were sacked.

Other people in the United States have also lost their jobs due to their stance on Israel's war on  Gaza.

A New York City hospital fired a Palestinian American nurse in May after she called Israel's actions in Gaza a "genocide" during an acceptance speech for an award.

Israel denies genocide charges brought by South Africa at the World Court. 

(Reuters)

Security sources said Israel was responsible for the pager explosions that raised the stakes in a growing conflict between the two sides. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement.

How or when the pagers were weaponised and remotely detonated remains a public mystery, and the hunt for answers has involved Taiwan, Bulgaria, Norway and Romania.

Taiwan-based Gold Apollo said last week that it did not manufacture the devices used in the attack and that Hungary-based company BAC, to which the pagers were traced, had a licence to use its brand. Taiwan's government also said the pagers were not made in Taiwan.

A spokesperson for the Shilin District Prosecutors Office in Taipei, which has been leading the probe into Gold Apollo, said that in addition to two people being questioned last week, it had also questioned one current and one former employee as witnesses.

"We are processing this case expeditiously and seeking resolution as soon as possible," the spokesperson added, declining to name the people questioned or say whether prosecutors planned to question further people.

Last week, prosecutors questioned Gold Apollo's president and founder, Hsu Ching-kuang, and Teresa Wu, the sole employee of a company called Apollo Systems.

Gold Apollo has not commented on that investigation and did not respond to a further request for comment on Thursday.

Reuters has not been able to reach Wu for comment. Neither answered reporter questions last week when they left the prosecutors' office. 

(Reuters)

Hani Sayed, a member of the Committee on Freedoms at the Bar Association — the independent guild of the nation's lawyers â€” told a local television channel earlier this month that Egyptian laws do not prohibit premarital cohabitation.

His remarks came in response to fury by the religious establishment, especially al-Azhar, the highest seat of Sunni Islamic learning, against revelations by a famous female film director in this regard.

Enas al-Deghedi, known for her daring movies and controversial views about relations between men and women, said in an interview with an Arab television channel that she with her husband for nine years before marrying him.

Her disclosure sent shockwaves across Egypt but brought out into the open veiled support for cohabitation as an idea that can help couples see whether they can get along before pledging their lives to each other before God and their families.

'This is a way for people to know each other better' 

Sayed said he would even encourage his daughter to live with the man she loves for some time before marrying him, claiming that this would help the couple increase their odds of relationship success.

"This is a way for people to know each other better, especially with the law allowing it," Sayed told °źÂț”ș.

"Nobody can prevent women from opting for cohabitation so long as they are making this of their free will," he added.

The argument about cohabitation comes as Egypt witnesses a surge in divorces, with most happening in the after marriage.

In 2022, there were 1.8 new marriages in this country every one minute and every two minutes, according to the official statistics organisation, Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics.

Local sociologists attribute growing divorce rates to a long list of reasons, including economic ones, especially with most people's incomes being dwarfed by the dramatic rise in commodity prices, particularly food.

Nevertheless, people like Sayed, argue that cohabitation will give couples a good chance to know each other better and move beyond superficial interactions to see in greater detail how they behave in different social settings.  

"Men and women living together before marriage have a good chance to judge whether their relationship will succeed if they get married," he said.

Probably mindful of the devastating social consequences of his country's growing divorce rates, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi proposed a ban on  in 2017.

Instead, he suggested husbands who want to divorce their wives should do so in a written form by visiting a marriage/divorce official to register the divorce with them.

Sisi's view was that by doing this would give the husbands another opportunity to think before destroying their families.

However, his proposal was met with rejection from al-Azhar which cited religious grounds for allowing verbal divorces to happen.

Celebrities spark dialogue

Sayed's remarks have been met with a negative reaction, especially from the Bar Association which froze his membership and vowed to take disciplinary action against him.

Nonetheless, his outspoken support for couples to move in together before marriage is probably the thin end of the wedge.

The same support may throw light on the change that can be happening in social attitudes towards premarital intimacy, even as few people are ready to speak openly about this like Deghedi, the film director, did.

However, two people, a man and a woman, who live with their partners without being married were approached by °źÂț”ș but refused to talk about their experiences, even anonymously, highlighting the sensitivity surrounding the debate. 

Soon after Deghedi made her revelation, social media users shared several videos of local and Arab celebrities expressing positive views about the idea and relating their experiences of living together with their loved ones, without being married.

One of these videos was of Egyptian singer , saying he prefers to live with the woman he loves, without getting married to her.

Another video was of Lebanese female singer , saying she backs premarital cohabitation as an idea.

Diab even noted that she lived with the man who became her first husband for some time before marrying him. 

These views can perhaps be an expression of a much larger support for cohabitation, even as this support is so far limited to celebrities and the upper crust.

Pushback from religious entities

Egypt's predominantly Muslim population views premarital physical intimacy with aversion, with this attitude being predominantly rooted in Islamic rules against physical intimacy outside the framework of marriage.

Al-Azhar has equated cohabitation with adultery and described the act of unmarried men and women moving in together as a "violation against women's dignity and a loss of women's rights that can only be protected within the marriage institution which involves the registration of the marriage and the rights of each party in this union."

"Cohabitation is synonymous with adultery in Islam," Sheikh Osama al-Hadidi, the head of the Fatwa Centre, the al-Azhar body responsible for issuing religious edicts, told °źÂț”ș.

"Men and women can only live together through marriage, or their relationship will run against the rules of Islam," he added.

Sayed and Deghedi are also falling afoul of religious conservatives, including the nation's ultraorthodox Salafists who view the lawyer's and the film director's remarks as an invitation to vice.

"Those encouraging men and women to live together without marriage invite them to get involved in irreligious relations," Sameh Bassioni, a senior official of al-Nour, by far Egypt's largest Salafist political party, told °źÂț”ș.

"They only want to destroy society and do away with its values and unity," he added.

Amr Emam is a Cairo-based journalist. He has contributed to the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and Al Majalla

In a released on Wednesday, Egyptians already present in Lebanon have been urged to "avoid Lebanese provinces witnessing tensions, abide by the instructions of the Lebanese authorities and stay in touch with Egypt's embassy in Beirut."

Local Youm7 newspaper Egypt's ambassador to Lebanon, Alaa Moussa, as confirming that no Egyptian nationals had been reported dead or injured during the recent incidents in the country.                

Earlier this week, Egyptair, the country's official airliner, suspended flights to and from the Lebanese capital, Beirut, until further notice. 

When contacted by °źÂț”ș, several tour companies said that no flights via other airliners were available till the end of September.

Lebanon is one of the countries that Egyptians have access to without applying for an entry visa. While there is no accurate number of Egyptian nationals living in Lebanon, around 40,000 eligible voters were present in the country in December 2023, according to Egyptian news reports.

On Wednesday, Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty described, in his speech before the UN Security Council meeting, the Israeli offensive in Lebanon as a "full-scale aggression and blatant violation of the sovereignty of a country that is a UN founding member."

"The tragedy Lebanon is undergoing is an inevitable outcome of the disgraceful inability of the UN Security Council to fulfil its responsibility towards entirely ending the one-year-long war on the Gaza Strip," said Abdelatty, addressing the meeting attendees.

On Monday, Israel widened its attack on Lebanon, killing over 500 deaths, including at least 90 women and 50 children, wounding thousands, and forcing the displacement of at least half a million people from Lebanon's southern region.

With all these incidents, Lebanese hospitals are struggling to manage. As a result, dozens of critically injured Lebanese arrived late Wednesday night in Karbala, southern Iraq, where they will receive special medical care, an Iraqi health official told 's correspondent Mohammed Ali in Baghdad.

According to the official, over 200 wounded Lebanese are expected to arrive in Iraq on Thursday for urgent treatment.

The Iraqi News Agency () reported that the wounded were flown into Baghdad International Airport with their families before being transferred to hospitals in Karbala. Lebanese embassy representatives were present at their arrival, though further details were not provided.

°źÂț”ș contacted several Iraqi officials, including spokespersons of the Iraqi government and the health ministry, but they were unavailable for comment.

A senior Iraqi health official confirmed to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, the Arabic-language sister publication of °źÂț”ș, that more Lebanese wounded will arrive via Iraqi Airways in the next days.

He explained that the transfers are being coordinated by the Iraqi government and Imam Hussain Holy Shrine in Karbala, which is overseeing the treatment in its affiliated hospitals. He added that among the incoming group of 200 civilians, many women and children require urgent surgical intervention due to the injuries sustained in Israeli attacks.

Currently, around 70 Lebanese wounded are receiving treatment in Karbala, alongside their families. Dr Ahmed Abdul Karim from Karbala's Health Department told the outlet that some of the wounded Lebanese who arrived Wednesday are undergoing emergency surgeries due to their critical condition. He highlighted that "the nature and extent of the injuries, especially among civilians, women, and children, underline the war crimes being committed by Israel in Lebanon and previously in occupied Palestine."

On Wednesday, Iraq's Ministry of Migration welcomed displaced Lebanese families affected by the Israeli bombardment. In a statement, the ministry, under the direction of Evan Faek Gabro, announced its readiness to assist these families and provide them with essential supplies and humanitarian aid.

The ministry's statement followed the Iraqi government's decision to grant free entry visas to Lebanese citizens and facilitate their entry into Iraq following the Israeli attacks. Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani, on Monday, unveiled a comprehensive set of measures to support Lebanese citizens affected by the ongoing Israeli offensive.

These initiatives include a 30-day renewable visa extension for Lebanese nationals already residing in Iraq, a waiver of penalties for those who have overstayed their visas, and free entry visas for new Lebanese arrivals at Iraq's borders. The assistance package comes as Israel's military campaign continues to devastate Lebanon, particularly in its southern and eastern regions.

On Monday, the Israeli army conducted a series of indiscriminate attacks across the southern and eastern regions in Lebanon, killing more than 500 people and injuring hundreds others, in what was the largest amount of death not witnessed in Lebanon for decades. Hezbollah's fighters responded to these attacks with an intensive barrages of missiles, some of which reached deeper into central Israel.

At the moment, over 620 Lebanese, including women and children, journalists, UNHCR staff and medical personnel, have been killed by the Israeli attacks and more than 2,000 others have been wounded, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health. 

With the widespread aerial bombardment, the Israeli army is also reportedly moving ground forces, including tanks and military vehicles, from the Gaza Strip to the northern border.

Samir al-Saady, a 60-year-old father of three who experienced multiple displacement, expressed his fears that the Israeli attack on Lebanon will further the lack of international interest in stopping Israel's devastating, almost-year-long war. 

"I am so sorry for our brothers and sisters in Lebanon. It seems that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks to commit more massacres in Lebanon and Gaza," the elderly man remarked to °źÂț”ș. "I am afraid that the latest events in Lebanon have overshadowed the dire living conditions in Gaza and the efforts to negotiate a ceasefire."

"The events in the Gaza Strip have become a secondary issue for the various media outlets," he added. "We have been completely forgotten [...] There is no news about us in the media or about the ceasefire negotiations." 

Eternal displacement

For his part, Anan al-Jarousha, another displaced Palestinian, said, "We are terrified that our misery will become permanent and that they will not be able to return to their homes again as the war approaches its first year."

"We look forward to returning our houses once Hamas reaches a ceasefire deal with Israel. Now, I doubt that would happen soon," the 46-year-old father of seven said.

Palestinian and international organisations warn that 90 per cent of Gaza's population is currently homeless due to their forcibly displacement and destruction of their homes by Israel. Hundreds of thousands of people are living in unsanitary camps, struggling to find food and clean water.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said in a statement that many families are seeking shelter in UNRWA's overcrowded schools, some of which have been repeatedly bombed, and stressing that there is no safe place in Gaza with living conditions getting worse.

Shireen Ahmed, a displaced Palestinian woman from al-Nuseirat refugee camp, said that she was also looking forward to returning to Gaza City, even if her house was destroyed. 

"As long as Israel attacks Lebanon, it will never allow us to back our homes and areas. We will stay displaced homeless people for a long time," the woman said. 

"We hope that the world will end the war in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon [...] What sin did Palestinian and Lebanese children commit, so it's okay they are killed by American bombs by Israel?" Dalal al-Haj Ali, a displaced woman based in Deir al-Balah, said bitterly. 

Negative impact on Hamas-Israel negotiations

With the outbreak of military escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, the Israeli army is reportedly reducing its military presence in Gaza and is transferring key units to its northern border with Lebanon.

Despite this, thousands of Israeli soldiers are still deployed on the eastern edges of Gaza and the main axis in the centre of the strip, thereby preventing the displaced Palestinians from returning to their homes. Additionally, Israeli aircraft and artillery are carrying out continuous attacks across all of Gaza.

Egypt, the United States and Qatar are presently leading mediation between Israel and Hamas to achieve a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is adamant about maintaining Israeli forces in the Philadelphi corridor, despite Egypt and Hamas's rejection.

"Unfortunately, it is not possible to predict the fate of the negotiations between Hamas and Israel in light of the Israeli military escalation in Lebanon that may continue for a long period," according to Abdul Majeed Suwailem, the Ramallah-based Palestinian political expert. 

"Anyone following Netanyahu's behaviour in the negotiation process realizes that he wants to gain more time, to keep the war on Gaza going, and to achieve his hopes for Trump's arrival in the White House next January, based on Netanyahu's belief that this will give him the opportunity to achieve what is called 'absolute victory'," Suwailem added to TNA. 

Suwailem opined that Netanyahu is working to expand the scope of the war from Gaza to Lebanon to be able to thwart any comprehensive deal with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and prevent the resistance factions from achieving any victory on the ground.

On his part, Hussam al-Dajani, a Palestinian political expert based in Gaza, thinks that the Israel's attack on Lebanon will wreck the negotiations with Gaza.

However, Al-Dajani argued, "The repercussions of the comprehensive war may be positive for the Gaza Strip, especially in light of Hezbollah's insistence on stopping the war in Gaza as part of any ceasefire agreement with Israel."

The prestigious computer science competition's General Assembly members voted with a two-thirds majority to ban competitors from participating under the Israeli flag.

"Members of the community requested that the IOI respond to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza caused by the ongoing conflict. During IOI 2024, the General Assembly debated many options at length," a statement from IOI said.

"Specifically, the action means that beginning in 2025, Israel will not be recognized as a participating delegation at IOI, but four contestants from Israel may still participate under the IOI flag."

Despite the offer of allowing Israeli participants to still participate, Israel's Education Ministry on Wednesday said it was "not going to happen".

"The Israeli team will carry the Israeli flag proudly on the way to many more victories and international achievements
 The ministry is examining, in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry, decisive measures on the issue," the ministry statement was quoted by the Times of Israel as saying.

Calls for Israel to be barred from international competitions have intensified amid its assault on Gaza, where over 41,000 Palestinians have been killed.

Ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest in May, activists and participants raised concerns about Israel's participation, and calls were also raised for Israel to be barred from the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Earlier this month, United Nations rights experts warned that Israel risked becoming an international "pariah" over its "genocide" in Gaza, suggesting that the country's UN membership should be called into question.

"I think that it is unavoidable for Israel to become a pariah in the face of its continuous, relentless vilifying assault on the United Nations, [and] Palestinians," said Francesca Albanese, the UN's special rapporteur on the rights situation in occupied Palestine.

Presented by , Scotland’s well-known centre for audiovisual art and experimentation, the Sonica Festival showcases talented artists exploring new ideas in live music, visual arts, and performance.

Founded by artistic director Cathie Boyd, Cryptic has featured over 2,000 artists whose work has reached more than 1.2 million people across 32 countries.

This year’s Sonica welcomes artists from Myanmar, Ukraine, Australia, Luxembourg, Vietnam, Switzerland, Canada, the Netherlands, and Scotland.

There’s also a special place for Egyptian artists, who received support from the to create works about urban change and climate change, showcasing their art in Glasgow.

Cathie shared with °źÂț”ș why she is determined to showcase Egyptian artists every year: “People in the UK aren't aware of contemporary Egyptian culture or its amazing underground scene.

"I wanted to share some of this exciting work with a new audience, including festival directors and programmers. Sonica's international focus provides the perfect platform for this.

“If you believe in them and they are good artists, they deserve to have this platform,” she added.

During the opening week of the festival, °źÂț”ș visited Glasgow and interviewed the Egyptian artists.

With just a few days left in the festival, here are the artists that attendees should watch for:

Ahmed Al Shaer

Currently pursuing his PhD in Glasgow, multidisciplinary artist Ahmed Al Shaer worked with Sonica last year. This year, he returns with The Narrative, a virtual reality tour about a romantic colonial dream that never materialised.

In The Narrative, Ahmed leads a virtual tour beneath the Glasgow City Chambers, following the path of a typical guided visit while uncovering hidden symbolism that is often overlooked.

The VR tour focuses on Glasgow’s famous poem: “The tree that never grew, the bird that never flew, the bell that never rang, and the fish that never swam.”

In his VR tour, Ahmed questions this narrative by asking, “But what if there’s a hidden story behind this poem?”

Speaking to °źÂț”ș, Ahmed shares his thoughts on what this hidden story might be and connects the poem to the Canadian island of Nova Scotia.

Between 1622 and 1628, Scottish courtier, statesman, and poet Sir William Alexander made four failed attempts to colonise the island.

Ahmed suggests that the “never” in the poem could represent Scotland’s failed attempts to colonise Nova Scotia. Interestingly, he adds that from a distance, Nova Scotia even resembles a fish on a map, further linking it to the hidden meaning of the Glasgow poem.

The Narrative location: Glasgow City Chambers

Ahmed Saleh

On the opening night at Tramway Theatre, Alexandrian sound artist and composer Ahmed Saleh performed his piece Ten Year Walk to the Shore, which explores environmental disasters and past floods in Alexandria, Egypt.

In his performance, Ahmed chose to combine city sounds with imagined scenes of rising waters flooding busy streets and gradually submerging the city.

This musical narrative highlighted the threat of rising sea levels for Alexandria and reflected on two major that struck the city in the fourth and eleventh centuries.

Ahmed told °źÂț”ș that he had many reasons for creating the work: "Alexandria will soon be one of the first cities to be flooded by seawater. Much of ancient Hellenistic Alexandria is already underwater, and now the modern city, with all its cultural treasures, is facing the same risk."

Ten Year Walk to the Shore location: Tramway Theatre

Shadwa Ali

Shadwa Ali presents two works at this year’s festival.

Shadwa’s installation, Beyond the Shore, examines the rapid changes in cities and how they impact both our surroundings and us.

Like Ahmed, she focuses on her hometown of Alexandria, a city that now feels unfamiliar to her, blending nostalgia with the realities of modern life.

She told °źÂț”ș, “Cities across Egypt are changing quickly, and the destruction of urban areas is everywhere, from Cairo to Alexandria. The places I have memories of are being torn down.”

She added that one of her main concerns is the commercialisation of Alexandria’s beaches, which used to be free but now charge for entry.

Beyond the Shore location: Tramway Theatre 

Exploring a different topic, Shadwa's Resonance of the Gyre uses sounds and video recorded during the COVID-19 lockdown to showcase empty places that still feel alive with possibility.

This work encourages viewers to reflect on how the breaks in our daily lives, like those during the COVID-19 pandemic, can help us rethink urban growth.

“I wanted to imagine what the future might look like after the pandemic and create a space to consider how cities can change and whether we should rethink urbanisation,” Shadwa explained. 

Resonance of the Gyre location: The Glad CafĂ©

Dibo

Director and filmmaker Dibo began his career in advertising before turning to filmmaking. For this year’s festival, he presents his short film Amaal, which means “hope” in Arabic.

The film is set in a dystopian future where a company called the Holding Company for Dreams Fulfillment controls people’s dreams.

The story follows a character named Asser. As the film unfolds, we discover that the company, originally created to help people achieve their dreams, is doing the complete opposite.

Asser arrives on the final day for those born in 2090 to apply, finding himself in a world where wishes are tightly controlled. His journey leads him to a tense meeting with Madame Amaal, the powerful owner of the company. In the end, they both confront a request that could change their lives and many others.

Dibo shared with °źÂț”ș that although the film is about 15 minutes long, “Amaal begins when it ends. The ending is just the start, leaving room for many conversations about what could happen next, which could go on for hours.”

Currently, Dibo is pitching both a feature film and several series.

Amaal film location: The Lighthouse

Ghada Eissa

Cairo-based audiovisual artist and filmmaker Ghada Eissa's work explores themes of identity, memory, and the human condition through experimental storytelling.

Her installation, I Was in the Tide, the Tide Was in Me, created in collaboration with countertenor vocalist, composer, artist, and DJ , reflects her and Nik's personal experiences with mental health, particularly bipolar disorder.

Ghada told °źÂț”ș that the installation was inspired by the fluid nature of time and how bipolar episodes distort perception.

“Nik and I wanted to focus on the different episodes of bipolar disorder and how others perceive those who live with it, compared to our own experiences,” she explained.

The installation features several presentations, one of which is particularly striking: a split screen that shows two reflections of Ghadda's face underwater. This imagery symbolises the duality of living with bipolar disorder.

I Was in the Tide, the Tide Was in Me location: The Lighthouse

The Sonica Festival is ending this week, running through Sunday, September 29.

Zainab Mehdi is °źÂț”ș's Associate Editor and researcher specialising in governance, development, and conflict in the Middle East and North Africa region

Follow her on X: 

This delicate balance was on display last month during the Democratic convention in Chicago, where advocates for Palestinian, Arab and Muslim human rights, some of them elected officials, split their time between holding meetings with Democratic insiders and standing alongside protesters outside the arena.

It was also on display again this week when the Muslim American voter advocacy group Emgage issued their endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris.

The Muslim American political organisation, however, still expressed serious concerns with her Middle East policies, but it would prefer Harris’ ear over Donald Trump’s in the Oval Office in the belief she would be more likely to listen to them on Palestine and other issues.

A difficult and strategic balance

"The balance that needs to be made is to be both relevant and principled," James Zogby president of the Arab American Institute, told °źÂț”ș.

"Too often, the tendency is of working on the inside being unprincipled and maintaining access, or being on the outside and making yourself too assertive to the point of making yourself irrelevant. We're seeing that in full measure in this election."

Zogby, a veteran pollster who founded the American Arab Institute in 1985, has been involved in US politics even longer and can remember when Arabs and others of Middle Eastern descent barely had a voice in mainstream American politics.

"There's obviously been a change. Despite the fact that there haven't been the policy changes we want, we're recognised as a constituency. Forty years ago, we didn't exist [to the political establishment]," he says.

He noted that until the last couple of election cycles candidates from both major parties would reject Arabs' endorsements. Now, candidates from both parties are seeking the endorsements of Arabs and Muslims.

"Some people say you're looking at a glass half full, but I say no, I remember a time when we didn't have a glass," he says.

No partner on the inside for eight years

Zogby recalls that under former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama they had meetings in which they were able to produce small changes related to the region, mainly on immigration, as well as policy in Lebanon.

This, he says, didn't happen under Donald Trump, who on day one as president signed a Muslim ban, or even under Joe Biden, whose first executive order was to reverse this ban.

Biden, to the disappointment of Arabs and Muslims across the US, has continued some of Trump's key policies in the region, including keeping the US embassy in Jerusalem, moving forward with the Abraham Accords, keeping Trump's recognition of the long-time occupied Golan Heights as belonging to Israel, and not rebuilding the State Department's immigration infrastructure that Trump largely dismantled.

Moreover, since the outbreak of Israel's war in Gaza in October, which has killed more than 41,000 Palestinians in the besieged enclave, Biden has made it clear that he stands by right-wing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite multiple polls showing that the majority of Americans support a ceasefire. 

"For the inside game, it's a two-way street. In the past eight years, we haven't had a partner on the other side," Zogby says. "You can work on the inside, but you do need the administration to be responsive. That hasn't happened in a while."

Hope in Harris?

In light of widespread disappointment in Biden among Arabs, Muslims and their allies, many are sceptical of Kamala Harris, whose presidential campaign was launched from her position as vice president in the same administration.

Those who have met with her, including Layla Elabed, a leader in the uncommitted movement, which drew more than 100,000 "uncommitted" votes in Michigan in protest of Biden's support for Israel's war in Gaza, have reported that the vice president has expressed empathy for civilians in Gaza.

However, other than offering words of empathy, Harris hasn't offered much in the way of policy promises on Israel and Palestine, granted, a difficult position to be in given her role as vice president whose job is to support the current administration.

When Emgage Action announced its endorsement of Harris on Wednesday, it did not give the enthusiasm typically shown to a candidate. In its statement, the Muslim voter advocacy group explained why they did not support Trump and that they held the Biden administration responsible for Israel's war in Gaza. Harris, they reasoned, is the best option compared with Trump, the only other major-party candidate.

"To prevent Trump from returning to the White House, Emgage Action is endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz for President and Vice President," reads Emgage Action's statement. "This endorsement is not an agreement with Vice President Harris on all issues, but rather, an honest guidance to our voters regarding the difficult choice they confront at the ballot box."

Looking strategically to the future

Even as many Arabs and Muslims working both inside and outside the political system express disappointment in US Middle East policy, there also exists a strong sense of duty to represent and engage communities that have largely felt unseen in US politics.

"We have to build our institutions, follow the processes and mobilise our communities," Wa'el Alzayat, CEO of Emgage, tells TNA. "You don't disengage, you don't give up, you stay strategic. Our view is that third parties, especially in swing states, could bring about difficulties for our communities."

For Alzayat, the aim is to restore hope and give direction when there’s frustration in the community.

“Each one is presented as worse than the other. A third party is sometimes seen as a way to register disapproval. We're trying to show that we have a shot at advancing the entire agenda," he says.

"We have to be committed to the entire struggle beyond the elections. The Democratic Party is changing. What we're seeing up close is the change process. We want that to give people hope."

Iman Jodeh, a Democratic member of the Colorado House of Representatives and the only Palestinian and Muslim in the state to hold her position, is well aware of the importance of having a seat at the table.

"I think because I'd been advocating in the [state] Capitol before I was elected, I had a good sense of what advocacy looked like on the other side. Sometimes those fights are incredibly difficult," she tells TNA.

"I don't have a vote that influences foreign policy at the state level. But what I do have is a relationship with my congressional delegation. My responsibility is to share what I'm hearing about Palestine. If I can leverage those relationships, that's how I'm able to use my position as an elected official to advocate for Palestine, but I'm doing it very strategically," she says.

She recalls someone suggesting that she switch to the Green Party, a move she believes would not be a good strategy.

"OK, then what? I wouldn't be in the room to influence my colleagues and to educate them. In Colorado, we [Democrats] have the supermajority in the House. I don't take it lightly. We need to use that voice," she says.

Like many other Democrats, Zogby sees support for the Green Party in a presidential election as lacking a strategy for achieving a progressive agenda.

People who support Green Party candidate Jill Stein, he says, "think they're being principled. But they're making themselves marginalised and irrelevant".

He also urges activists against what he sees as counterproductive slogans, such as calling for an arms embargo. Instead, he suggests advocating for the US to follow its own laws, such as the Leahy Act, which prohibits the US from providing equipment to a foreign military suspected of committing gross human rights violations. This, he argues, could more effectively achieve the same goal.

It is no doubt difficult to navigate between a political establishment supporting Israel's war in Gaza, and a segment of voters whose frustration continues to grow over a lack of significant change in US foreign policy.

"We straddle both worlds," says Alzayat. "It's challenging for people to understand that and for us to do it. We don't want to only be an establishment organisation or only be a community organisation and detached from decision making."

Brooke Anderson is °źÂț”ș's correspondent in Washington DC, covering US and international politics, business, and culture.

Follow her on Twitter: 

Amin Salam, Lebanon's caretaker minister for economy and trade made the statements at an emergency meeting on Tuesday bringing together unions in the food supplies, fuels and basic goods sectors.

The meeting was called to discuss an urgent contingency plan as Lebanon reels under deadly and indiscriminate attacks waged by Israel which have been most intensive in the southern part of the country and had killed over 600 people since Monday.

The assault has seen at least 90,000 flee their homes and seek refuge in schools converted into shelters in various parts of the country.

Some Lebanese citizens, including those displaced, have rushed to buy up basic goods as fears of looming shortages and a halt in food and fuel supplies if the war expands spread.

"We have seen a frantic rush by those displaced from the areas under bombardment to Beirut and Mount Lebanon, to buy dozens of packs of bread," said Salam.

"We want to reassure the Lebanese that we have sufficient basic supplies, for producing bread, like wheat and others, and there is no need for panic".

Salam stressed that the issues of food and fuel security were a top priority for the authorities and that they would undertake every effort to avoid an interruption in supplies.

The caretaker minister urged citizens to avoid buying bread and flour in large quantities, adding that there were sufficient quantities to last at least two months, and that "orders were proceeding normally" regarding wheat shipments and those of other basic essentials.

He emphasised that coordination was underway with relevant bodies to ensure that essential goods would continue to be available.

"We are not saying there is a surplus," he added, but that "goods are sufficient for three to four months 
 there is no emergency in terms of import and export".

Regarding fuel supplies, Salam said he hoped Lebanon would not reach the stage of shortages, and emphasized that unions and importers had reassured the authorities that supply flows were stable for now. A preventative plan was being put in place to avoid shortages, he added.

Salam also touched on planned coordination with UN, UNIFIL and Lebanese security services to ensure areas under Israel's "indiscriminate and brutal" bombardment, south of Sidon, remained supplied with food and fuel, saying "basic supplies and goods can't be cut off from families in the south and other areas witnessing shelling."

The minister also stated that solidarity and national unity were an ethical duty in light of reports that some traders had raised prices to profit from the current crisis, and others had raised rents to the displaced seeking refuge.

Despite some having sought to exploit the situation by profiteering, there were many cases of individual humanitarian initiatives by ordinary Lebanese citizens who sought to offer assistance to the displaced free of charge, whether by distributing bedding, food, blankets and clothes or by families who have opened their homes to those fleeing for safety.

Some observers have raised questions about the crisis-ridden Lebanese economy's capacity to withstand a new war, and the caretaker government's ability to confront the repercussions on Lebanese markets, especially in light of the large waves of displacement.

This article is based on an article which appeared in our Arabic edition by Rita El Jammal on 24 September 2024. To read the original article click

But instead of the students reading this sign, Lebanon's displaced fleeing relentless Israeli shelling are reading these words as they search for empty classrooms to shelter in for an indefinite period.

Israel launched a wider-scale attack on Lebanon, saying it was targeting Hezbollah, while its indiscriminate attacks have killed more than 600 people, including at least 90 women and 50 children and injured over 1,800 in airstrikes on residential areas in south and eastern Lebanon.

â€ÀáłÙ was a clear message, leave,” a displaced young man residing in the school tells °źÂț”ș.

According to the Foreign Ministry, an estimated 500,000 are currently displaced from their homes, with the International Organization of Migration claiming that 40,000 are sheltering in schools.

While southern towns have been facing Israeli threat and fatal destruction for almost a year now, residents have expressed their utter shock at the intensity and expansion of the shelling within the last three days, with a displaced man saying that he counted the smoke of 40 airstrikes in a few hours.

“I spent 10 years working to build my house in the village,” says the young food factory worker from Chehabiyeh.

He actively tries not to think about the possibility of its imminent destruction like that of his neighbour’s house which he saw explode in front of him.

“We were shocked at the savagery and consistency of the strikes,” he continues, comparing today's attacks to the last Israeli attacks in 2006.

“Eighteen years ago, the strikes were around two percent of what we are witnessing today,” he says, adding that the war in 2006 saw 1,100 Lebanese killed over 30 days, whereas today half of that death toll has been achieved in three days.

Arrived by miracle

Mohammad Jaber, from Nabatieh, sits on the school stairs as he tries to stay strong for his ten-year-old daughter Zahra who shakes in his arms from hearing Israeli warplanes above.

Eventually leaving his embrace for her mothers’ who sits outside the school, Mohammad tells of the horrific moment a bomb struck right in front of his house, breaking his windows and leaving him with ears ringing in an opaque cloud of black smoke.

“I remember wiping away the smoke trying to find my daughter,” the 50-year-old father begins, as he fights his tears before wiping away his eyes and continuing.

â€ÀáłÙ was hard, it was very hard,” his voice cracks remembering how he rushed to find his family and get into the car before finding that his car had been destroyed, leaving him desperate for any way to get them out.

“The road took 300 years off our lives,” a young pregnant nurse describes the backbreaking and heart-clenching 16-hour journey from Nabatieh to her current place of shelter.

Most of those residing in the school had moved from their villages at noon and arrived at 4 am the next day on a road that would typically take one hour and a half.

â€ÀáłÙ was utter panic."

“Children were screaming at the pounding bombs that were seemingly coming from anywhere and we were stuck," she tells °źÂț”ș.

"The car couldn’t move one inch,” she adds, describing the terrible block of traffic that built up as frightened locals try to leave. She explains how many then decided to park their cars on the seaside highway as they walked around in search for water.

Drivers were fainting from the thirst and heat, many stopped to throw up, and some first-time mothers were reported to have given birth under the shelling, she tells °źÂț”ș. 

“We really arrived here by miracle,” she adds. Children were separated from their families in cases where cars ran out of gas since many were assisted by those passing with motorcycles to continue the journey.

Solidarity in times of war

Ramziyeh Sabbah, a grandmother who sits with her extended family in front of the school, finds the silver lining in seeing how they were showered with lifted spirits, helping hands, water bottles, and food as soon as they crossed the Ghazieh road into Saida.

She speaks about how her family were immediately taken care of by passersby in the village who brought them to the school in their cars, some offering their homes, and even sheesha.

“They were practically fighting over us!” she says, laughing.

“Really, it’s something that keeps our head high. It's just proof that we are all one â€” Christians, Druze, Muslims, we were treated like we are at home.”

The Mayor of Abadiyeh, Adel Najd, who has been on the ground running operations in the school tells °źÂț”ș about how the municipality has been working tirelessly to welcome families in need.

This includes raising funds with various political parties, institutions, and social groups in the village who have put the sectarian tensions aside for the triumph of basic humanity in this tough time for all Lebanese.

“Everyone has contributed. And we have been able to provide mattresses, electricity, breakfast, and other necessities,” Adel tells °źÂț”ș.

Finding a place to wash or freshen up has been difficult for the displaced community as the school facilities do not have showers. 

Home is the self

Ten-year-old Eleen from Dahyeh was found writing in her journal about her journey up to the mountains.

In a bright turquoise dress, a neat pink hijab, and a wide resilient smile, the young girl escorts °źÂț”ș into the classroom where her grandparents and cousins from Tyre lay dispersed on the ground.

Inside her diary entry from the day, her only notes were how happy she was to be reunited with her cousins whom they typically only see on Eid.

Reading her entry aloud in shy confidence, her mother, Salma caresses her shoulder and kisses her forehead. 

The smile on her face shows the pride she feels in her daughter's writing, but the crow’s feet around her tired eyes highlight the toil of the ugly situation.

Salma had packed a bag a few days before only with picture albums, “and most importantly, my wedding VHS tape,” she reveals.

Her talent for documenting is passed down to her children as she reveals her own diary which she has vowed to keep forever filled with love letters from her friends.

“The thing I love most in this life is true friendship,” she wrote in 2002, a statement that rings true to her today.

Speaking to her parents, who were eating za'atar man'oushe at a school table, Salma's mother broke down just as soon as she was asked about her garden.

“Ya Mohammad, you tell her,” she leans on her husband, Mohammad Ayoub, to tell the story of their olive and grape trees which they tend to with their souls year round, and their home which has housed generations and holds the memories which Salma preserves in her bag.

“Habibti Stella,” she speaks about their German Shepard dog that they were forced to leave behind, “she would be gone by now,” she says with her eyes growing red with tears.

“The home is the ‘qamees’,” an Arabic word which translates to your shirt, suggesting the self, the identity, Salma's mother says with tender eyes behind her thin glasses and her tight rose-coloured hijab.

“We left with nothing thinking that we would be gone for a few hours because we would all rather die in our homes than live  away from our dignity, our land and our gardens.”

As I leave the building, I see a young girl in a dirty sparkly T-shirt and thick glasses, sitting in the corridor, mouth open staring into the abyss, seemingly stuck in silence.

I ask a woman in her thirties, also seeking refuge, about the girl and she replies, “She’s still in shock.”

Yasmina Andary is a Lebanese freelance multimedia journalist based in Beirut

One could argue that Israel has always been at war with Lebanon; the UN-brokered ceasefire that ended Israel's war on Lebanon in 2006 is still ladened with unresolved Israeli aggression.

But following Israel's indiscriminate, dizzying, and dystopian cyber-attacks across Lebanon last week, Netanyahu and co. have decided that Lebanon — not just Hezbollah — will pay for Israel's newly updated, if equally fanatical, war 'objectives'.

Like in Gaza, Israel's assault on Lebanon has a singular goal: genocide. This intent has surfaced frequently in Israeli media, with officials declaring they'd "bomb Lebanon," which we Lebanese sarcastically respond is already our reality, given the lack of electricity, water, and a functioning government.

Additionally, there are genuine Israeli aspirations to reclaim the territory of the "Greater Israel," as defined by Theodor Herzl, stretching "from the Brook of Egypt to the Euphrates."

What Israel means is that Lebanon will have to pay the price. Not Hezbollah, not those who support them — all Lebanese people. 

Despite the continuous efforts of Western politicians and their media outlets to manufacture consent by labelling indiscriminate Israeli attacks as “precise” and “legitimate,” and praising their “ingenuity,” anyone familiar with Israeli tactics understands that avoiding civilian casualties is far from their goal; in fact, civilians are often their primary target. The more they ruthlessly kill with unchecked impunity, the bolder they become.

Israel's goal is not the elimination of 'terror' — both Hamas and Hezbollah were born out of resistance to the daily terror unleashed by Israel on their communities — but the ethnic cleansing of areas they need to expand their . Israel wants to eliminate Lebanese life, nature, and culture. That is their raison d’ĂȘtre.

Both Palestinians and Lebanese understand that no one native to the land would ever consider destroying it, especially when it has nurtured and sustained us for centuries.

The olive and cedar trees represent endurance and link us to our ancestors, outliving us in body but not in spirit. Israel and its people will never grasp this, viewing our olive trees merely as barriers to their relentless expansion; they see not life, but obstacles.

Israel's war on Lebanon will be a carbon copy of Gaza

As to address the United Nations General Assembly, attempting to persuade the world that Israel is conducting so-called 'precision strikes' on Hezbollah — similar to its actions in Gaza, where they label anyone opposing them as Hamas — the reality on the ground will undermine everything he'll say.

In one day, less than 24 hours, Israel had already killed half of the total number of people killed during the month-long 2006 war. And all indications are that Israel is just getting started. Netanyahu and Israel's Chief of Staff have already rejected a US-France-backed ceasefire plan, instructing their troops to fight with and prepare for a ground invasion. 

It appears that Israel, to satisfy its ambitions, will now implement 2.0.

This sadistic approach, first employed in the 2006 war, advocates for the use of overwhelming, disproportionate force and the intentional targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure, resulting in billions of dollars in damage to power plants, sewage treatment facilities, bridges, and ports.

Then-General Gadi Eisenkot was so taken with this that two years later he to use it again in any future conflict with Lebanon, "What happened in the Dahiye quarter of Beirut in 2006 will happen in every village from which Israel is fired on...We will apply disproportionate force and cause great damage and destruction. From our standpoint these are not civilian villages, they are military bases. This is not a recommendation. This is a plan. And it has been approved."

Israeli politicians are now preparing the ground for popular support of the Dahiye Doctrine once again. Similar to the genocide in Gaza, ex-PM has publicly claimed that Lebanese homes contain Hezbollah rocket launchers, a narrative which aims to dehumanise Lebanese civilians, portraying them as enemy combatants and, consequently, as legitimate targets. 

Gadi Eisenkot retired in 2019, but his promise has since become scripture. The Dahiye Doctrine has been and continues to be fully implemented in the systematic violence in Gaza.

Every tactic from the  â€” including their clownish hasbara, victimhood narratives, and the implicit and explicit equation of all Lebanese with Hezbollah — is now being employed to devastate what remains of Lebanon and to turn its population against the one force that can protect them from another brutal invasion and occupation.

For decades, Lebanon and Palestine have stood together against a common aggressor, and we will continue to unite until Israel is defeated. Southern Lebanon is part of Lebanon, the Bekaa is Lebanon, and Dahiye is Beirut. They are not separate entities just because Israel claims they are.

But Israel will not prevail. As Mahdi Amel, a Marxist philosopher from South Lebanon, in 1982 after the Israeli invasion, "You are the dustbin of history and Beirut is the city of the free. We have vowed to resist you." Now, 42 years later, the Lebanese people are once again ready to resist.

Farah-Silvana Kanaan is a Beirut-based writer and editor for independent Lebanese media organization and an independent researcher, dramaturg and creative consultant.

Follow her on X: 

Have questions or comments? Email us at: editorial-english@newarab.com

Opinions expressed in this article remain those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of °źÂț”ș, its editorial board or staff.

Dr Samir Daher, a maxillofacial and plastic surgeon at Beirut's Zahraa Hospital, says he received 190 cases following the pager attacks, and the cases had not stopped since. "We have been working pro bono for the most part, especially in the first emergency aid phase, which is the most common. Additional intensive care is dealt with accordingly, but our prime focus now is to tend to the wounded," Dr Daher told °źÂț”ș.

The Lebanese people across the country have been rushing to show support to those wounded and displaced by the recent increased violence by Israel, expressing solidarity that transcends political and sectarian differences that have long marred life in the tiny country.  

"I am secular, but my wife belongs to a religious sect," said Daher. "I believe in humanity. I work at Saint Therese Hospital, where ambulances arrive from all regions, especially from Shia areas. My fellow doctors and medical staff are from all sects and backgrounds. We must work in solidarity for the common good."

Those unable to tend to the wounded, are offering whatever they can to help. Following last week's attacks, Mirna Sabra, a Christian resident of the Shia-dominated south, took to social media platforms, offering a kidney to the wounded.

"It's the least we can do to a wounded young man who gave his blood and limbs in defence of the nation and resistance. I still live in the south thanks to them," she wrote.

Iraqi, Syrian, and Palestinian refugees have also been donating blood in response to appeals from hospitals, while others offered rooms in their homes to those whose homes were destroyed. Women from the predominantly Christian Ashrafieh district visited the wounded and brought food and drink.

The response was overwhelming, according to Walid Al-Zoubi, president of the Nahdat Akkar NGO, who said they had to halt the blood donation drive soon after it began because of the turnout.

"We didn't have enough medical staff, equipment, or blood bags at the Abdullah Al-Rassi Governmental Hospital, so we had to stop, but we resumed the next day when supplies were transported to Beirut," said Al-Zoubi.

The ongoing war pitting the Lebanese military group of Hezbollah against Israel had stoked conflicting sentiments amongst the multi-faith nation, with many supporting Shia group for its stance in supporting Gaza by picking up arms against Israel's genocide, while others blamed it for dragging the economically-distraught Lebanon into a war that is not theirs.

But social unity, despite all odds, has withstood all differences.

"The donors were Sunni and Christian. It is the least we can do for our people," said Al-Zoubi.

Christian civil society activist Anton Safar gathered a group of 17 people and headed to "Hotel Dieu" hospital in Ashrafieh right after last week’s attacks to donate blood to 40 injured in pager explosions. 

"Priority was for negative blood types, but everyone donated, some even gave medical equipment or offered their homes," he said. 

Maryam Bilal, an activist who lives in the Muawwad area near the site of one of the Israeli raids in the south, said the solidarity reminds her of the scene following the Beirut port explosion four years ago. 

"People from across the country came together to help, regardless of political or sectarian affiliations," said Bilal, recalling how an anonymous person showed up at Roum Hospital where the wounded were transferred, with a fully fuelled generator. 

Bilal says others from Tripoli (Sunni) and Zouk Mikael (Christian) invited her and her family to stay at their homes. "Humanity knows no bounds and transcends sects. When we transport the injured, we don't ask about their sects or affiliations. Despite a few dissonant voices, the overall sentiment is one of humanity and shared citizenship," she said.

Dr Fadi Al-Hashem, a urology and reproductive health specialist and the director of Saint Therese Medical Center, said that the hospital reflects his personal beliefs. 

"I believe in humanity. It would be shameful in the 21st century to think any other way," he said.

On the day of the Israeli-linked pager explosions, Al-Hashem says the hospital received 150 injured people and performed 25 surgeries at no cost.

"The injuries were to the face and hands, while some were near the waist," explained Al-Hashem. "After the raids, there were different types of injuries."

Dr Mohamed Ibrahim, an orthopaedic surgeon at the same hospital, said that he performed five hand surgeries, and several pelvic procedures as a result of the pager explosions, noting that many patients lost fingers.

This piece was published in collaboration with . 

The resolution passed 219 - 194, with 10 Democrats and all Republicans voting in favour.

It condemned Biden, Harris and other officials in the administration for "decision-making and execution failures throughout the withdrawal from Afghanistan" as well as blaming them for the deaths of 13 US service members who were killed by a suicide bomber at Kabul's airport during the final days of the evacuation.

On the campaign trail, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who as president negotiated the withdrawal deal with the Taliban, has repeatedly blamed Harris for the chaotic and deadly evacuation while she was serving as Biden's vice president.

Harris, now the Democratic candidate for president, has shot back that Trump is to blame for his role in the deal and that she agrees with Biden's decision to end America's longest war.

Republicans have used their House majority to make Trump's case in recent weeks, releasing a report that mostly blamed Biden.

On Tuesday, the House Foreign Affairs Committee also advanced contempt of Congress charges against Secretary of State Antony Blinken following a contentious back-and-forth with the Cabinet secretary over an appearance to testify on the withdrawal.

"Three years ago, the world witnessed one of the most devastating policy disasters in American history. The Biden-Harris administration withdrew all US forces from Afghanistan with no plan, no care and no remorse," Rep. Michael McCaul, the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said on the House floor Wednesday.

"As a result, 13 brave US servicemembers and over 170 Afghan civilians were murdered and 45 US servicemembers and countless others were injured," added McCaul, a Texas Republican.

Most assessments have concluded Trump and Biden share blame for the collapse that concluded the 20-year war, which saw Taliban fighters take over Afghanistan again before the last American troops even flew out of the Kabul airport. Over 2,000 US troops were killed in Afghanistan.

The reviews, including the 18-month House investigation led by House Republicans, have not pinpointed any instance where Harris particularly impacted decision-making on the withdrawal.

The main US government watchdog for the war points to Trump's 2020 deal with the Taliban to withdraw all US forces and military contractors as "the single most important factor" in the collapse of US-allied Afghan security forces and Taliban takeover.

Biden's April 2021 announcement that he would proceed with the withdrawal set in motion by Trump was the second-biggest factor, the watchdog said.

Democrats on Wednesday faulted House Republicans for rushing the resolution to the House floor and criticised it as an attempt to further politicise blame for the withdrawal.

"Republicans are trying desperately to clean up a candidate, a candidate that truly has a flawed record — Trump's record — on this withdrawal," said Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

The report - carried out in collaboration with the AJ+ outlet - won the prize for Outstanding Hard News Feature Story: Short Form during the news segment of the two-day 45th Annual News & Documentary Emmys, held by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS).

The Palestinian journalist's win comes days after the Television Academy rejected a campaign by pro-Israel personalities requesting that Owda’s nomination gets rescinded over bogus claims that she had ties to "a terrorist organisation".

Adam Sharp, the CEO of NATAS, said Owda's content submitted for award consideration "was consistent with competition rules and NATAS policies".

"Accordingly, NATAS has found no grounds, to date, upon which to overturn the editorial judgment of the independent journalists who reviewed the material," he added, as reported by Variety.

He added that NATAS has been "unable to corroborate" reports that the journalist has ties with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine as claimed, "nor has it been able, to date, to surface any evidence of more contemporary or active involvement by Owda with the PFLP".

Her report, which also won a Peabody Award in May, chronicles her family's plight as they navigate war-ravaged Gaza, under brutal Israeli bombardment for almost a year.

AJ+'s senior executive producer, Jon Laurence, accepted the award on Owda's behalf. 

"This award is testimony to the power of one woman, armed only with an iPhone, who survived almost a year of bombardment," Laurence said, before mentioning Israel's killing of over 100 Palestinian journalists in Gaza, including those working with the Al Jazeera network.

Owda rose to social media fame following the outbreak of Israel’s brutal war in the Gaza Strip, after she began documenting life under Israel's military onslaught, which has killed at least 41,495 Palestinians since October 7.

She currently boasts over four million followers on Instagram, as well as a sizeable following on X and TikTok.

The journalist, who is in her twenties, has shared semi-regular videos on social media since the start of the war, in which she usually begins with a variation of the phrase "I’m still alive", and has reported on numerous atrocities carried out by Israel, including the complete blockade on food and other necessities, the spread of diseases and the forced displacement of Palestinians.

The Palestinian journalist herself has been the victim of displacement several times, after her home in Rimal in Gaza City was bombed and destroyed by Israeli forces, including her filming equipment.

During the war in Gaza, Owda has witnessed and reported on the Al-Shifa ambulance strike in November, the Flour Massacre of February 2024, and displacement to Khan Younis.

Owda has been among the most prominent Palestinian journalists to garner praise for their reporting from Gaza, alongside Plestia AlAqad, Moataz Azaiza and Hind Khoudary.

The journalist, activist and filmmaker also uploaded videos to her social media accounts amid Israel’s aggression in Gaza in May 2021, in a bid to draw international attention to the events.

Also triumphant at the awards ceremony was UK broadcaster Channel 4, who won an International Emmy for News for 'Inside Gaza: Israel and Hamas at War'.

The award was dedicated to the journalists who have lost their lives covering the war, and to Palestinian filmmaker Yousef Hammash, whose work was described as "the backbone" of the documentary.

"It's to him we owe so much the credit to," the Channel 4 crew said.

"I'm not aware of a direct link, but obviously both mediations are hugely overlapping when you are talking about the same parties, for the most part, that are taking part," foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari told reporters.

Israel has launched a wider-scale attack on Lebanon, saying it was targeting Hezbollah, while its indiscriminate attacks have killed over 500 people, including at least 90 women and 50 children.

Meanwhile, Israel also continued its war on Gaza and months of behind-the-scenes negotiations mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States could not halt the war, which began on October 7.

Ansari said Qatar was "working with our partners" to ensure "an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon" and "work our way back from the current escalation".

"On the other track, the talks about Gaza, we continue with our efforts," he added.

The United States and allies including Qatar called on Wednesday for a 21-day ceasefire in Lebanon as the death toll mounts from Israeli strikes on the Iran-backed group, particularly on its strongholds in Lebanon's south.

Ansari said it was "too early" to describe a "formal mediation track" in talks between Israel and Hezbollah.

"I don't think we can now say there's a formal mediation track, rather than all channels of communication remain open," he said.

Diplomats had repeatedly said a Gaza ceasefire could help calm regional tensions, including in Lebanon, where Hezbollah said its months of strikes on Israeli targets were an act of support for Palestinians in Gaza.

But after the 21-day proposal, diplomats said the United States was no longer directly linking its struggling push for a Gaza ceasefire with Lebanon efforts due to the urgency of the Lebanon crisis.

The group - one of the world's most powerful non-state actors - said it had targeted the Israeli intelligence agency which had planned recent attacks using pagers and wireless devices earlier this month.

The attack marked the first time that Hezbollah struck this deep into Israel, and did so using a guided system.

Warning sirens sounded in Tel Aviv as the surface-to-surface missile was intercepted by Israeli air defence systems, according to the Israeli military.

"This is a new level of escalation by Hezbollah we haven’t seen before," Fabian Hinz, a research fellow for Defence and Military Analysis at the International Institute for Strategic Studies told the outlet Breaking Defense.

"It is the first time Hezbollah has ever claimed to have used ballistic missile [and they] are guided," Hinz said.

"We've seen Hezbollah use shorter range rockets before, [and] we’ve seen them use some of the slightly longer range rockets that they also used in 2006."

So what do we know about Hezbollah's Qader-1 missile?

A precision-guided, short-range ballistic weapon

According to the Lebanese group, which is one of the world's most powerful non-state actors, the Short Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM) has a diameter of 620mm, a length of over 7.6 meters (around 25 feet), weighs 2,870 kilograms (6,327 pounds), and is equipped with more than 500 kilograms (1,102 pounds) of explosives. It reportedly has a range of 190 kilometres (about 118 miles).

It is also reported to be capable of manoeuvring during flight and was developed with a high degree of accuracy to strike its intended targets.

In released by the group on Wednesday, the ballistic missile is shown on its launcher, which is believed to be located in an underground complex.

The Iranian-made Qader, Ghadr in Farsi, was first unveiled in 2007, and used by Iran in 2015. It is a variant of Iran's Shahab-3 missile, which Iranian aerospace engineers used to develop the country's space program, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

The Qader missile was Iran's first anti-submarine ballistic missile, according to local media news site Lebanon Debate.

It is one of many other types of ballistic missiles in Hezbollah's arsenal.

Last week, the group  new weapons used in its war against Israel, including the Fadi 1 rocket, which is 220mm in calibre and has a range of 80 kilometres (49.71 miles), and the Fadi 2 rocket, which is 303mm in calibre with a range of 105 kilometres (65.24 miles). They were reportedly unguided missiles.

Meanwhile, the local news outlet that the latest conflict between Hezbollah and Israel came with "new methods and mechanisms that differ from previous wars".

It said that Israel was expanding and escalating the conflict and moved to a stage of targeting residential and heavily populated areas as part of a strategy to exert pressure on Hezbollah.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, de facto led by Riyadh, along with allies including Russia, together known as OPEC+, have been cutting oil output to support prices.

However, prices are down nearly six percent so far this year, amid increasing supply from other producers, especially the United States, and weak demand growth in China.

Earlier this month, OPEC+ agreed to delay a planned oil output increase for October and November after crude prices hit their lowest in nine months, saying it could further pause or reverse the hikes if needed.

The Financial Times reported that the group is committed to increasing production as planned on 1 December, even if that means a longer period of low oil prices.

Global crude benchmark Brent was down about 2.6 percent to $71.57 at 0745 GMT following the report.

The Saudi government communications office did not immediately return a request for comment.

Saudi Arabia has decided that it is unwilling to continue to cede market share to other oil producers and believes it has enough funding options, including foreign reserves and debt, to withstand a period of lower crude prices, the FT said.

The kingdom, the world's top oil exporter, has shouldered a large share of OPEC+ output cuts, reducing its own output by about 2 million barrels per day (bpd) since late 2022.

OPEC+ members are currently cutting output by a total of 5.86 million bpd, equivalent to about 5.7 percent of global oil demand.

However, the kingdom has increased production in the past to defend its market share.

In 2020, Saudi Arabia and Russia engaged in a price war, both flooding world markets with oil after Moscow refused to support OPEC's decision to make deeper output cuts to deal with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Riyadh blocked calls by some OPEC members to make output cuts in 2014 to halt a slide in oil prices, setting the stage for a battle for market share between OPEC and non-OPEC producers amid a boom in US shale production.

OPEC and Saudi Arabia have repeatedly said they do not target a certain oil price and make decisions based on market fundamentals to balance supply and demand. 

(Reuters)

The United States, European Union and other allies including several Arab states issued a joint call for a 21-day halt in fighting in Lebanon after Israeli air strikes on Iran-backed Hezbollah killed hundreds and displaced tens of thousands in Lebanon this week.

The appeal for the three-week ceasefire came hours after Israeli military chief, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, on Wednesday told soldiers to prepare for a possible ground offensive against Hezbollah.

Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a key member of the cabinet, opposed the ceasefire proposal, insisting that continuing the war on Lebanon was the only way forward.

Netanyahu's coalition relies on the support of Smotrich and other far-right members who consistently also opposed a truce in the Gaza war, which has not stopped.

"The campaign in the north should end with a single result: crushing Hezbollah and elimination of its ability to harm the residents of the north," Smotrich said on social media platform X.

"The enemy must not be given time to recover from the heavy blows it has suffered and reorganise itself to continue the war after 21 days," he said.

"Hezbollah's surrender or war - this is the only way to bring back the residents and security to the north and the country."

In a separate statement on X, Foreign Minister Israel Katz also opposed any halt to the fighting.

"There will be no ceasefire in the north. We will continue to fight against the Hezbollah terrorist organisation with all our strength until victory and the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes," Katz said, referring to tens of thousands who have been displaced by nearly a year of cross-border clashes which escalated this week.

Gaza

Israel's main opposition leader Yair Lapid said the Israeli government should only agree to a seven-day ceasefire.

This would "prevent Hezbollah from restoring its command and control systems," Lapid alleged on X.

"We will not accept any proposal that does not include the withdrawal of Hezbollah from our northern border."

Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has also been a strong advocate of continuing the war on Gaza, where over 41,950 have been killed - mostly women and children.

Hezbollah has been firing rockets into Israel since 8 October, saying it had opened a "support front" for Gaza.

Since then Israel and Hezbollah have been engaged in fierce cross-border clashes, which worsened this week when Israel launched a withering bombing campaign in southern Lebanon in the deadliest violence since Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war.

The Gaza health ministry has demanded that Israel provide details about their identities and how they were killed after Israel sent the bodies across the border loaded into a container.

Health officials at Khan Younis' Nasser Hospital urged the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to intervene and retrieve the information from Israel.

"The health ministry halted the procedures to receive the container (carrying the bodies) until the completion of the full data and information about those bodies so their relatives can identify them," the ministry said in a statement.

Palestinian officials at the hospital instructed the truck driver to take the container back to the Israel-Gaza border crossing.

"They must act according to the international humanitarian law and in a way that preserves the dignity of the martyrs and their families,” Ismail Al-Thawabta told Reuters.

The ICRC, which said it was not involved in the transfer of the bodies, issued a statement highlighting the laws governing the proper handling of people killed in war.

"We reiterate that all families have the right to receive news about their loved ones and bury them respectfully and in line with their traditions," the ICRC said in a statement.

Under International Humanitarian Law, those who have died during an armed conflict must be handled with dignity and be properly managed. The law requires that they be searched for, collected and evacuated, which helps ensure that people do not go missing, the ICRC statement added.

The Civil Emergency Service tasked with finding people missing under rubble, on roads and in ruined buildings in Gaza says it has been notified of around 10,000 people missing during the near year-long Israeli assault on Gaza.

In August, Israel returned the bodies of 89 unidentified Palestinians, which the government media office described as "bones and decomposed bodies in an inhumane manner".

Amid its assault on Gaza, Israel has also been accused on several occasions of desecrating burial places and removing the bodies of Palestinians killed in the onslaught.

In January, Israel admitted to digging up Palestinian graves, claiming that it was looking for Israeli captives.

More than 41,000 Palestinians have been confirmed killed in Israel's assault, which has wounded tens of thousands more, according to Gaza health authorities.

In recent days, Israel has launched the biggest airstrikes on Lebanon in nearly two decades, killing more than 500 people in one day on Monday.

Agencies contributed to this report.

A recent CBS News revealed that 61% of Americans oppose sending weapons to Israel, including 77% of Democrats and nearly 40% of Republicans. Both parties have responded by sending more arms to Israel. US political elites have even threatened international institutions, such as the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, when these bodies dared to criticise Israel. Nearly of the Republican legislators, along with  42 Democrats, voted to sanction the ICC, which passed by a vote of 247–155. Perhaps there is no clearer example of the disjuncture between Americans and their government than in the student movement that started last October.

Students leading US solidarity

Students, who have been at the forefront of demanding a permanent ceasefire, an arms embargo on Israel, ending the genocide, divestments from arms manufacturers, and severing academic ties with Israeli institutions, have faced repression from across the board for this. Both Democrats and Republicans, including the president and vice president, have responded to student protests by portraying them as “,” their actions, and threatening students with . Congress even went as far as university presidents, three of whom were led to . This included the President of University of Pennsylvania, Harvard, and Columbia.

In response to America's support of Israel's genocidal war in Gaza, students started protesting and raising awareness about the situation. The first major encampment at Columbia University on April 17, followed by others across the country. Faculty, workers, and staff joined these protests. Many universities responded by attacking, , and even firing faculty, sending a chilling message that no one is safe. Despite this, students and faculty remain committed to protesting the genocide. By the end of the academic year, over had been arrested during on at least 61 across the US.

For most students, university is where they learn about global struggles and become politicised, often encountering influential anti-colonial scholars like Edward Said, Frantz Fanon, and bell hooks. These encounters shape their views on liberation, resisting colonialism, and US imperialism. It urges them to act and not be silent towards injustices.

Universities also provide a space for organising, something that many students experience for the first time during their undergraduate studies. Organising allows students to understand the transnationality and intersectionality of the different struggles in the Global South. Moreover, many students are socialised to believe that they have a right to protest and are protected when expressing their views. However, when the student movement for Palestine gained influence and visibility, especially during the encampments, many students were punished.

New term, same struggle

As the new academic year begins, students continue to pressure their universities to take action by divesting from Israel. Universities and local legislators have responded to popular demands by enacting  extensive measures to repress, limit, and ban student protests.

The University of California and Cal State encampments and wearing masks across their 33 campuses. The New York University the first university to forbid the critique of Zionism categorising “Zionist” as protected identity under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. to Palestine Legal, the University of Maryland all “expressive events” on campus that are not university-sponsored on October 7, to prevent their chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace from holding a vigil that had already been approved. Bernard University staff from displaying signs that support any geopolitical perspective, claiming it violates community expectations.

In early August, Nassau County Legislature approved the Mask Transparency Act, which bans face coverings unless for health, safety, religious or celebratory reasons, carrying penalties of up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine. Just days later, one of the first under this law involved a pro-Palestine student protester. The student was arrested in Long Island during a protest against an event promoting and selling occupied Palestinian land to future settlers. The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relation condemned the arrest, , “We are witnessing the immediate effects of the discriminatory and unconstitutional mask ban and condemn the policy as a silencing tactic targeting supporters of Palestinian human rights.”

Other students have also been targeted due to the anti-protest policies that were enacted. On the first day of school, The New York police two students while and demanding divestment from companies with ties to Israel. Four people were during a die-in demonstration that was held at the University of Michigan.

This bipartisan failure to protect students' rights to express their opinions and organise campuses is alarming. Both parties have made it clear that they will defend Israel at any cost, even if it means suppressing people’s freedoms and rights.

For decades the US policy towards Palestine has been one of : denial of the Nakba in 1948, the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, the occupation of Palestinian lands in 1967, the illegal settlements, the illegal wall, settler violence, and the ongoing genocide in Gaza. This policy of denial extends to the student movement for Palestine, where students are denied their rights to fight against the genocide that their government is funding, supporting, and abetting.

Unfortunately, whether democrats or republicans win the upcoming elections this policy of denial will carry on. It reflects a settler colonial logic shared by the US and Israel towards those they colonised- denying their existence, struggle, and right to resist.

Samar Saeed is a Ph.D. candidate in the History Department at Georgetown University.

Follow her on Twitter (X): 

Have questions or comments? Email us at: editorial-english@newarab.com

Opinions expressed in this article remain those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of °źÂț”ș, its editorial board or staff.

"An Israeli strike targeted a Hezbollah commander," the security source said, requesting anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to the media. It is the fourth such attack targeting Hezbollah commanders in the area in a week.

Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon killed 81 people and injured 403 amid talks of a 21-day-long ceasefire. The Israeli army bombed several villages and towns in southern Lebanon, along with airstrikes targeting the Lebanese Bekka and raiding several towns.

The Israeli military claimed on Thursday it hit around 75 Hezbollah "targets" in Lebanon during the night, including ammunition depots of the Lebanese armed group.

While in Palestine, Israeli forces stormed a town in Hebron, raiding homes and detaining a number of civilians.

Presidents Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York as they voiced fears that the conflict, after a year of bloodshed in Gaza, would escalate into a full-blown regional war.

The situation in Lebanon has become "intolerable" and "is in nobody's interest, neither of the people of Israel nor of the people of Lebanon," said a joint statement released by the White House.

"We call for an immediate 21 day ceasefire across the Lebanon-Israel border to provide space for diplomacy towards the conclusion of a diplomatic settlement."

The statement was issued jointly with Western powers, Japan and key Gulf Arab powers - Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot earlier unveiled the proposal at an emergency Security Council session.

"There has been important progress in the past few hours," Barrot said.

"We've been working since the start of the week in New York on a diplomatic solution with our American friends in particular."

A senior US official said the ceasefire call is an "important breakthrough."

"This is an important breakthrough on the Lebanon side, given all that has gone on there," the official told reporters in a briefing on the joint statement

Lebanon and Israel were expected to decide "within hours" whether to accept, a second US official said, adding: "We have had this conversation with the parties and felt this was the right moment."

Israel said it welcomed diplomacy on Lebanon but did not commit to a ceasefire, vowing to pursue its goal of degrading Hezbollah.

"We are grateful for all those who are making a sincere effort with diplomacy to avoid escalation, to avoid a full war," Israel's envoy to the United Nations, Danny Danon, told reporters before entering the session.

But he added: "We will use all means at our disposal, in accordance with international law, to achieve our aims."

The violence comes after the failure to reach a ceasefire in Gaza where Israel for nearly a year has been seeking to wipe out Palestinian group Hamas, and has killed over 41,000 people in the enclave, mostly civilians.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Tehran, which in recent weeks has held back on retaliatory strikes on Israel after attacks targeting Iranian interests, may no longer be restrained.

"The region is on the brink of a full-scale catastrophe. If unchecked, the world will face catastrophic consequences," he told reporters.

Hezbollah holds powerful influence within long-turbulent Lebanon. The country's foreign minister, Abdallah Bou Habib, asked by reporters if a ceasefire was possible, said: "Hopefully yes."

'Acute' risk of escalation

Israel went ahead with the offensive in Lebanon despite repeated appeals by the United States to avoid a wider war.

"Risk of escalation in the region is acute," said Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has made 10 trips to the Middle East since the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023.

Israel and Hezbollah had been skirmishing since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, but at a lower level.

Last week, pagers and other handheld communications devices of Hezbollah exploded in an operation carried out by Israeli intelligence, killing over 30 people and wounding thousands.

Since Monday, around 700 people have been killed and tens of thousands have been displaced since Israel launched its air offensive, with the Lebanese health ministry saying that another 81 people died on Wednesday.

It has been the deadliest week in the country for decades.

Diplomats said that the United States was no longer directly linking its struggling push for a Gaza ceasefire with Lebanon efforts due to the urgency of the crisis.

"An all-out war is possible," Biden said on ABC's chat show "The View."

"What I think is, also, the opportunity is still in play to have a settlement that could fundamentally change the whole region," Biden said.

Robert Wood, the deputy US ambassador to the United Nations, told the Security Council he was concerned by deaths in Lebanon.

But he also pinned blame on Hezbollah, accusing it of violating Security Council resolutions through its alliance with Hamas since October 7.

"Nobody wants to see a repeat of the full-blown war that occurred in 2006," Wood said.

But he said that any end to the conflict needed to include a "comprehensive understanding" that preserves calm along the Blue Line between Israel and Lebanon.

"Following a new round of consultations facilitated by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) regarding the crisis at the Central Bank of Libya, representatives from the House of Representatives and the High Council of State reached compromise on appointing new leadership for the bank," the mission said in a statement.

It said parliament and the High Council of State, which acts as a senate, initialled an agreement "on the procedures, criteria, and timelines for appointing a Governor, Deputy Governor, and Board of Directors" for the bank.

A signing ceremony is set take place Thursday, it said.

Libya is split between the UN-recognised government led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, and the rival administration in the east backed by military strongman Khalifa Haftar.

The country is struggling to recover from years of conflict after the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that overthrew longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

Tensions had been rising since early August when a group of men - some armed - laid siege to the bank demanding the removal of governor Seddik al-Kabir, who later told the Financial Times he had fled the country.

On August 18, the central bank announced suspension of all operations following the abduction of its information technology chief. He was eventually released.

The UN has held talks with the rival powers to find a way out of the bank crisis which has threatened Libya's vital oil income.

Kabir, in office since 2012, had been criticised for his management of oil revenues and budget, considered to be too favourable to Haftar.

Most of Libya's revenue comes from its oil resources, with the country's production mainly in the east.

Output recently returned to 1.2 million barrels per day, whereas under Gaddafi it was between 1.5 million bpd and 1.6 million bpd.

The verdict highlights rising tensions ahead of the election, amid opposition and civil society groups' fears of a rigged election aimed at keeping President Kais Saied in power.

Zammel was sentenced to 20 months in prison last week on charges of falsifying popular endorsements.

"It is another unjust ruling and a farce that clearly aims to weaken him in the election race, but we will defend his right to the last minute", Abdessattar Massoudi told Reuters.

Zammel was among only three admitted candidates competing for the position of President alongside incumbent Saied and Zouhair Magzhaoui.

Political tensions in the North African country have risen ahead of the October 6 election since an electoral commission named by Saied disqualified three prominent candidates this month amid protests by opposition and civil society groups.

It was reportedly the highest number of executions reported in one day in years in Iraq, which has previously come under fire over its trial processes and the use of capital punishment on a mass scale.

"Twenty-one convicts including a woman were executed" on charges including "terrorism" and being part of the Islamic State militant group, an Iraqi security official told AFP.

"The woman was part of a group who killed a person" in 2019 as anti-government protesters demonstrated elsewhere in Baghdad, the source said.

A young man accused of firing shots was killed and his body hanged from a pole.

The same security source said they were executed in Al-Hut prison in the southeastern city of Nassiriya. Two other sources said they were all Iraqi nationals.

A medical source in Dhi Qar province, of which Nassiriya is the capital, said the forensic department had received the bodies of the executed convicts from the prison authority.

It was not immediately possible to confirm when the executions took place, with some sources saying Tuesday and others Wednesday.

Courts have handed down hundreds of death and life sentences in recent years to Iraqis convicted of "terrorism", in trials rights groups have denounced as hasty.

In July, authorities hanged 10 "terror" convicts in Nassiriya, prompting a rights group to call for an end to the death penalty.

And in May, eight people were executed after being convicted on similar charges, while another 11 people were hanged earlier that month.

In late January, UN experts looking into the issue expressed "deep concern at reports that Iraq has begun mass executions in its prison system".

The independent experts, who are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council but do not speak on its behalf, mentioned in their statement executions carried out late last year in the Nassiriya prison.

The statement said that "13 male Iraqi prisoners - previously sentenced to death - were executed on 25 December 2023", calling it "the largest number of convicted prisoners reportedly executed by the Iraqi authorities in one day" since November 16, 2020, when 20 were executed.

At the end of July, Iraq's Justice Minister Khaled Shuani dismissed the UN experts' analysis as "not based on documented evidence", the official Iraqi News Agency reported.

The bodies were found Tuesday and Wednesday off the coastal towns of Salakta and Chebba, said Farid Ben Jha, the spokesman for the public prosecution in the Monastir and Mahdia governorates.

He added that an investigation has been opened but provided no further details.

Tunisia and neighbouring Libya have become key departure points for migrants, often from other countries, who risk perilous Mediterranean Sea journeys in the hopes of reaching better lives in Europe.

Each year, tens of thousands of people attempt to make the crossing, with Italy - whose Lampedusa island is only 150 kilometres (90 miles) from Tunisia - often their first port of call.

Since January 1, at least 103 makeshift boats have capsized and 341 bodies have been recovered off Tunisia's coast, according to the interior ministry.

More than 1,300 people died or disappeared last year in shipwrecks off the North African country, according to the Tunisian FTDES rights group.

The International Organization for Migration has said that more than 30,309 migrants have died in the Mediterranean in the past decade, including more than 3,000 last year.

Sudan has been high on the agenda at the UN's centerpiece meeting this week, with the dire humanitarian situation and refugee crisis dominating discussions on the war that broke out in April last year.

The conflict between two rival generals - the head of the army, and the head of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces - has so far displaced more than 10 million people, a fifth of Sudan's population, both within the country and across borders.

"People in Sudan have endured 17 months of hell, and the suffering continues to grow," said the UN's top relief official Joyce Msuya.

A UN-backed assessment has warned of the risk of widespread famine in Sudan on a scale not seen anywhere in the world in decades.

"The secretary-general expressed deep concern about the escalation of the conflict in the Sudan, which continues to have a devastating impact on the Sudanese civilians and risks a regional spillover," said a UN readout of Guterres's meeting with General Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan.

The United States earlier Wednesday announced $424 million in new aid for displaced and hungry Sudanese as it urged others to ramp up efforts for one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.

The assistance includes $175 million with which the US will buy some 81,000 metric tons of surplus food from its own farmers to feed people in and around Sudan, American officials said.

'Apocalyptic' conditions

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the United Nations, told a UN event that the world must scale up its efforts "massively" as she regretted that many were ignoring "a catastrophe of truly unfathomable proportions."

"As we sit here today, more than 25 million Sudanese face acute hunger. Many are in famine, some reduced to eating leaves and dirt to stave off hunger pangs - but not starvation," she said.

Her intervention came a day after US President Joe Biden called on the world to "stop arming the generals."

"This humanitarian catastrophe is a man-made one - brought on by a senseless war that has wrought unspeakable violence and by heartless blockades of food, water and medicine for those made victims of it," Thomas-Greenfield said.

"The rape and torture, ethnic cleansing, weaponisation of hunger - it is utterly unconscionable," she said.

She made a new appeal to let assistance into Al-Fashir, which has been besieged by the RSF as the paramilitary force seeks a complete takeover of the western Darfur region.

"We must compel the warring parties to accept humanitarian pauses in Al-Fashir, Khartoum and other highly vulnerable areas," she said.

The UN's refugees chief Filippo Grandi warned Wednesday that "conditions are apocalyptic" in Sudan.

"If people don't die because of bullets, they starve to death. If they manage to survive, they must face disease or floods or the threat of sexual violence and other horrifying abuse, which if perpetrated in other places would make daily headlines," he said.

Sudan plunged into a devastating war last year as the army battled the RSF.

The World Health Organization said this month at least 20,000 people have been killed. But some estimates are far higher, with the US envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello, saying that up to 150,000 people may have died - far more than in the war in Gaza.

Ankara, which long backed rebels seeking to oust Assad, has stepped up its push for direct talks as it tries to secure its border with Syria and seeks the return of more than three million Syrian refugees currently living in Turkey.

Hadi Al Bahra, president of the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces, said an Erdogan-Assad meeting was "possible" even though Ankara fully understands that Damascus cannot currently deliver on its demands.

"Turkey is very eager about this," he told Reuters. "They see clearly what they need to achieve... but know very well the limitations of (Assad's) regime."

"They know it's difficult and it will take time, but they are building a case... and sending clear messages to the world and to the regime, including to Arab countries," Bahra said late last week at the coalition's Istanbul office.

Bahra heads the internationally-recognised Syrian opposition, which holds regular talks with the United Nations and represents anti-Assad groups including the Turkey-backed Syrian National Army or Free Syrian Army.

His note of caution comes as Erdogan made his latest appeal to Assad on Saturday, saying Turkey was "waiting for a response" from its southern neighbour, which has been riven by 13 years of war that drew in the United States, Russia, Iran and Turkey.

Since 2016, Turkish troops have been stationed across growing swathes of northern Syria, in large part to check a Kurdish militia that Ankara deems a terrorist group.

Israel's war on Gaza and its war with Hezbollah in Lebanon has pushed Syria's poverty, hunger, extremism and lingering violence further off the world's radar, Bahra said, seriously risking a "full collapse".

For global and regional powers, Syria is not even a "top 10" priority, he said. They consider it "a manageable humanitarian crisis - which is a faulty impression," Bahra added.

After meetings with U.S., Turkish and other delegations last week, he said a UN-led political process remains "frozen".

Russia, Iran and Iraq have urged Erdogan and Assad to meet.

However, Assad said last month that this effort had yielded no "results worth mentioning", adding that while he wants Turkish troops to withdraw from Syria, it was not a precondition for talks. Damascus wants a timeline for withdrawal, while Ankara wants its concerns over the PKK militia addressed.

In his comments on Saturday, Erdogan said he believed a meeting with Assad would usher in a new era in ties, adding: "Millions of people outside Syria are waiting to return to their homeland."

More than 3 million Syrians fled the war for Turkey, among the world's largest homes for refugees. Yet they face some prejudice and sporadic violence, and they emerged as a divisive issue in last year's election in which Turkey's main parties pledged repatriation.

Bahra said many Syrians now in Turkey had fought against Assad's rule and were from regions well beyond the Turkish-controlled north, complicating matters.

Turks "know for a fact they can force maybe 100,000, 200,000 or 500,000 refugees to go back to Syria, but they cannot force 3 million or three and a half million", he said.

"They see clearly that to get this... you need to achieve political resolution of the crisis."

The three-day tour resulted in the formulation of a comprehensive strategic cooperation document between the two countries, along with 14 other commercial and economic agreements.

While it may appear that Iran, through its influence over Iraq's government, parliament, and Shia power structures, especially the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), has turned the neighbouring country into its own backyard, both nations face significant challenges in expanding their relations.

The first issue is the widespread opposition within Iraq to the growing influence of Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Demonstrations, protests, and local tensions frequently arise, with opposition coming from a wide array of groups, including civil society, feminists, secularists, Shias outside the power structure, Sunnis, Kurds, and other minorities. The presence of Iranian-affiliated militias, like the PMF, in Iraq's political landscape has only fuelled this opposition.

A 2020 survey revealed that 85% of Iraqis viewed Iran's influence as destructive - a sentiment likely heightened by recent issues like the ongoing Shatt al-Arab waterway dispute, Iranian missile attacks on Kurdish opposition camps in Iraq, and other military activities involving Iran's proxy groups.

Shukriya Bradost, a Middle East researcher, attributes the growing resentment among Iraqis towards Iran to its backing of militias that threaten regional stability.

“Inside Iraq, economic and administrative corruption by Iranian-backed militias has strained relations between the countries,” she told °źÂț”ș.

“The dissatisfaction of Iraqi youth with Iran’s interference, especially after the 2019 Tishreen movement protests, has raised concerns in successive Iraqi governments, particularly under Prime Minister Sudani, about the growing wave of opposition to closer ties with Iran."

The second challenge is the deadlock over economic matters, particularly Iraq's debt to Iran, which stands at an estimated $11 billion for gas and electricity imports.

While Pezeshkian’s visit aimed to secure repayment in alternative currencies, Iraq has kept these funds in the TBI Bank due to US sanctions and hopes to settle the debt through exports of non-sanctioned goods, such as medicine and food.

Iran’s Deputy Oil Minister Saeed Tavakoli recently claimed that Iraq is now paying in cash for its gas purchases, but no definitive resolution was reached during Pezeshkian’s visit. Instead, it seemed more of a propaganda exercise as no joint statement was issued.

Meanwhile, Iraq appears to be shifting its focus to other regional players, particularly Turkey, which is increasingly investing in Iraq. "Commercial agreements between Iraq and Iran are more symbolic, given US scrutiny over Iraqi assets and the monitoring of its banks to prevent the circumvention of sanctions," Bradost told TNA.

The third issue stems from Iran’s strained relationships with regional powers and the United States. Iraq, on the other hand, seeks to deepen its ties with the US.

"Inside Iraq, economic and administrative corruption by Iranian-backed militias has strained relations between the countries"

In 2023, trade between Iraq and Iran was valued at around $12 billion, but Iraq's trade with the US is growing, having reached a similar level last year. While trade with Iraq is crucial for Iran as a means of importing essential goods and penetrating regional markets, one of the key proposals from Pezeshkian’s team - marketing Iranian products under Iraqi packaging for regional distribution - seems to have received a lukewarm reception.

Before the imposition of US sanctions, Iran's trade with Europe surpassed its trade with Iraq, but the situation has since reversed.

"Iran no longer holds sway over Iraq’s foreign policy, though it hopes to leverage Iraq’s influence in the region for its own benefit,” Mohanad Aljanabi, an assistant professor of international relations, told TNA.

“While Iraq has US waivers to import Iranian gas and electricity, a future US administration may well revoke this exemption."

Iraq also serves as a diplomatic gateway for Iran’s broader regional and international ambitions. As Aljanabi, an Iraqi professor in Baghdad, explains. “Relations with Iran are crucial for Iraq, given both the influential groups tied to Iran and the economic dependencies that Iraq cannot ignore."

Nonetheless, Iraq's economic growth in recent years has outpaced Iran's, reflecting increasing foreign investment and stability in the Iraqi market. Meanwhile, Iran, plagued by domestic challenges, regional competition, and US sanctions, has limited access to these emerging opportunities.

The only significant exception is Iraq’s continued reliance on Iranian gas and electricity, which still accounts for about 40% of Iraq’s power supply - even as Iranian citizens face rolling blackouts due to insufficient power plant capacity.

Pezeshkian had hoped to secure agreements during his visit that would expand cross-border trade zones, increase bilateral trade to $20 billion, address shared water issues, and boost religious tourism.

However, despite calling Iraq his "second home," he appears to have returned to Iran empty-handed.

Iraq’s own domestic and international constraints seem to limit its ability to accommodate Iran’s broader ambitions.

Omid Habibinia is an Iranian senior journalist and political communications researcher based in London. He has worked with numerous Persian-language and international media outlets, including BBC World, Iran International TV, France 24, Al Arabiya, MBC, and Your Middle East.

Follow him on X:

The Islamic Action Front (IAF), the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan, won 31 seats (out of 138) – more than quadrupling the number they held previously, making it the biggest opposition bloc in parliament.

The IAF, founded in 1992, is the largest and most influential opposition party in Jordanian politics. However, the recent election results showed clearly that the IAF vote extended far beyond the group's usual urban, conservative support base, and notably into tribal areas. This indicates that the noticeable rise in support for them was not primarily motivated by religion, but by support for the Palestinian resistance, with the Brotherhood having been at the forefront of the pro-Gaza movement.

Gaza as the litmus test

Both before and during the elections, the Muslim Brotherhood's solidarity with Palestinian resistance was very . IAF MP Yanal al-Fraihat, for example, even designed his election posters incorporating an inverted triangle, symbolising the red triangle used by the Qassam Brigades in their videos. IAF members also to the family of Maher al-Jazi, the lorry driver who shot dead three Israeli border guards in Jordan on 8 September, the day before the elections.

Not to mention, the political party has held a strong anti-normalisation with Israel stance.

These were all actions that strongly resonated with many Jordanians who clearly sought to vote for those who have expressed equal outrage over the continuing genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza, as well as the growing settler onslaught in the occupied West Bank. 

Meanwhile, over the last year, no attention was given by the authorities and those with any influence in Jordan, to the deep impact the war on Gaza was having on the public, nor the fact that Jordanians were scared of Israel's threat to the kingdom.

The Jordanian people's passionate engagement with the genocide that has been taking place for almost a year now, was largely overlooked despite all the signs. That many Jordanians were being inspired by Palestinian resistance was also clearly underestimated, despite the overwhelming jubilation following Maher al-Jazi's drastic actions.

Al-Jaza was celebrated with pride when he killed the Israeli border guards, especially by the Huwaitat tribe to which he belonged, as this was seen as a refusal to be subjugated to Israel. 

Repression

Rather than the state harnessing the anger among ordinary Jordanians to fortify its position against US and Israeli pressures, it chose to launch a spate of arrests (including of the much admired satirical writer Ahmad Hassan al-Zoubi) and intimidate opposition parties and activists.

In effect, Jordan's powerful factions, and those behind them in the Royal Committee to Modernize the Political System (that was set up in 2021 by the Jordanian kingdom to redraw Jordan's political landscape, and supposedly encourage a more democratic multiparty system), missed the implications of sidelining Palestinians, and ignoring growing fears amongst the people that efforts were underway to eliminate the Palestinian cause.

Instead, energy was directed towards containing the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood.

A "new parties law" which was introduced in line with the royal committee's recommendations, was used by various state factions and former officials – conservative, liberal and purely opportunistic –to establish political parties to secure or bolster their presence.

One of the state's unsaid goals with this law was also to marginalise the Brotherhood, represented by the Islamic Action Front (IAF), and the opposition.

[The authorities' preoccupation with sidelining the Muslim Brotherhood  stems back to the Arab Spring, when many regimes in the region hardened their stance towards the Brotherhood due to perceiving it as a driver of the protests and main critic of the status quo. Whilst Jordan did not ban the Brotherhood, as other states did, "election engineering" was carried out to undermine their support. Harassment – including through arrests - was also used against their candidates - translator's ].

All of this has been taking place against the backdrop of a wider growing crackdown on freedoms, including through the deeply repressive new cybercrime law.

Ironically, alongside the added public anger over ongoing normalisation with Israel, the Brotherhood saw a surge in support from the people which was most visible in their recent electoral victory.

The decline of other opposition parties 

Jordan's Social Democratic party  also saw a dramatic drop in votes amidst mass anger towards Israel. Whilst traditionally the Party finds support in Amman's second circle - a relatively affluent area associated with middle class professionals and intellectuals, this election saw the lowest voter turnout (11%) from their base – strongly signalling a loss of confidence. 

It seems that even the more well-off parts of society are fearful of decision-makers' seeming obliviousness when it comes to the ramifications that Israel's violence could have on Jordan.

Former state officials also now view the Palestinian resistance as a bulwark protecting Jordan from Israel. They are frustrated that decision-makers don’t sense the scale of the threat of looming Israeli expansion, nor are they acting to ease the anger of the public.

As for the Left, their failure to win even a single parliamentary seat (despite left-wing parties' longstanding unwavering support for the Palestinian struggle), can be explained by the state's intensified harassment and threats as its agencies have attempted to crush them entirely. Their candidate, Haidar Al-Zaban, faced a barrage of these attacks.

Another big mistake when it comes to the Left in Jordan, was their failure to form a broad coalition with the nationalist and smaller parties that are led by young people who share many of the same views on various issues. Certain sections prioritised their own narrow demands over broader unity, and in the end paid for it.

Ultimately, the results of the recent elections are both significant and in many ways, have served as a warning about the real issues plaguing Jordan's future.

If, what some believe is true - that the palace prevented any intervention in the electoral process after realising the Muslim Brotherhood was going to do well, in order to use it as leverage to confront US pressures – then there’s already been a considerable shift. However, even if this is just a tactical move, the palace must be serious about using the anger of the Jordanian people against Israel.

Furthermore, the results have shown that attempting to engineer a multiparty system is an unwise idea. After all, the credibility of attempting to shape the political landscape has clearly been lost. Indeed, in order to establish political pluralism, civil and political freedoms must first be established, and the persecution of activists, as well as the use of intimidation to stop people from joining independent opposition parties, needs to end.

Freedom of expression and other political freedoms must be guaranteed.  

Lamis Andoni is a Palestinian journalist, writer and academic who launched °źÂț”ș as its editor-in-chief.

This is an edited and abridged translation from our Arabic edition. To read the original article click

Translated by Rose Chacko

Have questions or comments? Email us at: editorial-english@alaraby.co.uk

Opinions expressed in this article remain those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of °źÂț”ș, its editorial board or staff, or the author's employer.

"We are attacking all day, both to prepare the ground for the possibility of your entry, but also to continue striking Hezbollah," Herzi Halevi told a tank brigade, a statement from the military said as Israeli warplanes conducted hundreds of deadly strikes around Lebanon.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel's military operations against Hezbollah would not stop until northern residents can safely return to their homes.

Israel's threats came after Hezbollah said it had targeted Israel's Mossad spy agency headquarters on Tel Aviv's outskirts - the first time it has fired a ballistic missile in almost a year of cross-border clashes sparked by the Gaza war.

Lebanon's health minister said Israeli strikes killed 51 people and injured 223 on Wednesday, including in mountainous areas for the first time outside of south and east Lebanon.

Israel claimed it hit 60 Hezbollah intelligence sites, among hundreds of the group's targets struck across Lebanon.

In Washington, President Biden warned of the possibility of "all-out war" after Israel's troops were put on alert for a possible ground invasion.

"An all-out war is possible," Biden told broadcaster ABC.

"What I think is, also, the opportunity is still in play to have a settlement that could fundamentally change the whole region."

Biden added that there was a "possibility" of a Lebanon ceasefire, but "I don't want to exaggerate it".

The United States is Israel's main backer, and Biden said earlier Wednesday a "full-scale war is not in anyone's interest".

Israel calls reservists

Cross-border clashes intensified Wednesday after ferocious Israeli air raids on Monday killed at least 558 people in the deadliest day of violence in Lebanon since its 1975-90 civil war.

Nour Hamad, a 22-year-old student in the eastern Lebanese city of Baalbek, described living "in a state of terror" all week.

"We spent four or five days without sleep, not knowing if we will wake up in the morning," she said.

In Tel Aviv, sirens sounded following .

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby called Hezbollah's attack on Tel Aviv "deeply concerning", but added there was "still time and space for a diplomatic solution here to de-escalate the tensions and to prevent an all-out war".

The Israeli military claimed "over 280 Hezbollah" targets had been struck across Lebanon on Wednesday, and added the strikes were ongoing.

"Fighter jets struck 60 terrorist targets belonging to Hezbollah's intelligence directorate," the army claimed.

It said two reserve brigades were being called up "for operational missions in the northern arena", adding this would "enable the continuation of combat against the Hezbollah terrorist organisation".

Israeli raids on Lebanon on Monday killed at least 558 people, in the deadliest day of violence since Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war, while Hezbollah has been firing barrages of rockets towards northern Israel, sending civilians running for shelters, including in the northern city of Haifa.

"More than 1,000 Israeli strikes across Lebanon that have killed hundreds of people and injured thousands" this week "are placing civilians across the country at grave risk of harm", HRW said in a statement.

United Nations "member states should take urgent action to establish an independent inquiry into violations during the current hostilities", said Lama Fakih, HRW's Middle East and North Africa director.

"It is paramount for Israel and Hezbollah to comply with the laws of war to minimise civilian harm," Fakih said in the statement.

"The presence of a Hezbollah commander, rocket launcher, or other military facility in a populated area does not justify attacking the area without regard to the civilian population," Fakih added.

Since Monday, the UN's International Organization for Migration has recorded some 90,000 newly displaced people in Lebanon.

On Tuesday, the International Rescue Committee said it was "deeply concerned by the escalating conflict in Lebanon", adding that "ongoing insecurity may significantly hinder our ability to deliver vital assistance to those in need".

On Monday, the Norwegian Refugee Council urgently appealed "for immediate de-escalation by all parties to the conflict and for an end to the indiscriminate attacks that destroy civilian homes and infrastructure".

"The targeting of civilian areas in southern and eastern Lebanon and northern Israel escalates hostilities to a new and incredibly dangerous level," a statement said.

On Sunday, an Egyptian ship delivered a consignment of military equipment to Somalia, security officials said, including artillery and anti-aircraft guns. It was the second such delivery in a month.

Tensions have been growing between Somalia and Ethiopia since earlier this year when Addis Ababa signed a memorandum of understanding with the self-declared republic of Somaliland to lease part of its coastline for a military base in return for recognising the region’s independence.

Following the arms delivery this week, Ethiopia, via Djibouti, reportedly to Egypt that if its military presence harms Addis Ababa’s interests in Somalia it will be met with a reaction.

In response, Egypt that it is ready to respond forcefully to any attempt to harm Egypt’s presence in Somalia or Somali interests.

A new map of alliances

Conflicting geopolitical interests have seen tensions soar in the Horn of Africa in recent months, with Somalia and Ethiopia's ties at their lowest point in many years.

Last October, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed declared that obtaining a sovereign sea outlet for his landlocked country was an “existential matter”.

Months later, in January, Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland to recognise the separatist region in exchange for leasing Addis Ababa a strip of coastal territory for the construction of a military base.

Somalia considered the move an infringement of its national sovereignty and announced it would work to undermine it through all means. Cairo was among the first stops in a visit by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to form a support front against Ethiopia, with Abdel Fattah el-Sisi announcing his country’s support for Somalia’s unity and sovereignty.

For its part, Egypt has been involved in a diplomatic conflict with Ethiopia for years over the controversial Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Shortly before Ethiopia’s deal with Somaliland, Cairo had announced an end to the negotiations track with Addis Ababa over the dam and reiterated its right to defend its water and national security.

Egypt and Somalia’s new alliance culminated in the signing of a joint defence agreement in mid-August. Shortly afterwards, Egyptian military aircraft arrived in Mogadishu carrying Egyptian equipment and technicians to implement the terms of the deal, while thousands of Egyptian soldiers are expected to replace their Ethiopian counterparts in an African peacekeeping force operating in Somalia early next year.

Ethiopian Chief of Staff, General Berhanu Jula, responded to these developments by his country would not stand idly by in the face of attempts by external forces to spread instability in the region. Ethiopian reinforcements, meanwhile, were dispatched to the border with Somalia.

In the same month, Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed announced that his country’s dam project was expected to be completed by the end of the year. Egypt’s foreign ministry the statement “completely unacceptable”, with rising tensions between the three parties prompting fears of a move towards militarised conflict in the region.

The Egyptian-Ethiopian conflict through a Somali lens

In 1991, Somalia began to experience a downward spiral with the collapse of state institutions and the onset of a civil war. The country has been unable to recover from these severe divisions and their effects, as evidenced by its consistent position among the bottom two ranks of the between 2008 and 2024.

This fragility is reflected by Somalia’s numerous challenges in effectively combating the terrorist group Al-Shabab and establishing security across the country.

The memorandum of understanding between Ethiopia and Somaliland has added further complexity to the situation for decision-makers in Mogadishu.

According to Somali journalist Nor Gedi, transferring the Egyptian-Ethiopian conflict to Somali territory could bring certain political and security benefits for Mogadishu, especially considering its relative weaknesses compared to Ethiopia.

Gedi told °źÂț”ș that Mogadishu seeks to leverage Cairo's support to help rehabilitate the Somali army and enhance Somalia's political position in regional issues, in addition to economic benefits.

For example, the terms of the defence agreement stipulate that Cairo will train Somali military and security personnel and exchange intelligence information. Cairo is also expected to participate in an African peacekeeping force in Somalia early next year, which will allow thousands of Egyptian soldiers to be stationed in Somali states bordering Ethiopia.

This will enable Egypt to carry out intelligence activities in the region and communicate with rebel groups inside Ethiopia.

Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Maalim Fiqi in mid-September that unless Addis Ababa backs down from the memorandum of understanding with what he described as "Somali separatists," his country will establish relations with Ethiopian rebels.

A path to armed conflict?

Shadi Ibrahim, an Egyptian researcher in security studies and international relations at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, believes that while there is a possibility of a confrontation between Egypt and Ethiopia within Somalia, it is still quite unlikely.

Any potential confrontation is not solely tied to Cairo or Addis Ababa, as other influential forces in Somalia would strive to prevent such a scenario from unfolding, he told °źÂț”ș.

Ibrahim explained that Turkey holds significant influence in Somalia and is leading mediation efforts between Somalia and Ethiopia at the request of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

This “indicates that Ankara will apply pressure and attempt to prevent any escalation of tension” in the region, the researcher said.

For his part, Ethiopian political analyst Abdushekur Abdusemed Hassen believes that the possibility of an Ethiopian-Egyptian war in Somalia is "very small."

International and regional actors wouldn’t tolerate a new conflict in the region, which is surrounded by ongoing wars in Yemen, Sudan, Libya, and Gaza.

“Any such conflict would inflame the entire Horn of Africa,” Hassen told TNA.

Despite the tense atmosphere, many observers indicate that the two countries are not prepared to wage a direct war on Somali territory, as Cairo is going through a sensitive security situation with the wars raging in Sudan and Gaza, together with a domestic financial crisis.

Ethiopia, meanwhile, is suffering from the costly economic repercussions of the Tigray War (2020-2022) in addition to major security disturbances as rebel movements in the country expand their activity.

Egypt and Ethiopia's cards in Somalia

Despite the absence of armed conflict between Cairo and Addis Ababa on Somali territory, it is anticipated that they will engage in other forms of ‘battle’ to gain the greatest level of influence in the country. In this context, both countries have their own distinct advantages.

Egypt's presence will be backed by an official agreement with the Somali government, and internal divisions within the country regarding Egypt's actions will create a supportive environment for Cairo.

In addition, both countries need mutual diplomatic support in their respective concerns. Egypt aims to obtain Somali support for its position on Ethiopia’s dam project and change Mogadishu's position, which chose neutrality in 2020. Somalia, meanwhile, will benefit from its growing relationship with Cairo in supporting international initiatives to preserve peace and rebuild the country.

Gedi believes that Egypt's support and training for Somalia's security sector, as well as its involvement in an African peacekeeping force, will strengthen the Somali government's ability to combat terrorist groups like Al-Shabab. However, this assistance may also lead to an increase in Cairo's influence in Somalia from a military and security perspective.

The Somali journalist believes that Addis Ababa will continue to strengthen its relations with semi-autonomous federal regions in Somalia, such as Puntland and Somaliland, which will enable it to build channels of influence independent of the central government in Mogadishu.

There is also a possibility that Ethiopia may seek to improve relations with the Al-Shabab movement to counter Egyptian influence and preserve stability along the shared border.

In recent weeks, however, there have been disagreements between Somali central government officials and regional states that reject Egyptian intervention and demand the continued presence of Ethiopian forces. In addition, there have been popular demonstrations in some cities calling for the same outcome.

Abdolgader Mohamed Ali is an Eritrean journalist and researcher in African Affairs.

Follow him on Twitter: 

The channel also platformed scores of racist statements, as well as those calling for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza and the starvation of its population.

The data was compiled by Zulat for Equality and Human Rights, Hatzlacha: Movement for the Promotion of a Fair Society, and the Democratic Bloc.

The three groups filed a complaint on Monday to Israel's Attorney General Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and to the Ombudsman of the Second Broadcasting Authority, calling for a criminal investigation.

"Israeli society is deeply traumatized, and this trauma will take years to heal. This is exactly the type of ground upon which moral monstrosities are liable to flourish, and are flourishing," read the letter penned by the lawyers representing the groups.

The letter was sent with a list including quotes from the channel's presenters and guests, which the organisations say demonstrates how Channel 14 has become a "lobbying machine" for crimes against Palestinians.

"Incitement to war crimes is part of the Channel 14 poison machine, and its aim is to create a forever war here," Zahava Galon, president of Zulat for Equality and Human Rights, was quoted by Haaretz as saying.

"This is a channel that enjoys regulatory benefits from the state and serves the political and diplomatic interests of Prime Minister Netanyahu," Galon said.

"It also incites against the LGBTQ community, against the families of hostages, against the justice system and against the senior commanders in the army," Galon added.

Days after the launch of the Israeli assault on Gaza in October, former lawmaker Moshe Feiglin appeared on Channel 14's 'The Patriots' programme saying that "if the goal of this operation isn't destruction, occupation, expulsion and settlement, then we've done nothing".

On the same show on 15 October, a recording of Israeli singer Eyal Golan saying that "Gaza should be totally wiped out, no one should live there" was aired.

Golan's statement was quoted by South Africa in its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

Speaking on Channel 14's news programme in November, Israeli political commentator Jacob Bardugo called for the indiscriminate bombing of Gazans.

"We need to bombard them indiscriminately. We're doing it discriminately, and that's not a good thing
 The air force could be working a lot more and discriminating between combatants and noncombatants," Bardugo said.

In August, host Yinon Magal read out a social media post from Israeli soldier Dvir Lugar, who said: "The destruction in Gaza gives me a good feeling. Gaza is in a state of devastation. The devastation machine needs to keep working."

The three groups who filed the complaint say that the channel's presenters have made similarly disturbing posts, logging at least 380 statements.

The groups said in their letter that they would give the attorney general and the Second Broadcasting Authority 30 days to respond before recommending legal measures.

Over a two-day period last week, thousands of pagers, as well as walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah operatives, blew up in Lebanon, killing at least 39 people and wounding thousands.

The attacks were widely believed to have been carried out by Israel, which has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement.

It is unclear how and when the pagers were weaponised so they could be remotely detonated. Taiwan, Hungary and Bulgaria are already investigating possible links in the supply chain.

"PST has initiated a preliminary investigation to determine whether there are reasons for starting a (full) investigation on the basis of allegations in the media that a Norwegian-owned company may have been involved in the dissemination of pagers to Hezbollah," PST lawyer Haris Hrenovica said in a text message to Reuters.

Earlier, he told Norwegian news agency NTB that the police had no specific suspicions at this time.

Bulgarian authorities said last week they were investigating Sofia-based company Norta Global Ltd after a Hungarian media report that it facilitated the sale of the pagers.

The company was founded in 2022 by Norwegian citizen Rinson Jose, 39, according to Bulgaria's corporate registry. He signed the company's articles of association at the Bulgarian consulate in Oslo, the documents reviewed by Reuters showed.

Jose declined to comment on the pagers when reached by phone last Wednesday and hung up when asked about the Bulgarian business. He did not return repeated calls and text messages.

When Reuters tried to call him on Tuesday this week, the call was directed to an answering service.

Jose's LinkedIn profile shows that he has been employed by DN Media Group since February 2020. DN Media Group said he worked in the sales department and left for a conference in Boston on 17 September.

He last contacted his colleagues by email on 18 September, according to Norwegian media. His employer told Reuters it had not been able to reach him since.

Reuters has found no evidence linking Norta Global to the DN Media Group.

(Reuters)

Certain shelters are reportedly prioritising displaced Lebanese and Palestinians, leaving some Syrians to turn to locals who had opened their homes to tens of thousands who were forced to flee southern Lebanon amid intense bombardment.

Israel's indiscriminate assault on Lebanon has so far killed over 570 people and injured thousands in its first 48 hours.

"When the shelling began and rockets fell near our house, we fled for Sidon city," Zeina Ammar, a Syrian refugee living with her family in the southern village of Ansar, told °źÂț”ș's Arabic language sister site Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

"When we arrived after over seven hours on the road, we went to the municipality, but they refused to let us go to any school shelter or register our names, telling us priority was being given to displaced Lebanese," she said.

She, her husband and their three children were forced to spend the night in Martyr's Square.

"Where will we go? Where will we sleep? We cannot return to Syria and I do not know what to do," she said.

Ismail Hamoud, a Syrian from Afrin who settled in Borj Rahal in Tyre district after fleeing Syria, said that young men in Sidon took him and his family to the municipality to register their names.

However, "at the municipality, they told us Syrians couldn't register, and that priority was being given to Lebanese and Palestinians, and that we were the responsibility of Caritas (aid group)", he says.

He tried to contact Caritas but was unable to get hold of anyone.

"We went back to the municipality, and they asked us to contact the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, but none of their employees responded," he said.

After repeatedly seeking assistance from the municipality, the family was left with no choice but to sleep on the street.

"We are ten families and I have a family of six," he said, adding: "We couldn’t eat and there are no toilets. At the same time, we cannot return to Syria because we are with the opposition."

Rojid Nahsudado, also originally from Afrin, has been living with her family in the town of Qasmiyeh in southern Lebanon for six years.

She said when the shelling had started near Qasmiyeh, they had fled on foot and walked a long distance until a passerby picked them up and dropped them in Sidon.

"We arrived at nine pm on Monday and slept in the open. No one would take us in," she said, adding that her son had thalassemia and needed monthly blood transfusions, but at the moment they didn't even have food or drink.

"My son is young and sick. They said priority is going to the Lebanese, but humanity doesn’t differentiate between Syrians and Lebanese."

The United Nations said on Wednesday that some 90,000 people had been displaced in Lebanon this week.

Since Monday, the UN's International Organization for Migration has recorded "90,530 newly displaced persons", a statement said.

Among them, "many of the more than 111,000 people displaced since October... are likely to have been secondarily displaced", a statement from the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs added, referring to the start of the cross-border attacks between Israel and Hezbollah.

This article is based on an article which appeared in our Arabic edition by Intisar al-Danan on 25 September 2024. To read the original article click

Harris had a lead of six percentage points based on unrounded figures, which showed her support from 46.61 percent of registered voters while Trump was backed by 40.48 percent, according to the three-day poll that closed on Monday.

The Democrat's lead was slightly higher than her five-point advantage over Trump in a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted from 11 September to 12 September.

The latest poll had a margin of error of about four percentage points.

While national surveys, including Reuters/Ipsos polls, give important signals on the electorate's views, the Electoral College's state-by-state results determine the winner, with seven battleground states likely to be decisive.

Polls have shown Harris and Trump are neck-and-neck in those battleground states, with many results within the polls' margins of error. A recent New York Times/Siena College poll showed Trump with marginal leads in three of these states: Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina.

When asked which candidate had the better approach to the "economy, unemployment, and jobs," some 43 percent of voters responding to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll picked Trump, and 41 percent selected Harris.

Trump's two-point advantage on the topic compares to his three-point lead in an August Reuters/Ipsos poll and his 11-point lead over Harris in late July, shortly after she launched her campaign.

Harris entered the race after President Joe Biden folded his reelection effort following a poor debate performance against Trump in June. At the time, Trump was widely seen as the frontrunner, partly based on his perceived economic strength after several years of high inflation under the Biden administration.

Reuters/Ipsos polling between April and June also showed voters picked Trump over Biden in terms of the economy, unemployment, and jobs by between five and eight points.

Trump has still had wide leads in some measures of confidence in his economic stewardship. A Reuters/Ipsos poll from August asked voters which candidate had a better approach to "the US economy" without specific reference to jobs or unemployment, and Trump led Harris by 11 points, 45 percent to 36 percent.

Both candidates are focusing campaign pledges on the economy, which the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll showed was the No. 1 issue for voters. Trump on Tuesday said he would create special manufacturing zones on federal lands and raise tariffs on imported goods.

Harris has pledged tax breaks for families with children and higher taxes for corporations. She is expected to unveil new economic proposals this week, even though some advisers acknowledge time is running out to convince voters with policy pitches.

The polling average maintained by FiveThirtyEight.com shows a close race at the national level, with Harris leading Trump 48.3 percent to 45.8 percent.

The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll surveyed 1,029 US adults online nationwide, including 871 registered voters.

Among these, 785 were considered the most likely to turn out on Election Day. Among these likely voters, Harris led 50 percent to 44 percent, though similar to her lead among all registered voters, her advantage was only five points when using unrounded figures.

(Reuters)

Officially, Abdel-Fattah will not be released any time soon, which, according to his family and lawyers, is "illegal."

"The release day they are giving for Alaa is January 2027, but the law says the two years he spent in pre-trial detention must be counted so he should be released next week," Abdel-Fattah’s aunt, award-winning British-Egyptian novelist, Ahdaf Soueif, told °źÂț”ș.

On 21 September, Abdel-Fattah’s lawyer and mother, Laila Soueif, filed a petition before the prosecution-general demanding his release on Sunday.

"When my sister, Laila, and Alaa’s lawyers approached the prosecutor-general's office again yesterday [24 September] to seek answers, the authority told them to check again after 1o days,” said Soueif, the aunt.

The prominent 42-year-old activist, also an author, a software developer and a blogger, was first sentenced to five years in 2014 after being convicted of joining an unauthorised protest and assaulting a police officer, charges he denies.

Abddel-Fattah was rearrested less than a year after his release during his parole in a crackdown that followed rare anti-government protests. After spending two years in pre-trial detention, he was found guilty of "spreading false news" among other charges over sharing a social media post about alleged police brutality.

The Egyptian criminal procedures law dictates that the duration a detainee spends in detention before trial is deducted from the sentence, as long as the defendant has not been convicted of any other legal offences during this time.

"It is legally justifiable to count the time Alaa Abdel-Fattah had spent in pre-trial detention as part of his verdict," high-profile lawyer Khaled Ali, representing Abdel-Fattah, said in a  on his Facebook page.

Abdel-Fattah and his two sisters, Sana and Mona Seif, originally Egyptian nationals, had been  UK passports for being the children of a British-born mother, , a mathematics professor and activist, who has for decades been fighting for the independence of Egypt’s academic institutions.

Local and international rights groups have repeatedly accused Egypt’s government under President al-Sisi of overseeing the  in decades, with thousands of his critics currently behind bars.

Abdel-Fattah was a leading figure in the 2011 revolution, mobilising young people in the uprising that unseated long-time . He is also the son of the late renowned human rights lawyer  dubbed "the advocate the poor's advocate." 

Over the past decade, Abdel-Fattah's incarceration has been met with international outcry with several attempts to secure his early release all reaching nowhere.

In 2022, Abdel-Fattah went on a hunger strike for nearly six months over his imprisonment conditions, escalating his protest by refusing to drink water during the COP27 UN climate summit in November of the same year.

Activists, meanwhile, took to social media, calling on the British government, to negotiate Abdel-Fattah's release with Egypt.

Celebrated British actor and activist Khalid Abdallah, born to Egyptian parents, called on the UK to ensure that Abdel-Fattah walks free on 29 September.

Abdel-Fattah's family vowed to continue their pursuit to gain his legal rights and, eventually, set him free.

"Alaa spent almost 10 years and a half years between prisons and parole. He is about to complete five years behind bars following a remarkably absurd trial. It is time for him to be free," Soueif, the aunt, said emphatically.

On Wednesday, the Hezbollah media arm, Al-Manar TV, said its cameraman Kamel Karaki was killed in an Israeli air raid on Qantara town in southern Lebanon.

Karaki was a renowned photojournalist locally and his death was mourned among journalists in Lebanon. He was the sixth journalist to be killed by Israel in Lebanon since 7 October.

His killing came just a day after Hadi al-Sayyed, a journalist for Al-Mayadeen television, died after scumming to wounds sustained in an Israeli strike on his home on Monday.

The outlet said al-Sayyed had suffered critical injuries to the head after an Israeli strike hit his southern Lebanon hometown of Burj Rahhal.

In a statement, it said al-Sayyed was "young, courteous, dedicated and ambitious".

The International Federation of Journalists had documented the death of four more journalists in Lebanon, including Reuters's Issam Abdallah, since October last year.

Israel's killing of journalists has drawn significant scrutiny, especially after separate investigations found that Abdallah and a group of reporters were deliberately targeted by Israeli tank shelling in October while covering cross-border clashes in southern Lebanon.

Independent inquiries by Reuters, AFP, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Reporters Without Borders concluded that the attack on Abdallah and other media personnel was a deliberate violation of international law.

These organisations have since called for a war crimes investigation.

With the increasingly unpredictable weather, the rising temperatures and the years-long drought, his surroundings and cultural marks have been rapidly changing. 

Across the country, and even more so in Southern Morocco, the water supply has been shrinking, leading to a considerable decline in grazing areas.

This has affected the revenues of local tribes, which are largely stemming from the breeding and selling of their animal herds. 

Despite these hurdles, Mohammed, a recent graduate, wholeheartedly vowed to devote his adult life to reviving his family’s craft, camel husbandry.

Their experience could have deterred him. After all, only a few years ago, his grandfather was forced to sell his cattle and settle in the city. Rather, he says this has reinforced his will to keep his ancestors' traditions alive. 

“As a family, circumstances have forced us to give up raising livestock in the desert. This abandonment was not just a relinquishment of financial returns and a source of livelihood; it went beyond that to become a change in our habits and culture,” Mohammed tells °źÂț”ș. 

“Pastoralism among desert dwellers is more than just a livelihood; it's a way of life and a cultural heritage that is part of our identity, resisting to survive,” he adds.

“[Our] social structure includes a form of spontaneous solidarity and cohesion, where communities, for example, undertake the costs of feeding and transporting livestock without compensation in case their owners are unable to do so.” 

But Mohammed is facing a dilemma unknown to his elders.

After studying for two years in the southern city of Agadir, he has encountered a harsher climate and consequently, a more competitive and tighter job market.

Due to the production deficit and crisis suffered by camel breeders, work opportunities have become rarer and riskier. 

Like him, Morocco’s breeders and farmers are well aware they aren’t dealing with the climate hazards experienced by previous generations.

Morocco has endured many droughts in the past. But the latest, the most intense in over four decades, has entered its sixth year.

Some have seen their harvests destroyed, at times consecutive years, while others have lost part of their land due to .

Many breeders have been forced to sell their animals and in the most desperate situations, had to slaughter some of them.

The nomads, who had long skillfully adapted to known climate challenges, are now clueless in light of the new difficulties they have to brave.

Even though their number had already plummeted before this acute water crisis from  68, 540 people in 2004 to 25,274 in 2014, their existence as a group is at .

'Climate change is devastating my region' 

In Morocco’s most remote regions, the inhabitants have traditionally adapted to the lack of water and developed traditional irrigation and collective distribution systems.

However, the lands that used to provide enough crops for the local communities have seen their production dramatically reduced.

Overall, the ecosystem skillfully maintained by previous generations has been shattered. 

The southeastern region of Zagora, which harbours one of the country’s major oases, has been among those hit the hardest by the recent climate changes.

Formerly known for its exported dates, a vital resource for countless families, the disappearance of its palm groves has forced the inhabitants to rely on imports for their consumption. 

In Ksar Bounou, his family’s village, Mohamed Leghtas, an environmental activist and member of the Moroccan Coalition for Climate Justice, asserts only about ten families remain following the decades-long and progressive migration of hundreds of others.

Those who are left are struggling to resist the disruption of the seasons, the rampant desertification and the dizzying siltation, with houses literally disappearing under the sand. 

“Climate change is devastating my region,” he laments. 

The unprecedented and persisting lack of rain has impacted the whole country, leading to government restrictions, including limitations on the country's traditional public baths and, more importantly, calls for a reshuffling of Morocco’s export-based agricultural policy.

Over the last years, despite the worsening climate, the government’s orientations and big farmers continued to opt for water-consuming crops such as watermelon or avocados, which further depleted groundwater resources. 

In the summer of 2017, the town of Zagora witnessed what became known as the Thirst . As the inhabitants faced considerable tap water shortages, they spoke up against the extensive watermelon culture and faced state repression.

mobilisations against shortages but also the lack of water infrastructure took place that year in other towns, Khenifra and Beni Mellal, and in 2018, in the  

But only recently did Moroccan authorities eventually by limiting those crops in dryer regions such as Zagora and by . 

Fear of traditions vanishing 

As access to water has become more constrained, its management and cost have sparked greater concerns among the population.

More recently, a protest movement against water privatisation erupted in November 2023 â€” and is still ongoing â€” in Figuig, an oasis near the Algerian border. 

Beyond the looming socio-economic hardships, traditions and social networks are becoming difficult to maintain, even more so with the youth increasingly leaving their hometowns.

For Leghtas, the celebrations he grew up with such as the yearly October moussem following the date harvest, are now a distant memory. 

“During three days, our tribe, the Ait Alouane, would organize parties where everyone was invited to dance, sing, eat and have fun. The neighbouring tribes, the Regabi and Oulad Driss, were invited to join the party,” he recalls. 

In his hometown of Bouarfa, Saddik Kebbouri, a human rights activist and retired university professor, looks back on the delicacies made from dates and milk that were served during traditional festivities.

He recalls the one-week-long weddings which saw among other cultural displays, the performances of traditional musicians. 

“Local tribes were generous and honoured their guests and served them grilled meat. Now they are struggling for a living,” regrets Kabbouri.

“The solidarity such as helping the sick, widows, and the elderly values has also disappeared.” 

As nomads are moving to the outskirts of the cities and have to work unstable and unqualified jobs to survive, Kabbouri fears their traditions could vanish.

He mentioned their housing, tents made of camel’s wool, their art and craft as well as their traditional outfits, which are being slowly replaced with modern items. 

These changes seem inevitable.

As a professor at the Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute, Mohamed Taher Srairi, points out, even eating habits will eventually evolve because of the increasing rarity of terroir foods such as argan oil, an emblematic Moroccan product used for culinary as well as cosmetic purposes. Its price has recently skyrocketed to 500 Dirhams per litre.

Likewise, olive oil, once the basis of Morocco’s gastronomy, has become out of reach for many families due to a drop in production after entire plantations have been decimated, including centuries-old trees.

In recent months, the price of red meat has reached unprecedented levels because of the lack of pastures as well as a decline in forage crops and rising prices of imports of cattle livestock. 

“We have lost our self-sufficiency in meat,” regrets Srairi. 

Towns losing their purpose

While the climate becomes harsher, some towns are losing their original purpose. Srairi cited the rural area of Tament, in the province of Essaouira, whose name means honey, and where “there are hardly any bees”. 

In the long run, the changing climate could impact rooted traditions across the country. Experts worry one of the major religious celebrations, the Eid Al Adha, might become difficult to maintain and could transform due to the lack of available sheep, which has led to high prices and increased imports. 

Besides, some professions, with the knowledge they have carried on for generations, could eventually disappear.

As the lack of water becomes systemic, shepherds and their ancestral mastering of remote lands across the country, masters of date harvesting and palm tree maintenance in oases, but also farmers growing essential and widely consumed crops are leaving their fields without passing the torch to a newer generation.  

Srairi draws attention to a possible “decline in an important know-how linked to crops which provide the basis of Morocco's food security, in particular potatoes and onions.”  

“Young people emigrating from the regions of Tadla, Doukkala, Haouz, Moulouya, take away experiences necessary for these crops, from the nursery to the harvests, including the fertilisation, irrigation, marketing circuits,” he further explains. 

But what worries Srairi above all is the “lack of hope”, especially among the youth, who have seen occasional periods of drought they had previously surpassed transform into a lasting phenomenon. 

As Leghtas put it, “The drought and desertification have extinguished the enthusiasm and love of life of the inhabitants.”

Ilhem Rachidi is a freelance journalist focusing on protest movements and human rights issues, mainly in North Africa

Follow her on X: 

The package of assistance comes as Israel’s military campaign continues to devastate Lebanon, particularly its southern and eastern regions.

Prime Minister Al-Sudani’s initiatives also include a 30-day renewable visa extension for Lebanese nationals already residing in Iraq, a waiver of penalties for those who have overstayed their visas, and the provision of free entry visas for new Lebanese arrivals at Iraq’s borders. 

On Monday, Iraq’s Prime Minister issued a statement expressing the country’s solidarity with Lebanon in light of the ongoing developments, declaring that Iraq, both its government and people, stands for justice and principles. 

“In the name of Iraq, both its government and people, we announce our commitment to organising efforts and delivering aid....We will make every effort to alleviate the suffering of our brothers in Lebanon, including establishing an air and land bridge to transport aid, and facilitating the delivery of fuel to power stations essential for hospitals and vital Lebanese services. Additionally, we are opening our doors to receive the wounded and injured in Iraqi hospitals, and will do everything in our power to support Lebanon’s resilience in the face of the terrorist crimes perpetrated by the Zionist regime," he said in a statement.

Iraq’s highest religious authority, represented by the office of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, issued a strong statement of solidarity with the Lebanese people on Monday.  The statement condemned the "brutal Zionist aggression" and called for urgent international intervention to stop the violence.

 "In these difficult days that the noble Lebanese people are going through, as they are increasingly subjected to brutal Zionist aggression, the highest religious authority expresses its solidarity with its dear Lebanese," the statement from Ayatollah al-Sistani’s office read. It called for humanitarian assistance and global efforts to protect civilians and restore regional peace.

In Baghdad, the Iraqi Martyrs Foundation has launched a campaign to gather food and essential relief supplies for Lebanon. Abdul Ilah Al-Naeli, the head of the foundation, said the campaign was initiated in response to a direct appeal from Ayatollah al-Sistani. Donations are being collected at the foundation’s headquarters in Baghdad and in offices throughout Iraq's provinces. The campaign encourages contributions from employees, families of martyrs, and the general public.

Parliament schedules special session to address Israeli offensive

Iraq’s Parliament, meanwhile, has scheduled a special session for Saturday to discuss the Israeli attacks on Lebanon. The session will focus on denouncing the Israeli offensive and exploring further steps Iraq might take to aid Lebanon. According to a statement from the Parliament’s media office, the session aims to express Iraq’s official stance against what it termed the "heinous aggression" by Israeli forces.

Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, a prominent figure in Iraqi politics, urged his followers on Tuesday to support the Lebanese people. In a post on the X platform, al-Sadr called on those organising services for pilgrims en route to Karbala to open their camps to displaced Lebanese citizens. 

"This is the least we can do to honour the martyrs and the fighters," he said. Al-Sadr also appealed to wealthy Iraqis, particularly those uninvolved in corruption, to collect financial donations to establish refugee camps in Lebanon and Syria. He stressed that all funds should be delivered exclusively to the "Bunyan al-Marsous" headquarters in Najaf, with official receipts provided for transparency.

The human toll of the Israeli offensive is mounting. Israel’s airstrike on Sunday targeted southern Beirut, several family members of Nevin Samouri, a correspondent for Iraq's state-run Al-Iraqiya TV. The attack, which struck civilian areas, has intensified the region's already dire humanitarian situation. 

According to Lebanon’s Health Minister Firass Abiad, Israel’s strikes have killed 569 people, including 50 children, and wounded 1,835 as of Monday. Thousands of displaced people are seeking refuge in schools and other buildings.

Diplomatically, Iraq is working to rally broader regional and international support for Lebanon. Prime Minister Al-Sudani with Jordan’s King Abdullah II in New York, on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly. 

The two leaders discussed the coordination of air and land bridges to facilitate the delivery of aid to Lebanon.

The meeting also covered the broader geopolitical impact of the conflict, including the destruction of infrastructure and hospitals in Lebanon and the worsening humanitarian crisis.

Al-Sudani reiterated the importance of convening an emergency Arab and Islamic summit, a proposal Iraq has pushed for, to address the escalating conflict and prevent further destabilisation in the region. He voiced support for Jordan’s ongoing efforts to engage with the European Union and other international actors to press for a ceasefire and to prevent what he described as "the ongoing genocide" against the Palestinian people.

On Wednesday, Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq accused Israel of driving the region towards a full-scale war following Tel Aviv's deadly airstrikes on Lebanon.

The foreign ministers of the three Arab nations convened on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

In a joint statement, the countries emphasised that the path to stopping the "dangerous escalation underway in the region" begins with halting Israel’s actions in Gaza.

They cautioned that "Israel is steering the entire region towards an all-out war" and urged the international community and the UN Security Council to "fulfill their responsibilities to end the conflict."

The US Supreme Court, the last body that could have halted the execution, declined to intervene in the case hours before Williams, 55, was put to death by lethal injection shortly after 6pm (2300 GMT) at a prison in Bonne Terre.

His death came a day after both Missouri Governor Mike Parson and the state's highest court also rejected his last-ditch bids to avoid execution.

His public defenders said Williams adopted the name Khaliifah ibn Rayford Daniels after converting to Islam. The corrections department released his handwritten final statement in which he said: "All praise be to Allah in every situation!!!"

Williams was found guilty in 2003 of killing Felicia "Lisha" Gayle, a former newspaper reporter who was stabbed to death in her home. He had maintained his innocence.

St. Louis County prosecuting attorney Wesley Bell, whose office handled the original prosecution, had sought to block the execution due to questions about the original trial.

Bell said in a written statement after the execution that "if there is even the shadow of a doubt of innocence, the death penalty should never be an option."

Tricia Rojo Bushnell, a lawyer with the Innocence Project who helped represent Williams, wrote in a statement that "the execution of an innocent person is the most extreme manifestation of Missouri's obsession with 'finality' over truth, justice, and humanity, at any cost."

In court papers, Bell questioned the reliability of the two main trial witnesses, concluded that prosecutors improperly excluded Black jurors based on race and noted that new testing found no trace of Williams' DNA on the murder weapon. Williams was African American.

Subsequent tests revealed DNA on the knife from a prosecutor and an investigator who worked on the case and handled the weapon without gloves.

The contamination of the knife led prosecutors and Williams' attorneys to reach an agreement in August calling for him to enter a no-contest plea and receive a sentence of life in prison.

The state Supreme Court blocked the deal at the request of Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey. A state judge upheld the conviction earlier this month, finding that the lack of evidence on the knife was not enough to establish his innocence.

The Missouri Supreme Court affirmed that decision on Monday.

Governor Parson, a Republican, also turned down Williams' request for clemency on Monday.

"We hope this gives finality to a case that has languished for decades, revictimizing Ms. Gayle's family over and over again," Parson said in a statement after the execution. "No juror nor judge has ever found Williams' innocence claim to be credible."

In Williams' petition for clemency made to the Supreme Court, his lawyers noted that Gayle's own family thought that he should not be executed, given doubts about his guilt, and that they had approved of his life-in-prison plea deal made in August.

Laurence Komp and Laine Cardarella, with the Federal Public Defender Office in the Western District of Missouri, who also represented Williams, said in a written statement that they were baffled as to why the "admitted racial discrimination" in Williams' trial was left unaddressed.

(Reuters)

On 24 September, Hassan, a French lawmaker born in a Palestinian refugee camp in Aleppo, Syria said that it's time for the Moroccan monarch to heed his people's widespread opposition to ties with Israel amid its ongoing violence in Gaza. 

"One wonders what the King of Morocco is waiting for to break diplomatic relations with Israel", Rima Hassan on X.

"The majority of the Moroccan people express their demands in support of the Palestinian people."

Morocco established diplomatic ties with Israel in late 2020 under the US-brokered Abraham Accords, which also included similar agreements by the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. The MEP did not extend her call to other signatories of the Accords.

Former Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal has also called on the Moroccan monarch to halt ties with Israel, arguing that such a move would convince the West and the US to revise their position. 

Both Hassan and Meshaal have faced backlash online from several Moroccan accounts accusing them of "interfering" in Rabat's internal affairs and "lacking the status" to address the Moroccan monarch.

Since last October, Rabat has faced rising social and political pressure to revoke the normalisation accord signed with Tel Aviv in exchange for Washington's recognition of its sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara.

On 15 October, 2023 Morocco witnessed its largest pro-Palestine rally since normalisation—a million-strong march where hundreds of thousands called for an end to the Abraham Accords.

Pro-Palestine protests have since fostered solidarity among various political parties in the North African kingdom, uniting long-time rivals—socialists and Islamists.

"Those who support normalisation with the Israeli entity are a discordant minority within Moroccan society, which breathes the Palestinian cause", Abdul Rahim Al-Sheikhi, former head of the Islamist movement of Unification and Reform, told °źÂț”ș.

The Moroccan government has sincent declined to engage with their petition, endorsed by over 10,200 signatures, urging the reversal of normalisation with Israel, according to pro-Palestine activists. Rabat argued that the refusal was simply due to a bureaucratic technicality.

Amid the Gaza war, Moroccan officials have refrained from addressing any questions regarding Israel's actions or the status of its deal with Rabat.

King Mohammed VI's speech at the Summit Conference of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in May marked Rabat's first strong statement on the war, as he blamed Israel for the escalating situation in the Palestinian territories.

Morocco first normalised ties with Israel after the 1993 Oslo Accords to "maintain dialogue and understanding." However, King Mohammed VI halted the agreement in response to Israel's brutality during the second Intifada, which erupted in 2000, and the rising opposition to Tel Aviv among the Moroccan public.

Despite calls from pro-Palestine activists for a similar end to the 2020 normalisation deal, Rabat appears unready to sever ties, even as the death toll in Gaza surpasses 41,000.

In March, Rabat confirmed its ongoing normalisation with Israel, emphasising its benefits for the Palestinian people. "Morocco shows that its connections in Israel serve the cause of peace and defend the rights of Palestinians," a Moroccan diplomatic source told Reuters.

In August, local media reported the reopening of the Israeli office in Rabat, which had closed last October for security reasons. Rabat has refrained from addressing this development.

An  by ProPublica revealed that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department's refugee bureau had communicated their concerns to Blinken and other top officials in April.

According to US law, countries that block US humanitarian aid should have arms shipments cut off. Washington has provided Tel Aviv with billions of dollars in military aid and arms sales throughout the course of the assault on Gaza.

ProPublica said the 17-page USAID report presented to Blinken detailed "instances of Israeli interference with aid efforts, including killing aid workers, razing agricultural structures, bombing ambulances and hospitals, sitting on supply depots and routinely turning away trucks full of food and medicine".

On May 10, Blinken delivered a State Department report to Congress insisting that Israel had not blocked aid to Gaza despite the findings of the USAID report, which described the situation in the Palestinian enclave earlier this year as "one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes in the world".

USAID officials also recommended that arms exports to Israel be paused.

Similar conclusions were reached by the head of the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, who recommended that the Foreign Assistance Act be triggered to freeze $830 million in US aid for arms for Israel, according to emails seen by ProPublica.

Officials in the department concluded that "facts on the ground indicate US humanitarian assistance is being restricted".

From the beginning of Israel's deadly assault on Gaza in October, Israel's government ordered a full siege on the enclave, blocking entry of food, medical equipment and supplies, water and electricity.

According to Gaza's government media office, at least 34 children have died of malnutrition this year. 

The war crime of starvation is one of the charges that was levelled against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan's application for arrest warrants in May.

The ProPublica report's revelations have drawn calls for Blinken to resign from his post, including from opposition figures and non-government bodies.

"Antony Blinken lied to Congress even though he knew Israel was deliberately starving Gaza - all to keep arming the genocide. We demand that  resign and that  and  stop illegally arming Israel NOW!" wrote Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein on X.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) also weighed in, similarly calling for the secretary of state to step down.

"We're calling for the resignation of after  reports revealed he misled Congress about Israel's deliberate blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza – a violation of U.S. law. The American people deserve leaders who tell the truth. It's time to hold the Biden administration accountable for its ongoing complicity in the Israeli genocide in Gaza. ," the group wrote in a statement on X.

With a world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, and its MENA premiere at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, The Teacher is now set for a UK and Ireland release this month. 

Starring renowned Palestinian actor Saleh Bakri and well-known British actress Imogen Poots,  is an amalgamation of collated stories Farah encountered and penned down while in Palestine.

This included her experiences at checkpoints, conversations with mothers who have had their teenage children taken by the Israeli military in the night, and those who have had their houses demolished.

What also stuck with Farah was the UK media's coverage of Gilad Shalit, a hostage who was traded for 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in 2011, many of whom were arrested without trial.

This “imbalance in value for human life” further inspired her to write a story “deeply rooted and representative” of Palestinian reality.

Talking about the reality on the ground in Palestine, the British-Palestinian filmmaker and human rights activist refers to a line from her first short film, : “We think we understand the injustice
 we have merely dipped our toes into the gentle tide of this colossal injustice.”

Journaling these profound words on the bus back was Farah’s way of coping with what she had witnessed.

Her original plan of bringing people to Palestine was virtually impossible to fund as an individual, so she brought Palestine to the screen, understanding that films have a widespread capacity to reach various demographics.

To make her work even more accessible, the London-born director reveals, “I'm actually super keen on even turning The Teacher into a novel.”

Responsibility to represent Palestine

As a creative, speaking about Palestine is vital, but it can also be exhausting, leaving one wishing the situation wasn’t constructed as it is presently.

“I wish that I didn't feel cold and compelled to make films I didn't have to, in the sense that this brutal, ugly reality did not exist," Farah tells °źÂț”ș. 

"Then I could really make films that are absolutely hilarious because, personally, I think I am a super funny person.”

But at Farah’s core, she says, “I am open to potentially working on films that aren't to do with Palestine, but they will always have some meaning for me as a human being.”

In 2016 she started working in the film industry as a writer and producer of short fiction films, including Today They Took My Son, endorsed by British Director Ken Loach and screened at the United Nations. 

Her directorial debut, The Present which she also co-wrote and produced, premiered at Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in 2020 where it won the coveted Audience Award for Best Film. The film went on to win over 50 International Film Festival Jury and Audience Awards, including a BAFTA award and scored an Oscar nomination. 

Ultimately, Palestine was always at the forefront of Farah’s mind, and writing about it was her process of “releasing the pain
 there is nothing more cathartic or spiritual than to create.”

Farah conveys this by taking “what is raw pain, outrage, anger, grief” and transforming it into a beautiful “form of alchemy” that resonates with audiences.

Art imitating life

As the crew began filming, they were confronted with real-life events mirroring the story they were aiming to tell.

"In the early stages of the shoot, we got word that in the village of Burin, illegal settlers had come and had started to set fire to the trees
 we weren't shooting that scene that day,” says Farah.

The experience was indescribable due to a planned scene in which settlers burn olive trees.

Farah explains the situation as “overwhelming
 trying to do justice to an injustice."

She adds, "When it came time to film a scene in a separate location, another fire was set to the olive trees, which you can see in a wide shot... There's an actual fire in the background; we didn't make that fire for that shot.

“No matter how tired I'm feeling, or how overwhelmed I'm feeling, or how hard the funds were to get, it's nothing compared to this lived experience that I'm witnessing.”

Challenges of film distribution

Even though Farah is a BAFTA winner and The Teacher premiered at the , winning 15 awards, including Best Actor, she has struggled to find a distributor.

“You would think there was a little bit of a formula there that might have enticed one good distributor,” Farah queries.

Some distributors were upfront about dealing with the “headache” of potential backlash, while others were less clear and perhaps didn’t like the narrative, leaving Farah in the dark.

But this didn’t deter her, as she decided she wasn't going to let her film sit like this.

"I decided to push forward," she says. "We managed to do what any distributor would have done, possibly even better.”

The Teacher happens to be one of the only films on Palestine shown in Vue cinema history, the other being directed by Muayad Alayan. 

'I will always look for the humanity in anyone'

Wanting to highlight the positive human condition has presented obstacles for Farah since October 7, amid an ongoing genocide in Gaza and the spread of hate.

“I will always look for the humanity in anyone. I hate labelling anyone,” Farah explains, as she tries to dissect the causality of human action.

While this has been difficult with unfathomable images released from Gaza on a daily basis, Farah clings to hope with the ICC hearing, celebrities speaking up, and Jewish groups advocating for Palestine.

“I will just continue the way I do. I didn't start my work on October 7, and I'm not stopping when the bombs stop. I don't believe that in showing Palestinian humanity, I have to dehumanise someone.”

The final thought Farah lends is her desire for her film to showcase the love for parents while also explaining the pursuit of justice and resistance to provide a missing socio-political context.

“I want people to ask themselves, is this a reality that they would accept for themselves? And if it isn't, then why should Palestinians?” she concludes. 

The Teacher is scheduled for release in the UK and Ireland on September 27. To find the nearest screening, visit Farah Nabulsi's official website . 

Tariq Manshi is a London-based freelance journalist. Previously, he served as the Middle East & North Africa correspondent for Bath Time Magazine and contributed as a football writer at From The Spot

Follow him on Instagram:

Hezbollah maintains that it will continue fighting Israel until there is a ceasefire in Gaza. Israeli strikes against Lebanon continuing at this level of intensity will soon constitute a full-scale war.

This scenario would inevitably devastate Lebanon, with Hezbollah’s missiles and drones striking cities and many other targets across Israel. Such a conflict would add new layers of chaotic instability to the Middle East.

The pager and walkie-talkie explosions

The nearly one-year-old Israel-Hezbollah conflict entered a new and dangerous phase with the explosion of thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies in Beirut, elsewhere in Lebanon, and Syria on 17 and 18 September.

Israel did not officially claim responsibility for this operation but was undoubtedly behind it. The explosions resulted in dozens of deaths and thousands of injuries of Hezbollah members and civilians, including two children.

Days later, an Israeli airstrike destroyed a high-rise building in the Dahiyeh district south of Beirut, killing 31 people, including senior Hezbollah officials Ibrahim Aqil and Ahmed Mahmoud Wahbi.

Hezbollah responded by attacking northern Israel with dozens of rockets.

The unprecedented pager operation was Israel’s “attempt to psychologically weaken Hezbollah,” said Dr Karim Emile Bitar, a professor of international relations at the Saint Joseph University of Beirut, who spoke to °źÂț”ș shortly after the second wave of explosions on 18 September.

“We are witnessing some sort of dystopia. If we saw this in a Netflix series or in a science fiction movie, we would have had trouble believing it. Hezbollah members were targeted while going along with their daily lives,” he added.

Dr Bitar said that the detonation of these electronic devices brought Lebanon “into uncharted territory”.

Revisiting the 'deterrence equation'

Beyond killing and terrorising as many Hezbollah members as possible, it is less than clear what Israel sought to accomplish by exploding thousands of telecommunication devices in Lebanon and Syria.

Nonetheless, what Tel Aviv did achieve through this operation was demonstrate that Israel has “in a way reinterpreted the deterrence equation with Hezbollah,” Michael Young, a senior editor at the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, told TNA.

“The Israelis do have a lot of information and intelligence on Hezbollah and therefore they can constantly destabilise Hezbollah. So, in terms of the deterrence equation, they’ve shown that they have many more options than Hezbollah does,” he observed.

But those explosions probably did not constitute any fundamental strategic shift in the Hezbollah-Israel balance of power. If the Israelis were to launch a ground invasion of southern Lebanon, Hezbollah would still retain its advantages.

“Even if, technically, Israel has shown its tremendous prowess with what happened [with the explosions on 17 and 18 September], I don’t think it’s going to have a fundamental impact on the outcome of a war between them," Young told TNA. 

"Now, I could be wrong on this. But I still think Hezbollah is well prepared for a land war. They do have their weapons. They do represent a major force in south Lebanon. Maybe 2,000-3,000 young people have been injured, but I do think that Hezbollah has the manpower to absorb this.”

Impact on Hezbollah as a resistance group

The pager and walkie-talkie attacks constituted a big blow to Hezbollah less than two months after Israel killed its senior commander Fuad Shukr on 30 July. Some experts believe that the organisation’s image will suffer, both at home and throughout the Middle East.

“The success of the [telecommunication devices attacks] will do great damage to Hezbollah, sewing chaos and disunity within its ranks and lowering its prestige in the region,” according to Dr Joshua Landis, director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma, who recently spoke to TNA.

“Many Lebanese opponents of Hezbollah mocked the party and celebrated Israel's attack. Hezbollah has a reputation as a powerful and capable organisation. No longer,” he added.

With many people in Lebanon disagreeing with Hezbollah’s decisions, Young explained that resentment toward the organisation could grow among certain segments of Lebanese society.

“While there is no sympathy for Israel, at the same time there is a certain scepticism about Hezbollah’s strategic choices. The entry into the war has not been a popular decision in Lebanon at all,” Young said.

“So, I think that anything that highlights the weakness and the vulnerabilities of Hezbollah is something that can only reinforce a sense among many Lebanese, including among Shia, that Hezbollah is essentially in over its head and therefore this decision to enter the conflict on behalf of what was known as the unity of the arenas strategy was a big mistake,” he told TNA.

“As I said, the closer we get to the possibility of war, the more the criticism of Hezbollah will rise. No one in Lebanon really believes that the country is prepared for a war and of course they’re absolutely right. The country is not prepared for a war. Therefore
what we saw yesterday and today only shows Hezbollah’s vulnerabilities and these vulnerabilities will only encourage those who criticise the party and who decide to oppose it,” added Young.

Yet, some experts believe that despite the extent to which Lebanon’s society is extremely polarised, some greater unity among its citizens could be a consequence of the pager and walkie-talkie explosions.

“When there is such a massive attack, and when there are civilian victims, we see some sort of rally around the flag effect. Most political parties, including those which are vehemently hostile to Hezbollah, and most influencers, including those who usually criticise Hezbollah, have expressed solidarity towards the victims,” Dr Bittar said.

“So, unless Hezbollah itself launches a counter-offensive that would entangle Lebanon into a war that Lebanon can’t handle, for the moment we can count on, what I would say, a minimal degree of social cohesion in Lebanon.”

Israel dragging America into conflict

As Israel shifts attention more toward southern Lebanon and northern Israel following nearly one year of warfare in Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is thinking about much more than his country’s northern front.

The same Israeli leader who in 2002 the US to wage war against Iraq is today hellbent on drawing Washington into a wider war with the Iranians. The Israeli government’s objective is to see the US launch military strikes against Iran, which Israel has been threatening to do since the 1990s but has, at least until now, not done.

Israel’s razing of the Iranian diplomatic mission in Damascus on 1 April and killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran roughly four months later were likely aimed at pulling Washington into a direct confrontation with Tehran.

“I do think that from the Israeli perspective anything that raises the probability of a conflict with Hezbollah, and therefore Iran, which means effectively a war in Lebanon
would enhance or increase the chances that the United States would at some point hit Iran, which is a dream of the Israelis,” Young told TNA.

As hostilities with Lebanon’s nuclear-armed neighbour continue escalating, Hezbollah’s focus will likely be on preventing Tel Aviv from achieving its strategic goal of making northern Israel safe for Israelis from there to return home.

As much as the Lebanese organisation has suffered huge blows in recent months, this does appear to be something that Hezbollah could realistically achieve.

“Hezbollah’s leadership has taken quite a beating this year, with strikes all over Lebanon and targeted assassinations. All costing significant civilian lives in the process,” Dr Nabeel Khoury, the former deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in Yemen, said in a TNA interview.

“Hezbollah wants to strike back but is still holding back from all-out war - something that needs to be coordinated with Iran and worked out domestically, given that a significant part of Lebanon does not want to be dragged into a war that could well destroy much of Beirut and whatever is left of Lebanon's infrastructure.”

Despite US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and others in the Biden administration denying that the White House had any prior knowledge of Israel’s plans to carry out this month’s pager and walkie-talkie explosions, there is no denying that much blame belongs on Washington’s doorstep.

Israel going insane with almost twelve months of a high-tech slaughter campaign in Gaza and now throwing any caution it previously had to the wind in Lebanon are outcomes of Washington’s unwillingness to apply any pressure on Tel Aviv.

The irony is that the Biden administration has repeatedly stressed how its interests are in the Gaza war not expanding into Lebanon. But the White House’s disastrous foreign policy in the Middle East is responsible for exactly that occurring.

“All this points to at best a deterioration of US influence in the region and at worse a complicity and possible direct involvement which would put US interests in the region at great risk,” Khoury told TNA.

With the one-year anniversary of 7 October approaching and the Gaza war further regionalising and internationalising, the chances of a catastrophic regional conflagration seem to be increasing with each hour that passes by.

Now, perhaps like never before, is a time for US-Iran diplomacy mindful of Washington, Tehran, and Hezbollah’s shared interest in seeing a full-scale war prevented before it’s too late.

Giorgio Cafiero is the CEO of Gulf State Analytics.

Follow him on Twitter: 

UN officials estimated that thousands of Lebanese and Syrian families had already made the journey and the numbers were expected to grow as Israel indiscriminately and intensely attacks several areas in Lebanon, namely southern Lebanon, the southern suburbs of Beirut and the northeastern Beeka Valley area.

Lines of buses and cars extended for several kilometres (miles) from the Syrian border since Monday, and some families were reportedly making the journey by foot.

Around 2,000 Lebanese nationals crossed into Syria by noon on Tuesday, the Syrian state-linked , adding that a similar number of people were waiting to complete formal procedures to enter.

Around 3,000 Syrian nationals also returned from Lebanon so far, the paper said.

The governorate of Homs directed a task force to take "rapid response measures" by providing necessary supplies and reinforce medical points at border crossings, the Syrian opposition outlet .

Meanwhile, the governor of Damascus, Ahmed Khalil, told  he had reviewed the situation at the Masnaa-Al-Jdeidah (Jdeidet Yabous) crossing on Tuesday, emphasising the need to "simplify" the border crossing procedures for evacuees.

Khalil said he had inspected the crossing following reports of "large numbers" of Syrians and Lebanese making their way to the border since Tuesday morning.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Red Crescent announced it ready to attend to Lebanese and Syrian families arriving in Syria.

In a on Tuesday, the organisation said that its volunteers were deployed at border between the two countries, including at the crossings in the provinces of Homs, Tartus and rural Damascus.

The organisation said it was ready to offer first aid and medical services to those fleeing Lebanon, emphasising its "commitment to alleviate their suffering".

reported that dozens had crossed the border into Syria illegally. Citing its correspondent in Homs, it said around 100 people had cross into the city from the Lebanese villages of Wadi Khaled and Qusayr.

The outlet spoke to a smuggler operating on the Syria-Lebanon border who said that the crossing activity was "high" and had faced "no obstacles" on either side of the border.

According to the smuggler cited by the outlet, people arriving from Lebanon without a Lebanese residency permit were being charged $60 per person, while those who had Lebanese residency were being charged $30 per person for safe passage.

The outlet cited its correspondent as saying that no independent body had registered the numbers and nationalities of those entering with the help of smugglers.

The New Arab has reached out to Lebanon's General Security for comments.

Israel launched waves of deadly and indiscriminate airstrikes on Lebanon on Monday, killing over 570 people and injuring more than 1,800, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in cross-border attacks since October last year, with the Lebanese group saying it was opening a front in support of Palestinians in Gaza.

The international community has warned Israel against launching a full-scale war on Lebanon, cautioning that it could escalate the Gaza conflict into a broader regional crisis.

In an exclusive interview with Al-Araby Al-Jadeed's correspondent at the UN in New York, Fajon, who is also the foreign and European affairs minister for Slovenia which is currently chairing the UN Security Council for September, described Israel's use of booby-trapped pagers in Lebanon as "insane".

"This is what worries most because this is something that's completely new, and it was sporadic, so we don't know what to expect [
] it has to stop immediately," she said regarding the use of widely held communication devices as weapons.

She also highlighted the recent court decision by the ICJ which deemed Israel's 57-year occupation of the West Bank and Gaza as illegal, saying: "Israel has to stop this illegal occupation and annexation, it is a court decision from the ICJ".

Fajon described last Wednesday's UN General Assembly vote to adopt a Palestinian-drafted resolution demanding Israel end "its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory" as "historic".

The decision demanded Israel end its illegal occupation and withdraw within a year, as well as dismantling the settlements and halting financing of them in the meantime, in accordance with the ICJ advisory opinion.

However, the question now is "implementation", she adds.

"The international pressure has to have a really united and strong voice if we want to prevail, [this is why] we have rules of international law, UN Charter and also the ICJ - nothing can be above the rule of law."

Fajon said while she was not optimistic about UN member states reaching a "consensus" regarding sanctions against Israel, Slovenia had in the past called for strengthening sanctions on Israel, and she would be "very supportive" of an arms embargo against Israel.

Slovenia also recently extended recognition to the State of Palestine, alongside Spain, Ireland, and Norway.

On this step, Fajon said: "We were very determined that recognition of Palestine, on one hand, recognizes the right of Palestinian people to self-determination and also to sovereignty and integrity and also put the Palestinian nation on the equal footing, to further build on Palestinian Authority and be capable of negotiating for the future".

She said that at the UNSC debate on Wednesday, the wars in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan would be discussed.

Slovenia is taking on the role of President of the United Nations Security Council for the month of September, during which the country will be responsible for running the council agendas and presiding over meetings.

This article is an abridged version of an article which appeared in our Arabic edition on 24 September 2024. To read the original article click

Turkish outlets, including Halk TV and Hurriyet reported that Turkey has rejected this proposal, although Washington appears to be softening its conditions.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, during his visit to the US for the UN General Assembly in New York, revived discussions on US sanctions under the CAATSA (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act). Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, in a statement earlier this week, indicated that both sides were working towards a "creative solution" concerning Turkey’s S-400 systems.

According to Kathimerini, US officials recently proposed that Turkey either hand over the S-400 systems or place them under American control at Incirlik Air Base, a move aimed at resolving the ongoing crisis.

These developments have sparked concern in Greece, where government officials worry that Turkey’s potential re-entry into the F-35 program could shift the regional balance of power. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis raised these concerns with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a meeting on 5 September.

Turkey initially joined the F-35 program in 2002 and received its first jets in 2018. However, after Ankara purchased the Russian-made S-400 missile defence system in 2019, the US expelled Turkey from the F-35 program and halted the delivery of jets, even those already purchased.

In response to the Greek report, Hurriyet noted that Turkey recently submitted a list of 25 demands during high-level meetings with US officials. One of Turkey’s key demands is the removal of sanctions imposed under CAATSA, which targets countries that engage with US adversaries, including Russia.

The Turkish newspaper reiterated that Ankara has consistently rejected the US offer to place the S-400 systems under American control, whether at Incirlik or any other location. Ankara has remained firm that the Russian systems will stay under Turkish control without foreign oversight.

Hurriyet also linked the ongoing talks to broader US-Turkey cooperation on sanctions against Russia. Since March, both sides have agreed to coordinate on sanctions before announcing them, ensuring Turkey has time to assess their potential impact on its economy. This coordination is part of the ongoing discussions related to the lifting of CAATSA sanctions on Turkey.

Turkey has repeatedly pointed out that it paid $1.4 billion for F-35 jets that were never delivered, a longstanding grievance that has strained relations between Ankara and Washington for years.

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, US-Turkish relations saw some improvement, especially regarding NATO expansion. As part of these renewed ties, the US approved a deal to sell new F-16 jets to Turkey and upgrade around 80 existing aircraft. While the deal has passed through Congress, final approvals are still pending.

In this case, it’s uttered by Zakaria – the main character in the upcoming novel, , by Egyptian writer Mohamed Seif El Nasr, to be published in October 2024 by Daraja Press.

For Zakaria, ethics and principles are beacons of light for living as a Muslim, and the difference between right and wrong is “as clear as black and white tiles.”

But he quickly realises that staying on the side of the light, while working under a corrupt government is a difficult balance to straddle.

Seif El Nasr studied history and political science at the American University in Cairo and travelled to Morocco and Spain over the eight years he spent working on Then He Sent Prophets.

Categorised as historical fiction, the story is set in 14th-century Fes, just after the , during the Marinid Sultanate and Kingdom of Granada.

This time period was well-documented, and the works of two prominent intellectual figures – Ibn Khaldun and Ibn al-Khatib, who each served as official secretaries to the sultans in Fes and Granada – provided ample research material for Seif El Nasr.

“Government is an institution that prevents injustice other than such as it commits itself,” states Ibn Khaldun in Seif El Nasr’s novel, indicating the paradox at its core.

Feeling financially disgraced and demasculinised, circumstances present Zakaria with a position at the palace, which would require him to compromise his principles.

Can someone critical of the sultan and conscious of his corruption maintain integrity while serving at the palace? And what’s the line between complete innocence and partial complicity?

These are the questions at the crux of his ethical dilemma, as he accepts the position to better provide for his family.

“Zakaria’s character in the novel has a strong awareness of the injustices in his world,” Seif El Nasr tells °źÂț”ș.

“He refuses to compromise by accepting or disregarding those injustices but struggles to change them."

Seif El Nasr continues, "I think this is relatable to readers today because we live at a time where people’s awareness – especially young people – of the injustices in the world has reached unprecedented levels, but we are also still at a point where we cannot find the means to change them, still struggling to find a path forward.”

While reading, it’s easy to make connections between Zakaria’s inner dilemmas and those many of us grapple with today.

If he works for the sultan, is he complicit in his crimes?

If we work for genocide-enabling governments or businesses that fund Israel, are we merely cogs in their systems?

Students across the Western world set up encampments earlier this year to show their solidarity with Palestine – and it’s this strong stance against injustice that is reflected in Zakaria too.

While his conscience may be commendable, it is Zakaria’s unorthodox approach to religion that makes the main character all the more compelling.

Expelled from madrasa as a child, he is in pursuit of true spiritual wisdom in a world where everyone else seems to accept the canonised faith without inquisition.

“A rigorous, superficial interpretation of Islam flourishes,” and emerging as a reformist of his time, Zakaria seeks to return to the Prophet Muhammad’s teachings – not the scholar’s interpretations of those teachings.

“I have known no one whose legacy has been desecrated more than our prophet,” writes Zakaria.

He – and his grandmother Tamima – question many alleged Prophetic Hadith, as well as widely accepted norms of the faith.

Seif El Nasr introduces readers to Tamima while she is praying – though, with her hair uncovered.

“Would the God who created me care about an old head full of white hair? The preachers these days have corrupted your minds with their nonsense,” she states brazenly.

And when she is told that a Prophetic saying claims that pious men will be rewarded with two virgins each in Paradise while wives will be allotted to the last man they married, she discounts this too as “nonsense” and says she’ll get whatever she wants in heaven.

The topic of women’s equality is further broached later when another Hadith about all women lacking in mind and religion is challenged by a character named Aisha.

“I find it impossible to believe that the Prophet, who ran trembling to his wife Khadija for counsel after he had first received the Revelation, could have said that,” she says.

Islamic scholars claim that the Hadith “complete” Islam, pointing to the fact that the rituals of the obligatory prayer are prescribed in the Hadith, rather than the Quran.

“But have the scholars ever considered that this was perhaps on purpose?” questions Zakaria. “Have they ever thought that our way of praying and reaching out to Allah is not the only way – but a way?”

He explores these questions in a book he is writing, about how the true spirit of Islam has been lost. Easily construed as borderline-heretical, his words “terrify” his mentor, and Zakaria finds his life in danger when the manuscript falls into the wrong hands.

Seif El Nasr began brainstorming for this novel in 2009 and he was heavily inspired by the rise in political Islam in the wake of the Arab Spring.

“I saw firsthand how religion was being used to manipulate the people here in Egypt, and had the idea to write about a religious scholar with progressive, but also contemporary views,” he explains.

During the 14th-century reign of the , intellectualism was declining, and an orthodox form of Islam was rising in dominance – a reality that wasn’t all that unimaginable for the author.

â€ÀáłÙ was a period of political repression and economic deprivation in the Maghreb, allowing me to draw parallels to the current affairs of several Arab states,” he says.

“You get the feeling that nothing has changed—that we’ve been static for a thousand years.”

The very first scene of the book, which opens with a religious sermon at the mosque,  illustrates how politics and religion are inextricably intertwined when the preacher emphasises that rulers should not be challenged.

This same preacher later chides a beggar for calling a Jewish doctor, “a good Muslim,” causing Zakaria to reflect on what it means to be a “Muslim” – whether it comes down to adherence to rituals or a pure heart.  

In Zakariya, Seif El Nasr successfully crafts a complex protagonist who is both admirable and relatable. And yet he too isn’t perfect, as he underappreciates his wife and finds his lofty morality stretched when tempted by another woman.

The pace of the novel is a good balance between scenes in the present, filled with detail and dialogue, and sections that work to speed up the time that passes in between.

The real gems of the novel, however, are the thoughtful and reflective letters that Zakaria pens about faith and philosophy, placing his precious words in an ivory casket.

In one, he writes, â€ÀáłÙ is enough to say that by relying on the Prophet’s tradition, the scholars have condemned us to a sea of uncertainty and created a new religion with its new prophets.”

Readers of Leila Aboulela’s might liken Zakaria to her protagonist, Yaseen, an Islamic jurist who sticks to his intuition rather than getting swept up in the zeal of the .

Politics is no playground for the morally conscious, and yet Zakaria, carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, is determined to make it work.

The plot climaxes towards the end of the novel in a battle scene, and the ending is tremendously powerful – easily envisioned on screen, if this novel were to be optioned for film – or better yet, television, combining a dramatic backdrop akin to hit series , with a touch of cerebral stimulation that many Muslims could benefit from today.

Hafsa Lodi is an American-Muslim journalist who has been covering fashion and culture in the Middle East for more than a decade. Her work has appeared in The Independent, Refinery29, Business Insider, Teen Vogue, Vogue Arabia, The National, Luxury, Mojeh, Grazia Middle East, GQ Middle East, gal-dem and more. Hafsa’s debut non-fiction book Modesty: A Fashion Paradox, was launched at the 2020 Emirates Airline Festival of Literature

Follow her on Twitter: 

Tlaib, who represents southeastern Michigan, responded to the announcement, telling The Detroit Metro Times that she believed this decision to punish the University of Michigan protesters was linked to bias against the issue of Palestine.

"It seems that the attorney general decided if the issue was Palestine, she was going to treat it differently, and that alone speaks volumes about possible biases within the agency she runs," Tlaib said, referring to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's decision to file charges against the students who had been protesting Israel's war in Gaza.

Nessel, who is Jewish, took to social media, comparing the recent cartoon of Tlaib in the National Review in which she was depicted with a pager linking her with Hezbollah, to Tlaib's criticism of the attorney general filing charges against the students.

"Rashida’s religion should not be used in a cartoon to imply that she’s a terrorist. It’s Islamophobic and wrong," Nessel , formerly Twitter. "Just as Rashida should not use my religion to imply I cannot perform my job fairly as Attorney General. It’s antisemitic and wrong."

Nessel was quickly met with criticism, as well as support, for her comments. On Monday, she appeared on CNN, seeming to implicitly acknowledge that Tlaib had not mentioned her Jewish background, though nonetheless characterised Tlaib's comments as a dog whistle meant to refer to her faith. The CNN reporters confirmed on air that Tlaib did not mention Nessel's faith in her comment in what appeared to be a reluctant clarification.

Amid the growing controversy, the journalist who interviewed Tlaib and reported her statement on the charges against the student protesters emphasised that "Tlaib was referring to anti-Palestinian attitudes" when she made her comment about the charges. The same publication ran a article saying, "Tlaib did not say Nessel charged pro-Palestinian protesters because she’s Jewish".

As of Tuesday, Tlaib has not issued any further statements on the issue, seeming not to want to engage in a controversy where she's seeing growing public support.

The change in 2019 by Hindu-nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi brought the Muslim-majority territory under New Delhi's direct control. It was accompanied by mass arrests and a long communications blackout.

Since then, the territory has been without an elected government, ruled instead by a federally appointed governor.

Soldiers carrying rifles stood watch outside polling stations in the main city of Srinagar on Wednesday morning as dozens of voters queued in the sun.

The region's chief electoral officer said over 24 percent of voters cast their ballots between 7am (0130 GMT) when the polls opened and 11am.

Turnout is expected to be high, unlike in past elections when separatists opposed to Indian rule boycotted polls, demanding the independence of Kashmir or its merger with neighbouring Pakistan.

Islamabad controls a smaller portion of the mountainous territory, which has been divided since the end of British colonial rule in 1947, and, like India, claims it in full.

In the first stage of the three-phased election, staggered due to security challenges, polling was held on 18 September, and 61 percent of voters cast their ballots.

Foreign diplomats were invited to Kashmir to observe the polls.

Foreign journalists require special permission to visit the region, which is not normally forthcoming.

About 500,000 Indian troops are deployed in the region where a 35-year insurgency has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of civilians, soldiers and rebels, including dozens this year.

Frustrations

A high unemployment rate and anger at the 2019 changes have animated campaigning, and regional parties have promised to fight for the restoration of autonomy.

Key decisions will remain in New Delhi's hands, however, including security and appointing Kashmir's governor.

Delhi will also have the power to override legislation passed by the 90-seat assembly.

Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) says the changes to the territory's governance have delivered a new era of peace to Kashmir and rapid economic growth, claims the regional parties vehemently dismiss.

Critics have accused Modi's BJP of encouraging a surge of independent candidates in Muslim-majority areas to split the vote.

While the BJP has fielded candidates in all the constituencies of Hindu-majority Jammu, it is fighting only from about a third of the seats in the Kashmir valley.

"Since the last election ten years ago, we were left at the mercy of God," said Tariq Ahmed, 40, after casting his vote.

"I am happy this election is happening. I hope we get our own representative with whom poor people like myself can raise everyday issues."

The last round of voting will be held on 1 October, with results expected a week later.

Seven sources said that Russia has yet to decide to transfer the Yakhont missiles – also known as P-800 Oniks - which experts said would allow the militant group to more accurately strike commercial vessels in the Red Sea and increase the threat to the US and European warships defending them.

The Wall Street Journal reported in July that Russia was considering sending the missiles. Iran's role as an intermediary has not been previously reported.

The Houthis have launched repeated drone and missile strikes on ships in the crucial Red Sea shipping channels since November to show support for Palestinians during Israel's war on Gaza.

They have sunk at least two vessels and seized another, disrupting global maritime trade by forcing shipping firms to divert cargo and, according to industry sources, driving up insurance costs for ships plying the Red Sea.

In response, the United States and Britain have struck Houthi positions but have failed to stop the group's attacks.

Two regional officials aware of the talks said that the Houthis and Russians met in Tehran at least twice this year and that the negotiations to provide dozens of the missiles, which have a range of about 300 km (186 miles), were ongoing. Further Tehran meetings are expected in the coming weeks.

Russia has previously supplied the Yakhont missile to Iran-backed Hezbollah.

One of the sources said the talks started under Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May.

"Russia is negotiating with the Houthis for the transfer of Yakhont supersonic anti-ship missiles," said a Western intelligence source. "The Iranians are brokering the talks but do not want to have their signature over it."

Neither Iran's UN mission nor the Russian Defence Ministry responded to requests for comment.

"We have no knowledge of what you have mentioned," said Mohamed Abdel-Salam, the official spokesman for Yemen's Houthis.

A senior US official declined to name the specific systems that could be transferred but confirmed that Russia has been discussing supplying missiles to the Houthis, calling the development "very worrisome."

A US Defence Department official said any efforts to bolster the Houthis' capabilities would "undermine the shared international interest in global freedom of navigation and stability in the Red Sea and broader Middle East."

Closer Russia-Iran links

Russia and Iran have been nurturing closer military ties amid Russia's war in Ukraine. Tehran has allegedly transferred ballistic missiles to Moscow for use against Ukraine, the United States said earlier this month.

One motivation for Moscow to arm the Houthis, three sources said, is the possibility that Western states could decide to allow Ukraine to use their weapons to strike farther into Russian territory.

The senior US official said the Russia-Houthi talks "seem to be related to our posture in Ukraine and what we're willing or not willing to do" regarding Kyiv's requests for the lifting of restrictions on its use of long-range US-supplied weapons to strike targets deep inside Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned in June that Moscow could send advanced long-range weapons - similar to those the United States and its allies give Ukraine - to the West's adversaries around the world.

The Yakhont is considered one of the world's most advanced anti-ship missiles. It is designed to skim the sea's surface to avoid detection at more than twice the speed of sound, making it difficult to intercept.

'Game changer' for regional security

Fabian Hinz, an expert on ballistic missiles with the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said that Russia's transfer of Yakhont missiles to the Houthis would be a "game changer" for regional security.

"The P-800 is a far more capable system than the anti-ship ballistic and cruise missiles the Houthis have used so far," said Hinz.

Not only could the Houthis fire them at US, British and other warships that have been protecting commercial vessels in the Red Sea from Houthi drone and missile attacks, but they can be used as land-attack weapons that Saudi Arabia would see as a threat, Hinz said.

The senior US official said that a delegation of US officials discussed the Russia-Houthi negotiations with their Saudi counterparts during a visit to Saudi Arabia this summer and that Washington has raised the issue with Moscow.

The Saudis have also conveyed their concerns directly to the Russians, three sources told Reuters.

The Saudi government did not respond to a request for comment.

Hinz said Russia would need to help with the technical aspects of missile delivery, including how to transfer and make the missiles operational without the United States detecting and destroying the weapons. The Houthis would also need training on the system.

The senior US official warned of dire consequences if the transfer takes place.

"The Saudis are alarmed. We are alarmed, and other regional partners are alarmed," the official said. "The Houthis are already creating enough damage in the Red Sea, and this would enable them to do more."

(Reuters)

Starmer's slip of the tongue came while he was speaking at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, northwest England, as he meant to say "hostages".

Having first called for "restraint and de-escalation at the border between Lebanon and Israel", Starmer moved on to the Gaza conflict.

"I call again for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the return of the sausages," he said before quickly correcting himself with "the hostages" as applause rang out around the conference hall.

"And a recommitment to the two-state solution, a recognised Palestinian state alongside a safe and secure Israel," he continued.

Almost as soon as Starmer said the words, the video went viral on X, and by Tuesday evening, it was the second most shared content.

British media quickly jumped on Starmer's mistake, with the left-wing Guardian calling it a "gaffe" and the right-wing Daily Mail noting a "faux-pas".

Starmer was referring to the nearly year-long war that broke out on 7 October last year and the Israeli ground invasion of Gaza that followed.

Recent escalation has seen Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah move to the brink of all-out war.

Around 40,000 fighters had come to Syria from "a number of countries, including Iraq, Yemen and Syria", the report claimed, citing unnamed sources in the Israeli military. 

The fighters were reportedly within "the vicinity of the Golan Heights" waiting for orders from Hezbollah's secretary-general, Hassan Nasrallah, to join the fighting, the daily said, without citing any evidence to support the claim by the Israeli military source.

"They're not elite fighters, but neither is the Nukhba Force, and nevertheless we saw what a force of 2,000 to 3,000 gunmen can do when they surprise and attack a community," the daily said, referring to the Hamas-led surprise attack on Israel on 7 October.

"If the need arises, we will also act in Syria to make it clear to [President Bashar] Assad that we are no longer accept their presence there," the daily cited an unnamed senior defence official as saying.

So far, Damascus, Hezbollah, and Tel Aviv have not released any official statements regarding the claims made by the report.

Israel and Hezbollah have been engaged in cross-border attacks since 8 October 2023, in what the Lebanese group says was a "support front" to Palestinians in Gaza, where over 41,400 people - mostly civilians - have been killed by Israel's brutal offensive on the besieged enclave.

Israel announced it was expanding its war on Hezbollah by targeting Lebanon more widely.

It carried out a wave of deadly and indiscrimiante strikes since Monday, killing over 500 people, including 50 children and 95 women, in 24 hours - the largest daily death toll in modern warfare, according to the .

"The world needs to stop arming the generals. Speak with one voice and tell them: 'Stop tearing your country apart. Stop blocking aid to the Sudanese people. End this war now,'" Biden told the UN General Assembly.

The address came one day after Biden met in Washington with the leader of the United Arab Emirates, widely accused of arming the Rapid Support Forces, which the United States says has carried out war crimes against the ethnic African population of Darfur.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, speaking before Biden, voiced frustration at the role of foreign powers in the "brutal power struggle" in Sudan that has "unleashed horrific violence."

"A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding as famine spreads. Yet outside powers continue to interfere, with no unified approach to finding peace," Guterres said.

Biden pointed to US efforts to mediate the crisis. A US-led conference in Switzerland last month led to limited promises by the two sides on aid access.

"The United States has led the world to provide humanitarian aid to Sudan, and with our partners, have led diplomatic talks to try to silence the guns and... avert a wider famine," Biden said.

The United States has quietly pressed the United Arab Emirates over support to the Rapid Support Forces, whose fighters worked with Abu Dhabi in an offensive against Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi insurgents, according to diplomats.

Biden nonetheless designated the United Arab Emirates as a "major defence partner." Abu Dhabi has worked closely with the United States on other issues and won Washington's praise for the landmark step of recognising Israel in 2020.

In a joint statement on Monday, Biden and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said they shared concerns about "the risk of imminent atrocities" in Darfur.

They urged all sides to "comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law."

Major humanitarian crisis

Sudan's army has also allegedly received foreign support in its fight against the Rapid Support Forces, including from Iran.

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, whose wealthy nation has been comparatively less involved in Sudan than its rivals, called for international efforts to "ensure the unity of state institutions and the sovereignty and stability of Sudan."

The World Health Organisation said this month at least 20,000 people have been killed since the war began.

But some estimates are far higher, with the US envoy on Sudan, Tom Perriello, saying that up to 150,000 people may have died, a toll far above that in the more closely watched war on Gaza.

The war has also displaced more than 10 million people, a fifth of Sudan's population, both within the country and across borders.

A UN-backed assessment has warned of the risk of widespread famine in Sudan on a scale not seen anywhere in the world in decades.

The Lebanese group said in a statement that the base was involved in recent Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

"The Islamic Resistance launched a 'Qader 1' ballistic missile at 6:30 am (0330 GMT) on Wednesday, 25-9-2024, targeting the Mossad headquarters in the outskirts of Tel Aviv," the statement said.

"This headquarters is responsible for the assassination of leaders and the explosion of pagers and wireless devices," it added, referring to attacks last week that killed scores in Lebanon, including children.

The attack is the first time Hezbollah has claimed the use of a ballistic missile against Israel since 8 October, when the latest round of cross-border exchanges broke out.

Air raid sirens rang out in Tel Aviv and Netanya in central Israel, marking new distances reached by a Hezbollah missile.

"Following the sirens that sounded in the Tel Aviv and Netanya areas, one surface-to-surface missile was identified crossing from Lebanon and was intercepted by the IDF Aerial Defense Array,” the Israeli military said.

Army spokesman Nadav Shoshani described the attack as the "first time that Hezbollah has fired toward Tel Aviv".

The latest Hezbollah fire follows Israel's escalation of attacks on Lebanon, including strikes on Monday that killed at least 558 people, including 50 children. The Israeli strikes have caused around 26,000 people to flee their homes, with dozens of shelters now set up in schools and other public buildings.

Hezbollah has vowed to respond to Israeli strikes, particularly on the capital Beirut, with attacks on Israel's economic centres.

A Hezbollah parliamentary source told °źÂț”ș's Arabic-language sister site Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that the group has not unveiled its full arsenal, which includes "weapons that will be used for the first time" against Israel.

Hezbollah began firing rockets at Israel following Israel's launch of its latest war on Gaza in October last year, saying it would stop once Israel's assault ends. The rocket fire caused tens of thousands of Israelis to flee settlements in northern Israel.

While continuing its war on Gaza, where more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed, Israel has turned significant attention to Lebanon in recent days.

The escalation has raised concerns of a broader regional conflict, as months-long efforts to mediate a ceasefire in Gaza have failed to yield results.

What they're referring to are the 1970s and the 1980s, a time when Blacks and Asians had to fight a sea of fascist violence on the streets and institutional racism at work. 

Every day, before leaving the house, I double-checked if I had my knife in my pocket — a precaution many of us were forced to take.  

But unlike the recent far-right riots — which viciously exploited the murder of three little girls in — back then, when I walked through a major city centre, I was never as frightened as I was a couple of months ago as I walked through a northern city. 

This summer, racists revealed themselves up and down the UK. They set buildings ablaze, rampaged through streets, and — as well as those who looked like Muslims — all because they were enraged by murders to a Muslim asylum seeker. But this lie didn't matter to them, of course. Their target was premeditated.

In the 1970s and 1980s, coming home at night — especially after the pubs had closed — was a dangerous endeavour. Only the foolhardy walked alone in certain areas. 

This was the era of , where white youths, sometimes drunk, would hunt us down on the streets. I lived through and fought this wave of violence in Bradford, and my city was not unique, neither in the violence it endured nor in its measures of resistance. 

'Paki' didn't just mean Pakistani; it was a slur used against Arabs, Latin Americans, Chinese people, Africans, and Indians — much like the 'Muslim lookalikes' of today. And if a racist mob caught you, you were in for a bloody beating. Stabbings were not infrequent. Death was not a stranger, sometimes even massacres took place, as was the case of the , where 13 Black British teenagers were murdered in cold blood.

Just like the current wave of racist violence, which targeted mosques, the waves of the past also targeted our places of worship, including Sikh and Hindu temples. 

The major difference between then and now is that irrespective of religious background, we would rush to each other's defence. For example, around 1980, in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, a large number of youth, including Sikhs and Hindus, went to defend a mosque under attack. I was among them. We were united in confronting street violence, regardless of religion.

How to defeat the UK far-right

Back then, young Asian and Black men began training to fight the fascists, particularly in the discipline of martial arts. In Bradford, in the , we believed that self-defence was primarily a political issue that required social organisation. We had to mobilise quickly and in large numbers to confront the racists.

It didn't matter if you were big or small, woman or man, we believed that by organising ourselves we could defeat our attackers. When we organised and displayed a face of force, like when we stood on the corner of Lumb Lane and Carlisle Road in Bradford with hockey sticks and baseballs nearby, the racist gangs would see us and move on without stopping. 

Here we see the similarities with today. The recent wave of racist outpouring was quickly beaten back by mass mobilization of people, particularly youth and large numbers of the Muslim community.

But whilst it's indeed heartening to see the formation of Muslim defensive organisations — such as in Blackburn and Middlesborough — it is imperative that this isn't left as a solely Muslim issue.

Islamophobia, the new manifestation of state-sponsored racism in the UK, isn't a theological phenomenon, after all. It builds on the old white-on-black racism and runs hand in glove with it, all the way from the top of the political establishment down to the bottom of society. 

Subscribe Now and Listen to our Podcasts On

Fifty years ago, I did not recall one occasion where the protesting slogans ever had a religious connotation, even when mosques were under attack. Our line always was: "Black people have a right — here to stay, here to fight" and "Racists attack, we fight back." 

This August, however, something felt different. As I strolled through Manchester city centre in broad daylight, the vibrant, multiracial atmosphere I was used to had been overtaken by an exclusively white crowd. The far-right was mobilising. 

My experience was not isolated. Friends in Bradford called to see if I was safe and told me that he had just been to a funeral where announcements were made for volunteers to sleep in different mosques to protect them from attacks. My brother who lives in London sent me a video of his virtually deserted neighbourhood.

Soon after, the far-right rampage began. I heard about attacks: the hijab-wearing woman having acid thrown at her face outside Piccadilly Station, the stabbing of a man outside a mosque, and the van full of white people driving through Longsight, hurling abuse at 'Muslim-passing' passersby. Expectedly, these incidents were ignored by mainstream media. 

In the fifty years I've been in the UK, I don't recall a time when people desperately rang each other to check if everyone was safe.

What is happening in England now feels unlike previous waves. It feels like a pre-pogrom surge.

But the difference this time is that Britain has not only lost the empire from which it could rob and pillage but has lost the fat it had accumulated from the empire.

Instead, the regime mindlessly squanders what little is left on supporting wars abroad, like Israel's genocide in Gaza.

The 1970s and 1980s taught us that the battle against racism and the far-right within the UK is not an event but a process.

It must continue. We must organise, and defend ourselves by any means necessary — a right first established in the acquittal of the Bradford 12. 

Tariq Mehmood is an award-winning novelist and filmmaker. He was one of the leading defendants in the case of the Bradford 12 in 1981.

He co-directed , the ground-breaking film into deaths in British Police Custody and the writer of its follow-on, . He is currently making a He wrote his first novel , Penguin 1983. He has since written a number of novels, the latest being The Second Coming, Daraja 2024. He is also an Associate Professor at the American University Of Beirut, Lebanon.

Follow him on Twitter:

Have questions or comments? Email us at: editorial-english@newarab.com

Opinions expressed in this article remain those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of °źÂț”ș, its editorial board or staff.

France on Wednesday unveiled a proposal for a 21-day ceasefire in Lebanon in UN diplomacy with the United States as the death toll mounted in deadly strikes by Israel.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that the two Western powers were proposing a "temporary ceasefire" of 21 days "to allow for negotiations."

The UN said Wednesday that some 90,000 people had been displaced in Lebanon this week, as Israel pounds what it claims are Hezbollah targets across the country, and as the Lebanese group strikes back.

More than 70 people were killed in Wednesday's air raids on Lebanon, the country's caretaker health minister said during a press conference.

The Israeli military said it was calling up two reserve brigades to the north, as army chief Herzi Halevi told soldiers to be prepared for a possible ground invasion.

In Gaza, Israel on Wednesday returned the bodies of 88 Palestinians which the territory's health ministry refused to bury before Israel disclosed details about who they are and where it killed them.

Macron met with Masoud Pezeshkian, a self-styled reformist in a cleric-run state which Israel sees as its archenemy, on the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly as casualties mounted in Lebanon.

Macron "highlighted the responsibility of Iran to support a general de-escalation and use its influence with destabilizing actors," an Elysee statement said, in a clear reference to Hezbollah.

Macron has already spoken twice by telephone with Pezeshkian as tensions rose between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite militant movement backed by Iran.

On August 7, Macron urged the Iranian president to avoid reprisals and work to prevent a military escalation after Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh died in a presumed Israeli operation as he visited Tehran for Pezeshkian's inauguration.

Pezeshkian on Monday cast Israel as seeking conflict, saying Iran held back on retaliating after Western powers spoke of progress in reaching a ceasefire in Gaza.

Macron also pressed Pezeshkian after Western nations said Tehran supplied missiles to Russia, leading European powers to impose sanctions that targeted air links.

Macron "warned the Iranian president against the Islamic republic's continuation of support for Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine," the Elysee said.

Pezeshkian, in his meeting with reporters, denied that Iran supplied missiles to Russia and said that his country opposed Moscow's "aggression" against its neighbor.

Pezeshkian has cast himself as a moderate. The United States has publicly voiced skepticism about dealing with him, doubting how much influence he carries in a system where Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ultimately calls the shots.

Macron also asked for the release of three French nationals imprisoned in Iran.

Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, later received high praise from former president Bill Clinton, who hailed their 40-year-long friendship and the global impact of the Bangladeshi's pioneering microfinance loans.

The 84-year-old economist was appointed as the country's "chief advisor" in August following the student-led movement that ousted premier Sheikh Hasina, who has since fled the country.

Biden offered "continued US support as Bangladesh implements its new reform agenda," a White House statement said.

The US-Bangladesh relationship "is rooted in shared democratic values and strong people-to-people ties," it said.

According to a readout provided by Bangladeshi officials, Yunus briefed Biden on how the students "rose against the tyranny of the previous government and gave their lives to create this opportunity to rebuild Bangladesh," and said his interim government would need US help to rebuild the nation.

Yunus also presented Biden with a book featuring paintings made by the students.

 Long friendship

Yunus was later invited to speak at the Clinton Global Initiative's annual meeting, where former president Clinton said "few people on this planet have done as much (as Yunus) to change the lives of ordinary people who would never have had access to credit."

Their friendship dates back to the 1980s, when Clinton, then governor of Arkansas, invited Yunus to visit and share his approach to alleviating poverty through small loans, which had successfully empowered impoverished Bangladeshi women without access to traditional banking services.

"You're the only old guy I know who was ever drafted for his eminent position by the young people of his country," Clinton quipped about Yunus's elevation to interim leader.

"That's because he has succeeded in doing what we all must do: we all have to stay in the future business."

Yunus, in turn, thanked Clinton for believing in him in his early days, and for standing by him despite criticism at the time for promoting a Bangladeshi economist's ideas in America.

He also paid tribute to Bangladeshi youthful revolutionaries, saying: "They are the ones creating the new version of Bangladesh -- let's wish them every success."

Hasina's government was accused of widespread rights abuses, including the mass detention and extrajudicial killing of political rivals.

More than 450 people were killed in the weeks of violence leading up to her removal.

Since her departure for exile in neighboring India, cabinet ministers and other senior members of Hasina's party have been arrested, and her government's appointees have been purged from courts and the central bank.

Journalists seen as close to her regime have also been detained.

While the United States had generally maintained a cooperative relationship with Hasina, an ally of India and a partner on issues like combating extremism, Washington had criticized her government's democratic backsliding.

"President Trump was briefed earlier today by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence regarding real and specific threats from Iran to assassinate him in an effort to destabilize and sow chaos in the United States," Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung said in the statement.

"Intelligence officials have identified that these continued and coordinated attacks have heightened in the past few months, and law enforcement officials across all agencies are working to ensure President Trump is protected and the election is free from interference," he added.

The campaign did not elaborate on the claims, which come as international pressure increases on Iran to reduce soaring tensions in Lebanon, where Israel has carried out a bombing campaign in the south in its conflict against Lebanese group Hezbollah which is backed by Tehran.

Iran rejected accusations that it is trying to kill Trump earlier this summer, shortly after a gunman opened fire at a rally in Pennsylvania, killing one person and wounding the presidential candidate.

Days after the July 13 assassination attempt, US media reported that authorities had received intelligence on an alleged Iranian plot against the Republican, prompting his protection to be boosted.

Iran rejected the "malicious" accusations.

"If they do 'assassinate President Trump,' which is always a possibility, I hope that America obliterates Iran, wipes it off the face of the Earth - If that does not happen, American Leaders will be considered 'gutless' cowards!" Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, at the time.

It was not immediately clear if the threats referred to by the campaign Tuesday were new or the threats that had been previously reported.

The United States has also accused Iran of a hack targeting Trump's campaign, alleging Tehran is seeking to influence the 2024 election.

Earlier this month, US authorities said Iranian cyberattackers had offered "stolen, non-public" material from Trump's campaign to staff for his then White House rival, Joe Biden.

"Foreign actors are increasing their election influence activities" as Election Day in November approaches, the US statement said, singling out Russia, Iran and China as "trying by some measure to exacerbate divisions in US society for their own benefit."

The US agencies said the Iranian cyberattackers had also attempted to share the information stolen from the Trump campaign with US media organizations. It did not name the outlets.

Iran has also vehemently denied those accusations.

Trump's presidential rival, Democrat Kamala Harris's campaign said on August 13 that it too had been targeted by foreign hackers, but did not give an indication of which country was believed to be behind the attempt.

The United States goes to the polls on November 5. Polls show Trump and Harris, who launched her campaign after Biden dropped out earlier this summer, are neck and neck.

The House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee voted 26-25 in favor of a report recommending that the full House find Blinken in contempt after he did not appear at a hearing on Tuesday morning on the withdrawal.

Every yes vote came from Republicans and every Democrat voted no, reflecting deep political divisions over the chaotic evacuation of Americans and Afghans who worked with them.

Blinken, who is in New York for the U.N. General Assembly, said in a letter on Sunday to the committee's chairman, Republican Representative Michael McCaul, that he had tried to reach an accommodation on when he would be available to testify and offered alternative witnesses.

McCaul said before the vote that Blinken had declined to appear any time this month. "I offered any day in September, just a few hours in September. The Secretary couldn't find one day, he couldn't find one hour to come before the United States Congress," McCaul said.

In a statement, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller called the panel's action "a naked political exercise."

"The State Department made clear in repeated communications with the committee that he is willing to testify again, but was unavailable to do so today because he is engaged in high level diplomacy at the United Nations General Assembly," Miller said.

McCaul denied he was motivated by politics.

The U.S. contempt of Congress statute outlines a process for the House or Senate to refer a non-compliant witness for criminal prosecution. Ultimately, the Justice Department decides whether to bring criminal charges.

The full House has not scheduled a vote on the committee's recommendation.

McCaul released a report on Sept 8 on the committee Republicans' investigation of the Afghanistan withdrawal, blasting Democratic President Joe Biden's administration for failures surrounding the evacuation three years earlier.

The issue has become intensely politicized ahead of the presidential election on Nov 5.

Last month, the Republican candidate, former President Donald Trump, drew criticism for shooting video for his campaign at Arlington National Cemetery where he appeared at a ceremony honoring troops killed in the evacuation.

Trump also has sought to pin blame for the withdrawal on Vice President Kamala Harris, his Democratic opponent.

The State Department said Blinken has testified before Congress on Afghanistan more than 14 times, including four times before the committee, and the State Department has provided the committee with nearly 20,000 pages of records, multiple high-level briefings and transcribed interviews.

The Gulf nation of Qatar on Tuesday became just the second Muslim-majority country to be admitted into a program that allows its citizens to travel to the United States without first obtaining a U.S. visa .

The departments of State and Homeland Security jointly announced that Qatar had met stringent eligibility requirements to join the visa waiver program.

Those requirements include a low visa refusal rate, a low rate of visa overstays and a demand of reciprocal treatment of American travelers, who are already allowed to visit Qatar without a visa for up to 30 days.

“Qatar has been an exceptional partner for the United States, and our strategic relationship has only grown stronger over the past few years,” the departments said in a statement.

“This is further evidence of our strategic partnership and our shared commitment to security and stability.”

Qatar, which has played a key role in trying to negotiate a cease-fire deal in Gaza and was an instrumental U.S. partner before and during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan , is the 42nd country to be admitted to the program.

Most countries whose citizens can visit the US without a visa are longstanding allies in Europe and Asia.

The only other Muslim-majority country in the program is the tiny Southeast Asian nation of Brunei.

Although Qatar's population is just over 3 million people, only a small percentage of those — about 320,000 — are actually Qataris who would be eligible for the program if they hold valid passports.

The vast majority of people who live in Qatar are foreign workers and other expatriates who do not hold Qatari passports.

The program allows citizens of qualifying nations to enter the US for business or tourism without a visa for up to 90 days, although they must still obtain approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA, which is done online and doesn't require an in-person interview as visa applications do.

After Oct. 1, U.S. citizens will be allowed to stay in Qatar without a visa for 90 days.

Israel was the last country admitted to the program in 2023, and it was allowed in despite significant concerns that it does not treat Palestinian Americans, Arab Americans or Muslim Americans the same as other US passport holders.

As contingency plans are rolled out to support British nationals in Lebanon and the region, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said in a statement around 700 troops, backed by the border force, would move to Cyprus in the coming hours.

The air force also have aircraft and transport helicopters on standby to provide support if necessary, the FCDO added.

"Events in the past hours and days have demonstrated how volatile this situation is, which is why our message is clear, British nationals should leave now," said Defence Secretary John Healey.

Fierce fighting this week between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah has increased fears that nearly a year of conflict will explode and destabilise the Middle East, where a war is already raging in Gaza.

Israel has said it is shifting its focus from Gaza to the northern frontier, where Hezbollah has been firing rockets into Israel in support of Hamas, which like Hamas is also backed by Iran.

Israel's offensive since Monday morning has killed 569 people, including 50 children, and wounded 1,835 in Lebanon, Health Minister Firass Abiad told Al Jazeera TV.

Thousands of displaced people who fled from southern Lebanon were sheltering in schools and other buildings.

The UN General Assembly, the high point of the international diplomatic calendar, comes after Lebanese authorities said Israeli strikes had killed 569 people -- 50 of them children.

"Full-scale war is not in anyone's interest. Even though the situation has escalated, a diplomatic solution is still possible," US President Joe Biden said in his farewell address to the global body.

"In fact, it remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely," Biden said ahead of an emergency UN Security Council session on Lebanon planned for Wednesday.

Biden's remarks drew disappointment from Lebanon's foreign minister Abdullah Bou Habib who said they were "not promising" and "would not solve the Lebanese problem," as he estimated that the number of people displaced by Israel's strikes has likely soared to reach half a million.

"We should all be alarmed by the escalation. Lebanon is at the brink," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said when he opened the gathering.

Israel's ambassador to the UN Danny Danon said his country was "not eager" for a ground invasion of Lebanon.

"We don't want to send our boys to fight in a foreign country," he said.

'End this war'

It is unclear what progress can be made to defuse the situation in Lebanon, with efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza -- which Israel has relentlessly pounded since October 2023 -- coming to nothing.

Biden on Tuesday pushed again for an elusive ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, telling the global body it was time to "end this war."

Mediator Qatar accused Israel of obstructing Gaza ceasefire talks, with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani saying "there is no Israeli partner for peace" under the government of Benjamin Netanyahu.

But he added: "We will continue our efforts of mediation to resolve the disputes through peaceful means."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Israel of dragging the entire region "into war."

"Not only children but also the UN system is dying in Gaza," Erdogan said in a scathing speech.

Guterres cautioned against "the possibility of transforming Lebanon (into) another Gaza," calling the situation in the Palestinian territory a "non-stop nightmare."

European Council President Charles Michel said that Israel had the right to exist and defend itself but without inflicting "collective punishment" on civilians living in areas targeted by its military.

President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran condemned "senseless and incomprehensible" inaction by the UN against Israel.

'Charade of hypocrisy'

Responding to criticism of Israel, Danon called the General Assembly debate an "annual charade of hypocrisy."

"When the UN Secretary-General speaks about the release of our hostages, the UN assembly is silent, but when he speaks about the suffering in Gaza, he receives thunderous applause," Danon said.

Since last year's annual gathering, when Sudan's civil war and Russia's Ukraine invasion dominated, the world has faced an explosion of crises.

Since October 7, Israel's military offensive in the devastated Palestinian territory has killed at least 41,467 people, according to health authorities.

Violence has raged across multiple fronts in the Middle East since the crisis erupted, with the conflict exposing deep divisions at the UN.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas took his seat alongside the Palestinian delegation, placed in alphabetical order in the General Assembly for the first time on Tuesday after the delegation received upgraded privileges in May.

At the rostrum, Jordan's King Abdullah II on Tuesday ruled out the forced displacement by Israel of Palestinians to his country, which he said would be a "war crime."

Ukraine was also on the agenda Tuesday with President Volodymyr Zelensky addressing a UN Security Council meeting on the Russian invasion.

"Russia can only be forced into peace, and that is exactly what's needed -- forcing Russia into peace," Zelensky said.

Biden said that Russian President Vladimir "Putin's war has failed at its core aim. He set out to destroy Ukraine, but Ukraine is still free."

The veteran American politician a video of the Israeli prime minister delivering a message in English "to the people of Lebanon", following a wave of Israeli air strikes that have killed over 500 people, including 50 children.

"This is in English because it's not 'for the people of Lebanon', it's propaganda aimed at the US," she wrote on X.

"In just the last few days Israel has murdered hundreds in Lebanon with indiscriminate terror attacks and bombings. Time to cut off US support for Netanyahu's genocidal land grab NOW," Stein added.

Stein's comments come as the US has reacted in support of Israel as it launched what many think could be the beginning of an all-out war on Lebanon, killing hundreds of innocents in the process.

Despite US President Joe Biden saying in a speech at the UN on Tuesday that a "full-scale war is not in anyone's interest", he also said Israel had a "right to defence".

This has been taken by many as yet another tactic for US acceptance of Israeli violations and escalations, even when Tel Aviv has defied Washington’s own alleged red lines in the near past and left the region teetering on the edge of a widening war.

"Israel's escalating attacks on Lebanon are clearly intended to provoke a wider regional war - even world war - and drag the US directly into the fight 
 All to enable genocide" Stein blasted on X.

"Biden and Harris must cut off all arms and funding to Israel NOW before they get us all killed," she added.

Stein is a long-time supporter of Palestinian self-determination and critic of the US's unquestioning support for Israel, even as it gets accused of plausibly committing genocide by the world’s top criminal court.

In particular, she has called out Kamal Harris's continuing dedication to support of Israel, which Stein claims is identical to that of Biden's.

Despite Stein having no chance of winning the US presidential election in November, her firm stance against Israel could cause trouble for Democratic nominee and incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris in swing states such as Michigan.

Earlier this month, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) data showing that in Michigan, home to a large Arab American community, 40 percent of Muslim voters backed Stein.

Republican candidate Donald Trump got 18 percent with Harris trailing at 12 percent.

Iran said Tuesday it believes the remaining workers trapped by an explosion at a coal mine in the country's east have died, bringing the death toll in one of its worst industrial disasters to at least 49.

A provincial emergency official, Mohammad Ali Akhoundi, gave the death toll in a report carried by Iranian state television from the mine in Tabas.

Figures for the number of miners inside the mine at the time have fluctuated since a methane gas leak Saturday sparked an explosion at the coal mine in Tabas, about 540 kilometres (335 miles) southeast of the capital, Tehran.

Around 70 people had been working at the time of the blast. Bodies recovered so far showed no signs of blast injuries, suggesting many of the workers died from the gas before the explosion.

Such gases are common in mining, though modern safety measures call for ventilation and other measures to protect workers.

It wasn't immediately clear what safety procedures were in place at the privately owned Tabas Parvadeh 5 mine, operated by Mandanjoo Co. The firm could not be reached for comment.

On Tuesday, a lawmaker and member of parliament's mine committee said the mine's safety system was not working, and "even the central alarm system was broken or did not exist."

Lawmaker Zahra Saeedi added that workers learned of the safety issue before the disaster but couldn't leave in time. Two of the dead were health and safety experts at the mine, she said.

Iran's new reformist president, Masoud Pezeshkian, in New York for the UN General Assembly, has said he ordered all efforts be made to rescue those trapped and aid their families. He also said an investigation into the explosion was underway.

Iran's mining industry has been struck by disasters before. In 2017, a coal mine explosion killed at least 42 people. Then-President Hassan Rouhani, campaigning ahead of winning reelection, visited the site in Iran's northern Golestan province, and angry miners besieged the SUV he rode in, kicking and beating the armoured vehicle in a rage.

In 2013, 11 workers were killed in two separate mining incidents. In 2009, 20 workers were killed in several incidents. Lax safety standards and inadequate emergency services in mining areas were often blamed for the fatalities.

Seven Iraqi sources, including people in political parties whose leaders the Iranian commander met, said Esmail Qaani requested a visit to Baghdad. A regional diplomat confirmed the account. All the sources asked not to be named because the meetings were held in private.

The move to avert any weakening of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani reflects concerns in Iran about instability on its doorstep in Iraq, where Tehran has long wielded influence via a range of Iran-backed armed groups and Shi'ite Muslim parties.

Tehran is keen to avoid further pressure on its regional alliances after the almost year-long war on Gaza war and amid an escalating conflict in Lebanon that has put huge pressure on Tehran's key regional ally, Hezbollah.

The Quds Force is the overseas branch of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). The IRGC and Iran's Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Qaani told Iraqi leaders in the Coordination Framework, a grouping of Shi'ite Muslim parties that picked Sudani for the job, not to undermine the prime minister amid allegations his office spied on top Iraqi officials and politicians. Qaani said stability in Iraq was vital amid the regional violence.

The spying allegations, which have been denied by advisers to Sudani and for which no evidence has been publicly presented, were aired by lawmakers and major media organisations last month and have caused a stir in Iraq.

Parliamentary elections next year

Loyalists and independent observers say Prime Minister Sudani's political opponents stoked the allegations to try to weaken him before parliamentary elections next year. Parties critical of him say the allegations are serious.

Iraq's judiciary has opened a probe into the matter overseen by Faiq Zaidan, the head of the Supreme Judicial Council. Some Iraqi officials said the results of the probe could determine whether the prime minister continues in his job.

For Sudani, the dispute comes at a delicate moment. He is seeking to rebuild the economy after decades of conflict ahead of elections and to balance the influence of well-armed, Iran-backed factions while negotiating a drawdown of US-led forces in Iraq, where Washington has maintained a contingent for years.

Renad Mansour at the London-based Chatham House think tank said Iran wanted to prevent tensions in Iraq, where rivalries have often turned violent, before the 2025 parliamentary polls.

"At a crucial moment for Iran when it's trying to respond to Israeli aggression, the Iraqi groups are infighting in a way that's destabilising. The last thing Iran wants now is a political mess in Iraq," Mansour said.

It's not Qaani's first intervention in Iraq during a crisis.

In February, he asked armed factions that Iran backs in Iraq to cease attacks on US forces after a strike by one group on a US base in Jordan, on Iraq's western border, killed three US troops, Reuters reported at the time.

There were no attacks for months afterwards.

(Reuters)

The dead, so far, were among hundreds of locals who were admitted to four hospitals in the past few days, after suffering gastrointestinal problems, including diarrhoea, vomiting and nausea.

Residents of the southern province, around 850 kilometres south of the Egyptian capital Cairo and a few kilometres away from the Egyptian border with Sudan, are deeply alarmed.

"We are afraid because there is no clarity about the reasons behind the health problems people suffer or the fatalities that happened so far," Hani Youssef, a resident of Aswan in his mid-forties, told °źÂț”ș.

The reasons behind the mystery diseases remain unclear, but locals attributed them to what they described as 'contaminated' drinking water.

Like in other parts of Egypt, people in Aswan depend on the Nile River for drinking water.

This comes amid reports of a cholera outbreak, caused by contaminated water and food, causing the of hundreds of people and the sickening of thousands of others in neighbouring Sudan.

Slow government response

Official reactions to developments in Aswan have so far come short of calming the public.

On September 23, Minister of Health, Khaled Abdelgaffar, blamed , a bacterial disease caused by raw or undercooked ground meat products, raw milk and faecal contamination of vegetables, for the health problems affecting hundreds of people in the province.

Analysis of water samples in Aswan, the minister said, showed that drinking water is for consumption.

"Egypt has a system to ensure the safety of every water drop consumed by citizens," the minister said at a press briefing in Aswan.

The minister's remarks came days after a team of ministry specialists arrived in the southern province to investigate.

Once they got there, the team's members went to different villages and knocked on one door after another to listen to people's complaints.

They also took samples of drinking water in these villages, concluding that drinking water was not the real culprit.

On September 22, Aswan Governor, Maj. Gen. Ismail Kamal, made a tour of different villages in his province and drank to prove to nervous citizens that there is nothing to fear.

The governor did the same inside one of Aswan's 108

Abdel Sabour al-Rawy, a senior official of the state-run Water and Wastewater Company, which is responsible for dealing with sewage and supplying water to people in Aswan, backed the governor's account.

"Water samples taken from plants in the province proved to be fit for consumption," al-Rawy told TNA.

Despite these assurances, there is belief that something ominous is at play.

"The fact that such a large number of people fell sick at the same time suggests a major problem," virologist, Rushdi Youssef, told TNA.

He called for restricting movement to and from Aswan until there is a scientifically logical explanation for what is happening in the southern province.

Some government officials, including al-Rawy, and state-controlled media outlets accused those talking about the situation in Aswan of exaggerating the whole matter, only to scare tourists away from Aswan, while the southern province prepares for a new tourist season.

With a population of 1.6 million people, Aswan is a prime tourist destination, boasting a large number of important archaeological sites, including ancient Egyptian temples and museums that house precious artefacts.

However, reports of cholera-induced deaths in neighbouring Sudan are apparently casting a shadow over Aswan.

There have been videos on social media advising people to water, at least for the time being.

The last time cholera hit in Egypt was in when it caused the death of over 10,000 people, which prompted the Egyptian government to request international support.

Youssef, the Aswan resident, has stopped drinking tap water together with his other family members.

He said the explanations offered by health authorities for what is happening in the province have been unconvincing so far.

"This is why I try to stay safe as much as I can by eating at home and drinking bottled water," Youssef said.

"We will continue to do this until somebody can clear up the current mess," he added.

Since then, mass Israeli airstrikes on Monday have killed upwards of 550 people – the deadliest day in Lebanon since the 1975-90 civil war – while ongoing attacks in the south have forced thousands to flee.

Citizens and experts are still trying to make sense of what happened to them when thousands of telecom devices rigged with explosives were detonated across the country, killing nearly 40 people and injuring more than 4,000.

“We never thought we'd see anything like it. What we saw on Tuesday and Wednesday was... I mean, my mind couldn't really comprehend it, to be honest,” Jad El Dilati, Middle East and North Africa program coordinator at Minority Rights Group, told °źÂț”ș.

“I was driving from Nabatiyeh [in south Lebanon], where my family lives, to Beirut - one of these beepers exploded in a car next to me. It could have swerved and killed many,” he said.

Psychological warfare

Just weeks before the explosions, the human rights worker had co-authored an against Lebanon.

“A non-lethal type of warfare, psychological warfare uses non-combat techniques to instil fear among the targeted community and alter perceptions of the enemy,” it read. Lebanon has experienced “almost all textbook tactics” of psychological warfare, Dilati says.

These range from sonic booms over populated areas and social media disinformation, to drones carrying loudspeakers telling people that the war is Hezbollah’s fault or issuing fake evacuation orders.

Last week’s attacks, even if they were ostensibly aimed at Hezbollah fighters, have been likened to psychological warfare in its most intense form.

“There definitely was a psychological effect to the attack,” Dilati said. “People were not thinking straight for two days in a row, looking at these everyday technological devices, at phones, at Wi-Fi routers, thinking that they might explode any minute - people saw something unprecedented that made them fear their neighbours.”

For Dilati, the double attacks could clearly be described as an “act of terrorism”.

“People who live among us, neighbours, friends, family members, women, having their eyes blown out, pieces of their flesh taken out, blood everywhere – they exploded in stores, pharmacies, and supermarkets – it was super graphic and traumatising,” he said.

“That definitely instilled a sense of frustration, uncertainty, and insecurity - I think Israel wanted to deal a blow to Hezbollah that is strong enough to rally public opinion against them.”

'Massacre'

Joseph Daher, a researcher and professor at the University of Lausanne and author of several books on Hezbollah, agrees.

“What we saw was a much bloodier and more violent psychological war. The Lebanese are being told that even those who are not directly involved in the war can be a potential target,” he told °źÂț”ș.

Analysts agree that psychological considerations may have been one objective of Israel’s attack, together with breaching Hezbollah’s security and weakening the group militarily.

â€ÀáłÙ is a blow for Hezbollah soldiers’ morale and their social milieu,” Daher explained. “Within the popular base, there may be frustrations at the fact that the safety of their loved ones is no longer guaranteed, and they may be hit in the middle of their own home,” the researcher added.

“There won’t be mass desertions or vocal criticism, but the attack could reinforce opinions that run counter to those of Hezbollah's leaders,” he added.

Violating international law

In Lebanon, the pager attacks have been described as ‘terrorism’, a ‘massacre’, and even as a form of ‘genocide’.

While such terms reflect the traumatic experiences of a nation, international law experts are more divided on how to classify the attacks.

“International humanitarian law prohibits the launch of attacks spreading terror among the civilian population - but this requires evidence that it was its primary purpose,” Marco Longobardo, associate professor of international law at Westminster University in the UK, told °źÂț”ș.

And, in the case of Lebanon’s pager explosions, proof is lacking. Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack, and it probably never will – as is its standard policy for undercover operations.

But there are at least three ways to condemn the attacks, he added. “Assuming that Israel carried out this attack, it would have to prove that it was necessary in order to exercise self-defence against Hezbollah’s strikes,” Longobardo analysed.

“But I don’t think it could, because the explosions didn’t affect the group’s operational structure and didn’t destroy any military infrastructure.”

"Israel did not respect the principle of distinction: it had no way to know who would be holding the pagers and to make sure they wouldn't be civilians. It didn't even try to discriminate between civilian and military targets"

The modus operandi also raises questions. The explosions were carried out by inserting explosives into 5,000 of Hezbollah’s newly ordered pagers and walkie-talkies, at the time of their production, according to reports.

“This can be considered as using booby traps, which are prohibited under international law - as well as using inoffensive-looking civilian objects,” the scholar explained.

Pagers and walkie-talkies are widely used by civilians and medical personnel - two of which were killed during last week’s explosions, along with two children and other civilians.

“This shows that Israel did not respect the principle of distinction: it had no way to know who would be holding the pagers and to make sure they wouldn’t be civilians. It didn’t even try to discriminate between civilian and military targets,” Longobardo said.

“This is unlawful under international humanitarian law. The attacker should have used a weapon that could not be circulated amongst civilians,” the scholar concluded.

War crimes

Several human rights groups and experts have reached similar conclusions.

“Under international humanitarian law, any attacks that are indiscriminate are unlawful,” Aya Majzoub, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International, told °źÂț”ș.

“And the evidence that we were able to gather demonstrates that whoever planned and carried out these attacks couldn't verify who was in the immediate vicinity of the devices and who was harmed by the explosion,” she added.  â€œThe attack should therefore be investigated as a war crime.”

Shortly after, Amnesty International released a statement . “The UN Security Council should take all the measures at its disposal to ensure protection of civilians and avoid more needless suffering,” the communiquĂ© read.

“An international investigation must urgently be set up to establish the facts and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

This will not be easy, as neither Lebanon nor Israel can be held accountable by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“We're also asking Lebanon to ratify the Rome Statute, which would give the ICC the jurisdiction to look into war crimes committed on Lebanon's territory,” Majzoub explained.

For her, the psychological terror that rippled through Beirut, where her office is located, was all too real.

“The first second after we started hearing the news about exploding devices, it just felt surreal. It felt like a dystopian nightmare,” she said. “The scale of the attack, the wide-reaching impacts just terrified the entire population.”

This prompted UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to reiterate that must not be turned into weapons.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker TĂŒrk, stated that those responsible for these attacks “will be held accountable”, stressing that these acts constitute “ and, insofar as it is applicable, of international humanitarian law”.

Last week’s attacks, however, might simply be added to a long list of war crimes and human rights violations Israel has committed without facing any legal condemnation.

“The frustration is the main aspect of it because we saw what they can do at any moment, and the impunity they have to do it. I haven't seen a proper condemnation from any Western country to what happened,” Jad El Dilati said.

As devastating airstrikes rain down on Lebanon’s south, southern Beirut, and the Bekaa Valley, many Lebanese told °źÂț”ș they felt abandoned as the world stands by and watches, with many fearing they could share a similar fate to Gaza.

Philippe Pernot is a French-German photojournalist living in Beirut. Covering anarchist, environmentalist, and queer social movements, he is now the Lebanon correspondent for Frankfurter Rundschau and an editor for various international media. 

Follow him on Twitter: 

The violence in Gaza came as fighting intensified between Israel and Hezbollah across Israel's border with Lebanon - a parallel conflict that had stoked fears of an all-out war in the Middle East.

Israeli tanks advanced in the northern and western areas of Rafah, battling fighters from Hamas and Islamic Jihad, according to residents and a statement published by the two Palestinian groups.

Residents said the Israeli army blew up several homes in eastern and central areas of the city.

The armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad said fighters attacked the invading forces with anti-tank rockets, detonated already planted bombs and mortar fire.

Palestinian health officials said 22 people were killed in several Israeli airstrikes in the central and southern Gaza Strip. In one of the strikes, six Palestinians were killed, including three women, in a house in Nuseirat, one of the territory's eight historic refugee camps, they said.

Most of Gaza's 2.3 million have been displaced in nearly a year of warfare as Israeli air and artillery strikes have reduced much of the Palestinian enclave to rubble.

Over 41,400 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli assault, according to the Gaza health ministry.

In Washington, US President Joe Biden was determined to bring about a Gaza ceasefire and captive deal with Hamas while also seeking to de-escalate tensions on Israel's border with Lebanon, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday.

"He absolutely hasn't given up," Sullivan said in an interview with MSNBC hours before Biden was due to address the UN General Assembly for the last time as president.

(Reuters)

The indiscriminate nature of the attacks, which killed at least 50 children in one day, mark a continuation of Israel's policies employed in Gaza, where Israel has said civilians are being used as human shields.

Tel Aviv has now made similar claims about Lebanon, where it says Hezbollah is storing missiles and other arms in civilians' homes.

°źÂț”ș takes a look at Israel's latest claims.

'Rockets in homes'

"For over 20 years, Hezbollah has deployed its arms inside homes and militarised civilian infrastructure. As a result, the Hezbollah terrorist organisation has turned southern Lebanon into a battlefield," Israeli army spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari alleged in a video posted by the military's X account on Monday.

"This is a village in southern Lebanon, Hezbollah stores cruise missiles, rockets, launchers and UAVs inside civilian homes, hidden behind the Lebanese population living in the village. We are monitoring these activities, locating the weapons and destroying them with precise intelligence-base strikes," he continued, as a computer-generated image of a cross-section of civilian buildings containing missiles and other military equipment.

Similar imagery was used by Israel in late October 2023, when it was claimed that a sophisticated Hamas "command and control centre" existed under Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital.

The graphics created by Israel ahead of Al-Shifa's invasion showed a network of tunnels containing meeting rooms and weapons armouries being patrolled by armed militants.

An investigation carried out by Forensic Architecture in January which analysed Israel's claims exposed serious flaws in evidence presented by Tel Aviv to the ICJ, using 3D modelling, geolocation, OSINT, image complex, pattern analysis and shadow analysis.

WATCH: IDF Spox. RAdm. Daniel Hagari explains how Hezbollah exploits civilian infrastructure as weapons storage sites and uses the Lebanese people as human shields:

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF)

"Our findings also indicate that the computer-generated graphics alleging an extensive tunnel network beneath Al-Shifa are nothing like the Israeli military’s own claims about the tunnel footprint on 22 November," the report reads.

"We also found that their 27 October claim (which accompanied the computer-generated graphics) that a ‘command and control centre’ existed beneath Al-Shifa contradicts the claims they subsequently made and evidence they presented on 20 November."

A Hamas "command and control" centre was never uncovered under the hospital.

Similar claims were made about other hospitals targeted in Gaza, including the Al-Rantisi Children's Hospital, which Hagari personally visited and claimed to have discovered an Arabic-language document listing the names of guards who were minding hostages. Arabic speakers later pointed out that the paper was a calendar listing the days of the week.

Early on Tuesday, the Israeli army also deleted a post from X which claimed that a "rocket weighing over 1 ton" was discovered in a warehouse in Lebanon. No explanation was given for the removal.

Hezbollah capabilities

Amid the months of cross-border exchanges between Hezbollah and Israel, the Lebanese group has released images purportedly showing a vast tunnel complex that appears more sophisticated than those used by Hamas.

In a video released in August titled "Our mountains are our stores", the group claimed to hold a vast array of precision and non-precision weapons, showing images of militants and goods trucks moving underground.

Observers have questioned why Hezbollah would store its arms in civilian homes when its tunnel network is reputedly older and larger than that of Hamas in Gaza.

"These are images of Hezbollah’s underground network shown in recent videos by the party. Israel wants you to believe an organisation with infrastructure like this is storing high-value rockets in the bedrooms of Lebanese grandmothers. They’re trying to justify mass murder," wrote British anthropologist Philip Proudfoot on X.

Hezbollah releases video of trucks carrying what appear to be large projectiles moving through a tunnel system.

— Timour Azhari (@timourazhari)

While the Hezbollah video cannot be independently verified, the tunnels displayed appear in line with external analysts' estimations of Hezbollah, which was described by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in 2018 as "the world's most heavily armed non-state actor".

Israeli experts and media reports from this earlier year also appear to be in agreement that the group was using its underground labyrinth to store arms and move them to launch sites, without the need for civilian infrastructure.

"It's not complicated from their point of view. Fateh 110 [surface-to-surface ballistic] missiles are carried on trucks," Tal Beeri, the head of Israel's security-focussed Alma Research and Education, told The Times of Israel in January.

"The subterranean infrastructure enables a truck to transit to the place where the missile is to be fired. In theory, at the launch site, a platform can be constructed, or a slope leading up from the tunnel. The truck exits the tunnel, fires and goes back down.

"When one flies over the site, all one can see is the mountain. It’s very hard to find the launch site. They are able to carry out a fast, mobile launch of missiles."

The strikes were centred on southern Lebanon, on what Israel claimed was "1,600 Hezbollah positions", with the Israeli military claiming it was focusing its fire on the group's cruise missiles, drone capabilities and long and short-range rocket facilities.

However, the realities on the ground tell a different story.

Though Israel warned thousands of Lebanese residents in the south to leave the area, at least 558 people were killed, including 50 children and 94 women, with over 1,835 people wounded.

Most of the killed and wounded are believed to be civilians and the numbers continue to climb as Israel carries out more strikes across southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley and the southern suburb of Beirut.

°źÂț”ș looks at the objectives of  "Arrows of the North" and why Israel is launching these attacks at this time.

Israeli escalation

Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged near-daily fire since the outbreak of Israel’s war on Gaza last October, with the Lebanese group allied with Hamas. On both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border, thousands of people have been forced from their homes due to the fighting in northern Israel and southern Lebanon respectively.

However, the fighting had mostly been limited to cross-border attacks, with Israel killing 878 people in Lebanon since 8 October 2023, over 400 of which are believed to be Hezbollah fighters.

However, the dead also included at least 150 civilians, with more than 110,000 people displaced from their homes in Lebanon's south.

In northern Israel, Hezbollah refrained entirely from targeting civilians, killing around 23 Israeli soldiers, and leading to some 96,000 civilians being displaced from border towns and villages.

The situation changed dramatically last week when Israel announced it was changing its official war aims to include returning civilians to the north of the country, meaning confrontation with Hezbollah.

A few days later, Israel escalated the conflict even further by detonating booby-trapped pagers and communication devices primarily belonging to members of Hezbollah. In total, 42 people were killed, including 2 children, with over 3,500 wounded.

On 20 September, Israel carried out an air strike that killed the commander-in-chief of Hezbollah’s special operations unit, killing 45 people in the process.

Despite a restrained response from Hezbollah, Israel then launched the brutal ongoing operation known by them as “Arrows of the North”.

Israel launches 'Arrows of the North'

Israel claims the operation is aimed solely at Hezbollah. However, given the high civilian death toll and the residential areas hit by Israel, many believe Israel is using similar tactics to that which it used in Gaza, namely attacking civilian areas in southern Lebanon to terrorise Hezbollah's civilian base of support.

It could also be that Israel is now using major force against Lebanese civilians to pave the way for a ground offensive, as it did in Gaza, something which Tel Aviv has refused to rule out.

There are several reasons why Israel would want to invade south Lebanon, with one being the idea of establishing a "buffer zone" inside Lebanese territory to stop Hezbollah from returning there. However, this seems unlikely, given it would entail Israel occupying Lebanon, something that would attract fierce resistance from Hezbollah, which is much more powerful than Hamas.

The purpose of any invasion as part of or following on from "Arrows of the North" may be an attempt to hugely degrade Hezbollah's military power in the south, regardless of the civilian cost, and push the group north of the Litani River.

US support?

As by °źÂț”ș’s sister news outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed on Tuesday, Israel's chief ally and arms supplier the US is expecting greater escalation from Israel in its current attack on Lebanon and has already held conversations with Tel Aviv about doing so.

Moreover, the US has allegedly given its full blessing to such an escalation, with Washington coming to understand that diplomacy is now impossible.

The US also expects Hezbollah to eventually hit back to its full capacity, given the large civilian death toll and the targeting of Hezbollah commanders.

The kind of retaliation the US and Israel predict Hezbollah is missile attacks aimed at Tel Aviv. This would then lead to further escalation by Israel – it would very likely lead to a full-scale war, on the same scale as or much more destructive than the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.

'All-out war' already begun?

Some analysts believe the war has already begun. Amos Harel, in Haaretz on Tuesday, said: "Without any formal declarations, Israel and Hezbollah have in practice moved to a phase of all-out war on Monday."

Harel believes that many actors within Israel are hoping for Hezbollah to attack "deep into Israel" so that Israel can then justify "routing" the group.

If Harel is right, the question, and no one, including the UN and US, can rein Israel in, the question then becomes one of a wider regional war, given Hezbollah is allied to Iran and its various proxy forces in Iraq and Syria, as well as their Houthi allies in Yemen.

Even though Iran has shown hesitation at becoming further involved in hostilities with Israel, the current far-right Israeli government, without any external restraint, could push the country into a conflict in the same way it has escalated all the way to war, or the brink of it, with Hezbollah.

It is the second time Tunisian opposition members have sought an ICC probe. Last year, the families of seven imprisoned politicians asked the court to investigate claims of political persecution and human rights violations by President Kais Saied's administration.

Lawyers now say they are filing a second request for an investigation following new claims of abuse of migrants and persecution of opposition leaders. The request comes less than two weeks before the 6 October elections in which Saied is seeking a second term.

"The new evidence shows that Black African migrants are facing brutal and heartless treatment at the hands of the Tunisian authorities. The ICC has the jurisdiction to investigate these alleged crimes against humanity and should act with the full force of international law to protect those most vulnerable," lawyer Rodney Dixon said in a statement.

"Countless migrants report similar experiences of arbitrary arrest on land or at sea followed by collective expulsion to desert regions along the border with Algeria and Libya while being beaten, mistreated, and suffering psychological abuse," the statement said.

For many sub-Saharan Africans, who don't need a visa to travel to Tunisia, the North African country serves as a stepping stone to Europe. Others from Libya, which shares a border with Tunisia.

The ICC's prosecution office confirmed in an email that it had received the request.

The court's prosecutors are already investigating allegations of crimes against migrants in Libya, including arbitrary detention, unlawful killing, enforced disappearances, torture and sexual and gender-based violence.

Tunisia is a member state of the Hague-based court.

One of the family members seeking ICC action is Elyes Chaouachi, whose father, Ghazi Chaouch, is the detained former secretary general of the social democratic political party Attayar.

"In Tunisia, the pillars of democracy and human rights are under siege, as autocracy, racism, antisemitism and hate speech rise unchecked. We urge the ICC and the international community to take a stand — support humanity, uphold justice and restore dignity. Our voices for freedom and equality must not go unheard," Chaouachi said in a statement released by the legal team that filed the request to the court.

Last year, European leaders held out the promise of more than 1 billion euros in financial aid to rescue its teetering economy and better police its borders, to restore stability to the North African country — and to stem migration from its shores to Europe.

Mia Khalifa is a Lebanese-American former adult film actress turned activist and social media influencer.

"My heart is breaking for Lebanon and for humanity," she wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday as news hit of Israel's new massacres.

Further commenting on Israel's actions, she in a separate post: "THEIR GOAL IS RE-OCCUPATION OF LEBANON THEIR GOAL IS ETHNIC CLEANSING THEIR GOAL IS SETTLER COLONIALISM They’re not just bombing the south they’re bombing the Beqaa valley and Baalbek and countless civilian streets in between. Where are they supposed to evacuate to?"

Israel launched devastating airstrikes on Lebanon on Monday, killing at least 558 people. 

Lebanon's south has been under constant attack from Israel since 8 October, after Hezbollah began firing at Israel's northern regions in support of Palestine and to pressure Tel Aviv to end its gruesome, genocidal war on Gaza. 

Khalifa, who garners millions of followers on her social media platforms, has gained attention in recent years after she waded into politics and social issues. 

She has also been expressing strong views in support of the Palestinian people during Israel's war on Gaza, earning her the ire of supporters of the Jewish state and its genocidal actions in the occupied Palestinian territories.

In October, US adult entertainment enterprise Playboy announced it had cut ties with Mia Khalifa for statements she made after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel.

The campaign period will last until midnight on 15 October, allowing political parties and candidates three weeks to rally support.

Jumana al-Ghalay, spokesperson for IHEC, confirmed the campaign timeline in a statement to °źÂț”ș, noting that all preparations for the elections have been completed.

Omed Ahmed, the head of IHEC, reiterated this in a press conference in Baghdad, where he confirmed that the commission is fully ready for the election process.

The election is expected to be a fierce contest between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), led by Masoud Barzani, and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), headed by Bafel Talabani. These two dominant parties are vying for control of the 100-seat Kurdistan Regional Parliament, as well as the positions of regional president and prime minister within the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

However, despite the launch of the election campaign, concerns remain among voters that the election could face further delays, as it has been postponed multiple times due to political disagreements between the KDP and PUK. The elections were initially set for late 2022 but were delayed after the two parties failed to reach a consensus on key electoral and governance issues.

Iraq's Federal Supreme Court ruled in May 2023 that the previous extension of the Kurdistan Parliament's term was unconstitutional. The court ordered that the IHEC must oversee fresh elections in the Kurdistan Region, effectively dissolving the Kurdish legislature. 

In addition to the KDP and PUK, several opposition movements are expected to play a significant role in the upcoming elections. These opposition parties have been focusing their campaigns on key issues such as poverty, unemployment, corruption, and improving living conditions, which resonate with many Kurdish voters who feel left behind by the region's established political elite.

The last regional elections in 2018 saw a significant victory for the KDP, which won 45 seats, followed by the PUK with 21. The remaining seats were divided among smaller parties such as the Change Movement, the New Generation Movement, the Islamic Justice Group, and the Kurdistan Islamic Union.

However, the 2018 elections were marred by accusations of large-scale voter fraud, particularly by the KDP and PUK, and voter turnout was a low 57%.

With political tensions running high and a fierce contest expected, the upcoming election will serve as an important test for the semi-autonomous region, which has been self-governing since 1991.

His latest book, 'The Message', features three essays exploring conflict in Senegal, Columbia, and Palestine - the latter being the book's longest section.

Coates says he saw the "devastating clarity" of how the narrative behind the occupation was misleading.

When asked about how his career, invitations from the White House and former colleagues might be affected, speaking to New York Magazine, Coates said: "I have to do what I have to do. I'm sad, but I was so enraged."

"If I went over there and saw what I saw and didn't write it, I am fucking worthless."

"Does industrialised genocide entitle one to a state? No," especially at the expense of those who had no hand in the genocide.

On his travels to Palestine, Coates reveals he saw parallels between the occupation and the racist Jim Crow Laws that plagued the United States until the 1960s. From the walls and checkpoints to the tiers of citizenship between the "first-class Jews" and the "second-class Palestinians".

While the journalist knew that Palestine was under occupation, he was always told by journalists he trusted that the issue was "complicated" – a term he now describes as "horseshit".

He also noted the "betrayal" he felt from his media colleagues on the way the occupation was reported.

Western media has faced backlash over its reporting of Israel's war on Gaza, often focusing on the Hamas attack as opposed to Israel's onslaught.

The journalist and writer was vocal about Israel's occupation of Palestine, talking about his time in the enclave and Israel's current onslaught.

He has been praised for his online interview with the American magazine.

"Ta-nehisi coates being willing to burn through all his political goodwill for the just and righteous cause of Palestinian dignity is one of the more morally courageous acts from a public figure I can recall in my life. so rare to see true heroism. so beautiful," one user on X.

"It's incredibly rare for a figure like him to realise his complicity and deliberately turn against it. Props to him," another user.

Journalist Rania Khalek also reacted to the piece after Coates recalled her yelling about Palestine at an event at a synagogue for one of his articles, causing him to delve into Palestine.

"Wow, it turns out I played a role in pushing Ta-Nehisi Coates to look more deeply into Palestine," Khalek .

"If anyone reading this knows Ta-Nehisi, please tell him thank you for listening and for his willingness to learn and speak out," she added.

Coates is best known for his article "The Case for Reparations", which was published in The Atlantic in 2014. In it, he focused on redlining and housing discrimination and how they affected the African-American community.

He has since written the New York Times bestselling book Between the World and Me, which explores America's racial history and its "contemporary echoes."

The widespread use of such practices has been extensively over the past decades by numerous human rights organisations, drawing and calls for accountability. Despite this, the systematic nature of these abuses persists, contributing to the ongoing violation of Palestinian human rights.

October 7

Since October 7, a dramatic increase in the number of arbitrary arrests and detentions, the use and intensity of violence, and the gravity of the crimes committed against Palestinian detainees. In almost a year, over 10,000 Palestinians have been arrested, and the number detained by the Israeli Occupation grew from over 5,000 to 9,900. 3,332 of the detainees are under administrative detention, which means that the occupation’s military court can hold any Palestinian infinitely (no matter age or gender) for up to 6 months without any evidence or charge against them.

Amongst the current detainees there are 94 women (21 are under administrative detention), and 240 children (41 are under administrative detention). The youngest administrative detainee is 14-year-old from Abwein in the Ramallah province, who was imprisoned in August by occupation forces who forcefully raided his home and subjected him to brutal physical violence. They blew up his doors, searched the house, beat, and then restrained him before holding him alone in one of the rooms. He was then transferred to Ofer Prison, where he remains detained and has been ordered to 4 months of administrative detention.

Violence and dehumanisation

During their arrest and transfer to prisons, Palestinian detainees are subjected to invasive body searches, some to sexual violence, harsh beatings, humiliation, threats, insults and other forms of verbal and psychological abuse. Detainees are also held under inhuman conditions, including overcrowded cells, lack of mattresses, insufficient quantities of food, and are subjected to torture as a form of .

Due to the intensity of the torture being carried out, at least have been killed or died in occupation prisons since October 7. It is believed that the actual number is much higher as there is no accurate information on the quantity of Palestinian detainees from Gaza who were killed or died in detention, in particular in Sde Teman, Anatot and Ofer camps that were set up by the IOF since the beginning of the genocide.

Moreover, there is still no accurate information on the number of Palestinians from Gaza currently being detained by Israeli authorities. Human Rights organisations based in Gaza have also been unable to fully function, which has left gaps in the documentation of the violations committed by the IOF, including against prisoners.

Out of sight

The restrictions imposed by the occupying state on visits by lawyers, families, and organisations are increasing the risk of torture and mistreatment for Palestinian detainees. Over the past year, visits have become inconsistent, and the number permitted has significantly dwindled. Family members are now completely prohibited from visiting their loved ones, and the is no longer allowed to access the occupation's prisons or monitor the conditions of the detainees.

Furthermore, the legal precedents of Israel’s High Court, as well as the systematic failure to prosecute Israeli soldiers, IPS officers, prison guards, or security service interrogators accused of torture and mistreatment of Palestinian detainees, illustrate the unwillingness of Israeli authorities to address these crimes. According to the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI), while more than of torture by the ISA interrogators were submitted to the Ministry of Justice between 2001-2022, only three criminal investigations have been opened and all the cases were closed without a single indictment.

As global attention focuses on the ongoing genocide in Gaza, the Israeli occupation continues to commit crimes against Palestinian prisoners across all prisons and military camps, a reality that must not be overlooked. Indeed, the fight for Palestinian rights also encompasses the systemic abuse and mistreatment of detainees held in Israeli prisons. Solidarity efforts aimed at advocating for and raising awareness about the plight of Palestinian prisoners are deeply interconnected with the broader Palestinian struggle.

Understanding the significance of these efforts is crucial, as it represents a unified resistance against the Israeli occupation. The Palestinian cause cannot be fragmented; every aspect, from Gaza to Israeli prisons, is part of a single, overarching struggle against oppression and injustice, underscoring the need for collective action and support. This is why it is crucial that the ill-treatment faced by Palestinian detainees is brought to light.

Global attention and public knowledge of these crimes are more likely to lead to accountability and the prosecution of perpetrators. This is why our advocacy at Addameer (a civil institution that works to support Palestinian prisoners held in the occupation’s prisons), is primarily directed at the international community. Without this, injustices and public acts of torture and abuse will continue with impunity.

We call upon people around the world to stand in solidarity with Palestinian detainees and demand justice. It is time to mobilise and apply pressure on your governments to take a firm stand against Israel's use of arbitrary administrative detention. We call for the immediate release of Palestinian prisoners and an end to the unjust practices that violate basic human rights. Urge your leaders to act now and hold the occupation authorities accountable for their actions and crimes.

Jenna Abuhasna is a dedicated human rights activist and advocate at Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association. With a major in Human Rights and International Law, she serves as the International Advocacy Officer at Addameer, where she is committed to supporting prisoners and promoting their rights.

Follow her on X:

Have questions or comments? Email us at: editorial-english@newarab.com

Opinions expressed in this article remain those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of °źÂț”ș, its editorial board or staff.

On Monday, the Israeli army conducted a series of massacres against many southern and eastern areas in Lebanon, the most violent attacks since the outbreak of confrontations on 8 October and the largest amount of death not witnessed in Lebanon for decades. 

Meanwhile, Hezbollah's fighters responded with an intensive barrages of missiles, some of which reached Haifa, Afula and other central cities.

So far, over 550 Lebanese, including women and children, journalists and medical personnel, have been killed by the Israeli attacks and wounded more than 1,645 others, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.

In addition to its widespread aerial bombardment, the Israeli army is gradually transferring its ground forces, including tanks and military vehicles from the Gaza Strip to the northern border.

In separate interviews with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the residents told °źÂț”ș pointed out the similarities between this attack on Lebanon with Israel's war and actions in Gaza.

"The same destruction, the same displacement, and the same large number of civilian victims. It seems that Israel does not know any language other than killing and blood," said one Palestinian in Gaza. 

The sights of thousands of displacement, the closing of schools, the evacuation of homes, the destruction and intensive Israeli bombardment, triggered many of the Palestinian who fear that Lebanon will turn into a "second Gaza".

Sharing the same pain

Samira Abu al-Rish, a displaced Palestinian from Khan Yunis, remarked to TNA that she feels as if the Israeli war on Gaza was reigniting again, especially after seeing photos and videos of Lebanese refugees leaving their homes in the southern suburb.

"We see Lebanon drinking the same cup. The south, which was a refuge for years, now is a field for the blood of innocents [...] The missiles falling there take us back to the early days of Gaza, those nights filled with trembling when planes hovered over us, warning of imminent death," Abu al-Rish said. 

"Every time missiles fall on Lebanon, that initial trauma resurfaces in us; the sense that the world is disintegrating around you, that the sounds of explosions are uprooting the roots of reassurance. This pain that the people of Lebanon are experiencing is the same pain that we have known here in Gaza since the first moment the first missile fell! It is as if the war is repeating itself in other forms, but remains the same tragedy," she added. 

Hiba Dawas, from the city of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, shares a similar concern, fearing that the war on that front will continue for many months and perhaps a year as it happened in the Gaza Strip.

"I feel shocked and terrified that Israel dared to wage war on Lebanon [...] I thought that the destruction of Gaza would not be repeated in any other country, but it seems that Israel has the green light to wage wars against the Arab peoples due to the suspicious official Arab silence," said Dawas, a 33-year-old mother of three who lost her husband in an Israeli bombardment three months ago, to TNA.

"We do not know what the Arabs and their leaders are waiting for to move against Israel. We have been bleeding for more than a year, but no one moved to stop Israel and stop the destruction. I fear that they will not move to support and save Lebanon and its women, children and elderly," she said. 

For his part, wounded Palestinian artist Mohammed Totah found his own way to express solidarity with Lebanon in its confrontation with the Israel by sculpting on the sand of Gaza's shores the phrase, "Peace be upon you Beirut", accompanied by the flags of Palestine and Lebanon.

The 33-year-old father of four relies on a walking stick to move around in the sand and use it to sculpt to express his solidarity with his Lebanese brothers. He lost his right leg during the war that Israel launched on the Gaza Strip in late 2008 and early 2009.

"I did not find a way to show solidarity with our Lebanese brothers other than sculpting on sand, to convey my message and solidarity with them," Totah said to TNA while carrying around sand to work on the sculpture. 

"Lebanon is facing a barbaric Israeli aggression and we [the Gazans] are the people who can most feel what our Lebanese brothers feel," he said. 

"Because of the war, I live in the besieged Gaza Strip, which suffers from poverty, hunger and daily pain due to the difficult conditions, but that has never prevented me from expressing my solidarity with Lebanon," he explained. 

Israel's far-right is leading everyone to the abyss 

"The Israeli far right is ruling and leading the current period. It is leading the region to the abyss and wants to ignite fires," according to the Gaza-based political analyst Hussam al-Dajani. 

"The Israeli right wants to open a Lebanese front for many reasons, most notably to distract attention from the war crimes taking place inside the Gaza Strip, especially in light of the international criticism and the recent UN General Assembly resolution which called on Israel to withdraw from the occupied territories," al-Dajani opined to TNA. 

He noted that the timing of Israel's attack on Lebanon reflects the extent of Netanyahu's and his government's desire to expand the regional conflict, and possibly drag the US into a comprehensive war.

It was the second strike on the densely populated area in as many days after Israel launched extensive raids Monday in Lebanon's south and east, killing more than 560 people and sending tensions soaring.

"The Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs killed Hezbollah military commander Ibrahim Qubaisi," the source told AFP, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

Earlier, Israel's army said it "eliminated Ibrahim Mohammed Qubaisi, the commander of the missile and rocket network of the Hezbollah terrorist organisation".

The military said Qubaisi commanded several rocket units, including a precision-guided missile unit, and was hit along with other commanders of Hezbollah's missiles and rockets force.

"Qubaisi was an important source of knowledge in the field of missiles and had close ties with senior Hezbollah military leaders," it said.

He had joined Hezbollah in the 1980s and held several military positions, including command of the Badr unit, one of Hezbollah's three zones of operations in Lebanon's south, the military added.

The "Israeli enemy raid on Ghobeiri in Beirut's southern suburbs killed six people and injured 15," Lebanon's health ministry said in a statement.

An AFP photographer at the site of the strike said the attack had destroyed two floors of a building located in a densely packed residential area, also damaging dozens of nearby cars and motorbikes.

A crane was brought in to evacuate residents stranded in their apartments in nearby damaged buildings, the photographer said, with other cranes moving vehicles and removing rubble.

Hezbollah security cordoned off the site of the strike while rescuers looked for survivors amid the rubble of damaged buildings, water tanks and torn electric wires.

On Monday, Israel said it had launched another "targeted strike" on Beirut.

Hezbollah said Ali Karake, its third-in-command, was alive and had moved to safety after a source close to the group told AFP the strike had targeted him.

Hezbollah and its arch-foe Israel have been exchanging near-daily cross-border fire since the Gaza war erupted last October.

But on Monday, Israel launched devastating strikes that resulted in the deadliest single-day toll since the end of Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war.

The attacks came after coordinated explosions of communication devices killed 39 people and wounded thousands on Tuesday and Wednesday last week.

Those were followed by a deadly strike on Friday on south Beirut, with leading Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Aqil among the dead.

The gathering of dozens of world leaders, the high point of the diplomatic calendar, comes as Biden marks his last appearance at the UN General Assembly.

"We should all be alarmed by the escalation. Lebanon is at the brink," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.

As world leaders gathered in Manhattan for the annual flurry of speeches and face-to-face diplomacy, UN Security Council member France called on Monday for an emergency meeting on the crisis engulfing the Middle East.

As the toll in Lebanon climbed, focus shifted away from the situation in Gaza, and the EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell warned "we are almost in a full-fledged war."

The United States, Israel's closest ally, again warned against a full-blown ground invasion of Lebanon, with a senior US official promising to bring "concrete" ideas for de-escalation to the UN this week.

It is unclear what progress can be made to defuse the situation in Lebanon as efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza, which Israel has relentlessly pounded since October 2023, have come to nothing.

Guterres cautioned against "the possibility of transforming Lebanon (into) another Gaza."

Richard Gowan of the International Crisis Group think tank said he expected many leaders to "warn that the UN will become irrelevant globally if it cannot help make peace."

More than 100 heads of state and government are scheduled to speak during the UN's centerpiece event, which will run until Monday.

'Out-of-control'

Since last year's annual gathering, when Sudan's civil war and Russia's Ukraine invasion dominated, the world has faced an explosion of crises.

"International challenges are moving faster than our ability to solve them," Guterres warned ahead of the gathering.

The October 7 attack by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas on Israel and the ensuing violence in the Middle East has exposed deep divisions in the global body.

With Israel's leader Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas expected to address the General Assembly this week, there could be combustible moments.

On Tuesday, representatives of Turkey, Jordan, Qatar, Iran and Algeria are slated to take the podium to press for a Gaza ceasefire after nearly one year of war.

Ukraine will also be on the agenda Tuesday when President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses a UN Security Council meeting on Russia's war on Ukraine.

"I invite all leaders and nations to continue supporting our joint efforts for a just and peaceful future," Zelensky told the UN on Monday.

"Putin has stolen much already, but he will never steal the world's future."

'Behind the scenes'

It is unclear if the grand diplomatic gathering can achieve anything for the millions mired in conflict and poverty globally.

"Any real diplomacy to reduce tensions will take place behind the scenes," Gowan said.

"This may be an opportunity for Western and Arab diplomats to have some quiet conversations with the Iranians about the need to stop the regional situation spinning out of control."

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has called for an urgent meeting of Arab leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly over the crisis in Lebanon.

Guterres cautioned against "the possibility of transforming Lebanon (into) another Gaza."

Somali Defence Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur thanked Egypt in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, posting a picture of his back to the camera as he looked at a docked naval vessel, carrying the cargo, apparently, addressing Somalia in a challenging manner.

"Somalia has passed the stage where they were dictated to and awaited the affirmation of others on who it will engage with," Nur on X.

"We know our own interests, and we will choose between our allies and our enemies...Thank you, Egypt," he added.

Nevertheless, Egypt did not seem to adopt the same provocative approach towards its over-a-decade-long rival, Ethiopia.

In an official statement released on Monday, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Ambassador Tamim Khallaf, described the move as part of "the continuation of the support to the brotherly nation, Somalia, to help build its military capacity."

No details about the shipment components have officially been declared yet, while Ethiopia's official reaction, has, till the publication time been, unexpectedly, subtle.

During a meeting with the UN Undersecretary-General Rosemary, DiCarlo Rosemary Decarlo, in New York, also on Monday, Ethiopian Foreign Minister, Ambassador Taye Atske-Selassie, that the supply of ammunition by what he described as "external forces" would further "exacerbate the fragile security" of the region.

But the top Ethiopian diplomat did not directly refer to any countries in his remarks.

In August this year, Egypt and Somalia signed a defence agreement, amid an ongoing dispute both countries have with Ethiopia. 

Ethiopia and Egypt have been at odds over the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile. Egypt is concerned that Ethiopia's dam would deprive it of the life-giving water its people need to survive.

Egypt delivered its first military aid to Somalia in almost four decades end of August, a move viewed by analysts as a form of provocation to Ethiopia preceded by a bilateral defence treaty signed about two weeks earlier.

Mogadishu and Cairo agreed to deploy Egyptian forces as part of an African peacekeeping force in Somalia scheduled to begin its mission later next year.

The current Somali-Ethiopian tension broke out in January this year after Addis Ababa signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland to lease part of its coastline in return for its recognition of the region’s independence.

The deal, described by both parties as "historic," has been viewed by Mogadishu as a direct violation of its sovereignty and also denounced by Cairo.

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, but this has not been recognised by the international community.

Egypt's recent involvement in the Somali crisis through military and security support has raised concerns over its attempt to assume influence in the Horn of Africa.

"The situation is definitely boiling. But it is very clear Egypt wants to look like as if it is playing it safe while backstage, it is supporting Somalia against Ethiopia in what could end up to be a proxy war," a high-profile security expert told °źÂț”ș, on condition of anonymity due to political reasons. 

"But at the end of the day, other scenarios are possible given the changing variables on the ground," concluded the expert.
  

During a meeting on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani and Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the relationship between the two neighbouring countries. 

According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Media Office, Al-Sudani highlighted the historical ties between Iraq and Kuwait, underscoring his government's determination to enhance cooperation with Arab neighbours, particularly Kuwait.

The two leaders discussed the need to resume joint technical committees to address key areas of mutual interest, such as economic collaboration, security, and infrastructure. These committees are seen as essential mechanisms to tackle long-standing issues and to push forward practical cooperation that benefits both countries.

However, the relationship between the two nations remains shadowed by unresolved territorial disputes, including the demarcation of the Khor Abdullah waterway and claims to the Durra gas field. These issues have deep historical roots, with the Khor Abdullah waterway serving as Iraq’s only direct access to the Gulf, a critical route for the export of oil and the import of goods.

Ihsan al-Shammari, a professor of political science at Baghdad University, praised the current state of Iraqi-Kuwaiti relations, describing them as having reached "their peak" in recent years. "Kuwait has played a key role in supporting Iraq's political, economic, and social pathways since 2003," Al-Shammari told °źÂț”ș.

"Although some disputes remain unresolved, they have not hindered the overall development of bilateral relations between the two countries. These issues, inherited from the Saddam Hussein regime, are nearing resolution thanks to a strong commitment on both sides," Al-Shammari added.

Al-Shammari also noted that Kuwait has displayed flexibility in its approach to Iraq, particularly with regard to longstanding disputes over maritime boundaries and natural resources. "There is a genuine willingness from both countries to resolve these issues through dialogue, rather than resorting to international arbitration," he said. He pointed to Kuwait's hosting of an international donors' conference in 2018 as a key example of the country's ongoing support for Iraq's recovery and rebuilding efforts.

Lingering challenges

In a ruling last year, Iraq's Federal Supreme Court annulled a 2013 law ratifying a 2012 agreement on maritime navigation in Khor Abdullah, citing the need for a two-thirds parliamentary majority for ratification. The ruling reignited tensions over the waterway, with some Iraqi politicians arguing that the agreement compromised Iraq's sovereignty.

Kuwaiti officials, however, have maintained that the court's ruling does not invalidate the agreement, which is based on past United Nations Security Council resolutions. Kuwaiti lawmakers have called for further discussions with their government to address the implications of Iraq's court decision.

Another point of contention is the Durra gas field, which lies at the intersection of Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia assert exclusive rights over the gas field, which contains an estimated 220 billion cubic metres of gas reserves, while Iran also claims a share. Iraqi officials have indicated that Iraq also has a stake in the field, adding another layer of complexity to the dispute.

Despite these challenges, both nations appear committed to resolving their differences through diplomatic channels. Al-Shammari remains optimistic, suggesting that these disputes, while significant, are not insurmountable. 

"The unresolved issues do not pose an insurmountable obstacle to the development of relations," he said. "Iraq needs Kuwait, as well as other Gulf nations, to solidify its standing in the Arab world. There is a strong will from both sides to resolve these matters through dialogue, and both countries have adhered to international resolutions while showing a willingness to find mutual ground."

As Iraq seeks to reintegrate into the Arab and Gulf political spheres following decades of conflict and instability, the resolution of these disputes with Kuwait may serve as a critical test of its diplomatic abilities and regional standing. 

Biden and his senior officials "will be convening to talk about various aspects of the crisis, and what we can do to stabilise the situation", an official close to Biden told reporters on Tuesday.

"He will address the Middle East, especially this very, very difficult year that we have all gone through," the official said.

"It's an opportunity to talk about what we have achieved and what we still need to do, given a situation that is just heartbreaking where hostages have not been returned, the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and as you know, just such a sensitive issue, such a delicate and dangerous situation between Israel and Lebanon right now," he added.

As efforts falter to impose a Gaza truce and with Israel waging an all-out war against Lebanon, the Pentagon said on Monday it will send a small number of additional troops to the Middle East out of an abundance of caution.

In his meetings, Biden will address "the need to strengthen our systems for providing humanitarian assistance, to end the brutal wars in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan", the official said.

Biden's presidency has been dominated by foreign policy challenges from Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine to the Palestinian Hamas attack in southern Israel and hostage-taking last Oct. 7 and the resulting Israeli assault on Gaza.

A senior administration official said Biden will address the UN General Assembly at 10 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT) will allow him to talk up what he considers major achievements of his time in office and to say the international community should support Ukraine and a diplomatic solution is needed in the Middle East.

Biden is expected to talk about continued and additional support to Ukraine as winter approaches, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on Tuesday.

"President Zelenskiy can rest assured that he'll continue to have the United States' support," Kirby told ABC News.

His UN speech will be the centrepiece event of a two-day visit to New York that includes a climate speech later on Tuesday and a meeting on Wednesday with To Lam, the president of Vietnam.

Biden has been eager to deepen relations with the strategic Southeast Asian country and manufacturing hub to counter Russia and China, with which Vietnam also retains ties.

Ukraine and Russia, Gaza, Iran and China all figure to linger on as challenges for the next president, whether Biden's successor is his vice president, Kamala Harris, a Democrat, or former President Donald Trump, a Republican.

Harris's approach to foreign policy is much like Biden's, although she has struck a tougher tone on the tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip devastated by a nearly year-long Israeli assault.

Trump, professing more isolationist tendencies, has little enthusiasm for supporting Ukraine's battle to expel Russian invaders and is a firm backer of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has frayed relations with Biden.

Biden has expressed steadfast support for Israel in its drive to eliminate Hamas fighters from Gaza but so far has been unsuccessful in his bid to negotiate a ceasefire-for-hostages deal and no breakthrough is in sight.

Agencies contributed to this report.

The Islamic Action Front (IAF) - the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan - tripled its representation in parliament, 31 seats in the 138-seat lower house, up from just 10 out of 130 in the last election in 2020. 

The IAF is a staunch supporter of the Palestinian group Hamas, an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood. Since 7 October, the party has headed the organisation of near-weekly protests against Israel and its war crimes in Gaza, with crowds swelling into the thousands.

“Gaza has changed everything,” Osama al-Sharif, an Amman-based political commentator, told °źÂț”ș.

“People became very politicised, especially young people who had never been interested in politics, but who have constituted the bulk of protesters expressing emotion and solidarity with the Palestinians. This was a very important factor that determined the trajectory of the elections,” he said.

Voter turnout witnessed a slight uptick from 2020, reaching 32%. While still low, Sharif pointed out that it demonstrated “a reversal in a trend where turnout has been decreasing over the past decade”.

The recent elections were the first to be held under Jordan’s new electoral law, meant to pave the way for political parties to play a larger role in a landscape where tribal affiliations have traditionally dominated.

Notably, the reforms Jordanians two votes: one for closed nationwide party lists (41 out of 138 seats) and another for open local lists according to the voter’s place of residence. This allocated about 30 percent of seats for political parties, whereas previously parties occupied less than 10 percent.

The EU’s election observation mission - which deployed 120 to monitor the elections -   that they were “well-run” and “inclusive”, “in the context of an ambitious reform process”. They applauded the freedom of assembly, and the accuracy and inclusivity of voter lists, but pointed to the country’s lingering “gaps for fundamental rights protections”, including administrative practices that allow for arbitrary detention and the curtailment of freedoms of expression. 

Islamist bloc 'closest to the national pulse'

“The Islamists are the bloc closest to the national pulse,” Sharif said. “They are able to mobilise people across the board - not only the Islamists, but also secularists, young people, and those from the tribes.” 

The IAF’s “firm position toward the Palestinian cause” and the crimes committed by Israel in Gaza have gained the party support among Jordanians, Dima Tahboub, an IAF MP who won a seat on the national list, told °źÂț”ș. “Through electing the Islamists, the people wanted to send a strong message that ‘we support their position on Palestine and the war on Gaza’.”

Among the IAF’s goals for Palestine are to protect Jordan’s of holy sites in Jerusalem and to annul the Jordan-Israel peace deal, cemented in 1994 under what is known as the “Wadi Araba Treaty,” Tahboub said.

“Calling for the annulment of Wadi Araba and all other treaties that have sprung from it has been our calling all along,” Tahboub stated. “Our view toward Palestine has never changed, but the current war on Gaza has strengthened it further
,” she added. 

Just two days before elections, a Jordanian gunman killed three Israeli civilians at a crossing from Jordan into the West Bank - a rare attack along the border, which has been mostly quiet since the signing of the 1994 peace treaty.

The act was celebrated widely among Jordanians, thousands of whom after the incident in the capital, Amman, shooting fireworks and joining in chants calling for resistance against Israel’s occupation. 

The popularity of Hamas has risen in Jordan since 7 October, including among demographic groups - like Jordan’s powerful tribes - normally less vocally supportive of Palestinian groups like Hamas, compared to those Jordanians of Palestinian origin. Many Jordanians Hamas’s strategy of armed resistance against Israel, versus diplomacy.

“The attack was celebrated by Jordanians across all strata of society as an act of defiance and resistance,” Sharif said. â€ÀáłÙ brought people together behind the [Palestine] cause,” he added, â€ÀáłÙ was an emotional infusion pushing people to show up and vote for the only party that is close to the national pulse.”

'Acceptance in the Jordanian street' 

“The results are not shocking to us,” Tahboub said, commenting on the new election law. “In the Arab world, not only in Jordan, when there’s a minimum degree of transparency and not rigging the elections, usually the vote comes in favour of the Islamists,” she said, referencing past elections in Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria.

Tahboub added that the IAF, active since 1992, is one of Jordan’s oldest and most active political parties, and “has acceptance in the Jordanian street and among the Jordanian people”.

The party also notably broadened its base of support among the Jordanian tribes, those without Palestinian roots who are traditionally pro-monarchy and not aligned with Islamist movements.

Sharif noted that the government had been “grooming” two parties loyal to its policies - 'Mithaq' and 'Irada' - to eventually take the majority of votes and form the first parliamentary government. However, these government-curated parties trailed far behind the IAF, only four and three seats on the national list, respectively, - insignificant compared with the Islamists' 17 seats.

The government intended the loyalist parties to take the “lion’s share” of seats - a plan that was completely “derailed” after 7 October, Sharif said. “The Islamists were the ones who were actually mobilising closest to the street, expressing solidarity to what’s happening in Palestine, while the rest of the parties stood on the sidelines,” he stated. 

Amer Sabaileh, also an Amman-based political analyst, told °źÂț”ș that the recent election reflects a failure of the state in “lobbying” for its parties.

“There was a big failure in the state narrative, the state tools, and their failure to convince anyone. It’s a disaster because sponsoring parties and pushing them to participate drains your resources
”

Power remains 'in the hands of the King' 

Although the electoral reforms have been applauded for their fairness compared to previous years, the parliamentarians will still have little sway over major policies, particularly Jordan’s foreign policy, Sabaileh noted. 

In 2022, when the government stamped the constitutional amendments to reform the electoral system they also a National Security Council, chaired by the King. Critics said the National Security Council granted more authority to the monarchy, particularly over foreign policy and national security matters.

Although the elected representatives in the Lower House rejected the creation of the monarch-chaired security council, it was by the Senate (upper house), whose 65 members are by the King. 

â€ÀáłÙ is an absolute monarchy with a diplomatic cover,” Sabaileh said. “When it comes to real decision making, [including] foreign-policy decision making, there can be no interference. All the power is in the hands of the King,” he added. 

Shortly after the IAF election victory, Jordan’s prime minister, Bisher Khasawneh, resigned and King Abdullah II appointed his key palace aide Jafar Hassan in his place, who was educated in the US.

“The King wanted to give the new lower house a clean state and fresh start. The previous government had become notoriously unpopular and I think the King’s swift move was aimed at releasing pressure,” Sharif said.

The traditional conservative establishment has long been blamed for obstructing modernisation plans and entrenching the power of the Western-leaning monarch.

The IAF’s Tahboub, commenting on the party’s policy goals, noted that without being a majority in parliament, they will not be able to effectively move forward the policies they have suggested. “Hopefully we will reach what we always call for - a parliamentary government,” she stated. 

Still, she said that the Palestinian cause will remain the party’s priority. “Our view toward Palestine has never changed, but the current war on Gaza has strengthened it further,” Tahboub added. 

“We now view [Israel] increasingly as a genocidal entity
 committing the most vicious crimes known to humanity. This gives us even further support to the solution to the occupation - freeing Palestine from the river to the sea.” 

Hanna Davis is a freelance journalist reporting on politics, foreign policy, and humanitarian affairs.

Follow her on Twitter: 

Authorities gave the green light for "replacement of custodial sentences with an alternative sentence," for 340 inmates, the ministry said, with 99 further prisoners allowed more lenient arrangements in custody under Bahrain's "open prison programme".

The Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) said under the changes "340 inmates of Jau Prison will have their prison sentences replaced... meaning that they will be released," referring to a prison in the south of the island nation.

The UK-based group said while the figures were uncertain, it "anticipates that at least 100 political prisoners will be included, leaving approximately 300 political prisoners still incarcerated in the country".

Bahrain denies holding political prisoners, although dissidents have been detained since Shia-led Arab Spring protests in 2011 were put down by the authorities, backed by Saudi forces.

Scores of inmates were released this month following a royal pardon concerning 457 inmates, according BIRD.

The move came five months after a pardon of more than 1,500 inmates - the biggest in years.

"This is another step in the right direction to end the era of political imprisonment in Bahrain," Sayed Alwadaei, BIRD's head of advocacy, said.

"We call for the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained political prisoners, including high-profile human rights defenders and opposition activists and those facing death row," he added.

BIRD and 28 other organisations, including Human Rights Watch, sent a letter on Monday to members nations of the UN General Assembly, meeting this week in New York, urging them to raise the issue of human rights in Bahrain.

In August, three UN rapporteurs called on Bahrain to take immediate steps to guarantee the rights of detainees in Jau prison, pointing to allegations of ill-treatment.

The 'crime'?

Holding up a placard depicting the then Prime Minister and former home secretary as coconuts at a pro-Palestine march.

The courtroom cheered as the judge read out her verdict, and an emotional Marieha was greeted by her emotional family.

"It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, I do hope," Marieha Hussain tells °źÂț”ș.

"It was important for me to actually get to trial, give evidence, see through everything the prosecution has to throw at us and then be acquitted," she adds. 

"This really was the only way for me to clear my name."

On November 11, Marieha, along with thousands of pro-Palestine protesters in London, rallied for a march that was deemed controversial because it coincided with Armistice Day — despite it being a march for peace and solidarity.

Like many protesters, Marieha and her family made a series of posters to wave at the march.

One placard had an image showing the then-home secretary as "Cruella Braverman" on one side, and the other had Suella Braverman and ex-UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as coconuts.

"We had lots of chats about it [the placard] with various strangers, lots of people taking pictures of it, lots of people asked me to take their picture with my placard," Marieha says.

"It was just adding to the real community vibe that we had going on that day."

The march went well. The weather was great, the vibes were great, people were chanting, there was music, and Marieha's placard was a hit.

However, things took a turn when Marieha's placard became viral online for the opposite reasons.

A pro-Israeli X account called Harry's Place posted a picture of Marieha holding up the placard, accusing her of racism and tagging the Metropolitan Police to get involved, which they did.

"I started getting messages from people who were seeing the viral tweet and the police's response to it underneath," she tells °źÂț”ș. 

Filled with dread, Marieha went online and saw the MET's tweet and personal photos of her circulating.

"Every time I refreshed, I could see that pictures of my children, my wedding, pictures of my family members, of me at various outings, and they were all appearing online," she explains. 

"I went into complete panic mode actually. Panic is the right word."

Marieha felt sick. There was a burning in her stomach, and she couldn't eat a bite of food or even drink water.

"I've never been that terrified actually, in my life ever."

She insisted that the placard was to call out the top government officials for their hateful rhetoric, especially Suella Braverman's racism.

"Although she [Braverman] was brown on the outside, on the inside, she holds very, very racist values on par with white supremacy values that only really targeted ethnic minorities and the vulnerable in our society," Marieha tells °źÂț”ș.

"Rishi Sunak was on there because he's got the top job, in the most top office in our country and he wasn't reprimanding her, he wasn't pulling her back, he wasn't stopping her.

"That's really what it was, but in a satirical, funny way, totally harmless, really, and that's what was behind that placard."

Three days after the viral tweet, following advice from her solicitors, Marieha attended a voluntary interview at the police station. She made no comment and prepared a written statement.

The following months were filled with "so much", according to Marieha.

Along with several police visits, one at 2:30 in the morning and media bombardment, Marieha and her family decided to move homes because they felt shunned by their neighbours.

On top of that, while it was amicable, Marieha also had to leave her job as a teacher, which she loved â€” all because of the placard, the press, and the police.

"I was devastated, I was heartbroken," Marieha says.

"We did part ways, and all of that was because of the Metropolitan Police's actions. If I never return to teaching, it will be heartbreaking for me because I love teaching, and I love my subject."

The former teacher had just returned from maternity leave with her second child in September and was released from her workplace in December.

But Marieha had to move on because she learned she was pregnant with her third baby – a pregnancy she didn't even catch the signs of because of all the stress.

"Things were happening fast, so I didn't have time to sit and get in a corner and get really down and depressed and sad and upset about it," Marieha says.

"I really did have to move on very quickly."

The MET police have six months to decide whether they would charge someone. The day before the deadline was due, Marieha was charged with a racially aggravated public order offence.

A charge that she did not even know about until a journalist informed her and her solicitor confirmed.

"That postal requisition that they sent, I have never received it, we've never received it as we've drawn the conclusion that they actually never sent it," Marieha says.

Now, Marieha had to gear up for trial while going through what she describes as a difficult pregnancy.

"It's the first time that I had to get on anti-sickness medication," Marieha explains.

"This is the only pregnancy that I suffered anaemia in and SPD (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction). None of these things happened in my other pregnancies. I think that the high levels of stress were making me sicker, it was making me unable to really deal with this properly."

By the time the trial came around, Marieha was a month away from giving birth and was already feeling anxious and exhausted.

On the first day of the trial, there was hope that the case would be dismissed. But ultimately, the judge decided there was a case to answer, that 'coconut' was capable of being a racial slur, and Marieha would have to take the stand.

"There was no evidence, there was no expert witness, there was no victim of the crime, there was no witness to anything," Marieha explains.

"There just seemed to be nothing in the prosecution's hands, nothing. We really did think that we had a strong case for dismissal
 and when it wasn't, I was pretty devastated," she says.

Marieha admits she was terrified going up on the stand. But after cross-examination, a series of expert witnesses, and a long wait, in the end, Marieha was found not guilty.

"It was such a beautiful moment, such a beautiful ending to a nightmare."

One thing Marieha wanted to note is that her prosecution happened at lightning speed. She noted that the police are "dilly-dallying" with investigations into Frank Hester and Danny Baker.

It has been over a week since Marieha was acquitted, and while you would think she can now relax, she says she wants to use this time and the exposure to explain what was behind the prosecution in the first place.

"It's very, very obvious that hate speech laws are being used to specifically target ethnic minorities."

Marieha continues, "This was clearly a politically motivated prosecution. You've got the CPS, who used hate speech laws, but really what they wanted was to end a crackdown on political dissent, and they wanted to crack down on pro-Palestinian activism."

While Marieha does not know what's next for her, she does know that she's having a baby in just under three weeks.

"I've got three children, two of them will be pretty much under two, so I don't plan on returning to work, actually, for the near future," Marieha says.

"I can't tell at this moment what direction my life is going to go in," she adds. 

"All doors are open, and I'm ready to take on whatever is thrown at me now."

Anam Alam is a staff journalist at °źÂț”ș. She frequently writes about human rights and social issues, including women's rights and sex education

Follow her on X: 

Over 30 airlines cancelled flights to Lebanon, where more than 560 people have so far been killed since Israel's expanded its cross-border attacks on the country, targeting it with wider indiscriminate attacks which had seen an influx of displacement.

Videos shared online earlier on Tuesday showed Israeli jets over Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport, where some passengers had waited in an attempt to get on any possible flight out of the country.

Cyprus Airways, Flydubai, Air Arabia, Iraqi Airways, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways were the latest airliners to join others which had already suspended flights to Beirut. 

Lufthansa airline had previously announced it had stopped all flights to Beirut until 26 October, while Air France cancelled all flights until 1 October, according to .

Romanian airline TAROM suspended its flights until 4 October, while German airline Sundair had suspended its flights from Berlin to Beirut until 30 September.

On Monday, Pegasus Airlines canceled four scheduled flights for Tuesday, while Qatar Airways cancelled its two daily flights on 24 and 25 September.

EgyptAir said in a statement it had cancelled flights from Cairo to Beirut "until the situation in the country stabilises", while Turkish Airlines also cancelled flights scheduled for 24 and 25 September, and Jordan suspended flights to Beirut "until further notice".

Lebanon's national airline, Middle East Airlines (MEA), continued to operate normally and was "arranging additional flights to fill the gap after other airlines stopped flying to Lebanon", according to a statement by Jean Abboud, the president of the Union of Owners of Travel and Tourism Agencies, cited by the national news agency NNA.

Abboud also said there was a "30 to 40 percent drop" in flights from Beirut's airport, adding that the traffic at the airport had seen a "significant drop  in recent days, after around 14 airlines had suspended flights to and from Lebanon due to the security and military developments in the country".

Many foreign airlines also suspended flights to Israel's Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.

British Airways has cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv, while flight data from the Flight Radar tracking website has shown that Wizz Air and Azerbaijan Airlines had also cancelled flights, according to the BBC.

"Hezbollah cannot stand alone against a country that is being defended and supported and supplied by Western countries, by European countries and the United States," Pezeshkian said in an interview with CNN translated from Farsi to English.

He called on the international community to "not allow Lebanon to become another Gaza," in response to a question if Iran would use its influence with Hezbollah to urge restraint.

Since Monday, 558 people, including 50 children, were killed in Israeli strikes in south and east Lebanon, according to the country's health ministry.

The Israeli military claimed it had hit about 1,600 Hezbollah targets on Monday, killing a "large number" of militants, and had carried out more on Tuesday morning.

Iran called on the UN Security Council to "take immediate action" against the "insane" Israeli escalation.

"Iran will NOT remain indifferent," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X late Monday.

"We stand with the people of Lebanon and Palestine."

The Israeli strikes came less than a week after coordinated sabotage attacks targeting Hezbollah's communication devices killed 39 people and wounded almost 3,000, some of them civilians.

Iranian media blamed Israel for the apparent slide towards all-out war.

"The Zionist regime has pressed the all-out war button," said the ultraconservative Javan newspaper, while its rival Kayhan asked: "Has the big war begun?"

Government daily Iran warned "the region is on the verge of a massive explosion." Reformist newspaper Etemad said "peace in Lebanon is hanging by a thread."

Pezeshkian, who has been in New York for the annual UN General Assembly, accused Israel of warmongering.

"We know better than anyone that if a larger war erupts in the Middle East, it will benefit no one globally," Pezeshkian told journalists at a roundtable.

"It is Israel that seeks to create this wider conflict."

He said Iran had "never started a war in the last 100 years" and was "not looking to cause insecurity".

But he insisted that Iran "will never allow a country to force us into something and threaten our security and territorial integrity".

I remember thinking, "No one can look away now. Regardless of who caused the explosion this at least will force the world to act."

I was wrong. The very next day — even as the BBC described “body parts still being collected” amid “blood-soaked mattresses strewn about the compound” — the UN Security Council (UNSC) could not be moved.

Brazil introduced a resolution that would have condemned Hamas’s large-scale attack and called for the immediate release of Israeli hostages, but the US vetoed it because its accompanying call for humanitarian pauses did not cater sufficiently to its ally, Israel.

Days later, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) voted 121-14 for a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel – but again the UNSC took no notice.

Two months later, under the threat of more US vetoes, the Security Council could still not agree for the violence to stop even as Israel blocked aid, weaponised food, and carried out operations that killed tens of thousands more.

The UN’s mandate to maintain global peace and security is more important today than ever.

The UNSC remains crucial to enforce global standards of legality, international humanitarian law and human rights.

However, a new Oxfam into the Security Council’s record over the past decade on 23 of the world’s bloodiest, most protracted conflicts shows that its permanent members – the US, Russia, China, France and the UK – are primarily pursuing their own national interests and acting as judge and jury of their own military adventures and those of their allies.

There is a fundamental inequality at the heart of our global peace and security system that gives these five countries greater power than the other 188 UN Member States combined.

What is going wrong with the UNSC?

The UNSC was built upon a colonial legacy that has simply outlived its time.

Let’s start with the veto, something originally intended to ensure that the military powers of the 20th Century didn’t weaponise the Security Council against one another.

Today, it’s a colonial relic and an obstacle to efforts to challenge the interests of the powerful in the name of civilians affected by conflict.

Of the 30 vetoes cast by the Security Council over the last ten years, a whopping 27 of them were on resolutions relating specifically to Ukraine, Syria the occupied Palestine territory and Israel.

These are where the UNSC members have some of their most important strategic interests. For instance, in 2023 Russia vetoed an extension of cross-border humanitarian assistance to Northern Syria which left 4.1 million people with little or no access to food, water and medicine. Russia has also vetoed all four resolutions on Ukraine, despite being an aggressor in the conflict and, by UN’s own rules, should be disqualified from voting let alone from vetoing.

Subscribe Now and Listen to our Podcasts On

The US meanwhile has used its veto six times to block resolutions unfavourable to its ally Israel. This has helped to create an environment for Israel to continue its attacks, settlement expansion and human rights violations with impunity.

Yet even these numbers don’t tell the whole story. The veto has become such a blockage that often states don’t even introduce resolutions because they know they will simply get vetoed.

We found huge inconsistencies as to when and how resolutions are introduced and how effective they are, too.

The Security Council has passed nearly 80 resolutions on both South Sudan and Sudan, 53 on Somalia and 48 on Libya. But none of these have led to lasting peace.

Many have not been followed up with concrete actions or sufficient resources in, for instance, peace-keeping, peace-building or humanitarian assistance.

Despite the Democratic Republic of Congo having had 25 UNSC resolutions in the past 10 years, for instance, the UN mission there (MONUSCO) has been hindered by underfunding and lack of coordination.

On the other hand, some conflicts have attracted scant or even no attention from the Security Council.

Time and again, when ordinary people are at their most desperate for help, we now expect the Council to reject, water down, or simply not act properly upon its own resolutions for peace.

The human cost of this failure is unacceptable.

In the past decade, more than a million people have been killed in the 23 wars studied by Oxfam, while the number of those in humanitarian need has more than doubled to over 230 million people.

Humanitarian aid can no longer meet the needs of all these people when the Security Council keeps failing to find ways to end the conflicts.

The humanitarian cost of war hit nearly in 2023 but rich donors met only 43% of this, leaving more than 100 million people without aid.

In today’s climate crisis, where humanitarian needs already spilling out of control, the UN Security Council cannot condemn the world to interminable wars on top of it.

Oxfam is calling on UN member states to use the to spark a new vision to advance the ideals upon which the UN was based and build a system that puts equality at the heart of decision-making. The needs to offer tangible steps to decolonise the Security Council.

This starts with an overhaul of the UN Charter, to ensure all members truly uphold the “do no harm” principle, and powerful nations are held equally accountable to the rest of the world. Our peace and security architecture must no longer be controlled by a handful of military powers who can block peace, evade accountability, and perpetuate conflicts.

Amitabh Behar, interim Executive Director of Oxfam International, is a global civil society leader who specializes in people-centric advocacy, governance accountability, social and economic equality, and citizen participation. Behar previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of Oxfam India.

Prior to Oxfam, Behar was the Executive Director of the National Foundation for India and Co-Chair of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty. He has also served as the Vice-Chair of the Board of CIVICUS and Board Chair of Amnesty International India. He currently serves on the boards of several other organizations, including the Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability, an Indian public policy think-tank.

Follow Amitabh on X: 

Have questions or comments? Email us at: editorial-english@newarab.com

Opinions expressed in this article remain those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of °źÂț”ș, its editorial board or staff.

°źÂț”ș takes a look at different reactions to Israel’s dangerous escalation against Lebanon from around the world. 

Egypt

On Monday, Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released an condemning “the dangerous Israeli escalation in Lebanon”, lamenting the loss of innocent life.

Cario further expressed its “heartfelt solidarity” with the people of Lebanon and reaffirmed its strong objection to any “violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territory”.

Additionally, the largest Arabic-speaking country urged the UN Security Council to “immediately intervene to stop the Israeli escalation in the region, which threatens the fate of its peoples and prospects for peace”.

Turkey

Turkey condemned the Israeli attacks on Lebanon as “attempts to drag the region into chaos”, calling for international action against Israel and an end to military and diplomatic support for the country.

In a statement issued late Monday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said countries that “support Israel unconditionally” are helping Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “shed blood for his political interests”.

â€ÀáłÙ is an imperative that all institutions responsible for maintaining international peace and security, especially the UN Security Council, as well as the international community, take the necessary measures without delay,” the statement added.

Jordan

Hundreds of Jordanians participated in a near the Israeli embassy in Amman, in support of the people in Gaza and and in condemnation of Israel’s aggression against civilians in Lebanon.

Protesters chanted slogans supporting “the resistance” in both Gaza and Lebanon, as well as calling for Jordan, and all Arab countries, to immediately suspend peace treaties and normalisation with Israel.

The protesters also denounced the US for its “unlimited support” for Israel.

UAE

The UAE expressed its “deep concern over the Israeli attacks on Lebanon while calling for “concerted international efforts to stop the fighting and prevent bloodshed”, stressing the need to resolve differences through diplomatic means.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that Abu Dhabi expressed its deep concern over “the continued escalation and its repercussions on security and stability in the region.”

The statement further called for “the need for concerted international efforts to stop the fighting to prevent bloodshed, and for civilians to enjoy full protection under international law and international treaties.”

Saudi Arabia

The kingdom said that it is following with “great concern” the developments in Lebanon, and reiterated its warning of “the danger of the expansion of violence in the region.”

The Saudi Foreign Ministry on its account on  X on Monday evening that it “is following with great concern the developments of the security events taking place in Lebanese territory, and renews its warning of the danger of the expansion of violence in the region,” and urged “all parties to exercise the utmost restraint and keep the region and its people away from the dangers of war.”

Qatar

Qatar condemned “in the strongest terms the Israeli aggression on Lebanon”, warning of the expansion of the circle of violence in the region and its slide into a comprehensive regional war in light of Israel’s ongoing war on the Gaza Strip.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry said in a on Monday that the continued escalation is “primarily due to the absence of any deterrent to Israel’s actions, its continued repeated violations of international law, and its continued impunity.” It also warned that this reality “exacerbates the crises, puts the region on the brink of the abyss, and exposes it to more tensions that will have a profound impact on the regional and international levels.”

Iran

Despite Hezbollah being a major ally of Tehran, it has remained relatively quiet about Israel’s attack on Lebanon. However, on Monday, Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqch denied that President Massoud Pezeshkian had said, during his current visit to New York, that Tehran was willing to reduce tensions with Israel.

"Mr Pezeshkian never made such a statement", Araqchi claimed. 

 Bloomberg had quoted Pezeshkian as saying earlier in the day that Iran was "willing to put all our weapons aside so long as Israel is willing to do the same".

However, Pezeshkian did tell CNN that the world "must not allow Lebanon to become another Gaza".

USA

The United States is presenting "concrete" ideas to ease the crisis in Lebanon, a US official said Monday, while voicing opposition to any Israeli ground invasion to target Hezbollah.

"We've got some concrete ideas we're going to be discussing with allies and partners this week to try to figure out the way forward on this," the senior US official said as world leaders gathered in New York for the UN General Assembly.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the United States wanted to find an "off-ramp that will first and foremost prevent further escalation in the fighting."

He voiced hope that the US proposals would "reduce tensions and will segue into a diplomatic process that allows communities on both sides of the border -- on both sides of the Blue Line -- to safely return home in the near future."

The official declined to describe the concrete ideas in detail but said that Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other senior US officials would be discussing them during his meetings at the General Assembly.

European Union

EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said on Monday that the escalating clashes between Israel and Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah threaten to plunge the Middle East into all-out war.

"I can say we are almost in a full-fledged war," Borrell said ahead of a gathering of world leaders at the United Nations.

"We're seeing more military strikes, more damage, more collateral damage, more victims."

UK

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy he was “deeply alarmed by rockets and air strikes in Lebanon and Israel and resulting civilian casualties”.

“Further escalation risks even more devastating consequences. I repeat my call for an immediate ceasefire on both sides, which I will emphasise when I meet G7 ministers tonight,” he added in a post on X.

The sheer number of vehicles loaded with fleeing families have completely blocked roads that extend from the southern regions to cities up north, like Sidon, Beirut, all the way to Akkar, about 190 kilometres away from the southern city of Tyre. The hours-long traffic jam, the snaking queues at petrol stations of car drivers seeking to fill their tanks, as well as supermarkets crammed with people hoarding basic food items in anticipation of an all-out war, mirrors the state of chaos and panic gripping the nation.

Lebanon's south has been under constant attack from Israel since 8 October, after Hezbollah began firing at Israel's northern regions in support of Palestine and to pressure Tel Aviv to end its gruesome, genocidal war on Gaza. 

The cross border skirmishes have forced thousands of Israelis to flee northern regions, whom the Israeli government claims is aiming to bring back to their homes by escalating its strikes against Hezbollah in a bid to slow down its assaults.

On the Lebanese side, Israeli airstrikes drove more than 102,000 people to flee southern parts of the country since 8 October and killing journalists, medical personnel, and other civilians. This number of displaced, injured and dead spiked over the past couple of days alone as a reaction to the intensified Israeli attacks. 

The government said on Monday that dozens of schools across the country have opened their doors to internally-displaced people (IDPs), which quickly got packed with the ongoing influx from southern Lebanon, al-Bekaa and elsewhere. Soon after, unverified reports emerged on social media that some of these schools have already gotten filled to the rim with fleeing families, while others took to social media pleading for shelter or for help with transportation.

Citizens and civil society rushed to help, offering shelter to the displaced in a show of unity and solidarity.
 

A WhatsApp group bringing together property owners offering shelter with those looking for one was set up on Monday morning. By the afternoon, the application was refusing requests to join as the group quickly reached the maximum number of members allowed in.

Head of the Chouf Development Association, lawyer Daad Al-Laqis, told °źÂț”ș on Monday that "the city of Barja opened its homes to the displaced, especially since it is the closest to Sidon."

Barja, which is predominantly Sunni, has also opened its four public schools to accommodate displaced people, she said. "We may continue tomorrow by opening places in private schools. We have provided our people with mattresses, blankets and food by distributing meals and water," noted Al-Laqis.

Since the start of the violence, sectarian and political fault lines running deep in the multi-faith Lebanese society have often flared, with many backing the Shia Hezbollah in its war on Israel in support of Palestinians, while others condemned the group for further straining the cash-strapped country. Even recently, there have been local reports of certain communities protesting or blocking those from Lebanon's south to shelter. 

However, and particularly since last week's pager and walkie-talkie attacks, such divisive voices and actions have been dwarfed by nationwide gestures of solidarity. 

By Tuesday, the Chouf association's deputy chairman Rowaida Daqduqi said it managed—along with the Beirut to set up 550 displacement locations in Al-Barja, hosting over 3,000 people, and served more than 500 meals, in addition to the beddings and water and other essential supplies.

In the early hours of Tuesday, the roads exiting southern Lebanon were still crammed with vehicles trying to flee, and people were appealing on social media for local security forces to help organise the traffic, as some families have been stranded since Monday on roads blocked by traffic, without food or water. 

The influx meant more volunteering efforts are underway to accommodate more people. Moreover, according to the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, Hezbollah has also and has sent volunteers to support these initiatives. 

Mayor of Baissour, Nadim Malaeb, told TNA that activists and social entities in the village, located some 80.5 kilometres north of Tyre, have arranged for 300 people to reside in the public secondary and intermediate schools, in about 17 rooms.

"A classroom accommodates two families. It is worth noting that 75 mattresses and 50 blankets were provided, and local relief agencies provided 45 mattresses," he explained.

"The number of empty houses for rent is small, and some families were placed without furniture in them, but there are 520 houses inhabited by 2,700 displaced Syrians, some of which are old and abandoned houses. People are still arriving, and we are registering them," he added.

On the actions of solidarity, Maryam Haidar, a secondary school teacher at the official Al-Malaab School in Tripoli, who is Sunni, said they opened two residential units, one in Tripoli and the other in Deir Ammar, for two families from the south and the suburbs. "I am an employee of the Lebanese state, which means I am concerned for every Lebanese person, regardless of their sect or affiliation," said Haidar by phone. 

"I received a family from the suburbs in my private home, and they are my family and brothers. I wish I had a hundred or a thousand homes to open to my brothers in the homeland," she said.

"In crises, sectarianism is abolished, because the Lebanese are my blood, flesh, dignity, and honour. We in Tripoli always open our homes in times of peace and war to honourable people from all parts of the country," she continued. "If it weren't for the people of the south, there would be no Lebanon."

This piece was published in collaboration with .

Biden will host UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday, where talks between the leaders will focus on artificial intelligence.

The Sudanese government has accused the UAE of providing weapons to its rival paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and prolonging the 17-month war that is believed to have killed tens of thousands of people.

The UAE has called the allegations "utterly false" and "baseless" and accused the government of refusing to negotiate peace with its enemy.

A letter sent to the White House was signed by House Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Barbara Lee, Ilhan Omar, Daniel Kildee, and Sara Jacobs.

They reportedly expressed their concerns with the UAE’s alleged role in the war and urged Biden to talk with Bin Zayed about this, adding that it contradicted the US’ role in trying to end the violence in Sudan due to Washington’s friendship with Abu Dhabi.

Sudanese Ambassador Al-Harith Mohamed accused the UAE earlier this month of providing the RSF with heavy weapons, missiles and ammunition - and of "profiting from this war through the illegal exploitation of gold."

A recent report by the New York Times says the UAE is covertly smuggling weapons to the RSF, even using Red Crescent ambulance vans.

The report alleges that powerful, Chinese-made drones are being flown from an airport in Chad that the UAE expanded into a military airfield.

Lebanese Minister Nasser Yassin told Reuters that 89 shelters have been set up for those displaced, mostly in schools and other public facilities.

On Monday alone, the Israeli army said it had struck some 1,600 sites across the border,

The Israeli strikes have so far killed 492 people, including 35 children and 58 women, according to Lebanese authorities, marking the deadliest day in the cross-border exchanges since the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. A further 1,645 people have been wounded.

The death toll also marks the highest daily count in Lebanon since the country's civil war, which ran from 1975 to 1990. 

Meanwhile, Hezbollah has fired dozens of rockets into Israel, with some barrages launching early on Tuesday morning.

Hezbollah confirmed in a statement that it had attacked the  Kiryat Shmona settlement "with a barrage of rockets". The Israeli army said it had intercepted some of the rockets,  while others "fell into open areas".

Amid the escalation, a number of airlines have cancelled services in both Lebanon and Israel.

EgyptAir said in a statement it had cancelled flights from Cairo to Beirut "until the situation in the country stabilises", while Qatar Airways has suspended services to and from Beirut's Rafic Hariri Airport until Wednesday. 

Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines have cancelled flights between Istanbul and Beirut. On Monday, Jordan had suspended flights to Beirut "until further notice".

Middle East Airlines, meanwhile, has increased services to Lebanon amid the wave of cancellations.

British Airways has cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv, while flight data from the Flight Radar tracking website has shown that Wizz Air and Azerbaijan Airlines have also cancelled flights, according to the BBC.

Israel's intensified strikes on Lebanon follow months of cross-border exchanges with Hezbollah, which began firing into Israel on 8 October in response to Tel Aviv's latest war on Gaza.

Last week, Israel detonated thousands of hand-held electronic devices in Lebanon, killing at least 37 people and wounding around 2,900 others.

While Israel did not directly claim the attacks,  Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant said that a "new era" of war in Lebanon had begun.

Israel has said it wants to push Hezbollah further away from the border area, as Netanyahu's government has come under pressure to address the situation of those who had fled Israel's northern settlements.

The expansion of Israel's war has further raised concerns of a broader regional conflict, with Netanyahu's government appearing emboldened by the failure of efforts to end the assault on Gaza, where more than 40,000 people have been killed.

A 24-year-old man interrupted the chancellor, Rachel Reeves' speech at the ACC Arena in Liverpool.

A video of the incident which circulated online showed the protester saying: "We are still selling arms to Israel. I thought we were supposed to be changed, Rachel," in reference to the conference's theme being "change begins".

Two men also held up a banner reading: "Still backing polluters, still arming Israel – we voted for change".

A man was seen putting his arm around the protester's neck and dragging him through the crowd, after which the protester was removed from the venue by security personnel.

In response to the incident, Reeves said: "This is a changed Labour Party, a Labour Party that represents working people, not a party of protest."

Speaking to Hyphen, the 24-year-old was arrested on suspicion of breaching the peace, put in handcuffs and was detained in a police van for an hour.

He says the police used "a lot of excessive force", and an officer kicked the back of his leg at one point.

The Labour Party had contacted the protester and suspended his membership to "protect the party from real and lasting harm".

Climate campaign group Climate Resistance defended the incident, with its spokesperson Sam Simons saying: "Labour promised us change – instead, we're getting more of the same. The same pandering to the fossil fuel industry; the same arms licences that are fuelling a genocide in Gaza, and the same austerity that sees the poorest hit hardest."

Simons said: "It's time for Labour to start putting the needs of people before the interests of profit," meaning to stop arms licences to Israel and block new oil and gas.

The Labour Party conference began as 15,000 pro-Palestine protesters marched against Britain's arms sales to Israel.

The party's managers had blocked the words "genocide" and "apartheid" from being used in brochures at a side event during the conference, according to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

The governing party had suspended a total of 30 out of 350 arms licences to Israel in early September, as there was a risk such weapons might be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law.

On 23 September, Lebanon's deadliest day in two decades, the Morocco-born politician condemned the massacre committed by "the occupation army of Netanyahu," which resulted in 492 deaths and forced tens of thousands to flee for safety.

The Israeli military said it struck 1,600 Hezbollah targets in an operation aimed at dismantling infrastructure built up since the 2006 war.

Lebanon's health ministry reported that among the dead were 35 children and 58 women, while 1,645 others were wounded.

"Full support for the national resistance of the Lebanese," the founder of La France Insoumise Party (LFI).

MĂ©lenchon's statement has been widely interpreted as support for Hezbollah, known as the country's resistance group, despite him not explicitly naming it.

Hundreds of social media users with Israeli flags and far-right slogans have accused the leftist leader—who has previously refused to condemn Hamas—of antisemitism and supporting terrorism, allegations he has long refuted.

In 2013, France designated Hezbollah's military wing as a terrorist organisation, although it distinguishes between the military and political aspects of the group.

Paris' allies, the US, Germany, and Britain, classify the whole group as a "terrorist organisation", but French officials have long argued that ostracising it would hinder efforts to resolve the political crisis in the Middle Eastern country.

Since the start of Israel's war on Gaza, France's New Popular Front (NFP)–which includes LFI, the Socialist Party, Greens, French Communist Party–has condemned the Israeli war on Gaza as "genocide" and has protested for a ceasefire.

The party's MP, SĂ©bastien Delogu, was suspended in May for brandishing the Palestinian flag inside the French parliament.

Recognising the State of Palestine was a central promise of the NFP during their campaign, along with raising public sector wages and imposing a wealth tax.

Macron refuses to let pro-Palestine left govern

NFP secured the most seats in the legislative elections; however, President Emmanuel Macron refused to appoint a Prime Minister from the left-wing coalition. Macron cited "institutional stability," arguing that any NFP PM would likely face a no-confidence vote when Parliament reconvenes in October.

With 193 seats, the NFP is far from the 289-seat majority needed in the 577-member National Assembly and would require support from other parties. Yet, the other blocs are in even weaker positions, with Macron’s centrist camp holding 166 seats and Marine Le Pen’s right allies having 142.

Instead, Macron appointed conservative Michel Barnier to lead a government largely backed by the conservative Republicans and centrist groups, maintaining a neutral stance from the far right.

France Insoumise has strongly denounced this as a Macronite "coup" against the election results and calls for Parliament to oust Macron under constitutional article 68 ("dereliction of duty").

France's position on Israeli attacks in Lebanon

Since the Beirut port explosion, Macron has made it clear that he wants Paris to help set Lebanon on a new course after decades of corrupt rule that have led to its deepest economic and political crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war.

On 19 September, Macron addressed the Lebanese people in a heartfelt speech, just three days after the explosion of electronic devices that claimed dozens of lives.

"In this confusion, in this sorrow, France stands by your side," he said. He faced widespread criticism from pro-Palestine activists who viewed his statement as a hollow euphemism, as he failed once again to condemn Israel, a key ally in Macron's centrist foreign policy.

The bombings involving pagers and walkie-talkies, widely believed to have been staged by Israel, resulted in 37 deaths, including two children, and around 3,000 injuries.

Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement. In response, Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Shiite group, launched over 100 rockets into northern Israel, with some landing near Haifa. Israel retaliated with hundreds of strikes on Lebanon, warning residents in southern and eastern areas to evacuate ahead of a widening air campaign against Hezbollah.

President Macron has warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel is pushing the region toward war, to which Netanyahu responded with "it's time for France to increase the pressure on Hezbollah instead of Israel,"  to Israeli media.

But it’s a statistic that belies an unfortunate truth: many eligible refugees were denied the chance to qualify due to the bureaucratic complexity of international sporting competition.

Fatima Ahmadi, Khadija Rezaie and Faeza Rezaei, all refugee athletes based at the (WTC) in Victoria, Australia, were at the Oceania Olympic Qualifier in Honiara, Solomon Islands on April 6, with high hopes of joining the World Refugee Team in Paris.

Three days before the event, the WTC posted a photo of the athletes on their Facebook page, wishing the women and their teammates “good luck” as they waited to board their outbound flight.

But the WTC contingent never made it to Honiara and the team has not publicly commented since.

°źÂț”ș can reveal that the group was instead turned away at Brisbane Airport, with confusion over their citizenship and residency status resulting in airport officials denying them boarding.

“There were at least three 
 refugee athletes in the female under 49kg class that travelled from Melbourne to Brisbane and then attempted to board a flight to the Solomon Islands,” confirmed John Kotsifas, President of the Oceania Taekwondo Union.

“Unfortunately, the athletes were not permitted to board the flight from Brisbane to the Solomon Islands where the event was being held because as refugees, they required a visa and visas had not been issued to them.

“I understand that applications were made for them to be granted a visitor visa, but the applications were refused.”

The Solomon Islands Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration could not be reached for comment on the matter, while an Australian Government body told °źÂț”ș that “it is not appropriate for the Australian Government to comment on the entry requirements/decisions of other sovereign states.”

Missed chances for showcasing female talent 

Ahmadi, Rezaie and Rezaei missed their chance at Olympic glory, but it is certainly not the first nor the hardest adversity they have endured together.

The trio escaped to Australia together, part of a group of seven female athletes evacuated from Afghanistan to Melbourne in September 2021, necessitated by the fact that, , the Taliban routinely uses women’s participation in sport as a “pretext to violate human rights”.

Beyond the personal tragedy, the trio's absence from international competition continues a trend of compounding invisibility experienced by Afghan women.

Domestically, the Taliban’s new vice and virtue law has ratified the requirement that women must fully cover their faces and bodies in public.

But, perhaps more surprisingly, the recent barring of the Australian refugee contingent demonstrates that Afghan women’s freedom of mobility — and likewise their right to equitable cultural participation — does not suddenly materialise, even after being granted refuge in Western states.

Citizenship challenges 

Dr Graham Thom, Advocacy Coordinator at the Refugee Council of Australia, shed light on why these barriers persist for Afghan refugees.

“In some respects, Australia has been very generous. We have a resettlement pathway
 however, they’re now on the same pathway to citizenship as any other permanent resident."

This pathway to citizenship, Thom noted, is far more streamlined for those emigrating from developed nations, due to easier access to personal documentation.

“If you’re from Afghanistan, do you have a birth certificate? And what if you don’t have [one]?

“Can you go back to the Taliban and say ‘Hey, I need a birth certificate, I’m trying to become a citizen of Australia, [because] I fled as a refugee’? The actual processing for people from Afghanistan, even though, in theory, it should be the same
 it’s often slower.

â€ÀáłÙ’s been a real feature for the Afghan community.”

Bureaucracy of athletic dreams

For women such as Ahmadi, Rezaie and Rezaei, Thom noted that these bureaucratic barriers severely impact freedom of mobility, often during vital moments in their burgeoning careers.

Whilst permanent residents in countries such as Australia enjoy similar domestic rights to citizens, barriers to global participation persist.

“In terms of travel, you don’t have a passport and when you don’t have a passport, that suddenly makes your life very, very difficult,” Thom said.

Temporary travel documents endorsed by the UNHCR are often issued to bridge this gap, Thom confirmed but, as exemplified by the trio’s experience, some states will perceive this document as “a red flag”.

â€ÀáłÙ’s a lottery,” Thom said.

â€ÀáłÙ depends on your host government; it depends on your sporting body; it depends on the country where you want to go and participate in any lead-up events.

â€ÀáłÙ’s totally beyond [the refugee’s] control and it only ever changes when they become a citizen of their host country.”

For refugees from countries such as Afghanistan, Thom says it’s not uncommon to be waiting up to 10 years for full citizenship.

“By the time 10 years is up
 you’re no longer an elite athlete. That time is gone. You only have two shots in an Olympics or maybe only one shot
 and if you miss that, that’s it. You’ll never get another chance.”

Thom emphasised that this is an ongoing issue affecting all refugees, regardless of their specific career aspirations.

“People like us from Australia take for granted that if we want to travel anywhere in the world, we just book a ticket
 but when you’re a refugee, doors shut in your face, regardless of whether you’re an elite athlete or not.”

'Truly heartbreaking'

Ahmad Roman Abasy, a Sydney-based Afghan Taekwondo star and human rights advocate, who also narrowly escaped capture from the Taliban, said he sympathises with the setbacks faced by Ahmadi, Rezaie and Rezaei.

“These athletes have already faced so much, and losing their Olympic dreams like this is truly heartbreaking,” he said.

“[Relocating] takes a lot of courage and strength
 [and] this reminds us of the extra challenges that refugee athletes often face, even after reaching a safer country.”

Although the Paris 2024 Paralympics , who earned an inaugural bronze medal for the refugee team, Abasy emphasised the importance of all Afghan women having an equal opportunity to compete in future.

“Seeing [more] Afghan athletes, especially women, compete on the world stage would have sent a strong message,” he said.

â€ÀáłÙ would have shown that, despite the Taliban’s attempts to silence and oppress women, they are still fighting for their place in the world.

â€ÀáłÙ’s a message of resilience and hope that the world needs to see.”

Bianca Roberts is a freelance journalist and mass communication lecturer in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Ciaran O'Mahony is an Abu Dhabi-based journalist whose work has been published by numerous outlets including The Guardian and The Age. He is the founding editor of the independent and award-winning publication, The Jaded Newsman

Addressing reporters at the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain, the Oscar winner called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and condemned Israel’s actions, which has continued air strikes on Gaza since October 7. 

Bardem was a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the country’s most prestigious film festival when he called on the international community to take stronger action in holding governments accountable. 

"What is happening in Gaza is totally unacceptable; it is terrible and dehumanising," he said. 

"I believe this Israeli government is the most radical that Israel has ever had," he continued, adding that it "is committing crimes against humanity and violating international law."

Bardem added: "Obviously, the atrocious, terrible, and condemnable attacks of Hamas on October 7th, do not justify this massive punishment that the Palestinian population is suffering," 

Bardem, who has starred in blockbusters such as Dune and Skyfall, additionally denounced the "unconditional support" Israel receives from certain nations. 

 "The impunity that the current Israeli government enjoys in its actions in Gaza and the West Bank has to change," he emphasised. 

He specifically called out the United States, Germany, and the UK, urging them to reconsider their unwavering support in light of human rights violations. 

"We are witnessing crimes of international law, such as blocking access to food, water, medicine, and electricity. As UNICEF says, this is a war against children, and the trauma it is causing will affect generations," Bardem warned. 

"What I say or don’t say won’t change anything, but I believe society is starting to understand that legitimate criticism of any government is not the same as the false accusation of anti-Semitism," he added.

Bardem, a longstanding pro-Palestine advocate, had previously undergone backlash by pro-Israel critics in 2014 after signing an open letter condemning Israel's bombing campaigns in Gaza, alongside wife and fellow Oscar winner Penelope Cruz. 

The war on Gaza, now reaching its 12th month, has been widely condemned by various other renowned figures in the film industry, by calling for an urgent end to the conflict. 

Two weeks prior, US film director Sarah Friedland also amplified Gaza at another major film festival, the Venice Film Festival, after winning an award. 

Similar to Javier Bardem, the Jewish American filmmaker took the stage to express her solidarity with Palestinians and to condemn Israel's military onslaught on the besieged Gaza enclave. 

Israel's military has flattened large parts of the Palestinian enclave, displacing nearly all of its 2.3 million residents.

This has led to widespread hunger, disease, and the deaths of over 41,000 people, according to Palestinian health authorities. 

The cartoon was published in the conservative publication in reference to recent explosions of pagers used by the Lebanese party and militia Hezbollah, a group designated as a "terrorist organisation" by the US government. 

As the only Palestinian Muslim in Congress, the magazine's targeting of Tlaib appears to be depicting her for her background, which she spoke out about immediately following the publication of the cartoon. At least seven Jewish members of Congress are now joining her in their condemnation.

"As Jewish Members of Congress, we condemn this appalling and hateful cartoon depicting our colleague, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, as a terrorist and making a dangerous joke about a pager exploding at her desk," their statement reads.

"While none of us always agrees with Representative Tlaib (just as she surely does not always agree with any of us), that is no reason to excuse this toxically Islamophobic and anti-Arab affront," the statement continues. 

The group of Jewish Congress members conclude their statement by noting that there is a rise in violence against Arabs, Muslims and Jews like, something that should bring the communities together in solidarity against hate.

"At a time of rising violence against Arab, Muslim, and Jewish communities alike, we must stand together in solidarity against ethnic scapegoating and hateful provocations, which are often the prelude to actual racial violence and attack," they write.

The Congress members behind the letter are: Sara Jacobs of California, Becca Balint of Vermont, Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon, Seth Magaziner of Rhode Island, Jamie Raskin of Maryland, Susan Wild of Pennsylvania, and Jerry Nadler of New York.

The explosions of pagers, which later included walkie-talkies, and are believed to have come from Israel, have caused hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries to Lebanese, many of them civilians. The Israeli-linked attack is considered a war crime by human rights and international organisations.

As of Tuesday morning, indiscriminate Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon have killed around 500 and injured over 1,700. 
 

At least 569 people have been killed, including 50 children, and at least 1,835 wounded in the two days of attacks, including children.

On Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike hit the southern Beirut suburb of Ghobeiry. Two Lebanese security sources have said the raid killed senior Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Qubaisi, who led the group's rockets division.

Hezbollah fired dozens of rocket salvos on Israeli air bases and other military targets on Tuesday, including in the Galilee and around the port city of Haifa. It said it attacked an explosives factory around 4 a.m. (0100 GMT) and the Megiddo airfield three separate times overnight.

Israel claims it is striking Hezbollah targets and says it managed to destroy thousands of the militant group's sites and rockets. Tel Aviv says it wants to push Hezbollah back from the Israeli border after nearly a year of cross-border fighting, but Hezbollah has refused to end hostilities before a ceasefire in Gaza.

Thousands continue to flee south Lebanon, as Lebanese environment minister - who is coordinating the crisis response - Nasser Yassin, told Reuters that temporary shelters in schools and other facilities had been set up in Beirut and other regions, with the capacity for more than 26,000 people as civilians fled the "Israeli atrocities".