Author: Steven Sahiounie

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was in Tehran on Tuesday for talks with Iranian officials, state media reported, a day after the UN Security Council called for a ceasefire in the group’s war with Israel.“Hamas bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, during his trip to Tehran on Tuesday, will meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian,” Iran’s official IRNA news agency said, adding that he will also meet with other senior officials.It is the second visit the Hamas leader has made to Tehran since the Iran-backed group launched an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7 which resulted in the deaths of some…

Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, said on Monday that countries should pressure Israel to stop attacking Lebanon following a UN Security Council decision calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.The Israeli military and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah have been trading fire across the southern Lebanese border in parallel with the Gaza war. Hezbollah did not immediately comment on the UN vote.In a statement shared by his office, Mikati welcomed the move, saying it was “a first step on the path to stopping the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip.”“When it comes to Lebanon, we renew our call to concerned…

Iran says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken both the issue of war in the Gaza Strip and the US national interests hostage to achieve his own personal interests. In a telephone conversation with the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian outlined the latest developments in Gaza. The conversation focused on reports about Israel’s killing of Palestinians in Gaza’s al-Shifa Hospital and the massacre of women and children. “The continuation of the humanitarian crisis and Israel’s use of starvation against the people of Gaza have turned the situation into the real crisis…

Saudi Arabia has welcomed the issuance on Monday of a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during the holy month of Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The Kingdom has also expressed hope that a cessation of hostilities will lead to a permanent and sustainable ceasefire; the release of all hostages held by Hamas; and the parties’ compliance with their obligations under international law, as well as an increase in the flow of humanitarian aid to civilians in the Gaza Strip to enhance their protection, the SPA added. The Kingdom has renewed its calls on…

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said that now he will not send a delegation that had been expected in Washington, after the US refrained earlier that day from vetoing a UN Security Council resolution on a Gaza ceasefire. The UNSC passed the resolution on Monday, demanding an “immediate” ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which ends in two weeks. The US abstained from casting its vote on the council, while the remaining 14 members voted in favor of the resolution, which also demands the unconditional release of remaining Israeli hostages and highlights “the…

The UN spokesperson explains that Griffiths will continue in his role until the end of June to allow a “smooth transition” to a replacement who has yet to be named. UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths, who has played a significant role in pushing for relief to Gaza and previously supervised operations in Yemen, is stepping down due to illness, the global organization announced Monday. Griffiths, the under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency assistance coordinator, “has informed the secretary-general of his intention to step down for health reasons,” according to UN Spokesperson Farhan Haq. Haq added that Griffiths will continue in his role…

Türkiye on Monday welcomes the UN Security Council’s passage of a resolution for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, said the country’s Foreign Ministry. “We consider the UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in Gaza for the month of Ramadan and humanitarian access to Gaza to be a positive step,” said ministry spokesman Oncu Keceli in a statement. Ramadan ends on or around April 9, but there are hopes any cease-fire may extend beyond then. Keceli added that Türkiye hopes that Israel will promptly adhere to the stipulations in the resolution. “We…

The grand imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif has commended the head of the United Nations for his support for the Palestinian cause and promoting justice and human rights in Gaza. Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb, who is also chair of the Muslim Council of Elders, received UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday. Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner-general of UNRWA — the UN agency that supports Palestine refugees — and Elena Panova, the UN’s resident coordinator in Egypt, were also present at the meeting. Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, which has its headquarters in Cairo, is Sunni Islam’s oldest and foremost seat of learning. The sheikh praised Guterres…

The perpetrators and masterminds of Friday’s deadly terrorist attack at a Moscow concert venue must be killed without mercy, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has claimed. At least 137 people have been killed and over 180 were wounded when several men armed with assault rifles opened fire inside the Crocus City Hall and then proceeded to set the concert venue ablaze. Four men suspected of carrying out the attack have been captured. Two of them have confessed in court, and are set to remain in custody until late May. They all face life in prison. “Everyone asks me. What to…

With the United States abstaining, the United Nations Security Council has finally adopted a long-awaited resolution that demands an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The resolution was put forward by the 10 non-permanent members of the Security Council. It received unanimous support from the remaining 14 members on Monday. Washington had already vetoed similar bids three times since Israel started its brutal campaign in Gaza in early October. The resolution demands an immediate ceasefire for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the release of Israelis the resistance movement Hamas took captive during Operation Al-Aqsa Storm on October 7, 2023. It also…