Israeli attacks kill 62 people in Gaza Strip, says civil defence agency
Jun 27, 2025 09:37 PM IST
Gaza's civil defence agency said that Israeli forces killed at least 62 people on Friday, including 10 who were waiting for aid in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory. Israeli military denied its troops fired in one of the locations in central Gaza.(AFP)
Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that 62 Palestinians had been killed Friday by Israeli strikes or gunfire in the Gaza Strip.
When asked by AFP for comment, the Israeli military said it was looking into the incidents, and denied its troops fired in one of the locations in central Gaza where rescuers said one person was killed.
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Israel-Iran ‘12-days war': How West Asia is on a strategic reset
The future geopolitical landscape of West Asia is likely to be multipolar, prompting both global powers and regional actors to recalibrate their strategies accordingly read more West Asia has witnessed over a dozen major conflicts since World War II due to the contentious nature of its security dynamics, attributed largely to the interplay of external, regional and domestic factors. The recent skirmish between Israel and Iran amply vindicated the above intricacies. The sudden eruption of recent hostilities leading to a full-scale war was the result of simmering belligerence between Tel Aviv and Tehran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran's strategy to prosecute a proxy war without getting entangled in a conventional conflict with Israel was finally challenged. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On June 13, 2025, Israel launched Operation 'Rising Lion' against Iran in a preemptive effort to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear capabilities and avert an 'existential threat'. In the massive aerial strike, Israeli fighter jets pounded around 100 sites across Iran, primary targets being nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, besides key military installations. Iran was caught by surprise, and as per the experts estimate, lost almost 15 per cent of its missile arsenal and crucial air defence systems. Several Iranian top military commanders were also killed. Iran's retaliation came a day later by way of large-scale drones and ballistic missile strikes against Israel. The initial strikes were followed by intense exchanges of missile barrages by both sides. Having achieved complete air domination, Israel was able to inflict colossal damage on Iran's war-fighting machinery. On the other hand, Iran's retaliation was confined to waves of missile strikes, as its air force, being weak, was missing in action. This notwithstanding, Iran's hypersonic missiles were able to penetrate the Israeli air defence and cause considerable damage to the infrastructure. Given the lack of strategic depth and doctrine of fighting swift, short wars, the war of attrition was proving unaffordable for Israel, costing hundreds of millions of dollars a day. Iran, on the other hand, was well poised to sustain a longer conflict, as around two-thirds of its missile arsenal (estimated to be around 3,000) was still intact after a week of fighting. Ten days into the conflict, there was a major escalation when the US joined Israel in the fight against Iran by launching Operation 'Mid Night Hammer' in the wee hours of June 22, 2025. The aerial strikes were undertaken by a package of seven B2 bombers, wherein Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan were struck with GBU-57 deep penetrating, bunker buster bombs. President Donald Trump declared that all three nuclear sites had been completely obliterated. Iran vowed to avenge the American aggression, which it did the following day in the form of a symbolic missile strike on the US air base at Al Udeid in Qatar, but there was no damage or casualties. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On June 23, Trump, with mediation from Qatar, announced a phased ceasefire between Israel and Iran, declaring that the '12-Day War' was over. There were few truce violations before Israel and Iran accepted the ceasefire, which came into effect on June 24 and has held on so far. The stage appears to be now set for the next phase – diplomatic duels at the negotiation table, as talks are expected to resume in the near future. The wars are fought to be won, with precise politico-military aims. In this case too, both Iran and Israel claimed to be winners, having attained their respective objectives. Iran declared national victory over the Jewish regime and America. Concurrently, the Israeli foreign ministry also strongly claimed that Israel has not only achieved all objectives in the war but also killed hundreds of terrorists in Iran. Tel Aviv also announced that the outcome of the war has placed Israel in the ranks of the world's leading powers. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Well, Israel did succeed in degrading Iran's nuclear capability significantly, albeit with American assistance. Israel did demonstrate its ability to dominate the airspace and operate deep inside Iranian territory, thus taking a heavy toll on Iranian military installations. While Iranian nuclear installations have suffered considerable damage, as per Rafael Grossi, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog, 'It would be too much to assert that Iran's nuclear has been wiped out after the Israeli-American campaign.' Israeli Ambassador to France Joshua Zarka has stated that 14 key Iranian nuclear scientists were killed, implying a serious setback to Tehran's nuclear programme. In the Israeli attacks, as per Iran's Health Ministry, 627 of its citizens were killed and 4,870 were wounded. Iran, despite taking heavy losses and having an adverse air situation, was able to cause damage to Haifa port, Ben Gurion airport and a few military bases. 29 Israelis were reported to be killed and 3461 injured during the Iranian strikes. This did have considerable impact, causing fear of psychosis amongst the civilians. Iranian proxies' militias Hamas, Houthis and Hezbollah kept a low profile, as these militias have been considerably weakened by the Israelis sustained operations over the years. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The global polity favoured diplomacy and dialogue. Whereas the US was actively involved in the conflict, Russia and China – Iran's close allies – only extended diplomatic support. While Moscow advocated restraint and offered mediation, Beijing supported negotiation and projected an image of neutral peacemaker. Given the apprehensions of an oil crisis manifesting, renewed calls for negotiations and support for Qatar and Oman in mediation did accelerate the efforts for de-escalation and ceasefire. The Islamic world stood factionalised, keeping in view their national interests. The Arab nations, especially the Gulf countries, evidently are not in control of their foreign policies. The future geopolitical and security architecture of the Middle East is in for a makeover. The superpower rivalry is bound to intensify with the US deepening its role as a security guarantor for Israel and Gulf states. China will leverage its economic influence to expand its mediation role and align with Russia to ensure regional stability. Russia will strive to adopt a balanced role, supply military technology to Iran and simultaneously cultivate ties with Israel and Arab states. Turkey will continue with its quest for regional dominance and project itself as a balancing force vis-à-vis Iran and Israel, as well as consolidate its position in Syria and Iraq. India, given its immense strategic and economic interest in the region, will need to be proactive given the prevailing fluid situation. Stable West Asia is in India's interest to progress its key initiatives like the 'India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor' (IMEEC) project and Chabahar port. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The new security framework of the region is in the making, wherein Israel and Iran would be engaged in a mutual threat containment regime, with heavy reliance on precision weapon systems. Tehran will retain the ability to reactivate 'non-state' proxies and is unlikely to give up its nuclear ambitions easily. Gulf states could be working towards evolving 'integrated regional defence systems' while engaging in deeper defence cooperation with the US and Israel, besides consolidating their role as mediators. The Abraham Accord tent is expected to get wider as more nations are likely to join in for security insurance. This will weaken the Palestine cause. Will the Arabs allow Tehran to take the lead? It is a moot question, given today Hamas's main backer is Iran. The salient strategic trends indicate the likelihood of weaponisation of energy infrastructure and militarisation of sea lanes of communication around the Red Sea. The global polity will be working to obviate this situation by seeking diversification of the energy supply lines. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Like all the major conflicts, the '12-Days War' leaves behind a trail of destruction and demolished geopolitical structures, leading to major strategic shifts. The future geopolitical landscape of West Asia will be multipolar in nature, with global powers and regional players recalibrating their strategies accordingly. The general environment is likely to remain highly fragile, marked by intense competition and confrontations fuelled by religious, ideological and identity politics, with the possibility of conflict looming large. Given the overarching complexities, the West Asia region is set to remain in a state of flux, lasting peace being a distant possibility. The writer is a war veteran, currently Professor of Strategic and International Relations. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
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First Post
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‘Ran to Daddy to avoid being flattened:' Iran's Araghchi taunts Israel using Trump's new nickname
Iranian foreign minister warned Tel Aviv that it won't hesitate from revealing its 'true capabilities' if provoked read more Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday (June 28) quipped that Israel had no choice but to 'run to Daddy' to avoid being flattened by Iranian missiles, referring to US President Donald Trump's new nickname derived from a statement by Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte. The foreign minister warned Tel Aviv that it won't hesitate to reveal its 'true capabilities' if provoked. 'The great and powerful Iranian people, who showed the world that the Israeli regime had no choice but to run to 'Daddy' to avoid being flattened by our missiles, do not take kindly to threats and insults. If illusions lead to worse mistakes, Iran will not hesitate to unveil its real capabilities, which will certainly end any delusion about the power of Iran,' Araghchi posted on X. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Notably, Rutte had called Trump 'daddy' for using strong language against both Israel and Iran during the recent conflict between the two West Asian nations. Rutte's response came when he was asked about Trump using the F-word on live TV after Israel and Iran continued trading missiles despite the ceasefire. 'Israel, as soon as we made the deal, they came out and they dropped a load of bombs, the likes of which I've never seen before, the biggest load that we've seen. We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don't know what the fu*k they're doing,' Trump said. Later, reports emerged that Israeli leadership was left 'stunned' and 'embarrassed' by the harsh rebuke. Warning to Trump Araghchi also Trump against using a 'disrespectful and unacceptable tone' towards Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and hurting his 'millions of followers'. 'If President Trump is genuine about wanting a deal, he should put aside the disrespectful and unacceptable tone towards Iran's Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, and stop hurting his millions of heartfelt supporters,' Araghchi said. Araghchi's rebuke came following a social media post by Trump on Friday in which he claimed he had prevented the assassination of the Iranian supreme leader and accused Khamenei of ingratitude. 'I knew exactly where he was sheltered, and would not let Israel, or the US armed forces, by far the greatest and most powerful in the world, terminate his life,' Trump posted. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'I saved him from a very ugly and ignominious death, and he does not have to say, 'Thank you, President Trump!' he said.
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2 hours ago
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China's secret Taiwan plan exposed: Czech intel report says Beijing plotted car crash to scare Taipei's VP-elect
Czech intelligence officials revealed that Chinese agents operating out of the Beijing embassy in Prague planned a staged car crash targeting Taiwan's Vice President Hsiao Bi-Khim during her visit to Prague last year read more Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, left and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, right, wave after his inaugural speech after being sworn into office at the Presidential Office Building in Taipei , Taiwan, on May 20, 2024. AFP Amid the brewing tensions between China and Taiwan , Czech authorities revealed that Chinese agents operating out of the Beijing embassy in Prague planned a staged car crash targeting Taiwan's Vice President Hsiao Bi-Khim. The Czech Republic's military intelligence chief called it a plot to intimidate Taiwan's vice president during her visit to Prague last year. The intelligence chief went on to call the revelation 'unprecedented' by China in Europe . Citing Czech military intelligence, the country's public broadcaster, Czech Radio, reported that Chinese agents plotted a 'demonstrative kinetic action' targeting Hsiao during her March 2024 visit to Prague. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This was the Taiwanese Vice President's first visit abroad since her and President Lai Ching-te's election victory . Agency Director Petr Bartovský told Czech Radio that the Chinese plan involved staging a collision with the car carrying Hsiao. Bartovský made it clear that the attempt 'did not go beyond the planning stage.' A red light that led to the revelation The intelligence report noted that the Chinese diplomat ran a red light in central Prague while trying to maintain surveillance over the Taiwanese delegation. Military intelligence spokesperson Jan Pejšek emphasised that China's actions were almost endangering Hsiao and her team . She noted that the Chinese officials had been 'gathering information about her schedule and attempting to document her meetings with prominent figures from the Czech political and public spheres. The officials concluded that the vice president was not considered to be in real danger; however, Czech security forces were present and ready to intervene if necessary. Emphasising the sensitivity of the information, Czech Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mariana Wernerová declined to provide more details on the matter. However, she confirmed that the Czech authorities had communicated their concerns to Beijing about the events. Taiwan reacts Meanwhile, Taiwan's Presidential Office Spokesperson Karen Kuo condemned China's plot and thanked the Czech authorities. Kuo said that Taiwanese security was aware of the intelligence at the time, Focus Taiwan reported. Kuang-ting Chen, a lawmaker in Taiwan's Legislative Yuan, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to condemn China's action. 'Hiding behind diplomatic immunity to interfere with another nation's sovereignty and endanger personal safety is a flagrant violation of international law. This incident once again exposes Beijing's export of authoritarianism and pattern of transnational repression,' China wrote on X. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As a Taiwanese parliamentarian, I condemn in the strongest possible terms the egregious conduct of the Chinese diplomat in Prague who tailed, surveilled, and even attempted to ram the vehicle carrying then Vice President–elect Hsiao Bi-khim. Hiding behind diplomatic immunity to… — 🇹🇼陳冠廷 Kuan-Ting Chen (@kuantingvision) June 26, 2025 It is pertinent to note that China claims Taiwan, formally known as the Republic of China, as its territory. However, the island has never been governed by the Chinese Communist Party. Taiwan functions as a de facto sovereign state, with its legal system, military and international relations. China has often pressured other nations not to engage with the Taiwanese delegation. In 2022, China temporarily blocked trade with Lithuania after the Baltic nation allowed Taiwan to open a representative office using the name 'Taiwan.' China argued that recognising Taiwan challenges its 'One China' policy. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
