Five waiting for aid among 22 Palestinians killed in Gaza
Israeli evacuation order in central Gaza 'devastating' to aid efforts, says UN
Israeli army says it struck Houthi targets in Yemen's Hodeidah port
Hamas considering quitting ceasefire talks unless 'deal reached by end of week'
At least 58,895 Palestinians killed and 140,980 wounded since Gaza war began
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Khaleej Times
24 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
Iran agrees to visit by team from UN nuclear watchdog in coming weeks
Iran has agreed to allow a technical team from the UN nuclear watchdog to visit in the coming weeks to discuss relations between the International Atomic Energy Agency and Tehran, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on Wednesday. "The delegation will come to Iran to discuss the modality, not to go to the (nuclear) sites," he told reporters during a visit to New York for meetings at the United Nations. The IAEA had no specific comment on his remarks, but said IAEA chief Rafael Grossi was "actively engaging with all parties involved in the Iran nuclear issue." The IAEA has said it is essential for it to be able to resume inspections in Iran following air strikes by Israel and the US last month that aimed to destroy the country's nuclear programme in a bid to stop Tehran building a nuclear weapon. Tehran denies seeking a nuclear weapon and says its nuclear programme is solely meant for civilian purposes. "Our Atomic Energy Organization is assessing, actually, the damages to the nuclear installations, and we are waiting to receive their report. In this regard, it's a very dangerous work. We do not know what has happened there ... because of the risks of the radiation," Gharibabadi said. Diplomats have in particular raised concerns about the fate of some 400 kg of highly enriched uranium stocks, which Iran has not updated the IAEA on. Gharibabadi said the IAEA has not officially asked about the fate of those stocks and that Tehran "cannot say anything now because we do not have any valid and credible report from (Iran's) Atomic Energy Organization." Any negotiations over Iran's future nuclear programme will require its cooperation with the IAEA, which angered Iran in June by declaring on the eve of the Israeli strikes that Tehran was violating non-proliferation treaty commitments. Gharibabadi said he would travel to Istanbul to meet with Britain, France and Germany on Friday. They, along with China and Russia, are the remaining parties to a 2015 nuclear deal that the U.S. quit in 2018. Under the deal, sanctions on Iran were eased in return for restrictions on its nuclear programme. Separately, Tehran and Washington have this year held five rounds of nuclear talks mediated by Oman. Gharibabadi said these are focused on negotiating transparency measures by Iran with regard to its nuclear program and the lifting of US sanctions.
The National
an hour ago
- The National
Israeli soldiers kidnap two Syrians in southern Lebanon raid as US envoy pushes Hezbollah disarmament plan
Israeli soldiers kidnapped two Syrian agricultural workers when they raided houses in a southern Lebanon border area at dawn on Wednesday, as US special envoy Tom Barrack wrapped up a high-stakes diplomatic visit to Beirut focused on Hezbollah's disarmament. About 20 Israeli troops stormed the border area near the town of Mari, interrogated several people and searched houses, some inhabited, others not, Lebanon's state news agency reported. The Israeli soldiers captured the two Syrians, who were working in the area, taking them as they retreated. The Syrians were later released near the border. The Israeli army did not initially comment on the raid. Al Mari Plain is an agricultural area near the Blue Line that separates Israel and Lebanon. In January, the Israeli army kidnapped two beekeepers from the plain and later released them. Israel continues to occupy five military posts along the southern border despite being required to withdraw under the terms of a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah that came into force in November. The Israeli army regularly carries out ground raids in pursuit of alleged Hezbollah infrastructure. A number of brigades pressed further into southern Lebanon this month and destroyed underground networks and weapons allegedly belonging to the armed group. Last week, Israel carried out a major aerial bombing campaign on the Bekaa Valley, killing 12 people including seven Syrian refugees. The Israeli army claimed it was destroying training centres operated by Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force. Hezbollah was severely weakened during a year-long war with Israel that ended with a ceasefire in November. Israel's military campaign destroyed much of the group's infrastructure and killed its leaders and senior commanders. Israel continues to bomb southern Lebanon almost daily. Under the terms of the ceasefire, Hezbollah must pull all military equipment and fighters out of southern Lebanon, and all non-state militant groups must be disarmed across the country. Israel was supposed to withdraw and cease its attacks. Lebanon has accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire terms about 4,000 times. Lebanon is under pressure externally and internally to disarm these groups, including Hezbollah and Palestinian factions that have a presence in the country. Mr Barrack arrived in Beirut on Sunday for discussions on the disarmament of Hezbollah, a previously taboo topic. Mr Barrack reiterated Washington's position that there would be no halt to Israeli army operations – nor economic or political support for Lebanon – unless the authorities take tangible steps toward disarming Hezbollah, according to Lebanese sources familiar with the talks. The sources said the message places the Lebanese government before a set of difficult choices. Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem said last week that the group would not surrender its weapons. 'Israel will not take our weapons away from us,' he said in a video message, adding that Hezbollah was ready to 'confront the enemy'. 'We know that confrontation will be very costly, but submission would leave us with nothing,' he added. While many observers believe his rhetoric is aimed primarily at Hezbollah's domestic support base, the group has previously indicated it may consider a discussion on disarmament – but only if Israel stops breaching the ceasefire agreement. Hezbollah is still believed to possess medium and long-range missiles, and it continues to command a broad Shiite support base. Lebanon and the US have been exchanging proposals that could eventually lead to the group's disarmament, with all weapons brought under the control of the Lebanese state. In his most recent visit, Mr Barrack said that Washington cannot force Israeli decisions but can only try to influence them. He also stressed that disarming Hezbollah is ultimately a Lebanese matter, but said pushing for reform in the country was vital and the US wanted it to prosper. Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Barrack acknowledged that disarming the group was a "complex process". "We are trying to act as an honest mediator to resolve disputes, and dialogue will continue with those who are still absent from the negotiating table. I will come back," he said after meeting with Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai in Bkerke. 'The process is ongoing, but it is up to the government to decide on its priorities. We need a clear decision and apply the gun monopoly law to limit the possession of weapons and put an end to aggression," he added.
TAG 91.1
an hour ago
- TAG 91.1
UAE calls for immediate Gaza ceasefire, two-state solution at UN
In an address before the UN Security Council, the UAE strongly condemned the ongoing war in Gaza, describing it as "unprecedented in both scale and intensity" and marked by violence and grave violations of international law. The statement, delivered by the UAE's Acting Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Fatema Yousuf, aligned with the positions of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Arab Group, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Non-Aligned Movement. The UAE denounced the continued Israeli blockade of Gaza, accusing Israel of exacerbating the humanitarian crisis by obstructing aid and targeting those attempting to deliver it. Highlighting its own humanitarian efforts under Operation Gallant Knight, the UAE outlined initiatives including food assistance, water desalination projects and the evacuation of wounded civilians for treatment in UAE hospitals. The UAE also expressed deep concern over what it described as a 'dangerous escalation' in the West Bank, citing settler violence, arbitrary arrests, and the expansion of illegal settlements. Speaking through a translator, Yousuf reiterated the UAE's position on Israeli actions at religious sites. The address concluded with four key demands. First, it called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, along with the release of all hostages, detainees and prisoners, while reaffirming support for mediation efforts led by Qatar, Egypt and the US. Second, it demanded an end to the blockade on Gaza and expressed full support for United Nations agencies - particularly UNRWA - in their humanitarian missions. Third, it urged a halt to any actions aimed at displacing Palestinians or altering the demographic composition of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Finally, the address stressed the need to revive the political process based on a two-state solution, advocating for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. The UAE welcomed the announcement of a resumed international peace conference, to be co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, expressing hope that it would lead to tangible steps toward peace. At the UN Security Council Open Debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question, the UAE 🇦🇪 strongly condemned the ongoing violence and grave violations against civilians in Gaza, as well as the unjust blockade imposed by Israel, which has deepened… — UAE Mission to the UN (@UAEMissionToUN) July 24, 2025
