US attorney Kenneth Roth on 30 with Guyon Espiner
law conflict 29 minutes ago
The man described as the Godfather of Human Rights, American attorney Kenneth Roth, has told RNZ that Israel's actions against the Palestinians are likely to meet the definitions of apartheid, genocide and war crimes. Guyon Espiner spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
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RNZ News
2 hours ago
- RNZ News
Iran holds funeral for commanders, scientists killed in war with Israel
This handout picture provided by the Iranian foreign ministry shows Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi mourning next to the coffin of Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Hossein Salami, who was killed during Israeli strikes on the first day of the war, during a state funeral procession at Enghelab (Revolution) Square in the capital Tehran on 28 June. Photo: AFP / HO / IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY Large crowds of mourners dressed in black lined streets in Iran's capital Tehran as the country held a funeral for top military commanders, nuclear scientists and some of the civilians killed during this month's aerial war with Israel. At least 16 scientists and 10 senior commanders were among those mourned at the funeral, according to state media, including armed forces chief Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Revolutionary Guards commander General Hossein Salami, and Guards Aerospace Force chief General Amir Ali Hajizadeh. Photo: AFP / ATTA KENARE Their coffins were driven into Tehran's Azadi Square adorned with their photos and national flags, as crowds waved flags and some reached out to touch the caskets and throw rose petals onto them. State-run Press TV showed an image of ballistic missiles on display. Mass prayers were later held in the square. Women mourners holding posters of Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Hossein Salami sit on the edge of the pavement watching the funeral of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander and other military commanders killed in Israeli strikes on Iran, during their funeral procession at Enghelab (Revolution) Square in the capital Tehran on 28 June. Photo: AFP / ATTA KENARE State TV said the funeral, dubbed the "procession of the Martyrs of Power", was held for a total of 60 people killed in the war, including four women and four children. In attendance were President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior figures including Ali Shamkhani, who was seriously wounded during the conflict and is an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as Khamenei's son Mojtaba. Mourners stand next to the coffin of Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Hossein Salami (front), and other military commanders killed during Israeli strikes on the first day of the war, during their funeral procession at Enghelab (Revolution) Square in the capital Tehran on 28 June. Photo: AFP / ATTA KENARE "Today, Iranians, through heroic resistance against two regimes armed with nuclear weapons, protected their honour and dignity, and look to the future prouder, more dignified, and more resolute than ever," Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who also attended the funeral, said in a Telegram post. There was no immediate statement from Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly since the conflict began. In past funerals, he led prayers over the coffins of senior commanders ahead of public ceremonies broadcast on state television. Israel launched the air war on 13 June, attacking Iranian nuclear facilities and killing top military commanders as well as civilians in the worst blow to the Islamic Republic since the 1980s war with Iraq. - Reuters
Scoop
15 hours ago
- Scoop
BRIEFING NOTES: Israel-OPT
Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Thameen Al-Kheetan Location: Geneva Date: Subject: Israel-OPT Desperate, hungry people in Gaza continue to face the inhumane choice of either starving to death or risk being killed while trying to get food. Since the 'Gaza Humanitarian Foundation' started operating on 27 May, the Israeli military has shelled and shot Palestinians trying to reach the distribution points, leading to many fatalities. Reportedly, over 410 Palestinians have been killed as a result. At least 93 others have also been reportedly killed by the Israeli army while attempting to approach the very few aid convoys of the UN and other humanitarian organisations. At least 3,000 Palestinians have been injured in these incidents. Each of these killings must be promptly and impartially investigated, and those responsible must be held to account. The killing and wounding of civilians resulting from the unlawful use of firearms constitute a grave breach of international law, and a war crime. Palestinians across Gaza are suffering from hunger and the lack of other lifesaving necessities. The Gaza Strip remains on the verge of famine as a result of Israel's closure and blockade, as well as ongoing unlawful restrictions on the entry and distribution of humanitarian assistance. This adds to Israel's systematic destruction of local food production and the economy, as well as the repeated forced mass displacements over the past 20 months. Israel also continues to impose severe restrictions on the work of the UN and other humanitarian organisations, preventing them from bringing and distributing food, fuel and lifesaving assistance into Gaza. Only a very few trucks have been allowed in since 2 March 2025. We are seeing scenes of chaos around the food distribution points of the 'Gaza Humanitarian Foundation' and the few UN humanitarian convoys. Women, children, older and disabled people in particular are facing multiple challenges at these points, and are potentially at risk of aggravated forms of exploitation and abuse. Israel's militarised humanitarian assistance mechanism is in contradiction with international standards on aid distribution. It endangers civilians, and contributes to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza. The weaponisation of food for civilians, in addition to restricting or preventing their access to life-sustaining services, constitutes a war crime and, under certain circumstances, may constitute elements of other crimes under international law. The Israeli military must stop shooting at people trying to get food. Israel must also allow the entry of food and other humanitarian assistance needed to sustain the lives of Palestinians in Gaza in accordance with international law and humanitarian principles. It must immediately lift its unlawful restrictions on the work of UN and other humanitarian actors. Third States have the obligation to take concrete steps to ensure that Israel, the occupying power in Gaza, complies with its duty to ensure that sufficient food and lifesaving necessities are provided to the population.
RNZ News
20 hours ago
- RNZ News
Trump says he would consider bombing Iran again, drops plan to lift sanctions
By Trevor Hunnicutt and Steve Holland , Reuters US President Donald Trump Photo: SAUL LOEB / AFP US President Donald Trump sharply criticised Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamanei, dropped plans to lift sanctions on Iran, and said he would consider bombing Iran again if Tehran is enriching uranium to worrisome levels. Trump reacted sternly to Khamanei's first remarks after a 12-day conflict with Israel that ended when the United States launched bombing raids last weekend against Iranian nuclear sites. Khamanei said Iran "slapped America in the face" by launching an attack against a major US base in Qatar following the US bombing raids. Khamanei also said Iran would never surrender. Trump said he had spared Khamanei's life. US officials told Reuters on 15 June that Trump had vetoed an Israeli plan to kill the supreme leader. "His Country was decimated, his three evil Nuclear Sites were OBLITERATED, and I knew EXACTLY where he was sheltered, and would not let Israel, or the U.S. Armed Forces, by far the Greatest and Most Powerful in the World, terminate his life," Trump said in a social media post. "I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH," he said. Iran said a potential nuclear deal was conditional on the US ending its "disrespectful tone" toward the Supreme Leader. "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 followers," Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in a post on X. Trump also said that in recent days he had been working on the possible removal of sanctions on Iran to give it a chance for a speedy recovery. He said he had now abandoned that effort. "I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust, and immediately dropped all work on sanction relief, and more," he said. Trump said at a White House news conference that he did not rule out attacking Iran again, when asked about the possibility of new bombing of Iranian nuclear sites if deemed necessary at some point. "Sure, without question, absolutely," he said. Trump said he would like inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency - the UN nuclear watchdog - or another respected source to be able to inspect Iran's nuclear sites after they were bombed last weekend. Trump has rejected any suggestion that damage to the sites was not as profound as he has said. The IAEA chief, Rafael Grossi, said that ensuring the resumption of IAEA inspections was his top priority as none had taken place since Israel began bombing on 13 June. However, Iran's parliament approved moves to suspend such inspections. Araqchi indicated that Tehran may reject any request by the head of the agency for visits to Iranian nuclear sites. Trump said Iran still wants to meet about the way forward. The White House said that no meeting between the US and an Iranian delegation has been scheduled thus far. - Reuters
