Israel claims intercepting rocket from Gaza
Israel's military said on Saturday it intercepted a rocket fired from the southern Gaza Strip launched towards border communities.
Warning sirens sounded in the towns of Nirim and Ein HaShlosha. According to the army, the projectile was shot down mid-air, with no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
בהמשך להתרעות שהופעלו בעוטף עזה, ככל הנראה יורט שיגור אחד שחצה מדרום רצועת עזה לעבר שטח הארץ
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) August 2, 2025
No Palestinian faction has claimed responsibility for the incident.
The incident comes as the Gaza war approaches its second year. Since October 7, 2023, Israel has killed 60,430 people and injured 148,722, according to the Strip's Health Ministry.
Following the collapse of a ceasefire on March 18, the ministry recorded an additional 9,246 deaths and 36,681 injuries.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq's CF presses for election safeguards
Shafaq News – Baghdad On Tuesday, Iraq's Shiite Coordination Framework (CF) urged the country's leadership to adopt guarantees aimed at securing the integrity of the upcoming parliamentary elections, set for November 11. In an official statement, the bloc—a key political force backing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani—called on the president, al-Sudani, parliament speaker, and chief justice to swiftly approve the framework. While the statement did not specify the proposed safeguards, similar reform demands in recent years have prioritized stricter ballot oversight, biometric voter verification, and the independence of Iraq's High Electoral Commission (IHEC). Other measures typically included tougher penalties for vote buying, transparency in campaign financing, and greater engagement from civil society and international monitors. The November vote will be Iraq's first national election since the disputed 2021 polls, which saw low turnout and widespread allegations of irregularities. According to the IHEC, over 7,900 candidates are competing for 329 parliamentary seats. More than 29 million Iraqis are eligible to vote, following months of work to update voter rolls and biometric data—marking one of the largest electorates in the country's history. However, early campaigning has revived fears of sectarian polarization, with analysts and civil society organizations warning that without meaningful safeguards, inflammatory rhetoric could aggravate political divides and weaken the legitimacy of the outcome.
Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Lebanon: Government to meet amid deep divide over Hezbollah's weapons
Shafaq News – Beirut Lebanon is awaiting the outcome of a government session set to convene shortly at the presidential palace on Tuesday, with a key agenda item focused on the 'exclusive state control over weapons' and the handover of Hezbollah's arms to the Lebanese Army. The session is taking place against the backdrop of a sharp political divide among participating parties. While some are pushing for a formal decision on exclusive state control over arms, others argue that such a step should come only after several conditions are met. These include the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied Lebanese territories, the release of Lebanese detainees captured during the recent war, and a cessation of targeted killings and daily violations of the ceasefire agreement. During a meeting between a Hezbollah parliamentary delegation and Free Patriotic Movement Leader Gebran Bassil, Hezbollah MP Ali Fayyad stated that "what hinders state-building in Lebanon is the Israeli aggression, not Hezbollah." 'The worst-case scenario we must all avoid is turning the issue from a Lebanese-Israeli conflict into a Lebanese-Lebanese one,' Fayyad added, stressing that the solution must begin with the guarantor countries fulfilling their agreed obligations. Lebanese media outlets have published several reported leaks regarding the expected outcome of today's session. Among the most prominent is the possibility that the discussion on exclusive weapons control will be extended to future sessions, amid apparent concern among political factions about destabilizing the country's political and security environment.
Shafaq News
5 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq's vague Protest Law: A tool for control or a framework for rights?
Shafaq News Iraq's parliament has reignited fierce public and political debate after reactivating a contentious draft law regulating peaceful protest and public assembly. The reintroduction of the proposal—formerly stalled since 2023—comes amid mounting pressure to finalize long-delayed legislation before the end of the current parliamentary session. While some lawmakers argue the draft law is essential for formalizing protest rights, critics warn that its vague language and selective revisions threaten to legitimize repression under the guise of regulation. A Narrower Scope, New Definitions Originally titled the Law on Freedom of Expression, Assembly, and Peaceful Demonstration, the current draft removes all references to "freedom of expression" and the "right to knowledge" from both its title and internal articles. Legal experts view this as a deliberate narrowing of the law's scope, excluding speech and media protections that were once central to the bill. The draft also introduces several legal definitions that were previously absent from Iraqi law—such as sit-ins, spontaneous gatherings, and strikes—granting these protest forms a degree of formal recognition. Notably, organizers are no longer required to obtain prior approval to hold a demonstration. Instead, they must notify the local administrative authority 48 hours in advance, providing details on the gathering's topic, location, timing, and names of up to three responsible individuals. Yet while this marks a procedural easing, the law still grants authorities broad discretion to object to or relocate protests for "security" or "organizational" reasons, leaving civil society groups skeptical about how these terms might be applied in practice. Prohibitions, Guarantees, and Grey Areas The revised draft prohibits demonstrators from carrying weapons—even if licensed—or bringing dangerous materials. It also bans wearing face coverings that obscure identity, as well as slogans or signs deemed offensive to 'public order' or 'morals.' These stipulations echo older legislative language that rights groups have long criticized for suppressing dissent and targeting protest movements. On the other hand, the draft offers new protections: it obliges security forces to safeguard peaceful gatherings and limits the use of force to situations where protests turn violent, in line with international standards. It also allows citizens to challenge protest bans before the Court of Appeal, which must rule within 72 hours—a step praised by some legal experts. Additionally, if demonstrators or third parties suffer damages and the perpetrator cannot be identified, the state is responsible for compensation, with the option to seek reimbursement later from the offender. The law also proposes repealing CPA Order No. 19 of 2003, a remnant of US occupation-era legislation governing assembly, and deleting Articles 220 to 222 of the Penal Code, which have historically allowed for the criminalization of protest leaders. For journalists, the draft introduces explicit guarantees allowing them to cover demonstrations freely and seek compensation for physical or material harm. A Struggle Between Liberties and Control Legal advocate Anwar al-Khafaji told Shafaq News that the law exposes an ongoing battle between two political visions: one prioritizing the protection of civil liberties, and another leaning toward increased state control. She cited Amnesty International's earlier warning that the law represents a 'serious setback' and contradicts Iraq's own constitution as well as its obligations under international human rights treaties. While the parliamentary Human Rights Committee claims to have softened some provisions—removing certain criminal penalties—al-Khafaji argued that key clauses remain problematic. These include vague definitions of terms like 'public order,' the ban on face coverings, and the continued restrictions on protest locations and timing. 'Without judicial independence, such ambiguous language can be used to suppress critical voices under the pretext of legality.' The reintroduction of the bill, she said, reflects fears among political elites of renewed mass protests in the lead-up to elections. Legal Objections: At Least 17 Flaws Identified Legal expert Ali al-Tamimi told Shafaq News that the draft contains at least 17 fundamental legal flaws, demanding a comprehensive overhaul. He emphasized that Article 38 of Iraq's constitution guarantees freedom of expression and peaceful assembly—rights that the draft, in its current form, undermines. Al-Tamimi raised concerns over the lack of clear definitions for key terms such as 'sit-in,' 'strike,' 'public order,' and 'morality.' He criticized the proposed role of the Human Rights Commission in resolving protest-related disputes, arguing that such responsibilities should lie with the judiciary to uphold the separation of powers. He also highlighted structural problems: -Notification vs. Authorization: Despite a shift toward a notification model, local authorities can still effectively block protests, undermining the supposed liberalization. -Excessive Police Discretion: Allowing the security apparatus to issue procedural guidelines risks politicizing enforcement. Al-Tamimi recommends placing this responsibility with the Council of Ministers. -Protest Timing Restrictions: The law imposes a 10:00 p.m. curfew on all public and private gatherings, including funerals, weddings, and religious events—raising concerns over cultural and social infringement. -Appeal Mechanisms and Oversight: The draft remains unclear on the appeals process and lacks independent oversight of security conduct during protests. -Database Regulation: Although the law mandates the creation of a protest activity database, it fails to address potential misuse or regulation of private sector data collection. Al-Tamimi also called for replacing custodial sentences with monetary fines and enforcing existing laws that prohibit sectarian and hate-based mobilization. Political Motives Behind the Law Political analyst Mujashaa al-Tamimi warned that the law's vague terms—particularly "public order" and "morality"—could be weaponized to stifle dissent. He argued that in the hands of dominant political parties, the law could legitimize the banning of protests critical of the government, especially as elections approach. 'The legal language is too broad,' he said. 'Without tighter safeguards, this becomes a tool to silence—not protect—citizens.' Al-Tamimi recommended a full legal rewrite in partnership with civil society groups, ensuring any protest regulation remains aligned with international legal norms and that limitations are necessary and proportionate. Hussein al-Mulla, spokesperson for the Digital Media Center (DMC), offered a more pragmatic view, acknowledging the need for legal regulation of protests but stressed that such laws must carefully balance public security with personal freedoms. 'Governments always view protests as threats,' he told Shafaq News. 'But that's exactly why robust legal safeguards are needed—to reassure both the public and the state.'
