Unprecedented strikes: Iranian missiles hit Tel Aviv Airport, Haifa Port
Fars News Agency released footage reportedly showing a direct Iranian missile strike on Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, with Haifa Port also being targeted.
The agency announced that the retaliatory Iranian attack specifically aimed at buildings belonging to Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems arms manufacturer. Tasnim News Agency also confirmed that 'Iranian missiles struck the Ben Gurion Airport area in Tel Aviv.'
Sunday's evening, Iran struck strategic Israeli locations in several areas. Widely circulated video clips showed flames rising from missile impact sites at Haifa Port. The Israeli Fire and Rescue Authority reported that two residential buildings suffered direct hits in the Coastal District, and another residential building was struck in the Southern District.
Israel's Channel 12 reported that one of the Iranian missiles directly hit a synagogue.
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Al-Ahram Weekly
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- Al-Ahram Weekly
Macron decision to recognise Palestinian state meets criticism from right and praise from left
France defended its decision to recognise Palestinian statehood amid domestic far-right and US criticism but praise from the pro-Palestinian left at home. President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that his country would formally recognise a Palestinian state during a UN meeting in September, the most powerful European nation to announce such a move. Macron's announcement drew condemnation from Israel, which said it "rewards terror", while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it "reckless" and said it "only serves Hamas propaganda". Mike Huckabee, US ambassador to Israel, quipped that Macron did not say where a future Palestinian state would be located. "I can now exclusively disclose that France will offer the French Riviera & the new nation will be called "Franc-en-Stine", he said on X. Hamas itself -- which is designated a terrorist group by the United States and the European Union -- praised the French initiative, saying it was "a positive step in the right direction toward doing justice to our oppressed Palestinian people". But French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Friday argued that Macron's initiative went against what the militant group wanted. "Hamas has always ruled out a two-state solution. By recognising Palestine, France goes against that terrorist organisation," Barrot said on X. With its decision, France was "backing the side of peace against the side of war", Barrot added. Domestic reactions ranged from praise on the left, condemnation on the right and awkward silence in the ranks of the government itself. 'Counter-productive', 'pointless' The leader of the far-right National Rally (RN), Jordan Bardella, said the announcement was "rushed" and afforded Hamas "unexpected institutional and international legitimacy". On the other side of the political spectrum Jean-Luc Melenchon, boss of the far-left France Unbowed party, called Macron's announcement "a moral victory", although he deplored that it did not take effect immediately. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, a right-winger whose relationship with Macron is tense, declined on Friday to give his opinion, saying he was currently busy with an unrelated "serious topic" linked to the "security of French people on holiday". But the vice president of his party, Les Républicains, Xavier Bellamy, blasted the decision as possibly "counter-productive" or, at best, "pointless". The move risked "endangering Israeli civilians" as well as "Palestinian civilians who are victims of Hamas's barbarism", he said. Bellamy said that Macron's move was a departure from the president's previously set conditions for recognition of Palestine, which included a Hamas demilitarisation, the movement's exclusion from any future government, the liberation of all Israeli hostages in Gaza and the recognition of Israel by several Arab states. "None of them have been met," he said. While France would be the most significant European country to recognise a Palestinian state, others have hinted they could do the same. Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced he would hold a call on Friday with counterparts in Germany and France on efforts to stop the fighting, adding that a ceasefire would "put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state". Norway, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia all announced recognition following the outbreak of the Gaza conflict, along with several other non-European countries. Once France follows through on its announcement, a total of at least 142 countries will have recognised Palestinian statehood. *This story was edited by Ahram Online. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
See - Sada Elbalad
an hour ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
France to Join 143 Nations, Including Most of Europe, in Recognizing State of Palestine at UN in September
Ahmed Emam French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will officially recognize the State of Palestine during the United Nations General Assembly in New York this September, joining 143 countries worldwide — including the majority of European states — that have already extended diplomatic recognition to Palestine. 'In line with our historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine,' Macron said in a statement posted on his official X and Instagram accounts. 'I will make this recognition official during the UN General Assembly this September.' The French president stressed the urgency of ending the war in Gaza and protecting civilians. 'The need is urgent today to end the war in Gaza and save civilians. Ultimately, we must build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability, and allow it—on the condition that it agrees to be demilitarized and fully recognizes Israel—to contribute to the security of all in the Middle East,' he said. In a letter addressed to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Macron described France's decision as a 'decisive contribution toward peace in the Middle East,' and said Paris would coordinate with international partners willing to support the move. France's declaration follows recent recognitions by Ireland, Spain, Norway, and Slovenia, and is expected to further amplify European momentum toward Palestinian statehood. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
Al-Ahram Weekly
2 hours ago
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US and Israel pull out of ceasefire talks as Gaza reels under war and starvation - War on Gaza
The United States and Israel have pulled their negotiating teams out of ceasefire talks in Qatar, despite Hamas reaffirming its 'keenness to continue the negotiations', and as Gaza faces mass starvation and devastation under Israel's genocidal war, which has killed tens of thousands and reduced the territory to rubble. President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, announced the US withdrawal on Thursday, blaming Hamas for the failure to reach an agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office also recalled its negotiating team in response to Hamas's latest position, offering no further details. In a statement released early Friday, Hamas said it had offered its final answer following wide consultations with Palestinian factions, mediators and governments in the region. It said it had dealt positively with all the feedback it received, reflecting a 'true commitment' to making the efforts of the mediators successful and to 'deal constructively' with the presented initiatives. It reaffirmed its 'keenness to continue the negotiations and to engage in a way that would ease obstacles and ensure reaching a permanent ceasefire.' The US/Isreali move to pull back out of the ceasefire talks comes amid widespread condemnation by dozens of international aid organisations and Western, Arab, and muslim nations of the Israeli policies of starving 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza as Tel Aviv continues its 21-month genocidal war on the strip. The international and regional condemnation of Israel and the US's unfaltering support of its ally Tel Aviv has increased by the day as images of tens of dead, emaciated people, including children, sent shivers down the spines of millions around the world. On Thursday, health officials in Gaza confirmed that at least 40 Palestinians, including many children and the elderly, died in July alone from complications of starvation. Israel has blocked the entry of all food, water, and medical supplies to Gaza since 2 March to starve the population. Gazans have not seen any meat, poultry, fish or milk for nearly five months and were seeking flour from so-called humanitarian aid centres set up by the US and Israel. Israeli troops have killed nearly 1,000 aid seekers since mid-May, prompting widespread international condemnation. Despite Hamas's stated willingness to continue talks, Witkoff claimed: 'While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith. We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza.' State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott declined to explain what 'alternative options' the US is considering to free captives held by Hamas. Hamas, which has consistently demanded a permanent ceasefire, an end to Israel's blockade, and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, said it was surprised by Witkoff's 'negative remarks'. In a separate statement, the group said it had shown responsibility and flexibility during the negotiations and was 'keen to reach an agreement that ends the aggression and the suffering of our people in Gaza.' When pressed on how the US would proceed in seeking a truce, Pigott offered no clarity, telling reporters: 'This is a very dynamic situation.' He insisted the US remained committed to a ceasefire, while again blaming Hamas for the lack of progress. Negotiators have held weeks of indirect talks in Qatar, with only minor signs of movement and no substantive breakthrough. A key point of contention remains the status and redeployment of Israeli forces after any ceasefire. Witkoff said the US is 'resolute' in seeking an end to the war in Gaza and added it was 'a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way.' The White House declined to comment. The deal under discussion was expected to include an initial 60-day ceasefire, during which Hamas would release 10 living captives and the remains of 18 others in phases, in exchange for Palestinians arbitrarily detained by Israel. The agreement would also lift Israel's blockade, allowing the free flow of humanitarian aid, and pave the way for talks on a permanent ceasefire. The Israeli genocidal war on Gaza has killed and wounded nearly 200,000 Palestinians and destroyed most of the strip. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
