Latest news with #NirElias
Express Tribune
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
European ministers push for diplomacy as Iran-Israel conflict escalates
A rescuer stands inside a damaged building following a strike from Iran on Israel, in Ramat Gan, Israel, on June 19 [Nir Elias/Reuters] Listen to article As the Israel-initiated conflict with Iran intensifies with fresh exchange of missile strikes, the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany are preparing for a planned diplomatic meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva on Friday. On Thursday, Iranian missile strikes caused heavy damage across central and southern Israel, including a direct hit near Soroka Medical Centre in Be'er Sheva. Israel confirmed incoming attacks in multiple locations and responded with airstrikes targeting Iran's Khondab nuclear facility, raising fears of a wider regional escalation. Iranian state media reported that the Khondab heavy-water reactor had been evacuated before the Israeli strike, with no radiation risk detected. In Holon near Tel Aviv, a missile strike seriously injured one person and wounded over two dozen others as a residential building collapsed. Read: France to propose plan to end Iran-Israel conflict Israeli reports also claimed that a part of a hospital's roof had collapsed due to shockwave from an Iranian strike, prompting an evacuation and warnings to the public to stay away. "The military infrastructure was a precise and direct target," IRNA reported via Telegram. Israeli attacks on Iran have killed more than 240 people, including at least 70 women and children, according to Iranian authorities. Other media sources have reported a higher death toll on the Iranian side. In retaliation, Iran's missile attacks on Israel have killed at least 24 people and injured more than 800 others, according to officials in Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, Iranian media state that the Israeli assault has resulted in 585 deaths and over 1,300 injuries in Iran. UN watchdog fails to act as Israel attacks nuclear facilities in violation of international law In a statement published by state media IRNA on Thursday, Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation said the attack struck both the Khondab research reactor and the adjoining heavy water complex. Iran also revealed that repeated warnings had been submitted to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) about potential Israeli threats, but claimed the UN's nuclear watchdog had taken no action to prevent the attacks. Read: Israel-Iran conflict enters fifth day with ongoing missile strikes EU foreign ministers to hold meeting with Iranian counterpart The planned meeting, pending final confirmation from Tehran, could be the first high-level Western-Iranian contact since Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched attacks on Iran, if approved. On the other hand Araghchi, who spoke to his European counterparts via phone earlier this week, has so far declined to meet Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff. He has cited ongoing Israeli attacks — allegedly sanctioned by Washington — as the reason. "It is impossible to engage while under assault," Araghchi said. Discussions on Friday are expected to focus on Iran's nuclear programme and potential limitations. Tehran has signalled willingness to reduce its nuclear activity but insists it will not surrender unconditionally. By now, the whole world should know that: (1) Iran solely acts in self-defense. Even in the face of the most outrageous aggression against our people, Iran has so far only retaliated against the Israeli regime and not those who are aiding and abetting it. Just like Netanyahu… — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 18, 2025 Posting late Wednesday on social media, Araghchi maintained that Iran was acting in self-defence. 'Iran has proven in action what it has always publicly committed itself to: we have never sought and will never seek nuclear weapons,' he wrote. He stressed that Iran remains open to diplomacy — excluding any talks with Israel. Israel claims interception of Iranian drones Israeli media reported that Iran has launched approximately 1,000 drones toward Israel since the conflict erupted on June 13. Channel 12 News said fewer than 200 of those drones reached Israeli territory, and none hit their intended targets. The latest exchange follows warnings from Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who said any US strikes on Iranian territory would have 'serious irreparable consequences'. Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Wednesday, President Donald Trump declined to say if he had made any decision on whether to join Israel's air campaign. "I may do it. I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do," he said. While no final decision has been announced, Trump confirmed that security consultations were ongoing with Israeli leadership. Read more: Israeli strikes kill 140 in Gaza in 24 hours as focus shifts to Iran conflict Amid rising tensions, the US embassy in Qatar restricted access for American personnel to the Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military installation in the Middle East. A public advisory urged heightened vigilance, citing 'an abundance of caution'. Japanese survivors of 1945 atomic bombings condemn Israeli attacks The strike drew condemnation from Nihon Hidankyo, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning organisation representing survivors of the 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In a statement published by Japan's Jiji Press, the group expressed "strong indignation and anxiety," calling for an immediate ceasefire. "Attacks on nuclear facilities should never be tolerated," they said, adding that the world must learn from the tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and reject weapons of mass destruction entirely.
GMA Network
13-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
After Israel strikes Iran, airlines divert flights, airspace closed
File photo of the entrance of Ben Gurion Airport, following a missile attack launched from Yemen, in Tel Aviv, Israel May 4, 2025. REUTERS/ Nir Elias SEOUL, South Korea - Airlines cleared out of the airspace over Israel, Iran and Iraq and Jordan on Friday after Israel launched attacks on targets in Iran, Flightradar24 data showed, with carriers scrambling to divert and cancel flights to keep passengers and crew safe. Proliferating conflict zones around the world are becoming an increasing burden on airline operations and profitability, and more of a safety concern. Six commercial aircraft have been shot down unintentionally and three nearly missed since 2001, according to aviation risk consultancy Osprey Flight Solutions. Israel on Friday said it targeted Iran's nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders at the start of what it warned would be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon. Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport was closed until further notice, and Israel's air defense units stood at high alert for possible retaliatory strikes from Iran. Israeli flag carrier El Al Airlines said it had suspended flights to and from Israel. Iranian airspace has been closed until further notice, according to state media and notices to pilots. As reports of strikes on Iran emerged, a number of commercial flights by airlines including Dubai's Emirates, Lufthansa and Air India were flying over Iran. Air India, which overflies Iran for its Europe and North American flights, said several flights were being diverted or returned to their origin, including ones from New York, Vancouver, Chicago and London. Emirates and Lufthansa did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Iraq early on Friday closed its airspace and suspended all traffic at its airports, Iraqi state media reported. Eastern Iraq near the border with Iran contains one of the world's busiest air corridors, with dozens of flights crossing between Europe and the Gulf, many on routes from Asia to Europe, at any one moment. Flights steadily diverted over Central Asia or Saudi Arabia, flight tracking data showed. Jordan, which sits between Israel and Iraq, closed its airspace several hours after the Israeli campaign began. "The situation is still emerging - operators should use a high degree of caution in the region at this time," according to Safe Airspace, a website run by OPSGROUP, a membership-based organisation that shares flight risk information. Several flights due to land in Dubai were diverted early on Friday. An Emirates flight from Manchester to Dubai was diverted to Istanbul and a flydubai flight from Belgrade diverted to Yerevan, Armenia. Budget carrier flydubai said it had suspended flights to Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Iran and Israel and a number of other flights had been cancelled, rerouted or returned to their departure airports. Qatar Airways cancelled its two scheduled flights to Damascus on Friday, Flightradar24 data shows. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Middle East since October 2023 led to commercial aviation sharing the skies with short-notice barrages of drones and missiles across major flight paths – some of which were reportedly close enough to be seen by pilots and passengers. Airspace in the Middle East last year was crossed daily by 1,400 flights to and from Europe, Eurocontrol data show. Last year, planes were shot down by weaponry in Kazakhstan and in Sudan. These incidents followed the high-profile downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014 and of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 en route from Tehran in 2020. — Reuters
Barnama
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Gaza Aid Ship Activists Vow To Press On With Campaign
Gaza-bound British-flagged yacht "Madleen" is docked next to a military boat Ashdod port following a takeover by the Israeli army, in Ashdod, Israel, June 10, 2025. REUTERS/Nir Elias BERLIN, June 13 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Two activists detained by Israel after attempting to break the Gaza blockade returned to Berlin on Thursday, strongly criticising Israeli military actions and pledging to continue their humanitarian mission, Anadolu Ajansi reported. Turkish citizen Suayb Ordu and German citizen Yasemin Acar arrived at Berlin-Brandenburg Airport (BER), where they were greeted by a crowd of Palestine supporters. Amid emotional scenes and chants supporting Palestine, supporters presented flowers to both activists. Speaking to reporters, Ordu said their experience of risking their lives on board the Gaza-bound boat Madleen was minor compared to the immense suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. bootstrap slideshow "The lives of Gazans are as valuable as all of our lives," he said, emphasising their commitment to continue the humanitarian campaign. "Everyone should follow the 'March to Gaza.' There must be no barriers. The blockade needs to end – both by land and sea. People continue to die from bombardment. Our sole purpose is to stop this war, to stop this genocide." His wife Sumeyra, fighting back tears during the reunion, affirmed their commitment: "We won't give up until the Gaza blockade is broken." German citizen Acar condemned Israeli authorities for illegally seizing the Madleen boat in international waters and forcibly detaining the peaceful activists for several days. 'They kidnapped us, against our will, brought us and jailed us for almost four days,' Acar said. 'They are breaching international law while occupying Gaza. And the international community needs to stop its complicity. They need to stop sending weapons. They need to send aid instead of weapons,' she said. The British-flagged vessel Madleen departed Sicily, Italy on June 6 bound for Gaza, attempting to break Israel's naval blockade of the enclave. The territory has seen over 55,000 deaths from Israeli military operations since October 2023, while 2 million Palestinians risk famine due to restrictions on humanitarian aid. Israeli forces seized the Madleen in international waters early Monday and detained its 12-strong crew.
Reuters
07-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
EU urges Israel to lift Gaza blockade, warns against new aid delivery plan
High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas visits Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, in Jerusalem, March 24, 2025. REUTERS/Nir Elias/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights , opens new tab BRUSSELS, May 7 (Reuters) - The European Union renewed an urgent call on Wednesday for Israel to immediately lift the blockade on Gaza, allowing humanitarian aid to reach those in need, and warned against Israel's planned new aid delivery mechanism "As the occupying power, Israel is obliged under international law to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches the population in need," said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Crisis Management Commissioner Hadja Lahbib, and Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica in a joint statement. The Reuters Tariff Watch newsletter is your daily guide to the latest global trade and tariff news. Sign up here. Advertisement · Scroll to continue The statement also urged a ceasefire and the immediate release of hostages, while expressing concern over a new aid delivery system approved by Israel on May 4. The statement said the new system undermined humanitarian principles by outsourcing aid distribution to non-humanitarian actors and private security firms — a move criticized by the U.N. and aid groups. Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout, Editing by William Maclean Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab Share X Facebook Linkedin Email Link Purchase Licensing Rights
Straits Times
06-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Airlines suspend flights to Israel after Houthi attack on airport
A security personnel stands at the entrance of Ben Gurion Airport following a missile attack launched from Yemen, in Tel Aviv, Israel May 4, 2025. REUTERS/Nir Elias Airlines suspend flights to Israel after Houthi attack on airport Some global airlines have again halted their flights to and from Tel Aviv after a missile fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels towards Israel on Sunday landed near the country's main international airport. Foreign airlines had begun to resume flights to Israel after a ceasefire deal with Palestinian militant group Hamas in January. Many carriers had halted them for much of the last year and a half since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Below are carriers that have again cancelled their flights after Sunday's attack: AEGEAN AIRLINES The Greek airline said it would cancel its flights to Tel Aviv on May 5 and May 6. AIR EUROPA The Spanish airline cancelled its flights to and from Tel Aviv until May 7. AIR FRANCE-KLM The group's Dutch arm KLM suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv until May 30. Air France had cancelled flights on May 4. AIR INDIA The Indian flag carrier said that flights to and from Tel Aviv would remain suspended until May 6. DELTA AIR LINES The U.S. carrier said its flights to and from Tel Aviv may be impacted between May 4 and May 11. ITA AIRWAYS The Italian carrier decided to suspend flights to and from Tel Aviv until May 6. LUFTHANSA GROUP The German airline group decided to suspend its flights to and from Tel Aviv through May 11. RYANAIR Europe's biggest budget airline cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv from May 4 to May 6. UNITED AIRLINES The Chicago-based airline said its flights to and from Tel Aviv may be impacted between May 4 and May 11. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
