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Al-Ahram Weekly
an hour ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Haaretz reveals Israeli orders to fire on Gazans waiting for humanitarian aid, Netanyahu dismisses report - War on Gaza
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday rejected a report that the country's military commanders ordered their soldiers to fire at Palestinians seeking humanitarian aid in Gaza. In an article titled "It's a killing field': IDF soldiers ordered to shoot deliberately at unarmed Gaza's waiting for humanitarian aid", left-leaning daily Haaretz earlier quoted unnamed soldiers as saying commanders ordered troops to shoot at crowds near aid distribution centres to disperse them even when they posed no threat. The allegations followed repeated reports by eyewitnesses and local authorities over recent weeks of deadly incidents around aid distribution centres in the territory, where Israeli forces are battling Hamas militants. Haaretz said the military advocate general, the force's top legal authority, had instructed the force to investigate "suspected war crimes" at aid sites. When asked by AFP, the Israeli military declined to comment on that particular claim. Netanyahu said in a joint statement with Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel "absolutely rejects the contemptible blood libels" and "malicious falsehoods" in the Haaretz article. The military said in a separate statement that it "did not instruct the forces to deliberately shoot at civilians, including those approaching the distribution centres". It added that Israeli military "directives prohibit deliberate attacks on civilians." After more than 20 months of devastating conflict, rights groups say Gaza's population of more than two million faces famine-like conditions. The health ministry in Gaza says more than 500 people have been killed near aid centres since late May, when a new US- and Israeli-backed foundation began distributing aid. On Friday, 62 civilians were killed from Israeli airstrikes and gunfire across Gaza The privately run Gaza Humanitarian Foundation denies that deadly incidents have occurred in the immediate vicinity of its aid points. Netanyahu and Katz added in their statement: "The soldiers of the (Israeli military) receive clear orders to avoid harming innocents -- and operate accordingly." Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
an hour ago
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Madrid coach Alonso hoping Mbappé is 'back soon' at Club World Cup after illness
Mbappé was hospitalized last week with acute gastroenteritis and has not played a minute of the tournament so far. Despite being back in training, he was not even named as a substitute for Thursday's 3-0 win against RB Salzburg. "I don't want to be optimistic and get ahead of myself, but we need him because he's a top player, one of the best in the world. We hope he's back soon,' Alonso said when asked about Mbappé's availability for the round of 16 game against Juventus on Tuesday. Mbappé is one of the biggest stars at the expanded Club World Cup being staged in the United States and his absence has been a blow to a tournament FIFA president Gianni Infantino wants to become one of the biggest events in the sport. Infantino managed to get Lionel Messi into the tournament when Inter Miami was granted entry despite not winning the MLS Cup and encouraged teams to try to sign Cristiano Ronaldo during a specially created transfer window before the first game kicked off this month. Mbappé, along with Messi and Erling Haaland, is one of the top attractions, but his headlines have been limited to off-field issues. As well as his illness, he also made the news this week when it emerged he had filed a moral harassment case against former club Paris Saint-Germain. He unhappy with the way he was treated by this year's Champions League winner when he was sidelined after his decision not to extend his contract with the club in 2023. Mbappé is also at odds with PSG, arguing he is owed 55 million euros ($61 million) in unpaid wages. None of this is helping Madrid's bid to become the first team to lift the new Club World Cup and the golden trophy crafted by Tiffany & Co. The 26-year-old Mbappe was Madrid's top scorer last season, with 43 goals in 56 appearances. He had been following specific medical treatment to recover from gastroenteritis, Madrid said, but has missed two games since being discharged from hospital. 'We need him and we want him back as soon as possible and in the best possible condition," Alonso said. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
More than 1 million empty seats for Club World Cup group stage. Knockout rounds up next
Nine teams that advanced to the round of 16 are from Europe along with four from Brazil and one each from Major League Soccer, Mexico and Saudi Arabia. About 56.7% of publicly listed capacity was filled for the 48 group stage matches, which included crowds of 3,412 and 6,730 in Orlando, Florida; 5,282 and 8,239 in Cincinnati. FIFA did not provide specific capacities for the tournament despite repeated requests from The Associated Press. Total announced attendance was 1.67 million from 2.95 million capacity, an average of 34,759. Just 44.9% was filled for five matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the site of next year's World Cup final, and 50% at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, where the 1994 championship game was played. Among other 2026 sites, 81.8% of capacity was filled in Miami Gardens, Florida, 61.6% in Philadelphia, 52% in Seattle and 44.3% in Atlanta. FIFA spokesman Bryan Swanson did not respond to a request for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to discuss the tournament and attendance. FIFA issued a statement that said: 'The appetite of the tournament speaks for itself: fans from 168 countries have already purchased tickets ... a clear sign of global anticipation and reach.' The 12 games televised with English commentary on TNT, TBS and truTV averaged 360,000 viewers through Monday, including 409,000 for seven matches on nights and weekends. Seven of eight quarterfinal spots could be European clubs The second round opens Saturday with an all-Brazilian matchup of Palmeiras and Botafogo, followed by Chelsea-Benfica later in the day. Sunday starts with the high-profile meeting of Inter Miami and Lionel Messi against European champion Paris Saint-Germain and is followed by Bayern Munich-Flamengo. Inter Milan-Fluminese and Manchester City-Al Hilal are on Monday, and Real Madrid-Juventus and Borussia Dortmund-Monterrey on Tuesday. European teams won 16 of the 17 previous editions of an eight-team Club World Cup, the lone exception a 2012 victory by Brazil's Corinthians over Chelsea. Manchester City is the only team that went 3-0 in the group stage. Watching the weather Five of the 12 stadiums being used are sites for next year's World Cup, which will have 104 matches instead of 64 and many more games lacking prestigious teams and players. There were five weather delays in the Club World Cup group stage and temperatures at times rose well over 90 degrees (32 Celsius), a sign that climate change could impact next year's World Cup. However, four of the stadiums for next year's tournament have roofs and climate control. Mbappe's been a no show Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, among soccer's top stars, didn't play a minute of the group stage, having been hospitalized and treated for acute gastroenteritis. He drew attention this week when the Paris prosecutor's office said he filed a moral harassment case against PSG, his former club. 'I don't want to be optimistic and get ahead of myself, but we need him because he's a top player, one of the best in the world. We hope he's back soon,' Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said Thursday. Messi back on the world stage Messi, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner who turned 38 on Tuesday, has helped Miami reach the knockout phase with moments of brilliance. He hit the goal frame twice in the opening draw against Al Ahly, then scored his 68th free kick goal for club and country in the 2-1 win over Porto. Next up is the game against PSG, Messi's team from 2021-23. Brilliant Brazil All four entrants from Brazil have advanced to the round of 16, with Botafogo beating PSG 1-0 in a matchup of current European and South American champions. Flamengo, Palmeiras and Fluminense are also through to the next stage. Find more details on group standings, match schedules, and competition statistics (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Madrid coach Alonso hoping Mbappe is 'back soon' at Club World Cup after illness
Mbappé was hospitalized last week with acute gastroenteritis and has not played a minute of the tournament so far. Despite being back in training, he was not even named as a substitute for Thursday's 3-0 win against RB Salzburg. "I don't want to be optimistic and get ahead of myself, but we need him because he's a top player, one of the best in the world. We hope he's back soon,' Alonso said when asked about Mbappé's availability for the round of 16 game against Juventus on Tuesday. Mbappé is one of the biggest stars at the expanded Club World Cup being staged in the United States and his absence has been a blow to a tournament FIFA president Gianni Infantino wants to become one of the biggest events in the sport. Infantino managed to get Lionel Messi into the tournament when Inter Miami was granted entry despite not winning the MLS Cup and encouraged teams to try to sign Cristiano Ronaldo during a specially created transfer window before the first game kicked off this month. Mbappé, along with Messi and Erling Haaland, is one of the top attractions, but his headlines have been limited to off-field issues. As well as his illness, he also made the news this week when it emerged he had filed a moral harassment case against former club Paris Saint-Germain. He unhappy with the way he was treated by this year's Champions League winner when he was sidelined after his decision not to extend his contract with the club in 2023. Mbappé is also at odds with PSG, arguing he is owed 55 million euros ($61 million) in unpaid wages. None of this is helping Madrid's bid to become the first team to lift the new Club World Cup and the golden trophy crafted by Tiffany & Co. The 26-year-old Mbappe was Madrid's top scorer last season, with 43 goals in 56 appearances. He had been following specific medical treatment to recover from gastroenteritis, Madrid said, but has missed two games since being discharged from hospital. 'We need him and we want him back as soon as possible and in the best possible condition," Alonso said. Find more details on group standings, match schedules, and competition statistics (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Pyramids FC start Intercontinental Cup 2025 campaign against Auckland City mid-September - Egyptian Football
Egyptian CAF Champions League winners Pyramids FC will begin their 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup campaign against New Zealand's Auckland City FC on 14 September. The Egyptian side secured their spot in the prestigious tournament after clinching the CAF Champions League title, defeating South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns 3-2 on aggregate in the final. In addition to their Intercontinental Cup berth, Pyramids FC also qualified for the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup. FIFA officially notified Pyramids FC of the Intercontinental Cup fixture dates in a letter sent on Friday. The match will take place at Air Defense Stadium in Cairo on 14 September, with the winner set to face Asian Champions League winners Ahli Jeddah of Saudi Arabia on 23 September. Pyramids FC made history last season by securing their first-ever African title. After drawing 1-1 in the first leg in Pretoria, they triumphed 2-1 in the second leg at home, sealing a 3-2 aggregate win over Mamelodi Sundowns. The team's victory marked a milestone as they became the fourth Egyptian club to win the prestigious title, joining the ranks of Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Ismaily. The FIFA Intercontinental Cup, which debuted in 2024 in Qatar, features the club champions from each of FIFA's six confederations. The competition follows a knockout format, with the European champion receiving a bye to the final. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
