live UN halts Strait of Hormuz escort operations after reported attack on cargo ship
The UN's International Maritime Organization has paused escort operations through the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship was reportedly attacked near...
Israel and U.S. are set to discuss the next phases of the Gaza ceasefire plan on 29 December according to the Israeli Prime Minister's office.
Reportedly, the talks will focus on the implementation of future steps and the international stabilisation force outlined in the truce.
Speaking on the upcoming meeting, Shosh Bedrosian, spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, said, “We cannot forget how we got here," adding, "the third phase of this plan will be focused on the de-radicalisation of the Gaza Strip.”
The announcement comes as humanitarian efforts in Gaza continue.
Tensions escalated further on Monday when Israeli authorities entered the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency’s (UNRWA) East Jerusalem offices.
The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the raid.
“This compound remains United Nations premises and is inviolable and immune from any other form of interference,” he said.
“I urge Israel to immediately take all necessary steps to restore, preserve and uphold the inviolability of UNRWA premises and to refrain from taking any further action with regard to UNRWA premises,” Guterres added.
In response, the Jerusalem municipality said tax collectors had entered the UNRWA compound over unpaid property taxes of 11 million shekels ($3.4 million). It was noted that multiple warnings were issued to the UNWRA office and all necessary procedures were followed before the raid.
UNRWA spokesperson Jonathan Fowler said the East Jerusalem compound remained U.N. premises (despite the Israeli ban on its operations) and that the agency had no debts to the municipality.
According to Fowler, the UN had reached out to Israeli authorities repeatedly as a reminder of their obligations under a UN convention to which Israel is a signatory.
Spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian did not answer any questions regarding the raid, instead reiterating Israel’s criticism of the organisation.
"There is a direct connection between UNRWA and Hamas inside of the Gaza Strip, with nearly every terrorist that crossed into Israeli territory to commit genocidal acts against our people on October 7, in fact, an UNRWA school graduate," he concluded.
UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said, via a post on the X platform, that the move by Israel could create "a dangerous precedent anywhere else the UN is present across the world."
He added that during the raid police motorcycles, trucks, and forklifts were brought in and communications were cut. IT equipment, furniture and other property had been seized.
According to the organisation, UNRWA has not used the building since earlier this year after Israel ordered it to vacate all premises and cease its operations.
Italy's aid
Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry of Italy reported that it has evacuated 17 Palestinians, including several children, for medical treatment in Italian hospitals.
The first of three Air Force aircraft were due to land Monday evening, transferring patients to facilities in Rome, Turin, and Pisa.
According to the ministry, this marks Italy’s 17th evacuation mission since the start of the Gaza emergency, demonstrating “continuity, commitment and responsibility.”
Russia has called for clarification on whether U.S. President Donald Trump has changed his position on the war in Ukraine following remarks made at the recent G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains.
As Western Europe battles a deadly heatwave that has shattered temperature records, disrupted transport and power supplies, and forced the closure of schools and cultural landmarks, attention is turning to whether El Niño is playing a role in the extreme conditions.
An earthquake of magnitude 6.9 struck Japan's northeast coast on Thursday, but no tsunami warning was issued, no injuries were immediately reported and no irregularities were found at nuclear facilities, the authorities said.
Israel's defence minister said on Wednesday Israeli troops will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, highlighting a hurdle to Iran-U.S. peace talks, as the top U.S. diplomat tours the Middle East to win over allies sceptical about a proposed deal.
The U.S. Senate rejected a resolution on Wednesday that would have directed President Donald Trump to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress formally authorised military action.
At least 235 people have been confirmed dead one day after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela. Hundreds of people are believed to be trapped under rubble and tens of thousands are unaccounted for, as emergency crews and international rescue teams race to respond.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 26 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Power was fully or partly cut across the Russian-held part of Ukraine’s Kherson region early on Friday (26 June), according to the Moscow-installed governor Vladimir Saldo.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has warned Ukraine not to try to draw his country into the war, saying any such move would change the conflict "instantly".
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has formally notified Congress of its intention to sell more than $700 million worth of jet engines to Türkiye. The move drew objections from lawmakers over Ankara’s continued possession of Russian-made S-400 air defence systems.
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