UN experts urges safe passage for Freedom Flotilla carrying Gaza aid – Middle East Monitor

Thousands of Israelis marched in Jerusalem's annual Pride event under heavy police presence, marking the 10th anniversary of Shira Banki's murder by a Jewish extremist during the 2015 parade. Participants, including Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who was the first president to attend since Banki's death, honored her memory and advocated against violence. Despite the presence of anti-LGBT counter-protesters, the event emphasized support for LGBTQ rights, reflecting Israel's influential LGBTQ community amidst ongoing conservative opposition. Full...

SummaryOver 130 news outlets and press freedom organizations urged Israel to lift its ban on international media access to Gaza and to enhance protections for Palestinian journalists. The Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders stated that the situation is unprecedented in modern warfare, with nearly 200 journalists killed and many facing threats. They emphasized the necessity for journalists to report freely and safely as Israel's military actions continue, highlighting the vital role of...

Rights groups, lawyers, and some governments are labeling the Gaza war as "genocide" and calling for a ceasefire, a term that Israel, formed after the Holocaust, firmly rejects. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 54,000 civilians in Gaza since Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,218 people in Israel, leading to global outrage and allegations of genocide from various organizations, including Amnesty International. While the International Court of Justice has...

Residents of Tripoli are preparing for Eid al-Adha in a fragile calm following deadly clashes between rival armed groups last month, with many expressing skepticism about lasting peace. Despite a semblance of normalcy, concerns linger about potential violence after the holiday, particularly among families affected by the recent turmoil, which resulted in at least eight deaths. The ongoing political division in Libya, marked by a power struggle between the UN-recognized government in Tripoli and a...

Bugesera, a district 45km south of Kigali, Rwanda, currently lacks significant development but is poised for transformation through a major airport complex project supported by Qatari funding. Rwandan President Paul Kagame envisions this project as a key element of his legacy, aiming to turn Rwanda from the site of a tragic genocide in 1994 into a prosperous commercial hub and tourist destination, particularly for gorilla trekking. Additionally, Kagame aspires to establish Africa's only Formula One...

On Thursday, Muslim worshippers gathered on Mount Arafat for the peak of the hajj pilgrimage while Saudi authorities urged them to avoid the intense midday heat following last year's tragedy, where 1,301 pilgrims died due to extreme temperatures. The government has expanded shaded areas, increased medical staff, and deployed cooling units to mitigate heat risks, while also cracking down on unregistered pilgrims who contributed to last year's fatalities. Despite the heat reaching 42°C (107.6°F), many...