Anger as US blocks Gaza ceasefire resolution at UN Security Council

France has tempered expectations regarding the quick recognition of a Palestinian state, stating that any recognition must be substantive rather than "symbolic," according to Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. As France prepares to co-host a UN conference on a two-state solution with Saudi Arabia, President Macron expressed frustration with Israel's aid blockades in Gaza and indicated that France's recognition would aim to encourage other nations to follow suit. Meanwhile, tensions between Israel and France have escalated,...

Jacqueline Rivault, the grandmother of two French children killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza, has filed a legal complaint in Paris, accusing Israel of "genocide" and "murder." The complaint, submitted to the Court of Paris, alleges that an airstrike on October 24, 2023, killed six-year-old Janna and nine-year-old Abderrahim, who were seeking refuge from bombardment. Rivault's complaint explicitly targets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the military, amidst broader discussions of the conflict being...

SummaryUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions on four ICC judges—Solomy Balungi Bossa, Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou, and Beti Hohler—due to their "illegitimate" targeting of Israel and the US, linked to arrest warrants against Israeli officials and investigations into US war crimes. The ICC condemned the sanctions, asserting they undermine its independence and hinder accountability efforts. Rubio criticized the ICC as politicized, claiming it infringes on US sovereignty,...

Israel announced it will continue military strikes in Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed, following an attack on southern Beirut that Lebanese leaders deemed a major violation of a ceasefire. The Israeli military targeted Hezbollah's drone factories shortly before Eid al-Adha, issuing evacuation calls that prompted mass flight from the area. This strike, which Lebanon condemned as an aggression and violation of sovereignty, follows a truce aimed at disarming Hezbollah and maintaining security in the region....

Iran has ordered thousands of tons of ballistic missile ingredients, including ammonium perchlorate from China, to enhance its military capabilities while engaged in nuclear talks with the U.S., as reported by the Wall Street Journal. This shipment, expected to arrive soon, may fuel hundreds of missiles and support militias like the Houthis, reflecting Iran's strategy to strengthen its regional influence amidst ongoing sanctions and military setbacks. The U.S. Treasury has responded by sanctioning individuals...

Pilgrims participating in the hajj performed the "stoning of the devil" ritual on Friday, coinciding with the start of Eid al-Adha, with over 1.6 million Muslims throwing stones at three walls representing the devil. This year's hajj saw a reduced number of participants due to strict measures aimed at ensuring safety in extreme heat, following last year's tragedy that claimed 1,301 lives. The pilgrimage concludes with Eid al-Adha, marked by animal sacrifice, and is a...