World

Iran starts attacking Israel with drones and missiles

Sunday, 14 April 2024

Iran has launched large-scale attacks on Israel with drones and missiles. This is being said to be Israel's retaliation after the attack on Iran's Consulate in Syria.

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has said that the attack was aimed at targeting 'specific targets'.

Israeli army sources have said that more than 100 drones have been released. According to CBS News, America has shot down some drones.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) say that 'those threats are being stopped where necessary.' Israel's Prime Minister has called a meeting of the War Cabinet.

After Iran's attack, sirens were heard in Israel and a huge explosion was heard in Jerusalem as Israel's air defense systems dropped several objects in the city.

It is not yet clear whether any drones have reached Israel yet or not. Iran is 1,800 kilometers away from Israel. At the same time, America has not told where it has dropped the drones.

Israel, Lebanon and Iraq have closed their airspace and Syria and Jordan have put their air defense systems on alert.

After Israel's attack on Iran's Consulate in Syria on April 1, 2024, Iran had spoken of revenge. Seven military officers including a top commander of Iran were killed in this attack.

While Iran held Israel responsible for this attack, Israel neither confirmed nor rejected it.

"Iran has launched direct attacks against the State of Israel from Iranian soil," IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said.

“We are closely watching the Iranian killer drones that Iran is sending coming towards Israel. This is a very serious and dangerous increase.”

Daniel Hagari has said that Israel's Air Force aircraft are ready to face any kind of threat in the air.

After Iran released the drone, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the country's defense systems have been put to work.

"We are prepared for any situation, whether defensive or offensive. The State of Israel is strong. The IDF is strong. The people are strong."

Netanyahu said that along with America, he appreciates Britain, France and many other countries for supporting us.

Earlier this week, Israel's defense and foreign ministers warned that if Iran attacked Israel, it would retaliate inside Iran.

After the news of the Iranian attack, US National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said that President Biden is determined to protect Israel.

"The United States will stand with the people of Israel and defend them against these threats from Iran," Adrienne Watson said.

"President Biden has been clear. Our support for Israel's security remains steadfast."

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has condemned Iran's attacks and promised to stand up for the security of Israel and all its regional partners.

The IRGC, the most powerful branch of the Iranian military, says it carried out the attack in retaliation for Israel's repeated crimes, including an attack on Iran's consulate in the Syrian capital, Damascus.

Iran names attack on Israel as "Operation True Promise"

Sunday, 14 April 2024

The Iranian military issued a statement saying the attack was against Israel's "persistent crimes."

Iran has also held Israel responsible for the attack on the Syrian Consulate on April 1, 2024.

In the military statement issued by Iran, the attack has been named "Operation True Promise".

Information about the type of attack has not been given in the statement.

What has been known so far. According to him, Iran's Air Force has launched dozens of missiles and drones towards Israel.

On April 1, 2024, Iran's Consulate was attacked in the Syrian capital, Damascus. Iran had held Israel responsible for this.

Israel has not taken direct responsibility for this attack.

13 people including a senior Iranian commander were killed in this attack.

The dead included Brigadier-General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, commander of Iran's elite Quds Force, and his deputy Brigadier-General Mohammad Hadi Haji-Rahimi.

However, Iran had made it clear that it would definitely take revenge for this attack.

What did US President Joe Biden say about Iran's attack on Israel?

Sunday, 14 April 2024

In view of Iran's attacks on Israel, US President Joe Biden has held a meeting at the White House.

The White House said that Iran could launch more airstrikes on Israel in the next few hours.

The US President said, "We are committed to Israel's security against threats from Iran and we stand strong for it."

National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said, "President Joe Biden is being continuously updated on the situation by the national security team."

Adrienne Watson said, “His team remains in constant contact with Israeli authorities. Contact is also maintained with other colleagues."

"Joe Biden's message is very clear that we will provide full support for Israel's security. America will stand up for the people of Israel and will provide full support to Israel's security against threats from Iran."

PM Modi's statement on Kachchathivu Island: Congress raised many questions on the stance of External Affairs Minister Jaishankar

Monday, April 1, 2024

A round of allegations and counter-allegations has started after the response to an RTI application filed on the Indian Government's decision to hand over Kachchathivu island to Sri Lanka in 1974.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday, March 31, 2024, raised the issue of this island going to Sri Lanka and held the then Congress government responsible.

After this, on Monday, April 1, 2024, two senior Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and P Chidambaram raised questions on the intentions of the Modi government.

These leaders referred to the response to another RTI application filed in this regard in 2015, during the first term of the Modi government.

Jairam Ramesh surrounded Jaishankar

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh cornered S Jaishankar, who was the Foreign Secretary of India and now the External Affairs Minister of India, in 2015.

Jairam Ramesh wrote on social media site X, "Is the current External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, denying the response of the Ministry of External Affairs on January 27, 2015, when he was the Foreign Secretary?"

Jairam Ramesh said, "In 2015, in response to an RTI query on Kachchhativu, the Ministry of External Affairs had said that this (agreement) did not involve the acquisition or relinquishment of territory belonging to India, because the territory in question was "It was never demarcated. Under the agreement, Kachchathivu Island lies on the Sri Lankan side of the International Maritime Boundary Line between India and Sri Lanka. It is easiest to find a scapegoat in a political campaign. Who would that be?"

Chidambaram also raised questions

India's former Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has also raised questions on India's Foreign Minister Jaishankar by taking the help of the same RTI reply of 2015.

P Chidambaram wrote in his tweet, "In that reply, while mentioning the situation, India accepted that a small island belongs to Sri Lanka. Why are the External Affairs Minister (Jaishankar) and his ministry doing acrobatics now? How quickly people change their colors. From a mild-mannered IFS officer to a shrewd Foreign Secretary and then to becoming an RSS-BJP mouthpiece, Jaishankar's life will be recorded in the history of acrobatics."

What did External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar say in the Kachchathivu case?

Monday, April 1, 2024

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday, April 1, 2024 targeted Congress and DMK over the Kachchathivu issue.

S Jaishankar said that both the parties are talking on this issue as if they have no responsibility. He said that people have the right to know how Kachchathivu island was given to another country.

In a press conference on this issue, Jaishankar said, "This is not an issue which has suddenly arisen today. This is an issue which has been continuously raised in Parliament and Tamil Nadu, it was debated. My records show that I have responded to this issue 21 times."

S Jaishankar said the public has the right to know that Kachchatheevu island was given to Sri Lanka and how the fishing rights of Indian fishermen were also given to it in 1976, despite a guarantee in Parliament that the 1974 agreement the rights of Indian fishermen have been protected.

S Jaishankar said that India should work with Sri Lankan authorities to find a solution to this.

S Jaishankar said, "In the last 20 years, 6184 Indian fishermen were caught by Sri Lanka." 1175 Indian fishing boats were seized. This is the background we want to tell.”

Thousands of people took to the streets in Israel against the Netanyahu government

Monday, April 1, 2024

Thousands of anti-government protesters have once again taken to the streets in Israel.

Israel was shocked after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 and after this unity was seen among the Israeli people.

But six months later, massive demonstrations are once again taking place in Israel against the government of Benjamin Netanyahu. Thousands of people have taken to the streets in Israel.

On the night of Sunday, March 31, 2024, thousands of protesters in Jerusalem blocked the city's largest north-south highway.

During this, the security forces released stinking water from water cannon on the protesters.

The protesters demanded that Netanyahu resign immediately and hold elections. Many also demanded that a deal should be made as soon as possible for the release of 130 Israelis held hostage in Gaza.

Family and friends of hostages fear that if the war drags on without a deal, more hostages will be killed.

In the year 2023, there were demonstrations in Israel which shook the government. The same groups that had organized the protest at that time appealed to the people to gather outside Israel's Parliament this time.

The Netanyahu government is facing widespread criticism over the war in Gaza. So far 600 Israeli soldiers have been killed in the ongoing war in Gaza.

In the attack carried out by Hamas on October 7, 2023, 1200 Israelis were killed and 250 people were taken hostage.

Since then, 32 thousand Palestinians have been killed and 75 thousand Palestinians have been injured in Israel's attack. This figure is from the Hamas-run Health Ministry of Gaza.

Israeli soldiers came out of Gaza's Al-Shifa hospital, WHO said - 21 bodies found

Monday, April 1, 2024

Israeli forces pull out of al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City. Eyewitnesses who spoke to BBC gave this information.

Two weeks ago Israeli troops raided al-Shifa and Israeli forces were inside al-Shifa hospital.

The Israeli Army said that it has intelligence according to which Hamas is using this hospital as a base. But the Israeli Army did not present any evidence to prove its point. And till now no such evidence has been found which proves the false intelligence of the Israeli army.

However, BBC has also not confirmed these reports.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization said 21 people had died at Al-Shifa hospital over the past two weeks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said that 200 "terrorists" had been killed here. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not present any evidence to prove his point.

Following the withdrawal of Israeli troops from al-Shifa hospital on Monday, 1 April 2024, Palestinian media quoted the Hamas-run health ministry as saying that dozens of bodies had been found around the hospital compound.

During the first attack on Al-Shifa Hospital, Israeli spokesperson Daniel Hagari had said that Hamas people had once again gathered in this hospital.

In recent weeks there were reports of heavy fighting between Hamas fighters and Israeli forces around al-Shifa hospital.

Islamabad High Court suspends sentence of Imran Khan and his wife in Tosha Khana case

Monday, April 1, 2024

Islamabad High Court has suspended the sentence given to former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the Tosha Khana case.

In January 2024, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi had appealed to the Islamabad High Court to suspend the sentence awarded by the Accountability Court of Islamabad in the Tosha Khana case.

A two-member division bench of Islamabad High Court comprising Chief Justice Aamir Farooq and Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb, while hearing the same petition, gave this decision on Monday, April 1, 2024.

In its order, the Accountability Court had sentenced Imran Khan and his wife to 10 years imprisonment and fine. He was also disqualified from holding any public post for the next 10 years.

Imran Khan's lawyer argued before the Islamabad High Court that the Accountability Court had shown haste in giving its verdict in this case.

Despite the relief given by Islamabad High Court, Imran Khan will not be able to come out of jail right now, because many other cases are also pending against him.

Palestinians were deprived of their rights and homeland: India's Foreign Minister Jaishankar

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that whatever is right or wrong in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, the fact remains that Palestinians have been deprived of their rights and homeland.

S Jaishankar said, "What happened on October 7, 2023 was a 'terrorist attack', on the other hand, no one will tolerate the death of innocent civilians." You can justify retaliating, but this cannot be the course of action. “Retaliatory action should be taken only in accordance with international humanitarian law.”

Jaishankar was pointing towards the ongoing Israeli action in Gaza. S Jaishankar has said all these things during his visit to Malaysia.

India has always supported a two-nation solution to resolve the Israel-Palestine dispute. That means there should be a separate sovereign country for the Palestinians.

This statement of Jaishankar has come when the United Nations Security Council has passed the resolution of ceasefire in Gaza. Because of this Israel is angry with America.

India's Modi government has an image as a friend of Israel but Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar's statement may seem harsh to Israel.

Ceasefire in Gaza should be implemented immediately, resolution approved in Security Council

Monday, March 25, 2024

The resolution brought in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) demanding immediate implementation of ceasefire in Gaza has been approved a little while ago.

According to news agency AFP, America did not participate in the voting on this proposal.

China had informed on Monday, March 25, 2024 itself that it has presented a resolution in the United Nations Security Council demanding immediate implementation of the ceasefire in Gaza.

Earlier, China and Russia had vetoed a proposal brought by America.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that China supports this draft resolution.

He also said he praised the hard work of Algeria and other Arab countries in drafting the resolution.

After the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, 32,226 people have died so far in the Israeli attack on Gaza. This data has been released by the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza.

Israel angry with America's stance in UN on Gaza, cancels America's visit

Monday, March 25, 2024

Israel has canceled the proposed visit of its delegation to the US after the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) passed a resolution demanding immediate implementation of the ceasefire in Gaza.

Israel's Prime Minister's office has said that Benjamin Netanyahu has taken this decision after the change in America's stance in the UNSC.

Binyamin Netanyahu had already threatened that if there was a change in America's stance, the visit would be cancelled.

The reason for Israel's anger has been America's non-veto in the voting on this resolution.

America did not participate in the voting held on Monday, March 25, 2024. This proposal was brought by China.

However, the White House has said that not participating in the voting process is not a change in America's policy.

White House spokesperson John Kirby also said that America will talk to Israel on its decision.

Gaza's population of 2 million is at risk of "serious food crisis": Antony Blinken

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the BBC that Gaza's population of two million was at risk of a "serious food crisis".

This is the first time since the start of the Israel-Hamas war that such a statement has come out for the entire population of Gaza.

The United Nations agencies working in Gaza have said that if the war does not stop by May 2024 and the required amount of relief material is not delivered to Gaza, then Gaza may face severe starvation.

Antony Blinken is currently on a visit to the Philippines. American officials have said on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 that they are going to visit the Middle East soon.

This is Antony Blinken's sixth visit to the Middle East after Israel's attack against Hamas in October 2023. During his visit, he will discuss the possibility of extending the ceasefire.

Israeli mediators in Qatar are once again discussing a possible ceasefire from Tuesday, March 19, 2024. The discussion will include everything from delivering relief material to Gaza to the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

What did Blinken say?

BBC had asked Antony Blinken that if there is no ceasefire and the current situation continues, will it affect the future of the region.

In response to this question, Antony Blinken said, "If the situation is assessed, 100 percent of the population of Gaza is on the verge of facing a serious food crisis."

This is the first time that the situation of the entire population is being described like this.

A serious food crisis is a situation when a person's life is in immediate danger due to lack of food. If the situation does not improve, it can lead to starvation.

Indian officials meet Taliban foreign minister in Kabul

Friday, March 8, 2024

A delegation of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs met the Foreign Minister of Taliban in Kabul on Thursday, 7 March 2024.

The delegation that went to Afghanistan under the leadership of JP Singh, Joint Secretary in the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, held a meeting with Aamir Khan Muttaqi, Foreign Minister of the Taliban government.

​Indian Foreign Ministry officials also met former Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul.

Taliban government's Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi said that there were in-depth talks regarding relations between the two countries. Economic and transportation related issues were also included in this.

Abdul Qahar Balkhi made several tweets about this on social media site X.

In another tweet, Abdul Qahar Balkhi praised Afghanistan for restoring security and stability, counter-narcotics, the ongoing fight against ISKP (Islamic State-Khorasan Province) and corruption.

Abdul Qahar Balkhi said, “India is interested in enhancing political and economic cooperation with Afghanistan and increasing trade through Chabahar port.”

Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Aamir Khan Muttaqi has expressed gratitude to India for humanitarian assistance.

“Afghanistan wants to strengthen political and economic ties with India, an important player in the region.”

Foreign Minister Aamir Khan Muttaqi requested the Indian Joint Secretary to ease the process of issuing visas for Afghan businessmen, patients and students.

Houthi rebels attack cargo ship in Gulf of Aden, three killed

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Three crew members of a cargo ship have been killed in an attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels. This attack took place in the Gulf of Aden.

This cargo ship named True Confidence was flying the flag of Barbados. The ship suffered severe damage in the attack that took place on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Two people from the Philippines and one from Vietnam died in this attack.

Yemen's Houthi rebels have said amid the Israel-Hamas war that they will continue targeting ships in the Red Sea until Israel stops attacks on Gaza.

The US has said that for the first time there have been deaths in attacks by Houthi rebels on merchant ships.

The Central Command of the US Army has condemned this incident and said that after the attack by this group, they shot down two drones in Yemen.

A military spokesman for the Houthi rebels claimed they targeted the vessel because it was an 'American' ship, but the ship's owners denied this.

There were 20 crew members on board, including one from India, four from Vietnam and 15 from the Philippines. There were also three armed guards, out of which two were from Sri Lanka and one from Nepal.