NASIRIYAH: Iraqi authorities on Monday hanged 10 people convicted of “terrorism,” security and health sources said.
Courts have handed down hundreds of death and life imprisonment sentences in recent years to Iraqis convicted of “terrorism.”
Under Iraqi law, terrorism and murder offenses are punishable by death, and execution decrees must be signed by the president.
A health official said 10 Iraqis “convicted of terrorism crimes and of being members of the Daesh group were executed by hanging” at Al-Hut prison in the southern city of Nasiriyah.
A security source confirmed the executions.
They were hanged under Article 4 of the anti-terrorism law and the health department had received their bodies, the health official told AFP.
The sources spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.
Al-Hut is a notorious prison in Nasiriyah whose Arabic name means “the whale,” because Iraqis believe those jailed there never walk out alive.
Iraq hangs 10 convicted of ‘terrorism’: security and health sources
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Iraq hangs 10 convicted of ‘terrorism’: security and health sources
- Health official said 10 Iraqis “convicted of terrorism crimes and of being members of the Daesh group were executed by hanging” at Al-Hut prison in Nasiriyah
Israeli strikes kill 12 Palestinians in Gaza as polio vaccination resumes
- In Nuseirat, one of territory’s eight historic refugee camps, an Israeli strike killed two women and two children
- Nearly 90 percent of the Gaza ceasefire deal is agreed, but critical issues remain where there are gaps
CAIRO: Israeli military strikes killed at least 12 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip on Friday, medics said, as health officials resumed vaccination of tens of thousands more children in the enclave against polio.
In Nuseirat, one of the territory’s eight historic refugee camps, an Israeli strike killed two women and two children, while eight other people were killed in two other strikes in Gaza City, the medics said.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces battled Hamas-led fighters in the Zeitoun suburb of Gaza City, where residents said tanks have been operating for over a week, in eastern Khan Younis, and in Rafah, near the border with Egypt, where residents said Israeli forces blew up several houses.
Eleven months into the war, diplomacy has so far failed to conclude a ceasefire deal to end the conflict and bring the release of Israeli and foreign hostages held in Gaza as well as many Palestinians jailed in Israel.
The two warring sides continued to blame one another for failing efforts by mediators, including Qatar, Egypt and the United States. The US is preparing to present a new ceasefire proposal to hammer out differences, but prospects of a breakthrough remain dim as gaps between the sides remain large.
On Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that it was incumbent on both Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas to say yes on remaining issues to reach a Gaza ceasefire deal.
Nearly 90 percent of the Gaza ceasefire deal is agreed, but critical issues remain where there are gaps, including the issue of the so-called Philadelphi corridor on the southern edge of the Gaza Strip bordering Egypt, Blinken said at a press briefing. Israel said it wouldn’t leave the corridor and Hamas says an agreement isn’t possible unless they did.
Meanwhile, residents of Khan Younis and displaced families from Rafah, continued to crowd medical facilities, bringing their children to get the polio vaccines. The campaign was launched after the discovery of a case of a one-year-old baby who was partially paralyzed.
POLIO CAMPAIGN TO MOVE TO NORTHERN GAZA
This was the first known case of the disease in Gaza — one of the world’s most densely populated places — in 25 years. It re-emerged as Gaza’s health system has virtually collapsed and many hospitals have been knocked out of action due to the war.
The United Nations Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, said at least 160,000 children received the drops in southern Gaza areas on Thursday where medical staffers began the second stage of the campaign, benefiting from an Israeli and Hamas agreement on limited pauses in the fighting.
“Since 1 September @UNRWA & partners have vaccinated nearly 355,000 children against #polio in #Gaza middle & southern areas,” UNRWA said in a post on X.
“In the next few days, we’ll continue rolling out the polio vaccination campaign aiming to reach around 640,000 children under 10 with this critical vaccine,” it added.
The campaign will move on Sunday to the northern Gaza Strip, which has been the focus of the major Israeli military offensive in the past 11 months. According to the World Health Organization, a second round of vaccination would be required four weeks after the first round.
The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered on Oct. 7 when Palestinian Islamist group Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
Israel’s subsequent assault on the Hamas-governed enclave has since killed over 40,800 Palestinians, according to the local health ministry, while also displacing nearly the entire population of 2.3 million, causing a hunger crisis and leading to genocide allegations at the World Court that Israel denies.
Medical charity launches mental health helplines for Lebanese
- Israeli airstrikes hit series of Lebanese border villages
BEIRUT: Medecins Sans Frontieres in Lebanon has warned of a growing mental health crisis as a result of mass displacement in the south.
The organization highlighted “worsening psychological and financial burdens caused by displacement, loss of property and continued insecurity.”
It has launched two mental health helplines in response.
“Two mental health helplines were launched on Friday, aiming to provide necessary and free psychological support to communities suffering from psychological stress as a result of the conflict, including psychological first aid, consultations, and support with referrals to nearby facilities for the displaced and conflict-affected communities,” MSF said.
More than 113,000 people have been displaced from Lebanon’s southern border since violence broke out on Oct. 8 last year.
Most remain in the south, living with relatives, in rented houses or in the homes of expatriates who have opened their doors, with fewer than 5,000 living in shelters.
Dr. Luna Hammad, MSF medical coordinator in Lebanon, said: “Mental health is often overlooked in times of crisis, but it is as important as physical health.
“The stress, fear and uncertainty experienced by the population in Lebanon can have a major impact on their mental health. Neglecting these needs can lead to long-term consequences that affect individuals, families and communities.”
Amid the escalation between Hezbollah and Israel in southern Lebanon, MSF said it has launched a mobile medical team to support healthcare centers and shelters in the south.
“The team has provided continuous healthcare to 1,357 patients, including follow-up treatment for chronic diseases and consultations for displaced people, as well as health awareness sessions and psychological first aid,” the organization added.
“MSF carried out training sessions for health workers and deposited up to 10 tonnes of medical supplies and equipment in hospitals across the country.”
Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed 39 health workers and closed six primary healthcare centers.
Friday saw new destruction across southern Lebanon, with Israel carrying out a series of strikes.
Footage showed two Israeli airstrikes carried out in the morning on a residential building in Mays Al-Jabal, which was destroyed near other razed structures.
The number of airstrikes on the largest town in the border region totals 126 since October last year, its mayor, Abdel Moneim Shuqair, said.
He added: “More than 1,850 shells of various sizes, including 750 internationally banned white phosphorus bombs, have fallen on the town and its surroundings since the beginning of hostilities between Hezbollah and the Israeli army 11 months ago, up until today.”
The situation is similar in the border town of Aitaroun, where Israel is employing a scorched earth policy.
Aitaroun Mayor Salim Mrad told Arab News: “Aitaroun, like the towns of Aita Al-Shaab and Kfarkela, is subject to daily Israeli assaults.
“The damage here has exceeded that of the 2006 war.
“These are border towns with high population densities, and the residents are known for distinctive vitality and live off agriculture.
“The town has 2,000 residential units, and it can be said that more than 100 houses in Aitaroun have been destroyed, and about 800 houses have been partially destroyed.
“The town’s economy has come to a halt, and the death toll has reached 16, including civilians.”
Israeli jets on Friday carried out an airstrike on a home in the town of Dhayra in the western sector, while Israeli artillery targeted the town of Kfarkela. An Israeli airstrike also targeted a house on the outskirts of the town of Beit Lif.
Artillery shelling with phosphorus bombs in the area between Tal Nahas and Hamames toward the Marjayoun plain caused fires to break out.
Also on Friday, Hezbollah announced a series of operations against Israeli military sites, targeting surveillance equipment and buildings in Metula, a statement said.
Israeli media reported “extensive damage to a building in the Metula settlement after a large fire broke out following the launch of an anti-tank missile from Lebanon.”
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation said: “Three anti-tank missiles were launched from Lebanon toward Metula opposite the border, hitting several buildings without causing any injuries.”
Hezbollah also targeted the Ruwaiset Al-Qarn site and the Zebdine barracks with rockets. Both sites are in the disputed Shebaa Farms area.
The group also used an assault drone to strike the Ma’ayan Baruch kibbutz near the Lebanese border.
The Israeli army announced that on Thursday evening it struck Hezbollah military facilities “in Aita Al-Shaab and Yarine, and attacked Hezbollah targets in the Blida area.”
Algerian youth eye Tebboune’s reelection bid with hope and skepticism
- The president has pledged to create 450,000 jobs and increase monthly unemployment benefits
ALGIERS: Young people comprise more than half of Algeria’s 45 million people, and many are anxious for change. But with incumbent President Abelmadjid Tebboune set for an easy reelection on Saturday, some fear it won’t be forthcoming.
Courting the youth vote, Tebboune has promised more jobs, a higher minimum wage, and better unemployment benefits.
This reflects high unemployment in Algeria, where one in three young people is out of work.
Tebboune came to power after the youth-driven Hirak pro-democracy protests ousted his veteran predecessor Abdelaziz Bouteflika, in 2019.
But the movement waned, and many of its supporters have become disenchanted.
BACKGROUND
Today, Algeria stands as Africa’s top gas exporter and third-largest economy, with President Abelmadjid saying his tenure helped achieve that despite ‘a war against COVID-19 and corruption.’
“The past five years brought nothing new,” Abdenour Benkherouf, a 20-year-old hairdresser wandering with a friend in downtown Algiers, said.
“We haven’t seen anything good since 2019, since we won the African Cup,” he smirked.
Karim Beldjoudi, his friend who was wearing a Barcelona football shirt, agreed.
“We’re living now as we lived then,” he said, referring to 2019, the year Tebboune was elected in a widely boycotted poll.
“Five years have gone by just like that, one after the other,” said Beldjoudi, who is unemployed.
Today, about a third of Algeria’s 24 million registered voters are under 30. However, as in 2019, when a record 60 percent of voters abstained, the majority will likely still not vote.
No official figures show the abstention rate among the young in Algeria, where 23 million people are younger than 30.
This constitutes a challenge for Tebboune, who claimed the presidency amid a record abstention rate of 60 percent five years ago.
At a recent rally in Oran last month, he pledged to create 450,000 jobs and increase monthly unemployment benefits if reelected.
Launched in 2022, unemployment benefits now provide 13,000 dinars ($97) to people aged 19 to 40. Tebboune has promised to raise this to 20,000 dinars, which would match the current minimum wage.
Fouad Brahimi, a 22-year-old artist, said this wouldn’t be enough.
“We need job opportunities because this allowance is not sustainable,” he said.
Although Algeria’s economy has grown at an annualized rate of about 4 percent over the past two years, it remains heavily dependent on oil and gas to fund its social assistance programs.
“Tebboune has indeed put in work, but he is also perpetuating a project left by his predecessors,” Brahimi added.
Tebboune had referred to Bouteflika’s rule as a “decade of the mafia” when wealth was concentrated in the hands of a “gang.”
Today, Algeria stands as Africa’s top gas exporter and third-largest economy, with Tebboune saying his tenure helped achieve that despite “a war against COVID-19 and corruption.”
Standing by an election poster of Tebboune, 21-year-old Chadli Isshak said that because of the pandemic, the president “wasn’t able to fulfill all his promises.”
“He did create jobs and is reducing Algeria’s debt,” said the student.
“But two or three years have not been enough for him to do everything he wanted,” he added.
“We will see in his second term if he can keep his promises.”
Sami Rahmani, 39, said he was satisfied with the president’s record despite being unemployed.
“He has worked hard, and I would like to see him do more in the upcoming five years,” he said.
“He should look into helping the marginalized youth. We have people with diplomas but no jobs.”
Each year, thousands of graduates resign themselves to jobs that do not match their degrees, working in precarious and, at times, informal jobs such as street vending.
Rahmani said his support for Tebboune had made him a “traitor to the Hirak” in the eyes of others.
The movement withered with the onset of the pandemic, coupled with ramped-up policing and a sweeping crackdown on protesters in which hundreds were arrested.
Faced with disillusionment, many young Algerians have left the country, formally, through student and other visas or via makeshift boats in the hope of crossing the Mediterranean to Europe.
Benkherouf and Beldjoudi, the friends interviewed by AFP in the city center, said most people their age “now have the same dream: harga,” referring to irregular migration.
War crimes court ends proceedings against late Hamas leader Haniyeh
- The ICC is currently weighing a request for arrest warrants against Israeli and Hamas leaders made earlier this year
- Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran on July 31
THE HAGUE: The International Criminal Court (ICC) said on Friday it had terminated proceedings against late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh following his death in July.
The ICC is currently weighing a request for arrest warrants against Israeli and Hamas leaders made earlier this year.
In May ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan asked for arrest warrants for Hamas leaders, saying there were reasonable grounds to suspect that Yahya Sinwar, military chief Mohammed Al-Masri and Haniyeh, bore criminal responsibility for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
In the same statement the prosecutor announced he was also seeking warrants for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defense minister Yoav Gallant. There has been no word of further developments on those requests.
Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran on July 31. Israel has also said it killed Al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif, in another airstrike, although Hamas would neither confirm or deny that.
Judges said their decision to terminate proceedings followed the withdrawal of the prosecution request for a warrant for Haniyeh earlier this month.
Bomb threat forces Vistara airline plane en route to Frankfurt to land in Turkiye
- The pilots decided to land after a passenger claimed there was a bomb on board after the aircraft entered the Turkish airspace
ANKARA: A Vistara airline flight en route to Germany made a forced landing in Turkiye on Friday following a bomb threat, a Turkish official said.
Flight UK27 from Mumbai to Frankfurt, with 247 passengers and crew on board, landed at Erzurum airport, in eastern Turkiye, Gov. Mustafa Ciftci told the state-run Anadolu Agency.
All passengers were evacuated from the plane and authorities were searching the luggage, Ciftci said.
HaberTurk television said the pilots decided to land after a passenger claimed there was a bomb on board after the aircraft entered the Turkish airspace.
Authorities also shut down the airspace over Erzurum as a precaution, the governor said.
Vistara said on the X media platform that the plane was diverted to Erzurum airport due to security reasons, adding that it had landed safely.
