International

Gaza ceasefire plan turns deadly game of survival – BBC

Published

2 years ago

June 4, 2024

Trends Admin

The plan aims to wind down the war after eight months of fighting

Gaza ceasefire plan turns deadly game of survival – BBC

For the leaders of both Hamas and Israel, ending the war in Gaza has become a deadly game of survival.

The terms on which the war finally ends could largely determine their political future and their grip on power. For Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, even his physical survival.

It’s partly why previous negotiations have failed. It’s also why the question of how to permanently end the fighting has been put off to the last stages of the plan outlined by US President Joe Biden on Friday.

That transition between talks on a limited hostage-for-prisoner deal to discussions about a permanent ceasefire would, Mr Biden acknowledged, be “difficult”.

But it’s also where the success or failure of this latest deal is likely to hinge.

The US says it has submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council supporting the ceasefire plan outlined by President Biden. The three-phase plan involves an end to the conflict, the release of the hostages and reconstruction of the Palestinian territory.

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Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has strong domestic reasons for wanting to take this deal step by step.

Phase one, as outlined by Mr Biden, would see the release of dozens of hostages, both living and dead. That would be widely welcomed in a country where the failure to free all those held by Hamas is, for many, a glaring moral stain on Mr Netanyahu’s management of the war.

But Hamas is unlikely to give up its most politically sensitive hostages – women, wounded, elderly – without some kind of guarantee that Israel won’t simply restart the war once they’re home.

Leaks, quoted by Israeli media on Monday morning, suggested that Benjamin Netanyahu has told parliamentary colleagues that Israel would be able to keep its options open.

That option, to resume fighting – until Hamas is “eliminated” – is, some believe, the least Mr Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners will demand.

Without their support, he faces the prospect of early elections and the continuation of a corruption trial.

Mr Netanyahu needs to keep his long-term options open, to stand a chance of winning their support for any initial hostage deal. Hamas leaders, on the other hand, are likely to want permanent ceasefire guarantees upfront.

Previous deals have collapsed into this chasm. Bridging it now will depend on how much room for manoeuvre Mr Netanyahu has with his hard-right government allies to find alternatives to the “elimination” of Hamas – and how far Hamas leaders are prepared to consider them.

Mr Netanyahu talked over the weekend about the destruction of Hamas’s “military and governing capabilities” and ensuring that the group no longer posed a threat to Israel.

Few dispute that Hamas has suffered major losses to its military infrastructure – and even, some say, to its public support within Gaza and its control of the streets.

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But there’s no sign that Israel has killed or captured its top leaders Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif, and leaving them free in Gaza to celebrate the withdrawal of Israeli forces would spell political disaster for Israel’s embattled prime minister.

On Monday a US State Department spokesman said that although Hamas’s capabilities had “steadily degraded” in recent months, it remained a threat and the US did not believe the group could be eliminated militarily.

Meanwhile the White House said Mr Biden had “confirmed Israel’s readiness to move forward with the terms that have now been offered to Hamas” and said the Palestinian group was now the only obstacle to a deal.

Separately, military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the Israeli military would be able to ensure Israel’s security in the event of any truce agreed by the government.

However Yanir Cozin, diplomatic correspondent with Israel’s military radio station, GLZ, believes that Mr Netanyahu won’t end the war until he can frame it as a success.

“A deal that leaves Hamas is a big failure,” he said. “Eight months on, when you haven’t achieved any of the war goals – not finishing Hamas, bringing all the hostages back, or securing the borders – then he doesn’t want to end the war. But he also understands that he cannot leave it until the next Israeli election in 2026.”

“If he can say, ‘We exiled Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif, they’re not living in Gaza’ – and if the people living close to Gaza and the northern border can go back – I think he can keep his government together. But it’s a lot of ‘ifs’.”

Hamas is very unlikely to agree to the exile or surrender of its top figures. But there are clear splits emerging between Hamas leaders inside and outside Gaza.

Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak, who has also served as defence minister, told Israeli radio on Monday that President Biden had announced the deal “after seeing that Netanyahu only moves ahead when he’s certain that Sinwar will refuse”.

“How do you think Sinwar will react when he tends to agree and then he’s told: but be quick, because we still have to kill you after you return all the hostages,” he said.

In the meantime, tens of thousands of Israelis displaced after the Hamas attacks on 7 October are watching their prime minister’s next move.

Among them is Yarin Sultan, a 31-year-old mother of three who ran from her home in Sderot on Gaza’s border the morning after the Hamas attacks. She says she won’t go home until Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif are no longer free.

“This ceasefire will kill us,” she told the BBC. “We will free the hostages, but a few years from now you will be the next hostages, you will be the next people who get murdered, the women that are raped – all this will happen again.”

Gaza ceasefire plan turns deadly game of survival – BBC

BBC

International

Trump Claims US Has ‘Virtually Destroyed Iran’ After 11 Days of War

Published

17 minutes ago

March 12, 2026

Trends Admin

Trump Claims US Has ‘Virtually Destroyed Iran’ After 11 Days of War

President of the United States Donald Trump has declared that the ongoing U.S.-Iran war has significantly weakened Tehran’s military capabilities, claiming American forces have “virtually destroyed Iran” during nearly two weeks of intense fighting.

Speaking at a campaign-style rally in Kentucky, Trump told supporters that the U.S. military operations against Iran had already achieved major success, but stressed that the mission was not yet complete.

“Over the past 11 days, our military has virtually destroyed Iran. Tough country,” Trump said. “We don’t want to leave early, do we? We’ve got to finish the job.”

The US president said the sustained U.S. air and naval strikes on Iran had severely damaged the country’s military infrastructure, including its missile systems, air defence network and naval fleet. According to him, Iranian military assets were rapidly degraded during the early phase of the conflict.

Trump claimed that American forces destroyed numerous Iranian naval vessels in the Persian Gulf and disabled key radar installations and air bases, significantly reducing Tehran’s ability to project military power in the region.

The conflict, which began in late February, has involved sustained military strikes by the United States and allied forces targeting Iranian missile bases, military facilities and naval infrastructure.

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Washington has said the campaign aims to weaken Iran’s ability to threaten regional security and disrupt international shipping routes.

Despite declaring what he described as a major victory, Trump warned that the United States would not withdraw prematurely from the Iran conflict, arguing that doing so could allow Tehran to rebuild its military strength.

“You never like to say too early you won. We won,” Trump said, adding that American forces would remain engaged until the objectives of the operation were fully achieved.

He also suggested the war could end sooner than expected, claiming that many strategic targets inside Iran had already been destroyed.

The conflict has already affected global oil markets, with prices rising amid concerns that escalating hostilities in the Middle East could threaten shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor through which roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes.

In response to the tensions, international energy authorities have reportedly discussed the possible release of strategic oil reserves to stabilise markets if disruptions intensify.

Iranian authorities, however, have rejected US claims of victory and have continued launching missile and drone attacks targeting US military assets and allied positions in the region, insisting they will defend the country against foreign aggression.

Military analysts caution that while US strikes on Iran may have significantly degraded some of Tehran’s military infrastructure, claims that the country has been “virtually destroyed” remain political statements rather than verified battlefield assessments.

Security experts warn the conflict remains fluid and could still escalate, with potential long-term consequences for Middle East stability, global energy supplies and international trade.

Governments and international organisations continue to monitor the situation closely while urging restraint to prevent a broader regional war.

Trump’s latest remarks signal that the United States intends to maintain military pressure on Iran while presenting the operation to domestic audiences as a rapid and largely successful campaign.

Trump Claims US Has ‘Virtually Destroyed Iran’ After 11 Days of War

International

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Fires at ‘Israeli-Owned’ Vessel, Strikes Thai Cargo Ship

Published

12 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Trends Admin

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Fires at ‘Israeli-Owned’ Vessel, Strikes Thai Cargo Ship

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has confirmed that it fired on two commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions in one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes.

In a statement, Iranian authorities said the vessels ignored repeated warnings from Iranian naval forces and failed to obtain the required permission before entering waters Tehran considers under its jurisdiction.

Iran identified one of the ships as the Liberia-flagged container vessel Express Rome, which the IRGC described as an “Israeli-owned vessel.” The second vessel was the Thailand-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree.

According to Iranian officials, both ships allegedly disregarded several radio warnings and attempted to proceed through the strait despite instructions from Iranian maritime authorities.

The Mayuree Naree was reportedly struck by at least two projectiles while sailing approximately 11 nautical miles north of Oman, causing heavy damage to the ship’s engine room and stern and igniting a large fire onboard.

Maritime safety agencies said the fire forced emergency evacuation procedures as rescue teams and nearby vessels responded to distress calls from the ship’s crew. Regional maritime authorities later assisted in rescue efforts and damage control operations.

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Most crew members aboard the Thai vessel were reported rescued, although initial reports indicated that some seafarers were temporarily unaccounted for before search operations were launched.

The second vessel, Express Rome, was reportedly targeted after Iranian forces claimed it had links to Israel and had also failed to comply with instructions to halt or change course while passing through the area.

Iranian naval authorities said the action was justified because the vessels “disregarded warnings” and attempted to navigate the Strait of Hormuz without complying with Iranian directives.

Tehran has repeatedly maintained that ships passing close to its territorial waters must follow navigation protocols and respond to communications from Iranian naval units operating in the region.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow but crucial maritime corridor connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Around 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports transit through the route each day, making it one of the most vital chokepoints in the global energy supply chain.

The latest incident comes amid rising tensions involving Iran, Israel and the United States, with military forces and intelligence agencies from multiple countries closely monitoring maritime activity across the Gulf.

In recent days, maritime security agencies have also reported that several other commercial ships were struck by projectiles or damaged while navigating the Strait of Hormuz, forcing emergency evacuations and raising concerns about the safety of international shipping.

Some vessels reportedly suffered fires and structural damage, prompting rescue missions by regional naval forces and international maritime safety organisations.

Shipping companies and global maritime authorities are now closely monitoring the situation, with some operators considering alternative routes or delaying voyages due to growing security concerns.

Energy analysts warn that any sustained disruption in the Strait of Hormuz shipping route could have serious implications for global oil prices, energy markets and international trade, given the massive volume of oil and gas shipments that pass through the waterway daily.

The incident highlights the growing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, with Iran asserting control over strategic waterways while regional and global powers weigh their responses in an effort to prevent a wider conflict that could threaten global shipping and energy supplies.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Fires at ‘Israeli-Owned’ Vessel, Strikes Thai Cargo Ship

International

Saudi Arabia Intercepts Multiple Ballistic Missiles, Drones in Major Defence Operation

Published

21 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Trends Admin

Saudi Arabia Intercepts Multiple Ballistic Missiles, Drones in Major Defence Operation

Saudi Arabia’s air defence forces have shot down a wave of ballistic missiles and drones fired toward the kingdom as the Middle East conflict escalates, officials said on Wednesday, highlighting rising regional instability and ongoing threats to critical infrastructure. (Arab News)

According to the Saudi Ministry of Defense, at least seven ballistic missiles were intercepted and destroyed, including six aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base — a major military installation in Al‑Kharj — and one that was heading toward the Eastern Province. Additionally, Saudi air defences knocked down more than 20 attack drones targeting key locations including the Shaybah oil field in the Empty Quarter, Al‑Kharj, Hafar Al‑Batin, and other parts of the Eastern Province. (Arab News)

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Prince Sultan Air Base, used by both Saudi and allied forces, has been a repeated target in recent days as Iran and allied factions intensify cross‑border attacks in retaliation against US‑Israeli military operations in Iran that began in late February. These strikes are part of a broader barrage of missile and drone attacks across the Gulf region, complicating security and defence efforts for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. (Al Jazeera)

The Saudi government has vowed to protect its sovereignty and security, with the cabinet condemning the attacks on the kingdom and neighbouring states. In a recent session chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, officials reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s right to take “all necessary measures” to safeguard its territory and citizens from external threats. (Arab News PK)

The ongoing barrage has also threatened energy infrastructure and global oil markets. Brent crude prices surged earlier in the week — hitting historic highs before stabilising — as oil supplies from the Gulf region face disruption due to hostilities and shipping risks through the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil and LNG normally flows. (The Guardian)

Amin Nasser, CEO of Saudi Aramco, warned that continued disruptions could have “catastrophic consequences for the world’s oil markets,” stressing that prolonged instability would worsen the impact on global energy supply chains. (Arab News PK)

The conflict, which shows no immediate sign of abating despite statements from US President Donald Trump suggesting it could be drawing to a close, is expected to persist for months. Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has made clear that any end to hostilities will be decided on its terms. (Arab News PK)