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Israel to mobilize 60,000 reservists ahead of expanded Gaza City operation

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Israel to mobilize 60,000 reservists ahead of expanded Gaza City operation

JERUSALEM: Israel’s military said Wednesday it will call up 60,000 reservists ahead of an expanded military operation in Gaza City. Many residents have chosen to stay despite the danger, fearing nowhere is safe in a territory facing shortages of food, water and other necessities.

Calling up extra military reservists is part a plan Defense Minister Israel Katz approved to begin a new phase of operations in some of Gaza’s most densely populated areas, the military said. The plan, which is expected to receive the chief of staff’s final approval in the coming days, also includes extending the service of 20,000 additional reservists who are already on active duty.

In a country of fewer than 10 million people, the call-up of reservists is the largest in months and carries economic and political weight. It comes days after hundreds of thousands of Israelis rallied for a ceasefire, as negotiators scramble to get Israel and Hamas to agree to end their 22 months of fighting, and as rights groups warn that an expanded assault could deepen the crisis in the Gaza Strip, where most of the roughly 2 million inhabitants have been displaced, many areas have been reduced to rubble, and the population faces the threat of famine.

Gaza City operation could begin within days

An Israeli military official, speaking on the condition of anonymity in line with military regulations, said troops will operate in parts of Gaza City where they haven’t been deployed yet and where Israel believes Hamas is still active. Israeli troops in the the city’s Zeitoun neighborhood and in Jabaliya, a refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, are already preparing the groundwork for the expanded operation, which could begin within days.

Though the timeline wasn’t clear, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Wednesday that Netanyahu “has directed that the timetables … be shortened” for launching the offensive.

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Gaza City is Hamas’ military and governing stronghold, and one of the last places of refuge in the northern Strip, where hundreds of thousands are sheltering. Israeli troops will be targeting Hamas’ vast underground tunnel network there, the official added.

Although Israel has targeted and killed much of Hamas’ senior leadership, parts of Hamas are actively regrouping and carrying out attacks, including launching rockets toward Israel, the official said.

Netanyahu has said the war’s objectives are to secure the release of remaining hostages and ensure that Hamas and other militants can never again threaten Israel.

The planned offensive, announced earlier this month, comes amid heightened international condemnation of Israel’s restrictions on food and medicine reaching Gaza and fears that many Palestinians will be forced to flee.

“It’s pretty obvious that it will just create another mass displacement of people who have been displaced repeatedly since this phase of the conflict started,” United Nations spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

Associated Press journalists saw small groups heading south from the city this week, but it’s unclear how many others will voluntarily flee. Some said they would wait to see how events unfold, with many insisting that nowhere is safe from airstrikes.

“What we’re seeing in Gaza is nothing short of apocalyptic reality for children, for their families, and for this generation,” Ahmed Alhendawi, regional director of Save the Children, said in an interview. “The plight and the struggle of this generation of Gaza is beyond being described in words.”

Some reservists question the war’s goals

The call-up comes amid a growing campaign by exhausted reservists who accuse the Israeli government of perpetuating the war for political reasons and failing to bring home the 50 remaining hostages, 20 of whom are believed to be alive.

The hostages’ families and former army and intelligence chiefs have also expressed opposition to the expanded operation in Gaza City. Most of the families want an immediate ceasefire and worry that an expanded assault could imperil the surviving hostages.

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Guy Poran, a retired air force pilot who has organized veterans campaigning to end the war, said many reservists are spent after repeated tours lasting hundreds of days and resent those who haven’t been called up.

“Even those that are not ideologically against the current war or the government’s new plans don’t want to go because of fatigue or their families or their businesses,” he said.

Hamas-led militants started the war when they attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing roughly 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. Most of the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals. Hamas says it will only free the rest in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal.

Israel has yet to respond to a ceasefire proposal

Arab mediators and Hamas said this week that the militant group’s leaders had agreed to the terms of a proposed 60-day ceasefire, though similar announcements have been made in the past that didn’t lead to a lasting truce.

Egypt and Qatar have said they are waiting for Israel’s response.

Egypt’s foreign minister, Badr Abdelatty, spoke by phone Wednesday with US envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss the proposed ceasefire in the hopes of winning Israel’s acceptance, the Egyptian foreign ministry said. During the call, Abdelatty urged Israel to “put an end to this unjust war” by negotiating a comprehensive deal and “to lay the foundations for a just settlement of the Palestinian cause,” according to the Egyptian government.

An Israeli official who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak to the media said Israel is in constant contact with the mediators in an effort to secure the hostages’ release.

Netanyahu has repeatedly said he will oppose a deal that doesn’t include the “complete defeat of Hamas.”

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Also Wednesday, Israel gave final approval to a controversial settlement project east of Jerusalem in the occupied West Bank. The development in what’s called E1 would effectively cut the territory in two. Palestinians and rights groups say it could destroy hopes for a future Palestinian state.

Gaza’s death toll rises

At least 27 Palestinians were killed and more than 100 were wounded Wednesday at the Zikim crossing in northwestern Gaza as a crowd rushed toward a UN convoy transporting humanitarian aid, according to health officials.

“The majority of casualties were killed by gunshots fired by the Israeli troops,” said Fares Awad, head of the Health Ministry’s ambulance and emergency service in northern Gaza. “The rush toward the trucks and the stampede killed and injured others.”

The dead included people seeking aid and Palestinians guarding the convoy, Awad told the AP. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

More than 62,122 people have been killed during Israel’s offensive, Gaza’s Health Ministry said Monday. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. The ministry does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants, but it said women and children make up around half of them.

In addition, 154 adults have died from malnutrition-related causes since late June, when the ministry began counting such deaths, and 112 children have died from malnutrition-related causes since the war began.

Israel to mobilize 60,000 reservists ahead of expanded Gaza City operation

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 Ten Nigerians Convicted in Massive $215 Million International Fraud Scheme

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 Ten Nigerians Convicted in Massive $215 Million International Fraud Scheme

In a landmark ruling, ten Nigerians have been convicted in the United States for their roles in a sprawling international fraud scheme that resulted in the theft of approximately $215 million from unsuspecting victims across the country and abroad. The convictions, handed down by federal courts in several jurisdictions, shed light on the sophisticated tactics used by fraudsters in the digital age.

The scheme, which spanned several years, involved a multifaceted approach to deception, utilizing romance scams, business email compromise, and identity theft to exploit vulnerable individuals and businesses. Prosecutors revealed that the defendants, often working in coordinated teams, crafted elaborate stories and false identities to gain the trust of their victims, some of whom believed they were engaging in legitimate business dealings or developing romantic relationships.

According to court documents, the fraudsters utilized a range of technologies, including fake websites, cloned email addresses, and social media profiles, to perpetrate their crimes. Victims were lulled into a false sense of security before being induced to transfer large sums of money under various pretenses, including investment opportunities and fictitious emergencies.

The investigation, led by the FBI and other agencies, unveiled a complex web of financial transactions that traversed multiple countries. Authorities discovered that the stolen funds were often laundered through a network of shell companies, making it challenging to trace the money back to the criminals. In addition to the Nigerian nationals, several accomplices in other countries were implicated, leading to ongoing investigations and arrests.

During the trial, the prosecution presented a wealth of evidence, including testimonies from victims who described the devastating emotional and financial impact of the fraud. Some victims reported losing their life savings, while others faced severe emotional distress due to the betrayal and manipulation involved.

In their defense, some of the convicted individuals claimed ignorance of the broader scheme, arguing that they were merely following orders from a higher authority. However, the jury found them guilty on multiple counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering.

U.S. Attorney [Name] stated, “This ruling sends a clear message that we will not tolerate fraud in any form. These individuals took advantage of the trust of their victims for personal gain, and they will face the consequences of their actions.”

Sentencing for the ten defendants is expected to take place in the coming months, with potential penalties including substantial prison time and restitution payments to the victims. The case underscores the growing threat posed by international fraud rings, particularly in an increasingly digital world.

Experts in cybersecurity and fraud prevention warn that individuals should remain vigilant against unsolicited communications and always verify the authenticity of requests for funds or personal information. As law enforcement continues to crack down on such schemes, victims are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the authorities.

This case serves as a reminder of the need for ongoing vigilance in the fight against cybercrime and the importance of educating the public about potential scams.

 

 Ten Nigerians Convicted in Massive $215 Million International Fraud Scheme

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Trump Administration Faces Backlash Over ‘Terminated’ Iran War Claim

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U.S. President Donald Trump
US President, Donald Trump

Trump Administration Says Iran War ‘Terminated’ Ahead of Congressional Deadline

Washington, D.C. — The administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump has asserted that the ongoing military conflict with Iran was effectively “terminated” before the expiration of a 60-day deadline requiring congressional authorization, setting up a contentious legal and political battle in Washington.

Senior administration officials argue that a ceasefire reached in early April brought an end to active hostilities, thereby rendering the requirements of the War Powers Resolution inapplicable. According to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the absence of recent exchanges of fire signifies that the United States is no longer engaged in active combat operations against Iran.

“The conflict, as defined under the War Powers framework, has ceased,” an official familiar with the administration’s position said. “There are no ongoing hostilities that would trigger the need for congressional authorization.”

The War Powers Resolution of 1973 mandates that the president must seek approval from Congress within 60 days of committing U.S. forces to armed conflict, or otherwise withdraw those forces. That deadline, tied to the recent escalation with Iran, was expected to fall on May 1, 2026.

However, the administration maintains that the ceasefire effectively halted the legal clock, arguing that the absence of sustained combat operations means the United States is no longer in a state of war requiring legislative oversight.

The position has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers on Capitol Hill, including members of both major political parties. Critics contend that a ceasefire does not equate to a formal end of hostilities, particularly if U.S. forces remain deployed in the region or continue enforcement measures such as naval blockades.

“Calling it ‘terminated’ doesn’t make it so,” one congressional aide said. “If U.S. forces are still engaged in activities that could lead to conflict, then Congress has a constitutional role to play.”

Legal scholars have also weighed in, noting that the interpretation of what constitutes “hostilities” under the War Powers Resolution has long been a gray area. Some argue that even limited military actions or strategic posturing could fall within the scope of the law, thereby requiring congressional approval.

The debate underscores a broader and longstanding tension between the executive and legislative branches over war-making powers. While presidents have often sought to expand their authority in matters of national security, Congress has periodically pushed back to assert its constitutional prerogative to declare war.

For now, the administration’s stance appears aimed at avoiding an immediate vote in Congress that could either authorize continued operations or compel a withdrawal of U.S. forces. Whether lawmakers will challenge this interpretation through legislation or legal action remains to be seen.

The situation continues to evolve, with implications not only for U.S.-Iran relations but also for the balance of power within the American government.

 

Trump Administration Faces Backlash Over ‘Terminated’ Iran War Claim

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Six Injured in Stabbing Incident at Washington High School

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Six Injured in Stabbing Incident at Washington High School 

A violent stabbing incident at Henry Foss High School in Tacoma has left six people injured, including the suspected attacker, authorities have confirmed.

The attack, which occurred during school hours on Thursday, April 30, 2026, sent shockwaves through the school community and prompted an immediate lockdown of the campus as emergency responders rushed to the scene.

According to local law enforcement officials, the victims include four students and one adult security staff member. The sixth injured individual is the suspect, believed to be a student of the school. All victims were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. While some were initially reported to be in critical condition, authorities later indicated that all injured persons are now in stable condition.

Police say the suspect has been taken into custody and is expected to face multiple charges related to assault. Officials have not yet released the identity of the suspect due to legal considerations.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the incident may have stemmed from an altercation between students, which escalated into violence. However, investigators have emphasized that the exact motive remains unclear, and a full inquiry is ongoing.

In the immediate aftermath of the attack, school authorities activated emergency safety protocols, placing the campus on lockdown to secure students and staff. Parents were notified, and a controlled dismissal process was later implemented to ensure student safety.

Local education officials have announced that classes and extracurricular activities at the school will be temporarily suspended. Counseling services and psychological support are also being made available to students, staff, and families affected by the incident.

Community leaders and law enforcement agencies have condemned the attack, reiterating the importance of school safety and conflict resolution among students. Authorities have urged anyone with additional information to come forward as the investigation continues.

The incident adds to growing concerns over safety in schools and highlights the need for proactive measures to prevent violence among young people.

Six Injured in Stabbing Incident at Washington High School

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