International

Israelis survey damage in city hit by Iranian missile

Published

7 months ago

June 14, 2025

Two people were killed when a missile hit Rishon LeZion early on Saturday

Israelis survey damage in city hit by Iranian missile

As sirens rang out across Israel in the early hours of Saturday morning, Ifat Benhaim and her family ran into their basement.

“We closed the door, and suddenly there was such a big boom,” she says. “I thought all the house fell on us.”

When they emerged minutes later, they found their windows shattered and layers of dust and debris strewn across the front room.

On their quiet suburban street in Rishon LeZion, just south of Tel Aviv, the roofs of several homes had caved in. Glass littered the road. At least 30 cars were badly damaged, with smashed windows and huge dents.

The Iranian missile struck shortly after 05:00 local time (03:00 BST).

It came amid six waves of Iranian attacks overnight – launched in response to large-scale Israeli air strikes on Iran – that sent millions of people running for shelter.

Two were killed in Rishon LeZion, with one named by Israeli media as 73-year-old Israel Aloni. Around 19 others were injured.

Ambulances and rescue crews arrived shortly after the missile struck. Sniffer dogs were used to search among the smashed concrete and warped metal for any unexploded ordnance.

Now, Ifat, her husband Zion, and six younger relatives are packing up what they can from the home they’ve lived in for 29 years – and trying to decide where they’ll stay over the coming days.

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One of their neighbours, who did not want to be named, said she had chosen to stay with her daughter that night – just in case. It may have saved her life.

Another local, 48-year-old Sally Ilan, clutched some crockery she managed to salvage from the ruins of her parents’ home.

“It was the first house to be built in the neighbourhood,” she says, gesturing behind her. “My father was so eager to build it.”

“Forty years of memories are gone… It’s heavy on the heart.”

A total of three people were killed across the country in the overnight strikes – two here in Rishon LeZion, one in the nearby city of Ramat Gan. About 76 were injured.

But the destruction – even in these worst-hit areas – is limited compared to what has been seen in Iran.

Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion” began early Friday with the assassination of senior Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists. It has since broadened out, striking Iran’s nuclear facilities, missile sites, air defences, military bases, an airport and other infrastructure.

Iran’s UN envoy said on Friday night that 78 people had been killed at that point. On Saturday, an Iranian health ministry official said around 800 people had been injured.

Iranian state television reported that 60 people – including 20 children – had been killed in an Israeli strike on a block of flats in the capital, Tehran.

In Rishon LeZion, not far from the worst-hit homes, someone had written a question into a layer of dust on a car windscreen: “Until when?”

This conflict may be less than 48 hours old – but it’s a question much of the world is now asking.

Israelis survey damage in city hit by Iranian missile

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Saudi Arabia Backs Next Phase of Gaza Peace Plan, Supports Trump’s Board of Peace

Published

17 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Saudi ministers welcome next phase of Gaza plan, Trump’s Board of Peace

Saudi Arabia Backs Next Phase of Gaza Peace Plan, Supports Trump’s Board of Peace

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has officially welcomed the next phase of the Gaza peace plan, including the formation of U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace”, underscoring Riyadh’s commitment to a ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and political stability in the war‑torn Gaza Strip.

At a Cabinet session chaired by King Salman, Saudi ministers reaffirmed support for the plan’s second phase, which calls for Palestinian governance in Gaza, coordinated reconstruction efforts, and the return of the Palestinian Authority. The government also reiterated its commitment to the two‑state solution and urged international collaboration for lasting peace.

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The announcement follows broader diplomatic developments: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepted an invitation to join the board, while the UAE also expressed readiness to participate. The board aims to coordinate regional and international efforts to stabilize Gaza and facilitate post-conflict recovery.

While Saudi Arabia and some regional allies have embraced the initiative, other nations, including France, have expressed caution, questioning the board’s mandate relative to the United Nations’ role in mediating peace. Despite these differing reactions, Riyadh’s endorsement signals a push for structured diplomacy and practical support for Palestinian civilians amid ongoing conflict.

The Saudi position highlights its effort to balance regional stability, humanitarian concerns, and long-term advocacy for Palestinian sovereignty, aligning with the Arab Peace Initiative and broader international law.

Saudi Arabia Backs Next Phase of Gaza Peace Plan, Supports Trump’s Board of Peace

International

Israeli Authorities Demolish UN Compound in Occupied East Jerusalem

Published

1 day ago

January 20, 2026

Trends Admin

Israeli Authorities Demolish UN Compound in Occupied East Jerusalem

Israeli Authorities Demolish UN Compound in Occupied East Jerusalem

Israeli authorities have demolished buildings inside a United Nations compound in occupied East Jerusalem, escalating tensions with the UN and drawing sharp condemnation from the international community.

The demolition targeted facilities belonging to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the Sheikh Jarrah area. According to UN officials, Israeli forces entered the compound with heavy machinery and razed several structures used for humanitarian and operational purposes, despite the site’s UN-protected status.

The United Nations described the action as a violation of international law, stressing that UN premises are inviolable and protected under international conventions. UNRWA warned that the demolition would severely disrupt humanitarian operations serving Palestinian refugees in East Jerusalem and beyond.

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Israeli officials defended the move, citing domestic legislation and claiming the agency’s presence was unlawful. However, the justification has been rejected by the UN, which maintains that East Jerusalem is occupied territory and that Israel is bound by international obligations.

The demolition comes amid a wider crackdown on UNRWA activities following recent Israeli laws restricting the agency’s operations. It also coincides with heightened tensions in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, including settlement expansion, home demolitions, and repeated clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians.

Several countries, including Jordan and other Arab states, condemned the demolition, warning that it undermines humanitarian work and further destabilises an already volatile region. Human rights groups have also called for international accountability, urging global bodies to intervene to protect UN facilities and civilian aid operations.

Diplomats say the incident is likely to deepen strains between Israel and the UN, with the issue expected to feature prominently in upcoming UN Security Council discussions.

Israeli Authorities Demolish UN Compound in Occupied East Jerusalem

International

Greenland Dispute: Trump Insists Tariffs Will Happen as EU Pushes Back

Published

1 day ago

January 20, 2026

Trends Admin

US President Donald Trump

Greenland Dispute: Trump Insists Tariffs Will Happen as EU Pushes Back

US President Donald Trump has escalated tensions with Europe after declaring he will “100%” carry out his threat to impose tariffs linked to Greenland, warning that the United States will not back down despite growing resistance from the European Union (EU).

Speaking amid renewed debate over Greenland’s strategic importance, Trump insisted that punitive US tariffs on European goods would be enforced if Washington’s demands are ignored. The remarks have triggered sharp reactions across Europe, with EU leaders vowing to protect their economic and political interests and reject any form of pressure over the Arctic territory.

The EU Commission said the bloc remains united, stressing that Greenland’s status and sovereignty are non-negotiable and must be determined by its people in line with international law. European officials also warned that the EU has the tools to respond if the US follows through with trade penalties.

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The standoff has heightened fears of a wider US–EU trade dispute, with analysts warning that fresh tariffs could disrupt global markets, strain transatlantic relations and impact key sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture and energy.

The Greenland dispute comes as geopolitical competition intensifies in the Arctic region, driven by climate change, access to natural resources and security concerns. European leaders have called for dialogue to prevent escalation, even as they prepare potential countermeasures to safeguard EU economies.

With Trump standing firm and Europe closing ranks, observers say the coming weeks could define the future of US–EU relations, particularly as both sides weigh diplomacy against the risk of a full-blown trade confrontation.