On its 79th anniversary, the United Nations continues to face scrutiny for its effectiveness in promoting peace and resolving conflicts. However, the organisation has played a pivotal role in shaping the world order over the past decades, particularly in the creation of Israel and the Korean War. From the UN Special Committee on Palestine to the adoption of Resolution 181, the organisation's decisions have had lasting impacts on the Middle East. Similarly, the UN's condemnation of North Korea's invasion of South Korea played a crucial role in the Korean War. Despite facing criticism for its handling of these conflicts, the UN's decisions continue to have a profound impact on global politics.
Naftali Bennett, a self-made tech millionaire and former commando, has been offered the role of Israel's next prime minister after his party, Yamina, won just seven seats in the general election. Despite being considered an ultra-nationalist and known for advocating Jewish settlement in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, Bennett has formed a coalition with centrist opposition leader Yair Lapid, ousting long-time leader Benjamin Netanyahu. His rise to power reflects the contentious issue of settlements in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and highlights Bennett's outspoken and combative approach.
In his first public remarks as the newly appointed leader of Hezbollah, Naim Kassem stated that the group would continue their fight against Israel until suitable ceasefire conditions are presented. Despite recent losses, Kassem asserted that Hezbollah's capabilities remain intact and prepared for a prolonged conflict. He also highlighted the group's coordination with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in negotiations with the US, but stated that no suitable proposal has emerged. Kassem warned the Israeli army to leave their lands to avoid further losses.
Following the supposed elimination of Hassan Nasrallah, the chief of Hezbollah, by the Israeli military last month, media reports have emerged stating that the group has named Naim Qassem as its new secretary-general. The decision was made in accordance with Hezbollah's process for selecting leadership. Qassem, who was previously the group's second in command, is known to be committed to prophet "Mohammed's authentic Islam" and the core principles of Hezbollah, as stated by the group's media statement to CNN. As an international news platform, IBNS strives to present factual and well-sourced news without being driven by any ideological views or biases.
The US has declared that the recent air strikes by Israel against Iran should put an end to the direct conflict between the two countries. The White House has stated that Israel's retaliation to Iran's attack, which was in response to the assassination of a Hezbollah leader, should mark the conclusion of this exchange of fire. While the US remains fully prepared to support Israel and respond to any future provocations from Iran, they are urging for a de-escalation in the Middle East tensions. The Trump administration also emphasized the role of President Biden in encouraging a more measured approach from Israel.
Israel has launched multiple air strikes on military bases in the Iranian capital of Tehran, resulting in reported casualties. The Israeli Defense Forces claim the strikes were in response to continuous attacks from Iran, while Iran's foreign ministry defends their right to defend themselves. In the ongoing conflict, Hezbollah has also claimed responsibility for drone attacks on an Israeli airbase and an intelligence headquarters.
The popular surfing destination of Argum Bay in Sri Lanka has been making headlines for the wrong reasons. The United States and Israel have issued security warnings to their citizens who are visiting the area due to potential attacks. This comes following protests against Israel's actions in Gaza and concerns for the safety of international tourists. Despite the troubles, Argum Bay remains a popular tourist spot with a complex history.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to Russia for the BRICS Summit 2024 has kicked off with several bilateral summits discussing key issues such as India-Russia ties, the war in Ukraine, and conflicts with Iran and Israel. The summit, with the theme of 'Strengthening Multilateralism,' will see discussions on global issues and includes new member nations - Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. As major emerging economies, the BRICS group comprises 41% of the world population and 24% of the world GDP, making it an important platform for discussions on global development and security.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah intensifies as Israeli forces carried out a strike on Hezbollah's intelligence command center in Beirut. The attack resulted in significant damage, raising concerns about the escalation of violence in the region. Western countries are closely monitoring the situation and expressing growing concern about the potential consequences of the attack.
The Israeli military is investigating whether it successfully executed a planned operation targeting three militants in the Gaza Strip, including prominent Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. While the identity of the militants has not yet been confirmed, the Israeli army has evidence suggesting that Sinwar was among those killed. If confirmed, this would be a major victory for Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after a series of high-profile assassinations of Hamas leaders. Sinwar was the leader of Hamas in Gaza and has been on Israel's wanted list since orchestrating an attack in 2023.