Gaza

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Canadian photojournalist Valerie Zink has announced her resignation from Reuters, accusing the news agency and other Western outlets of “justifying and enabling the systematic assassination of 245 journalists in Gaza.”Zink, who contributed to Reuters for eight years with her photographs widely circulated across the globe, said she could no longer remain linked to the organisation.

She argued that Reuters had failed in its journalistic duty by amplifying Israeli narratives while neglecting the plight of reporters under attack in Gaza.In a statement shared on social media Tuesday, she criticised Reuters’ coverage of the August 10 killing of Palestinian journalist Anas Al-Sharif.

“When Israel murdered Anas Al-Sharif, together with the entire Al-Jazeera crew in Gaza City on August 10, Reuters chose to publish Israel’s entirely baseless claim that Al-Sharif was a Hamas operative – one of countless lies that media outlets like Reuters have dutifully repeated and dignified,” Zink said.

She noted that Reuters’ stance had not shielded its own staff from Israeli attacks.“Reuters’ willingness to perpetuate Israel’s propaganda has not spared their own reporters from Israel’s genocide.

Five more journalists, including Reuters cameraman Hossam Al-Masri, were among 20 people killed this morning in another attack on Nasser hospital.

“It was what’s known as a ‘double tap’ strike, in which Israel bombs a civilian target like a school or hospital; waits for medics, rescue teams, and journalists to arrive; and then strikes again.”

Zink said responsibility for such killings also rested with Western outlets that repeated official talking points without scrutiny.

She referenced journalist Jeremy Scahill’s assessment, stating that “every major outlet – from the New York Times to the Washington Post, from AP to Reuters – has served as a conveyor belt for Israeli propaganda, sanitizing war crimes and dehumanizing victims, abandoning their colleagues and their alleged commitment to true and ethical reporting.”

According to her, this failure of duty has directly contributed to the unprecedented number of journalist deaths in Gaza.

“By repeating Israel’s genocidal fabrications without determining if they have any credibility – willfully abandoning the most basic responsibility of journalism – Western media outlets have made possible the killing of more journalists in two years on one tiny strip of land than in WWI, WWII, and the wars in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Yugoslavia, and Ukraine combined, to say nothing of starving an entire population, shredding its children, and burning people alive,” she said.

She also accused Reuters of turning its back on Al-Sharif despite his Pulitzer-winning work for the agency.

“The fact that Anas Al-Sharif’s work won a Pulitzer Prize for Reuters did not compel them to come to his defence when Israeli occupation forces placed him on a ‘hit list’ of journalists accused of being Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants,” she said.

“It did not compel them to come to his defence when he appealed to international media for protection after an Israeli military spokesperson posted a video making clear their intention to assassinate him following a report he did on the growing famine. It did not compel them to report on his death honestly when he was hunted and killed weeks later.”

Zink added that she now felt only grief and shame in carrying a Reuters press pass.

“I have valued the work that I brought to Reuters over the past eight years, but at this point I can’t conceive of wearing this press pass with anything but deep shame and grief,” she said.

She vowed to dedicate her future work to honouring Gaza’s fallen journalists. “I don’t know what it means to begin to honour the courage and sacrifice of journalists in Gaza – the bravest and best to ever live – but going forward I will direct whatever contributions I have to offer with that front of mind.”

At least 20 people, including five journalists, were killed on Monday after Israeli strikes hit al-Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials.

The Guardian reported that the dead included Hussam al-Masri, a Reuters cameraman; Mariam Abu Dagga, a freelance journalist with the Associated Press; Mohammed Salam of Al Jazeera; and Moaz Abu Taha, who worked with NBC. Another Reuters photographer, Hatem Khaled, was severely injured.

Footage aired by al-Ghad TV showed civil defence workers and journalists in orange vests attempting to recover al-Masri’s body when they themselves came under fire. In their final moments, the rescuers raised their hands for protection before being struck.

By Muhammad Abubakar

In a stunning act of political defiance, nine Dutch ministers have resigned en masse, declaring they could not be complicit in what they described as the “silent endorsement of a humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza.

The resignations have sent shockwaves through the Netherlands’ political establishment, shaking the foundations of the coalition government and igniting fierce debate across Europe. In their fiery joint statement, the departing ministers condemned the West’s “selective morality” and accused their own government of “turning a blind eye to mass suffering.”

Crowds gathered outside parliament in The Hague to applaud the move, with activists hailing it as an unprecedented moral stand in modern European politics. Critics, however, warned the resignations could plunge the government into chaos at a time of deepening international tensions.

“This is not about politics; it is about conscience,” one of the resigning ministers declared. “History will not forgive silence in the face of Gaza’s devastation.”

Analysts say the mass resignation marks a rare moment where political survival has been sacrificed for principle—an act many believe will reverberate far beyond Dutch borders.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Leaders and foreign ministers from the 57 member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) are gathering in Istanbul this Saturday for a high-stakes summit overshadowed by escalating tensions in the Middle East, most notably Israel’s war with Iran and the ongoing devastation in Gaza.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is set to attend, as many of his counterparts are expected to call for an immediate ceasefire. Yet the OIC, long criticised for its limited political clout, is unlikely to shift the course of either conflict.

The situation in Gaza—now in its 21st month—remains dire. Humanitarian workers report that more Palestinians are killed by the Israeli army while trying to collect food than in actual combat. 

On June 17th, at least 59 people were killed when Israeli tanks reportedly opened fire near an aid distribution centre run by the Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Israel’s military has pledged to investigate the incident.

Despite repeated condemnations and emergency meetings, the OIC has remained largely powerless in stemming the violence in Gaza. With tensions now spilling into a broader regional confrontation, the summit is expected to issue a familiar call for peace that few expect to alter the course of events.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

The U.S. Army has suspended Colonel Nathan McCormack following controversial remarks in which he described Israel as “our worst ‘ally,’” igniting a firestorm of political and military reaction.

In a statement made during a closed-door security forum that was later leaked online, Col. McCormack reportedly said: “Israel is our worst ‘ally.’ We get literally nothing out of the ‘partnership’ other than the enmity of millions of people in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.”

The Pentagon confirmed McCormack’s suspension on Tuesday, stating that the remarks are under formal review for possible violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and Department of Defence policies on political expression.

“While service members are entitled to personal opinions, public statements by active-duty officers that could affect diplomatic relations are taken seriously,” a Defence Department official said on condition of anonymity.

Col. McCormack, a senior officer with experience in multiple overseas deployments, has not yet commented publicly, but sources close to him say he stands by his critique and views it as a matter of strategic honesty.

His suspension has drawn sharply divided reactions. Critics called his comments inflammatory and damaging to U.S.-Israel relations, while supporters praised his candour, arguing that Washington’s unconditional support for Israel has long gone unquestioned within military circles.

The incident adds to a broader debate in Washington over the costs and consequences of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, especially amid ongoing international criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza and Iran.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued a strongly worded statement condemning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s unilateral military strike on Iran, calling it a reckless escalation that defies international law and endangers global stability.

Sanders accused Netanyahu of previously violating the Geneva Conventions through the starvation of children in Gaza and now pursuing an illegal attack on Iran, risking a full-scale regional war. He stated that the strikes ignored the diplomatic efforts of the United States to resolve tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and undermined planned negotiations.

“The world is more dangerous and unstable as a result of the extremist Netanyahu’s government ongoing defiance of international law,” Sanders said.

The senator urged the U.S. and international community to resist being drawn into another conflict, and instead push for de-escalation and renewed diplomacy.

“We should do everything possible to prevent an escalation of this conflict and bring the warring parties to the negotiating table,” he emphasized.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

Pep Guardiola, the renowned Manchester City manager, delivered a moving and heartfelt speech on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza while receiving an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester this week.

In an emotional address, Guardiola veered from the usual ceremonial tone to speak about the suffering in Gaza, calling for compassion and courage in the face of ongoing violence. 

“It is so painful what we see in Gaza, it hurts all my body,” he said, his voice weighted with emotion. “It is not about ideology but the love of life. It is about refusing to be silent or still when it matters the most.”

Guardiola, known as much for his principled stances as for his tactical brilliance on the pitch, received a standing ovation from many in the audience, including faculty, students, and dignitaries.

The University of Manchester awarded Guardiola the honorary degree in recognition of his contributions to sport and his influence as a global figure. Yet, it was his candid acknowledgement of human suffering and his call for empathy that left a lasting impression.

Social media erupted in praise following the speech, with many highlighting Guardiola’s words as a rare and courageous gesture from a figure in elite sport.

As tensions and humanitarian concerns continue to mount in Gaza, Guardiola’s remarks have added a prominent voice to the growing international calls for peace and justice.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Matthew Miller, former spokesperson for the U.S. State Department under President Joe Biden, has said Israel has “without doubt” committed war crimes in Gaza.

In a recent interview, Miller pointed to the targeting of civilian infrastructure, the high civilian death toll, and the ongoing blockade as clear violations of international law. His remarks mark a significant departure from the official U.S. position, which has largely avoided directly accusing Israel of war crimes.

Miller’s comments come as independent investigations into alleged violations by Israeli forces continue. He also criticized the Biden administration’s support for Israel, warning it risks enabling serious breaches of humanitarian law.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Spain has called for international sanctions against Israel following its ongoing military campaign in Gaza, which has led to heavy civilian casualties and a worsening humanitarian situation.

At a high-level summit in Madrid, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares proposed suspending the EU’s cooperation agreement with Israel, imposing an arms embargo, and targeting top Israeli officials with sanctions. 

Mr Albares also called on world powers to recognise the State of Palestine as a step toward peace.

Spain has joined South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of genocide, further escalating diplomatic pressure. 

Meanwhile, public protests across major Spanish cities have amplified demands for an end to arms sales and more decisive action against Israel.

By Muhammad Abubakar

The leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Canada issued a joint statement today strongly condemning the Israeli government’s continued military operations in Gaza and its denial of humanitarian aid to the besieged population.

In the statement, the three nations called the humanitarian situation in Gaza “intolerable” and labelled Israel’s limited allowance of food into the territory as grossly inadequate. They urged the Israeli government to halt its military offensive immediately and allow unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid, in cooperation with the United Nations.

The leaders also called on Hamas to release the remaining hostages held since the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, while affirming Israel’s right to self-defence. However, they described the ongoing Israeli response as “wholly disproportionate.”

The statement strongly criticised the Israeli government’s use of inflammatory rhetoric and warned that permanent forced displacement of Gaza’s population would constitute a breach of international humanitarian law.

The three countries also voiced strong opposition to the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, stating such actions undermine prospects for a viable Palestinian state and threaten regional security. They pledged to take further actions, including potential targeted sanctions, if the situation does not improve.

The joint statement expressed support for current ceasefire efforts led by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, and emphasised the need for a long-term political solution. The leaders stressed their commitment to a two-state solution. They highlighted the upcoming June 18 international conference in New York, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, as a key moment for advancing peace.

“We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state as a contribution to achieving a two-state solution,” the statement concluded, reaffirming their readiness to work with international partners to bring stability to the region.

By Muhammad Abubakar

In a controversial address on Monday, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich openly acknowledged that the limited humanitarian aid allowed into the Gaza Strip is intended not to alleviate civilian suffering but to shield Israel from international war crimes accusations.

Smotrich declared that Israel is “annihilating everything that remains in the Strip,” describing Gaza as “one big city of terror.” He said the provision of minimal aid — such as “a few bakeries distributing pitas” and “a daily portion of cooked food” — serves a strategic purpose: maintaining global political cover. “It allows the world to continue providing us with international protection,” he asserted.

Smotrich defended Israel’s ongoing campaign of widespread devastation, describing it as a shift from targeted raids to full-scale occupation. “No more raids with ins and outs… we are conquering, clearing, and staying until Hamas is destroyed,” he said.

The minister praised the military’s intensified focus on Gaza’s civil infrastructure, noting that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) is now targeting the administrative apparatus of Hamas, including ministers, civil servants, and the economic networks.

Boasting of the level of destruction inflicted on the enclave, Smotrich said, “We are dismantling Gaza, leaving it in ruins with unprecedented destruction, and the world still hasn’t stopped us.” He went further, expressing support for a complete blockade of essential services: “Until the last of the hostages returns, we should also not let water into the Gaza Strip.”

Perhaps most alarmingly, Smotrich appeared to endorse forced displacement, stating: “The population will reach the south of the Strip, and from there, God willing, to third countries, as part of President Trump’s plan.”

His remarks have sparked renewed concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and raised serious questions about the legality and morality of Israel’s ongoing military strategy.