Author: M Barbu

Rethinking terrorism in international law

I. Introduction

From 27 December 2008 to 18 January 2009, the Israeli army carried out a military intervention in the Gaza Strip, the so-called Operation ‘Cast Lead’. During this period of time, Gaza was bombed from the sky and the sea and, in the second phase of the offensive, was invaded by land. Eventually, Palestinian casualties amounted approximately to more than 1400, most of them civilians. On the other hand, 13 Israeli citizens were killed, 10 soldiers and 3 civilians. 1 Operation ‘Cast Lead’ was judged as “the most violent, the most brutal and the bloodiest offensive against Palestinian civilians and their property since the beginning of Israeli occupation in 1967”. 2 The pattern of widespread destruction was clearly testified by the way the first attacks were carried out: the air bombing took place during rush hour, when the streets of Gaza were crowded with people. 3 On top of that, the suffering of the civilian population appears to be a distinctive feature of the Israel’s military activities throughout the entire operation. 4 These events constitute the background to the present thesis.

Has Israel used ‘toxic’ depleted uranium in Lebanon?

The New Arab looks into the accusations that Israel has used depleted uranium, as well as what the substance is and why it’s so dangerous.

Israel has been accused of using bombs containing depleted uranium in its bombardment of Lebanon.

“The extent of destruction and the penetration of buildings and ground by dozens of meters is evidence of the use of bombs containing depleted uranium, which has tremendous penetrating power,” the Syndicate of Chemists in Lebanon (SCL) said in a statement released on Monday.

Will Israel strike Iran’s oil ports in retaliatory attack?

Iran appeared to be taking preparations in anticipation of a potential Israeli strike on its oil facilities, despite US warnings to Israel regarding this.

Iran is anticipating an Israeli attack after it launched ballistic missiles against Israel earlier this month, and appears to be taking steps in preparation for this, notably at its oil facilities.

Hamas will rise ‘like a phoenix’ from the ashes, leader-in-exile says

Hamas leader-in-exile Khaled Meshaal said the Palestinian group would rise “like a phoenix” from the ashes despite heavy losses during a year of war with Israel, and that it continues to recruit fighters and manufacture weapons, Reuters reported.

One year after the Hamas attack that triggered the war, Meshaal framed the conflict with Israel as part of a broader narrative spanning 76 years, dating back to what Palestinians call the “Nakba” or “catastrophe,” when many were displaced during the 1948 war that accompanied the creation of Israel.

Qatar Is A State Sponsor Of Islamist Terrorism – Israel’s Cooperation With It Is Strategically Disastrous And Morally Shameful – Archival, May 2022

Hamas political bureau head Ismail Haniyeh thanks the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Aal-Thani, for his country’s support for Hamas. (Source: qudspress.com)

For decades, Qatar has, directly or indirectly, provided economic and political support for all the extremist Islamic terror organizations: the Muslim Brotherhood, Al-Qaeda, and even ISIS-linked groups. Muslim Brotherhood leader Sheikh Yousuf Al-Qaradawi, one of the leading Islamic jurists who was known for his extreme antisemitism and his justification of the annihilation of the Jews in the Holocaust, operated for many years in Qatar, under the state’s protection. Qatar also sheltered leaders of other jihad organizations. Its education system is saturated with preaching to jihad and suicide attacks. Its state-run media, the Al-Jazeer channel, is rife with antisemitism and Holocaust denial.

THE FUTURE OF US STRATEGY TOWARD IRAN

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The destabilizing actions of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its armed proxy groups, known as the Axis of Resistance, threaten vital US interests in the Middle East and beyond, ranging from the security and stability of US allies to the free flow of energy and maritime commerce—and deterring Iran from becoming a nuclear-weapons state requires urgent attention. How the United States should approach Iran will remain one of Washington’s primary foreign policy challenges for years to come. This report aims to provide a comprehensive strategic plan that can guide US executive branch leadership, members of Congress, the military, diplomats, and others who have roles in shaping US foreign policy toward Iran for the next four years, with an eye toward the next two decades.

Hassan Khomeini, Ayatollah Khomeini’s Grandson: Israel Will Not Back Down Unless It Is Faced With Force And Power; It Is Time To Increase Our Military Deterrence

Hassan Khomeini, grandson of the leader of the Iranian Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, said in an October 5, 2024 interview on Channel 1 (Iran) that Israel will not back down unless it is faced with force and power, therefore, he suggested that it is time to increase Iran’s military deterrence. He said that Iran’s solution for a Palestinian state is a referendum with the participation of the Palestinian refugees, and this will “ultimately wipe out Israel.”

Hizbullah-Affiliated Lebanese Minister Of Labor Moustafa Bayram: Hizbullah Is A Miracle! No Other Organization Could Survive 5,000 Fighters Being Put Out Of Commission In Two-Minute-Explosions And The Killing Of The ‘Crown Jewel’ Nasrallah

Hizbullah-affiliated Lebanese Minister of Labor Moustafa Bayram said in a September 29, 2024 interview that aired on NBN TV (Lebanon) that Hizbullah is a “miraculous resistance movement.” He said that no other movement would survive 5,000 of its fighters being put out of commission in two two-minute explosions and the killing of the “crown jewel” Hassan Nasrallah. Bayram added: “Allah is with us on the battlefield.”