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Israeli PM recalls negotiation delegation from Doha

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Jerusalem, May 23 (IANS) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the return of the Israeli delegation from Doha, a senior Israeli official confirmed to media, describing it as “an impasse” in the negotiations with Hamas over a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said on Thursday that Israel had recalled its senior negotiation team on Tuesday for consultations after a week of indirect talks, and now the remaining working-level team still in Doha will also return.Hamas, in a statement on Tuesday, accused the Israeli government of derailing the talks, saying the low-level Israeli team left in Doha had no mandate to finalise an agreement.The group accused Netanyahu of “misleading world public opinion and pretending to participate in the negotiation process,” claiming no substantive negotiations had taken place since Saturday.Citing an Israeli diplomatic source, Israel’s state-owned Kan TV reported that the talks broke down over a key disagreement — Israel insisted on a deal involving a temporary truce in return to the release of only some hostages, while Hamas demanded international guarantees, primarily from the US, that Israel would not resume fighting, in exchange for the release of all hostages.”The sides failed to bridge the gaps, despite pressure from Washington,” the diplomat said.In January, Hamas released 33 Israeli hostages under the first phase of a three-stage ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal, as well as five Thai nationals who were not part of the agreement. In March, Israel refused to advance to the second phase of the deal after a two-month ceasefire, resuming its military offensive.Since then, Israel has rejected international calls to halt the war and allow humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave, where United Nations experts warn famine is spreading.On Saturday, Israel launched Operation Gideon’s Chariots, marking a significant escalation in its 19-month offensive.Israeli officials say the goal is to defeat Hamas and return 58 hostages still held in Gaza.The operation includes seizing the entire Gaza Strip, maintaining military control over the territory, and pushing the population southward, according to Israeli sources.The Palestinian death toll has reached 53,762 since the war began, according to the Gaza health authorities’ update on Thursday.–IANSint/khz

Israel intercepts 2nd missile from Yemen in one day (Ld)

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Jerusalem, May 23 (IANS) Israel’s military has said that a missile launched from Yemen had been intercepted by the country’s aerial defence system, marking the second missile attack by Houthi forces on Israel within the same day.
The missile, launched around Thursday noon, triggered air raid sirens in the Jerusalem area, several settlements in the occupied West Bank, and the Dead Sea region, Israeli police said.Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service reported that no injuries were sustained, Xinhua news agency reported.”A missile launched from Yemen was intercepted,” the military said in a statement, adding that sirens were activated “in accordance with protocol”.Overnight between Wednesday and Thursday, the military also intercepted another missile launched from Yemen toward Israel.Houthi forces in Yemen have pledged to cease attacks on US vessels but have continued firing missiles at Israel, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.The ongoing Israeli offensive, which began 19 months ago, has resulted in the deaths of more than 53,000 people, according to Gaza health authorities.Israel has conducted a series of retaliatory airstrikes in Yemen, including one in May on the capital, Sanaa, which damaged the main international airport and left several people dead.The Houthis took responsibility for both missile attacks, saying it had targeted Ben Gurion Airport.The Iran-backed group also claimed to have launched two drones at Israel Thursday overnight. There were no reports of drones reaching Israel from Yemen on Wednesday.On Friday, the Israeli Air Force struck the Houthi-controlled Hodeida and Salif ports in Yemen in response to the Iran-backed group’s repeated attacks on Israel.The Houthis vowed to respond.Earlier this month, a Houthi missile slipped through air defences and landed in the grounds of Ben Gurion Airport, injuring six people, none of them seriously.A slew of international carriers promptly halted services to Israel, though some have since said they will resume operations.Israel responded to that attack with strikes on Sanaa airport, causing an estimated $500 million worth of damage.The Houthis — whose slogan calls for “Death to America, Death to Israel, (and) a Curse on the Jews” — began attacking Israel and general maritime traffic in November 2023, a month after the October 7 Hamas massacre.The Houthis held their fire when a ceasefire was reached between Israel and Hamas in January 2025. By that point, they had fired more than 40 ballistic missiles and dozens of attack drones and cruise missiles at Israel, including one that killed a civilian and wounded several others in Tel Aviv in July, prompting Israel’s first strike in Yemen.Since March 18, when the IDF resumed its offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Houthis in Yemen have launched 37 ballistic missiles and at least 10 drones at Israel. Several of the missiles have fallen short.–IANSint/khz

Sudanese army says mass graves discovered in Khartoum State

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Khartoum, May 23 (IANS) The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have announced the discovery of mass graves containing the remains of 465 individuals in the Al-Salha area, south of Omdurman city, just two days after declaring Khartoum State cleared of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) presence.

“During recent clearing operations in southern Omdurman, the armed forces uncovered mass graves and also found civilians and retired members of the regular forces who had been detained by the militia and held inside a school in the Salha area, where they were used as human shields under inhumane conditions,” the SAF said on Thursday in a statement on its Facebook page.”A total of 648 civilians had been detained, of whom 465 died as a result of neglect, including the lack of food, medical care, and essential medicine. The deceased were buried in mass graves, some containing more than 27 bodies,” the statement added.Meanwhile, the SAF also shared videos on its Facebook page showing detainees held inside a school in Al-Salha, along with footage of mass graves found on the school grounds, Xinhua news agency reported.A doctor, who was among the detainees, said, “The total number of detainees was approximately 648, and a significant number of them died due to a lack of food, medicine, and the spread of diseases such as cholera.”On May 20, the Sudanese army announced the full liberation of Khartoum State after regaining control of the last remaining RSF strongholds in the western and southern parts of Omdurman.In late March, the RSF said that it had repositioned its forces to the southern and western areas of Omdurman, particularly in the Al-Salha and the villages of Al-Jamoiya, following its withdrawal from most areas of Khartoum State.Al-Salha and the surrounding villages of Al-Jamoiya later became the scene of intense clashes between the Sudanese army and RSF forces.Volunteers and human rights activists have accused the RSF of committing serious violations against civilians in southwestern Omdurman, Khartoum’s twin city.Sudan has been engulfed in a brutal conflict between the SAF and the RSF since April 2023.The war has killed tens of thousands and forced millions to flee their homes, both within Sudan and across its borders.–IANSint/khz

Pneumonia hits 99 Indonesian haj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, 1 dies

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Jakarta, May 23 (IANS) Ninety-nine Indonesian haj pilgrims have been infected with pneumonia in Saudi Arabia, including one patient who has died, said the Indonesian Ministry of Health.

The Ministry warned that the increase in pneumonia cases requires urgent attention to prevent further complications.”The rise in pneumonia cases among our hajj pilgrims needs careful attention because it can get worse if not treated fast and correctly,” said Liliek Marhaendro Susilo, head of the Haj Health Centre at the Ministry, on Thursday.The infected pilgrims are currently receiving intensive care at hospitals in Saudi Arabia’s Mecca and Medina, Xinhua news agency reported.Liliek said the main risk factors for pneumonia among haj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia are extreme heat up to 47 degrees Celsius, tiredness from a busy schedule, crowded masses, and existing health problems or comorbidities.She asked pilgrims to stay careful by wearing masks, washing their hands, drinking enough water, and taking their medicines regularly if they have health issues.She also reminded pilgrims to keep their energy, avoid smoking, and quickly report any sickness to help make the haj safe and smooth.According to data from the Indonesian Haj Health Clinics (KKHI) in Mecca and Medina as of May 20, the affected pilgrims are spread across various sectors and groups.Liliek added that pneumonia can be life-threatening, particularly for those with underlying health conditions.Pneumonia is an inflammation of the air sacs in the lungs, typically caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.”In the crowded Haj environment and extreme heat, the risk of respiratory infection transmission increases,” she said.The Haj Health Centre has identified several risk factors for pneumonia among pilgrims, including high temperatures.Liliek further highlighted the risk posed by comorbidities, such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, which can make individuals more susceptible to pneumonia.The ministry continues to monitor the situation closely as pilgrims complete their religious duties.Based on KKHI’s real-time data, Liliek said, the temperature on Thursday in Mecca and Medina ranged from 41-47 degrees Celsius.If there is a lack of fluid intake in conditions like this, it can cause dehydration that can make the body more susceptible to infection.–IANSint/khz

Israel asks civilians in Gaza to evacuate ahead of intensified offensive

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Jerusalem, May 23 (IANS) The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have issued an urgent call for residents in the northern Gaza Strip to evacuate ahead of an expected intensification of its military offensive.
The evacuation order issued on Thursday covered the towns of Beit Lahia and Jabalia, the Jabalia refugee camp, and northern neighbourhoods of Gaza City, areas that Israel has already carried out heavy airstrikes in recent days, killing scores and forcing the local population to flee for the third time or more, Xinhua news agency reported.”The IDF will significantly expand its military operations in your areas,” said Avichay Adraee, a spokesman for the IDF, in a post on X, claiming that militants were operating in the targeted zones.”The areas you are in are considered dangerous combat zones… For your safety, evacuate immediately to the south,” he added.Israel has rejected international calls to halt the war and reach a hostage release deal with Hamas.On Saturday, it launched Operation Gideon’s Chariots, significantly escalating its 19-month offensive.Israeli officials said the aim is to defeat Hamas and secure the return of 58 hostages held in Gaza.The operation includes seizing control of the entire Gaza Strip, maintaining military control over the territory, and displacing the population to the south, according to Israeli sources.The Palestinian death toll has reached 53,655 since October 2023, according to the Gaza health authorities.The Israeli military on May 19 instructed residents of Khan Younis to evacuate as it prepares for what it describes as a major offensive in southern Gaza.The IDF told civilians to move towards al-Mawasi, a coastal area in western Gaza, warning that Khan Younis and surrounding areas would become a “dangerous combat zone”.In a statement, IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee said, “Terrorist organisations have brought you disaster. For your safety, evacuate immediately.”The order, one of the largest in recent months, also covers Bani Suhaila and Abasan.The offensive is part of what the IDF has named Operation Gideon’s Chariots, which began on May 17.According to hospitals in Gaza, more than 100 people have been killed in the past 24 hours.–IANSint/khz