Several states are imposing new sanctions on Iran. Hezbollah denies report of dead commanders. More information in the news blog.
The most important things at a glance
China hosts “Palestine summit”.
9:20 p.m.: China will host a Palestine summit involving representatives of Hamas and Fatah. There will be talks there about the unity of Palestine, according to the two rival Palestinian groups and a diplomat from Beijing. A Fatah delegation has already left for China, while Hamas representatives will follow later on Friday, said representatives from the respective camps. It would be the first official visit by Hamas members to China since the start of the Gaza war. The radical Islamic Hamas controls the Gaza Strip, while the moderate Fatah movement under Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas determines the fate of the West Bank.
UN investigates terrorism allegations against UNRWA employees
7:38 p.m.: The United Nations continues to examine suspicions of terrorism against a total of 14 employees of the UN Palestinian relief agency UNRWA. After Israel’s serious allegations against twelve employees in January, seven further cases were reported to the UN, a spokesman in New York said. The examinations against five employees were discontinued or suspended because there was either insufficient information or no information at all about these people. Internal investigation inspectors planned another visit to the Middle East in May, it said.
UNRWA hit the headlines in January after Israel claimed that 12 staff members were involved in the Islamist Hamas’ devastating terrorist attacks on October 7. In response to the allegations, UNRWA fired several workers. Some of the major donors, including the US and Germany, temporarily suspended their payments. Berlin recently announced that it wanted to continue the donations. Another study, which looked at the extent to which UNRWA was living up to its neutrality requirements, found that the organization had some “robust” mechanisms, but also saw a need for improvement.
Right-wing extremist Israeli minister injured in accident
7:25 p.m.: Israel’s Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was injured in a car accident on Friday evening. The police reported that a total of three people were injured in the accident in Ramle near Tel Aviv. She announced an investigation into the accident, which involved two vehicles, including the police minister’s car. The injured were taken to a clinic.
The right-wing extremist politician’s car ran a red light and collided with another car whose driver had a green light, several Israeli media reported, citing eyewitnesses. Accordingly, his car, which is said to be a company car, overturned. Ben-Gvir usually has a driver for this. The minister is in good condition, the Times of Israel reported, citing his office.
According to media, Ben-Gvir had previously visited the site of a suspected knife attack in Ramle. When the accident happened, Ben-Gvir, who is also Minister of National Security, was on his way back.
Egypt: Progress made in Gaza talks with Israel
5.30 p.m.: According to Egyptian sources, there could be some movement in the deadlocked negotiations on the Gaza war. Significant progress has been made in talks between Egyptian and Israeli representatives, according to the state-affiliated Egyptian television Al-Kahira News.
No further information is currently known. The broadcaster previously reported that an Egyptian delegation had arrived in Tel Aviv to discuss a “comprehensive framework” for a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. There is no official confirmation yet. Read more about the topic here.
Iran wants to deepen military cooperation with China
1:24 p.m.: Iran wants to deepen its military cooperation with China. According to information from Tehran, the defense ministers of both countries agreed on closer cooperation, as reported by the Iranian news agency Isna. In a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun, Brigadier General Mohammed-Resa Ashtiani said: “In order to solve regional and international security problems, greater cooperation and rapprochement between both sides is required.” The ministers met on the sidelines of a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Kazakhstan.
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