UK counter-terrorism unit demands Steam withdraw controversial shooter from sale

https://www.eurogamer.net/uk-counter-terrorism-unit-demands-steam-withdraw-controversial-shooter-from-sale

Valve has removed a game from its British Steam storefront following a request from the UK's counter-terrorism unit.

The FPS/TPS Fursan al-Aqsa: The Knights of the Al-Aqsa Mosque - which describes itself as "address[ing] the Israel x Palestine conflict from a Palestinian perspective" - was removed when Steam contacted developer Nidal Nijm to inform him it had "received a request from authorities in the UK to block the game and have applied such country restrictions".

In an email to the Brazillian developer, Steam allegedly said: "We've received a request from authorities in the UK to block the game and have applied such country restrictions". When the developer reportedly asked if there was "a specific reason" for the UK ban and said "my game is not too much different than any other shooter game on Steam, like Call of Duty", he was told:

"We were contacted by the Counter Terrorism Command of the United Kingdom, specifically the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU). As with any authority for a region the [sic] oversees and governs what content can be made available, we have to comply with their requests."



In an email to 404, a counter-terrorism spokesperson said: "The CTIRU works closely with a range of technology, social media and online service providers, but we do not comment on specific content or any communication we may have with specific platforms or providers."

"The region lock of my game in the UK was clearly due to political reasons," Nijm wrote in a statement to the same publication.

"I do not blame Valve nor Steam, the blame is on the UK government and authorities that are pissed off by a video game," Nijm said. "On their flawed logic, the most recent Call of Duty Black Ops 6 should be banned as well. As you play as an American soldier and go to Iraq to kill Iraqi people. What I can say is that we see clearly the double standards."

The game - which was updated to include the 7th October attack given it released in April 2022 - calls itself "the Palestinian Max Payne on steroids" and the "most BASED game of all times". It has already been banned in Germany and Australia for not going through the countries' respective classification boards.

The game is still available to buy online outside of the UK, including the US. In the UK, however, the Steam page simply throws up an "Oops, sorry!" message, saying, "this item is currently unavailable in your region".

Still available here
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1714420/Fursan_alAqsa_The_Knights_of_the_AlAqsa_Mosque/

Just looks like another Counter-Strike clone.

Overwhelmingly positive based on only 613 reviews since April 2022.
Even got an award for best hardcore game. (From GameConnection, never heard of them)

https://www.game-connection.com/game-connection-america-2024-game-development-awards-winner/


Yeah this is purely a political move.

Despite ceasefire, Israel says it ‘eliminates’ Hezbollah fighters in south Lebanon village

The Israeli army says it has operated in “several” areas in southern Lebanon in which “violation” of the ceasefire happened over the past day.

In a statement on Telegram, the army said soldiers identified “several armed terrorists” near a church in southern Lebanon that had been used by Hezbollah on Saturday.

“The troops fired toward the terrorists and eliminated them. The eliminated terrorists were operatives in the Hezbollah Khiam ground defence, anti-tank missile and artillery units, and shot at the troops from the church,” the army wrote.

Lebanon’s official National News Agency reported a short time ago that several Israeli artillery shells were fired at Khiam, a village on the southern border of Lebanon, one of which hit a home.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, Hezbollah fighters are expected to retreat from southern Lebanon to north of the Litani River and Israeli troops are to withdraw from Lebanon back to their side of the border

Yemen’s Houthis attack US destroyer and 3 military supply ships

The group claims it has targeted the vessels with 16 ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as a drone, in a joint military operation in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden.

In a statement, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree identified the supply ships as “the Stena Impeccable, Maersk Saratoga and Liberty Grace”, without specifying the name of the destroyer. The operation achieved “precise and direct hits,” he added.

Saree vowed that the group’s forces “will continue to carry out their military operations with escalating intensity in the declared maritime operational zone against Israeli and American enemies and will not stop unless the aggression ends and the siege on Gaza is lifted.”

There have been no comments from Washington regarding the Houthi statement.

So far this claim is only carried here, so take with a bucket of salt.
https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/536243.aspx

Netanyahu addresses Israeli Supreme Court

Netanyahu has told Israel’s Supreme Court: “You do not have the authority to imprison a prime minister.”

Later today, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara will tell Israel’s highest court whether Netanyahu is fit to serve as prime minister.

Netanyahu also said any “petitions demanding my arrest are a dangerous attempt to drag the judiciary into the political arena and force it to make a decision.”

His comments come weeks after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged “war crimes”. Israel has told the ICC that it will appeal against both arrest warrants.

Israeli minister to make US trip amid latest US-led Gaza ceasefire push: Report

Ron Dermer, Israel’s minister for strategic affairs, will visit Washington, DC, and Palm Beach, Florida, this week, Axios’s Barak Ravid reports, quoting two unnamed sources. His report said Dermer will meet with advisers to US President Biden and President-elect Trump but has no plans to meet with Trump himself at the moment.

After announcing the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel on Tuesday, US officials said they would be making another effort to end the nearly 14-month-long war in the Gaza Strip.

Trump announces Massad Boulos as adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs

US President-elect Donald Trump says Lebanese American businessman Massad Boulos will serve as a senior adviser. During Trump’s election campaign, Boulos repeatedly met with Arab American and Muslim leaders.

Boulos is also the father-in-law of Trump’s daughter Tiffany.

Who is Massad Boulos, Trump’s Middle East adviser?

The Lebanese American businessman was born in Lebanon and moved to Texas shortly before attending the University of Houston and obtaining a law degree.

After graduating, he eventually joined his family’s business of three generations and became the managing director and CEO of the conglomerate SCOA Nigeria, which specialises in the assembly and distribution of motor vehicles and equipment.

His father and grandfather were both figures in Lebanese politics, and his father-in-law was a key funder of the Free Patriotic Movement, a Christian party aligned with Hezbollah.

Boulos’s son Michael and Tiffany Trump have been married since November 2022.

Boulos has been in touch with interlocutors across Lebanon’s multipolar political world, three sources who spoke to him in recent months told Reuters – a rare feat in Lebanon, where decades-old rivalries between factions run deep.

Boulos is a friend of Suleiman Frangieh, a Christian ally of Hezbollah and its candidate for Lebanon’s presidency. He ran unsuccessfully for a parliamentary seat there in 2009.

That actually doesn't seem to be a bad pick.

Palestine top of agenda at Gulf summit

The Gulf Cooperation Council summit has opened in Kuwait, bringing together leaders from across the region.

Israel’s ongoing assault in Gaza will be a key discussion point. In his opening speech, Kuwaiti Emir Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah called on the international community to implement “an immediate ceasefire [in Gaza] … and the arrival of urgent humanitarian aid”.

He denounced “the genocide committed against the Palestinian people” and hit out at what he characterised as the “double standards in the application of relevant international laws, charters and resolutions” when it comes to Israel.

Gulf leaders will also discuss ways to boost economic and trade relations.

UAE president, Saudi crown prince discuss Middle East developments

UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) discussed the situation in the Middle East, emphasising the importance of a “two-state solution” in Israel-Palestine to achieve regional stability.

The discussion took place today in the UAE city of Al Ain, where MBS arrived for a private visit of unspecified duration, according to the official Emirates News Agency (WAM).

The discussions also explored “the enduring fraternal ties between the two countries and opportunities for further development under their special strategic partnership”.

The visit comes hours after the conclusion of the 45th Gulf Cooperation Council Summit held in Kuwait, which called for an end to the Israeli genocide in Gaza and the resulting starvation, siege, and displacement of Palestinians.

German official says Israel has no excuses not to deliver aid to Gaza

German Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Tobias Linder says Israel has no excuse for hampering humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza.

Israel must “at last keep its promises to fluidify humanitarian aid into Gaza and to allow sufficient humanitarian access at any moment”, Lindner said in a statement published before his trip to Egypt.

“There is no excuse for that. Israel’s right to legitimate self-defence finds its limits in international humanitarian rights.”

Linder’s comment comes after UNRWA announced earlier today that it was suspending the delivery of aid to Gaza through a critical crossing point because the situation had become “impossible”.

Germany has offered nearly unqualified support for Israel over the course of its war on Gaza and has cracked down on supporters of Palestine.

At least 10 people killed in Israeli bombing of Beit Lahiya

Al Jazeera’s correspondent on the ground in the Gaza Strip reports that at least 10 people have been killed when the Israeli army bombs a house in the northern part of the territory.

Medical sources told Al Jazeera that at least 34 people have been killed in Israeli attacks across the Strip since early this morning.

Israeli settlers attack Umm Safa in the occupied West Bank

Israeli settlers have attacked the town of Umm Safa, north of Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank, firing live bullets at Palestinians. Local council head Marwan Sabah told the Palestinian news agency Wafa that the settlers assaulted civilians at the town’s western entrance while the council was laying a water line in the village.

Sabah added that the Israeli army stormed the town to protect the settlers and fired tear gas at residents, leading some of them to suffer from tear gas inhalation.

Palestinians suffer tear gas inhalation during Israeli raid in occupied West Bank

Several Palestinians have suffered from tear gas inhalation when Israeli forces stormed the village of Tabqa, southwest of Hebron, in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reports.

Security sources told Wafa that Israeli forces entered the village after settlers had stormed it.

Earlier, Wafa reported that Israeli forces had clamped down on the Fawwar refugee camp south of Hebron after the army closed the al-Aqd road leading to the camp. Local sources also told the news outlet that closing this road would increase the suffering in the camp because it is the only one that exists for residents, students, health workers and people seeking medical care.

Main points on Dec 1st

France accuses Israel of violating Lebanon truce 52 times: Report

Israel’s Ynet News is reporting that France has accused the Israeli military of violating its ceasefire deal with Hezbollah 52 times, including an attack on Saturday that killed three Lebanese civilians.

The Israeli military has justified the attacks, claiming they were in response to violations by Hezbollah.

But Ynet News, citing French officials, said Israel had acted without consulting the international committee tasked with monitoring the deal’s compliance.

“The Lebanese are fully committed to maintaining the cease-fire and preventing Hezbollah from reestablishing its presence in southern Lebanon, but they must be given time to prove themselves,” it quoted a French official as saying.

Israeli officials defended their actions, however, claiming the international monitoring committee would not be fully operational before Monday or Tuesday, and said they would continue attacks until then.

Israeli forces fire at houses in south Lebanon

Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) is reporting that Israeli forces opened fire using machineguns at houses in the town of Naqoura.

The incident was the latest in a series of Israeli attacks since a ceasefire with Hezbollah went into effect on Wednesday.

French defence minister expected in Beirut: Reports

Lebanon’s Annahar and Aljoumhouria newspapers are reporting that French Defence Minister Sebastian Lecornu is expected to visit Beirut in the coming hours to discuss the implementation of the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

Lecornu will hold meetings with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Speaker Nabih Berri, Defence Minister Maurice Salim and army chief General Joseph Aoun during his visit, according to Aljoumhouria.

The visit comes amid growing concern in Lebanon over repeated Israeli violations of the ceasefire, which came into effect on Wednesday.

Lebanese official asks truce committee to oblige Israel to stop breaches

Parliament speaker Nabih Berri also asks the committee supervising the ceasefire with Israel to urge it to withdraw from the Lebanese territory, according to a statement by his office on Facebook.

Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah started implementing the ceasefire last Wednesday as part of a deal for a 60-day cessation of more than a year of hostilities.

The two sides have accused each other of breaching the truce.

Israel again warns people in Lebanon against returning to homes in south

Israeli forces have again warned people in Lebanon against travelling south in their country, saying they are “prohibited” from returning to their homes.

“I remind you that until further notice, you are prohibited from moving south to the line of the following villages and their surroundings: Shebaa, al-Habbariyeh, Marjayoun, Arnoun, Yohmor, Qantara, Chaqra, Baraachit, Yater, Al-Mansouri,” Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said on X.

“Anyone who moves south of this line – puts himself in danger,” he added.

Adraee also listed more than 60 villages that he said people are “prohibited” from returning to. Israeli forces do “not intend to target you and therefore you are prohibited at this stage from returning to your homes from this line south until further notice”, he said.

France tells Israel all sides must abide by Lebanon ceasefire

Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has told his Israeli counterpart the truce that started last week between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah should be respected by all sides.

Barrot spoke to Gideon Saar by phone, the French Foreign Ministry said.

Lebanese soldier wounded in Israeli attack

An Israeli drone hit a bulldozer of the Lebanese army that was carrying out “fortification work” at a military base in the northeastern Hermel area close to the Lebanon-Syria border.

The attack “resulted in one soldier being moderately injured”, the Lebanese army said on X.

Israeli air raid kills 1 in southern Lebanon

The attack took place in Marjayoun, a town in southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. In a separate incident earlier today, an Israeli jet struck a bulldozer of the Lebanese army in Hermel close to the Lebanon-Syria border, wounding one of its soldiers.

The attacks come less than a week after Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire, putting a halt to more than a year of war.

Israeli army says it struck Hezbollah targets

The Israeli military says it attacked vehicles operating in the vicinity of military infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah in Lebanon’s eastern region of Bekaa.

Troops also attacked military vehicles used to transfer weapons near the border between Syria and Lebanon in Hermel, the Israeli military said in a statement, acknowledging that a Lebanese soldier was injured in one of its attacks.

Earlier today, the Lebanese army reported that one of its soldiers was injured in an Israeli drone attack on a bulldozer carrying out fortification work at a military base in the border area.

The Israeli army made no mention of the person killed in the southern town of Marjayoun.

US says warships ‘defeated’ Houthi attacks on merchant ships

The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) says its warships escorted three American-owned ships through the Gulf of Aden after successfully defeating a missile and drone attack by the Houthis.

“The reckless attacks resulted in no injuries and no damage to” the two destroyers or the three US operated and flagged merchant vessels, CENTCOM said in a statement, posted on X.

The Houthis earlier said they launched 16 ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as a drone, at a US destroyer and three military supply ships. The Yemeni rebel group says their attacks on ships linked to Israel and its allies are an act of solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Egypt set to host conference on boosting aid to Gaza

The ministerial conference on enhancing the “humanitarian response to the Gaza Strip” is set to open in Cairo later today.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J Mohammed and ministers from countries in the Middle East and elsewhere are expected to attend the meeting, according to Egyptian media.

“The event will address the political, security, and humanitarian aspects of the situation in Gaza, with a particular emphasis on supporting UNRWA’s operations,” the Ahram Online newspaper reported.

UK pledges $24m in aid for Gaza

The United Kingdom promised to provide 19 million pounds ($24m) in funding for Gaza ahead of the humanitarian conference in Egypt later today.

Annelise Dodds, the UK’s international development minister, who is set to attend the conference, described the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic” and urged Israel to ensure “unimpeded aid access to Gaza”.

She added, “Gazans​ are in desperate need of food, and shelter with the onset of winter… I will meet counterparts both in Israel and the [occupied Palestinian territory] to discuss the need to remove these impediments, bring about a ceasefire, free the hostages and find a lasting solution to the conflict.”

Norway’s top diplomat pushes for European action to recognise Palestine

Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide says Norway is taking the lead in pushing to establish a Palestinian state.

He was attending a Palestine support event at the Oslo Cathedral, along with the king and the prime minister, before a Gaza solidarity rally.