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SvennoJ on 18 July 2025

UK MPs demand government respond to ICJ judgement on Israeli actions in occupied Palestine

More than 110 British MPs have written to the UK government demanding that it immediately publish a response to the International Court of Justice’s judgement on the legal consequences of Israel’s activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, which the court released a year ago.

The letter urged the UK government to rectify its lack of response, and “address the unlawful situation occurring in the OPT, as well [as] its own obligations under international law”.

The ICJ published the advisory opinion, which held, among other things, that Israel’s presence in the occupied Palestinian territory was unlawful, on July 19 last year. But the British government has made no response, other than a statement in October that it did “not disagree with” its central findings.

The signatories to the letter called on the government to address the judgement’s “crystal clear” findings, including that illegal Israeli settlements should be withdrawn, that Israel owed reparations for illegal acts since 1967, and that other states were obligated not to assist Israel’s unlawful presence.

“It is an utter nonsense that a year on from this historic advisory opinion that the government has not issued its formal response,” said Chris Doyle, director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding. “What it highlights is the government’s continued aversion to hold Israel to account, its failure to uphold international law and respect these international judicial institutions.”


Four pro-Palestinian activists face 2027 trial over UK military base break-in

Four pro-Palestinian activists will stand trial in 2027, charged with breaking into a British military airbase and damaging two planes in protest against the UK’s support for Israel.

The four are accused of breaking into a Royal Air Force base in Oxfordshire in central England on June 20 and spraying red paint over two Voyager aircraft used for refuelling and transport. Campaign group Palestine Action said it was behind the incident.

Lewie Chiaramello, 22, Jony Cink, 24, Amy Gardiner-Gibson, 29, and Daniel Jeronymides-Norie, 36, appeared for a hearing at London’s Old Bailey court on Friday, before a trial due to start in January 2027.

They are charged with conspiracy to enter a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the interests or safety of the UK, and conspiracy to commit criminal damage. None of the defendants was asked to enter a plea at Friday’s brief hearing.

Police previously said the action had caused 7 million pounds ($9.4m) worth of damage to two aircraft at RAF Brize Norton.

British lawmakers voted to proscribe Palestine Action under anti-terrorism legislation earlier this month. The group has condemned the decision as “authoritarian”, and a challenge to the ban will be heard at London’s High Court on Monday.


Pro-Palestinian rap group Kneecap will not be charged over Glastonbury performance

Irish-language rap group Kneecap will face no further action over their performance at the UK’s Glastonbury festival last month, police say.

In a statement, Avon and Somerset police said that an investigation had been carried out into “comments about a forthcoming court case made during Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury festival”.

The statement said that police had sought advice from the Crown Prosecution Service and decided to take no further action “on the grounds there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence”.

During their appearance in front of tens of thousands of fans chanting “Free Palestine”, Kneecap gave a “shout-out” to Palestine Action, a group that UK Interior Minister Yvette Cooper had previously announced would be banned under the Terrorism Act of 2000.

Kneecap acknowledged the police statement in a social media post, saying, “One element of the political policing intimidation attempt is over.”

One of the band’s members is already facing a charge for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation at one of the group’s shows in London.

Avon and Somerset police said they were continuing to make inquiries about comments made during a set by punk-rap group Bob Vylan at Glastonbury, after the lead singer started a chant wishing death on the Israeli military.



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SvennoJ on 18 July 2025

Israel targets Bedouin convoy on Syrian highway: Report

Israeli forces have carried out an attack on Syria’s Palmyra-Homs highway, targeting a convoy of Bedouin fighters who were reportedly making their way towards restive Suwayda in the south of the country, according to Israel’s public broadcaster Kan News.

Bedouin fighters have still managed to reach the Suwayda area in the last few hours, the report said, confirming earlier reports from Arabic language news media.

Syria’s leadership has condemned Israel’s attacks as a violation of its sovereignty amid attempts to cement a ceasefire between Bedouin and Druze fighters in the south.

Israel has justified its latest bombing of Syria on the grounds that it is protecting the Druze minority.


Syrian troops preparing to redeploy in Suwayda following appeal for help

Syria’s Interior Ministry has said security forces are preparing to redeploy in the province of Suwayda to quell fighting that has resumed between Druze and Bedouin tribes. A source at the ministry says the decision has been made after appeals from locals for help.

Suwayda province is yet again a battleground. Bedouin tribes decided to launch an attack on a Druze faction, the Suwayda Military Council, who they accuse of carrying out violations and abuses against civilians following the withdrawal of government troops earlier this week.

Bedouin tribes who live in this predominantly Druze province have appealed to tribes in other parts of Syria to come and join the fight. Yesterday, we were in the Suwayda governorate and saw families leaving the area, carrying their belongings, fearful of what is coming next.

This is really a very dangerous development in post-Assad Syria.

The big question is what Israel would do. It has said it will not allow the presence of government forces in the south. We’ll have to see what happens in the coming hours.


Tribal leader in Suwayda issues call for fighters from other provinces to ‘save our people’

As we reported earlier, Bedouin tribes who have been clashing with Druze fighters around the southern Syrian city of Suwayda have appealed to tribes from across Syria to come and join their fight, following the resumption of violence there.

Footage shows tribal leader Abdul Moneim Al Naseef issuing a call for support as he is surrounded by armed tribesmen.

“To repel harm from our people, and in response to God’s command, we direct a call to the tribes in all Syrian provinces to head immediately to Suwayda to save our people from massacres and ethnic cleansing,” he said.

“We call on the sons of our tribes to uphold the morals of Islam and Arabism and to not attack anyone except those who attack them.”

Syria’s Interior Ministry has said security forces are preparing to redeploy in the province of Suwayda to quell fighting that has broken out again between Druze and Bedouin tribes. Syria began withdrawing government troops from the province on Wednesday night.


Fighters from Bedouin tribes gather on a road in al-Mazraa village leading to the predominantly Druze city of Suwayda in southern Syria



SvennoJ on 18 July 2025

Syrian Interior Ministry denies reports that government forces redeploying to Suwayda

Syria’s Interior Ministry says reports that it was preparing to redeploy government troops to the southern province of Suwayda in response to renewed fighting between tribal groups are inaccurate, according to state media.

“We confirm that no official statement has been issued in this regard, and we categorically deny the veracity of what was published,” said spokesperson Noureddine al-Baba, SANA news agency reported.

The spokesperson said government forces were in a normal state of readiness, and that there had been no deployment to Suwayda so far.

Violent clashes have resumed between Druze and Bedouin tribes around the Druze-majority city following the withdrawal of government forces late on Wednesday.


‘We have never wanted to cause division’: Influential Druze leader al-Hijri

A prominent Druze religious leader who earlier urged Druze fighters to confront government forces in Suwayda has released a statement downplaying sectarian divisions in southern Syria.

In a video statement, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, who had rejected a Syrian government ceasefire agreed with other Druze leaders, insisted he did not want to sow division.

“We are not sectarian; we have never wanted to cause division. We hold full responsibility for anyone who tampers with security and stability,” he said. “We affirm that whoever engages in sabotage or incitement represents only himself, and his actions should not be attributed to any sect or region.”

UN says credible reports indicate widespread rights violations in Suwayda

The UN Human Rights Office says credible reports indicate widespread rights violations have been committed by all factions fighting in Suwayda, including summary executions, arbitrary killings, kidnappings, destruction and looting of homes.

Among the reported perpetrators were security forces, government-affiliated elements, as well as Druze and Bedouins, the office stated.

Reports of rights violations include:

  • On July 15, armed individuals affiliated with the interim authorities deliberately opened fire at a family gathering, killing at least 13 people.
  • On the same day, they reportedly summarily executed six men near their homes in two separate incidents.
  • The office has also documented the public humiliation of a Druze man, including the forcible shaving of his moustache, an important cultural symbol for the Druze community.
  • Since July 12, hundreds have been reported killed, the UN added.

“My office has received accounts of distressed Syrians who are living in fear for their lives and those of their loved ones,” said UN human rights chief Volker Turk. “The deployment of state security forces should bring safety and protection, not add to the fear and violence.”



SvennoJ on 18 July 2025

Israel says it is sending ‘humanitarian aid’ for Druze in Suwayda

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has said he ordered the transfer of “humanitarian aid” to the Druze in Suwayda, in southern Syria.

The aid package, worth nearly $600,000, includes food, medical equipment and medicines, Saar said.

Critics argue that Israel’s interest in the Druze community in Syria stems both from pressure exerted by the Israeli Druze, whose members hold important roles in the army, and from the strategic goal of deepening Israel’s control in southern Syria.

Saar’s comments come as fighting between Beduin tribes and Druze fighters has resumed, following the collapse of two ceasefires agreed in the past week.

More on fighting around Suwayda

We are getting more reports of fighting between forces allied with Syria’s government and Druze fighters outside Suwayda.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported clashes west of the southern region, “pitting tribal fighters and Bedouin supported by the authorities on one side, against Druze fighters on the other”.

AFP also said fighters on both sides confirmed the exchange of fire to the news agency’s correspondents.

Separately, footage published online and verified by Al Jazeera documented the sound of clashes between Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters in rural Suwayda earlier today.

Other verified clips also showed the arrival of reinforcements to support the tribesmen spread throughout the area.


UN says fighting in Suwayda hurting aid operations

The UN Refugee Agency is saying it is “very concerned” by the fighting in the southern Syrian city of Suwayda, which is limiting its ability to deliver aid.

“The situation in Suwayda is very concerning. It is very difficult for us to operate there,” spokesperson William Spindler told reporters in Geneva.

“At the moment, our capacity to deliver aid is very limited. We are calling on all parties to allow humanitarian access.”

As we reported earlier, families have been seen leaving Suwayda with their possessions amid fierce clashes between armed groups in recent days.



SvennoJ on 18 July 2025

Israel ‘to allow’ Syrian forces into Suwayda area for next 48 hours: Israeli official

An unnamed Israeli official has told reported that Israel “has agreed to allow limited entry of the [Syrian] internal security forces into Suwayda district for the next 48 hours” due to the ongoing instability in southwest Syria.

It comes a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s policy going forward will be to “not allow Syrian army forces to enter the region south of Damascus”.

Earlier this week, Israel launched air attacks on Suwayda and the capital, Damascus, where it targeted the Defence Ministry and areas near the presidential palace.

Israeli authorities say they intervened to protect the Druze community and to ensure the southern area is demilitarised after fighting between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes erupted on Monday. But leading analysts in Israel have suggested the attacks may not have been entirely motivated by concern for the welfare of the Druze, so much as the personal and political aims of the Israeli government and its embattled prime minister.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Thursday condemned the Israeli air attacks, saying Israel was seeking to turn his country into a “theatre of endless chaos”, as he pledged to protect all communities in Syria.


Israeli intervention a challenge to Syrian government

Many Syrians who you speak to are concerned about Israel’s intervention in the situation in Suwayda, and the threats it poses to national unity and the government’s efforts to extend its authority across the country.

Israel is calling the shots in many ways. Just two days ago, it blew up the Syrian Defence Ministry. It has been targeting government forces across southern Syria, and ordered the Syrian government to withdraw its forces from the south or it would face further attacks.

There’s a concern that Israel’s actions, which it claims are on behalf of Suwayda’s Druze community, will affect two of the key challenges facing Syria’s new government: Extending its authority across the country, and reaching out to Syria’s minorities, whether Druze, Alawite or Kurds.

They have to try to rebuild a nation, a country with deep-seated animosities after 14 years of war and decades of al-Assad rule, which pitted communities against each other.

There are concerns about the possibility of division, and many, including the Syrian president himself, blame Israel for trying to sow it.

Why is Israel ‘allowing’ Syrian security forces to enter Suwayda?

Labib al-Nahhas, a Syrian political analyst, says Israel has agreed to “allow” local security forces to enter Suwayda for 48 hours to prevent more violence between the Bedouins and the Druze as more Bedouin tribes are expected to join the fighting in the south following abuses there.

“After the Israeli strikes against Damascus and other areas in the south of Syria, the militias of Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajari, the main Druze spiritual leader, took control over Suwayda, but they committed the big mistake of committing crimes and violations against the Bedouin tribes and families,” al-Nahhas told Al Jazeera.

“[In a] traditional kind of practice within tribes – which are a very important part of the social structure in Syria – Bedouins in the southern part of Syria called for the assistance of other Syrian tribes,” he said, adding that the past 24 hours saw an outpouring of forces coming from all over the country to fight al-Hajari’s forces.

“So at the moment, [Israel’s] game is not going in the direction that they wanted, their allies are under threat, so they need to intervene and the middle ground solution … is to allow in security forces – not the army, security forces – for a limited period of time to prevent clashes between the Bedouins and the Druze.”



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SvennoJ on 18 July 2025

Hundreds of families evacuated from Suwayda, says government minister

A Syrian government minister says hundreds of families have been evacuated from Suwayda and dozens of bodies recovered, as the government responds to the fighting in the south.

Raed al-Saleh, Syria’s minister of disaster management and emergency response, said the government had formed a joint operations room coordinating state institutions and humanitarian organisations in response to calls for help from citizens caught up in the violence.

He said their efforts had led to more than 570 wounded patients being treated and the bodies of 87 victims being recovered. Hundreds of families had been evacuated to safer areas, he added.


321 killed in Suwayda violence, says monitoring group

The Syrian Network for Human Rights, a group that documents human rights violations, says that 321 people have been killed in the sectarian violence around the southern Syrian city of Suwayda since Sunday.

The toll included six children, nine women, medical personnel and other civilian casualties, as well as armed Bedouin and Druze fighters and government security forces.

It said at least 436 people had been injured in the violence around the Druze-majority city.

As we reported earlier, a Syrian minister says that the government has recovered 87 bodies from around Suwayda, but he did not indicate whether that represented the entire toll from recent violence.


Red Crescent workers handle the bodies of victims of fighting in the southern Syrian city of Suwayda on Thursday


Syrian presidency says deploying troops to ‘de-escalate clashes’

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s office says it is working to deploy forces to resolve days of sectarian violence in southern Syria “through political and security measures aimed at restoring stability and preventing the return of chaos as quickly as possible”.

In a statement, the presidency reiterated a pledge to uphold the rule of law, stressing that Syria “is a state for all its sons and daughters, regardless of their backgrounds or affiliations” amid days of sectarian violence.

“Attacks on families, terrorizing children, and violating the sanctity and dignity of people in their homes are categorically rejected and condemned under all ethical, legal, and humanitarian standards. No justification or excuse can be accepted for such actions,” it said.

“There is no place for armed groups or militias beyond the reach of the state. National responsibility requires that everyone be united under the roof of the homeland, with one reference point — the rule of law.”

Israel has repeatedly threatened attacks on Syria’s interim government should it redeploy forces south of Damascus.



SvennoJ on 18 July 2025

Hamas says Israel rejected ceasefire deal including release of all captives, adds ready for lengthy battle

In his first video message since March 6, the spokesperson of Hamas’s military wing Qassam Brigades has said the Palestinian group repeatedly offered to release all captives at once to conclude a comprehensive ceasefire deal, but Israel rejected the proposal.

Abu Obeida said the group would not agree to an interim truce in the future if a ceasefire agreement was not reached and accused Israel of intransigence.

His comments come as stuttering indirect talks have resumed in Qatar, but with no progress.

If Israel disavows this round of talks, the spokesperson said, Hamas “will not guarantee a return to the formula of partial [swap] deals or the proposal of the 10 prisoners”.

Abu Obeida also said Hamas fighters are “ready to continue a long battle of attrition”.



Netanyahu tells pope ‘stray ammunition accidentally’ struck Gaza church

In a phone call to Pope Leo XIV, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed Israel’s regret “for the tragic incident in which stray ammunition accidentally” struck the Holy Family Church in Gaza. Three people were killed and 10 were wounded in the attack.

Israel has repeatedly attacked churches and the displaced Palestinians sheltering inside them since it began its war on Gaza on October 7, 2023.

Netanyahu sent Israel’s condolences to the families of those hurt in the incident, read a statement from the prime minister’s office.

The Israeli leader also gave the pontiff an update on efforts to secure a deal for the captives and a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza – “efforts that have so far not been reciprocated by Hamas,” a statement claimed.

A short while ago, a Hamas spokesperson said that Israel had rejected a deal that would have seen the release of all captives held by Palestinian groups in Gaza.



SvennoJ on 18 July 2025

CAIR urges probe into Israel’s use of ‘drone missiles packed with nails’

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is urging the UN and the International Criminal Court to launch an immediate war crimes investigation into our earlier reporting that Israeli forces have used “drone missiles packed with nails” in their attacks on Gaza.

“The intentional targeting of civilians with weapons designed to maximize injuries and death is not only morally indefensible, but it is also a clear violation of international humanitarian law,” CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad said in a statement.

Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud reported earlier today that Palestinian children had been transported to hospital with injuries caused by flying shrapnel.

“These drone missiles are packed with nails, and when they explode, pieces of metal fly at a very high speed, piercing bodies, causing internal injuries that lead to severe bleeding, which causes the majority of deaths among those attacked by drone missiles,” Mahmoud said.


US lawmakers call on Israel to abandon West Bank demolition plans

Democratic Senators Peter Welch, Jeff Merkley, Chris Van Hollen, and Bernie Sanders have issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s longstanding plan to destroy and force out Palestinian communities in Masafer Yatta, in the occupied West Bank’s South Hebron Hills.

“We are deeply alarmed by the Israeli Higher Planning Council’s decision to reject all planning and zoning requests in Masafer Yatta that do not align” with the Israeli forces’ training needs, the US lawmakers said, according to a Vermont Business Magazine report.

Israel has said it plans to turn the Masafer Yatta area into an “open fire” zone for its military – a plan that local Palestinian community members have been fighting for years. Residents face frequent attacks by Israeli settlers and troops in the area.

For more on the fight in the South Hebron Hills, check out our story here.

UK condemns Israel’s renewed E1 settlement plans as a violation of international law

The UK strongly opposes the announcement by Israel of its intention to renew plans for construction in the E1 area in the occupied West Bank, a move that would split the Palestinian territory.

“The UK strongly opposes the announcement by the central planning bureau of Israel’s Civil Administration to reintroduce the E1 settlement plan, frozen since 2021,” said a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson.

The plan would include the construction of more than 3,000 houses to the east of Jerusalem, dividing a future Palestinian state in two, read the statement, and “marking a flagrant breach of international law.”



SvennoJ on 18 July 2025

Hezbollah chief rules out giving up group’s weapons

Naim Qassem has dismissed proposals for Hezbollah to disarm, dealing an apparent setback US-led efforts to reach a deal between Lebanon and Israel that would see the Lebanese group give up its weapons.

While he stressed that Israel does not need an excuse to attack its neighbours, the Hezbollah secretary-general said with no “resistance”, the Israeli military would expand in Lebanon – as it has in southern Syria.

“We will not surrender or give up to Israel; Israel will not take our weapons away from us,” Qassem said in a video message.

Hezbollah emerged severely weakened from its last confrontation with Israel, which saw the group’s top military and political officials killed before a ceasefire was reached in November.

Qassem appeared to acknowledge that Hezbollah is not in a position to respond to Israel’s daily violations of the ceasefire or to attack Israeli troops occupying parts of south Lebanon. But he said the group is will not disarm under the threat of a renewed all-out war.

“We are proceeding, prepared and ready for a defensive confrontation,” the Hezbollah chief said.


Lebanese PM says Hezbollah weapons must come under state’s control

Nawaf Salam has described a US proposal to disarm Hezbollah as an “opportunity” for Lebanon.

The Lebanese prime minister said the deal – conveyed by US envoy Tom Barrack earlier this month – would also lead to Israel’s complete withdrawal from Lebanon and ensure all weapons are under the control of the state.

Salam said Hezbollah’s weapons played a leading role in liberating southern Lebanon from Israel in 2000, but the group must now turn them over.

The prime minister argued that Hezbollah’s push to deter Israeli attacks with its arsenal has failed, citing the widespread destruction in South Lebanon over the past two years.

“No one has any protection other than under the Lebanese state,” Salam told Al Jadeed TV.

Hezbollah says the Lebanese armed forces have failed to confront Israeli abuses since Israel’s inception in 1948. As we reported earlier, Hezbollah’s chief has rejected the US push for the group to disarm.



SvennoJ on 18 July 2025

Houthis confirm missile firing at Israel

The Yemeni group says it fired a ballistic missile at Tel Aviv’s international airport today.

The Israeli army said earlier it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen.

The Houthis hailed the firing as a success, saying it caused Israelis “to flee to shelters”. 

“Our operations will continue until the aggression against Gaza stops and the siege is lifted,” the group said.


US says ceasefire agreed to by Syria, Israel

US envoy Tom Barrack says on X that Israel’s Netanyahu and Syria’s al-Sharra have agreed to a ceasefire proposal with the support of the US.

A similar announcement was made two days ago, but fighting resumed in southern Syria’s Suwada between Druze and Bedouin factions, as well as Israeli attacks on Syria.

The agreement was “embraced” by Turkiye, Jordan and other neighbouring countries, Barrack said.

Confused, Bedouin and Druze are fighting, Israel and Syria government reach ceasefire. What does that accomplish... Bedouin and Druze fighters need to stop. But at least the US is telling Israel to butt out for now.