Category: Global

Gaza rescuers said Israeli strikes close to a hospital in the  Palestinian territory killed at least 29 people Tuesday, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the military would enter Gaza “with full force” in the coming days.

The release of 21-year-old Israeli-American Edan Alexander, who had been in Hamas captivity since their October 2023 attack on Israel, offered a brief pause in the fighting on Monday.

But the strikes resumed amid fierce new criticism of Israel’s tactics in the genocide.

Gaza’s civil defence agency said at least 29 people were killed in Israeli strikes Tuesday around the European hospital in Khan Yunis. The Israeli military said it hit a Hamas “command and control centre”.

AFPTV footage showed large craters gouged into the ground and cracks in the courtyard outside the hospital. A damaged bus was lodged in one hole.

“Everyone inside the hospital — patients and wounded alike — was running in fear, some on crutches, others screaming for their children, while others were being dragged on beds,” Amro Tabash, a local photojournalist, told AFP.

Earlier, the military said it had struck Hamas militants inside “a command and control centre” at Nasser Hospital, also in Khan Yunis.

Gaza’s health ministry said that strike killed two people. One of the dead was journalist Hassan Aslih, the civil defence said.

Israel had accused Aslih of participating in Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attacks.

“In the very coming days, we are going in with full force to complete the operation,” Netanyahu was quoted as saying in a statement released on Tuesday.

– ‘Under fire’ –

“Completing the operation means defeating Hamas. It means destroying Hamas,” Netanyahu had said in the remarks made late Monday.

“There will be no situation where we stop the war. A temporary ceasefire might happen, but we are going all the way.”

The Israeli warnings came amid new condemnation of its genocide tactics.

UN relief chief Tom Fletcher called on the UN Security Council to take action “to prevent genocide” in Gaza as he gave a scathing account of Israel’s actions in the  territory.

“Will you act — decisively — to prevent genocide and to ensure respect for international humanitarian law?” he said to UN ambassadors in New York.

In Paris, President Emmanuel Macron said that Netanyahu’s actions in blocking aid to Gaza were “shameful”.

Late Tuesday, the Israeli military urged civilians in several parts of northern Gaza to evacuate after it intercepted “two projectiles” fired from the territory.

The armed wing of Hamas ally Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for rocket fire into Israel, which has been rare in recent weeks.

Israel resumed major operations across Gaza on March 18 amid a deadlock over how to proceed with a January 19 ceasefire.

The Israeli government this month approved plans to expand its offensive, with officials talking of retaining a long-term presence in Gaza.

Israel says that its renewed bombardments are aimed at forcing Hamas to free hostages.

Netanyahu credited Alexander’s release on Monday to a combination of “our military pressure and the political pressure exerted by (US) President (Donald) Trump.”

This has been rejected by Hamas which has revealed it was engaged in direct talks with Washington on a ceasefire in Gaza.

Netanyahu thanked Trump for helping in the release and said he would be sending negotiators to Qatar on Tuesday to discuss remaining captives.

– ‘Over 50 percent will leave’ –

Trump arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to start a Gulf tour that will also take him to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Netanyahu said late Monday that Israel was working to find countries willing to take in Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.

Israeli ministers have seized on a proposal initially floated by Trump for the voluntary departure of Gazans to neighbouring countries such as Jordan or Egypt, which have flatly rejected the proposal.

“We’ve set up an administration that will allow them (Gaza residents) to leave but… we need countries willing to take them in. That’s what we’re working on right now.” Netanyahu estimated that “over 50 percent will leave” if given the option.

The Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, since October 7, 2023, has killed at least 52,908 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to data from the Hamas-run health ministry.

Just a few days after being appointed as the 267th leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV utilized his first Sunday address to advocate for worldwide peace and expressed his approval of the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, after the two nuclear-armed nations narrowly averted another large-scale conflict last week.

Addressing thousands assembled at the Vatican on 11 May, the 69-year-old American-born pope stated:  

“I was pleased to learn, on a positive note, of the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, and I hold onto the hope that in the forthcoming negotiations we might swiftly achieve a lasting agreement.”

His comments came in the wake of heightened military tensions between the two nuclear-capable nations. Between May 6 and May 10, 2025, there was a marked escalation in tensions between India and Pakistan, representing one of the most serious clashes between the two nuclear-armed nations in recent history. The catalyst for the flare-up was a lethal attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK) which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, mainly Hindu tourists. Without presenting any proof, India blamed the attack on groups based in Pakistan and conducted retaliatory airstrikes against military sites, including the Nur Khan air base close to Islamabad. In retaliation, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos, using drones and missiles to strike Indian military positions. 

The subsequent exchanges involved aerial combats, drone incursions, and artillery bombardments, resulting in considerable damage to infrastructure, with both sides attributing blame for instigating the violence. As tensions escalated, the United States intervened via backchannel diplomacy. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio directly communicated with the leaders of India and Pakistan to mitigate the crisis. A ceasefire was established on May 10, which Pakistan acknowledged was a result of US mediation. However, India credited its own military communications for the resolution.

In his speech, Pope Leo, formerly known as Bishop Robert Prevost, broadened his focus beyond South Asia. He also expressed profound concern regarding the genocide in Gaza and war Ukraine. Regarding the situation in Gaza, he stated he was “deeply pained” by the suffering of the people of the besieged strip and called for an immediate ceasefire, the accessibility of humanitarian aid, and the release of all hostages. Concerning Ukraine, he urged the global powers to do “everything within their capacity” to achieve a “true and lasting peace.”

Echoing the sentiments of his predecessor Pope Francis, he reiterated the call:  

“No more war.”

Pope Leo is scheduled for a formal inauguration on May 18, yet his initial message has clearly articulated his stance: in support of those affected by conflict and against individuals who perpetuate it.

US Vice-President JD Vance has stated that Washington will not get involved in the growing conflict between India and Pakistan, saying that it is “fundamentally none of our business”,  advocating for diplomatic de-escalation instead.

“What we can do is try to encourage these folks to de-escalate a little bit, but we’re not going to get involved in the middle of a war that’s fundamentally none of our business and has nothing to do with America’s ability to control it,” Vance said frankly in an interview with an international news agency, emphasizing on the US’s inability to force either nuclear-armed nation to disarm or cease military operations.

His remarks coincide with increasing tensions between the two nations. According to reports, 31 civilians were killed by Indian missile attacks on Pakistan on Wednesday. New Delhi said the strikes were directed at “terrorist infrastructure.” Pakistan denied that any such groups were present in the attacked areas.

The United States hopes for a resolution that prevents a wider regional dispute, Vance, who has been actively involved in foreign affairs under the Trump administration, noted.

 In reference to a recent militant incident in Kashmir, he stated, “We hope that India responds to the terrorist attack in a way that doesn’t lead to a broader regional conflict.”

“And we hope, frankly, that Pakistan, to the extent that they’re responsible, cooperates with India to make sure that the terrorists sometimes operating in their territory are hunted down and dealt with.”

Robert Francis Prevost became the first pope from the United States on Thursday, picking the papal name Leo XIV after cardinals from around the world elected him leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

Tens of thousands of people packed in St Peter’s Square cheered as Prevost appeared on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, waving with both hands, smiling and bowing.

“Peace by with you,” he told the crowds.

White smoke from the Sistine Chapel had billowed into the sky on the cardinals’ second day of voting to announce his election in a secret conclave, while the bells of St Peter’s Basilica and churches across Rome rang out.

Crowds of people rushed towards the square to watch the balcony of the basilica, which has been fitted out with red curtains for the first address to the world by the 267th pope.

The new pontiff, who succeeds Argentine reformer Pope Francis, was introduced in Latin with his chosen papal name.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” said an elated Joseph Brian, a 39-year-old chef from Belfast in Northern Ireland, who came with his mother to Rome for the spectacle.

“I’m not an overly religious person but, being here with all these people just blew me away,” he told AFP as people around him jumped up and down in excitement.

There were euphoric scenes as one priest sat on someone’s shoulders waving a Brazilian flag and another lifted a heavy crucifix into the air in jubilation.

– ‘Habemus Papam’ –

“Habemus papam, woooo!” howled Bruna Hodara, 41, from Brazil, echoing the words to be spoken on the balcony as the new pope is introduced.

She, like others, recorded the historic moment on her phone, as others waved flags and cried out “Viva Il Papa!” — “Long live the pope!” in Italian.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to be here to see the pope. It’s really special… I’m excited!” said Florian Fried, a 15-year-old from Munich, in Germany.

Pope Francis died last month aged 88 after a 12-year papacy during which he sought to forge a more compassionate Church — but drew anger from many conservatives with his progressive approach.

The new pope now faces a momentous task: as well as asserting his moral voice on a conflict-torn global stage, he must try to unite a divided Church and tackle burning issues such as the the continued fall-out from the sexual abuse scandal.

Some 133 “Princes of the Church” from five continents — the largest and most international conclave ever — began voting on Wednesday afternoon.

Sworn to secrecy, on pain of excommunication, their only means of communicating their progress to the outside world was by sending up smoke through the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.

On Wednesday evening and then again on Thursday lunchtime, the smoke was black, eliciting disappointed sighs from the tens of thousands watching.

But on Thursday afternoon just after 6:00 pm (1600 GMT) the smoke emitted was white, confirming that the Catholic Church has a new spiritual leader.

It was unknown how many ballots it took to elect the new pope, but it followed recent history in wrapping up in less than two days.

In 2005, Benedict XVI, a German theologian, was elected in four ballots and Francis, in 2013, was elected in five ballots.

While the details of the election will forever remain secret, the new pope had to secure at least two-thirds of votes to be elected.

By tradition, he now enters the Room of Tears — where freshly-elected popes give free rein to their emotions — to don a papal cassock for the first time, before returning to the Sistine Chapel so the cardinals can pledge their obedience.

He will then appear on the balcony along with a senior cardinal, who will announce to the waiting crowds “Habemus Papam” (“We have a pope”).

The pope will then give a short speech and impart his first “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the City and the World”) blessing.

– Pastor or diplomat –

The election has come at a time of great geopolitical uncertainty, which was seen as a key voting issue, along with the rifts within the Church.

Francis was a compassionate reformer who prioritised migrants and the environment, but he angered traditionalists who wanted a defender of doctrine rather than a headline-maker.

Some 80 percent of the cardinal electors were appointed by Francis. Hailing from 70 countries around the world, it was the most international conclave ever.

That was no guarantee, however, that the cardinals would pick someone in his vein.

The question was whether to choose a pastor or diplomat, a liberal or conservative, someone versed in the Curia — the Church’s governing body — or a relative outsider from areas of the world where Catholic faith is thriving.

Before the cardinals were locked into the Sistine Chapel Wednesday, their dean Giovanni Battista Re urged them to choose someone able to protect the Church’s unity.

The next pope must also be able to lead “at this difficult and complex turning point in history”, amid raging conflicts around the world and the rise of ultra-nationalist parties.

The Church has also had difficulty in adapting to the modern world, with declining priest numbers and increasingly empty pews in the West.

The papal inauguration usually takes place less than a week after the election with a mass celebrated before political and religious leaders from around the world.

The new pope will likely do a tour of St Peter’s Square in his popemobile for the first time, before delivering a homily outlining his priorities.