Unyielding negotiations amid fighting in Gaza

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said Thursday that the US is involved with intense negotiations on securing the release of some hostages held by Palestinian militant group Hamas but there was no deal on the table yet.

Kirby told CNN, the US has a team on the ground that is working by the hour on a potential deal but pumped the brakes on sharing any other details.

“We are in some intense negotiations; hopefully they’ll come out the right way and we’ll have good news to talk about with multiple hostages getting free,” he said. “But we don’t have a deal right now, and until we do, the less said the better.”

A deal could involve the swapping of dozens of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in return for a truce of a few days in the war, along with the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, according to media reports.

Qatar, which maintains communications with Israel, Hamas and the US, is also reportedly in the midst of the negotiations. Qatari officials have already helped secure the release of a few Israeli prisoners.

President Biden has also hinted at a deal, telling reporters at a press conference Wednesday night that he was deeply involved in moving on the hostage negotiation.

“We’ve gotten great cooperation from the Qataris. I’ve spoken with them as well a number of times,” Biden said. “I’m mildly hopeful.”

Hamas took about 239 hostages in a deadly October 07 surprise attack on Israel, which also left more than 1,200 Israelis dead.

Israel is now waging an intense war on Hamas, invading Gaza and now fighting in the streets of Gaza City, the Hamas stronghold, to rescue hostages and eradicate the Palestinian militant group.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed there would be no cease-fire without the release of hostages and also said his forces would free the prisoners.

But this week, Netanyahu said in a statement released by his office that Israel has been employing increased pressure to secure the release of hostages since launching the Gaza ground invasion in late October.

“If and when there will be something concrete to report,” he said, “we will do so.”

Western media whitewashing Israeli genocide in Gaza

While the Israeli regime, with the support of the west, has killed over 11,000 people in Gaza in more than 40 days - two-thirds women and children - Western media is busy in justifying the crimes of Israel.

Of course, propaganda and psychological operations in war are not a strange phenomenon, and Western media must also be considered part of the unequal forces involved in this war. Western media is trying to support Israel's crimes in Gaza with flimsy and unacceptable excuses such as the right to self-defense.

One of these psychological operations was exposed by Reuters on November 15. Reuters claimed in a news report, citing three informed sources in Iran, that Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader of Iran, complained in a recent meeting with Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran that Hamas had refused to inform Iran about the "Al-Aqsa Storm" operation.

It may be said that this is a tendentious and unprofessional news report. Accurate information received by the Tehran Times indicates that such a claim was not true and such a matter was not even discussed in the meeting.

This fake news can be examined from two perspectives. First, sowing discord on the enemy's front is an old and perennial technique. Both sides of a conflict strive to weaken the unity and cohesion of the opposing party through various methods, especially through psychological operations.

The Reuters fake news can also be analyzed from this angle; an attempt to create discord between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Palestinian resistance front. In fact, Reuters tried to portray, Hamas does not trust Iran and Iran is also complaining about this lack of trust.

Second, the discussion is related to Reuters' history in this regard. Mohammad Javad Zarif, the former foreign minister of Iran - who has always tried to take a balanced approach toward foreign media - could not remain silent in the face of baseless reports by Reuters.

On July 24, 2018, Zarif had said, "Know that Reuters produces 50 lies about Iran's economy every day."

A very long list of Reuters' lies about Iran can be presented: the claim of 1,500 deaths in the events of November 2019, the claim of Iranian snipers shooting Iraqi protesters in October 2019, the claim of transferring ballistic missiles from Iran to Iraq in August 2018, the claim of a drone attack on Aramco from southern Iran in November 2019, etc.

There are just a few examples of Reuters' lies against Iran. Interestingly, Reuters often attributes its lies to three anonymous sources. It's as if a lie becomes believable if it is attributed to three people!

The fact that most rooted and professional media in the West, when it comes to Iran and its issues, set aside their principles and frameworks and turn their dreams into a tool of vile propaganda, is a separate and important issue that must be addressed independently and deeply.

 

Netanyahu must be removed and sent to jail

Israel has been talking about a massive ground offensive into Gaza for more than a month now. Israeli officials say they are bent on eradicating Hamas, while they continue their outsize deadly attacks on civilians in the Gaza Strip. 

The United States, amidst calls to pull the plug on Israel, has been doing everything in its power to buttress Israel’s lost clout and credibility, refusing to ask the regime to dial down its attacks on women and children. 

Many in the occupied territories believe that the biggest victims of the ongoing Israeli onslaughts are Israelis themselves. That’s because among the vast carnage caused by the regime’s ruthless atrocities, the captives held by Hamas forces are also present.

On November 04, protesters encircled the Israeli prime minister's residence in occupied al-Quds, firmly asserting the demand for Netanyahu's immediate resignation.

The demonstrators, comprising families of those affected by the Hamas October 07 operation and individuals held captive in Gaza, expressed deep frustration over what they perceive as inadequate measures to avert the Hamas attack and secure the release of some 200 captives currently held in Gaza. They chanted “must go” and “jail now” asking for the largely detested politician to step down. 

“My family wasn’t kidnapped because of Hamas. My family was kidnapped because the army didn’t come out to defend me. That’s the reason. Hamas is tiny compared to the giant Israel,” a family member of one of the captives told Israeli media during the protest. Others called on Israeli officials to tone down their animus towards Gaza and take into account the lives of Israeli captives.  

Following significant backlash from affected families and well-known figures within the Israeli war cabinet, the prime minister announced on Sunday the potential for a deal to secure the release of Israeli captives, aiming to calm the waters. However, he refrained from disclosing any specifics about the potential agreement. “I think the less I say about it the more I’ll increase the chances it materializes,” he said, speaking as if he was commenting on a wish he made after blowing out his birthday candles.

A spokesman for the Al-Qassem Brigades revealed that Israel exhibited reluctance towards the release of captives. Abu Obeida remarked that the regime is prolonging discussions regarding a possible arrangement, one that would entail the liberation of dozens of Israelis in exchange for the release of Palestinian women and children held in Israel's prisons. He further noted the death of an Israeli female soldier in an airstrike by the regime a few days prior.

Netanyahu seems to be procrastinating on a deal with Hamas to release Israeli captives, mindful that once the war ends, his political career too, will come to an end. 

Netanyahu must be removed and punished

Israel, massacre in Gaza, United States, Russia an

Recent polls indicate that Netanyahu would face defeat if elections were held at present. A poll conducted on November 3 revealed that 76% of Israelis favor Netanyahu's resignation. On November 07, a prominent pro-Netanyahu newspaper altered its position and published an editorial advocating for his removal following the war. 

In his 16 years of tenure, Netanyahu has been touting himself as a stalwart figure in matters of security. His infamous speeches on how Iran poses an existential threat to Israel, have aided him in gaining significant votes during Israel’s highly contested elections. But his conduct as well as the occurrence of the regime’s biggest security failure under his watch, suggest that Netanyahu has been veering from any security control measures.

Another recent development has also shed light on the true stance of Israeli politicians, implying that they may not truly prioritize the safety and security of Israelis who have been drawn to the occupied territories from across the world to live in the “national homeland of the Jewish people”.

An Israeli woman, who was captured in Iraq earlier this year, surfaced in a video aired by Iraq's Al Rabiaa satellite network on Monday. Elizabeth Tsurkov confessed to spying for Mossad in Iraq and Syria while expressing grievances that Israeli authorities have not taken any tangible measures over the past six months to secure her release.

“This war is being stupidly run by Netanyahu through his wife, Sara, and his son, Yair, will lead to the hostages being killed. If you want your sons and daughters to return alive, the war must stop,” Tsurkov told the families of Israeli captives held in Gaza, urging them to stop the regime’s devastating attacks on the besieged territory.

While Netanyahu remains flummoxed by the need to fulfill his personal interests, Israelis living in the occupied territories are becoming less inclined by the day to support the occupation. Netanyahu’s disregard towards the safety of Israeli captives, and those risking their lives to serve Mossad, has prodded Israelis to think twice about living in what’s been propagated as an eternal safe haven for Jews. 

 

Iran to educate female students from Gaza

An Iranian vice president has announced that Tehran will allow female students from the Gaza Strip to enter Iranian universities, as education in the besieged Palestinian territory remains halted due to relentless Israeli attacks. 

Ensiyeh Khazali, the vice president of Iran for women and family affairs, said Iran is willing to support Gazan students who are struggling to continue their education in the face of Israeli aggressions.

“In the first step, three female students from Gaza will receive scholarships to study at Bou Ali Sina University in Hamadan as a symbolic move, so that we can witness the expansion of this movement in other universities,” announced the VP, adding that women’s universities should particularly try to extend a helping hand to female students in Gaza. 

Khazali said it is important to show support for female pupils, as women are the ones that shape the future of their societies.

“The women of Gaza are among the most patient and resistant women in world history, sending their children to the resistance front with courage and not bowing their heads in shame,” she noted.

She also stated that hosting students from other countries can be effective in introducing Iran’s culture to the world. 

“In the face of the crimes of the usurping Zionist regime, no practical action, restraint, sanction, or resistance by those who claim to be advocates of human rights and women's rights is visible, which is regrettable for humanity,” Khazali stressed.

She called on regional countries to take cohesive action in order to put an end to Israel’s massacre of Palestinian women and children.

Since October 07, Israel has been bombing civilian sites across the besieged Gaza Strip including schools, universities and other education centers. Students in Gaza are currently unable to attend classes, as they struggle to stay alive under relentless Israeli attacks.

Half of the buildings in Gaza have so far been destroyed, and more than 11,000 people have been killed. 

 

Britain based anti Iranian TV channel to close operations

Manoto, a Britain based television channel, often attracting criticism for its anti-Iranian stance and being the platform for monarchists living outside the country, has announced the cessation of its operations by the end of January 2024.

Keyvan and Marjan Abbassi, the heads of this network, communicated the decision via a Telegram message, stating that they might continue broadcasting until the end of January 2024, after which they will bid farewell to the network.

Manoto TV, a longstanding player in Iran's media landscape, has been a source of controversy due to its alignment with anti-Iran sentiments. Accused of propagandist inclinations and aligning with monarchists, this media outlet has faced substantial criticism for its productions.

The recent announcement unfolds against the backdrop of a turbulent year for anti-Iran fronts, where media outlets sharing similar ideologies grappled with credibility challenges and a decline in audience engagement.

The development draws parallels with the fate of Iran International TV channel, once funded by Saudi capitalists. Compelled to undergo a paradigm shift due to a change in ownership, the network found itself aligning with Zionists’ views. The transformations in media ownership and allegiance underscore the intricate interplay of political and financial forces shaping the narrative in the region.

Having operated for over 14 years, Manoto TV attempted to propagate news against the Iranian government, serving as a mouthpiece for particular political and religious groups who are mostly funded by foreign spy agencies.

 

Russian naval fleet anchors at Bangladesh port

A Russian naval fleet has called at the port of Chittagong in Bangladesh for the first time in almost half a century, reported Russian government news agency TASS on Sunday.

The Pacific Fleet’s naval group comprises of the large anti-submarine warfare ships Admiral Tributs and Admiral Panteleyev and the oceanic tanker Pechenga. The combat ships are moored at Chittagong port, considered Bangladesh’s main sea harbour.

Confirming the arrival of the Russian naval fleet, Chattogram Port Authority secretary Md Omar Faruk said that it was a friendly visit from Russia to Bangladesh.

Naval ships from Turkey and France also came recently on such friendly visits, he said.

The naval fleet came around 10 months after the Bangladesh government in January instructed the authorities concerned not to allow any of the 69 mother vessels of seven Russian companies sanctioned by the United States to enter the country’s ports.

The Mercantile Marine Office, Chattogram, issued a circular to this effect on January 16, mentioning the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) ship identification numbers so that they were not allowed to avail of any services, including certification, renewal, refuelling, and insurance, in Bangladesh territory.

The Russian Pacific Fleet Squadron is visiting the Chattogram Port, which is a huge milestone for Russia-Bangladesh relations. The last time Russian/Soviet naval ships visited Bangladeshi ports was 50 years ago.

The Russian embassy in Bangladesh shared a related story on its verified Facebook page.

Ashik Imran, the Russian honorary consul in Chattogram, told TAAS that Russian naval sailors this time had called at the port solely on a friendly visit.

‘This is evidence that the relations between the two states are currently at a very high level,’ the Russian state media quoted Imran as saying.

 

 

United States air strikes in Syria

The United States carried out two air strikes in Syria against Iran and its aligned groups on Sunday, the Pentagon said, in the latest response to a series of attacks against American forces in Syria and in Iraq.

In a statement, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the strikes targeted a training facility near the city of Albu Kamal and a safe house near the city of Mayadeen. He said President Joe Biden ordered the strikes.

"The President has no higher priority than the safety of US personnel, and he directed today's action to make clear that the United States will defend itself, its personnel, and its interests," Austin said in a statement.

Local sources also said the strikes targeted a camp run by pro-Iranian militias in an area west of Albu Kamal, in Deir al Zor province. The other strike was near a bridge close to the city of Mayadeen, near the Iraqi border and stronghold of pro-Iranian militias, the sources said.

The strike is the third since October 26 as the United States attempts to quell wave after wave of drone and rocket attacks against American troops in Syria and Iraq, triggered by the Israel-Hamas war.

Iran and its supporters say the United States shares responsibility for Israel's declared war against Palestinian militant group Hamas, which is also backed by Iran.

US and coalition troops have been attacked at least 40 times in Iraq and Syria by Iran-backed forces in recent weeks. At least 45 US troops have suffered traumatic brain injuries or minor wounds

The United States has 900 troops in Syria, and 2,500 more in neighboring Iraq, on a mission to advise and assist local forces trying to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State, which in 2014 seized large swathes of both countries but was later defeated.

A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the strikes took place within the past several of hours and added that a US review was underway to determine whether the they killed or wounded anyone.

There is growing concern that the Israel-Hamas conflict could spread through the Middle East and turn US troops at isolated bases into targets.

The United States has sent warships and fighter aircraft to the region since the Israel-Hamas conflict erupted on October 7, including two aircraft carriers, to try to deter Iran and Iran-backed groups. The number of troops added to the region is in the thousands.

Reuters has reported that the US military was taking new measures to protect its Middle East forces during the ramp-up in attacks by suspected Iran-backed groups, and was leaving open the possibility of evacuating military families if needed.

The measures include increasing US military patrols, restricting access to base facilities and boosting intelligence collection, including through drone and other surveillance operations, officials say.