JERUSALEM -- The Israeli Prime Minister's Office on Friday rejected a UN-backed report confirming famine in Gaza, saying it was "an outright lie."
"Israel does not have a policy of starvation. Israel has a policy of preventing starvation," Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement.
It said that since the war began in October 2023, Israel has allowed approximately two million tonnes of aid into Gaza, about one tonne per person. (Israel-Gaza-Famine)
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JERUSALEM/SANAA -- A missile fired from Yemen landed in central Israel on Friday evening without causing casualties, the Israeli military and emergency services said.
The Israel Defense Forces said the missile appeared to have fragmented in midair, with shrapnel falling near Ben Gurion Airport, according to Channel 12 News. Air raid sirens sounded across central Israel, including Tel Aviv and West Jerusalem, after smartphone alerts were issued. (Israel-Houthis-Attacks)
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GAZA -- The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees accused Israel on Friday of deliberately causing famine in Gaza after international monitors confirmed that famine conditions have taken hold in the enclave.
"Months of warnings have fallen on deaf ears. Famine is now confirmed in Gaza City," Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, wrote on X. He said the crisis was "by design and man-made," blaming Israel for blocking food and other basic supplies, including UN aid, for months. (Gaza-UN-Famine)
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TEHRAN -- Iran and European powers will resume talks on Tehran's nuclear program and sanctions relief on Tuesday, Iran's Foreign Ministry said, days before a deadline set by France, Britain and Germany to trigger a "snapback" sanctions mechanism.
The decision followed a joint phone call on Friday between Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, the foreign ministers of France, Germany and Britain -- Jean-Noel Barrot, Johann Wadephul and David Lammy -- and European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, the ministry said. The meeting will be held at deputy foreign minister level. (Iran-Europe-Nuclear Talks) ■
