Daily Archives: 15 June 2026

Red Cross warns thousands buried under Gaza rubble may never be identified

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Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and an Egyptian delegations conduct search efforts to recover the bodies from the designated yellow-zone area under the terms of the Israel–Hamas ceasefire and prisoner-hostage exchange agreement in Beit Lahia, Gaza on November 30, 2025. [Khames Alrefi – Anadolu Agency]

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned that thousands of Palestinians believed to be buried beneath Gaza’s rubble may never be identified, as recovery efforts continue to face major obstacles, according to a report by The Guardian.

The report said rescue and recovery operations remain slow despite a fragile US-brokered ceasefire that took effect in October, while the passage of time is increasing the likelihood that human remains will deteriorate beyond recognition.

“There is no doubt that these bodies could soon become difficult to identify,” Pat Griffiths, the Red Cross spokesperson in Jerusalem, said. “The longer it takes for human remains to be recovered, the more difficult it can be to identify them. The longer the deceased lie beneath the rubble, the more likely they will be in advanced stages of decomposition – even skeletonised – when eventually recovered.”

He added: “Forensic experts lose access to circumstantial evidence that can be used to corroborate their identity.”

Palestinians have begun searching through an estimated 61 million tons of debris accumulated during the war. Health officials in Gaza estimate that at least 10,000 people remain buried beneath the rubble, while some experts believe the number could be as high as 14,000.

READ: Israel expanding Gaza ‘yellow line’ to derail ceasefire talks, says Hamas

The newspaper reported that rescue teams have largely relied on basic tools, including shovels, pickaxes, wheelbarrows, rakes and hoes, as well as their bare hands, to retrieve remains.

Repeated requests to allow the entry of excavators and other heavy machinery needed to accelerate recovery efforts have not received approval.

“Search and recovery teams need access to all sites where human remains are thought to be located,” Griffiths said. “We know that much of this machinery and equipment remains almost impossible to bring into Gaza right now. And it remains our call, and part of our ongoing direct dialogue with the relevant authorities, to allow the entry of these items and equipment into Gaza.”

Israeli officials contacted by The Guardian said there was no approval to bring equipment used to recover bodies into Gaza.

The Red Cross said prolonged delays could undermine future identification efforts, as environmental conditions, displacement of remains and the loss of personal belongings may erase critical forensic evidence.

“We see the scale of the task and we see what’s at stake. Thousands of families are still seeking answers in this way. That’s what at stake: their right to know the fate of those they love,” Griffiths said.

READ: Israel plans wide Gaza operation amid ceasefires elsewhere

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Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/

Continue ReadingRed Cross warns thousands buried under Gaza rubble may never be identified

Israeli ministers call for bombing Beirut despite ceasefire

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Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (L) and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in Jerusalem. [Photo by AMIR COHEN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images]

Two Israeli Cabinet ministers called Sunday for resuming airstrikes on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital of Beirut despite an ongoing ceasefire, Anadolu Agency reports.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Israel should “fire for every violation” by Hezbollah and for every drone launched by the Lebanese group.

“Dahiyeh must tremble,” he said on US social media company X, referring to Beirut’s southern suburbs.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also demanded Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “take down buildings in Dahiyeh today.”

READ: Ben-Gvir calls for Israel to take Lebanese women and children hostage

“The fire toward the northern settlements is a test of the Dahiyeh equation that the Prime Minister announced,” Smotrich said on X.

The call by the hardline politicians came after the Israeli army reported a drone attack from Lebanon targeting military positions in northern Israel.

The Israeli army continued its daily airstrikes in Lebanon despite a fragile ceasefire agreement that has been in effect since April 17.

The Israeli attacks have killed more than 3,700 people, wounded nearly 11,500 and displaced over 1.5 million since March 2, according to Lebanese officials.

READ: Israel won’t withdraw from southern Lebanon under US-Iran understandings: Israeli media

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/

Continue ReadingIsraeli ministers call for bombing Beirut despite ceasefire

France accuses Israeli firm of interfering in Scottish elections and targeting SNP

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https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/12/france-accuses-israeli-firm-interfering-scottish-elections-john-swinney-snp

John Swinney speaking at a press conference after the 2026 Holyrood elections. Photograph: David Young/PA

Cyber agency says BlackCore targeted John Swinney, as well as interfering in New York and French elections

France’s cybersecurity agency has accused the Israeli tech company BlackCore of interfering in the Scottish elections earlier this year by targeting the first minister, John Swinney.

The disinformation detection agency Viginum said BlackCore had this year used proxy social media accounts to target Swinney, the Scottish National party, and the Scottish government on four occasions.

Viginum said BlackCore had focused its operations on municipal elections in France but had also targeted the mayoral elections in New York, won by Zohran Mamdani, and other countries such as Togo and Angola.

…

The Viginum report alleges that Swinney, the SNP and the devolved government in Edinburgh were targeted by a specific campaign between 6 January and 8 May, before and during a hard-fought election for the Scottish parliament.

It said BlackCore had been involved with the “coordinated posting” and mobilisation of at least 256 accounts on the social media platform X, which enabled the distribution of about 1,400 comments. Swinney’s account was targeted 652 times, the SNP’s 338 and the Scottish government’s 112.

Swinney and fellow ministers have been vocal in their criticism of the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank, and have imposed a form of sanctions on the Israel Defense Forces by withholding state grants to arms firms that supply the IDF and freezing support for exports to Israel.

…

See the original article at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/12/france-accuses-israeli-firm-interfering-scottish-elections-john-swinney-snp

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza's hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Continue ReadingFrance accuses Israeli firm of interfering in Scottish elections and targeting SNP