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‘Burning Entire Families to Death as They Slept’ in Gaza, Israel Kill Count Nears 1,000 Since Ceasefire

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Article by Stephen Prager republished form Common Dreams under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0).

Palestinians carry the bodies of relatives who lost their lives in overnight Israeli airstrikes during a funeral procession in Gaza City on June 4, 2026. (Photo by Saeed M. M. T. Jaras/Anadolu via Getty Images)

As Israel ratchets up its attacks and conquers more territory in Gaza despite a ceasefire, May was the deadliest month for Palestinians there in 2026.

Five members of the same Palestinian family were killed in a burning building after Israel bombed four residential apartment buildings in Gaza City on Thursday morning. Eight months after the October “ceasefire” began, the death toll from continued Israeli attacks is rapidly approaching 1,000.

A single nine-year-old girl, identified as Hala Hassan Rabah Labad by local reports, survived the strike on an apartment on Intelligence Street in northwestern Gaza and was taken to the hospital. Five members of her family—her father, mother, and three siblings—were all killed.

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Nine people were killed in total and dozens more wounded in other strikes on residential buildings throughout the night, according to medical sources who told the Anadolu Agency that bodies arrived at Al-Shifa Hospital—some dismembered and others severely burned.

Other attacks were reported on Al-Salam Tower in Tel al-Hawa, the Mahna family home near Al-Qouqa Roundabout in Al-Shati refugee camp, and a residential apartment in the Abu al-Amin and Abu Iskandar area of Sheikh Radwan.

Local journalists reported that many of the targeted buildings were sheltering displaced families.

One resident recorded video of a burning building near her home and posted it to social media.

“Israel bombed the house next to me at 2 am,” she said. “People are burning alive and screaming.”

Rescue workers are still reportedly picking through the rubble and have been deployed across multiple locations, according to journalists on the ground, who described the series of attacks as a “major massacre.”

“We were woken up by the strike at 2:30 am. We found pieces of flesh, and people were sleeping. They say the war is over, but the war is not over,” Khalil Batran, a neighbor of the deceased family, told ⁠Reuters. “There is no safety in Gaza… Every day, they fire at us from there and strike us with missiles. It’s futile.”

The Israeli military has not commented on the strikes as of Thursday morning.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Thursday’s strikes bring the number of Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks up to 947 since a so-called ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was reached in October. Nearly 3,000 other Palestinians have been wounded.

The Gaza Government Media Office has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire more than 3,000 times through the targeting of civilians, the destruction of entire residential blocks, repeated gunfire, and incursions into residential areas, as well as restrictions on humanitarian aid entering the strip.

Since Israel’s genocidal military campaign in Gaza began in October 2023, nearly 73,000 people have been killed, according to official figures from the Gaza Health Ministry, though independent analyses suggest the true death toll could be much higher.

As Israel fortifies and expands its military control of the strip, with leaders including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledging to push forward and conquer more territory, May was the deadliest month for Gaza thus far in 2026, with 119 Palestinians killed.

In recent weeks, Israeli strikes on tent encampments have killed multiple other children, including a 6-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy.

Thursday’s attacks come a day after Israel continued to bomb several sites in Lebanon despite the announcement of a US-brokered ceasefire, which has not yet gone into effect. During a previous truce, Israel launched numerous attacks, demolished villages, and ordered the forced evacuation of civilians in Lebanon, in clear violation of the agreement. Israeli attacks during that ceasefire period killed more than 600 people, according to the World Health Organization.

In Gaza, Israel has justified continued attacks and deeper encroachment into Gaza by saying that Hamas has failed to “fully disarm.” But while that is part of a framework laid out by US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, Drop Site News journalist Jeremy Scahill points out that it was not part of the deal agreed to in October.

“Netanyahu has a PhD in violating ceasefires,” said Scahill on SkyNews Wednesday. “The term ‘ceasefire’ has been used as a surrender cudgel against the Palestinians in Gaza.”

“The Palestinians signed a deal with Israel. Israel has violated it every day, killed 1,000 Palestinians, has moved deeper into Gaza. They say, ‘Hamas agreed to disarm.’ Hamas never signed a disarmament agreement,” he continued. “Now the so-called ‘Board of Peace’ is demanding that the Palestinians surrender their liberation cause as a condition for Netanyahu to abide by the terms that he signed.”

“They signed a ceasefire with Hamas,” he said. “Not with the children in tents that they continue to burn alive.”

Article by Stephen Prager republished form Common Dreams under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0).

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.
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it's fun to kill everyone ...
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it’s fun to kill everyone …
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Continue Reading‘Burning Entire Families to Death as They Slept’ in Gaza, Israel Kill Count Nears 1,000 Since Ceasefire

IAEA chief says US-Iran talks close to nuclear framework agreement

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

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi gives a speech in Vienna, Austria on June 5, 2026. [Salih Okuroğlu – Anadolu Agency]

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said Friday that negotiations between the United States and Iran appear close to producing a framework agreement on Tehran’s nuclear program, Anadolu reports.

Speaking at a news conference following a meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors, Grossi said the agency remains in contact with both sides, although it is not directly involved in the talks.

“Our sense is that they seem to be pretty close to agreeing on what I would describe more with regards to the nuclear … to sort of a framework, organizational structure to give themselves time to look into the different problems,” he said.

Grossi added that the IAEA has made several efforts to restore verification activities in Iran and stressed that Tehran’s obligations under its agreements with the agency remain in force.

“The issue here is multiple, because Iran has a number of obligations in terms of informing us and giving us access for our inspection work,” he said. “It is clear that under war circumstances, this is not possible, but there has been quite a long ceasefire.”

He noted that the agency had continued some activities at facilities selected by Iran, saying there is an “element of discretion” in terms of what Tehran allows the agency to see.

Grossi said Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium remains central to any future agreement.

READ: Trump says he does not need deal with Iran to get enriched uranium

Possible options include exporting the material, diluting it or keeping it in Iran under IAEA monitoring, he said, adding that any decision would ultimately be political.

Grossi, however, said the first step should be the agency going to Iran to check the amount.

‘Nuclear facilities should never be attacked’

Ahead of the meeting, Grossi also warned that nuclear facilities must not be targeted during conflicts.

“Regardless of where they are located around the world, nuclear facilities should never be attacked,” he said.

His remarks came after a visit to the Arab Gulf region, where he met regional leaders and toured the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates, which was struck by a drone on May 17.

“Attacks on nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes are unacceptable. I solemnly reiterate my calls for the parties in this conflict and in all conflicts to respect the seven indispensable pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during a conflict,” Grossi said.

Calling for maximum restraint, he warned that military activities involving nuclear power plants and other nuclear facilities carry “unacceptable risks.”

Grossi stressed that the IAEA applies the same standards to all countries and situations.

“There are no double or triple standards here for the IAEA. An attack on any facility, wherever it is located, is unacceptable, a no-go, taboo,” he said.

He also warned of the potential environmental and public safety consequences of any major release of radioactivity resulting from an attack on an operating nuclear power plant.

“The only sustainable path to peace, stability and cooperation is one grounded in dialogue and diplomacy. This is what we are here for,” Grossi added. ​​​​​​​

OPINION: From nuclear threshold to nuclear deterrence: Is Iran crossing the line?

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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/

Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up

Continue ReadingIAEA chief says US-Iran talks close to nuclear framework agreement

Polish football club rejects Israeli transfer offer, compares business ties with Tel Aviv to Nazi Germany

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A vehicle exits the training centre of Israeli football team Maccabi Tel Aviv, on November 8, 2024 in Tel Aviv [JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images]

The owner of Polish football club Pogon Szczecin has rejected transfer offers from Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv, comparing business dealings with the club to doing business with Nazi Germany, Anadolu Agency reports.

Club owner Alex Haditaghi said on US social media company X that he had informed Maccabi Tel Aviv of his decision not to pursue negotiations over the transfers of defenders Dimitris Keramitsis and Leo Borges.

In a letter addressed to the Israeli club’s president and published on his social media account, Haditaghi said football should symbolize “hope, respect, unity and humanity” and be “more important than politics, borders or divisions.”

However, he said the ongoing suffering of civilians in Gaza, Lebanon, Iran and elsewhere in the region made it inappropriate for his club to conduct business with an Israeli club.

“Considering the ongoing suffering of innocent civilians in Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, and across the region, and considering the violent, genocidal and inhuman actions of the Israeli state, I do not believe it would be morally right for our club to proceed with any business transaction with a club representing Israel at this time,” he wrote.

READ: Palestinian FA chief refuses handshake with Israeli counterpart at FIFA congress

Haditaghi said his responsibilities extended beyond the club’s financial interests to protecting “values, principles and humanity.”

“Had I been alive during the times of Nazi Germany, one of the darkest chapters of history, I would not have done business with any sports club representing Nazi Germany, a regime that was responsible for mass murder and crimes against millions of innocent people,” he wrote.

“Today I have to apply the same moral standard.”

“There are moments when ethics must be stronger than profit and money,” he added.

The offers concerned Keramitsis and Borges, whose contracts with Pogon run until 2029 and 2027, respectively.

READ: Poland blasts ‘stupidity’ of Israeli football fans displaying ‘murderers since 1939’ banner at match

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/

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 ReadingPolish football club rejects Israeli transfer offer, compares business ties with Tel Aviv to Nazi Germany

No military solution will provide security: Lebanese president tells Israel

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Lebanese President Joseph Aoun gives a speech in Beirut, Lebanon on February 16, 2026. [Houssam Shbaro – Anadolu Agency]

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun warned that no military solution can provide Israel with lasting security, urging Tel Aviv to resolve disputes through diplomacy rather than force, Anadolu reports.

In an interview with CNN released Friday, Aoun said “Military solutions” will never bring security and safety to Israelis, asking the Israeli people whether they “really want to live” in a “perpetual war.”

“Military activities or military solution will never provide you with security and safety to the northern people, we are ready to sit and talk,” Aoun said.

“Aren’t you fed up with war since 1948? Do you want really to live in peace? Let’s sit and talk. For the Israeli government. It’s a time … for the power of reason to prevail over the reason of power,” Aoun said.

Lebanon and Israel have officially been in a state of war since Israel’s establishment in 1948. The most recent escalation started when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel in response to a US-Israeli attack on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with senior military leaders.

“Our people along the border are fed up with wars, but you need to show some willingness and commitment to end this war for the sake of most people and on both sides of the border.”

“We are ready, we are willing, we are committed. Are you?” Aoun said. “If you are not, you will never live in peace, safety and security.”

Over the course of three months, Israel’s military campaign has resulted in more than 3,500 deaths, forcing around 20% of Lebanon’s population from their homes.

READ: Hezbollah rejects Lebanon-Israel ceasefire agreement

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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/

Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up

Continue ReadingNo military solution will provide security: Lebanese president tells Israel

Ireland imposes travel ban on 2 Israeli Cabinet ministers

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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]

Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin confirmed on Friday that the government imposed a travel ban on two Israeli Cabinet ministers, Anadolu Agency reports.

Irish Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan introduced travel bans on Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Martin said as he was in Montenegro for the EU-Western Balkans Summit, according to broadcaster RTE.

Underlining that the two ministers’ actions and words “amount to a desire to see the elimination of Palestinians from Palestine,” Martin called for further EU measures against them.

“In my view, their behavior justifies sanctions at EU level as well, and that’s something that we will raise; whether we can get sufficient support across the European Union is a different matter,” he said.

A spokesperson for O’Callaghan said travel bans on the two Israeli ministers were put in place following an agreement by the government earlier this week.

READ: Nearly 5,000 Belgian academics and students urge universities to cut Israel ties

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/

Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up

Continue ReadingIreland imposes travel ban on 2 Israeli Cabinet ministers