PALESTINE RESISTANCE SEIZE ISRAEL’S SURVEILLANCE BALLOON
The Palestinian resistance managed to seize control of the Israeli surveillance balloon early on June 17 after it was shot down in the town of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip. Palestinian sources confirmed to Quds Press that the Israeli surveillance balloon seized by the Palestinian resistance was not the first it had seized. It has previously seized several balloons, as well as advanced drones.
Israeli sources revealed fears of dangerous information leaks and the resistance obtaining high-quality imaging equipment. Palestinian writer and political analyst Mustafa Al-Sawaf believes: “What is important is that the resistance was able to seize this surveillance balloon, regardless of what method is used to shoot it down,” describing the incident as “serious”.
80% OF GAZA’S KIDS SUFFER DEPRESSION UNDER ISRAEL’S BLOCKADE
Four out of five children in the Gaza Strip suffer from depression, sadness and fear as a result of living under Israel’s stifling blockade, Save the Children said in a report published on June 15. Entitled ‘Trapped’, the UK charity’s report includes details from interviews with 488 children and 168 parents and caregivers in Gaza, and revealed a drastic deterioration since their last research in 2018. The number of those reporting symptoms of “depression, grief and fear” has risen from 55 per cent to 80 per cent. The report showed a significant increase in the number of children who reported feeling fearful, 84 per cent compared with 50 per cent in 2018, while those feeling nervous rose to 80 per cent compared from 55 per cent, and sadness or depression escalated to 77 per cent from 62 per cent.
73 IRAQI LAWMAKERS RESIGN FROM PARLIAMENT
Plunging the nation into political uncertainty, the 73 lawmakers from powerful Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr’s bloc resigned on June 12 to protest a persisting political deadlock eight months after general elections were held. Parliament Speaker Mohammed Halbousi accepted their resignation. The election was held several months earlier than expected, in response to mass protests that broke out in late 2019, and saw tens of thousands rally against endemic corruption, poor services and unemployment. Al-Sadr, who emerged as the winner in the election held in October last, has been intent on forming, along with his allies, a majority government that excludes them. But he has not been able to corral enough lawmakers to parliament to get the two-thirds majority needed to elect Iraq’s next president – a necessary step ahead of naming the next prime minister and selecting a Cabinet.
TÜRKIYE ESTABLISHES ‘RED LINE’ DIPLOMACY TO SOLVE GRAIN CRISIS
Türkiye’s National Defence Ministry on June 15 said it has implemented “red line” diplomacy to solve the grain crisis caused by the Russian war on Ukraine. A “red line” was formed to discuss the issue more closely and bring it to a conclusion, under the leadership of Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar. The Ukrainian and Russian defence ministries will each assign one general who will be in direct contact with Türkiye to solve the problem. “We have intense negotiation traffic with both Russia and Ukraine. Both sides have some reservations. We are working to eliminate the reservations. We are hopeful,” said Akar. Akar held separate telephone conversations last week with his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts. While the negative effect of the situation on countries in different geographies was discussed, a new step was taken toward the solution to the problem.
ENNAHDA, 5 TUNISIAN PARTIES SUPPORT UGTT STRIKE
Riadh Chaibi, a leader of the Ennahda Movement and advisor to Rached Ghannouchi, described the actions at the Committee of Economic and Social Affairs meetings as “normalising the 25 July coup.” Chaibi confirmed that the public sector strike, launched on June 17 by officials and administrations of public institutions and establishments, is an expression of the social crisis that the country is experiencing. Chaibi explained that there are several crises: “Social, economic and constitutional and there is no solution to these multiple crises other than the political solution.” Five Tunisian parties on June 16 expressed their support for the general strike carried out by the “Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT)”. This came in a joint statement by the “The Democratic Current”, “The Democratic Forum for Labour and Liberties”, “The Republican Party”, the “Democratic Modernist Pole”, and the “Workers Party”. The statement said that the five parties “express their support for the general strike carried out by the officials of the public sector in an implementation of the decision of the UGTT’s administrative body in defence of their economic and social rights and to respond to the authority’s continued disregard of their legitimate demands.”
‘TÜRKIYE WON’T ALLOW A NEW CONFLICT IN BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA’
Bosnia Herzegovina plays a key role in the region’s stability, and Türkiye will not allow a new conflict, said the Turkish foreign minister on June 18. Mevlut Cavusoglu’s remarks came during a joint news conference with his Bosnian counterpart Jasmina Turkovic in the capital Sarajevo. “Bosnia and Herzegovina is in a key position in terms of regional stability. Therefore, we cannot allow a new conflict here in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Everyone must act responsibly in this regard,” said Cavusoglu. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan desires to hold the Türkiye-Bosnia Herzegovina-Serbia trilateral summit at the relevant time, he added. “During our contacts in Belgrade, we saw that Serbian authorities are also ready for this summit, as well as Mr. (Serbian President Aleksandar) Vucic.”
Image with caption: Crescent-Stars beat Croatia 3-1 in Final Four, to take on Czech Republic in final
TÜRKIYE REACH FINAL IN MEN’S VOLLEYBALL GOLDEN LEAGUE 2022
Türkiye on June 18 reached the final of CEV Men’s Volleyball European Golden League 2022, beating Croatia 3-1 in the Final Four. The Crescent-Stars won the game with 27-25, 21-25, 25-19, 25-19 sets, and will take on Czech Republic in the final on Sunday. Adis Lagumdzija led Türkiye to victory by scoring 24 points in the semi-final game. The Red Whites, the most successful team in the organisation’s history with a total of six medals, will look for their third championship in the final, after winning the title twice, in 2019 and 2021. Meanwhile, Croatia will play with Ukraine in the third-place game on Sunday.