United News of Bangladesh

Israel will reopen Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt on Sunday, allowing limited movement of people after almost two years of closure. The Israeli military unit COGAT, which coordinates aid to Gaza, said on Friday that only people will be allowed to pass through the crossing. The Rafah crossing, Gaza’s main link to the outside world, has been mostly closed since May 2024. Israel and Egypt will screen individuals for entry and exit, with European Union border patrol agents overseeing the process. Palestinians who left Gaza during the recent conflict will be allowed to return if they get Israeli security clearance. Israel had previously resisted reopening the crossing, but the return of the last hostage from Gaza earlier this week cleared the way for the move, seen as a key step in U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan.

Iran has warned it would respond immediately and forcefully to any attack by the United States, as tensions escalated following fresh warnings from US President Donald Trump over Tehran’s nuclear programme and the European Union’s decision to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation. Iranian military spokesman Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia said US military assets in the region, including aircraft carriers in the Gulf, are within the range of Iran’s medium-range missiles and have what he described as serious vulnerabilities. He said any hostile action would prompt an instant response. The warning came after President Trump said time was running out for Iran to reach a nuclear agreement with Washington. The EU’s move to blacklist the IRGC further added to pressure on Tehran, drawing strong criticism from Iranian officials. Ali Shamkhani, a senior security official and representative of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Iran would take immediate countermeasures in response to the EU decision. In a social media post, he accused Western countries of applying double standards by supporting Israel’s war in Gaza while labelling the IRGC’s actions against extremist groups as terrorism. Meanwhile, regional diplomacy intensified amid fears of a wider conflict. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkiye was ready to help de-escalate tensions between Iran and the US, holding a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and offering to play a facilitating role. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Istanbul on Friday for talks with Turkish leaders, focusing on bilateral relations and growing regional and international challenges. He criticised the EU’s decision on the IRGC, calling it a strategic mistake. Oil markets reacted to the rising tensions, with prices easing after recent gains as investors reassessed the likelihood of imminent military action. Analysts said any potential conflict was likely to be limited, reducing fears of major supply disruptions. Iran has also reported arrests linked to recent antigovernment protests in southern Tehran, as authorities continue a crackdown that began late last year. Despite diplomatic contacts, analysts say Washington and Tehran remain far apart on key issues, including Iran’s nuclear activities and missile programme, raising concerns that the standoff could further intensify.   With inputs from ALJAZEERA

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces on Friday announced a fresh agreement with Syria’s central government aimed at reinforcing a ceasefire that ended weeks of clashes and setting out a roadmap for integration between the two sides. Under the deal, security forces affiliated with Syria’s Interior Ministry will deploy to the cities of al-Hassakeh and Qamishli in the Kurdish heartland, areas they were previously barred from entering, the SDF said in a statement. The agreement also initiates the process of merging SDF forces with government troops. As part of the integration, a new military formation will be created, comprising three brigades drawn from the SDF. In addition, a separate brigade of SDF fighters will be incorporated within an existing government brigade in Aleppo province. The agreement also provides for the integration of local institutions of the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria and their employees into state institutions. The region has operated as a de facto autonomous zone for several years. The SDF said the deal includes provisions for civil and educational rights for Kurdish people and guarantees the return of displaced residents to their home areas. According to the statement, the agreement seeks to unify Syrian territory and complete the integration process through enhanced cooperation and joint efforts to rebuild the war-torn country. There was no immediate official comment from Damascus, though Syrian state television quoted an unnamed official as confirming the agreement. The SDF lost much of its territory in northeast Syria during a government offensive after heavy fighting erupted in Aleppo on Jan 6, following months of stalled talks over a previous integration arrangement. Since the ouster of former President Bashar Assad in December 2024, Syria’s new leadership has struggled to fully assert control over a country devastated by nearly 14 years of civil war. A deal reached in March to merge the SDF with Damascus failed to gain momentum. The United States, a longtime backer of the SDF in the fight against Islamic State militants, has recently moved closer to Damascus under interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa. While Washington did not intervene militarily in the latest clashes, it pressed both sides to reach an agreement. A ceasefire brokered last week has largely held, and Friday’s announcement is seen as a step toward consolidating that truce.

Syrian Kurdish fighters have vowed to resist government forces “until the last breath,” even as Damascus moves to reclaim control over the Kurdish autonomous region in the country’s northeast. Commander Azad, a veteran Kurdish fighter whose nom-de-guerre means “freedom,” bears the physical scars of years of conflict. He lost a leg in a Turkish airstrike in 2018 and carries injuries from multiple attacks by the Islamic State group (IS), including shrapnel wounds to his arm, back, and abdomen. Syrian army announces 15-day extension of ceasefire with Kurdish-led forces Beyond the battlefield, Azad says his deepest wound is political. He feels betrayed by the United States, which previously collaborated closely with Kurdish forces to defeat IS after it seized large parts of Syria and Iraq in 2014. “History will hold them accountable,” he says. “Morally it’s not right. But we will keep fighting until our last breath. We are not cry-babies.” The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) now face a new struggle against government troops, who in recent weeks have recaptured resource-rich territories held by the Kurds for over a decade following the defeat of IS. #With inputs from BBC

Israel handed over the bodies of 15 Palestinians to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Thursday in exchange for the last Israeli captive, whose remains were recovered earlier this week, marking the completion of one phase of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Palestinian authorities are assessing whether the bodies will be released at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis or al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. (Al Jazeera) The transfer comes more than two years after hostilities escalated, including the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which left 251 Israelis, including policeman Ran Gvili, captured. Gvili’s remains were the last to be held by Palestinian groups. At his funeral on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed him as a “hero” and warned Israel’s adversaries of severe consequences for future attacks. The return of captives and bodies unfolded through ceasefire arrangements, prisoner-swap deals, and limited military rescue attempts. While all Israeli captives have now been repatriated, thousands of Palestinians remain imprisoned in Israel, often without formal charges or trial. According to a July 2024 UN Human Rights Office report, Israel holds approximately 9,400 Palestinians as “security detainees,” with documented cases of torture, sexual assault, and other abuses. Human rights group Physicians for Human Rights–Israel reported that at least 94 Palestinian prisoners have died in custody due to mistreatment, medical neglect, or malnutrition. (Al Jazeera) Meanwhile, violence continues in Gaza. On Thursday, Israeli forces killed two Palestinians and injured dozens near Makki roundabout in the central Maghazi camp. Since the ceasefire took effect on October 10, at least 490 Palestinians have been killed due to airstrikes, tank shelling, and gunfire, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. (Al Jazeera) The prisoner exchange also paves the way for a political transition in Gaza. Hamas has agreed to transfer governance to a committee of Palestinian technocrats, which will oversee daily administration under the supervision of a U.S.-led Board of Peace. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said protocols and committees are in place to ensure a full handover. Gaza’s Civil Defence spokesman Mahmoud Basal warned that the territory faces an “unprecedented catastrophe” due to shortages of food, shelter, and medical supplies caused by the ongoing blockade.   With inputs from ALJAZEERA

The European Union has officially designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a “terrorist organisation,” a move praised by EU officials and strongly condemned by Tehran amid rising US-Iran tensions. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced that the decision followed a meeting of European foreign ministers, calling the designation “necessary” to hold the regime accountable for its violent suppression of domestic protests. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the action as “long overdue” and expressed solidarity with the Iranian people’s struggle for freedom. Iran reacted sharply. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi termed the EU’s decision a “publicity stunt” and a “strategic mistake,” accusing Europe of selective outrage by ignoring Israeli actions in Gaza while targeting Iran. The Iranian armed forces warned that the move violates international law and could have serious consequences for European policymakers. Tehran also announced planned live-fire naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz next week, signaling readiness for “immediate and powerful” response to any potential attack. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stressed dialogue and diplomatic engagement to maintain regional peace during a recent phone call. The IRGC, founded after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, operates alongside Iran’s regular military under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, overseeing ballistic missile and nuclear programs, and supporting regional proxy groups. The US first designated the IRGC a foreign terrorist organisation in 2019. Analysts say the EU move intensifies Iran’s already high-stakes geopolitical position, as the country faces growing Western pressure and regional instability.   With inputs from ALJAZEERA

Iran has firmly rejected renewed military threats from US President Donald Trump, warning that its armed forces are fully prepared to respond immediately and forcefully to any American attack. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that the country’s military was on high alert and ready to defend Iran’s land, air and sea against any aggression. Writing on social media, he said Iran had gained “valuable lessons” from last year’s days-long conflict with Israel and the subsequent US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. According to Araghchi, those experiences have strengthened Iran’s ability to respond more quickly, powerfully and effectively to any future attack. His comments came hours after President Trump revived threats of military action, claiming on social media that a “massive armada” was moving toward Iran and was prepared to act with speed and force if necessary. Trump again urged Tehran to negotiate a nuclear deal, insisting Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons and warning that time was running out, reports Al Jazeera. Despite repeatedly claiming that US strikes last year had destroyed Iran’s nuclear programme, Trump said any future attack would be far more severe if Iran failed to agree to a deal. Tensions have risen again after the US deployed the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to the region, fuelling fears of a possible confrontation. Analysts described the move as a show of force aimed at pressuring Iran into negotiations. Earlier this month, Araghchi said Iran was ready for war if Washington chose to test it. Although tensions briefly eased after antigovernment protests in Iran subsided, the latest US military moves have reignited concerns across the region. Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is strictly for civilian purposes and that it has the right to enrich uranium. Tehran has also said it will not enter negotiations while under military threat. On Tuesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticised the latest US warnings, saying they would only undermine regional security and increase instability. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts appear to be continuing behind the scenes. Araghchi reiterated that Iran remains open to a fair and equitable nuclear agreement free from threats, one that guarantees peaceful nuclear technology without nuclear weapons. The escalating rhetoric has raised regional alarm, with military drills announced near the Strait of Hormuz and warnings from Iran that neighbouring countries could be treated as hostile if they assist any US attack. Several regional states, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have said they will not allow their airspace to be used for strikes on Iran.

Young Iranians who took part in recent nationwide protests have told the BBC that the security forces’ response marked one of the deadliest crackdowns in the history of the Islamic Republic, as human rights groups report thousands of deaths amid a near-total communications blackout. Several protesters from Tehran and other cities said the unrest, which began on Dec 28 over worsening economic conditions, rapidly escalated into mass demonstrations demanding political change. They said the authorities responded with overwhelming force as protests intensified on Jan 8 and 9. A 29-year-old woman from Tehran said the scale of the killings was unprecedented compared with earlier protests. She claimed to personally know at least 13 people who had been killed during the unrest, adding that demonstrations in her area were peaceful before security forces opened fire. Another protester, a 24-year-old man from Tehran, said he had never witnessed such large crowds or such levels of violence. He said many people continued to protest despite the deaths, believing they had nothing left to lose. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (Hrana), at least 6,159 people have been confirmed killed since the protests began, including protesters, children and individuals affiliated with the government. Hrana said it is investigating reports of thousands more deaths and warned that the confirmed toll is likely to rise. Norway-based group Iran Human Rights has said the final death toll could exceed 25,000. Iranian authorities, however, said more than 3,100 people were killed, claiming most were security personnel or bystanders targeted by what they described as “rioters”. Due to restrictions on international media, foreign journalists have been unable to report freely inside Iran. However, videos verified by the BBC appear to show security forces using live ammunition and pellet guns against crowds. Protesters also described widespread injuries, particularly to the face and eyes, and said hospitals were overwhelmed with wounded demonstrators. Some said they avoided public hospitals for fear of arrest. Several activists and witnesses alleged that authorities pressured families of those killed, demanding large sums of money or requiring victims to be recorded as members of security forces in order to release bodies. Human rights groups say such practices may be intended to intimidate families and obscure the true scale of the killings. The communications shutdown has further deepened fear and uncertainty, with protesters saying they struggled to obtain information about missing friends and relatives during the unrest. Iran’s leadership has blamed foreign powers, particularly the United States, for fomenting the protests, a claim repeatedly rejected by protesters and rights groups.   With inputs from BBC

A month after nationwide protests erupted in Iran, fear and uncertainty are spreading across the Middle East over a possible U.S. military strike, as regional diplomacy intensifies to avert a crisis. Iranian officials engaged with neighboring countries on Wednesday following signs that Washington may consider military action. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have both ruled out allowing their airspace to be used for any such attack. Meanwhile, the U.S. has deployed the USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided missile destroyers to the region, capable of launching strikes from the sea. U.S. President Donald Trump has not yet decided on using force, although he has warned against the killing of peaceful demonstrators and mass executions of detainees. Activists say at least 6,221 people have died in Iran’s crackdown on protests, with thousands more injured or arrested. Amid internet restrictions, Iranians remain anxious, watching videos of shootings and fearing further escalation while the country’s economy deteriorates. “I feel my generation failed to teach the younger ones,” said Mohammad Heidari, a Tehran high school teacher. Diplomatic contacts intensified this week. Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to “work toward achieving calm.” Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, reiterating that Saudi airspace or territory would not be used for attacks against Iran, a position mirrored by the UAE. Both countries host U.S. military assets but have faced attacks in recent years, including the 2019 strike that halved Saudi oil production and Houthi attacks on the UAE in 2022. Iran also targeted Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base last year after U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Araghchi stressed that diplomacy must replace threats. “Negotiations must be conducted on an equal footing, based on mutual respect, and for mutual benefit,” he said. Human Rights Activists News Agency reported at least 6,221 deaths, including protesters, children, and civilians, with over 42,300 arrests since the unrest began on Dec. 28 following a sharp fall in the Iranian rial. Iran’s official figures remain far lower, citing 3,117 deaths and labeling many victims as “terrorists.” The current unrest, the deadliest in decades, recalls the turmoil of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

At least 6,126 people have died in Iran’s crackdown on nationwide protests, activists said Tuesday, while many more remain missing or feared dead. The Human Rights Activists News Agency, based in the U.S., said the dead include 5,777 protesters, 214 government-affiliated forces, 86 children and 49 other civilians. Over 41,800 people have been arrested. Iran’s government reports a lower death toll of 3,117. The protests began on Dec. 28 after the Iranian currency, the rial, fell sharply. Demonstrations quickly spread across the country and were met with a violent crackdown. Authorities have blocked the internet, making independent verification difficult. Meanwhile, the U.S. has sent the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and supporting warships to the Middle East, giving it the ability to respond militarily if needed. Some Iranian-backed militias have signaled readiness to act if Iran is attacked. Iran has warned that any conflict could engulf the region, but its proxy forces in the Middle East appear disorganized after recent conflicts, including Israel’s 12-day war targeting Iran-backed groups. The scale of the protests and the government’s response is the deadliest unrest in Iran in decades, drawing comparisons with the 1979 Islamic Revolution. UN and U.S. officials have raised concerns about human rights violations, while Iran accuses foreign powers of encouraging the unrest. The situation remains tense as both domestic protests and regional military threats continue.