Israel-Iran attacks: Israel to begin bringing back citizens stranded abroad
Israel is preparing to bring back its citizens stranded abroad since its attack on Iran last week triggered the closure of its airspace, the country's transport minister says.
Transport Minister Miri Regev said between 100,000 and 150,000 Israelis were stuck abroad for the time being, as Israel and Iran were
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Scoop
an hour ago
- Scoop
‘A Fire No One Can Control': UN Warns Of Spiralling Iran-Israel War
20 June 2025 In an address to the UN Security Council on Friday, Mr. Guterres made an urgent plea for de-escalation, calling the spiralling confrontation a defining moment for the future of global security. 'We are not drifting toward crisis – we are racing toward it,' he said. 'This is a moment that could shape the fate of nations…the expansion of this conflict could ignite a fire no one can control,' he warned. Widespread panic, destruction The Secretary-General's remarks came amid a mounting civilian toll in both Israel and Iran, and as several nuclear sites in Iran have come under direct military assault. Over 100 targets have been struck across Iran, including military and nuclear infrastructure such as the Natanz and Isfahan nuclear facilities and the Khondab heavy water reactor. Iranian officials report over 224 civilian deaths, with some estimates twice as high. More than 2,500 have been injured reportedly – while major cities like Tehran have seen mass displacements, fuel shortages and widespread panic. Iran has responded with its own barrage of missile strikes on Israel, hitting cities such as Tel Aviv, Haifa and Beersheba. Critical civilian sites, including the Soroka Medical Center and the Weizmann research institute, have been damaged. Twenty-four Israelis are confirmed dead, with more than 900 injured. Give peace a chance Mr. Guterres urged both parties to give diplomacy a chance, reiterating the need for full Iranian cooperation with the UN nuclear energy watchdog, IAEA, and warning that the 'only thing predictable about this conflict is its unpredictability.' He also called for unity within the Security Council and adherence to the UN Charter. 'The Non-Proliferation Treaty is a cornerstone of international security,' he said. 'Iran must respect it. But the only way to bridge the trust gap is through diplomacy – not destruction.' Regional fallout expanding Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for political affairs, echoed those concerns, providing a grim overview of the violence and rising human toll. 'The vast majority are civilians,' she said, warning of a 'humanitarian crisis in real time.' The regional fallout is expanding, with airspace restrictions now spanning Lebanon to Iraq. Missiles from Yemen's Houthi forces have targeted Israel and occupied Palestinian territory, while armed groups in Iraq are reportedly mobilizing. 'Any further expansion of the conflict could have enormous consequences for international peace and security,' Ms. DiCarlo cautioned. She also highlighted global economic implications, noting that trade through the vital Strait of Hormuz has fallen 15 per cent amid rising tensions. Grave warnings on nuclear safety The most alarming update, however, came from IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, who warned the Council that Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities are degrading critical safety systems and placing millions at potential radiological risk. At Natanz, the destruction of electricity infrastructure and direct strikes on enrichment halls have led to internal contamination. While no radiological release has been detected outside the facility, Mr. Grossi warned that uranium compounds now pose significant health hazards within. At Isfahan, multiple buildings – including a uranium conversion plant and a metal processing facility – were hit. At Arak's Khondab reactor site, damage was sustained, though the facility was not operational. The greatest risk, however, is the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, which remains operational. A direct strike, Mr. Grossi warned, 'could result in a high release of radioactivity to the environment.' Millions at risk Even disruption of its external power supply could lead to a core meltdown. In the worst-case scenario, radiation would affect populations hundreds of kilometres away and require mass evacuations. Mr. Grossi also warned against any attack on the Tehran Nuclear Research Reactor, which could endanger millions in the capital. 'Nuclear facilities and material must not be shrouded by the fog of war,' he said. 'We must maintain communication, transparency and restraint.' Pledge to stay Concluding his briefing, Mr. Grossi pledged that the IAEA would continue to monitor and report on nuclear safety conditions in Iran and reiterated his readiness to mediate. He stressed the agency 'can guarantee, through a watertight inspections system,' that nuclear weapons will not be developed in Iran, urging dialogue. 'The alternative is a protracted conflict – and a looming nuclear threat that would erode the global non-proliferation regime.'
Otago Daily Times
5 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Letters to the Editor: war, agendas and cricket
Today's Letters to the Editor from readers cover topics including what Jesus would do about Israel, the "agenda" of the previous mayor, and bravo to Adrian Seconi! What does it take to abandon neutrality? Nothing in recent times has shown how inept and outdated New Zealand's foreign policy is than Winston Peters and Labour's foreign affairs spokesman stating New Zealand is "not taking sides" in this highly dangerous unprovoked attack on Iran by Israel. That we can be so certain and decisive about the Russia-Ukraine war yet bottle joining the majority of the world's unequivocal condemnation of Israel is morally bankrupt and craven. What will it take Israel to do to get us to do the right thing? A nuclear bomb on Tehran? We cannot credibly be neutral here. WWJD? Last week in my submission to the Dunedin City Council when I opposed the Sanctions Bill against Israel, Cr Jim O'Malley asked me as a church minister "What would Jesus do?" I felt he was leaving out a huge chunk of the pie and just wanted to chew on one tiny portion. In hindsight though, as his question was put to me publicly, I would like to answer him in a letter to the editor. This is what Jesus would do: He would first point to October 7 and tell Hamas and those with them that they must repent for what they had done. He would then tell them they should lay their weapons down. Upon compliance, Jesus would then take the Israelis by one hand and the Palestinians by the other hand and He would sit down with them and say, "now let's talk about this". Jesus would then remind the Palestinians that the Jewish people have a covenant with God which gives them the right to live on all the Land of Israel — from the River to the Sea. He would ask the Palestinians to honour that covenant, and then he would encourage both parties to live in peace with each other. Spokesman, Coalition of 114 NZ Church Ministers Supporting Israel Incentives and sanctions I have no difficulty with Gerrard Eckhoff (Opinion ODT 9.6.25) expressing strong views even if they are poles apart from my own. I do have difficulty when his views are fanciful, serious exaggerations, or just plain wrong. An illustration of the former is stating that the imposition of a capital gains tax (CGT) is akin to "demanding money with menaces (which) usually results in jail time" He continues "It is the young and their future that CGT will ultimately destroy". An enormous exaggeration. Again: "The hope of a comfortable retirement that is rendered inert by a CGT" . . . and further: "CGT therefore will ultimately destroy the incentive to work, take risks and grow assets" By my reckoning, in excess of 150 countries world-wide collect revenue by means of a tax on capital. Can Mr Eckhoff show that social disintegration is rife on all or any of those countries due to their adoption of CGT? It was a great agenda It is time for a change all right, when a number of current Dunedin city councillors celebrate that they have left behind the "agenda" of the previous council and mayor Aaron Hawkins ( ODT 17.6.25). What did that agenda bring the city? The award-winning George St, enhanced community facilities, new Mosgiel pool, upgraded social housing, comprehensive kerbside recycling, protection for Foulden Maar, and much more. Happily there is a mayoral candidate who would bring real change to the council. Look out for Mickey Treadwell, Green candidate for mayor and a tech-savvy small business owner. [Alan Somerville is a Green Otago Regional councillor.] Column on Sparks knocked it out of the park Bravo, Adrian Seconi. You have hit the nail on the head with your article on the Otago Sparks missing out on the team of the year award at the annual Otago Sports Awards. Or, to continue your delightful cricket metaphors, you have played a perfect straight drive from the sweet spot of the bat, and it has scorched to the boundary. For all the reasons you have given, the Sparks have indeed "been robbed." To win nine of their ten round robin matches, for goodness sake. Imagine if the Highlanders did that: of course they would be our team of the year. The Sparks were so far ahead of all the other teams, they were into the final before the other places were finalised. Then on the day, they faced having to make a record score of nearly 300, thanks to a flawless century by Central Hinds' Maddy Green, who appeared to have put the win out of the Sparks' reach. Especially with Otago having three key players out with injury. Their team work, resolve, courage and skill was breathtaking, and an emotional watch for their supporters. As an ex-Otago cricketer (1961-76) and a member of the team when it won the Halliburton Johnstone shield for the first time, I could be regarded as somewhat biased, but I believe the facts Adrian has recorded speak for themselves. I also wish to thank both the Otago Daily Times and Adrian Seconi for the very high profile you consistently give to women's sport. It is without peer amongst news reporting in this country. And as a cricket lover, I can't wait for the return of Adrian's Notes from Slip each summer. Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: editor@
Scoop
4 days ago
- Scoop
Shelling The Aid Seekers: Israel's 'Humanitarian' Project In Gaza
It's official. If not, it ought to be. Israeli forces freely butcher Palestinians in Gaza of all stripes, standing and states of desperation. They do so casually or indifferently or maliciously. True, they might get the odd militant here and there, but the supposedly professional Israeli Defense Forces is rather good at killing civilians. In what is becoming an almost daily occurrence, Israeli security personnel are slaughtering those seeking humanitarian aid from facilities that are obscenely restricted and appallingly located. What is unclear in the process is how devastating Palestinian militias armed and supported by the Israelis have been in pushing up the mortality count. In one incident on June 17, Israeli tanks – not exactly a light form of population control – fired into a crown scrounging for aid from trucks in Gaza. The resulting death toll was impressively outrageous: 59 killed. A further 14 were also killed by IDF gunfire and air strikes in the enclave, taking the death toll for June 17 to 73. On this occasion, Israel's normally mendacious publicity arm in the IDF seemed to concede that the firing had taken place. It followed that yet another cleansing review would take place. According to Reuters, a witness by the name of Alaa interviewed at Nasser Hospital saw the following spectacle of gore: 'All of a sudden, they let us move forward and made everyone gather, and then shells started falling, tank shells.' The IDF breezily stated that it was 'aware of reports regarding a number of injured individuals from IDF fire following the crowd's approach. The details of the incident are under view. The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and operates to minimise harm as much as possible to them while maintaining the safety of our troops.' The previous day, 34 people awaiting to collect food were killed by IDF personnel near an aid centre operated by the Israeli- and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a body whose dubious credentials never cease to amaze. Eyewitnesses in the crowd, including Heba Jouda and Mohamed Abed, recall Israeli troops firing on Palestinians massed around 4 a.m. at the Flag Roundabout prior to the scheduled opening of the Rafah food centre. The roundabout is located some hundreds of metres from the GHF centre, and has been the site of numerous shootings. 'Fire was coming from everywhere,' stated Jouda, a worn figure who has made the harrowing journey to the aid centre a number of times. 'It's getting worse by the day.' The International Committee on the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed receiving 200 people at its field hospital located in the Al-Mawasi area near Rafah. Up till that point, the ICRC stated that it had been 'the highest number received by the Red Cross Field Hospital in one mass casualty incident.' Carrie Garavan, a British Red Cross nurse working at the field hospital, notes the daily flow of casualties into the facility, most of whom have been queuing for food. 'We are having mass casualty incidents almost every day, sometimes twice a day.' The GHF, for its part, is lukewarm to the fattening butcher's bill. None of the shooting incidents, claimed a spokesperson to The Associated Press, 'have occurred at our sites or during operating hours.' Implying that those seeking aid were responsible for their own demise, the spokesperson went on to explain that they had moved 'during prohibited times … or trying to take a shortcut.' How irresponsible of them. In oral evidence given to the UK Foreign Affairs Committee on June 16, Anna Halford, the Médecins Sans Frontières emergency coordinator for Gaza, found it 'difficult to overstate at what point this is neither a humanitarian enterprise nor a system.' The entire Israeli aid effort in Gaza, as things stood, 'was basically lethal chaos.' Prior to the current lethal order of aid distribution, 400 to 500 community-level points were functioning for those seeking food. Kitchens cooking hot meals and bakeries supplying bread were plentiful. The numbers currently operating had plummeted to four. Halford's picture of what is being provided is grisly. The rations are only of the dry variety. There is an absence of clean water and cooking fuel, with no cooking gas entering the enclave since March 2. Substitute kerosene has proven woefully inadequate, causing those using it burns. Food is cooked on broken wooden pallets, salvaged plastic taken from piles of rubbish or turned up cardboard boxes. As for the justification given by Israel for the imposition of such onerous, cruel restrictions to the provision of aid – the deviation and theft of aid by Hamas or allied forces - Halford, speaking on behalf of MSF, was sharp in rebuke. While no aid system could ever guarantee against some deviation or theft of supplies, Israel had never offered any evidence to back its claims. 'It is a strawman; it is a specious and cynical position meant to undermine a humanitarian system that was actually functioning.' And that is precisely the point of the current, sanguinary exercise.
