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Gaza militia leader killed

Hamas has hailed the killing of an Israel-backed militia leader in Gaza. The movement said what happened to Yasser Abu Shabab is the inevitable fate of all those who betray their people and homeland, and become tools in the hands of the regime. Hamas said Abu Shabab's criminal acts represented a blatant departure from Palestinians’ national and social consensus. The movement commended families and tribes that disavowed him and withdrew all tribal and social protection from his isolated group that represented only itself. Hamas further asserted that Israel's use of such socially bankrupt and lawless gangs in Gaza reflects its utter helplessness. It stressed that Israel, which has failed to protect its own agents in Gaza, cannot protect any of its proxies. Hamas affirmed that unity of the Palestinian people will remain a bulwark against efforts made to undermine its internal fabric. Abu Shabab, who led an Israeli-armed militia, was killed alongside his two deputies. His militia was accused of looting aid and attacking Palestinian civilians, as well as Hamas fighters. His death has sparked street celebrations across Gaza.

Calls for Eurovision Israel ban

The national broadcasters of Ireland, Spain and the Netherlands have announced that they will boycott the 20-26 Eurovision Song Contest. The announcement came after the European Broadcasting Union decided to allow Israel to participate in the upcoming competition. The three countries were among several parties that have called for Israel’s exclusion, citing the heavy human toll in Gaza and accusations of unfair voting practices. Earlier, Eurovision said it would not hold a vote on Israel’s participation in the musical contest, dodging calls for the regime’s ban over its ongoing crimes in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. The decision prompted the three broadcasters to confirm their withdrawal, stating that it does not reflect the ethical values the contest should uphold. Other international bodies, such as the International Federation of Association Football, FIFA, have also sidestepped calls to bar Israel from participation in competitions over its genocide in Gaza. Critics say those refusals point to double standards that have shielded Israel from accountability. They cited past actions against countries, such as Russia, which was swiftly banned by FIFA and UEFA within days of Russia’s attack on Ukraine in 2022.

Slamming unilateral sanctions

Iran has marked the International Day against Unilateral Coercive Measures by condemning unilateral sanctions imposed by the US as “illegal and inhuman.” Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, argued that unilateral coercive measures violate fundamental principles of human rights, such as the right to life, health, education, and development. He added that by targeting the lives and health of entire populations, unilateral bans amount to crimes against humanity. Baghaei stressed that the US must be held accountable for committing crimes against humanity through application of illegal and inhuman sanctions against the peoples of developing countries, including Iran. Washington has imposed hundreds of sanctions on Iran under various pretexts ranging from human rights to the country’s peaceful nuclear program. The International Day against Unilateral Coercive Measures was designated by the UN General Assembly through adoption of a resolution in June 2025.

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