Israel mobilises reserve units ahead of possible Rafah fight
Tel Aviv/Gaza, April 24: The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have mobilised two additional reserve brigades ahead of a possible deployment to the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. The brigades had previously been deployed on Israel’s border with Lebanon. In recent weeks, however, they have been training for operations in the Gaza Strip, the IDF said on Wednesday. “The soldiers practiced combat techniques and learned the main insights and lessons from the fighting and ground maneuver in the Gaza Strip so far,” the IDF said in a statement. At the beginning of the Gaza war more than six and a half months ago, Israel mobilised around 300,000 reservists. However, most of them have since been released. Most recently, active troops have been deployed mainly in the Gaza Strip. Israel does not publicise its troop numbers, but a brigade usually consists of several thousand soldiers. (IANS)
Investigate mass graves found in Gaza hospitals: UN
UNITED NATIONS, April 24: The United Nations called Tuesday for “a clear, transparent and credible investigation” of mass graves uncovered at two major hospitals in war-torn Gaza that were raided by Israeli troops. Credible investigators must have access to the sites, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters, and added that more journalists need to be able to work safely in Gaza to report on the facts. Earlier Tuesday, UN human rights chief Volker Türk said he was “horrified” by the destruction of the Shifa medical center in Gaza City and Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis as well as the reported discovery of mass graves in and around the facilities after the Israelis left. (AP)
Stadium ban for women to be reintroduced in Iran
Tehran, April 24: A stadium ban for women is to be reintroduced in Iran, multiple local news reports said on Wednesday. The reports said that the Iranian FA has ordered the ban to be imposed in the north-western city of Tabriz in the wake of “repulsive incidents” at a home game of local top flight club Tractor-Sazi. It was not clear whether the stadium ban only applies in Tabriz or for all matches. Tractor-Sazi is one of the most popular clubs in Iran, with a large fan base including many women. Observers believe that a female pitch invader at a match last week is a reason for the latest decision by the FA. (IANS)
2 Taliban terrorists killed in Pakistan
Lahore, April 24: Two Taliban terrorists, who were involved in an attack on a “sensitive installation”, were killed on Wednesday by security forces in Pakistan’s Punjab province, an official said. The shootout was held in Bhakkar district of Punjab, some 400 kms from Lahore. The terrorists killed in a shootout with the CTD team have been identified as Noor Muhammad and Rafiq of banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. (PTI)