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Israel Mourns Three Gaza Hostages Mistakenly Killed

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Israel on Saturday mourned the deaths of three Gaza hostages killed when troops mistook them for a threat, with the military expressing remorse over a “tragic” incident that sparked protests in Tel Aviv.

The Israeli army said Yotam Haim, Alon Shamriz and Samer El-Talalqa — all aged in their twenties — were shot during operations in a neighbourhood of Gaza City.

The trio were among an estimated 240 people taken hostage during Hamas’s October 7 raids into Israel, which also killed an estimated 1,200 people.

Relatives and supporters of hostages held by Palestinian militants demonstrate outside the Israeli ministry of defence in Tel Aviv on December 15, 2023. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP)


“During combat in Shejaiya, the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) mistakenly identified three Israeli hostages as a threat and as a result, fired toward them and the hostages were killed,” Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari said.

“The IDF expresses deep sorrow regarding this disaster and shares in the grief of the families.”

Their bodies were transferred to Israel, and on examination were confirmed as being Haim, a 28-year-old heavy metal drummer, 25-year-old Bedouin man El-Talalqa and Shamriz, aged 26.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described their deaths as an “unbearable tragedy”.

“All of Israel is grieving their loss,” he said, while the White House called the incident a “tragic mistake”.

A man holds a portrait of Keith Samuel Siegel (64), held by Palestinian militants together with others since the October 7 attack, as families and supporters hold a demonstration outside the Israeli ministry of defence in Tel Aviv on December 15, 2023, calling for an immediate deal or their release in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP)


As news of the incident spread late Friday, hundreds of people gathered at Israel’s ministry of defence in Tel Aviv to call on Netanyahu’s government to secure the release of 129 hostages still being held in Hamas-ruled territory.

The demonstrators waved Israeli flags and brandished placards.

“Every day, a hostage dies,” read one message.

“I am dying of fear,” said Merav Svirsky, sister of Hamas-held hostage Itay Svirsky.

“We demand a deal now.”

In November, a short-lived truce saw more than 100 hostages freed in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli jails.

That deal has since lapsed and fighting has resumed.

AFP

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International

Nigeria remains committed to religious freedom – Tinubu replies Trump

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to religious freedom amid the allegation of genocide against Christians in the country by the Donald Trump administration.

In a statement he personally signed and shared by Bayo Onanuga his spokesman,Tinubu said his administration had since 2023, maintained open and active engagement with both Christian and Muslim leaders to strengthen national unity and address security challenges affecting communities across the country.

“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality. Nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians,” Tinubu said.

He reiterated that religious freedom and tolerance have long been “a core tenet of our collective identity,” adding that Nigeria “opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.

”Tinubu emphasised that his government remains committed to working closely with the United States and other international partners “to deepen understanding and cooperation on the protection of communities of all faiths.

”Read the full statement below:

Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.Since 2023, our administration has maintained an open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges which affect citizens across faiths and regions.

The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians.

Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.

Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths.

Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths.

BOLA AHMED TINUBUPRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

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Trump orders US Military to resume nuclear weapons testing

Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately,” Trump posted.

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President Donald Trump on Thursday directed the United States military to resume nuclear weapons testing, ending a 33-year break.

The announcement came on Truth Social, minutes before he met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea.

” Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately,” Trump posted.

“Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.

”The move appears aimed at both Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russia recently carried out a series of nuclear-related tests, though the Kremlin said none involved actual nuclear explosions.

“Until now, we didn’t know that anyone was testing ” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, adding that Russia would only test in response to another country doing so.

No nuclear power other than North Korea has conducted explosive testing in over 25 years. The U.S. last tested in 1992, Russia in 1990, and China in 1996.

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International

UK: King Charles strips his brother, Andrew of ‘Prince’ title, mansion

Andrew, 65, the second son of the deceased Queen Elizabeth II, has faced growing scrutiny over his relationship with the late sex offender Epstein.

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Britain’s King Charles has stripped his younger brother, Andrew, of his title of prince and ordered him to vacate his Windsor home, Buckingham Palace.

The move seeks to further distance the royal family from Andrew’s ties to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

Andrew, 65, the second son of the deceased Queen Elizabeth II, has faced growing scrutiny over his relationship with the late sex offender Epstein.

Earlier this month, he was directed to stop using his title of Duke of York.

The king has now taken tougher measures by removing all of Andrew’s remaining titles, meaning he will henceforth be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

According to the palace, a formal notice has been issued requiring him to surrender the lease of his Royal Lodge mansion on the Windsor Estate. He is expected to relocate to private accommodation on the Sandringham estate in eastern England.

The decision, which comes as King Charles continues cancer treatment, is seen as one of the most decisive actions taken against a senior royal in modern British history.

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