分类： world

UNITED NATIONS—UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued an urgent appeal on Monday demanding Israel immediately reopen critical border crossings into Gaza that were sealed following military operations against Iran conducted jointly with the United States.

The closure, implemented Saturday as a security precaution, includes the strategically vital Rafah crossing—Gazans’ sole access point to the external world that bypasses Israeli territory. This passage had only resumed operations for civilian movement on February 2, ending a nearly two-year suspension after Israeli forces assumed control during conflicts with Hamas.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric detailed the severity of the situation, stating: ‘Israeli authorities have sealed all transit points, including Rafah, and halted all humanitarian operations in zones where Israeli military personnel remain stationed within Gaza.’

Dujarric emphasized the critical nature of resumed access: ‘The immediate reopening of all crossings is imperative. Our humanitarian partners have already begun rationing fuel supplies and prioritizing only the most critical life-saving operations due to rapidly diminishing local reserves.’

The spokesperson further explained the compounding challenges, noting that while some supplies remain within Gaza, the complete blockade forces aid organizations to meticulously stretch existing resources. This development significantly hampers the delivery of essential humanitarian assistance to Gaza’s civilian population, creating potentially severe consequences for those dependent on international aid.

PARIS, France — Iranian authorities have reported a devastating strike on an elementary school in the southern town of Minab, claiming over 100 fatalities and attributing the attack to the nation’s “enemies.

The incident allegedly occurred on Saturday at the Shajare Tayyebeh girls’ elementary school in Hormozgan province, near the strategic Strait of Hormuz shipping route. Iranian state television identified the facility, while verified footage shows a damaged building adorned with colorful educational murals billowing black smoke.

Conflicting accounts have emerged regarding the casualty figures. The Iranian Red Crescent initially reported 108 deaths, while local governor officials later revised the toll to 165 fatalities as search operations concluded.

Both United States and Israeli military authorities have denied involvement in any strike operation. Israel’s military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani stated: “At this point not aware of an Israeli or an American strike there… We’re operating in an extremely accurate manner.”

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has not provided immediate official comment, though a spokesperson was quoted by The New York Times acknowledging awareness of reports concerning “civilian harm resulting from ongoing military operations” and confirming they “take these reports seriously and are looking into them.”

Independent verification remains challenging as foreign media organizations require explicit Iranian government approval to report outside Tehran. AFP has geolocated footage to Minab but could not independently verify the nature of the site or the date the footage was filmed.

Human rights organization Hengaw, based in Norway, has launched an investigation into the identities of the allegedly killed students. The group reported approximately 170 students were present during the school’s morning session when the incident occurred.

A moderate seismic event registering 4.6 magnitude rattled sections of Jamaica on Sunday morning, causing brief alarm among residents. The tremor occurred at approximately 8:34 a.m. local time, according to official reports from the Earthquake Unit at the University of the West Indies.

The quake’s epicenter was precisely located approximately 10 kilometers northeast of Stony Hill, St Andrew, placing it in close proximity to the nation’s capital and most densely populated region. Seismologists reported the event originated at a focal depth of 16 kilometers, classifying it as a shallow crustal earthquake.

While preliminary assessments indicate no immediate reports of significant damage or injuries, the tremor served as a stark reminder of Jamaica’s position within an active seismic zone. The earthquake unit continues to monitor aftershock potential and has urged citizens to maintain earthquake preparedness protocols. The event triggered brief emergency response evaluations across affected parishes, with infrastructure assessments underway in urban centers.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — Multiple Caribbean Community (Caricom) member states have voiced profound concern regarding the dangerous escalation of military hostilities in the Middle East, following coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran. The attacks, which reportedly resulted in significant casualties according to Iranian state media, have prompted calls for restraint and a return to diplomatic channels from several Caribbean governments.

The initial military action was justified by Washington and Tel Aviv as a necessary response to perceived threats from Iran. In retaliation, Iranian forces launched missile volleys toward both Israel and several Gulf states housing U.S. military installations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the U.S.-Israeli operation as an ‘unprovoked, illegal and absolutely illegitimate’ act of aggression.

Regional responses from the Caribbean have emphasized the critical importance of international law and peaceful conflict resolution. The government of Antigua and Barbuda, through Prime Minister Gaston Browne, expressed deep concern about the rapid deterioration of stability, stating that attacks on nations not directly involved in a conflict represent a serious breach of international law. Browne emphasized unwavering support for national sovereignty and called for maximum restraint from all parties.

Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued a statement condemning what it described as Iran’s ‘unprovoked attack’ on Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait, characterizing these actions as unjustified and in violation of international law. The Guyanese government called for immediate de-escalation to preserve regional peace and stability.

Trinidad and Tobago’s government initially posted a statement on its Caricom and Foreign Affairs ministry website expressing support for U.S. and Israeli actions aimed at preventing ‘oppressive regimes’ from acquiring nuclear capabilities. However, the statement was subsequently withdrawn, creating ambiguity about the country’s official position.

Jamaica has taken practical measures by issuing a travel advisory urging its citizens to avoid the Middle East and advising those already in the region to exercise extreme vigilance and shelter in place as conditions require.

The collective Caribbean response aligns with calls from United Nations Secretary-General for renewed diplomatic engagement to prevent further deterioration of the situation and uphold the rule of law in international relations.

PALM BEACH, United States — President Donald Trump characterized the ongoing military offensive against Iran as “very positive” during televised interviews on Sunday, asserting that coordinated U.S.-Israeli airstrikes had successfully eliminated 48 high-ranking Iranian figures. The operations, which commenced on Saturday, were described by the President as a mission to dismantle the Islamic Republic’s leadership and degrade its military capabilities.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump proclaimed, “Nobody can believe the success we’re having. Forty-eight leaders are gone in one shot. And it’s moving along rapidly.” He reiterated this sentiment in a separate discussion with CNBC, stating the campaign was progressing “ahead of schedule” and was being conducted for the benefit of “not just for us but for the world.”

These statements preceded an official announcement from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) revealing the first American casualties of the conflict. Three service members were killed, five sustained serious injuries, and several others received minor wounds. In a significant naval engagement, CENTCOM also confirmed the sinking of an Iranian warship at a dock in the Gulf of Oman.

The Iranian government has officially confirmed the death of its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, marking a pivotal development in the rapidly escalating situation. President Trump’s optimistic assessment stands in contrast to the emerging human cost and the potential for further regional destabilization.