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Humanitarian Aid on Trial in Greece

  File photo: Migrants from Afghanistan is towed by rescuers of the Refugee Rescue NGO, on the island of Lesbos, Greece. Twenty-four humanitarian aid workers have gone on trial in Greece, facing felony charges of migrant smuggling, money laundering, and membership in a criminal organization . The case, unfolding on the island of Lesbos, targets former volunteers of the now-defunct NGO Emergency Response Centre International (ERCI) , which operated search-and-rescue missions between 2016 and 2018. Among the defendants are Sarah Mardini , a Syrian refugee and professional swimmer whose story inspired the Netflix film The Swimmers , and Seán Binder , a German-Irish rescue diver. Both were arrested in 2018 for their involvement in helping migrants and refugees arriving by sea from Turkey. If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison . Greek prosecutors allege that the group facilitated illegal entry into the country by monitoring coastguard communications and relaying ...

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Hamas Sticks to Demand for Gaza Truce Deal Implementation

 

 Amid ongoing conflict, Hamas remains steadfast in its position regarding Gaza truce talks. The Palestinian militant group insists that negotiations should focus on a deal already discussed with Israel and mediators, rather than starting anew. Israeli airstrikes, which recently claimed the lives of at least 19 Palestinians in the enclave, have intensified the urgency for a resolution.

The United States expressed optimism that peace talks scheduled for Thursday would proceed as planned, emphasizing the possibility of a ceasefire agreement. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to engage in discussions in Qatar, Egypt, and Israel. While the Israeli government confirmed its delegation’s participation, Hamas seeks a workable plan to implement a proposal it has already accepted, rather than engaging in further talks.

In the densely populated Deir Al-Balah, where many are desperate for a truce, Israeli airstrikes continue to exact a heavy toll. The conflict, now spanning 10 months, has resulted in nearly 40,000 Palestinian deaths, including commanders and fighters. A potential ceasefire deal aims to end hostilities in Gaza and secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintains that the war can only end when Hamas is eradicated. As the situation remains tense, the international community watches closely, urging a swift resolution to prevent further loss of life.


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