TOP NEWS

The conflict between Israel and Iran
The UN chief pleads: "The world cannot afford more war"

In connection with the UN Security Council meeting on Sunday evening to discuss the escalated situation in the Middle East, UN chief António Guterres appeals for restraint.

- Neither the region nor the world can afford more war, says Guterres.

He also warns that the inhabitants of the region risk being hit by a devastating full-scale conflict.

- De-escalation and de-escalation are now needed, says the UN chief.

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The conflict between Israel and Iran
Israel to the UN Council: Face all imaginable sanctions

The UN Security Council gathers on Sunday evening to discuss the escalated situation in the Middle East. Ahead of the meeting, Israel's UN ambassador Gilad Erdan urged the council to impose "all conceivable sanctions" against Iran after the attack.

- Today the Council must take action and condemn Iran for its terror, he says according to AFP.

For its part, Iran claims during the meeting that the attack was "self-defense" and that the country "had no choice."

At the same time, UN chief António Guterres appeals for restraint.

- Neither the region nor the world can afford more war, says Guterres.

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Voices of Iran's attack
Analyst: Israel could put Biden in a very difficult position

If Israel ignores US warnings and goes ahead with a major counterattack against Iran, it puts Joe Biden in a very awkward position. That's what Colin Clarke at the Soufan Group think tank told AFP.

- I think Biden is suspicious of Netanyahu's motives. That Netanyahu is trying to expand the war in the region to shift the focus from how bad things are in Gaza, says Clarke.

He says that Biden played very loud when he threatened to withdraw military support to Israel.

- It will never happen. It's an empty threat, especially in an election year, says Clarke.

Paul Salem, director of the Middle East Institute, says he sees a possibility where Netanyahu actually listens to the US - if he gets something in return.

- Politically, he can benefit from saying "okay USA, we don't do anything, we take care of ourselves. But in return you must give us a little more freedom in Gaza, he says.

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Attack raises hope in Gaza: "Heroes in our eyes"

For many Palestinians in Gaza, a new hope was lit with last night's Iranian attack on Israel. Footage circulating on social media showed fleeing Gazans whistling and chanting "Allahu Akbar" as the sky was lit up by Iranian drones and robots, writes The Guardian.

52-year-old Majed Abu Hamza says that anyone who dares to attack Israel and defy the country's allies in the West are heroes in the eyes of the Palestinians.

- We have been slaughtered for over six months and no one has dared to do anything. Now Iran strikes back at Israel after its consulate was hit. This brings joy to our hearts, he says.

Israel continued its military attacks on the Gaza Strip on Sunday, calling in two more brigades of reservists for "operational missions" in the Gaza Strip.

- We hope that if Iran or any other country enters the war, a solution for Gaza can be closer than ever, says 32-year-old Abu Abdallah.