In January of last year, members of the Basij militia, a paramilitary organization associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), were seen marching through downtown Tehran, Iran’s capital. The members, dressed in black masks and red headbands, carried missile replicas emblazoned with slogans such as “God is with Gaza,” “Quds (Jerusalem), we are coming,” and “Hamas is alive.” This demonstration highlighted the ongoing alignment between Iranian-backed militias and Palestinian armed groups. Amid escalating missile and drone attacks by Iran on neighboring Gulf states, Hamas, a Palestinian armed faction and longtime Iranian ally, issued a rare public appeal urging restraint. According to regional news sources like Arab News on January 14th, Hamas declared that while Iran has the right to defend itself against aggressions from the United States and Israel using all legally sanctioned methods, it should avoid targeting neighboring nations. Hamas emphasized that Iran must act within the framework of international norms and laws, calling for a measured approach to prevent escalation in the Gulf region. Additionally, Hamas appealed to the global community to take immediate action to halt the ongoing conflict, underlining the urgency of international intervention. Historically, Hamas has condemned U.S. and Israeli operations, including during moments of Iranian leadership transitions, such as the passing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, denouncing external attacks as “heinous crimes.” The group has long relied on Iran for military and financial support and has actively engaged in armed confrontations with Israel in Gaza. This latest statement marks a significant shift, as it is the first time Hamas has publicly recommended restraint toward Iran—a fellow ally and mutual adversary of Israel. Analysts suggest that Hamas’s call for moderation may reflect its broader diplomatic considerations, particularly with Gulf allies such as Qatar and Turkiye, who have faced Iranian hostilities. In recent months, following sustained attacks from U.S. and Israeli forces, Iran has conducted multiple missile and drone strikes on neighboring states. In response to regional protests and diplomatic complaints, Iranian authorities have alternately claimed that their operations targeted U.S. military installations or embassies, or have outright denied involvement. This complex dynamic underscores the delicate balance Hamas seeks to maintain between its Iranian alliance and its relations with other regional partners.
WHO Chief Tedros narrowly escapes death in Israeli airstrikes on Yemen’s Sanaa Airport. Learn about the humanitarian impact and his mission to the war-torn country. WHO Chief Narrowly Survives Israeli Strikes on Yemen’s Sanaa Airport The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, narrowly avoided death during Israeli airstrikes on Sanaa International Airport in Yemen on Thursday. Speaking to BBC Radio, Tedros recounted the chaotic events and underscored the importance of respecting international laws protecting civilian infrastructure. Chaotic Scene During the Strikes Tedros described the terrifying moments when explosions occurred as he prepared to board a flight. The strikes targeted the departure lounge and control tower, leaving the area in complete disarray. “We heard a heavy explosion nearby,” Tedros said. “The sound was so loud, so deafening. My ears are still ringing more than 24 hours later. It’s by sheer luck we survived—if the missile deviated slightly, it could have been catastrophic.” The strikes left four people dead and 20 injured, according to Houthi officials. Civilians scattered in panic as there was no immediate shelter, further emphasizing the vulnerability of those present. Mission to Yemen Amid Conflict Tedros was in Yemen on a mission from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to address the humanitarian crisis and advocate for the release of detained UN staff. He stressed that the Sanaa airport, a civilian facility serving humanitarian purposes, should not have been targeted. “Civilian installations are protected under international law,” Tedros emphasized. “Whether I was there or not is irrelevant. These laws must be respected to safeguard lives.” Israel’s Response and Background Israel confirmed the strikes, labeling them as targeting Houthi military installations following missile attacks launched toward Israel. This marks the second such strike in Yemen since December 19. However, Tedros pointed out that the airport was full of civilians and civilian aircraft at the time of the attack. On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Tedros shared videos from the incident, expressing gratitude to airport staff and colleagues who shielded him during the chaos. He and his team later flew to safety in Jordan. “My heart goes out to those who face such dangers daily—colleagues on the front lines and innocent civilians,” he wrote. Key Takeaways READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
