Category Archives: Mideast

Essaouira, Morocco: Launch of the Prize for “Youth Voices for Peace”

. TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY .

An article by Maghreb Arab Press Agency (translation by CPNN)

The announcement, on Sunday [March 29] at Bayt Dakira in Essaouira, of the launch of the “Nawal Ouzitane – Youth Voices for Peace” Prize was one of the highlights of an international meeting dedicated to peace and tolerance. It is meant to encourage youth engagement in promoting the values ​​of coexistence and living together.

This national prize aims to promote the creative expression of young people in various fields, reflecting their awareness of the values ​​of peace and their responsibility in strengthening them, with a particular emphasis on raising awareness among younger generations about the importance of dialogue, openness, and cultural diversity.

This initiative is also part of a national movement to make young people central actors in peace-related issues, through the provision of spaces for expression and participation, as well as the strengthening of educational and cultural roles in the fight against violence and extremism.

In a statement to MAP, Farid El Bacha, the founding president of the Moroccan House for Peace and Tolerance, indicated that this meeting was marked by two key moments. The first focused on the foundations of peace as defined by the Royal Directives, particularly regarding the role of religion as a value based on Light and Reason, the importance of dialogue between generations and continents, and the central role of education.

(Click here for the original article in French.)

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Question related to this article:
 
Youth initiatives for a culture of peace, How can we ensure they get the attention and funding they deserve?

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The second highlight was the announcement of the launch of the “Youth Voices for Peace” Prize, aimed at encouraging young people, from an early age, to embrace the values ​​of peaceful coexistence. This initiative, unique at the national level, reflects the conviction that young people play a crucial role in promoting a culture of peace through various forms of artistic expression.

Professor Anas Al Yemlahi of Abdelmalek Essaâdi University in Tetouan stated that Morocco’s selection within international bodies reflects several strategic advantages, notably its geographical position as a crossroads of continents and a gateway to Africa, the Atlantic, and the Mediterranean.

He praised the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, as well as the roles assumed by the Kingdom in strengthening international stability and contributing to conflict resolution, consolidate Morocco’s position as an international actor in promoting peace, adding that this dynamic places the Kingdom among the world’s influential nations.

This meeting was part of the first session of the Board of Directors of the University of Cultural Sciences and Heritage of Tetouan-Essaouira, providing an opportunity for discussion on issues of peace, development, and international academic cooperation.

The meeting’s program included several themes, notably the Atlantic Partnership and multilateral cooperation, the international system and the dynamics of conflict, the challenges of building inclusive peace, and the role of the dialogue of civilizations in royal speeches.

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Mideast, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY

Algeria Hosts the Arab Forum for Youth, Peace and Security

. TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY .

An article from the United Nations Development Programme, translated by CPNN

On March 28 and 29, 2026, the Sheraton Hotel in Algiers hosted a unique Arab dialogue bringing together young people, experts, and policymakers to discuss peace, security, and sustainable development.

This forum was organized by the Ministry of Youth in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Algeria, under the auspices of the Arab League and with the support of Japan, within the framework of the Arab Strategy for Youth, Peace and Security.

(Click here for the original article in French.)

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Question related to this article:
 
Youth initiatives for a culture of peace, How can we ensure they get the attention and funding they deserve?

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At the opening ceremony, the Minister of Youth emphasized the central role of young people in regional transformations and Algeria’s commitment to placing youth at the heart of national public policies. The UNDP Resident Representative in Algeria, Natasha Van Rijn, highlighted the essential role of young people in consolidating peace, while stressing the importance of expanding partnerships at the Arab and African levels.

The Tunisian Minister of Youth and Sports reiterated the strategic importance of investing in youth to build stable and secure societies, commending the cooperation between Algeria and Tunisia in this area. The Yemeni Minister of Youth and Sports, for his part, underscored the crucial role of young people in spreading a culture of peace and building a more stable future.

Under the slogan “Partners for the people: a youth who construct the future,” the forum organized workshops to identify the main challenges to youth participation and formulate concrete recommendations to strengthen their role in decision-making and peacebuilding.

The forum concluded on March 29, 2026, reaffirming the importance of valuing the contributions of young people and translating recommendations into concrete actions at the national and regional levels.
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Mideast, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY

Spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam leads Interfaith Harmony Week

. TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY .

An article from AWAZ The Voice

World Interfaith Harmony Week will be observed globally from February 1 to 7, 2026, continuing a tradition that inspires unity across faiths and nations. First proposed by King Abdullah II of Jordan at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2010, it was adopted through a UN Resolution on October 20.

The resolution affirmed that mutual understanding and interfaith dialogue are essential for a culture of peace and invited all people, regardless of belief, to celebrate through the inclusive principle of “Love of God and Love of the Neighbour,” or “Love of the Good and Love of the Neighbour.” Since the first observance in 2011, the movement has become a worldwide call for coexistence and compassion.

The 2025 observance in Delhi was a luminous reflection of India’s pluralistic spirit. Organised by the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) India, the three-day Interfaith Conclave 2025 combined India’s ancient wisdom of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family—with contemporary peacebuilding frameworks. Leaders from Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Christian, Jain, Sikh, and Parsi traditions gathered to reaffirm faith’s unifying role in a divided world.

The conclave opened with Dr Markandey Rai, Chairman of GPF India, invoking India’s civilizational ethos of unity beyond boundaries. Goswami Sushil Ji Maharaj, convener of the Bhartiya Sarv Dharm Sansad, recalled Swami Vivekananda’s 1893 address at the Chicago Parliament of Religions as a timeless message of harmony. Speakers such as Bhikkhu Sanghasena, Fr. Rajakumar Joseph, Imam Faizan Muneer, and Swami Sarvalokananda highlighted shared moral values—truth, service, and compassion—that transcend religious identity.

What distinguished the Delhi observance was the participation of youth and creative engagement. A pre-event poster competition, Art for Harmony, invited young artists to visualise peace, while workshops on “Skills for Interfaith Dialogue” trained students in empathy and respectful communication. Youth-led roundtables on peacebuilding showed how dialogue, when combined with action, can transform communities. These initiatives align with global best practices that link interfaith learning to arts, service, and civic participation.

Across the world, interfaith dialogue has evolved into a vital tool for peace. The United Nations promotes it through the Alliance of Civilisations and UNESCO’s intercultural programs. Regional examples abound: Indonesia’s grassroots Forum Kerukunan Umat Beragama promotes local religious cooperation;

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How can different faiths work together for understanding and harmony?

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Europe’s institutional frameworks like the UK Inter Faith Network support structured engagement; and Nigeria’s Interfaith Mediation Centre unites pastors and imams to rebuild communities torn by conflict.

 Such models demonstrate that spiritual traditions can strengthen reconciliation and social trust.

India’s role in this global movement remains distinctive. Its history is shaped by inclusion—Ashoka’s tolerance, Akbar’s Din-i-Ilahi, Guru Nanak’s universalism, and Gandhi’s interfaith prayers. In an era of polarisation, India’s constitutional promise of fraternity remains its guiding light. The 2025 conclave reaffirmed that harmony means not passive tolerance but active collaboration—religious leaders and citizens working together for education, the environment, and women’s empowerment.

Globally, youth have become key agents of peace. Studies show that interfaith exposure in early years nurtures empathy and reduces prejudice. GPF India’s initiatives—Youth Peace Clubs and Indo-Pacific Peace Forums—reflect this belief that harmony must grow from communities, not be imposed from above.

As the world prepares for Interfaith Harmony Week 2026, the Delhi conclave stands as a reminder that dialogue rooted in shared values can heal divisions. It also showed that interfaith cooperation is not an idealistic aspiration but a practical necessity in a world confronting identity conflicts, environmental degradation, and social fragmentation. The Indian vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, echoed in the G20 theme “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” gives fresh meaning to this universal movement for peace.

When Interfaith Harmony Week 2026 unfolds from February 1 to 7, temples, mosques, churches, gurdwaras, and monasteries around the world will again open their doors in friendship. In classrooms and communities, art, music, and service will reaffirm that peace begins with the heart that listens.

The lamps of faith that light Delhi and distant cities alike will remind humanity that beyond every difference lies the same yearning for goodness.

In a time when the world struggles to rediscover empathy, India’s example offers a moral compass—showing that harmony is not a dream but a daily practice. As people of every faith join hands to celebrate this week, they affirm the simple truth that when love of the good guides our actions, humanity indeed becomes one family—a message of hope for a world learning again to live as one.

The author, Pallab Bhattacharyya, is the former Police Chief of Assam.

(Editor’s note: Interfaith Harmony Week is formally supported by the Arab League.)

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Iran protests 2026: our surveys show Iranians agree more on regime change than what might come next

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

An article dated January 12 from The Conversation

Iranians have shown a willingness to pay a devastating price for political change, as protest has consistently been met by the Islamic Republic with violence and mass killing. The death toll since Iranians took to the streets on December 28 has reportedly passed 500, with more than 10,000 arrested. Incoming reports put the casualty count much higher.

A clear majority of Iranians do not want the theocracy that came to power with the 1979 revolution. They want a secular democracy. But what does public opinion tell us about what that should entail and how this change should be achieved?

Measuring public opinion in one of the world’s most repressive countries is not an easy matter. Conventional surveys conducted through (landline) phones or by face-to-face interviews tend to reflect an implausibly homogeneous Islamic and pro-regime society. By contrast, Gamaan — the Group for Analysing and Measuring Attitudes in Iran — conducts surveys anonymously through the internet.

Our research is based on representative samples of anything from tens of thousands to over 100,000 respondents. In 2020 a Gamaan survey revealed a diverse, secularising and dissident society, in which around 70% rejected the compulsory hijab. These numbers materialised in the streets in 2022, during the “woman life freedom”  protests (find out more about sample characteristics, weighting information, and external benchmark tests at gamaan.org and this Wapor methodology webinar).

To improve randomisation, we collaborate with Psiphon VPN, which is widely used across Iran. By 2025, an estimated 90% of Iranian internet users relied on VPNs to access blocked platforms, including basic messaging apps such as Whatsapp.

This level of coverage enabled what we call VPN sampling, yielding large, socially diverse samples under conditions of safety and anonymity. Combined with scale, anonymity offers reliable insight into what Iranians really want. The latest survey on the 12-day war with Israel, taken in September 2025, secured more than 30,000 responses from inside the country.

Why protests, again? What is different?

Our surveys consistently show that the majority shares a consensus on what it does not want. Across provinces, rural and urban areas, age groups and gender, roughly 70–80% say  they would not vote for the Islamic Republic.

In all survey waves, support for regime change as a precondition for meaningful progress has been the most popular position. This support previously spiked during the “woman life freedom” protests. We believe we are currently witnessing another spike, given the increase observed after the 12-day war.

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How can we be sure to get news about peace demonstrations?

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In contrast with the context of previous protests, the regime is militarily weakened from the 12-day war, during which many senior commanders were killed. Iran is now culturally weakened, no longer able to enforce the compulsory hijab. It is also economically weakened, with a plummeting currency.

Iranians believe that protests, foreign pressure and intervention are more likely to bring about political change than elections and reforms. They were thus emboldened when, for the first time, a US president threatened intervention  should protesters be killed. This came days after the abduction by the US military of the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, a key ally of the Islamic Republic.

What might lie ahead?

Protesters today separate the very idea of Iran from the Islamic Republic. They view the regime as an alien element, an occupying force. This has long been expressed in slogans such as “Our enemy is right here, they lie that it is America” and “Not Gaza, not Lebanon, I only give my life for Iran” (supported respectively by 73% and 64% when we tested them in 2021).

The popularity of Reza Pahlavi, the former crown prince in exile who represents inherited monarchical nationalism, can be understood in light of this Iran-first mentality. Pahlavi’s social base remained stable in Gamaan’s surveys between 2022 and 2025. Roughly one-third are strong supporters and another third strongly oppose him. The remaining segment somewhat agrees or disagrees, or expresses no opinion.

The current surge in pro-Pahlavi slogans suggests that his popularity is attracting segments of the latter moderate or undecided population. But our surveys found that his popularity is unevenly distributed. It is lower in provinces with higher ethnic minority populations, such as the Kurds, Azeri Turks and Baluch.

Although there is no consensus on the form or structure of an alternative political system, it is noteworthy that in 2025 there was, for the first time, a marked increase in support for monarchy. Given the significant size of those who do not voice a strong opinion on the alternative, any group that can successfully topple the Islamic Republic will have an advantage in convincing the majority to adopt its proposed model.

Iranians overwhelmingly support a “democratic political system” – with 89% in favour. Support for political liberalism, however, is weaker. In 2024, 43% agreed with having “a strong leader who does not have to bother with parliament and elections”. This view is significantly higher among those without higher education – among monarchists, it is 49%.

These facts should not be lamented or mocked but understood, if the threat of a lack of liberalism is to be mitigated. While nationalism may generate the force of a revolutionary storm capable of toppling the regime, long-term stability, after the fall of the Islamic Republic, will also require an acceptance of Iran’s cultural and ideological diversity as permanent features of a truly free nation

(Editor’s note: In suppressing the demonstrations, the Iranian government claimed that it was manipulated by the United States and Israel, i.e. by agents of Mossad and the CIA. Reliable sources from Israel, such as the Jerusalem Post, suggest that this probably has some truth.

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FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, Mideast

Mass rally in Istanbul on New Year’s Day shows solidarity with Gaza

. TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY .

An article from Xinhua

More than half a million people rallied in Türkiye’s largest city Istanbul on New Year’s Day to show solidarity with Gaza.

The demonstration was organized by the Humanity Alliance and the National Will Platform, a coalition of civil society groups, under the slogan “We will not retreat, we will not remain silent, we will not forget Palestine.” Around 400 civil society organizations took part in the rally. According to police, the number of participants was estimated at about 520,000.


Photos from Facebook

Bilal Erdogan, chair of the Board of Trustees of the Ilim Yayma Foundation, an educational and cultural foundation, told reporters that demonstrators welcomed the New Year with prayers for Palestine.

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How can we best express solidarity with the people of Gaza?

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Participants initially gathered at several of the city’s most historic mosques, including the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque and the Sultanahmet Mosque, before marching through the streets and converging on the Galata Bridge spanning the Golden Horn.

A giant banner reading “Justice for Gaza” in both Turkish and English was displayed at the center of the bridge, alongside Turkish and Palestinian flags.

Some demonstrators also joined the rally from the sea, arriving by boats on the Bosphorus, where they lit flares and waved Palestinian flags.

The event also featured performances by internationally known artists and musicians.

Despite a ceasefire taking effect on Oct. 10 after two years of war, Israel has continued attacks in Gaza, where health authorities say more than 400 Palestinians have been killed.

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Mideast, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY

Greta Thunberg Arrested in UK for Supporting Palestine Action and Opposing Gaza Genocide

. TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY .

An article by Julia Conley from Common Dreams (republished according to Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)

Because in the world we live in, Western leaders can arm a genocide and walk free—while Greta Thunberg is arrested as a dangerous terrorist supporter."

That was the assessment of journalist Owen Jones on Tuesday after the Swedish climate justice leader was arrested in London outside the offices of Aspen Insurance, a company that provides services to an Israeli weapons maker, where she had been seated on the ground with a sign stating, "I support Palestine Action prisoners, I oppose genocide."

The protest was in solidarity with demonstrators who have been imprisoned for taking part in nonviolent direct actions with the UK-based group Palestine Action. The government banned Palestine Action in July as a terrorist group, making it the first group to be declared as such under part of the UK Terrorism Act that defines "serious damage to property" as an act of terror—rather than violence against people.

Under the law, anyone who displays items or clothing that "arouse reasonable suspicion" of support for Palestine Action can be punished with up to six months in prison.

Thunberg is one of thousands of people who have taken to the streets in support since the group's proscription, and one of about 2,000 people who have been arrested for doing so. Two other activists were also arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

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How can we best express solidarity with the people of Gaza?

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In Thunberg's case, a spokesperson for City of London police said "she has been arrested for displaying an item (in this case a placard) in support of a proscribed organization (in this case Palestine Action) contrary to section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000.”

The protest was specifically in support of eight people who have been on a hunger strike to protest their imprisonment and Israel's continued attacks and blocking of essential aid in Gaza.

At least two of the prisoners are in their 52nd day of the hunger strike, and medical professionals have raised grave concerns about their health. Advocates in the UK have also demanded that the Labour government meet with lawyers for the detainees. On Monday, attorneys for the activists said in a letter that the government's refusal to meet with them violates the Ministry of Justice's policy for handling cases of hunger strikes.

“It is up to the state to intervene and put an end to this by meeting these reasonable demands that pave the way for the freedom of all those who choose to use their rights trying to stop a genocide, something the British state has failed to do themselves," said Thunberg.

Member of Parliament Zarah Sultana, co-founder of the socialist Your Party, said that government leaders in the UK, who have continued to back Israel's attacks on Gaza, should be imprisoned, rather than those protesting.

"Greta Thunberg has just been arrested for opposing genocide," said Sultana. "Meanwhile, [Prime Minister] Keir Starmer—complicit in the genocide of the Palestinian people—walks free. He should be arrested and sent to The Hague."

Journalist Matt Kennard said images of police confiscating Thunberg's sign and arresting her "will be studied in history books."

"Fascism is already here," he added.
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Europe, Mideast, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY,

The Elders: Gaza “ceasefire” rings hollow as all Palestinians face security catastrophe

. . HUMAN RIGHTS . .

A statement by The Elders

The Elders condemn Israel’s continued military attacks and obstruction of aid in Gaza, two months after the ceasefire agreed with Hamas and the release of Israeli hostages. Palestinians’ daily reality on the ground is still one of death, hunger and displacement.

Israel is using the diplomatic cover provided by the ceasefire to continue ethnic cleansing in Gaza and annexation in the West Bank. If President Trump and other leaders allow this to go unchecked, it will jeopardise prospects for a just peace and destroy any hopes of overcoming the genocide and famine in Gaza.

Over 350 Palestinians, including many children, have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza since the ceasefire came into effect on 10 October. Gaza’s 320,000 children under five are still at risk of acute malnutrition.

At the same time, Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem face ever-more violent displacement, as Jewish settlements expand and Israel’s government openly accelerates its annexation. This year, more than 220 Palestinians have been killed there and settlers have perpetrated more than 1,600 attacks.

The United States of America, and Arab and European powers with influence, now face a crucial test. UN Security Council Resolution 2803 – the legality of which is under question – must be interpreted in line with the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination. It does not over-ride states’ existing legal obligation to bring an end to Israel’s unlawful occupation.

Any international presence in Gaza must support the revival of Palestinian governance structures that pave the way for statehood, not replace them. The proposed ‘Board of Peace’ in its current form does not present a credible or legitimate way forward.

The Palestinian people have the right to choose their own leaders. We reiterate our call for the release of the release of Marwan Barghouti  from Israeli imprisonment, given the vital role he can play as a unifying Palestinian figure in support of a two-state solution.

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How can a culture of peace be established in the Middle East?

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President Trump’s plan stipulates there should be “no occupation or annexation of Gaza”. But the so-called “yellow line” within the Strip risks partitioning Gaza indefinitely. Reports that settlers have set up camp close to the Israel/Gaza border in preparation for settlement inside Gaza are alarming.

The offer by Hamas to consider freezing and storing its weapons opens up a crucial opportunity to pursue the demilitarisation of Gaza. This will require the full withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces alongside the decommissioning of weapons by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups.

Constructive dialogue must be pursued. Palestinians in Gaza have little sense that the ceasefire is working. Their suffering risks increasing even further if the current process fails. Without targeted measures against extremists on both sides, progress towards a just and lasting peace will remain out of reach.  

Juan Manuel Santos, former President of Colombia, Nobel Peace Laureate and Chair of The Elders 

Graça Machel, Founder of the Graça Machel Trust, Co-founder and Deputy Chair of The Elders  

Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway and former Director-General of the WHO 

Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and former head of the UN Development Programme 

Elbegdorj Tsakhia, former President and Prime Minister of Mongolia 

Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights 

Hina Jilani, Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and co-chair of the Taskforce on Justice 

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia and Nobel Peace Laureate 

Denis Mukwege, physician and human rights advocate, Nobel Peace Laureate 

Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights 

Ernesto Zedillo, former President of Mexico 

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HUMAN RIGHTS, Mideast

Book review: When the World Sleeps

. TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY .

A review from Penguin Random House

The first woman to serve as United Nations Special Rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territory conveys the spirit of a people through 10 unforgettable stories of resilience and humanity.

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Question related to this article:
 
How can we best express solidarity with the people of Gaza?

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Francesca Albanese is the most lucid voice against Israel’s apartheid policies in Gaza and the West Bank, a voice that has been heard around the world when it comes to speaking the truth about the Palestinian genocide. In the wake of October 7, 2023, and Israel’s retaliatory war, the renowned Italian jurist has become a lightning rod for her staunch defense of human rights. 

Reflecting on her years living in Jerusalem and her personal and professional journey toward understanding the Palestinian struggle, Albanese pays tribute to 10 people whose profoundly affecting stories opened her eyes, from Hind Rajab, a young Palestinian girl killed by Israeli forces, to the remarkable Jewish scholars who acted as Albanese’s mentors: forensic architect Eyal Weizman, trauma expert Gabor Maté, and Holocaust historian Alon Confino.

When the World Sleeps is a courageous testimony of the harsh reality that Palestinians face. It raises critical questions about the past, present, and future of Palestine: What are the consequences of the occupation? Where is a refugee’s home? In what conditions do Palestinians live? And now that the end of the war seems to be getting closer, will there be a Palestinian state? Will Palestinians have the right to self-determination, and will they be able to live in peace, free at last from the coercion of Israel?

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More than half a million march in London to demand lasting peace in Gaza

. TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY .

An article by Qazi Zaid from the Middle East Eye

Hundreds of thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators took to the streets of central London on Saturday, calling for lasting peace in Gaza, a day after the ceasefire took effect.

According to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), which organised the demonstrations against Israel’s genocide in Gaza along with the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Muslim Association of Britain, Friends of Al Aqsa and Palestinian Forum in Britain among others, more than 600,000 people joined the march.


Some 500,000 march through Whitehall to demand lasting peace in Gaza, London, 11 October 2025 (Supplied)

PSC director Ben Jamal said that the plan put forward by US President Donald Trump was “not a plan for enduring peace”, adding that it fails to address “the root cause of violence”.

He vowed that demonstrations would continue “until the Palestinian people are finally free”, even as Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced new measures to restrict demonstrations, saying they had caused fear within the Jewish community. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the government was considering potential action against specific chants used at pro-Palestine rallies.

Saturday’s protest marked the 32nd national demonstration since Israel’s military campaign began, PSC said.

Protestors carried Palestinian flags, banners calling for an end to UK arms sales to Israel and placards demanding accountability. 

The protests come after the US-brokered ceasefire took effect on Friday, easing more than two years of bombardment by Israel that has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians since October 2023. 

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory in September said Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli military on Friday announced it had begun preparations to “partially” pull back troops.

According to the initial stages of the deal, Israel will withdraw to a designated line, and Hamas will release around 20 living captives, along with the bodies of about 25 others.

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How can we best express solidarity with the people of Gaza?

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Israeli Army Radio on Friday announced that the interior ministry in Israel has published the names of 250 Palestinian captives who will be released as part of the ceasefire agreement.

The report said that 100 of these Palestinians held in prisons will be allowed to leave for the West Bank, and five will head to Jerusalem. 

The US military on Saturday said following the announcement of the ceasefire, Israel had completed the first phase of withdrawal from Gaza.

However, despite the ceasefire, Israeli forces have killed at least 17 Palestinians and wounded 71 others in the past 24 hours, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

Israeli forces also shelled areas across the Gaza Strip.

The truce officially began in the early hours of Friday, after receiving final approval from the Israeli government. However, air strikes, artillery fire and gunshots were reported in Gaza City and Khan Younis. 

The United Nations has said that 170,000 metric tons of humanitarian aid have already been positioned in neighbouring countries such as Jordan and Egypt and that officials were awaiting permission from Israeli forces to restart their work. 

Unicef on Friday called for all crossings into Gaza to be opened, saying children in the territory were especially vulnerable because they have gone without proper food for long periods. 

Gaza’s civil defence has said that some 9,500 people are still missing under the rubble across Gaza and its teams have begun rescue operations, recovering the bodies of some 155 people so far. 

According to the agency, 500,000 displaced Palestinians have arrived in  Gaza City since the ceasefire took hold on Friday. People have erected makeshift tents on the rubble, but lack adequate shelter as aid is not due to enter the Strip until tomorrow.

Some 700,000 people were displaced from Gaza City and the north by intense Israeli bombardment and raids in the region.

Gaza’s Government Media Office has called for a war crimes probe and asked for “the international community, the United Nations, all international and legal organisations, and the International Criminal Court to hold the leaders of Israel accountable and to not grant them any political or legal immunity”.

The media office said it wanted the formation of an independent international committee to investigate war crimes and genocide and ensure the return and compensation of all displaced people. 

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Europe, Mideast, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY,

Paris Anti-War Conference

. TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY .

Email received from No to Nato List

COUNTERFIRE – October 8, 2025 – Welfare not warfare goes international 

An international mass meeting against war and genocide took place on Sunday in Paris. Four thousand people, including delegations from nineteen countries, filled out the Dome de Paris. The arena was a sea of Palestine flags and flags of socialist and anti-war organisations.

The scale of the meeting was a breakthrough for the international movement against genocide in Gaza and the rearmament of Europe. …

Following the Italian general strike, unions in Spain have called a national walkout on 15 October. Activists from Germany, Denmark and Portugal spoke about how the national demonstrations in London have given inspiration and confidence to activists in their countries to organise their own mass demonstrations.

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Question related to this article:
 
How can we best express solidarity with the people of Gaza?

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There was a great feeling of unity and solidarity, but also a sense of urgency. European governments have been central to facilitating Israel’s genocide, in prolonging the war in Ukraine, and in spending hundreds of billions more on weapons. 

The meeting demanded ‘not a penny, not a weapon, not a human life for war.’

StoptheWar Coalition – October 8, 2025 – International meeting in Paris  

Activists and politicians from Europe and North America have held an anti-war conference in Paris. The event was aimed at coordinating the European-wide opposition to the Genocide in Gaza and the war drive of the European Union. 

150 delegates from 20 different countries and more than 4,000 people attending the meeting. Below the broadcast of the meeting in English. Speakers from many countries.

At about 1,48 min an overview of the huge size of the event.

https://www.youtube.com/live/lXG4g2iFj5E

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