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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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Tensions Escalate as Israeli Ground Invasion of Lebanon Looms

 

In a significant escalation of regional tensions, Israel is preparing for an imminent ground invasion of southern Lebanon. This move comes after weeks of intense cross-border skirmishes and the recent killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has been vocal about the necessity of this operation, emphasizing the need to dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure near the border. “The elimination of Nasrallah is an important step, but it is not the final one,” Gallant stated during a meeting with troops. He highlighted that the objective is to ensure the safety of northern Israeli communities, which have been under threat from Hezbollah’s rocket attacks.

The Biden administration has expressed concerns over the potential invasion, urging Israel to consider the broader implications. U.S. officials have warned that such an operation could bolster support for Hezbollah among the Lebanese population. Despite these warnings, Israel appears determined to proceed, with troop movements and preparations indicating that the invasion could commence at any moment.

The situation remains fluid, with both sides bracing for what could be a significant and prolonged conflict. The international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that avoids further bloodshed and instability in the region.


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