*Evening News Round-up: Friday 13 June 2025* *Headlines* *Iran Vs Israel: Who Will Win The War?* *People Receiving Donations From Wicknell Chivayo Risk Jail – David Coltart Warns* *SHOCKING!: Police Officers Stood By & Watched As Ruwa Constable Beat Suspect To Death* *Harare Patching Roads With Soil As Council Fails To Procure Tar* *Teen Kills Aunt, Violates Her Corpse* *Econet Struggles With Network Connectivity* *From Gaza To South Sudan, Private Firms Deliver Aid & Face Questions* *Senior Kenyan Policeman Arrested Over Blogger's Killing* *Burundi's Ruling Party Wins Every Seat In Poll As Rivals Say Democracy 'Killed'* *United Nations Slams US- & Israel-backed Gaza Aid Group As A ‘Failure’* *Middle East Airspace Shut After Israel Strikes Iran, Airlines Cancel Flights* *Liverpool Agree £116m Deal To Sign Midfielder From Bayer Leverkusen* *Tottenham Appoint Frank As New Manager* Join our *Ad-free* News Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VacXkvFJJhzd2UoZYF1F *Stories in Detail:* *Iran Vs Israel: Who Will Win The War?* As Israel switches its focus from gaza to Iran - debate over who would win the war between the two countries if they went head to head without other countries like the US getting involved, has been raging. Below, we give you a breakdown of both countries military capabilities: - *Military Personnel*: Iran has a larger standing force with approximately 610,000 active soldiers and 200,000 trained reserve troops, compared to Israel's 170,000 active soldiers. - *Missile Capabilities*: Iran has made notable progress in developing ballistic and hypersonic missiles, including the Fattah 1, which can travel at 15 times the speed of sound and evade modern air defense systems. - *Air Power*: Israel has a decisive technological advantage in airpower, with 612 aircraft, including advanced fighter jets, compared to Iran's 551 aircraft, mostly older models. - *Naval Strength*: Iran has a broader fleet with 101 naval assets, while Israel has 67, but Israel's navy is more focused on coastal defense and precision operations. - *Defense Systems*: Israel's Iron Dome defense system has proven effective in intercepting incoming rockets and drones, while Iran's air defense capabilities are weaker. - *Defense Budget*: Israel spends nearly $24 billion annually on defense, more than twice Iran's estimated $10 billion budget. *Experts believe Israel's military superiority is enhanced by:* - *Strong International Alliances*: Israel enjoys backing from the US and other major powers, providing significant diplomatic and military support. - *Advanced Technology*: Israel's military is highly advanced, with cutting-edge defense systems, including the Iron Dome, and superior airpower. - *Battle-Hardened Troops*: Israel's forces have been battle-hardened by regional conflicts, giving them an edge in combat experience. *However, Iran's military strategy includes:* - *Asymmetric Warfare*: Iran leverages proxy groups, such as Hezbollah and Houthis, for distributed strikes and regional influence. - *Missile Arsenal*: Iran possesses a significant ballistic missile arsenal, capable of striking targets throughout West Asia and parts of Europe. - *Cyber Capabilities*: Iran has demonstrated capabilities in cyber warfare, although not on the same scale as Israel. _Given these factors, Israel's military is currently better equipped to fend off attacks by Iran, but the situation remains volatile and subject to change_ *People Receiving Donations From Wicknell Chivayo Risk Jail – David Coltart Warns* Prominent lawyer and opposition senator David Coltart has warned that individuals and organisations receiving large donations from controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo could face criminal prosecution and jail under Zimbabwe’s anti-money laundering laws. Speaking on X on 12 June 2025, Coltart warned that receiving money suspected to be the proceeds of crime could amount to a criminal offence under Zimbabwean law. “Section 8 of the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act (Chapter 9:24) needs to be reflected upon by all people and institutions who have received large donations/gifts recently from dubious sources,” Coltart posted. “The section makes it a criminal offence for any person to ‘acquire, use or possess property’ if they ‘know or suspect’ that such property is the proceeds of a crime. Corruption is a crime and any money which is acquired as a result of corruption is a proceed of crime.” ‘Ignorance won’t protect anyone’ Coltart’s comments follow mounting concerns about the origins of Chivayo’s funds, after the businessman donated US$1 million (about R18.5 million) to Highlanders FC and gave US$250,000 (about R4.6 million) upfront to support the club’s operations. “Whilst those receiving these gifts may believe they are immune from prosecution, the fact remains that potential crimes are being committed, not just by the donor but by the donees as well,” Coltart cautioned. He explained that under the law, even suspicion about the source of donated funds could be grounds for prosecution. “If anyone even suspects that the money which paid for the gift is the proceeds of corruption, then they should decline such gifts or assistance if they wish to avoid committing an offence,” Coltart said. *Chivayo linked to R800 million payments* This warning comes in the wake of revelations that over R800 million (US$41.9 million) was paid into Chivayo’s companies by South African firm Ren-Form, which received over R1.1 billion (US$61.1 million) from Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Finance to supply election materials in 2023. According to South Africa’s Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), the payments raised serious red flags. In its confidential report dated 30 October 2024, the FIC said: “Ren-Form received over R1 billion from the Zimbabwe Ministry of Finance. More than R800 million was transferred to the business bank accounts of Wicknell Chivayo, mainly Intratrek Holdings and Dolintel Trading Enterprise.” Chivayo allegedly used some of the money to buy luxury vehicles, fund personal travel, and make large payments to various South African firms, including car dealers, legal firms, and a make-up brand. The report has been shared with South African authorities and Zimbabwe’s Financial Intelligence Unit. *Law carries stiff penalties* Zimbabwe’s Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act stipulates that any person who “acquires, uses or possesses property” knowing or suspecting it is linked to crime commits an offence. Under Section 8 of the Act, conviction can lead to a fine of up to US$500,000 (about R9.3 million), imprisonment for up to 25 years, or both. The law also clarifies that a conviction for the original crime is not necessary to prove that the money was the proceeds of crime. Coltart emphasised that Zimbabweans — especially public figures and institutions — must reflect deeply before accepting donations that may be tainted. “Corruption is a crime, and any money which is acquired as a result of corruption is a proceed of crime,” he reiterated. The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission had earlier announced a probe into the controversial 2023 election procurement deal but has made little progress. *SHOCKING!: Police Officers Stood By & Watched As Ruwa Constable Beat Suspect To Death* In a chilling and deeply disturbing incident, new information has emerged alleging that multiple police officers at Ruwa Police Station stood by and watched as one of their own, Constable Prince Ndavambi, brutally beat a suspect to death—without making any attempt to intervene. The victim, Blessed Believe Juruvenge, 30, was a husband, expecting father, and small business owner. He died less than 24 hours after being arrested in connection with a US$200 (approx. R3,700) dispute—a matter his family insists had already been resolved privately. Constable Ndavambi is alleged to have used a wooden hoe handle to repeatedly assault Juruvenge while shouting that he would “leave this station dead.” According to investigative publication DugUp, eyewitnesses now claim other officers watched the beatings in silence. One officer even handed Ndavambi a set of handcuffs, while another reportedly warned the family: “Your relative is going to leave here in a police coffin.” No charges were ever laid against Blessed. He was never formally booked for trial. Instead, he was taken into custody on 27 May 2025—and by the morning of 28 May, he was dead. His family believes he was tortured to death in a deliberate act meant to extract bribes. According to police internal documents and interviews with witnesses, Juruvenge was assaulted relentlessly, even after he lost consciousness. His sister, who was also arrested, says she was beaten on the knees with a wooden stick and ordered to “find money” for their release. Despite this harrowing ordeal happening in plain sight of other officers, no immediate action was taken against Constable Ndavambi, who later fled. His arrest only came weeks later, after growing public outrage and media scrutiny. According to DugUp, this is no longer just about one rogue officer. It’s about a system that allowed it to happen—and did nothing to stop it. *Harare Patching Roads With Soil As Council Fails To Procure Tar* CITY of Harare (CoH) has been without tar for over a year, with its workers resorting to using soil and rubble to patch roads in the capital—another sign of deteriorating basic service delivery. CoH has been struggling to maintain road networks in residential areas, with blame being apportioned to the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) for disbursing insufficient funds to the local authority. The majority of roads in Harare are riddled with potholes, with council, on numerous occasions, spotted using soil and rubble to give a semblance of road maintenance. Recently, during a full council meeting at the Town House, it emerged that CoH has not managed to buy tar, a key component in road construction. Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume attributed this to the local authority’s garnished accounts, before criticising Town House officials for failing to acquire basic supplies. “Right now, I have messages from every government office in town. When they say the road is bad, people are going to pour dust. Everywhere, dust is being poured. We have money from City Parking and ZINARA that is being garnished in our bank accounts without buying tar. “Look at the embarrassment—the whole town is dusty. This is because we are patching potholes using dust,” said Mafume. CoH receives remittances from its subsidiary, City Parking, and from ZINARA, which are supposed to be channelled towards road maintenance. The city’s procurement department has blamed the slow approval of purchases by the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ). Harare Councillor Denford Ngadziore accused officials of dishonesty, stating that they face no hurdles when purchasing vehicles and other luxury perks. “The challenge at the city council is that there is a cartel or a system that has to be broken. If we do not do that, we will not succeed. “The management at one time bought themselves vehicles without any challenges. The challenge is, if we do not break that [system], we will remain in one place,” said Ngadziore. *Teen Kills Aunt, Violates Her Corpse* HIGH Court judge, Justice Munamato Mutevedzi has expressed concern over some cases judges preside over further noting that crimes that are being committed around Zimbabwe may suggest that the world is coming to an end. The judge also said court officials would require psychological support for them to cope with things they hear in court everyday. Mutevedzi said this while handing down sentence against one Tapiwa Mereka (19) at the Gweru High Court. Mereka was found guilty of the gruesome murder of his mother’s sister Mary Mereka on January 27, 2023, and also raping her lifeless body. Mutevedzi said Mereka deserved capital sentence adding that he is fortunate that death penalty had been scrapped. “If it is true that on some day God will destroy the world, then that time is nigh. Some of the crimes that we preside over suggest that Armageddon is imminent. “Tapiwa Mereka (the offender) has a head but it is doubtful that he has a brain inside it. If he does, then his mind is so perverted and depraved that he should not be living amongst human beings. “The crime that he committed is unconscionable and would possibly win an Oscar award for horror movies. “Every one of us who took part in the trial would be thinking about this for a long time to come. “It lays bare, the oft-repeated myth that judges are inanimate. “The reality is that judicial officers and other court officials who work in the criminal courts and hear these horrific stories almost on a daily basis may suffer what is called vicarious trauma. “They all may end up requiring therapy in one form or another,” Mutevedzi said. The court heard Mereka had plotted to rape and kill his aunt for a long time. In his warned and cautioned statement accused person admitted that he always admired her and wanted to sleep with her. He was biding his time and waiting for an opportune moment to strike. He said the idea became maddening some three days before the murder and could not shake off the desire and lust to have sexual intercourse with his aunt. He convinced himself to carry out the satanic idea on the fateful morning. “I do admit to the allegations levelled against me. The deceased was my aunt but I had quite some time admiring her and I wished that I have some time to rape her. “I also had the intention to kill her. I had no valid reason but I just felt that I have to kill her. “So, when I was with her in the field weeding together with her I then got the chance and took an axe which was in the field and struck her three times on the head whilst she was not expecting it. “After striking her she fell down. I removed her pant and had sexual intercourse with her. “After I finished I dressed her and took the axe and threw it outside the field and went to Sebakwe River with the intention to stay there,” Mereka admitted. The teenager said at the time the time of the sex, the deceased was still alive although in a vegetative state. Mutevedzi said even imagining that his victim was dead by the time he committed the abomination, his actions would have amounted to the crime of violating a dead body in contravention of section 111 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. He said in other jurisdictions, it would have been the crime of necrophilia, which criminalises any sexual attraction to a dead person. The judge said this aggravates Mereka’s situation. “Having found that the murder is aggravated there cannot be escaping the severest punishment. “Before the abolition of the penalty of death from our statute books this was a case that would have undoubtedly attracted capital punishment. “Needless to state, that option is no longer available. The only two choices which the court has are sentencing the offender either to life imprisonment or to a determinate term of not less than 20 years.” “What is worse is that he said he was prepared to kill for no reason. He is, therefore, a dangerous individual whom the court cannot risk letting back into society. “He may kill again— for nothing else other than his enjoyment. “He appears worse than a robber who kills for financial gain because it is possible to resist that more than a desire that one cannot explain. “It is like the offender gets possessed by some irresistible spirit. Given the above, our hands are, therefore, tied. It is difficult to empathise with the offender. “If he could be so sadistic as to easily kill his own mother and still find sexual gratification from her in that state of helplessness, we shudder to think what he could possibly do to a stranger or to children. “He is someone whose soul must be left to God to correct. As a court, we can do no more than administer justice. “We will permanently remove him from society and confine him to the secure walls of a prison. “Accordingly, the offender is sentenced to life imprisonment,” the judge ruled. *Econet Struggles With Network Connectivity* Zimbabwe’s largest mobile telecommunications operator, Econet Wireless, is battling to maintain reliable network services amid mounting customer frustrations and increasing competition from Elon Musk’s Starlink. A recent public message from Econet, which reads, “We apologise for the Data challenges you may be experiencing. Our engineers are working to restore normal service. Any inconvenience caused is sincerely regretted,” highlights the persistent connectivity challenges faced by the company’s subscribers nationwide. Over the past year, Econet has been under pressure to upgrade its infrastructure and expand its data capacity, but service quality has deteriorated drastically, especially in urban areas where demand is high. Frequent outages, slow internet speeds, and dropped calls have left subscribers frustrated and disillusioned, sparking public outcry on social media platforms. The arrival of Starlink, a satellite internet service provider owned by SpaceX, has further shaken Econet’s dominance. Starlink, which offers high-speed, low-latency broadband internet via a constellation of low-earth orbit satellites, has already been licensed in several Southern African countries, and its underground rollout in Zimbabwe is gaining popularity—especially among businesses, rural users, and urban elites tired of inconsistent mobile internet Tech experts warn that if Econet fails to innovate and rapidly resolve its network issues, it risks losing significant market share. “Starlink’s model completely bypasses traditional telecom infrastructure, offering a reliable alternative to mobile data, especially in under-serviced areas,” said a telecommunications analyst based in Harare. Customers have also expressed concerns over Econet’s rising data costs, which many say are unjustifiable given the erratic service delivery. “You buy expensive data bundles, but you can’t even send a simple WhatsApp message,” said a disgruntled user in Bulawayo. Industry observers believe that Econet’s woes are compounded by the broader economic crisis in Zimbabwe, which has made it difficult for telecom companies to import equipment, maintain base stations, and pay international bandwidth fees. However, critics argue that Econet’s management has also failed to prioritize investment in network resilience and customer service. *From Gaza To South Sudan, Private Firms Deliver Aid & Face Questions* Fifty-kilo sacks of food hurtled out the open hatch of the cargo plane, scattering in the wind on their 1,000-foot descent to the northeastern flatlands of South Sudan. For the past three weeks, an American company run by former U.S. soldiers and officials has airdropped hundreds of tonnes of maize flour, beans and salt into one of the world's most desperate pockets of hunger. The campaign, which South Sudan's government says it is funding, has brought lifesaving aid to areas ravaged since February by fighting between the military and local militiamen. It also offers a window into a debate about the future of humanitarian aid in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump's dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and cuts to aid budgets around the world. The South Sudan contract is one of a growing list of business opportunities for Fogbow, an outfit of about a dozen people that first distributed food last year in Gaza and Sudan. Fogbow president Mick Mulroy said the company - which is owned by a former U.S. diplomat, a Marine Corps veteran and an American businessman - now has five project requests in conflict zones in Africa and the Middle East. Mulroy attributed the rising demand to donors looking to support humanitarian projects but increasingly hard-pressed to find implementing partners due to aid cuts. "There's a substantial and growing need from people around the world at a time when we decided collectively to reduce the support," said Mulroy, who was a deputy assistant secretary of defence during Trump's first term. For some aid sector veterans, the demand for Fogbow's services points to a worrying shift toward a more politicised aid model that they say sacrifices humanitarian principles like neutrality and, by extension, its credibility with beneficiaries. In Gaza, a U.S.-backed outfit that Israel has authorised to distribute food in the Palestinian enclave, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), has bypassed the U.N.-led aid system and been accused by some critics of weaponising aid in service of Israel's war aims. Asked for comment, GHF said it had found a "better model" to ensure food was delivered in Gaza. "Bottom line, our aid is getting in and feeding people while aid from other groups is getting looted and not being delivered," it said in an email. Fogbow says it has no connection to GHF. But its operation in South Sudan is raising some of the same questions because it is working directly on behalf of a party to an active conflict. The campaign has been complicated by its association with the government: the aid comes in sacks marked "South Sudan Humanitarian Relief" and emblazoned with the national flag. Some people have refused the food because they don't trust the government, whose forces are bombarding parts of Upper Nile, according to two residents, opposition politicians and a U.N. source. "They expect people to take the food but we say 'no' to our people," said Manpiny Pal, a senior local government official in Ulang County, one of two in Upper Nile targeted by the airdrops. "We need the food of the U.N. How do we know if that food dropped has something in it?" said Pal, who is from the opposition SPLM-IO party. The United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP), which plans to distribute over 160,000 tonnes of food in South Sudan this year, said last month that no humanitarian aid was getting to the two counties by the usual river route due to the fighting. Asked if WFP had considered airdropping food there, a spokesperson said airdrops were a last resort because they cost up to 17 times more than deliveries by road or river. *HUMANITARIAN PRINCIPLES* Some veteran humanitarians have deep misgivings about Fogbow's model. Martin Griffiths, who served as the top humanitarian official at the United Nations from 2021 to 2024, urged against trying to reinvent the wheel. "The humanitarian community is large and amorphous. It is also careful. And finally it is experienced. This is a well to draw on and I wish this was done by Fogbow," Griffiths told Reuters. Michael VanRooyen, the director of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, which researches humanitarian issues, said Fogbow and GHF were undermining an evidence and needs-based approach to aid. "These organisations are not humanitarian. They are agents of a government, intended to fulfill political and in some cases military purposes," he said. Fogbow officials say they are a logistics provider rather than a humanitarian organisation but try to align their projects with humanitarian principles. Chris Hyslop, Fogbow's humanitarian lead and a veteran of the U.N. system, said he had near-daily contacts with WFP to discuss drop locations and ask for input. He acknowledged complications from working directly with the government but said such concerns had to be weighed against the benefits of national authorities taking responsibility for their own people. The WFP spokesperson said that while the agency receives a daily update from Fogbow on drop locations to deconflict airspace, it has no involvement in the operation. South Sudan's government said it asked Fogbow, rather than WFP, to do the drops in order to expedite the rollout and show it was taking responsibility for its citizens. "Here is a government taking up responsibility as a core mandate of that government," said Chol Ajongo, the minister of presidential affairs. The government declined to say how much it was spending to distribute the 600 tonnes of food. Fifty-seven percent of South Sudan's more than 13 million people suffer acute food insecurity, according to the U.N., but the country has only received pledges covering 20% of its $1.69 billion in estimated humanitarian needs for 2025. *Reuters* *Senior Kenyan Policeman Arrested Over Blogger's Killing* A Kenyan police officer has appeared in court after being arrested in connection with the killing of a young blogger in police custody. Albert Ojwang's death sparked protests in the capital, Nairobi, after doctors refuted a police claim that he had died from self-inflicted injuries caused by hitting his head on a cell wall. Instead they concluded that it was likely the result of an assault. At least 23 people, including 17 police officers, have been questioned and five others removed from active duty while an independent investigation takes place. After his initial court appearance, PC James Mukhwana will remain in custody until his bail hearing an a week's time. Preliminary investigations allege that the constable, together with other suspects still at large, "was likely involved in the planning and execution" of Mr Ojwang's killing, court papers submitted by detectives said. PC Mukhwana officer is also alleged to have been involved in tampering with CCTV cameras at Nairobi's Central Police Station in an attempt to cover-up the killing. The policeman is yet to respond to the accusations but his lawyer asked the court to grant him bail saying the constable willingly submitted himself to the authorities when summoned. Mr Ojwang, 31, died in police custody last weekend after he was arrested over a post on X that was allegedly critical of Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Lagat. In an initial statement, police said Mr Ojwang was found unconscious in his cell and rushed him to a city hospital, where he succumbed to head injuries allegedly sustained from banging his head against the wall. But an autopsy report and an investigation by the police watchdog, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), ruled out the possibility that Mr Ojwang might have killed himself. Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja has since retracted the earlier statement and apologised for what he called "misinformation" from his juniors. Police on Friday arrested a technician who is suspected to have disabled the surveillance system in Central Police Station, effectively obscuring potential evidence on Mr Ojwang's killing, local media reported. On Thursday, hundreds of protesters angered by the killing took to the streets of Nairobi calling for the resignation of Deputy Inspector-General Lagat. He is facing mounting pressure from the public, opposition leaders and civil society groups to step aside or be suspended. President William Ruto has called for a swift investigation, and promised on Friday that his government would "protect citizens from rogue police officers". Ruto had pledged to end Kenya's history of police brutality and extrajudicial deaths when he came into power in 2022. But nearly 160 cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances were reported across Kenya last year, according to the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC). At least 20 people have died while held by police in the past four months alone, according to the IPOA. *BBC* *Burundi's Ruling Party Wins Every Seat In Poll As Rivals Say Democracy 'Killed'* The ruling party in Burundi has won all 100 seats in a parliamentary election that the opposition says has "killed" democracy in the central African state. Giving the provisional results for last week's poll, electoral commission head Prosper Ntahorwamiye said the CNDD-FDD party secured more than 96% of votes in all provinces. The election had seen only "some minor irregularities", he added. The opposition Uprona party came second with a little over 1% of the vote. The party denounced the election as rigged, with its leader Olivier Nkurunziza telling the AFP news agency: "We have killed democracy." The main opposition party, the National Congress for Liberty (CNL), fell into third spot, getting only 0.6% of the vote. Campaign group Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the result showed that democracy had been "hollowed out" in Burundi. It added that the CNDD-FDD, in power since 2005, "sought to dismantle all meaningful opposition", including from its biggest rival, the CNL. Freedom of expression is limited in Burundi and critics say these polls followed a prolonged campaign of intimidation and harassment. Election observers from the Catholic Church were turned away from some polling centres, according to HRW. The African Union meanwhile has been criticised for praising the "climate of freedom and transparency" of the polls, which it declared were "peaceful". Correspondents say there was little sign of celebrations in the main city of Bujumbura after the provisional results were announced on Wednesday. The electoral commission said the results would be submitted to the Constitutional Court, which has to then certify them and provide the final results by 20 June. Ntahorwamiye said there were "some minor irregularities - shortcomings that came about which have been resolved - because as you know, nothing is completely perfect". In line with the Arusha Accords that brought an end to the bitter Burundian civil war more than two decades ago, the ethnic composition of the country's parliament has to mirror the proportions of Hutus, Tutsis and Twa people in the population at large. After this month's vote count, the electoral commission announced that an additional 11 seats were to be created and filled to remedy an imbalance - which will bring the total number of MPs to 111. *BBC* *United Nations Slams US- & Israel-backed Gaza Aid Group As A ‘Failure’* The United Nations says the Israeli- and United States-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) is a “failure” from a humanitarian perspective. Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said aid operations have stalled because the GHF is not delivering supplies safely to those in need. “GHF, I think it’s fair to say, has been, from a principled humanitarian standpoint, a failure,” Laerke told reporters in Geneva on Friday. “They are not doing what a humanitarian operation should do, which is providing aid to people where they are, in a safe and secure manner.” The UN and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with the GHF, citing concerns that it prioritises Israeli military objectives over humanitarian needs. The newly formed private organisation began operations on May 26 after Israel had completely cut off supplies into Gaza for more than two months, sparking warnings of mass famine. It says it has distributed more than 18 million meals since then. On Friday, more than 30 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks, medical sources told Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera’s Tariq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, said Israeli forces were targeting parts of Khan Younis in southern Gaza with artillery fire and ground attacks. “The Israeli military is deepening its ground operations,” Azzoum said, saying there were clashes in the eastern part of the city. The besieged territory remained under a communications blackout for a second day on Friday. Hamas has denounced what it described as an Israeli decision to cut communication lines in Gaza, calling it “a new aggressive step” in the country’s “war of extermination”. Israel continues to force civilians into what it calls the “safe zone” of al-Mawasi, a barren coastal strip with no infrastructure, which it has repeatedly bombed. A drone strike on a tent there killed at least two people on Friday. The attack left “everyone on the ground quite confused about where they can go in order to find safety”, Azzoum said. Israel locks down occupied West Bank In the occupied West Bank, Israel sealed all crossings and checkpoints between Palestinian towns and cities early on Friday, shortly after it launched a wave of air strikes on targets in Iran. Sources told Al Jazeera the closures were imposed without any indication of when they might be lifted. The Palestine Red Crescent Society said its ambulances were being denied access to patients, including those in urgent need of medical care. In occupied East Jerusalem, Israeli forces closed Al-Aqsa Mosque, preventing Palestinians from attending Friday prayers. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa held an emergency cabinet meeting in response and activated crisis committees across the West Bank. *Al Jazeera* *Middle East Airspace Shut After Israel Strikes Iran, Airlines Cancel Flights* Airlines steered clear of much of the Middle East on Friday after Israeli attacks on Iranian sites forced carriers to cancel or divert thousands of flights in the latest upheaval to travel in the region. Proliferating conflict zones around the world are becoming an increasing burden on airline operations and profitability, and more of a safety concern. Detours add to airlines' fuel costs and lengthen journey times. Israel on Friday said it targeted Iran's nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders at the start of what it warned would be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon. Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport was closed and Israel's air defence units stood on high alert for possible retaliatory strikes from Iran. Israel's El Al Airlines said it had suspended flights to and from Israel as did Air France KLM and budget carriers Ryanair and Wizz Delta Air Lines suspended flights to Tel Aviv through the end of August. Wizz said it had re-routed flights affected by closed airspace in the region for the next 72 hours. Israeli airlines El Al, Israir and Arkia were moving planes out of the country. FlightRadar data showed airspace over Iran, Iraq and Jordan was empty, with flights directed towards Saudi Arabia and Egypt instead. About 1,800 flights to and from Europe had been affected so far on Friday, including approximately 650 cancelled flights, according to Eurocontrol. With Russian and Ukrainian airspace closed due to war, the Middle East region has become an even more important route for international flights between Europe and Asia. The escalation of the Middle East conflict knocked shares in airlines around the world with British Airways owner IAG down 4.6%, Delta Air Lines down 4%, and Ryanair off 3.5%. A surge in oil prices after the attack also stirred concerns about jet fuel prices. Many global airlines had already halted flights to and from Tel Aviv after a missile fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels towards Israel on May 4 landed near the airport. Iranian airspace has been closed until further notice, according to state media and notices to pilots. Air India, which flies over Iran on its Europe and North American flights, said several flights were being diverted or returned to their origin, including ones from New York, Vancouver, Chicago and London. "Traffic is now diverting either south via Egypt and Saudi Arabia, or north via Turkey, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan," according to Safe Airspace, a website run by OPSGROUP, a membership-based organisation that shares flight risk information. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Middle East since October 2023 led to commercial aviation sharing the skies with short-notice barrages of drones and missiles across major flight paths – some of which were reportedly close enough to be seen by pilots and passengers. Six commercial aircraft have been shot down unintentionally and there have been three near misses since 2001, according to aviation risk consultancy Osprey Flight Solutions. Last year, planes were shot down in Kazakhstan and in Sudan. These incidents followed the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014 and of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 en route from Tehran in 2020. *Reuters* *Liverpool Agree £116m Deal To Sign Midfielder From Bayer Leverkusen* Premier League champions Liverpool have agreed a £116m deal to sign Germany attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. The fee for the 22-year-old includes a guaranteed £100m and a further £16m in add-ons. Those bonus payments would only become payable if the Reds achieve a sustained level of success - which would then make it a British record. The British record for an initial fee remains Chelsea's £107m signing of Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Benfica in 2023. Chelsea also brought in Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo for an initial £100m fee, which could rise to £115m. The move will, however, be a club record fee for Liverpool. Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez was brought in from Benfica in a deal worth an initial £64m and rising to a potential £85m with add-ons, while they paid £75m to sign centre-back Virgil van Dijk from Southampton in 2018. Manchester City had been keen on Wirtz before cooling their interest because of the costs involved in the deal, while Bayern Munich were also linked with him. Wirtz is believed to have made it clear that his preference was a move to Anfield, with Liverpool negotiating a deal which is below Leverkusen's valuation of about £126m. Wirtz made his debut for Leverkusen at the age of 17, scoring 57 goals in 197 games for the club, and helped them win the Bundesliga for the first time in 2024. He has scored seven goals in 31 appearances for Germany since making his international debut in 2021. Wirtz is set to become the second player Liverpool have bought from Bayer Leverkusen this summer, with right full-back Jeremie Frimpong having arrived in a £34m deal. The Reds will now turn their attentions to securing a deal for Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, with talks taking place about a deal of between £45m-£50m. Liverpool, having won the 2024-25 Premier League title in manager Arne Slot's first season, have sought to bolster their squad - and the level of their outlay is believed to have been helped by limiting their spending in previous transfer windows. Last summer, they only added Italy winger Federico Chiesa, bought for £12.5m from Juventus, while Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili was signed from Valencia in a £29m deal which will involve him joining before the start of next season. In terms of departures, Liverpool have sold Republic of Ireland keeper Caoimhin Kelleher to Brentford for an initial £12.5m, which could rise to £18m. They are also open to selling certain players as they look to rebalance their summer spend, such as striker Nunez, who is attracting interest from Saudi Arabia and other European clubs. Centre-backs Jarrell Quansah and Joe Gomez may also leave Anfield this summer. They have also lost England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has joined Real Madrid. Sources at Liverpool have indicated Real paid the Reds 10m euros (£8.4m) to release Alexander-Arnold early from his contract, which was scheduled to end on 30 June, so he could play at this month's Club World Cup, although sources at the Spanish club have suggested they paid less than that. Former West Ham, Wolves and Crystal Palace coach Edu Rubio: The player's versatility will be of great value to Liverpool. He can come from the left inside or he play more centrally. Wirtz's ability to break lines and find the final pass is exquisite.