The US-Israeli Genocide in Gaza
More Palestinians have been killed as Israeli occupation forces launch new airstrikes targeting areas across the besieged Gaza Strip. In the latest attacks, two Palestinians were killed and several others injured in a bombing targeting a school that shelters displaced people in the Zeitoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza City. Gaza’s health ministry says 95 people have been killed since Friday, bringing the total death toll to nearly 36,400. Meanwhile, Al-Qassam Brigades has released footage of operations against Israeli forces in the Jabaliya refugee camp. Footage shows resistance fighters attacking Israeli forces using anti-reinforcement TBG rockets. Israel says five of its soldiers have been killed in recent clashes in northern Gaza. The regime has admitted that nearly 600 soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began last year. But opposition forces say the real number is much higher.
Crackdown on pro-Palestinian protests
US police have arrested at least 80 students at the University of California, Santa Cruz, as part of an ongoing crackdown on pro-Palestinian protesters on university and college campuses. Police who controlled the riot on Friday entered the university, surrounded the protesters and cleared their camp. Officials say the police were called after students refused to heed repeated warnings to remove the encampment and barricades at the campus’s main entrance. Meanwhile, graduate student workers at the university continued their industrial action last week over the mistreatment of pro-Palestinian demonstrators. Academic institutions in the United States have seen sit-ins and encampments since mid-April against the Israeli genocide in Gaza. The protests that started at Columbia University spread not only to the United States but also to other parts of the world.
Iran presidential election
Iran is gearing up for presidential elections, with more candidates registering in the race to reach the country’s highest executive post. On the third day of voting, many political figures filed nomination papers. Among them were Tehran Mayor Alireza Jagani and Iranian parliamentarian Masoud Beseshkian. In the first two days, many candidates from across the political spectrum entered their names. They include former parliament speaker Ali Larijani, former lawmaker Mustafa Gawakebian and former chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili. Registration of candidates will continue till Monday. After that, Iran’s Guardian Council, which is in charge of overseeing the elections, will vet the hopefuls. Iranians are set to hold elections on June 28 to choose a successor to late President Ibrahim Raisi. He and his entourage lost their lives in a copter crash in northwestern Iran on May 19.