CEP Mentions
DW: Will German Agents Protect The Border In Gaza?
“The Rafah border crossing on the southern edge of the Gaza Strip is still closed to regular traffic. It was closed in May 2024 during the war between Israel and the radical Islamist organization Hamas… In addition to humanitarian aid, the EU mission has two goals, Hans-Jakob Schindler, Middle East expert and director of the international organization Counter Extremism Project, told DW in an interview. "First, to ensure that the goods that come in do not contain things that could help Hamas rebuild its almost completely destroyed infrastructure; and second, to prevent extremist terrorist individuals from entering and leaving Gaza." Egypt is also interested in this and therefore supports the European mission.”
iHeart: Auschwitz Commandant: Rudolf Höss
“Every day Rudolf Höss oversaw the killing of thousands of people at the death camp and then went home and acted like a doting father to his family. Höss was brought in by top Nazis to pioneer the industrialisation of the mass murder of Europe's Jews and others. He lived in a house that shared a wall with Auschwitz, metres from the crematorium, where he and his family enjoyed a happy domestic life - his wife once described their life at the house as 'paradise'. The house was home to a Polish family until last year when it was taken over by the Counter Extremism Project who invited History Hit to explore the house, which is largely as it was when the Hoss family lived there. Dan travels to Poland with historian and best-selling author Thomas Harding to discover more about Höss' role in the Holocaust and what the house teaches us about 'the banality of evil'. They learn about what went on there, what Holocaust artefacts were recently found in the attic and the future of the house as a centre to combat hate."
Syria
The New York Times: U.S. Funding Freeze Threatens Security At ISIS Camps In Syria
“President Trump’s sweeping executive order to halt foreign aid threatens to freeze a U.S. program supporting security forces inside a notorious camp in the Syrian desert that holds tens of thousands of Islamic State members and their families, Syrian and U.S. officials said. The order has also wreaked havoc on another U.S. organization in Syria that was forced to briefly stop operations inside the camp, known as Al Hol, where the large concentration of ISIS members is seen as a security threat. Concerns over an ISIS comeback have been rising, with Syria in a state of flux as its new leaders try to solidify control over a nation still fragmented after rebels ousted its authoritarian leader, Bashar al-Assad.”
Reuters: US Airstrike In Syria Kills Senior Operative Of Al-Qaeda Affiliate
“The U.S. military said it killed a senior operative of an Al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group in an airstrike in northwest Syria on Thursday. The airstrike, part of an ongoing effort to disrupt and degrade militant groups in the region, resulted in the death of Muhammad Salah al-Za'bir of the Hurras al-Din group, the U.S. Central Command said in a statement.”
Pakistan
Associated Press: 2 Pakistani Soldiers And 6 Militants Are Killed In A Raid In The Northwest, The Military Says
“Pakistani security forces raided a militant hideout in a former stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban in the restive northwest, triggering an intense shootout in which two soldiers and six militants were killed, the military said Thursday. The raid was carried out Wednesday in North Waziristan, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, it said in a statement. The military said a major was among the two soldiers who were killed and its forces were going after other militants in the area “to wipe out the menace of terrorism.” Authorities often carry out such operations against the Pakistani Taliban, who are also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP.”
Middle East
Associated Press: Who Are The Palestinian Prisoners Released In Exchange For Israeli Hostages?
“Israel released 110 Palestinian prisoners on Thursday in exchange for three Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Five Thai workers held captive in the enclave were also freed in a separate deal with Thailand. Thursday’s prisoner-for-hostage swap marked the third round of exchanges as a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas entered its second week. Most of the prisoners stepped off the Red Cross bus and onto the shoulders of jubilant supporters in the occupied West Bank, where U.N. data shows that one in five Palestinians has passed through Israeli jail and the release of prisoners is a source of joyous national celebration — a homecoming in which almost all Palestinians felt they could partake.”
The New York Times: Israel Says 8 Of The 26 Hostages Listed For Imminent Release Are Dead
“Eight of the 26 hostages that Hamas is expected to release in the coming few weeks are no longer alive, according to Israeli officials. Late on Sunday, Hamas provided Israel with long-awaited information about the status of the hostages listed for release during the first phase of the cease-fire agreement in the Gaza war. The move followed intense negotiations over the weekend to resolve a dispute that had threatened to derail the deal. Under the cease-fire deal, 33 hostages were to be released in the first phase in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Seven have already returned home, after more than 15 months in captivity in Gaza.”
Egypt
The New York Times: Egypt Fears Syria’s Revolutionary Fervor Could Be Contagious
“Soon after Islamist rebels overthrew the authoritarian president of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, a hashtag gathered steam on Egyptian social media: “It’s your turn, dictator.” The message for President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt was unmistakable. But he hardly needed the warning. Since the ouster of Syria’s longtime dictator on Dec. 8, Egyptian leaders have watched events in the Syrian capital, Damascus, with grim-faced vigilance, knowing well that revolutionary fire has a tendency to spread. Both countries have had a turbulent history since the Arab Spring uprisings that started in late 2010 and spread across the Middle East.”
United Kingdom
BBC: Foster Calls For Law Change On Glorifying Terrorism
“The law should be changed so that people in authority like Michelle O'Neill can be prosecuted for glorifying terrorism, according to a former DUP leader. Baroness Arlene Foster referred to the appearance of the first minister at a recent commemoration in Magherafelt for three IRA members killed when the bomb they were driving blew up prematurely in 1971. Speaking in the House of Lords she said: "If the current first minister of Northern Ireland is intent on continuing the glorification of terrorism, and at best be reckless to the consequence of that, then surely that should be a matter the security minister should delve into.”
BBC: Muslim Convert Found Guilty Of Planned Terror Acts
“A Muslim convert who threatened to "flatten" a mosque and plotted to attack an Islamic cleric who was an outspoken critic of terrorism has been found guilty of preparing a terrorist act. Jason Savage, 35, was convicted at Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday. Video footage released by West Midlands Police after his conviction showed him filming reconnaissance near a mosque in Wright Street, Small Heath. Savage, from Fourth Avenue in Small Heath, was remanded in custody for sentencing at Birmingham Crown Court on 11 April.”
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