Israeli warplanes launch deadly airstrikes on the Gaza Strip [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male # 1
In Jerusalem, Israeli occupations forces imposed tight restrictions on the entry of Palestinian citizens into al-Aqsa Mosque on the third Friday of the month of Ramadan. A number of youths were injured in clashes at the gate leading to the Noble Sanctuary when Israeli soldiers prevented citizens from entering to pray. The occupation forces reinforced their presence at the Noble Sanctuary's gates and the Old City's entrances. Police sources said only men over the age of 50 and women over the age of 40 are allowed to enter. Israeli warplanes launched a series of air strikes on different targets in the Gaza Strip. One Palestinian child was martyred and 18 others were injured after multiple nighttime raids. For its part, Israel announced the injury of six Israelis after Grad missiles fell on the city of Ashkelon, situated to the north of the Strip. This comes following the assassination of five Popular Resistance Committees leaders, including its secretary-general, in a raid on a home in Rafah hours after the attack near Eilat on the Egyptian-Israeli border. Our correspondent Samir Abu Shamala reports from Rafah in the Gaza Strip.

Reporter, Male # 2
Even in the middle of the night, Israeli shelling was still hitting the residents of the Gaza Strip. Israeli warplanes launched a series of raids on different areas of the Strip, resulting in the death of Palestinians. The Israeli shelling targeted training sites of the Palestinian resistance in the north and south of the Strip, a building under construction linked to the deposed government in Gaza, and tunnels near the Egyptian-Palestinian border.

Guest, Male # 3 (Ehab Ghussain, Interior Ministry Spokesman of deposed government in Gaza)
At the Interior Ministry, we are ready and we've announced that our security agencies will be on alert. We will continue to maintain the internal front, protect our people, and we grant the resistance the freedom to defend our people in the Gaza Strip.

Reporter, Male # 2
Child Mahmoud Abu Samra was martyred in the nighttime Israeli raids on Gaza. The funeral procession led him to his final resting place amid the mourners' demand that the Palestinian resistance respond to the Israeli violations. On the other hand, Palestinian rights organizations demanded the international community pressure Israel to stop its continuous attacks on Gaza.

Guest, Male # 4 (Samir Zaqut, Mezan Centre for Human Rights)
We have repeatedly warned against the continued international silence on Israel's crimes because this silence encourages the occupation state to continue its crimes. The lack of impunity also encourages Israelis to commit war crimes the way they did during Operation Cast Lead at the end of 2008, 2009.

Reporter, Male # 2
As for Rafah in the south of the Strip, thousands of citizens participated in the funeral of martyrs Abu Awad an-Nairab, the secretary-general of the resistance's committees, four of his prominent aides, and the child of an aide. They vowed to retaliate and avenge their martyrs' blood. In response to the assassination of its leaders, an-Nasser Salah ad-Din Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees, launched rockets toward Israeli targets, resulting in the injury of a number of Israelis; the Brigades promised additional rockets.

Guest, Male # 5 (Abu Ahmad, Resistance Committees Leader)
We tell the enemy: We won't be hasty, we will not be driven by anger, we will respond to you at the right time, as you were accustomed to during the Wasted Illusion Operation.

Reporter, Male # 2
Many say Israel is attempting to take advantage of the current circumstances and the international community's preoccupation with regional issues to strike Gaza and its resistance. For its part, that resistance confirmed it will not play the role of an observer in the face of its people's bloodshed by the gunfire of the occupation. Samir Abu Shamala, al-Jazeera, Rafah, Palestine.

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IDF kills PRC commanders [IBA, Israel]

The IDF knew exactly who to target following yesterday's terror attacks. This from Jerusalem Post military correspondent, Yaakov Katz. Katz: Israel is pointing its finger at the organization, a terrorist group in the Gaza Strip, called the Popular Resistance Committees, known as the PRC. Those are the leaders of which were killed in the Israeli Air Force airstrike just hours after the attack in the southern Gaza Strip. The strike killed the head of the organization, the head of its military wing, and several other senior operatives. They are closely affiliated with Hamas, which made this airstrike even more interesting because Hamas at the moment appears to be committed to something a ceasefire, of keeping things quiet.

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Syrians promise victory as regime denounces violation of its sovereignty [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female #1
Protests were held today in several Syrian cities under the slogan "promise of victory." Meanwhile, the EU governments have agreed to impose additional sanctions on Syria. However, Moscow opposed the measure and called for granting Assad an opportunity to implement reforms. While Turkey said it will not demand Assad's resignation at this time, it has called for the immediate cessation of the bloody crackdown.

Reporter, Female #2
The Syrian president's promises of reforms, popular protests, and Western demands for Assad's resignation. This is how the Syrian internal front appeared today. To the sound of chants calling for the president's ouster, protests were launched under the theme "promise of victory" in the villages of Ghabagheb and Ankhel in Rif Dara'a. Protests also erupted in Rif Dimashq's village of Harsata, Baba Amer neighborhoods, as well as Homs's Jufer neighborhood. Right activists said that more than 14 civilians, including a child, were killed, and that several others were wounded as security forces fired live ammunition and tear gas at the crowd. In addition, several protestors were arrested. Syrian television, which showed images of the protests, acknowledged that today's mobilization that followed Friday prayers was larger than average, adding that other areas witnessed limited protests. The source added that a group of masked gunmen described as 'extremists' opened fire at the protestors and security forces in the Qadam neighborhood. According to Syrian television, security forces seized a large cache of weapons, advanced artilleries, hand grenades, ammunition, powerful explosives, and military uniforms and gear in the South Raml neighborhood in Latakia. Politically, EU governments agreed to expand sanctions on Syria, as confirmed by Reuters. Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry's spokesman said his country opposes the resignation of Syrian President Bashar Assad, as demanded by the US and the EU. The spokesman added that Moscow will continue to defend its fundamental position on Syria. He further said they must give Syrians a "clear and unequivocal signal about the need to end all kind of violence." His call for an end to the violence was also directed at the opposition, which he said must "enter a dialogue with the authorities and distant itself from the extremists." Yesterday, the UN held a special session to discuss the launch of an international investigation into the systematic crimes being committed in Syria as well as the possibility of referring the situation in Syria to the International Court of Justice.

Guest, Male #1 (Bashar Jaafari, Syria's Ambassador to the United Nations)
The UN Security Council is divided over the unfolding developments in Syria. Half of its member countries are fully aware that violating Syrian sovereignty is a line that mustn't be crossed. These countries are reasonable and fully understand UN Charter. They are also aware of their responsibilities and rights. We must take note that certain lies and scandals are being circulated in this chamber.

Reporter, Female #2
The Security Council announced that it will convene again over the next few days regarding the situation in Syria. A draft resolution calling for imposing additional measures and sanctions against the Syrian regime may be submitted during the session.

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Yemenis rally in support of the national council [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
The National Council for the Revolutionary Parties in Yemen will convene its first meeting in Sanaa at noon tomorrow, Saturday, to discuss the council's next missions and steps to mobilize the revolutionary process. On the ground, hundreds of thousands in the Yemeni capital rallied to express their support for the national council formed by opposition parties, and to renew their demands of toppling and trying all symbols of President Ali Abdullah Saleh's regime. In addition, 16 squares in various Yemeni provinces witnessed similar demonstrations. Meanwhile, supporters of the ruling party gathered at Saleh Mosque in Sana'a to affirm what they referred to as the "constitutional legitimacy" and their support for President Saleh.

Reporter, Female #1
The scene is repetitive in Yemen. Hundreds of thousands of opponents of the ruling party are met with its supporters whose numbers are just as large. President Ali Abdullah Saleh's supporters who gathered in the capital Sanaa affirmed their support to what they called "the constitutional legitimacy." They still see Saleh as the legitimate president of the country despite the fact that this opinion contradicts certain articles in the Yemeni constitution. The constitution stipulates that in the case of vacancy of the position of the republic's president, or his departure, or his permanent incapability to work, the vice president serves as the provisional president for a period no longer than 60 days beginning from the date of the position vacancy, during which new presidential elections are conducted. Saleh recently announced from his residence in Saudi Arabia where he finished medical treatment, that he will soon return to Yemen. He described the opposition parties as opportunists who aimed at hijacking the youth revolution. His statements enraged many. Thousands of protestors took to the streets expressing their support for the opposition parties, which took the initiative to unite their ranks by forming a national council consisted of all parties that demand Saleh's departure. The council is comprised of over 140 members from various anti-regime groups inside and outside of Yemen. The protestors named today's demonstration "Friday of Supporting the National Council." Confusion still dominates the political map in Yemen, which is torn between a president clinging to power under any circumstance, protests that do not recede, and an opposition trying to form a political power that bears the same weight as the ruling regime. Sali Nabil, BBC.

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Pakistan mosque bombing leaves at least 43 dead [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
Forty-three people were killed and over 100 wounded by a bombing inside a mosque in the Khyber region in northwestern Pakistan. A local source said that the explosion occurred in the tribal town of Jamrud near Peshawar city, bordering Afghanistan. It indicated that a bomb exploded among worshipers performing Friday prayers, stating that the bomber was likely inside the mosque and blew himself up during the prayers.

Reporter, Male #1
The acts of violence in Pakistan are still escalating, and most of the time lead to dozens of casualties. In the Khyber region, a bomb exploded inside a mosque in the tribal town of Jambrud, near Peshawar city bordering Afghanistan, causing dozens of casualties. The official story says it is likely that a gunman blew himself up among worshipers performing Friday prayers.

Guest, Male #2
There were over 1,000 people inside the mosque. Suddenly we heard someone shouting "God is great," then we heard a strong explosion.

Reporter, Male #1
Peshawar Hospital received a large number of the killed and wounded who were sent to the hospital in civilian cars, ambulances, and other vehicles. This scene does not need much description. This young man sitting in the hospital weeping cannot believe what has happened, especially in the house of God which is supposed to be safe. For their part, medical sources still expect the number of casualties to rise.

Presenter, Female #1
At least nine people including a foreign soldier were killed in three blasts followed by gunfire near the British Culture Center that shook the Afghan capital Kabul. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. Its spokesman said the targets of the attack were the British Consulate headquarters and a UN building.

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Egyptian demonstrators demand Israeli ambassador's expulsion [Press TV, Iran]

There have been angry protests outside the Israeli Embassy in Cairo. Protestors urged the authorities on Friday to expel the Israeli ambassador and sever ties with Tel Aviv al together. They also condemned the killing of Egyptian security forces in Israeli attacks on the Gaza border with Egypt. Meanwhile, another Egyptian border guard has been killed in a gunfight close to Israel. A second policeman is in a coma after being shot in the head. An Israeli attack along the Gaza border on Thursday left at least five Egyptian policemen dead.

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Libyan opposition takes control of Zlitan [Press TV, Iran]

Libya's revolutionary fighters say they are in control of the town center in the west. This comes shortly after they captured the oil refinery in the strategic city of Zawiyah in the northwest of the country. However, Libyan regime has denied the fall of Zawiyah. Meanwhile, several explosions, apparently caused by NATO airstrikes have once again rocked the capital Tripoli. There are no immediate reports of casualties. Fighting between the revolutionaries and forces loyal to longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi has escalated over the past few days. Reports say the fighters are tightening the noose around the capital Tripoli.

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Senior Bahraini cleric criticizes the Gulf for ignoring country's 'reform cries' [Press TV, Iran]

Bahrain's top cleric has criticized neighboring Persian Gulf countries for failing to support the popular revolution there. Sheikh Isa Qassim has accused Arab leaders of practicing double standards. He said they support protests elsewhere while aiding Manama's crackdown on peaceful protestors. He has also said that other Persian Gulf countries have ignored Bahraini calls for greater rights. The cleric says the Persian Gulf countries have supported the calls for change in countries like Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt.

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Algeria commemorates its August 20, 1955 uprising [Algeria TV, Algeria]

Presenter, Female #1
The history of national revolutionary movements is filled with immortal pages, including the attacks in North Constantine and the Soummam Conference. These two events enabled Algeria to achieve military and political gains on its path to liberation and emancipation. In order to strengthen the national memory, Algeria Television will refresh our recollection of these two events by highlighting the actions of those who made possible the decisive moment in the revolution of liberation. We will also shed light on the scale and background of the two events, in addition to their impact in serving the national cause. We will take a look at the conditions that preceded the attacks in North Constantine on August 20, 1955. Moussa Mustafa Babasa reports.

Reporter, Male #1
Ten months after the glorious November Revolution, the pace of the National Liberation Army's military operations slowed down due to the shortage of weapons and the martyrdom and arrest of a number of those who ignited the revolution. In the face of these circumstances, the strategic thought process was to redirect the revolution back to its roots. Intensive planning for a massive attack in North Constantine lasted for three months in complete secrecy. The commander of the Second Zone, Zighoud Youssef, engineered the attacks that took place on August 20, 1955. Over 26 cities and villages in North Constantine were targeted. In broad daylight, at noon, all vital colonial facilities and sites were targeted by collective attacks by the fearless revolutionaries, led by the hero Zighoud Youssef. They carried in their hearts unshakable faith and in their hands very traditional weapons. The strategy of these attacks paralyzed the foundations of the colonizers and confused its ranks. The outcome was the dismantling of the massive colonial reinforcements and the siege, which was focused on the First Zone. The National Liberation Army's military operations expanded across the country, destroying the colonists' dream to crush the revolution and separate it from the masses. This is how France, the colonizer, suffered great human and material loses, in addition to an even greater political loss. This blow occupied the headlines of French newspapers, printed in bold black letters describing the tragic situation and the unstable atmosphere that threatened the French presence in Algeria. Yes, the attacks in North Constantine completely achieved their goals, just as the headlines pointed out. The hero commander Zighoud Youssef said that this remarkable day shortened the length of the revolution by five years. It was the second starting point of the revolution after its first and real beginning in early November of 1954.