Tag: Gaza

  • Seven water facilities ‘directly hit’ in Gaza: What we know about day 31

    In the month that has passed since Israel declared war on Gaza following the Hamas attacks in Israel on October 7, almost 9,800 Palestinians have been killed.

    200 people in Gaza killed in a night

    Palestinian Health Ministry revealed that last night’s Israeli air raids killed more than 200 people.

    Palestinian activist Saleh al-Jafarawi shared a video from one of the areas attacked by Israel.

    450 Hamas positions targeted, Israel claims

    Since October 7, Israel has claimed to have hit about 450 Hamas targets which include fighters, military compounds, observation posts, antitank missile launch posts and tunnels.

    According to Al Jazeera, the army has also claimed to have tracked down an opening to Hamas’s tunnels close to the Sheikh Hamad Hospital in Gaza.

    And while schools and hospitals have been targeted by Israel on assertion that Hamas is using these facilities and civilian infrastructure as a means to defend its underground operations, Hamas has, time and again, denied the claims.

    Thousands of civilian casualties have resulted in the attacks on UN-run facilities, refugee camps, schools, mosques and churches, resulting in the killing of civilians.

    Joint statement by humanitarian organisations

    The heads of 18 humanitarian organisations, including the UN, have issued a rare joint statement calling for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” in Israel and Palestine.

    “Enough is enough,” the statement said. “This must stop now.”

    The letter signed by the heads of the 18 organisations is known by Inter-Agency Standing Committee.

    175 medical staff killed since October 7

    Palestinian Health Minister Mai al-Kaila has reported that since October 7, 175 medical personnel and 34 civil defence workers have been killed in the Gaza Strip.

    Additionally, 16 out of 36 hospitals and 51 out of 72 clinics are no longer in service after they have either been attacked by Israel or they are out of fuel and medicine to keep the centres running.

    70 Palestinians arrested in occupied West Bank

    At least 70 Palestinians have reportedly been arrested during raids in the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Prisoner’s Commission and the Prisoner’s Society.

    Since October 7, more than 2,000 people have been arrested including 49 women and 17 journalists.

    Water facilities destroyed

    The UN relief agency has revealed that seven water facilities in the Gaza Strip were “directly hit and sustained major damage” on Saturday and Sunday.

    Credits: Al Jazeera

  • Remember the Palestinian girl who stood up to Israeli soldiers? She just got arrested

    Remember the Palestinian girl who stood up to Israeli soldiers? She just got arrested

    Palestinian activist Ahed Tamimi was arrested on Sunday night by Israeli forces in the West Bank, AJ Plus has reported. Tamimi’s house was raided at night while also arresting her mom. She was arrested under claims she was ‘inciting terrorism’.

    The arrest happens at a time Gaza suffers under severe Israeli bombardment, with 9,500 civilians killed, 4000 among them children.

    In the West Bank, where the Hamas has no authority, violence has soared after Gaza was attacked. On November 2, 3 Palestinians were killed during an Israeli raid.

    “Israeli soldiers raided Ahed Tamimi’s home, turned everything upside down and held her mother in another room, preventing her from being with her daughter,” Dena reported.

    The Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gabir posted a picture of Ahed caught by soldiers in her room where he was seen congratulating the IDF for capturing the ‘terrorist’. The post recieved extensive backlash for intentionally targeting innocent civilians over baseless charges..

    “ahed represents the spirit of resistance. she’s literally the definition of standing up against the oppressor……years after this photo these cowards STILL continue to arrest her time and time again not knowing there’s millions just like her,” a user wrote.

    Ahed made international headlines as the face of the Palestinian resistance when viral videos showed her confronting Israeli soldiers even slapped a soldier in December 2017.

  • ‘Genocide’: Susan Sarandon, Macklemore address thousands at March For Palestine in Washington

    ‘Genocide’: Susan Sarandon, Macklemore address thousands at March For Palestine in Washington

    On Sunday, more than 300,000 people marched in Washington to demand an end to the genocide in Gaza as well as for a ceasefire to be declared. Among these marchers were Hollywood celebrities Susan Sarandon and rapper Macklemore.

    Sarandon shared a picture where she was seen on stage wearing the Palestinian keffiyeh. She shared the picture on her X (formerly Twitter) account and wrote:

    “You don’t have to be Palestinian to care about what’s happening in Gaza. I stand with Palestine. No one is free until everyone is free.”

    Macklemore gave a speech where he out rightly called what is going on in Gaza a ‘genocide’:

    “We’ve been taught to just be complicit to protect our careers, to protect our interests and I’m not gonna do it anymore. I’m not afraid to speak the truth.”

    Several prominent singers have come out to voice their support for Palestine along with posting links to foundations collecting donations for Gaza. Phoebe Bridgers shared links on her Instagram stories to the organisations that were collecting aid to provide medical relief for injured Gazans.

    Rapper Kid Cudi released a statement on his Instagram account, expressing his solidarity with the Palestinian struggle, pointing out the movement was not anti-Semitic.

    “Supporting Palestinian liberation is not antisemitic, it’s human. Palestinians deserve their freedom. This isn’t poltiics, these are real lives. And I’m just a dude who gives a f*** about humanity. I stand with the people of Palestine as they demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the ongoing genocide. My heart goes out to all my brothers and sisters of all faiths and backgrounds who are suffering. Free Palestine!”

  • Journalists embedded with IDF slammed

    CNN’s Fareed Zakaria has revealed the process journalists have to comply with for coverage while being embedded with the Israeli military in its ground fight with Hamas in Gaza.

    A CNN journalist went into Gaza on an IDF embed. The journalists embedded with the IDF Gaza operate under the observation of Israeli commanders in the field and are not permitted to move unaccompanied within the Gaza Strip.

    “As a condition to enter Gaza under IDF air support, outlets have to submit all materials and footage to the Israeli military for review prior to publication. CNN has agreed to these terms….”

    People slammed the revelation on X (formerly Twitter).

    Some considered it to be the norm in war journalism due to security concerns of the army.

    However, many journalists stated that complete control is avoidable inspite the element of security.

  • Israel Minister Reprimanded Over Gaza Nuclear ‘Option’ Comment

    Israel Minister Reprimanded Over Gaza Nuclear ‘Option’ Comment

    An Israeli minister was suspended from government meetings “until further notice” Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said, after suggesting in an interview dropping a nuclear bomb on Gaza.

    The comments by Heritage Minister Amichay Eliyahu advocating a fierce military response to Hamas’s October 7 attacks even at the cost of the lives of hostages believed to be held in Gaza also drew rebuke from families of the captives.

    Eliyahu, an ultranationalist politician part of Netnayahu’s ruling coalition, told Israel’s Kol Barama radio he was not entirely satisfied with the scale of Israel’s retaliation in the Palestinian territory after Hamas fighters carried out their deadly attacks inside southern Israel.

    The attacks killed 1,400 people, mostly civilians, Israeli officials say.

    Israel’s military campaign in Gaza since October 7 has killed 9,488 people, most of them women and children, the Hamas-run health ministry says.

    When the interviewer asked whether the Israeli minister advocated dropping “some kind of atomic bomb” on the Gaza Strip “to kill everyone”, Eliyahu replied: “That’s one option”.

    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office quickly responded in a statement, describing Eliyahu’s remarks as “disconnected from reality” and adding that Israel was trying to spare “non-combatants” in Gaza.

    In a follow-up question about the estimated 240 hostages held in Gaza, Eliyahu said that “in war we pay a price.”

    “Why are the lives of the hostages… more important than the lives of the soldiers?” he said.

    “International law, along with fundamental principles of human morality and common sense, strictly prohibits the use of mass destruction weapons,” it said in a statement, calling for the release of all the hostages.

    Following the outcry over his remarks, Eliyahu said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that his statement about the atomic bomb was “metaphorical”.

    He also said that Israel was “committed to doing everything possible to return the hostages safe and sound”.

    Israel has never admitted to having a nuclear bomb.

    The Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum, representing relatives of people snatched to Gaza by Hamas militants, slammed Eliyahu’s “reckless and cruel” statement.

  • Turkey recalls ambassador from Israel amidst Blinken visit

    Turkey recalls ambassador from Israel amidst Blinken visit

    Turkey has taken a diplomatic step against Israel on Saturday, recalling its ambassador back on the eve of US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken’s visit.

    In a statement issued by the Turkish foreign ministry, it was said that ambassador Sakir Ozkan Torunlar was being recalled for consultations “In view of the unfolding humanitarian tragedy in Gaza caused by the continuing attacks by Israel against civilians, and Israel’s refusal (to accept) a ceasefire.”

    Turkish President Erdogan personally told reporters that he holds Netanyahu responsible for the huge death toll in Gaza. “Netanyahu is no longer someone we can talk to. We have written him off,” Erdogan said in a statement quoted by the media. He also suggested to Netanyahu to “take a step back and stop this”.

    However he reiterated that “Completely severing ties is not possible, especially in international diplomacy,” adding that is why MIT intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin has been appointed to lead talks with both sides to mediate an end to the war.

  • Attacks on hospitals, camps continue: What we know about day 29

    Attacks on hospitals, camps continue: What we know about day 29

    Entrance of Al-Nasser Children’s Hospital bombed

    Israel has bombed the entrance of Al-Nasser Children’s Hospital, resulting in several casualties, according to local media outlets.

    Israeli forces targeting solar panels

    While solar panels have been the only source of power for some in Gaza, Israeli air strikes have destroyed the ones on al-Wafa Hospital.

    The attack led to a power outage in the facility.

    2,200 people buried under debris

    About 2,200 people are still buried in the rubble of buildings destroyed by Israeli attacks, including 1,250 children, reveals the Health Ministry’s spokesperson.

    UN school attack

    Dozen of people have been reportedly killed in the Israeli attack on al-Fakhoora school. The total number is yet to be confirmed. “The number [of people killed] is expected to rise,” Reuters quoted Muhammad Abu Silmeyeh as saying.

    The largest facility in the north, Al-Fakhoora school had been sheltering displaced people in the Jabalia refugee camp.

    Since October 7, the refugee camp has been targetted three times.

    Shelters under attack

    While the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has been sheltering hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, they have been under attack by Israeli targets.

    They have revealed that since October 7, nearly 50 buildings and assets of the agency have been affected, some being directly hit including UNRWA buildings sheltering about 700,000 people.

    As of yet, at least 72 UNRWA staff members have been killed, some alongside their families.

    Netanyahu ‘no longer someone we can talk to’: Erdogan

    The Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced to cut ties with the Israeli prime minister following Israel’s attacks in Gaza.

    “Netanyahu is no longer someone we can talk to. We have written him off,” Turkish media quoted Erdogan as stating.

    Hezbollah’s Nasrallah calls for ceasefire

    While calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, on Friday, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah announced to hold off any escalation with Israel.

    He also asserted Hezbollah or Iran had no prior knowledge of the October 7 attack on Israel.

  • Lorde speaks out for Gaza, praises Palestinian singer who covered ‘Team’

    Lorde speaks out for Gaza, praises Palestinian singer who covered ‘Team’

    Grammy award winning singer Lorde has spoken out against the genocide of Gaza by encouraging her followers to protest for a ceasefire. The death toll from Israeli air strikes reached 9000 after a school in Northen Gaza was bombed, killing 20 people taking shelter there.

    Lorde shared screenshots of the protests taking place in cities across New Zealand, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

    She further shared a screenshot of an open letter signed by Jewish public figures including ‘Barbie’ actress Hari Nef and filmmaker Emma Siegelman, which condemned equating criticism of Israel to antisemitism.

    Lorde also shared a video of the viral Palestinian-American singer Nemah Hasan, who was dropped by her label for calling for an end to Israel’s oppression of Israel. In the caption, the ‘Royals’ singer wrote that she was moved by Nemah singing her song ‘Team’ to highlight the Palestinian cause:

    “I was so incredibly moved by this poignant piece. I have been frozen in grief and shock. I’m aware of the dissonance between my thoughts and the words I am able to form. I am so grateful to my Palestinian sister for reminding me why I make art- it speaks when I cannot. It fills spaces where words are inadequate. She speaks through me; I speak through her.”

    Nemah, who goes by her stage name nemasis, shared this clip to write how moved she was by Lorde’s appreciation which felt like a reward after being told to remain silent on Palestine by others.

    “after being dropped by my new label for speaking up against the occupation of my homeland Palestine i was insecure. it was suggested to cooling down the pro-Palestinian posts. i didn’t stop. i kept going. i had nothing left to lose & i’m so happy i didn’t give into the pressure.”

  • ‘Sickening’: social media criticises McDonald’s Mauritius after insensitive Halloween post

    ‘Sickening’: social media criticises McDonald’s Mauritius after insensitive Halloween post

    McDonalds is facing a worldwide boycott after the fast food giant’s Israeli franchise provided free food to IDF soldiers while the Israeli army bombarded Gaza. Now the company’s Mauritius franchise has come under fire after it posted what users thought was an insensitive Halloween picture.

    In the now deleted image, fries dripping with ketchup are positioned to resemble a bloody hand. The caption reads: “Forget the freights. Savour the flavours!”

    Social media users expressed their outrage.

    Previously, the McDonald’s franchise in the UK was criticised for hiding the replies in their comments demanding the organisation to withdraw their support for Israel.

  • ‘She knew what she was doing’: Twitter users outraged at Kim Kardashian’s insensitive Halloween costume

    ‘She knew what she was doing’: Twitter users outraged at Kim Kardashian’s insensitive Halloween costume

    Kim Kardashian is once more going viral for all the wrong reasons. The reality TV star was publicly criticised for her vocal support for Israel a few weeks ago as well as her ongoing silence on the genocide in Gaza which has now claimed close to 9000 civilian lives.

    Kim posted pictures of her family celebrating Halloween, where her sons were seen dressed as injured football stars with bruises and bandages.

    Twitter users were outraged, pointing out that the costumes bore an uncanny resemblance to photos of injured Palestinian children in football jerseys. Approximately 4000 children have been killed, as per the Gaza Ministry of Health.

    “Isn’t scary to think that an actual child in Gaza actually looks like this now? But sure Kim have fun this Halloween…” a user commented.

    “even if it wasn’t intentional, how many braincells do you need to read the room when social media is flooded with bloodied and broken children’s bodies stop looking up to these brain dead celebrities.” Another user posted.