Tag: Hamas

  • Three Palestinian students studying in US shot for wearing keffiyah

    Three Palestinian students studying in US shot for wearing keffiyah

    Three Palestinian students were shot for wearing their country’s traditional keffiyeh scarves in Vermont, USA.

    The three boys – identified as Hisham Awartani, Kinnan Abdel Hamid and Tahseen Ahmed – were in Burlington for Thanksgiving holidays when they were targeted and injured, leaving one critically wounded.

    The victims, aged 20, were students of Harvard University, Brown University and Trinity University.

    According to the police, they were walking while visiting the home of one of the victim’s relatives when they were confronted by a white man with a gun.

    “Without speaking, he discharged at least four rounds from the pistol and is believed to have fled,” Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad said in a statement.

    “The fact is that we don’t yet know as much as we want to right now,” he added. “But I urge the public to avoid making conclusions based on statements from uninvolved parties who know even less.”

    According to a statement released by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, the victims were Palestinian American college students and that there is “reason to believe this shooting occurred because the victims are Arab.”

    It further revealed that a man shouted at and harassed the three young men, who were chatting in Arabic, and then shot them.

    The FBI Albany, New York, posted a statement on X (formerly Twitter) stating that they are
    “actively” investigating the case with the Burlington Police Department, ATF and other federal, state and local agencies.

  • Israel-Hamas issue is beyond war, it is ‘terrorism’: Pope Francis

    Israel-Hamas issue is beyond war, it is ‘terrorism’: Pope Francis

    Pope Francis has deemed the violence stemming from the Israel and Hamas issue as “terrorism”.

    “They suffer so much and I heard how they both suffer”, he said on Wednesday after meeting with Israeli families of captives held by Hamas and Palestinians who have family in Gaza

    “Wars do this, but here we have gone beyond wars. This is not war, this is terrorism,” he added.

    The head of the Catholic Church also called everyone to pray for peace so that both sides would “not go ahead with passions, which, in the end, kill everyone”.

    Jewish groups reacts

    Jewish groups, however, have criticised Pope Francis, demanding an explanation for accusing both Hamas and Israel of “terrorism.”

    The Council of the Assembly of Italian Rabbis (ARI) issued a statement on Thursday, pointing at “Church leaders” for not condemning the Hamas attack and of “putting the aggressor and the attacked on the same plane in the name of a supposed impartiality.”

    Similarly, American Jewish Committee (AJC) posted on X (formerly Twitter):

    “Later in the day, he described the Israel-Hamas war as ‘beyond war’ as ‘terrorism.’ Hamas’ butchering and kidnapping of civilians is terrorism. Israel’s self-defense is not. Vatican, please clarify.”

    The Simon Wiesenthal Center, a US-based Jewish human rights organisation, also called on the pope “not to forget that all the loss and suffering since October 7th stems from the intolerable actions of Hamas.”

    The statement added that the responsibility of all the suffering and loss of both the families of hostages and civilians in Gaza was “on the hands of the Hamas terrorists who, on October 7th, inflicted in the most brutal way, the worst mass murder of Jews since the defeat of Nazi Germany and World War II.”

    The Jerusalem Post also reports that Italian rabbis also questioned the worth of “decades of Jewish-Christian dialog” if when Jews are attacked the Vatican responds with “diplomatic acrobatics.”

  • Four-day Israel-Gaza truce: What to expect on day one?

    A four-day pause between Israel and Gaza is now in progress.

    The first group of Israeli hostages, reportedly including 13 women and children, are to be released today. They will be escorted by the Red Cross to the Rafah border crossing where the Israeli military will take them in and carry out the identification process.

    The hostages will then be taken to Tel Aviv for physical and psychological tests.

    On the other hand, 39 Palestinian prisoners will be released from Israel in exchange for the first day. They will be taken from two Israeli prisons in the southeast of Haifa and will be driven to the Ofer prison, south of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. They are then to be taken to the nearby crossing where their families will receive them.

    Humanitarian aid is also expected to be sent into Gaza from Egypt. Hamas has claimed that 200 aid trucks and additional fuel trucks will enter Gaza daily.

  • Israeli army arrests Al-Shifa Hospital director; Gaza Health Ministry blames WHO

    Israeli army arrests Al-Shifa Hospital director; Gaza Health Ministry blames WHO

    While the terms of a ceasefire deal are being finalized Israel and Hamas, the Israeli army has reportedly arrested the director of al-Shifa Hospital on Thursday.

    According to media reports, hospital director Muhammad Abu Salmiya and several other medical personnel have been detained as Israel continues its Gaza offensive.

    The arrest has been reported by Khalid Abu Samra, a department chief at the hospital via AFP news agency as well as the Israeli Broadcasting Authority.

    “Dr Muhammad Abu Salmiya, the director of al-Shifa medical complex, has been arrested by the Israeli occupation forces. And even earlier, two Palestinian paramedics had been arrested by the Israeli occupation forces,” said Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from southern Gaza.

    “This gives a clear sign that there is no immunity inside the Gaza Strip, neither for medical workers, civil defence crews or even journalists, as the attacks have reached all classes in the Palestinian community.”

    Al Jazeera has also revealed that according to spokesperson Ashraf al-Qudra, Gaza’s Health Ministry has decided to put a halt on coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO) in the evacuation of wounded people and medical staff.

    He claims that Israel and the UN are responsible for the arrest of medical personnel, further stating that Israeli forces have mistreated medical staff and patients.

  • Bethlehem, birthplace of Jesus, removes Christmas decor ‘in solidarity’ with Gaza

    Bethlehem, birthplace of Jesus, removes Christmas decor ‘in solidarity’ with Gaza

    The Christian leadership in Bethlehem have announced they will not have Christmas celebrations in the West Bank this year in light of Israel’s bombardment of Gaza which has resulted in killing more than 13,000 people.

    In a letter, the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem have unanimously agreed to cancel the commemoration of Christmas to conform to the spiritual significance of the holiday while Palestinians are being brutally killed by Israeli forces.

    “Each year during the sacred seasons of Advent and Christmastide, our Christian communities throughout the Holy Land take great delight in their preparations for the commemoration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” the patriarchs wrote in a joint letter.

    “In addition to attendance in religious services, these celebrations have normally involved participation in numerous public festivities and the large-scale display of brightly lit and expensive decorations as a means of expressing our joy at the approach and arrival of the Feast of the Nativity.”, it further stated.

    “But these are not normal times. Since the start of the War, there has been an atmosphere of sadness and pain. Thousands of innocent civilians, including women and children, have died or suffered serious injuries,” the bishops continued. “Many more grieve over the loss of their homes, their loved ones, or the uncertain fate of those dear to them. Throughout the region, even more have lost their work and are suffering from serious economic challenges. Yet despite our repeated calls for a humanitarian ceasefire and a de-escalation of violence, the war continues.”

    City officials in Bethlehem have also been taking down Christmas decorations in solidarity with Palestinians.

    “Bethlehem Municipality crews announced the dismantling of Christmas decorations installed several years ago in the city’s neighbourhoods and removing all festive appearances in mourning for the martyrs and in solidarity with our people in Gaza,” the city posted on Facebook on November 14.

    Why Bethlehem is significant for Christians?

    Bethlehem is located 10 kilometres south of the city of Jerusalem. Since at least the 2nd century AD, people have believed that Jesus was born where now stands the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem.

  • Emirates suspends flights to Israel for an indefinite period

    Emirates suspends flights to Israel for an indefinite period

    Emirates announced the suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv until further notice on Wednesday, citing concerns related to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. This marks the first instance of Emirates indefinitely halting operations to Tel Aviv.

    An Emirates spokesperson while talking to Gulf News stated, “We are closely monitoring the situation in Israel and are in close contact with the relevant authorities. Customers with onward connections to Tel Aviv on Emirates flights will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin until further notice.”

    The airline initially cancelled its Tel Aviv flights on October 12 due to safety concerns amidst the conflict, subsequently extending the suspension multiple times, with the latest extension lasting until November 30.

    In June 2022, the inaugural Emirates flight departed from Dubai International Airport to Tel Aviv, carrying 335 passengers. This milestone marked the initiation of a daily service connecting the two cities, a development spurred by the signing of the Abraham Accords.

    Separately, in a welcoming development, Israel and Hamas have brokered a four-day truce through the mediation of Qatar. As part of this agreement, 50 women and children held in Gaza will be released in exchange for 150 Palestinian women and children currently detained in Israeli jails.

  • Netanyahu says “We are at war – and will continue the war” amid ceasefire deal

    Netanyahu says “We are at war – and will continue the war” amid ceasefire deal

    Israel has agreed to a temporary ceasefire deal with Hamas as prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces pressure from the Israeli public since October 7 — particularly of families of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza where more than 13,000 people have been killed because of Israeli attacks.

    Netanyahu reportedly met with some of the families last night, assuring them that bringing their loved ones back was “a sacred and supreme task”.

    The Israeli prime minister, however, has asserted that he has no intention of ending Israel’s attacks on Gaza.

    “Let me make it clear,” he said earlier, “we are at war – and will continue the war”.

    He set the record straight that Israel will not stop until they succeed in their aim i.e. “eliminating Hamas, returning all of our hostages and assuring that … Gaza will no longer threaten Israel.”

  • Qatar confirms Israel, Hamas reach deal on four-day truce, hostage release

    Qatar confirms Israel, Hamas reach deal on four-day truce, hostage release

    AFP – Doha, Qatar: Qatar confirmed on Wednesday that Israel and Hamas had reached an agreement on a four-day humanitarian pause, to begin in the next 24 hours, in exchange for the release of 50 hostages in Gaza.

    “The starting time of the pause will be announced within the next 24 hours and last for four days, subject to extension,” Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

    “The agreement includes the release of 50 civilian women and children hostages currently held in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of a number of Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli prisons, the number of those released will be increased in later stages of implementing the agreement,” it added.

    Qatar has been engaged in weeks of intense, behind-the-scenes negotiations aimed at freeing some of the 240 hostages held in Gaza in return for temporary ceasefire and access for humanitarian aid.

    The number agreed for release by the militants is by far the largest since Hamas gunmen stormed over Gaza’s militarised border on October 7, seizing the hostages and killing 1,200 people, according to Israeli authorities.

    In response, Israel has launched a relentless bombing campaign and subsequent ground invasion in Hamas-ruled Gaza, killing more than 14,100 people — two thirds of them women or children — according to the territory’s health ministry.

    Qatar said the deal had been undertaken with Egypt and the United States as well as Hamas and Israel and would include “the entry of a larger number of humanitarian convoys and relief aid, including fuel designated for humanitarian needs”.

  • ‘Deadliest month’ for journalists: CPJ on Israeli attacks in Gaza

    ‘Deadliest month’ for journalists: CPJ on Israeli attacks in Gaza

    The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has reported the month following October 7 attacks has been the deadliest for journalists and media workers since CPJ began gathering data in 1992.

    CPJ’s “preliminary investigations” reveals that as of November 21, at least 50 journalists and media workers are among the 14,000 plus people killed since October 7.

    The deadliest day for journalists was October 7 itself as six journalists were killed; followed by November 18, the second-deadliest day when five were killed.

    CPJ highlights that up until November 21:

    • 50 journalists and media workers were confirmed dead: 45 Palestinian, four Israeli, and one Lebanese.
    • 11 journalists were reported injured.
    • Three journalists were reported missing.
    • 18 journalists were reported arrested.
    • Multiple assaults, threats, cyberattacks, censorship, and killings of family members has also been recorded.

    CPJ is also probing a number of unconfirmed reports of other journalists being killed, being missing, detained, hurt, or threatened, and of damage to media offices and journalists’ homes.

    “CPJ emphasizes that journalists are civilians doing important work during times of crisis and must not be targeted by warring parties,” states Sherif Mansour, CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa program coordinator.

    “Journalists across the region are making great sacrifices to cover this heart-breaking conflict. Those in Gaza, in particular, have paid, and continue to pay, an unprecedented toll and face exponential threats. Many have lost colleagues, families, and media facilities, and have fled seeking safety when there is no safe haven or exit.”

  • ‘We are close to reaching a deal on a truce’, claims Hamas

    ‘We are close to reaching a deal on a truce’, claims Hamas

    In a significant development in Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza that has killed over 13,000 people, Hamas has reportedly claimed a possible ceasefire might be achieved today.

    Israel has not yet confirmed the deal which is said to be mediated by Qatar.

    According to Al Jazeera, Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq said the agreement will include a ceasefire, supply of aid into Gaza and shifting the injured to other countries for treatment.

    The deal is also said to include exchange of captives in efforts to release Palestinian women and children in Israeli prisons.

    Al-Rishq adds that the talks have been going on for weeks but PM Netanyahu “was stalling”, further stating that all the brigades in the Palestinian resistance approved of the deal.

    Previously, on Sunday, the Qatari PM said a deal to free some of the captives in return for a temporary ceasefire hinged on “minor” practical issues

    On the contrary, Israel’s Channel 12 reported the country’s war cabinet had discussed on Sunday that it is eager to negotiate on the hostages and wants to send a message to Qatar that it is ready to reach a deal.

    Israeli captives under Hamas

    Israel claims at least 237 people were taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7 attacks.

    Among the hostages are nationals from more than 40 countries including at least 20 Thai farm workers and allegedly 33 children.

    Hamas has released four hostages – two Israeli citizens and two US citizens, while one was recovered during an operation in Gaza.

    Israel also claims that the bodies of two female hostages were recovered near the Al-Shifa Hospital complex.

    Palestinians captives under Israel

    About 5,200 Palestinians are held in Israeli prisons before October 7 attacks.

    Since the attacks, Israel has arrested at least 2,960 more Palestinians during raids across the occupied West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem.

    These include at least 95 women and 37 journalists.

    Most of the people being held under laws and military orders that allow detention without trial or charge.

    Rights and monitoring groups report that at least 145 of them are reportedly children.

    While other reports claim that currently more than 200 children are held in Israeli prisons, including 26 on administrative detention.