Tag: Israel

  • “It’s inhumane”: Dr Tanya Haj-Hassan describes conditions Gaza doctors are working in

    “It’s inhumane”: Dr Tanya Haj-Hassan describes conditions Gaza doctors are working in

    Dr Tanya Haj-Hassan, a paediatric intensive care doctor for Doctors Without Borders and a co-founder of the GazaMedicVoices social platform, reflects in an interview on the on-going struggle of doctors in Gaza who are working under dearth of basic medical supplies.

    “I refuse to let my imagination go to the places where reality has taken us in these last three weeks.” she said.

    “Everyday I feel like things can’t get worse, and then they seem to get worse.”

    Dr. Tanya asserted Gaza doctors are “World class experts in the field of medicine and in the field of mass casualties” but she goes on to remark that having to carry out medical procedures without pain control or anaesthesia “makes it sound very barbaric.”

    With “hands tied” and being “stripped of every tool” used in modern medicine — from anaesthesia to ventilators and monitors — it is an unfathomable place to be in, she described.

    “I can’t fathom being in the position that they are in,” she stated, highlighting that the doctors in Gaza are working every day despite the trauma they are seeing, despite fear for their family’s well being, despite fear for their own life, and constantly being threatened to be bombed in the health facility because they “refuse to leave” their patients and evacuate.

    “I’ve never been in that position and I don’t know many people that have been in that position to be honest. The conditions that we’re seeing in the Gaza strip right now are unthinkable.” she added, calling it “unprecedented in modern times”.

    She further highlighted in her interview that the children there are coming in with 70-90 per cent of their bodies burned, stressing that doctors would normally and “obviously” give them immediate pain control. And a regular change of dressing would be carried out under sterile conditions; and if the burns are extensive, they are put to sleep for the process because it is so “exquisitely painful”.

    But in Gaza, pain relief is not an option.

    Dr. Tanya also quoted the doctors currently serving in Gaza who, to describe their situation, used words like “inhumane”, “intolerable”, “unbearable”.

    “They are crying out to the outside world and many of them are giving up. They’re saying the world has come together to eliminate us,” she reiterated.

    Others say, “They are deaf and blind to our suffering. All we have is God.”

  • Bahrain to cut diplomatic and economic ties with Israel

    Bahrain to cut diplomatic and economic ties with Israel

    Bahrain has severed its economic ties with Israel, recalling its ambassador as the country continues bombarding Gaza.

    Bahrain took the step in the wake of Israel’s war on Gaza to show its support for the Palestinian cause and “The legitimate right of Palestinian people.”

    The Israeli ambassador had already left Bahrain. This announcement comes on the heels of Jordan’s decision to summon its envoy back home.

    Bahrain is the first Arab country to recall its ambassador from among the four that signed the Abraham Accords with Israel back in 2020. This agreement of normalization of ties brought in huge economic deals and the start of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

    Since October 7, Colombia, Chile, and Bolivia have cut ties with Israel and Bahrain is the newest addition to the list.

  • Death toll crosses 9,000: What we know about day 27

    Death toll crosses 9,000: What we know about day 27

    Biden finally calls for a ‘pause’ in war

    For the first time since October 7, US President Joe Biden has called for a humanitarian “pause” to Israel’s war in Gaza, asserting the eimportance of evacuation of all citizens in Gaza.

    “I think we need a pause,” he said on Wednesday when a heckler referred to an immediate ceasefire during a campaign speech.

    Biden was asked what he meant by “pause” to which he responded, “Time to get the prisoners out.”

    The White House later clarified that the reference was of captives under Hamas.

    Almost 200 killed, over 100 missing in Jabalia bombing

    According to a report by Gaza’s Government Media Office, more than 1,000 people have been affected by bombing on Jabalia refugee camp which includes 195 killed, 120 missing and at least 777 wounded.

    The Israeli military attacked the camp on Tuesday as well as Wednesday promoting the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to deem the attacks “appalling”, while the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said the “disproportionate attacks” could amount to “war crimes”.

    Israel, on the contrary, claimed to have targeted a Hamas commander.

    12,000 targets in Gaza attacked

    Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari has stated that more than 12,000 targets have been attacked since October 7.

    Eleven bakeries destroyed

    UN relief agency UNOCHA has reported on the destruction of 11 bakeries in Gaza that were struck by Israel since October 7.

    Now, only nine bakeries are reportedly left in Gaza as of Wednesday.

    While UNOCHA is supplying the bakeries with flour, they are, nonetheless, struggling to operate due to fuel shortages and additionally, people have to wait in long queues.

    Israel-Lebanon conflict continues

    Al Jazeera reported that the Israeli army claimed that one of its drones was shot down by a surface-to-air missile fired from Lebanon.

    The military responded by attacking the squad and the site from where the rocket was launched.

    Egypt to help evacuate ‘about 7,000’ foreign nationals

    The Foreign Ministry released a statement saying that Egypt will help evacuate “about 7,000” foreigners and dual nationals from Gaza through Rafah border.

    These 7,000 people consist of “more than 60” nationalities.

    At least 60 people detained across the occupied West Bank

    In an overnight raid by the Israeli forces, at least 60 people have been detained across the occupied West Bank.

    The total number of Palestinians detained since October 7 now crosses 1,800.

    Additionally, 132 people have been killed in the occupied West Bank while more than 2,100 are wounded.

    Israeli agricultural sector struggling

    The Ministry of Labor reported that Israel’s agricultural sector is reportedly affected with “significant damage” as thousands of foreign workers have left since October 7.

    More than a quarter of about 30,000 foreign workers working in Israel have departed while about 20,000 Palestinian agricultural workers have not been allowed to enter Israel.

    The ministry has now given a green signal to 5,000 foreign workers to overcome the shortage in the agriculture sector.

    Credits: Al Jazeera

  • Biden calls for humanitarian ‘pause’ in Israel’s war in Gaza

    Biden calls for humanitarian ‘pause’ in Israel’s war in Gaza

    Washington (AFP) – President Joe Biden, when responding to a heckler at a Minnesota campaign event Wednesday night, said he thinks there should be a humanitarian “pause” in the Israeli-Hamas war to get “prisoners” out of Gaza.

    The 80-year-old Democrat was delivering remarks to some 200 supporters in the northern US state when a member of the audience shouted out to him.

    “As a rabbi, I need you to call for a ceasefire right now,” she said, referring to the deadly conflict between Israel and Hamas.

    The president responded: “I think we need a pause. A pause means giving time to get the prisoners out.”

    Asked about his remarks, the White House later clarified that by “prisoners” the president was referring to hostages held by Hamas.

    Biden engaged further with the woman, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by the nickname Bibi.

    “I’m the guy that convinced Bibi to call for a ceasefire to let the prisoners out. I’m the guy that talked to (Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-)Sisi to convince him to open the door” along Gaza’s border with Egypt to allow freed hostages to leave.

    Biden indicated that he was discussing the recent release of two US hostages formerly held by the Palestinian Islamist group.

    The White House has previously called for “humanitarian pauses” to allow aid to be delivered into Gaza or to carry out evacuations, but has so far refused to discuss a ceasefire, believing it would exclusively play into the hands of Hamas.

    The war between Israel and Hamas entered its 26th day on Wednesday.

    In retaliation for the bloody attack by Hamas on October 7, the Israeli army has relentlessly bombed the Gaza Strip, and has launched an increasingly extensive ground operation into the territory.

  • Remember their names: Al Jazeera breaks down casualty report from Gaza

    Remember their names: Al Jazeera breaks down casualty report from Gaza

    Last week, Gaza’s Health Ministry released a list of Palestinians killed by the on-going Israeli attacks on the besieged strip.

    The list was released a day after US President Joe Biden questioned the accuracy of the death toll of the Palestinian health ministry in Gaza.

    “I have no notion that the Palestinians are telling the truth about how many people are killed,” he said.

    This was followed by a release of a comprehensive report on October 26, detailing the names, ages, gender and ID numbers of 6,747 of the victims.

    From October 7 to October 25 alone, a span of 19 days, at least 7,028 people were killed in Israeli attacks which included 2,913 children.

    Al Jazeera has now broken down the data, revealing that 7,028 deaths in 19 days means 370 average daily deaths. While 16,297 injuries indicated 858 average daily injuries.

    Moreover, 73 per cent of those killed in the attacks were women, children and the elderly.

    Among the victims are:
    133 babies below the age of one
    482 toddlers (1-3 years old)
    344 preschoolers (4-5 years old)
    1,042 primary school children (6-12 years old)
    664 high school children (13-17 years old)
    966 young adults (18-25 years old)
    2,506 adults (26-55 years old)
    521 Nakba survivors (56-74 years old)
    89 Nakba survivors (75+ years old)

    Read more: Know their names

  • Angelina Jolie issues second statement within one week, condemning Gaza bombing

    Angelina Jolie issues second statement within one week, condemning Gaza bombing

    The Israeli forces bombed Jabalia, the largest refugee camp in Gaza which has left over 195 killed and 120 civilians missing, bringing the death toll closer to 9000.

    Hollywood actress and philanthropist Angelina Jolie shared a picture of the aftermath of Israel’s attack as well as a statement critcising Israel for attacking innocent civilians and children. Angelina urged for a ceasefire, pointing out that world leaders were complicit in these crimes by refusing to prevent these atrocities.

    “This is the deliberate bombing of a trapped population who have nowhere to flee. Gaza has been an open-air prison for nearly two decades and is fast becoming a mass grave. 40% of those killed are innocent children. Whole families are being murdered. While the world watches and with the active support of many governments, millions of Palestinian civilians – children, women, families – are being collectively punished and dehumanized, all while being deprived food, medicine and humanitarian aid against international law. By refusing to demand a humanitarian ceasefire and blocking the UN Security Council from imposing one on both parties, world leaders are complicit in these crimes.”

    In the second slide of her post, Angelina shared significant history behind Jabalia which holds one of Gaza’s largest refugee camps.

    “Jabalia refugee camp is the largest of the Gaza Strip’s eight refugee camps. After the 1948 War, refugees settled in the camp, most having fled from villages in southern Palestine. The camp covers an area of only 1.4 square kilometers, 116,011 Palestine Refugees are registered with the UNRWA in Jabalia camp alone, 75 years since the Palestine conflict.”

    Just a few days earlier, Angelina issued a statement urging her followers to help the people in Gaza who were being violently displaced by the ongoing attrocities and shared links to places that were taking donations to help the Palestinian civilians.

  • Wounded Gazans to cross Rafah border for treatment: What we know about day 26

    Wounded Gazans to cross Rafah border for treatment: What we know about day 26

    Jabalia refugee camp attack

    On Tuesday, Israeli air strikes targeted the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza — the largest refugee camp in Gaza sheltering children, women, and men.

    An IDF spokesman confirmed to Wolf Blitzer on CNN that an Israeli strike hit the Jabalia refugee camp, killing hundreds of civilians.

    “There was a very senior Hamas commander in that area,” Israeli army spokesperson Richard Hecht told CNN. “We’re looking into it and we’ll be coming out with more data as we learn what happened there.”

    As per reports, at least 50 have been killed so far while 400 have been injured.

    Wounded Gazans to cross Rafah border

    Rafah border will reportedly open today to allow wounded Palestinians into Egypt for treatment in hospitals.

    On Tuesday, AFP news reported that a large number of ambulances had gathered at Rafah and that according to Egyptian medical officials, “Medical teams will be present at the crossing to examine the cases … and determine the hospitals they will be sent to.”

    Additionally, a field hospital will be built to treat wounded Palestinians in Sheikh Zuweid — about 15 kilometres from Rafah.

    Telecommunication cut again

    Palestinian telecoms company has said that, “All communications and Internet services” with Gaza has been cut off.
    Paltel said there is a “complete interruption” of the services with the Gaza Strip.

    It said the interruption was caused by “International routes that were previously reconnected being cut off again”.

    Houthi attack on Israel

    Yemen’s Houthi militants have claimed to have launched a “large number” of ballistic missiles and drones targeting Israel, and warning of more attacks.

    Previously, on Tuesday morning, Israel military claimed to have destroyed an unidentified “aerial target” over the Red Sea.

    “There was no threat or risk to civilians,” they said.

  • Gaza women taking period-delaying pills amidst lack of privacy, water: Al Jazeera exclusive

    Gaza women taking period-delaying pills amidst lack of privacy, water: Al Jazeera exclusive

    Linah Alsaafin and Ruwaida Amer from Al Jazeera have reported from Gaza on Palestinian women who have been struggling to cope with menses at a time when medical supplies have been cut and the region is under heavy military attacks by Israel.

    Since Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, Gazans have been internally displaced, living in poor conditions among a large number of people with no privacy, and no access to water or menstrual hygiene products like sanitary napkins and/or tampons. To counter this major problem, women are resorting to norethisterone tablets that are usually prescribed in times of severe menstrual bleeding, endometriosis, and painful periods.

    While these pills have side effects like irregular vaginal bleeding, nausea, changes to the menstrual cycle, dizziness and mood swings, Palestinian women do not have any choice for now.

    Al Jazeera spoke to 41-year-old Salma who fled her hometown, Tel al-Hawa, and is now at a relative’s place in Deir el-Balah refugee camp. She is in a “constant state of fear, discomfort and depression, which has taken a toll on her menstrual cycle”.

    “I am experiencing the most difficult days of my life during this war,” Salma says. “I got my period twice this month so far – which is very irregular for me – and suffered heavy bleeding.”

    Nevin Adnan, a psychologist and social worker based in Gaza City, explained to Al Jazeera that while normally, women may experience psychological and physical symptoms before and during periods (changes in mood and lower abdominal, back pain); these symptoms, however, can worsen under stress.

    “Displacement causes extreme stress and that affects the woman’s body and her hormones,” she said.

    “There can also be an increase of the physical symptoms associated with menstruation, such as abdominal and back pain, constipation and bloating,” she said, adding that they may also experience insomnia, constant nervousness and extreme tension.

    This is why, Adnan asserts, more women are taking period-delaying pills “to avoid embarrassment and shame due to the lack of hygiene, privacy, and available health products”.

    “In war, we are forced to do everything we can,” says Salma.

    “There is never a choice.”

    Read full story: No privacy, no water: Gaza women use period-delaying pills amid war

  • ‘If Israel does not stop massacre of Palestinians, we cannot be there’: Colombia warns

    Colombian President Gustavo Petro has warned Israel about breaking off diplomatic ties if the country does not stop attacks in the Gaza Strip.

    Colombia recalled its ambassador to Israel on Tuesday.

    “I have decided to recall our ambassador to Israel for consultations. If Israel does not stop the massacre of the Palestinian people, we cannot be there,” Petro said on X.

    “Now the neo-Nazis want the destruction of the Palestinian people, freedom, and culture,” he wrote in X.

    “If we have to suspend foreign relations with Israel, we suspend them,” he said on X. “We do not support genocides.”

    His stance led to a reaction from US Embassy in Bogota: “We are dismayed to see Colombian President Gustavo Petro compare the Israeli government with Hitler’s genocidal regime. We strongly condemn your statements and ask that you condemn Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, for the callous murders of Israeli men, women and children.”

  • Bolivia cuts ties with Israel

    Bolivia cuts ties with Israel

    In the light of the latest developments in the Gaza strip where Israel is proceeding with its military operations, killing more than 8,000 people, Bolivia’s government has announced on Tuesday that its breaking diplomatic ties with Israel.

    Bolivia “has decided to break diplomatic relations with the Israeli state in repudiation and condemnation of the aggressive and disproportionate Israeli military offensive taking place in the Gaza Strip,” Deputy Foreign Minister Freddy Mamani announced at a press conference.

    Bolivia also called for a cease-fire and an end to “the blockade that prevents the entry of food, water and other essential elements for life.”

    Interim Foreign Minister Maria Nela Prada asserted that the press conference had been held “in reference to the crimes against humanity being committed in the Gaza Strip against the Palestinian people.”

    Last time Bolivia had cut diplomatic ties with Israel was in 2009 under the leftist President Evo Morales, also in protest of atrocities committed by Israel in Gaza. But in 2020, the right-wing government of interim President Jeanine Anez reestablished ties.

    Morales, on social media, urged the current President Luis Arce to condemn Israel and to deem it a terrorist state.

    Previously, on Monday, Arce had a meeting with the Palestinian ambassador to Bolivia after which he had posted, “We reject the war crimes being committed in Gaza. We support international initiatives to guarantee humanitarian aid, in compliance with international law,”.