Hamas has released two American captives who were captured in the October 7 attacks on Israel.
Judith Raanan and her daughter Natalie Raanan are also the first ones to be released since the attacks.
Al Jazeera reports that Hamas’s armed wing al-Qassam Brigades spokesperson Abu Ubaida said that they freed the hostages “for humanitarian reasons” following mediating attempts made by Qatar.
US President Joe Biden thanked Qatar and Israel for their collective efforts in ensuring their release.
A spokesperson for Qatar’s foreign ministry stated that the release was the result of “many days of continuous communication with all parties” and that they hope to “release of all civilian hostages from every nationality”.
The Israeli military believes that many of the detained are still alive.
Following October 7 and the killings of 1,400 Israelis at the hands of Hamas, Israel has killed more than 4,000 Palestinians in Gaza Strip as a response; and has also foisted a “complete siege” which it says it will not lift till Israeli hostages are freed.
Red Cross released a statement stating, “The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) helped facilitate this release by transporting the hostages from Gaza to Israel, underscoring the real-life impact of our role as a neutral actor between the warring parties,
“The ICRC continues to call for the immediate release of all hostages. We are ready to visit the remaining hostages and to facilitate any future release following an agreement reached by the parties.”
On Thursday, Muslim and Jewish congressional staff members in the US signed a letter demanding that Congress call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. They termed the situation “especially urgent” in view of “antisemitism, anti-Muslim, and anti-Palestinian sentiment on the rise nationwide.”
The letter has been reportedly signed by 411 staffers, opposing the Biden administration’s approach to the Israeli assault on Palestine.
Following the events of October 7, an Illinois man killed a 6-year-old Palestinian-American child in Chicago. Jewish and Muslims have expressed fear of increasing hate crimes.
As the letter condemned the Hamas attack on Israel, it then highlighted the “catastrophic suffering” of the Palestinians “at the hands of the Israeli government”.
It underlined the 6,000 bombs dropped on the Gaza strip, death of more than 4,000 Palesinians, shortage of food, medicine, water, electricity etc because of Israeli blockade.
“We have appreciated seeing nearly every Member of Congress express quick and unequivocal solidarity with the Israeli people, but we are profoundly disturbed that such shows of humanity have barely been extended to the Palestinian people. Only a fraction have called for a cease fire or at least cessation of hostilities. We believe that Palestinian civilians deserve to be remembered,mourned, and defended with the same rigor that Jewish Israelis deserve from the U.S. Congress.”the letter read.
“As Muslims and Jews, we are tired of reliving generational fears of genocide and ethnic cleansing. We are tired of leaders pushing us to blame each other, exploiting our pain and our histories to rationalize political agendas and justify violence.”
NEW: More than 400 (anonymous) congressional staffers signed an open letter calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and saying they are “profoundly disturbed” that their bosses’ “shows of humanity” for Israelis have barely been extended to the Palestinian people.” pic.twitter.com/CGSDZeAbGz
Previously, a US Department of State senior official had resigned after America’s assurance to provide increased military aid to Israel, saying the US-back Gaza war would consequently result in trouble for Israelis as well as Palestinians.
Josh Paul, a director in the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, published a note on social media on Wednesday that the administration of President Joe Biden was repeating the same mistakes Washington has been making for decades.
“The response Israel is taking, and with it the American support both for that response and for the status quo of the occupation, will only lead to more and deeper suffering for both the Israeli and the Palestinian people,” he wrote.
“I fear we are repeating the same mistakes we have made these past decades, and I decline to be a part of it for longer,” he said, adding that the Biden administration’s “blind support for one side” was leading to policy decisions that were “shortsighted, destructive, unjust and contradictory to the very values we publicly espouse”.
The Greek Orthodox Saint Porphyrius Church, a shelter for several Palestinian families in Gaza, was struck by Israeli bombing on Thursday night.
Muslims and Christians, together, were seeking refuge under its roof however, Israel military targeted the Church killing and injuring dozens.
According to Gaza’s Hamas-run government media office, 18 Christian Palestinians were among the killed.
Israel air strike destroys al-Omari Mosque
In another Israeli air raid, the historic al-Omari Mosque in the northern Gaza Strip has been razed.
Humanitarian aid stuck at the closed Rafah crossing
Humanitarian aid consisting of food, medicine, water purifiers, hygiene products and blankets have been stacking up in Egypt’s Sinai region at El Arish airport.
It had been decided that Rafah border, the gateway to Gaza, would open but as of Friday morning, it remains closed.
Some report that it could open on Saturday.
On Thursday, the UN chief Antonio Guterres said in Cairo that “rapid, unimpeded humanitarian access” is urgently required and that the Rafah crossing and El Arish airport “are not only critical, they are our only hope” and “lifelines” for the people of Gaza.
100+ targets attacked Gaza overnight
The Israeli army claims to have attacked more than 100 targets last night across Gaza Strip.
The attacks have reportedly destroyed tunnel shafts, munitions warehouses and dozens of operational headquarters.
Health ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qudra spoke at a press briefing outside al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, saying that seven main hospitals and 21 health centres are now out of service.
Forty-six members of medical teams have been killed and 23 ambulances are completely destroyed.
“What’s going on in the Gaza Strip is a big massacre against our Palestinian people, against the Muslims and Christians … Israel is undoubtedly going to commit more massacres and the international world is witnessing [this],” he said.
He also reported that 4,137 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since October 7 which includes 1,661 children whereas 13,260 people are wounded.
Palestinians harassed in West Bank
Since October 7, raids and arrests of Palestinians have increased in the West Bank — to be specific, more than 900 have been arrested in just two weeks whereas at least 10 people have been taken from Nur Shams refugee camp last night.
20 arrested in the Nur Shams refugee camp
The Israeli army has arrested 20 people and killed a dozen “terrorists” during its operation in the Nur Shams refugee camp in the occupied West Bank.
According to Al Jazeera, at least 13 people have been killed among whom seven were children.
Since the Hamas attack in Israel, around 900 people have been arrested from the occupied West Bank, and at least 10 people were taken from this refugee camp alone last night.
Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf posted a video message on X (formerly Twitter), saying that the U.K. is willing to take Gaza refugees in, following Israel’s bombardment of Palestine.
“So, many of them don’t want to leave and neither they should have to leave but for the million that have been displaced just in this current conflict, for those that want to leave, there should be a worldwide refugee scheme,
“Because of the numbers, the world should be involved.”
Yousaf also urged other countries to open their borders to refugees from Gaza.
The people of Gaza are a proud people.
Many don’t want to leave, and shouldn’t have to.
But for those displaced, who want to leave, there should be a worldwide refugee scheme.
Scotland is willing to be a place of sanctuary and be the first country to take those refugees. pic.twitter.com/5RbZpJsGHX
“Let’s say that Scotland will be a place of sanctuary for them as we have shown that kindness and compassion for others. Let us show it once again and this time for the people of Gaza,” Yousaf said, adding that Scotland is willing to lead the way for the rest of the U.K.
“And Scotland is willing to be the first country in the U.K. to take those refugees,” he said.
In another video, the First Minister stated that Scotland’s hospitals will care for the Gazans injured in the escalation and requested the U.K. government to “begin work on the creation of a refugee resettlement scheme for those in Gaza who want to, and of course are able to, leave.”
In the past, people in Scotland and across the UK have opened our hearts and our homes.
Scotland is ready to play her part.
To be the first country in the UK to offer safety and sanctuary to the people of Gaza.
Several members of the Labour Party have resigned since the Israel bombing of escalation on October 7.
The Labour Party is currently in the opposition in the UK whose leader, Keir Starmer, recently stated that Israel has the “right” to cut power and water supplies to Gaza. Similar comments were issued by prominent members including shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry and shadow defence minister John Healey.
This was followed by a resignation from Oxford City councillor Shaista Aziz. As a former international aid worker, she has worked in the occupied West Bank, Israel, and refugee camps in Gaza.
13.10.23
Statement of resignation from the Labour Party from Cllr Shaista Aziz, Cllr Amar Latif, Oxford City Council.
We stand in solidarity with the people of Israel and Palestine and call for and end to violence and the humanitarian crisis. pic.twitter.com/2L7a5ovDIJ
Middle East Eye spoke to her and she said, “The Labour Party leader’s stance on not being able to condemn collective punishment of Palestinians in Gaza was the final red line for me,”.
In an interview, Strarmer was asked about the seige, blockade, and the killing by Israel to which he replied that while all action must be taken within the international law, “I don’t want to step away from the core principles that Israel has the right to defend herself.”
Among other Labour councillors who have resigned are Amar Latif, Mairéad Healy and Jessie Hoskin.
“As a working GP, I am deeply distressed by the loss of all innocent lives in both Palestine and Israel. However, it cannot be right that there is collective punishment in direct contravention of international law, and it is incumbent on all leaders at a local, national and international level to speak out against this,” said Latif.
Similarly, Hopkins stated, “I was elected because I believe in human dignity for everyone without exception. The Labour Party no longert reflects those views,”
While Healy said the Labour leadership was “encouraging collective punishment towards the Palestinian people by condoning the indiscriminate withholding of water and energy supplies in Gaza,” which she believes is illegal under international law.
Climate Change activist Greta Thunberg has raised her voice in calling for an end to the genocide in Palestine. She shared a post on Instagram, holding the poster ‘Free Gaza’ and announced that she was striking in solidarity with Palestine.
“Week 270. Today we are striking in solidarity with Palestine and Gaza. The world needs to speak up and call for an immediate ceasefire, justice and freedom for Palestinians and all civilians affected.”
The climate change activist also shared several accounts for her followers to educate themselves on the struggle for Free Palestine.
The Greek Orthodox Saint Porphyrius Church, a shelter for several Palestinian families in Gaza, was struck by Israeli bombing on Thursday night.
Muslims and Christians, together, were seeking refuge under its roof however, Israel military targeted the Church killing and injuring dozens.
According to Gaza’s Hamas-run government media office, 18 Christian Palestinians were among the killed.
The Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem has conveyed its “strongest condemnation” of the attack, saying that “targeting churches and their institutions, along with the shelters they provide to protect innocent citizens, especially children and women who have lost their homes due to Israeli air strikes on residential areas over the past 13 days, constitutes a war crime”.
A Palestinian Christians shout out to world.”where should we go? They bombed my house, my church, no where left to go!”. Two killed and tens injured at the Greek Orthodox Church in central Gaza, where civilians,Muslims and Christians, were taking shelter. pic.twitter.com/WnlFVsqZFF
Israel just bombed the 3rd oldest church in the world murdering a few more scores of Palestinians. For those of you still in denial of a genocide, we have community members with 30-40 relatives wiped out in Gaza. It’s not just Muslims, it’s everything and everyone Palestinian. pic.twitter.com/W0YEAekY7P
At the site of Greek Orthodox Saint Porphyrius Church, a church was built back in 425 AD but in 1150s or 1160s, the Crusaders named it Saint Porphyrius Church after a bishop renowned for introducing Christianity to Gaza in 395 to 420 AD.
The ancient Saint Porphyrius Orthodox Church in Gaza, a significant historical site dating back to 425 AD, has reportedly been struck by Israeli airstrikes. The church bears the name of Saint Porphyrius, the bishop renowned for introducing Christianity to Gaza during his tenure… pic.twitter.com/5aL14EQnYK
— Jehad Abusalim جهاد أبو سليم (@JehadAbusalim) October 19, 2023
British prime minister Rishi Sunak landed in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Thursday morning to meet his counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu and President Herzog.
During his meeting with Herzog, he said that it is vital to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza, stating, “Palestinians are victims of what Hamas has done. It’s important that we continue to provide humanitarian access,”
He, nonetheless, stressed on his full support to Israel to “defend” itself, “to bring security back” in the country to its people, and “to ensure the safe return of the hostages that have been taken”.
The United Nations has reported that one million people have fled their homes in Gaza, including about 352,000 people who are currently residing in UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.
The conditions of these shelters are described as “increasingly dire“.
121 people killed since yesterday
Al Jazeera spoke to a medical source who reported that 121 had been killed and 540 injured in the Gaza Strip since last night.
Additionally, WAFA has reported that a Palestinian man has been killed by Israeli forces while a child was killed in a refugee camp — both in the occupied West Bank .
The child was reportedly 14-year-old Ahmed Munis Sadouq who was shot in the head.
Others have been injured.
Gaza’s only cancer hospital closed
Al Jazeera reports that Dr Sukeyk, the director of the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, has issued an alert that the fuel required to keep essential services running is extremely low and so are the medicines needed during chemotherapy treatment for cancer patients.
There are reportedly more than 9,000 cancer patients in the Gaza Strip with no other hospital to go to.
Doctors using vinegar to treat wound infections
Surgeon Ghassan Abu Sitta says he has resorted to using “vinegar from the corner shop to treat pseudomonas bacterial wound infections.”
“It’s come to that,” he said on X.
Vinegar from the corner shop to treat pseuodomonas bacterial wound infections. Its come to that. pic.twitter.com/mEE4haHMyj
The Israeli army has claimed to have targeted and destroyed hundreds of Hamas’s points in Gaza including anti-tank missile launch sites, tunnel shafts intelligence positions, and more.
They have reportedly also killed the fighters involved in October 7 attacks.
Hamas’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, confirmed the killings of three of its fighters on Wednesday.
US vetoes UNSC resolution calling for humanitarian halt
US President Biden has announced a pact with Egypt’s el-Sisi which will allow 20 trucks of humanitarian aid into Gaza through the Rafah border crossing.
Earlier, on Wednesday, US vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that, while condemning Hamas’s attack on Israel, called for a pause in the Israel-Palestine escalation and allow aid into Gaza.
The US was the only opponent in the resolution amongst the 12 members who voted in favour whereas Russia and the UK abstained.
US reasoning was that the Brazil-drafted text did not assert enough on Israel’s right to self-defence.
Israel police boss threatens to send anti-war protesters to Gaza
While people across the globe protest against Israeli atrocities in Gaza, some Israelis too, have taken to streets of Haifa to hold pro-Palestine demonstration.
Israel’s police chief responded by saying that there will be “zero tolerance” for pro-Palestinian protests in Israel and threatened the protesters with sending them to Gaza.
Six people have been reportedly arrested
“Whoever wants to become an Israeli citizen, welcome,” Shabtai said. “Anyone who wants to identify with Gaza is welcome. I will put him on the buses heading there now.”
— NEW: Israeli Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai banned pro-Gaza demonstrations: “Whoever wants to be a citizen of Israel, is welcome. Anyone who wants to identify with Gaza, we will put him on the buses heading there now.”
A left-wing Israeli parliament member, Ofer Cassif has been suspended for 45 daya by the ethics panel of the Israeli parliament whose statements were deemed as anti-Israel.
In an interview, he compared Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions in Gaza to the Nazis’ ‘Final Solution’ against Jews in Europe.
Referring to the Hamas attack he claimed that “Israel wanted this violence”.
Cassif called the suspension “another nail in the coffin of freedom of political expression”.
1> החלטת ועדת האתיקה היא עוד מסמר בארון הקבורה של חופש הביטוי הפוליטי.
בכל אחד מראיונותיי הדגשתי את הגינוי המלא וסלידתי העמוקה ממעשי הטבח הנפשעים של חמאס. אמירותי הפוליטיות נגד הכיבוש והמלחמה אינן אמירות נגד ישראל, שכן שלום וצדק משרתות גם אותה ואת תושביה. pic.twitter.com/ilsKBSbwG3
British prime minister Rishi Sunak landed in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Thursday morning to meet his counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu and President Herzog.
He wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “I am in Israel, a nation in grief. I grieve with you and stand with you against the evil that is terrorism. Today, and always.”
I am in Israel, a nation in grief.
I grieve with you and stand with you against the evil that is terrorism.
During his meeting with Herzog, he said that it is vital to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza, stating, “Palestinians are victims of what Hamas has done. It’s important that we continue to provide humanitarian access,”
He, nonetheless, stressed on his full support to Israel to “defend” itself, “to bring security back” in the country to its people, and “to ensure the safe return of the hostages that have been taken”.
As per reports of the meeting by Al Jazeera, “The Prime Minister and President Herzog stressed the imperative need to avoid further escalation of violence in the region. They agreed to continue working together to that end.”
Later, PM Netanyahu, during his meeting with his British counterpart, said Hamas’ attack on October 7 was carried out to “destroy Israel’s regional peace moves in the region”.
PM Sunak stated that the UK will provide increased aid to the region.
“I’m proud to stand here with you in Israel’s darkest hour. As your friend, we will stand with you in solidarity, we will stand with your people, and we also want you to win,” Sunak said.
In a short press conference, PM Netanyahu said, “This is not merely our battle, it’s the battle of the entire civilised war, the battle of Israel, the battle of moderate Arab countries, the battle of the free world, the battle for the future,
“We have two forces – one is an axis of evil run by Iran and supported by Hezbollah, Hamas and others that want to bring back the Middle East to the Middle Ages … to the age of war and slavery.
“The other forces [are those] of progress and humanity who want to push for a world of peace and prosperity.”
PM Rishi Sunak will depart for Saudi Arabia today to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The protest was organised by the Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) and IfNotNow. The protesters demanded Congress to push for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The Biden administration is openly siding with Israel in its increased attacks on Palestinians following the October 7 attacks by Hamas. It has, so far, resulted in the killings of more than 3,300 Palestinians and injury of more than 10,000.
“The root of violence is oppression, and we’re here to say no in our names,” Jewish Voice for Peace posted on X. “We have the power to stop the ongoing atrocities against Palestinians. We refuse to standby as the Israeli government commits genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.”
The root of violence is oppression, and we’re here to say not in our names.
We have the power to stop the ongoing atrocities against Palestinians. We refuse to standby as the Israeli government commits genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. #ceasefirenowpic.twitter.com/cQ5bgYCGsP
JVP has reported that around 10,000 protesters gathered outside the Capitol building and 500 more went inside “to demand an end to the Israeli and U.S. government’s genocide in Gaza.”
Today, 500 Jews were arrested and 10k took to the streets to support and to demand a ceasefire and an end to Palestinian genocide.
We shut down congress to draw mass attention to the U.S. complicity in Israel’s ongoing oppression of Palestinians. But our work isn’t done. pic.twitter.com/1aQf15Xx0D
“I wish all the Palestinian people would see this. I wish they could see that not all of America want them to die. That they are not disposable, that they have a right to live,” said Rashida Tlaib, the only current Palestinian-American member of Congress.
On the other hand, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene asked the U.S. Capitol Police to maintain surveillance footage and photos, police reports and arrest records from the protest.
In a series of posts on X, Greene disapproved of the demonstrations.
The Palestinian Lives and Israel genocide narrative is the new Black Lives Matter.
And the Hamas Caucus is starting it now.
They have voted every time for funding war in Ukraine but now are calling for peace in Gaza but make no mistake they are Pro Hamas and against Israel.
