Despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which was announced early Friday morning, Israel ruthlessly attacked worshippers at Al-Aqsa during Friday prayers.
Israel occupation forces attack worshipers in the courtyards of Al Aqsa Mosque. pic.twitter.com/oPjv0yrXk6
Israel fired rubber bullets and shelled both Masjid Al-Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock, Islam’s third holiest site.
Watch | Israeli occupation forces raid the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied #Jerusalem. Several injuries were reported among the worshipers. pic.twitter.com/GZz3Dy4a3c
Israel’s bombardment of Gaza killed at least 243 Palestinians, including 66 children, in 11 days and brought widespread devastation to the already impoverished territory. On the Israeli side, 12 people, including two children, were killed.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Member of the National Assembly Kanwal Shauzab, justified the actions of Adolf Hitler during a session in Parliament. She was giving a speech about Israel’s atrocities against the people of Palestine.
#PTI MNA Kanwal Shauzab: Hitler said he had spared some Jews to let the world know why he killed them. Muslims welcomed Jews in Palestine but Jews have been ungrateful. Today we are deficient in faith. Probably we have kept out nukes to be used as crackers on Barat Night. pic.twitter.com/K8CfbChJRc
Kanwal Shauzab’s speech went viral on social media with many people criticising her for her anti-semitic comments.
Zarrar Khuhro, who hosts a show on Dawn News TV, also explained discussed Kanwal’s speech, discussing how the actions of a man who conducted a mass genocide should not be used in a ‘positive way’.
In her speech, Kanwal said that Adolf Hitler had said that, “I spared some Jews to let the world know why I killed them,” but Zarrar pointed out that the quote was wrongly attributed to Hitler.
Adolf Hitler was responsible for the Holocaust, which took place between 1941 and 1945 and killed almost six million Jews in Germany and other parts of Europe.
Afridi took to his social media and expressed his support for the victims of the deadly Israeli bombardment in Gaza City. He assured them that they are not alone amid this oppression.
The poem read: “This message is for you, children of the land of Palestine. We are far away here, but our hearts beat with you, in the same way that the hearts of our fathers and their fathers, beat with your ancestors. All the knots of sorrow, anxiety, fear and worry are temporary. All avenues of grief are temporary!”
Afridi shared two pictures with his daughter, in which they can be seen holding Palestinian flags in their hands.
Israeli fighter jets continue to pound the Gaza City on Thursday. The death toll has increased to 227 Palestinians, including 64 children, in 11 days of violence.
The United Nations Security Council’s effort for a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza remains stalled, with the United States continuing to veto action on the issue.
In wake of the unfolding events in Palestine, Usman Mukhtar has delayed the release of his directorial project Bench, which was scheduled to release on May 20.
In a social media post, Mukhtar wrote: “Hello everyone, as you might have heard, our film Bench was set to release on YouTube on the 20th of May.”
“However, as excited as we are to show you our work, we are beyond devastated seeing all the atrocities being carried out in Palestine,” continued the actor, adding: “In the wake of the unfolding events and out of respect for the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Palestine, we have decided to delay the release.”
Mukhtar promised that he would release it in “happier times”.
Mukhtar also encouraged people with social media following and platform to raise their voice against the dilemma currently unfolding within the middle-east. While censorship and suppression of the ongoing events is widespread, it is important to continue to raise your voice on the matter.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to request everyone reading this post to please pray for the people suffering and keep sharing anything you can on social media,” said Mukhtar.
“It helps more than we know. If you have a voice, a platform, a following, you must use it,” he added with a flag of Palestine.
Besides Mukhtar, several other celebrities including Ayeza Khan, Shehzad Roy and Feroze Khan have raised their voice against the brutality of Israel on Palestinians.
Pakistani humanitarian Faisal Edhi has announced that he has submitted a visa request with the Palestinian embassy in Pakistan to grant him permission to fly to Palestine and help the Palestinians who have been subjected to Israeli atrocities for a long time now.
“We want to take part in the relief work in Palestine via the Edhi Foundation. Five people, including my son Saad Edhi [and myself], will be going to Palestine,” says Faisal.
Son of renowned philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi and chairman of the Edhi Foundation, Faisal said that his organisation will buy food and medicine from Egypt, adding that the foundation has set aside a budget of “Rs25-30 million” for the purpose.
“We do not want any support from the government as we will do everything with the help of people,” said Edhi.
Israeli airstrikes hammered the Gaza Strip after a week of violence that has killed nearly 200 Palestinians, despite international calls for de-escalation.
With the nonstop bombardment of missiles by Israelis and destruction of Palestinian homes, offices, security buildings and residential property, nearly 200 Palestinians have been killed, including 58 children, in the Gaza Strip as Israeli monstrosities enter the second week.
People across the world including Bella Hadid, Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik are raising their voices for the Palestinians with Pakistani celebrities too using their social media presence to call out atrocities of Israeli military on innocent people.
“Can you imagine kissing your child to sleep and not knowing if you all will see them again? That’s the reality of life in Palestine right now. That’s the horror those children, those innocent beings live in,” said Ayeza Khan. “My heart aches to even think about this. We can’t do much. But we do have a voice. And together, we can use it to stop the cruelties on our brothers and sisters.”
Maya Ali also took to Instagram and wrote: “All of my prayers are with the Palestinians.
She also prayed for the people of Palestine. “O Allah, please help, protect and support the people in Palestine and ease their pains and sufferings. Ameen!”
Maya added: “I’ve been absolutely speechless and heart broken of seeing the horrifying attacks on the innocent people of #Palestine. Its high time that we all come together, raise our voices and spread awareness about the current situation in Palestine. When the world unites, miracles happen!”
Sharing a viral video of a Palestinian girl questioning what her fault is and whether it is fair to attack them like this, Ayesha Omar said: “No it’s not. It’s not fair. It’s not fair. It’s not human.”
Yasir Hussain also expressed his sadness over the situation, saying: “Khamosh rehny waly tamaam Muslim mumaalik ye bhool rhy hain k aisa unky sath bhi ho sakta hai. Hamen khamoshi ki aadat dali ja rahi hai.“
Bilal Abbas Khan also shared pictures of protestors demanding to save Palestine from injustice and apartheid of Israel.
Other celebrities including Feroze Khan, Haroon Shahid, Shehzad Roy, Zara Noor Abbas and Hania Aamir among others also rose their voice and called out Israeli violence on Palestinians.
Looking at footages from Gaza, understanding the mindset of our neighbors and the intentions of the regime in power, I can only say on thing. Thank you Pakistan Army for letting us sleep in peace ❤️
Atrocities happening in #PalestineBleeding and their images will only make easier for terrorist organizations to convert and recruit sad & angry youth around the world for their extremist agendas and more innocent lives will be lost. West silence is shameful
UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Sunday called on Israel and Palestine to “immediately end fighting” and return to negotiations.
The current violence in Gaza & Israel only perpetuates the cycles of death, destruction & despair, and pushes farther to the horizon any hopes of coexistence & peace.
Fighting must stop immediately.
The @UN is actively engaging all sides towards an immediate ceasefire.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) May 16, 2021
“The United Nations is actively engaging all sides towards an immediate ceasefire,” António Guterres added.
All members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), who participated in an emergency meeting on the situation in Palestine on Sunday, urged Israel not to make demographic and territorial changes in the occupied territory and immediately cease its hostilities.
Pakistan on Sunday urged the US to play its role in addressing the worsening Palestine crisis and restore peace in the region.
Shared with @SecBlinken the people of grave concern on worsening humanitarian situation in Israeli Occupied Palestinian Territories & the important role of in ensuring necessary steps to help address the dire situation, restore peace, and facilitate a just solution. https://t.co/qFAtI0Egg1
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) May 16, 2021
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi spoke with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday. They discussed bilateral relations and important regional developments, particularly the deteriorating situation in Palestine.
The Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in their emergency meeting on Sunday condemned what they described as “barbaric” Israeli attacks on Palestinians and urged the UN Security Council to act swiftly to bring an end to the atrocities.
The meeting was convened by Saudi Arabia. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi represented Pakistan at the virtual session. He stressed upon the member states that the OIC must not fail the people of Palestine at this critical juncture.
Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have claimed the lives of 42 more people, taking the death toll to 188. According to Gaza health officials, 16 women and 10 children were killed in the recent air strikes which also targeted the home of a Hamas leader.
In a video posted on social media, the actor got emotional and said that she is ashamed of herself for living a comfortable life whereas, people in Palestine are being bombed. She all those watching to talk about the issue openly so that the pleas of the Palestinians could be amplified and heard across the world.
“Don’t stop talking! Be a better person,” wrote Aamir in the caption.
Hania also regretted how she was posting Eid photos and videos on social media instead of talking about the ongoing situation of Palestine.
The Ishqiya actor added that civil pressure is important for social change, saying: “So talk about it, just one hashtag or two hashtags won’t harm or consume your time.”
Agreeing with Hania, Ayesha Omar commented: “Absolutely. Absolutely. I couldn’t agree more.”
Meanwhile, Zara Noor Abbas also urged people to raise their voices for Palestinians saying that she is disappointed with those posting Eid pictures on social media.
“For people talking about Palestine/Gaza now, what happened to this conversation when everyone was posting pictures of Eid outfit [of day] 1,2 and 3,” said the actor.
She continued: “Let’s not make this topic convenience related. If you feel ashamed or broken for Gaza, then change your perspective on how you celebrate life of social media and put that particular light on the current chaos in Palestine.
“Don’t showcase happiness if you feel helpless,” she added.
Early on Monday, the Israeli military launched a fresh series of air raids on the Gaza Strip with explosions rocking the Gaza City from north to south in a bombardment that was heavier, wider and lasted longer than the air raids that killed at least 42 Palestinians and wounded dozens more on Sunday.
As per reports, at least 192 people, including 58 children and 34 women, have been killed in the Gaza Strip since violence erupted a week ago.
Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have claimed the lives of 42 more people, taking the death toll to 188. According to Gaza health officials, 16 women and 10 children were killed in the recent air strikes which also targeted the home of a Hamas leader.
Stories being shared from the region are devastating. A ten-year-old girl, heartbroken and tired from the atrocities she is having to face, questions the world,” I am only ten. How can one expect me to fix the ongoing situation?”
Israeli warplanes unleashed a new series of heavy airstrikes at several locations in Gaza early on Monday, hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signalled that the bombings would rage on.
In pictures: People march through downtown Chicago and attend a rally at Grant Park to protest Israeli air strikes on Gaza City pic.twitter.com/j99kIfmMfM
In pictures: Hundreds of Jordanians demonstrate in solidarity with Palestinians and protest against Israeli aggression in blockaded Gaza pic.twitter.com/IoCUyGYK6e
“There is no space in any of the hospital rooms,” Journalist Youmna Al Sayed reported, saying that Gaza’s healthcare system is on the verge of collapsing.
“There is no space in any of the hospital rooms.”
Journalist Youmna Al Sayed says Gaza’s healthcare system is on the verge of collapsing ⤵️
Confused about what’s going on in Palestine? Here is the breakdown:
It started in the early days of Ramzan when Israeli forces tried to block off areas where Muslim worshipers would gather after the evening prayer. After mass protests by Muslims in the area, the blockade was lifted. But that was not the end. Israeli police then tried to hamper the movement of buses carrying Muslim worshipers to the Old City in Jerusalem, where the third holiest mosque in Islam, Al-Aqsa is located. The police said they were trying to find specific people on the buses. But it was seen as an attempt to slow down Muslims from gathering at Al-Aqsa for prayers.
A man says his prayers while surrounded by Israeli police in the Old City
Parallel to what was happening in the Old City, fifteen minutes away, in the Palestinian neighbourhood of Al-Jarrah, Israeli settlers were trying to forcibly remove Palestinians from their homes. These homes had been given to the Palestinians in 1948 when Israeli was created, and the area was and has been predominantly Palestinian. A Jewish group is claiming that before the land was given to the Palestinians in 1948, the land belonged to the Jews. With what is being seen as help of the Israeli state, four Palestinian families were forcibly evicted from their homes. Protests erupted in the neighbourhood of Al-Jarrah and 15 minutes away, in the Old City, protests were ongoing against the Israeli state, leading to mass protests in Jerusalem.
Protests in Al Jarrah
During the protests, hundreds of Palestinians were wounded after being shot at, beaten and arrested. After seeing the protests in Jerusalem, Palestinians in Gaza also began to protest in solidarity. At least 24 Palestinians were killed in Israeli air raids, according to the Palestinian health ministry, after Hamas launched rockets towards Israel. Nine children were killed in the attack with more than a 100 injured.
Israel destroyed this residential building w/ no military significance just as it blew up several apartment towers in middle class areas of Gaza in 2014. The purpose of this terror attack was to guarantee escalation and demonstrate total impunity. https://t.co/Ri0W887K03
Video of a residential building destroyed by Israel in Gaza
Meanwhile, in the Old City, Israeli forces stormed the compound where Al-Aqsa mosque is located, and Palestinians were praying and also peacefully protesting. Israeli police fired rubber-coated bullets, tear gas and sound bombs at the Muslim worshippers. More than 180 Palestinians were injured.
Israeli Jews gather to celebrate trees catching fire near Al-Aqsa Mosque
In the most recent news, the Israeli high court has postponed a ruling that allowed for forced expulsions of the four Palestinian families in Al-Jarrah, which is a victory for the Palestinians. How long it lasts is still to be seen.
