Tag: #palestine

  • Israel tells 1.1m people to evacuate Northern Gaza within 24 hours: what we know about day seven

    Israel tells 1.1m people to evacuate Northern Gaza within 24 hours: what we know about day seven

    Where do they go?

    The Gaza Strip consists of 2.3 million people. More than 1.1 million Palestinians living in the northern part of the Strip are being asked to move towards the South by Israeli forces — that too, within 24 hours as there are plans of ground operations.

    The UN has deemed the call as “impossible”, stating that it can lead to a serious humanitarian crisis: “It is ‘impossible for such a movement to take place without devastating humanitarian consequences,” the UN said.

    Israeli military sent a warning to Gaza saying, “This evacuation is for your own safety. You will be able to return to Gaza City only when another announcement permitting it is made. Do not approach the area of the security fence with the State of Israel.”

    Hamas, however, has told Palestinians to not give into the “fake propaganda”“Remain steadfast in your homes and stand firm in the face of this disgusting psychological war waged by the occupation”, stated the Hamas Authority for Refugee Affairs.

    Nowhere to sleep

    The International Committee of the Red Cross has revealed that as a large number of people in Gaza are being displaced, “hundreds of thousands have nowhere to sleep”.

    It added that more than 2 million people lack basic necessities, water and electricity; ambulances cannot reach the wounded.

    423,000 people displaced

    The United Nations has revealed that 423,378 people have been displaced after forcibly fleeing their residences in Gaza.

    The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) said that this number has reportedly risen by an addition of 84,444 people on Thursday.

    ‘Genocide’ in Gaza, says Hamas

    In a video statement, senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad describes the current Israeli moves as “genocide” which are being backed by the Western countries who, he added, are not seeking a resolution.

    “There is no safe area for the people in Gaza to seek refuge or shelter,” he said.

    “Every area and every building is under possible attack. Everyone is targeted and vulnerable to Israel’s killing, including women, children, the elderly and even disabled people.”

    “The Israeli leaders are giving clear instructions to their army to carry out a genocide [against] more than two million citizens in the Gaza Strip. We are facing unprecedented crimes in modern history,”

    30 airstrikes in one night

    Israel conducted 30 airstrikes during the night in a span of just one hour.

    This indicates the intensification of attacks in the northern part of the Gaza Strip after excessive attacks in the southern part, targeting Rafah.

    Use of white phosphorus

    The use of white phosphorus has now been confirmed by Human Rights Watch.

    “Human Rights Watch verified videos taken in Lebanon and Gaza on October 10 and 11, 2023, respectively, showing multiple airbursts of artillery-fired white phosphorus over the Gaza City port and two rural locations along the Israel-Lebanon border, and interviewed two people who described an attack in Gaza,” they have stated.

    Additionally, Lama Fakih, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch explains that “Any time that white phosphorus is used in crowded civilian areas, it poses a high risk of excruciating burns and lifelong suffering,

    “White phosphorous is unlawfully indiscriminate when airburst in populated urban areas, where it can burn down houses and cause egregious harm to civilians.”

    Lebanese forced to flee too

    After Palestinians, thousands of people from southern Lebanese villages are forced to leave their houses due to high chances of Israel-Hezbollah war.

    Hezbollah is a Lebanese Shia Islamist political party and militant group. They have a frictional history with Israel and both of them have, time and again, attacked each other’s territory.

  • #BoycottMcDonalds trends as the fast food giant opens five new restaurants for Israeli security forces, donates 4,000 daily meals

    #BoycottMcDonalds trends as the fast food giant opens five new restaurants for Israeli security forces, donates 4,000 daily meals

    The hashtag #BoycottMcDonalds began trending worldwide on X (formerly Twitter) after the Israeli McDonalds released a statement on their verified account expressing their solidarity with the IDF. In a post on their Instagram account, the food chain said that they have opened five new restaurants to provide free food to security and soldiers, providing them with 4000 free meals.

    “50% discount for the security and rescue forces,” the translated image reads. “We increased the discount from 15% to 50% for the security and rescue forces in uniform on every purchase. Our hearts go out to the families of the murdered, the heroic martyrs who fell in battle, the security forces, the wounded, the kidnapped and the missing.”

    The translated text in the post says:

    “Update that already yesterday we donated 4000 meals to hospitals and military units, we intend to donate thousands of meals every day to soldiers in the field and in drafting areas, and this is beyond a discount to soldiers coming to restaurants. We opened 5 restaurants that were open only for this purpose.”

    On Tuesday, the account shared a video of servers packing food for the paratroopers, with the caption in the video saying “Mcdonalds Giron Ashkelon Mall on the way to paratroopers.”

    In another video, the translated text in the video says this is the McDonald’s branch in Negev Mall which is packing food to send it to military bases

    X users expresed outrage over the videos by pointing out that Palestinians’ food and water supply was cut off, and they were denied other basic things like electricity or internet facilities- but McDonald’s was giving free food to Israeli soldiers.

  • World reacts to Israel’s breach of international laws

    World reacts to Israel’s breach of international laws

    While many of its old allies still support Israel as it continues to bomb Gaza, a number of countries are now raising concerns over Israel’s breach of international laws.

    Russia

    President Vladimir Putin responded to the Israel-Palestine escalation by condemning the “catastrophic” deaths and criticised Washington’s involvement in the Middle East peace settlement.

    During a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani, he said “This is a vivid example of the failure of Middle East policies of the United States [as it] tried to monopolise the [peace] settlement”.

    “But, unfortunately, [the US] was not concerned about the search for compromises for both sides and, vice versa, promoted their own conceptions about how it should be done, [and] pressured both sides,” he added.

    Moscow has also refused to label Hamas as a terrorist organisation.

    “We maintain contact with [both] sides of the conflict,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

    “Of course, Russia continues to analyse the situation and keeps its position as a nation that has the potential to participate in the settlement process.”

    China

    On Thursday, China’s top diplomat and foreign minister Wang Yi stated that the issue of Palestinian is central to the Middle East conflict, and that denial of “justice” to the Palestinian people was at its core.

    Turkey

    Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, asserting that a lasting solution to the conflict lies in the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem within the 1967 borders .

    Ireland

    Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has criticised Israel for violating international humanitarian law and halting water, food and electricity supply into the Gaza Strip.

    “Israel is under threat. They do have a right to defend themselves, but they don’t have the right to breach international humanitarian law,” he said in an interview with TVE.

    “To me, it amounts to collective punishment. Cutting off power, cutting off fuel supplies and water supplies, that’s not the way a respectable democratic state should conduct itself.”

    He has, however, also urged Hamas to release all the Israeli captives, saying that Israel is “justified in attacking Hamas in Gaza and elsewhere.”

    Former Irish President Mary Robinson has also commented on the escalation, deeming Israel’s response to Hamas attacks as collective punishment.

    Robinson asserted that Ireland has been a “very good voice in acknowledging the suffering of occupation and the continual problems of Palestinians over decades.”

    Richard Boyd Barrett, Irish MP, addressed the Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament, during a discussion on the Irish Government’s response to the situation in Gaza.

    “The Israeli Government has brazenly, publicly and openly declared its intention to commit a war crime, and has commenced that war crime against the people of Gaza”, he said.

    Scotland

    Hamza Yousaf, the first minister of Scotland, has also spoken up against the Israeli attacks on Gaza.

    He posted on X (formerly Twitter), quoting the latest UN statement that warns about the dire consequences of Israeli orders of evacuation of Gaza.

    “The international community must step up and demand an end to collective punishment. Enough. There can be no justification for the death of innocent men, women & children.”

    He also shared a video of his mother-in-law, Elizabeth El-Nakla, calling for help.

    She was visiting her relatives with her husband when Hamas attacked on Saturday.

    Norway

    The Norwegian foreign minister, Anniken Huitfeldt, has said on Thursday that while Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas, a total blockade of Gaza cannot be supported.

    “The establishment of a full blockade, including on access to electricity, water, food, and other goods that are indispensable for the survival of the civilian population in Gaza, is unacceptable,” she stated.

    She further pointed out that self-defense measures must be taken within international law.

    “The scale of destruction in Gaza is enormous. A large number of civilians have been killed. Given a full blockade by Israel, closed border crossings, and continued Israeli attacks, I fear that the civilian population in Gaza will face even greater hardship in the days to come,” Huitfeldt said.

    She also warned that suspension or decrease in assistance to Gaza can worsen the matter.

    “Functioning Palestinian institutions and the delivery of basic services are crucial to avoid further destabilisation and preserve the objective of the two-state solution.”

  • Who are the celebrities siding with Israel as onslaught on Gaza continues?

    Who are the celebrities siding with Israel as onslaught on Gaza continues?

    The bombing on Palestine continues with latest reports showing that more than 5,600 Palestinians have died in Gaza at Israel’s hands. In these past few days, many celebrities have voiced their support for Israel, some of them using misinformation as justification for the bombardment of civilians. Social media users have expressed outrage on the way the slaughter of Palestinians is being shown as a positive thing rather than a war crime.

    Here are all the public faces who have so far expressed their support for Israel.

    More than 700 Hollywood entertainers have signed an open letter with Creative Community For Peace (CCFP) voicing their support for Israel as the bombing of Gaza continues. This included former IDF soldier and actress Gal Gadot, comedian Amy Schumer, actors Chris Pine, Mark Hamil and Debra Messing.

    The letter described the war as “terrorism. This is evil. There is no justification or rationalization for Hamas’ actions.”

    The letter ended by urging on other members of the entertainment industry “to speak out forcefully against Hamas and do whatever is in their power to urge the terrorist organization to return the innocent hostages to their families.”

    ‘Stranger Things’ actor Noah Schnapp released a statement that riled up social media.

    Kim Kardashian shared a statement on her Instagram account expressing her support for Israel.

    Harry Potter writer J.K Rowling shared a video clip of journalists claiming the Hamas had beheaded 40 babies from Israel with the caption: “Now let the snivelling apologists for rape, murder and torture explain how this, too, was justified.”

    Since then, the news has since then been debunked by journalists, as well as the IDF who said no such confirmation was given by them. However, Rowling has not taken down her post.

    Jamie Lee Curtis shared and then deleted a picture of children looking up at the sky in terror, along with the Israeli flag in the caption. This picture is actually from war-torn buildings in Gaza.

    Justin Bieber shared a picture of war-torn Gaza with the caption ‘Pray for Israel’ on his Instagram stories, and twitter users criticised him for spreading misinformation.

  • Donald Trump thinks Hezbollah is ‘very smart’

    Donald Trump thinks Hezbollah is ‘very smart’

    While lambasting Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu, former President of the United States of America, Donald Trump appreciated Hezbollah for being “very smart”. While speaking to a rally of supporters in Florida, Trump did not hold back and even called the Israeli Defence Minister a “jerk” for stating on national TV that he hopes they don’t attack from the North because they did the following morning. He said that these “statements are passed when you’re doing a con-job and fully prepared but in actual you were not. Israel was not prepared.”

    Earlier he claimed to have read Biden’s security papers where it was mentioned that he hopes Hezbolllah does not attack from the North because that is the most vulnerable spot. He praises the group’s intelligence that they (Hezbollah) are all very smart and they know the weak-spots.

    He carried on by accusing Iran of being a potentially big, vicious force that Israel is fighting and he advised the latter to straighten themselves up.

    He reminisced about the time he was disappointed by Israel when Netanyahu let them (USA) down while countering Iran-hinting at the target killing of General Qasim Sulemani-he still wants Israel to get it right this time.

    Trump’s criticism of Biden is not a surprise but in his interview to Fox News he asserted that, “We have to protect Israel, there’s no choice.” He goes on by saying “He(Netanyahu) is hurt very badly, he was not prepared and Israel was not prepared. And under Trump they wouldn’t have to be prepared…”

    His statements have invited a lot of criticism from various fronts. “[I]t is absurd that anyone, much less someone running for President, would choose now to attack our friend and ally, Israel, much less praise Hezbollah terrorists as ‘very smart,’” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

    White House called these statements as “dangerous and unhinged.”

    Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie called Trump “a fool” for his remarks on Hezbollah and Netanyahu.

    This has infuriated people and Trump knows it when he said that the media comes at him for calling President XI of China “smart” too but he remarks nonchalantly, that he “gotta say” what he has to say.

  • Human Rights Watch confirms use of white phosphorus in Gaza, Lebanon

    Human Rights Watch confirms use of white phosphorus in Gaza, Lebanon

    As Israel’s onslaught on Gaza enters the seventh day, multiple sources claimed that Israeli forces were using white phosphorus to attack Gaza and Lebanon.

    The Palestinians claimed the news to be true but many news platforms did not verify the reports.

    The use of white phosphorus has now been confirmed by Human Rights Watch.

    “Human Rights Watch verified videos taken in Lebanon and Gaza on October 10 and 11, 2023, respectively, showing multiple airbursts of artillery-fired white phosphorus over the Gaza City port and two rural locations along the Israel-Lebanon border, and interviewed two people who described an attack in Gaza,” they have stated.

    Additionally, Lama Fakih, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch explains that “Any time that white phosphorus is used in crowded civilian areas, it poses a high risk of excruciating burns and lifelong suffering,

    “White phosphorous is unlawfully indiscriminate when airburst in populated urban areas, where it can burn down houses and cause egregious harm to civilians.”

    The United Nations has banned the use of incendiary weapons in 1972.

    “Incendiary weapons are weapons or munitions designed to set fire to objects or cause burn or respiratory injury to people through the action of flame, heat, or combination thereof, resulting from a chemical reaction of a flammable substance such as napalm or white phosphorus,” the UN says.

    Nonetheless, it is not the first time that Israel has used white phosphorus against Palestinians. One of the first recorded incidents of its use is from 2009.

  • ‘We have a lot of fighters, people who want to support us’, says Hamas: what we know about day six

    ‘We have a lot of fighters, people who want to support us’, says Hamas: what we know about day six

    No electricity in Gaza

    As fuel, food, and other necessities are halted by Israel in Gaza Strip, the besieged area’s only electric power plant is now exhausted. This means that 2.3 million people are now without electricity whereas hospitals and other necessary services have been affected.

    And with an increasing number of wounded people, people are left to wait for their turn. According to AL-Jazeera, 50 patients are waiting to get surgeries in Gaza’s largest hospital.

    United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres has called out the blockade of resources and necessities into Gaza, stating that fuel, water, and food “must be allowed into Gaza”.

    Hamas releases children, Israel calls it a farce

    Hamas’ Qassam Brigade has released a video showing the release of two children and a woman who were initially under their custody. This comes after the circulation of false news stating that Hamas beheaded 40 Israeli babies — Hamas denied the allegations.

    Nonetheless, Israel has deemed the video as a farce stating, Hamas is trying to change the truth through the theatrics of publishing a propaganda video through its media mouthpieces,”

    White House retract Biden’s claim

    Earlier, false news had been circulating on social media that Israeli women and children have been beheaded by Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades.

    Anadolu Agency reached out to the Israeli spokesperson on Tuesday who stated that the Israeli army has no information confirming allegations that “Hamas beheaded babies.”

    Nonetheless, in his address, US President Joe Biden stated that “I never really thought that I would see, have confirmed pictures of terrorists beheading children.”

    However, The Washington Post reported that “A White House spokesperson later clarified that US officials and the president have not seen pictures or confirmed such reports independently,”

    Talks on releasing Israeli captives, Red Cross

    The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is currently in conversation with Hamas in efforts to free Israeli captives.

    “We are now in contact with Hamas and Israeli officials as part of the efforts on the hostage issue,

    “As a neutral mediator, we are ready to conduct humanitarian visits; and facilitate any eventual release.”

    According to Israel, 150 of their people are under Hamas’ custody including women, children, and soldiers.

    No attacks from Gaza but Israel continues airstrikes

    According to the Israeli army, no rockets were striked from Gaza and Lebanon last night.

    But airstrikes from Israel continue. At least 10 Palestinian civilians, including women and children, have been killed by an Israeli missile attack on the Shati refugee camp west of Gaza City.

    ‘We are not afraid’, says Hamas

    Al-Jazeera spoke to a Hamas leader, Ghazi Hamad, who asserted that they are prepared to face Israeli troops who are reportedly going to be deployed in Gaza as they are apparently preparing for a ground operation.

    “We are not afraid. We are a strong people. We have a strong determination to continue. We have a lot of fighters and a lot of people who want to support us, Hamad said.

    Israel expels Palestinian employees in West Bank

    Many Palestinians from Gaza had been working in the occupied West Bank due to better job prospects.

    After the attacks, however, their employers took them to checkpoints and then to the occupied West Bank as directed by Israeli police.

    Al-Jazeera reports that there is no going back for them and reportedly, they were also attacked by Israeli police after getting picked up.

    They are currently stuck at the Palestinian Authority facility in Ramallah and have not been able to return to their homes even though some have lost their family members in Gaza in Israel attacks.

    Palestinians in occupied West Bank

    Palestinian health ministry has revealed that Israeli settlers have killed two Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

    Reuters reported that according to the witnesses, settlers shot the father and son who were at the funeral of four Palestinians who were also killed by settlers and soldiers on Wednesday.

    Casualties

    According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, 1,200 have been killed in Gaza and about 5,600 wounded.

    In Israel too, 1,200 have died while 3,000 have been injured.

    The UN reveals that as a result of Israel’s attacks, 338,934 Palestinians have been displaced in Gaza.

  • Imran Khan details want he wants from people of Pakistan in message from jail

    Imran Khan details want he wants from people of Pakistan in message from jail

    The incarcerated Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, has a message for the people of Pakistan, shared by his family on October 10, and recently shared on his official X (former Twitter) account.

    The former Prime Minister calls his incarceration illegal but stresses that today’s Imran Khan is different from the one who went to jail.

    “When I was illegally incarcerated in Attock Jail, the first few days were particularly challenging. I wasn’t provided a bed and had to sleep on the floor and had insects and mosquitoes all over me. But with time I have adjusted well to the prison conditions.

    ’ . ; , , ,” the message says.

    He tells his supporters not to give up and hopes that people will vote for PTI, whenever the elections are held.

    “Do not give up. This time of trial will end because Allah says that “with every difficulty there is ease”. Keep raising your voice against this unelected predatory group and their facilitators at every forum and keep demanding a fair and transparent election in the country,” his message said.

    The entire message by Imran Khan is as follows:

    “When I was illegally incarcerated in Attock Jail, the first few days were particularly challenging. I wasn’t provided a bed and had to sleep on the floor and had insects and mosquitoes all over me. But with time I have adjusted well to the prison conditions.

    ’ . ; , , .

    During my time in prison, I have had the opportunity to study and research the Holy Quran in depth, along with other books which has strengthened my faith.

    I was also able to introspect the last few years of my political life. Regardless of what prison they keep me in, whatever conditions they impose upon me, I will not back down even an inch from the quest of Haqeeqi Azadi, for the upholding of the rule of law and the Constitution of Pakistan, at the core of which is free and fair elections.

    To those suggesting that I leave the country, know that I will live and die with Pakistan, and I will not leave my land to go anywhere.

    As far as the Cipher case is concerned, this bogus case is designed to protect former Army Chief General Bajwa and Donald Lu. I was the elected Prime Minister of the country. Treason was committed against me and my govt by General Bajwa, instead of investigating the foreign conspiracy in orchestrating a regime change, a case has been filed against me for informing the people of Pakistan, the real protectors of this country, about this treason.

    If there’s one thing that bothers & pains me, is the suffering of my workers who have been illegally imprisoned, especially our women workers who have been in captivity for months, by a few people who abuse their power to satisfy their egos. I appeal to the judiciary to provide justice and order the immediate release of our workers.

    Finally, Do not give up. This time of trial will end because Allah says that “with every difficulty there is ease”. Keep raising your voice against this unelected predatory group and their facilitators at every forum and keep demanding a fair and transparent election in the country.

    I am predicting that on whatever day the election is held, people of Pakistan will come out in huge numbers to vote for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and defeat all these parties combined. No matter how much these people cheat, their only destiny is defeat. Pakistan Zindabad.”

    Earlier of October 7, Imran Khan’s stance regarding the Palestine issue was also shared on his Twitter account which said, “Chairman Imran Khan has been and will always remain an advocate for the Palestinian cause. He has consistently maintained his stance that oppression, occupation, and peace cannot go hand in hand. From the first Nakba in 1948, to inhumane treatment and the siege of Gaza, Palestinians have stood alone fighting for their right to peaceful existence.”

    Since Hamas sent its fighters to Israel on October 7, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared war, and Israeli forces have increased their attack in Gaza.

  • Israel-Palestine war will not affect any economic agreements, UAE

    Israel-Palestine war will not affect any economic agreements, UAE

    The trade minister of the United Arab Emirates has clarified that the Israel war on Gaza will not affect any economic agreements.

    “We don’t mix economy and trade with politics,” Thani al Zeyoudi told reporters in Dubai on Tuesday.

    Amidst the decades long pro-Palestine policy of the Arab world, UAE was the first Gulf country to establish relations with Israel in 2020. Is also the first Arab state to have a free trade agreement with Israel as in March, as the two countries signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

    The recent claim is followed by a statement issued by UAE on October 8, 2023, in which the country strongly condemned Hamas attacks on Israelis, stating that, “attacks by Hamas against Israeli towns and villages near the Gaza strip, including the firing of thousands of rockets at population centers, are a serious and grave escalation.”

    The ministry of foreign affairs was “appalled” by the reports of the abduction of Israeli civilians, calling for the protection of civilians on both sides

    “The UAE remains in close contact with all regional and international partners to swiftly de-escalate the situation and restore calm in Israel and the OPT and a return to negotiations for a final settlement within the parameters of the two state solution for Palestinians and Israelis, who deserve to live in peace and dignity.”, the statement concluded.

  • Israel is dropping white phosphorus bombs on Gaza: what we know about Day Five

    Israel is dropping white phosphorus bombs on Gaza: what we know about Day Five

    Use of white phosphorus

    The official channel of Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates have posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the Israeli military attacked the Al-Karama neighbourhood in Gaza with white phosphorus bombs.

    White phosphorus bombs burn up oxygen and suffocate people in the area. Moreover, white phosphorus causes burns and can spread fire over an area of hundreds of square yards.

    Power supply to deplete

    Authorities have claimed that the electricity supply in Gaza can shut down “within hours” as “it is running out of fuel”.

    Palestinian enclave houses more than two million people. Hospitals and shelters are currently operating without electric power.

    Additionally, an ambulance in Gaza was attacked, killing two. The health ministry has accused Israel of “deliberately targeting” medical workers.

    Attacks on Gaza

    Hamas has stated that in the span of one night, at least 30 people have been killed and hundreds wounded after Israel launched hundreds of air raids.

    According to Salama Marouf, who spoke with AFP news agency, dozens of residential buildings, factories, mosques and shops were hit.

    On the contrary, the Israeli military has claimed to have hit several Hamas targets at night.

    Displaced, wounded, dead

    According to the UN humanitarian agency OCHA, more than 260,000 people have forcibly fled their homes following the Israeli attacks.

    “Over 263,934 people in Gaza are believed to have fled their homes,” and “this number is expected to rise further”.

    Whereas the Palestinian health minister has reported that the death toll has reached 950 with more than 5,000 wounded.

    Moreover, at least 260 children have also been killed due to attacks on Gaza.

    As per the Palestinian foreign ministry, since Saturday, Israeli air strikes have destroyed more than 22,600 residential units and 10 health facilities and damaged 48 schools.

    Israel refuses food, medical supply

    The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) requested the delivery of food and medical supplies into Gaza “but Israel refused”.

    “We call on international humanitarian institutions and the international community to intervene urgently to stop the aggression and allow the entry of relief materials and restore electricity and water, because the Gaza Strip is facing a major humanitarian catastrophe,” PLO official Hussein al-Sheikh said on X.

    Israeli death toll rises to 1,200

    An Israeli military spokesperson has confirmed that the Israeli death toll has now risen to 1,200, with more than 2,700 injured.
    Biden’s speech in support of Israel

    The US president Joe Biden gave a speech on Tuesday, condemning the attacks by Hamas and deeming them as “sheer evil”.

    “Let there be no doubt: The United States has Israel’s back. We’ll make sure the Jewish and democratic state of Israel can defend itself — today, tomorrow, as we always have. It’s as simple as that,”

    He noted that 14 US citizens are also among those who died in Israel while others have been taken captives.

    Biden has committed to giving more military assistance to Israel, adding that the US has altered its military disposition in the region to warn anyone “seeking to take advantage” of the conflict.

    Biden said that he spoke with Neyhanyatu, “We also discussed how democracies like Israel and the United States are stronger and more secure when we act according to the rule of law,” Biden added.

    What’s next?

    Jonathan Conricus, a spokesman for the Israeli military has announced that hundreds of thousands of troops are assembling near the Gaza Strip for the war with Hamas.

    In a video posted on X, he stated that Israel has sent infantry, armoured soldiers, artillery corps and soldiers — 300,000 in total.

    “And that is to make sure that Hamas, at this end of this war, won’t have any military capabilities by which they can threaten or kill Israeli civilians,” he said.

    Courtesy: Al-Jazeera