Gaza officials say Israeli forces killed 27 heading to aid site. Israel says it fired near suspects
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinian health officials and witnesses say Israeli forces fired on people as they headed toward an aid distribution site on Tuesday, killing at least 27, in the third such incident in three days. The army said it fired 'near a few individual suspects' who left the designated route, approached its forces and ignored warning shots.
The near-daily shootings have come after an Israeli and U.S.-backed foundation established aid distribution points inside Israeli military zones, a system it says is designed to circumvent Hamas. The United Nations has rejected the new system, saying it doesn't address Gaza's mounting hunger crisis and allows Israel to use aid as a weapon.
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Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Avoid new shoes and look after your mental health. How to be well at the Hajj
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that is required once in a lifetime of every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to do it. It is a spiritual highlight for those fortunate enough to go, but it is also grueling and stressful. Pilgrims conduct their rituals outdoors, among huge crowds, walking up to 25 kilometers (15 miles) a day. There is often no privacy or personal space. Languages, routines and surroundings can feel unfamiliar, and the emotional impact of doing the Hajj can also take its toll. Here are some ways to be well at the Hajj. Preparation, preparation, preparation Pilgrims work on their spiritual readiness to undertake the Hajj, but equally important is their physical preparation. Saudi authorities have published a 45-page safety kit in eight languages. It encourages people to do aerobic exercises for 30 minutes daily and to 'make movement activities' like using the stairs instead of the elevator, before they travel to Saudi Arabia. There's a lot of walking at the Hajj, even when pilgrims are not performing rituals. Too much traffic, or not enough transport, means people end up walking up to 25 kilometers (15 miles) every day. All the rituals are on foot. High temperatures, adrenaline, and physical exertion will elevate the heart rate. If pilgrims are not used to working out, they should have at least prepared their bodies for the long periods that will be spent outdoors and upright, as going from an inactive or sedentary lifestyle straight to the Hajj will be a shock to the system. Keep cool and carry or wear a UV umbrella This year, temperatures at the Hajj are expected to reach 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). The body's resting core temperature is typically about 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit), just 4 degrees Celsius (7 degrees Fahrenheit) away from catastrophe in the form of heatstroke. The bigger killer in the heat is the strain on the heart, especially for people who have cardiovascular disease. Blood rushes to the skin to help shed core heat, causing blood pressure to drop. The heart responds by trying to pump more blood to keep someone from passing out. Avoid going out during the day unless necessary. Seek shade and rest often, despite the temptation to go at top speed. The Hajj is a marathon not a sprint. White or pale-colored clothing and UV umbrellas reflect the sunlight, meaning your body and clothing won't get as hot. Oral rehydration sachets can help replenish electrolytes lost through sweating and physical exertion. There are also hands-free 'Hajj' umbrellas that are worn on the head, allowing pilgrims to pray and carry out their rituals unencumbered. Put your best foot forward with comfy shoes Avoid new shoes, says Dr. Hina Shahid, the London-based chair of the Muslim Doctors Association. 'If you have new shoes, break them in beforehand. Make sure your footwear is comfortable. You don't want to get blisters.' Well-fitting sandals or sliders are fine for Mecca, which has well-paved roads and sidewalks. It is common to see Muslims streaming into the city by foot. There is smooth tiling on the outer courtyard of the Grand Mosque that is washed by an army of cleaners at regular intervals. But pilgrims go barefoot when circling the Kaaba, where the marble flooring is cool to the skin whatever the weather. But the terrain changes in Muzdalifah, where people collect pebbles to use in the symbolic stoning of pillars representing the devil. They also spend the night in the open air so it's better to wear a sturdier, closed-toe shoe and also at Mount Arafat, where people clamber over rocks to reach the hill's 70-meter-high (230 feet) summit to spend hours in prayer. Adopt pandemic-style personal hygiene Cough? Runny nose? Sore throat? Fever? That's 'Hajj flu,' a nickname for the respiratory infection that people develop during the crowded conditions of the pilgrimage. It's common to see people wearing face masks during the Hajj, even though face coverings are not a religious requirement, because they are in close proximity to each other, making droplet infections inevitable. Pilgrims are exposed to new germs, new environments and new routines. These are tough on the immune system when combined. To minimize the chances of developing the Hajj flu or giving it to others, pilgrims should wash their hands well, especially before eating and after sneezing, coughing or using the bathroom. Coughing or sneezing into the arm or elbow can help prevent the spread of germs when a tissue isn't available. It's worth sanitizing frequently touched objects and surfaces in the camps at Mina and opening windows for ventilation. It's important to stay on top of mandatory and recommended vaccinations before traveling to Saudi Arabia. Take care of your mental health at the Hajj The Hajj can be daunting because of its scale, religious significance, practical difficulties, the expense, the physical exertion and the pressure to get it right. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, the core beliefs and acts of worship that Muslims must practice. It can feel tough to fulfill this obligation when you're away from home comforts. Not following your normal routine, sleep deprivation, vast cultural and linguistic differences, and being surrounded by upward of 1.5 million strangers add to the challenges. You can't even wear your regular clothes. These factors can rattle your calm, kindness and patience. Prioritizing your health, and resting whenever needed, can alleviate some of the stress. Focusing on what you are doing, rather than comparing yourself to others, can also relieve the pressure. Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. Being grateful for the opportunity to be at the Hajj will help remind you why you are there. Talking to friends and family back home will ground you. Hajj is about endurance, humility, mindfulness and struggle. A willingness to let go of negative emotions. It's a test of your spiritual connection with God, even when everything around you is testing that connection. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Toronto Sun
11 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Ottawa amps up criticism of Israel over 'appalling conditions' in Gaza
Published Jun 04, 2025 • 4 minute read OTTAWA — Ottawa issued a stronger condemnation of Israel's restrictions on food aid in Gaza this week as the country's ambassador continues to reject claims that Israel is violating humanitarian law. On Wednesday, Canada also joined European leaders in condemning escalating settler violence in the West Bank. In a Tuesday night post on X by Global Affairs Canada's development branch, the department again called on Israel to allow the United Nations to resume humanitarian work in Gaza after days of shooting incidents at aid distribution sites following a nearly three-month blockade. 'Canada is deeply alarmed by reports of mass deaths and injuries of Palestinians, as well as ongoing scenes of chaos and appalling conditions as people in Gaza attempt to access limited aid,' the post says. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 1/4 Canada is deeply alarmed by reports of mass deaths and injuries of Palestinians, as well as ongoing scenes of chaos and appalling conditions as people in #Gaza attempt to access limited aid. @CanadaFP — Development Canada (@CanadaDev) June 3, 2025 The tone of the statement is much sharper than Ottawa's messaging on Israel in recent months. It came from the department's aid branch instead of its social media account on diplomatic affairs, which reposted the message. In the statement, the department criticized a reported evacuation order for what Ottawa called the last operational medical facility in northern Gaza — the Al-Awda Hospital. Global Affairs said it's 'alarmed' by the move. 'Absence of medical care is unacceptable. Canada urges Israel to protect hospitals and ensure the continuity of medical services to the civilian population,' the statement reads. The Associated Press reported that the hospital has been encircled by Israeli troops and has come under fire in recent days. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Israeli Ambassador Iddo Moed responded to Tuesday's statement by repeating Israel's claim that Hamas has been stealing large amounts of UN aid. 'Israel is fully committed to making sure that humanitarian aid reaches those who need it,' he wrote, defending the aid distribution work of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which is backed by Israel and the U.S. He said the organization 'ensures direct distribution to the people of Gaza. Hamas terrorists are responsible for putting civilians in harm's way, both Israeli and Palestinian.' In its statement, Global Affairs called on Hamas to release the 58 remaining hostages taken from Israel in its brutal October 2023 attack. Canada has said that Hamas must not be allowed a role in governing Gaza but did not mention the group by name in its Tuesday statement. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Israeli government set up the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation to distribute aid in four locations in Gaza, effectively shutting down hundreds of sites that had been operated by international agencies across the territory. Israel says it had to take this step to prevent aid from reaching Hamas. The UN and aid groups have said aid diversion is not happening to any significant degree. Virtually all major aid groups say that the current system does not deliver enough aid and it sets a dangerous precedent to allow a warring party to control aid distribution. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation insists it has successfully distributed aid and has disputed reports of near-daily shootings at or near its distribution sites. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Hamas-run interior ministry has urged Palestinians not to 'co-operate' with the aid distribution system and has threatened unspecified consequences. Aid groups have described chaotic scenes of violence as crowds of desperate Palestinians rush aid distribution centres while Israeli soldiers fire shots nearby. Ottawa-based Human Concern International paused 17 aid trucks destined for Gaza last week and accused Israel of imposing a dangerous distribution system. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has refused to disclose whether it receives any public or private funds from Canada. On Wednesday, Canada joined the European Union and the U.K. in a joint statement condemning 'escalating settler violence and a prevailing climate of impunity' in the West Bank. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The statement spoke about the Palestinian community of Mughayyir a-Deir being forced to flee, framing it as part of 'a broader and deeply troubling pattern of violent settler attacks and a lack of protection by the Israeli authorities.' The statement decried 'a coercive environment marked by repeated settler violence, movement restrictions, land confiscation, demolitions and inadequate access to essential services' and said that the 'forcible transfer' of Palestinians undermines prospects for peace in the region. Tuesday's comments follow a Monday post by MP Randeep Sarai, the secretary of state for international development, who said Palestinians face 'profoundly disturbing' hunger in Gaza and 'must be protected and treated with dignity.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The federal Liberals have been taking heat from human rights groups for not following through on a threat last month to impose targeted sanctions on Israel if the situation worsens in the Palestinian territories. Since then, international organizations have repeatedly warned of a risk of famine in Gaza, while the Israel government has said it will expand settlements in the West Bank. In a newspaper column this week, Moed accused Hamas of spreading misinformation about what's happening in Gaza and said this is contributing to a rise in antisemitic violence. Israel bars foreign journalists from entering Gaza without being accompanied by Israeli soldiers. Toronto & GTA Celebrity Canada Toronto Blue Jays Toronto & GTA
Winnipeg Free Press
12 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
US goalkeeper Zack Steffen injures knee and will miss CONCACAF Gold Cup
CHICAGO (AP) — Zack Steffen injured a knee and became the second goalkeeper dropped from U.S. training camp ahead of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Steffen was hurt during training Tuesday, returned to the Colorado Rapids for more exams and will miss the tournament, the U.S. Soccer Federation said Wednesday. Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte injured an oblique on May 24. Matt Turner, the No. 1 American goalkeeper for the past three years, remains in camp along with Chris Brady and Matt Freese, who both have never played for the national team. The Americans have friendlies against Turkey on Saturday at East Hartford, Connecticut, and Switzerland three days later at Nashville, Tennessee, then meet Trinidad and Tobago, Saudi Arabia and Haiti in the first round of the Gold Cup. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. ___ AP soccer:
