Three Israeli soldiers killed in combat in northern Gaza, army says
Three Israeli soldiers have been killed in fighting in the northern Gaza Strip, the military said on Tuesday.
The soldiers' deaths were announced hours after Hamas said on Monday its fighters were engaging in 'fierce clashes' with Israeli forces in the north of the territory.
Israel 'will not cooperate' with Arab ministers' West Bank visit: official
Israel's campaign has devastated much of Gaza, killing more than 54,000 Palestinians and destroying most buildings. Much of the population now lives in shelters in makeshift camps.
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Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
No country for journalists
Israeli forces on Monday blocked an international media tour in the occupied West Bank, preventing journalists from entering the village of Oscar-winning Palestinian director Basel Adra who decried worsening Israeli violence, as reported by AFP. Adra's film No Other Land chronicles the forced displacement of Palestinians by Israeli troops and settlers in Masafer Yatta, an area in the southern West Bank that Israel declared a restricted military zone in the 1980s. Journalists from AFP and other international media travelled to Tuwani at the invitation of Adra, who lives in the village, and co-director Yuval Abraham, seeking to draw attention to a spate of house demolitions and violent incidents in recent weeks. At the entrance to Tuwani, the journalists as well as a Palestinian Authority delegation were blocked by Israeli forces, who said they had a warrant to set up a one-day checkpoint. Abraham called the roadblock a "good example" of what he said was Israeli authorities' involvement in attacks against Palestinians in Masafer Yatta. Adra said the violence was "getting worse and worse". "Settler violence increased, the demolitions carried out by Israeli soldiers and authorities against our homes and schools and properties is increasing in very crazy and high numbers," he told AFP. An Israeli officer who refused to give his name told AFP the force was at the entrance to Tuwani to "keep the public order". "There were violent clashes between settlers, Jews, Arabs, journalists, and to prevent these violent clashes, we decided not to allow passage today," the officer said. Adra said that last week, settlers had entered the nearby Palestinian hamlet of Khallet al-Dabaa, which was bulldozed by the Israeli army in early May, with the Israelis harassing the residents who remained despite the destruction. "These police officers and soldiers that are here now to prevent the international media, not only do they not come to prevent the settler violence, often they partake in it," the Israeli co-director told AFP. According to the Palestinian health ministry, Israeli forces or settlers have killed at least 937 Palestinians in the West Bank since October 7, 2023. Abraham said he had been trying to hold on to hope that the film's success would bring change on the ground. "Unfortunately, the world now knows, but there is no action," he said.
Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Express Tribune
'Palestinian, Kashmiri kids facing aggression'
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that millions of children in Palestine and Kashmir have unfortunately become victims of Israeli and Indian aggression. She stated in her message on the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression that when the smiles of children turn into sighs and sobs, humanity feels heartfelt grief and sorrow over it. She said thousands of small bodies buried under the rubble of buildings in Gaza are a testament to global apathy over Israeli aggression. In Gaza, the buildings destroyed due to Israeli bombing have not only turned into rubble but buried thousands of innocent children under it. The chief minister said the atmosphere of Kashmir is filled with heavy sobs of children whose voices have been muted forever. She regretted that this human tragedy being faced by the innocent children who have become victims of aggression across the globe speaks volume of the dark side of human history. The chief minister denounced the fact that children unfortunately become victims of aggression not only in wars but also in peacetime. She highlighted that all possible measures will be taken to protect the children from becoming victims of all kinds of exploitation and aggression in Punjab. She outlined that the provincial cabinet has approved the Child Protection Policy for the first time in Pakistan. Every institution, every law and every step of the Punjab government is aligned for the rights, protection and welfare of the children. She emphasised that a society that cannot guarantee and provide peace to the children can never achieve sustainable peace itself.
Express Tribune
5 hours ago
- Express Tribune
US vetoes UN call for immediate ceasefire, aid access in Gaza
US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield casts a veto vote, at UN headquarters in New York, US, February 20, 2024. PHOTO: REUTERS Listen to article The United States vetoed a UN Security Council demand on Wednesday for an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas in Gaza and unhindered aid access across the enclave. "The United States has been clear we would not support any measure that fails to condemn Hamas and does not call for Hamas to disarm and leave Gaza," Acting US Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea told the council before the vote. "This resolution would undermine diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire that reflects the realities on the ground, and embolden Hamas," she said of the text that was put forward by 10 countries on the 15-member council. The remaining 14 council members voted in favor of the draft resolution. Israel has rejected calls for an unconditional or permanent ceasefire, saying Hamas cannot stay in Gaza. It has renewed its military offensive in Gaza - also seeking to free hostages held by Hamas - since ending a two-month ceasefire in March. Gaza health officials said Israeli strikes killed 45 Palestinians on Wednesday and Israel said a soldier died in fighting. A humanitarian crisis also grips the enclave of more than 2 million people: Famine looms and aid has only trickled in since Israel lifted an 11-week blockade on May 19. No aid was distributed by the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation on Wednesday as it pressed Israel to boost civilian safety beyond the perimeter of its so-called secure distribution sites after a deadly incident. The GHF said it has asked the Israeli military to "guide foot traffic in a way that minimizes confusion or escalation risks" near military positions; develop clearer guidance for civilians; and enhance training to support civilian safety. Hospital officials have said more than 80 people were shot dead and hundreds wounded near distribution points in a three-day period from Sunday, including at least 27 killed on Tuesday. Locals said Israeli soldiers opened fire on the crowd on Tuesday that massed before dawn to seek food. The military has denied this, but acknowledged that troops fired at "suspects" who ignored warning shots and were approaching their lines. "Our top priority remains ensuring the safety and dignity of civilians receiving aid," said a GHF spokesperson. 'DELAYS AND DENIALS' The new aid distribution process - currently from just three sites - was launched last week. The UN and other aid groups say the model, which uses private US security and logistics workers, militarises aid. Ahead of the UN Security Council vote, UN aid chief Tom Fletcher again appealed for the UN and aid groups to be allowed to assist people in Gaza, stressing that they have a plan, supplies and experience. "Open the crossings – all of them. Let in lifesaving aid at scale, from all directions. Lift the restrictions on what and how much aid we can bring in. Ensure our convoys aren't held up by delays and denials," Fletcher said in a statement. The UN has long-blamed Israel and lawlessness in the enclave for hindering the delivery of aid into Gaza and its distribution throughout the war zone. Israel accuses Hamas of stealing aid, which the group denies. The newly created GHF said on Tuesday that it distributed more than seven million meals since it started operations a week ago. GHF Interim Executive Director John Acree urged humanitarians in Gaza: "Work with us and we will get your aid delivered to those who are depending on it."
