28 Palestinians including children killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza
The children and two women were among at least 13 people who were killed in Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza, after Israeli airstrikes pounded the area starting late Friday, officials in Al-Aqsa Martyr's Hospital said. Another four people were killed in strikes near a fuel station, and 15 others died in Israeli airstrikes in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, according to Nasser Hospital.
The Israeli military said in a statement that over the past 48 hours, troops struck approximately 250 targets in the Gaza Strip, including militants, booby-trapped structures, weapons storage facilities, anti-tank missile launch posts, sniper posts, tunnels and additional Hamas infrastructure sites. The military did not immediately respond to The Associated Press' request for comment on the civilian deaths.
Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people in their Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and abducted 251. They still hold 50 hostages, less than half of them believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.
Israel's offensive has killed over 57,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The ministry, which is under Gaza's Hamas-run government, doesn't differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count. The U.N. and other international organizations see its figures as the most reliable statistics on war casualties.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said that he is closing in on another ceasefire agreement that would see more hostages released and potentially wind down the war. But after two days of talks this week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu there were no signs of a breakthrough.
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South Wales Argus
2 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
More than 70 people arrested at protests supporting banned Palestine Action
Protesters gathered for the second week in a row in central London after police reiterated that showing support for the group was a criminal offence, resulting in the Metropolitan Police making 42 arrests. Protesters sat underneath two statues in Parliament Square during the demonstration (James Manning/PA) A further 16 arrests were made in Manchester and 13 people were also held in Cardiff at other related demonstrations on Saturday. In London, two groups of protesters gathered underneath both the Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela statues in Parliament Square for the demonstration shortly after 1pm. The individuals then wrote the message 'I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action' with black markers on pieces of cardboard, and silently held the signs aloft as they were surrounded by Metropolitan Police officers and members of the media. Some demonstrators could be seen lying on top of each other on the floor as police searched their bags and took their ID cards and handmade signs. Officers have made 41 arrests for showing support for a proscribed organisation. One person has been arrested for common assault. The area was cleared within the last hour. — Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) July 12, 2025 Officers could then be seen carrying away a number of protesters who were lying down, lifting them off the ground and into waiting police vans parked around the square. Other standing protesters were also led away from the statues and placed into the vans. The last of the protesters was lifted from the Nelson Mandela statue shortly after 2.30pm. All but one of the 42 arrests were for showing support for a proscribed organisation, while one person was arrested for common assault, the Met said in a post shared on X. 🚨 BREAKING MANCHESTER – 16 ARRESTS 16 people have reportedly been arrested for terrorism offences in Manchester today at the foot of the Emmeline Pankhurst statue in St. Peter's Square. Their 'crime'? Holding a sign that reads 'I OPPOSE GENOCIDE – I SUPPORT PALESTINE ACTION' — Defend our Juries (@DefendourJuries) July 12, 2025 Greater Manchester Police said it had arrested 16 people under the Terrorism Act after responding to a protest in St Peter's Square, Manchester, at around 2.30pm on Saturday. South Wales Police also confirmed 13 people were arrested on suspicion of committing offences under the same Act during a protest in the vicinity of Central Square, Cardiff. Scotland Yard said its stance remains that officers will act where criminal offences, including support of proscribed groups or organisations, are committed. The force added that this includes 'chanting, wearing clothing or displaying articles such as flags, signs or logos'. Protesters were arrested and taken away from Parliament Square in nearby police vans (James Manning/PA) Police arrested 29 people at a similar protest in Parliament Square last weekend. They were detained for around 12 hours before being released on bail without charge, Defend Our Juries said. The terror group designation means that membership of, or support for, Palestine Action is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The move to ban the organisation came after two Voyager aircraft were damaged at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on June 20, an incident claimed by Palestine Action, which police said caused about £7 million worth of damage. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans to proscribe Palestine Action three days later, saying that the vandalism of the planes was 'disgraceful' and the group had a 'long history of unacceptable criminal damage'.
Wales Online
2 hours ago
- Wales Online
Student who made genocide claim in pillowcase protest at graduation launches legal battle
Student who made genocide claim in pillowcase protest at graduation launches legal battle Aishah AlBader has taken the first step in civil proceedings against Bangor University for what she claims was assault/battery, false imprisonment, and for violating her right to freedom of expression Aishah AlBader, a former graduate student at Bangor University has launched legal action against the university (Image: Aishah AlBader ) A former student who was dragged off stage at her graduation from a Welsh university for making a Palestine protest is taking legal action against it saying it violated her right to freedom of expression. Aishah AlBader, former graduate student, has taken the first step in civil proceedings against Bangor University for what she claims was assault/battery, false imprisonment, and for violating her right to freedom of expression. The Kuwaiti national has hired London legal firm Gold Jennings to represent her. Aishah's lawyers Alexander Hogg and Jessica Harrison said the claim arises from her graduation last year when Aishah intended to peacefully protest Bangor University's investments in companies claimed to be "complicit in human rights violations against Palestinians and the unlawful occupation of Palestine". In a 20-page letter, sent to Bangor University, Aishah says she was forcibly removed from the stage by security guards when she tried to peacefully protest. Sign up for our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. (Image: Aishah AlBader ) Article continues below She refused to shake the Vice Chancellor's hand, handing him a leaflet about the university's investments, and walked across the stage with a pillowcase bearing the message 'Bangor University invests in Genocide.' Aishah said: 'As I walked up to graduate, I could only think of Gaza — of the students who will never get to graduate, whose lives, dreams, and hopes have been destroyed under Israel's ongoing genocide. Tens of thousands have been killed, entire families wiped out, and schools and universities reduced to rubble. "Knowing that Bangor University continues to invest in companies complicit in this devastation, I felt I could not simply accept my degree in silence. I knew I had to use that platform to centre those oppressed and dehumanised in Palestine. So, I held up a pillowcase reading 'Bangor University invests in genocide'. "In response, I was dragged off stage, injured, and humiliated. I lost professional opportunities I had worked hard to earn and lived in fear and uncertainty of the future. "My parents travelled thousands of miles to watch my graduation, and it should have been a moment of joy and pride. I don't believe that holding a pillowcase should ever provoke violence and the pillowcase I held at my graduation revealed a truth that the university is desperate to hide. "By bringing this case, I hope to affirm that no student should be punished for speaking out against injustices across the globe and in Palestine.' Her legal team said: "instead of facilitating Ms AlBader's non-disruptive and peaceful protest, around four university security officers forcibly dragged her from the stage before removing her from the building. She sustained physical injuries from the incident. "Our client was part of the movement on Bangor University's campus to end the university's continued investments in companies on the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions list. Her protest was intended to highlight the university's financial ties to firms complicit in what the International Court of Justice found in January 2024 is a plausible genocide in Gaza and the unlawful occupation of Palestine. "Gold Jennings has been instructed by Ms AlBader to bring a civil claim for assault/battery, false imprisonment, and breach of her rights under Article 8 and 10 ECHR. As things stand, we have sent a letter of claim to Bangor University and are awaiting the university's response." Alexander Hogg of Gold Jennings said: 'Safeguarding freedom of expression and the right to protest requires upholding them not only when it is convenient but when it is uncomfortable – such as during graduation ceremonies, when principled students draw much needed public attention to universities' unethical investments. "Moreover, ensuring that universities are held to account when they violate students' right to protest and free speech, such as in the case of my client, not only protects the right to protest and speak out against what is happening in Palestine, it protects the right to protest and speak out on all issues of public importance for everyone. "My client has taken a brave and first step in holding Bangor University accountable for preventing her from exercising her right to freedom of speech.' A Bangor University spokesperson said: "We're aware of a claim, as this is an ongoing matter we are unable to comment." Protest groups staged encampments and occupations at universities across the UK, including Bangor and Cardiff last academic year. A Palestine protest camp was set up on university land outside the Pontio building in Bangor in May 2024 and lasted a year before the university issued an eviction notice in May this year and then a possession order in June. The "notice to vacate" was handed to the protestors but as the deadline to vacate passed without compliance, the university said it "made the difficult decision" to seek a "possession order" through the court, which was granted on June 12. A Bangor University spokesperson said at the time: "This legal action was a necessary step to bring an end to the ongoing disruption to university property and operations. Our priority remains towards ensuring a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all members of our community." Protesters also occupied a site at Cardiff University's Main Building for 56 days in support of Palestine (Image: John Myers ) A statement o the university's website, posted in May 2024 and still there, says: "Bangor University has an ethical and sustainable investments policy. The university does not choose individual investments itself but has a framework that our investment managers use to create our portfolio. "Our policy stipulates that we expect a high level of environmental, sustainability and governance (ESG) measures to be in place for any potential investment. The university also screens out potential investments in weapons, armaments, alcohol, gambling, tobacco, adult entertainment and fossil fuel companies. "Bangor University is currently reviewing this investment policy, with initial discussions having already taken place at the investment committee of which the President of the Bangor University Students' Union is a member. "The university expects that the policy review will be completed over the summer, and that the revised investment policy will be used as a framework by its investment managers to guide future decisions." Action was also taken to end a Palestine protest camp at Cardiff University. Anyone picketing on Cardiff University property risks being jailed following a High Court injunction obtained in response to the now-disbanded Palestine camp outside the main building. Cardiff University denied it is banning free speech or legitimate protest and said the injunction was needed to keep the campus secure. Article continues below
Western Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Western Telegraph
More than 70 people arrested at protests supporting banned Palestine Action
Protesters gathered for the second week in a row in central London after police reiterated that showing support for the group was a criminal offence, resulting in the Metropolitan Police making 42 arrests. Protesters sat underneath two statues in Parliament Square during the demonstration (James Manning/PA) A further 16 arrests were made in Manchester and 13 people were also held in Cardiff at other related demonstrations on Saturday. In London, two groups of protesters gathered underneath both the Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela statues in Parliament Square for the demonstration shortly after 1pm. The individuals then wrote the message 'I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action' with black markers on pieces of cardboard, and silently held the signs aloft as they were surrounded by Metropolitan Police officers and members of the media. Some demonstrators could be seen lying on top of each other on the floor as police searched their bags and took their ID cards and handmade signs. Officers have made 41 arrests for showing support for a proscribed organisation. One person has been arrested for common assault. The area was cleared within the last hour. — Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) July 12, 2025 Officers could then be seen carrying away a number of protesters who were lying down, lifting them off the ground and into waiting police vans parked around the square. Other standing protesters were also led away from the statues and placed into the vans. The last of the protesters was lifted from the Nelson Mandela statue shortly after 2.30pm. All but one of the 42 arrests were for showing support for a proscribed organisation, while one person was arrested for common assault, the Met said in a post shared on X. 🚨 BREAKING MANCHESTER – 16 ARRESTS 16 people have reportedly been arrested for terrorism offences in Manchester today at the foot of the Emmeline Pankhurst statue in St. Peter's Square. Their 'crime'? Holding a sign that reads 'I OPPOSE GENOCIDE – I SUPPORT PALESTINE ACTION' — Defend our Juries (@DefendourJuries) July 12, 2025 Greater Manchester Police said it had arrested 16 people under the Terrorism Act after responding to a protest in St Peter's Square, Manchester, at around 2.30pm on Saturday. South Wales Police also confirmed 13 people were arrested on suspicion of committing offences under the same Act during a protest in the vicinity of Central Square, Cardiff. Scotland Yard said its stance remains that officers will act where criminal offences, including support of proscribed groups or organisations, are committed. The force added that this includes 'chanting, wearing clothing or displaying articles such as flags, signs or logos'. Protesters were arrested and taken away from Parliament Square in nearby police vans (James Manning/PA) Police arrested 29 people at a similar protest in Parliament Square last weekend. They were detained for around 12 hours before being released on bail without charge, Defend Our Juries said. The terror group designation means that membership of, or support for, Palestine Action is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The move to ban the organisation came after two Voyager aircraft were damaged at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on June 20, an incident claimed by Palestine Action, which police said caused about £7 million worth of damage. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans to proscribe Palestine Action three days later, saying that the vandalism of the planes was 'disgraceful' and the group had a 'long history of unacceptable criminal damage'.
