France foreign minister says strike on Gaza church 'unacceptable' - War on Gaza
"Unacceptable attack in Gaza against the Church of the Holy Family, historically under the protection of France," he said, alluding to a 16th-centrury accord for France to protect Catholic Christians in the Holy Land.
"The church has been sheltering both Christians and Muslims, including some children with disabilities," Fadel Naem, the acting director of Al-Ahli Hospital, which received the wounded, told AP.
At least two people were in critical condition, and others injured included one child with disabilities, two women, and an elderly person, Naem added.
Since the start of Israel's war on Gaza in October 2023, its military has repeatedly targeted civilian infrastructure, including places of worship such as historic mosques and churches that are central to Palestine's cultural and religious heritage.
According to figures published by Gaza's government media office in April, Israeli airstrikes have destroyed more than 1,000 mosques and three churches – in what many observers see as a deliberate assault on sites of worship.
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UPDATED: UN warns Gaza slipping into famine as Israel resists ceasefire calls - War on Gaza
Gaza is slipping into famine, UN-backed experts warned Tuesday, as the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory said the death toll in the nearly 22-month war had surpassed 60,000. The health ministry figure excludes deaths from hunger in the Palestinian territory, gripped by dire humanitarian conditions made worse by Israel's total blockade of aid from March to May. This week, Israel launched a daily pause in fighting and opened secure routes to enable UN and non-governmental agencies to distribute food on Gaza's devastated streets. Hundreds of truckloads of aid have begun to arrive. But Israeli strikes continued overnight, killing 30 people in the Nuseirat refugee camp, according to Gaza's civil defence agency -- and experts warn a humanitarian catastrophe of historic proportions is imminent. "The worst-case scenario of famine is now unfolding in the Gaza Strip," said the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Initiative (IPC), a coalition of monitors tasked by the UN to warn of impending crises. Urgent action now The World Food Programme's emergency director, Ross Smith, likened the situation to some of the worst famines of the past century. "This is unlike anything we have seen in this century. It reminds us of previous disasters in Ethiopia or Biafra," Smith said via video-link from Rome. "We need urgent action now." In a statement released ahead of the IPC report, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office accused Hamas of distorting casualty figures and accused the group of looting food aid destined for Palestinian civilians. "While the situation in Gaza is difficult and Israel has been working to ensure aid delivery, Hamas benefits from attempting to fuel the perception of a humanitarian crisis," the statement said. "We already allow significant amounts of humanitarian aid into Gaza every single day, including food, water and medicine. Unfortunately, Hamas... has been stealing aid from the Gaza population, many times by shooting Palestinians." As late as Sunday, Netanyahu had been insisting there was "no starvation in Gaza" but even his close international ally, US President Donald Trump, has now warned the situation appears to be "real starvation". Israel imposed a total blockade on Gaza on March 2 after ceasefire talks broke down. In late May, it began allowing a small trickle of aid to resume, amid warnings of a wave of starvation. Then on Sunday, faced with a mounting international chorus of alarm, Israel began a series of "tactical pauses" while allowed aid trucks to cross two border crossings into Gaza, and Jordanian and Emirati planes to airdrop aid. Shipments have ramped up, but for the IPC this effort will not prove enough unless aid agencies are granted "immediate, unimpeded" humanitarian access. "Failure to act now will result in widespread death in much of the Strip," it said, warning that 16 children under the age of five had died of hunger since July 17. "Mounting evidence shows that widespread starvation, malnutrition, and disease are driving a rise in hunger-related deaths," it said. According to Netanyahu's office, the pause in military operations covers "key populated areas" between 10:00 am (0700 GMT) and 8:00 pm every day. Designated aid convoy routes will be secure from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm. COGAT, an Israeli defence ministry body in charge of civil affairs in the Palestinian territories, said more than 200 truckloads of aid were distributed by the UN and aid agencies on Monday. Airstrikes Another 260 trucks were permitted to cross into Gaza to deposit aid at collection points, four UN tankers brought in fuel and 20 pallets of aid were airdropped from Jordanian and Emirati planes, COGAT said. Overnight, however, strikes continued. Gaza's civil defence agency said Tuesday that Israeli air strikes killed at least 30 Palestinians, including women and children, in the central Nuseirat district. Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal said the strikes were carried out overnight and into the morning and "targeted a number of citizens' homes" in the Nuseirat refugee camp. The local Al-Awda hospital said it had received "the bodies of 30 martyrs, including 14 women and 12 children". An Israeli military spokesman told AFP that he would need more information to enable him to look into the strikes. With aid experts pushing for a ceasefire to enable a large-scale humanitarian operation, Israel's foreign minister addressed reporters in Jerusalem to denounce what he called a "distorted campaign" of international pressure. Gideon Saar told reporters that if Israel was to halt the conflict while Hamas is still in power in Gaza and still holding hostages it would be a "tragedy for both Israelis and Palestinians". "It ain't gonna happen, no matter how much pressure is put on Israel," he said. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
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Abbas Praises Egypt's Pioneering Role in Promoting Peace in Region, World
Nada Mustafa Palestinian President Mahmoud AbbasPalestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, expressed his appreciation for the special appeal made by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to U.S. President Donald Trump to halt the war in Gaza and allow humanitarian aid into the Strip, according to a statement published by the Palestinian News Agency. Abbas stated that President Sisi's initiative is a continuation of the significant and historic role played by the Arab Republic of Egypt, under the leadership of President El-Sisi, in supporting the Palestinian cause, halting the Israeli aggression, delivering humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, and preventing displacement. He also affirmed that this stance is highly valued in his name and on behalf of the Palestinian people, praising Egypt's pioneering role in promoting peace and security in the region and the world. Abbas added: 'We reaffirm the State of Palestine's solidarity with sisterly Egypt, its people, and its wise leadership as they continue on the path of development and prosperity, and in facing all forms of terrorism that target Egypt and its national security.' He also emphasized the importance of continued joint coordination and the unity of destiny that serves the interests of the two brotherly peoples and nations. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results Arts & Culture Lebanese Media: Fayrouz Collapses after Death of Ziad Rahbani
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Special Train Departs from Cairo to Facilitate Voluntary Return of Sudanese Refugees
Ahmed Emam A special train carrying Sudanese nationals is set to depart from Cairo's main railway station today, heading to Aswan as part of a coordinated effort to support the voluntary return of Sudanese citizens and their families to their homeland. This initiative underscores the enduring historical ties and strong fraternal bonds between the peoples of Egypt and Sudan. The Egyptian National Railways Authority (ENR) announced the continued operation of this dedicated service to facilitate the return of Sudanese citizens who wish to go back voluntarily. Train No. 1940, a third-class air-conditioned service, will depart Cairo at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 28, and is scheduled to arrive at the High Dam Station in Aswan at 11:40 p.m. that evening. The return trip, Train No. 1945, will depart Aswan at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29, and arrive back in Cairo at 9:25 a.m. the following morning. An additional luggage carriage has been attached to the train to accommodate the personal belongings of passengers, ensuring comfort and convenience during their journey. This initiative follows directives from Lieutenant General Kamel El-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, who instructed Egyptian National Railways officials to provide all logistical support and services necessary to ensure a safe and dignified journey for Sudanese travelers. The effort reflects Egypt's longstanding humanitarian and national role in supporting neighboring nations, especially Sudan. ENR reaffirmed its full commitment to assisting Sudanese citizens residing in Egypt and extended its wishes for a safe journey and honorable return to their homeland, in the spirit of shared destiny and regional solidarity between the two Nile Valley nations. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results Arts & Culture Lebanese Media: Fayrouz Collapses after Death of Ziad Rahbani
