Latest news with #Ismailal-Thawabta
Days of Palestine
a day ago
- Politics
- Days of Palestine
Israel Destroys Over 240 Residential Buildings in Gaza
More than 240 residential units have been destroyed in recent days by Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, according to the government media office in Gaza, which condemned the attacks as part of a deliberate campaign to displace civilians and dismantle entire communities. Ismail al-Thawabta, Director General of the Gaza Media Office, told Anadolu Agency that the surge in targeted strikes on civilian homes reflects what he called Israel's 'scorched-earth policy' — one aimed at forcing Palestinians from their homes, devastating their livelihoods, and creating widespread fear and trauma. 'This criminal behavior signals a calculated intent to escalate genocide and enforce the forced displacement of unarmed civilians,' al-Thawabta said, noting that the demolished units sheltered entire families, including children and the elderly, with no military presence in the vicinity — contrary to Israeli claims. He described the attacks as part of a broader message from Israel: 'Surrender or face total annihilation.' But he emphasized that such tactics would fail. 'Our people, who have withstood decades of occupation, will not be broken by bulldozers or bombs,' he said. Al-Thawabta called on the international community to urgently intervene to stop what he referred to as 'this ongoing bloody madness' and protect civilians facing repeated assaults. Since launching its military campaign in October 2023, Israel has killed more than 54,400 Palestinians, most of them women and children, according to local health authorities. Aid groups have repeatedly warned of famine conditions across the enclave, where humanitarian access remains critically limited. Israel has rejected calls for a ceasefire despite mounting international pressure, including from the United Nations and humanitarian organizations. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel is also currently facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice, further heightening global scrutiny of its military conduct in the besieged territory.
Qatar Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
‘US-backed Gaza aid model distraction from atrocities'
Agencies Gaza The head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has condemned the new United States-backed aid model in Gaza, saying it is a 'distraction from atrocities' taking place there, as a second day of chaotic, deadly scenes unfolded as desperate Palestinians tried to access aid. Ismail al-Thawabta, director of the Government Media Office in Gaza, confirmed to Al Jazeera that at least six people were shot and killed by Israeli forces on Wednesday while trying to reach an aid distribution point west of Rafah in the south of the besieged enclave. The deaths came a day after at least three people were killed and dozens wounded when the Israeli military opened fire on Palestinians trying to get to the aid. On Tuesday, thousands of Palestinians clambered over fences to reach the humanitarian supplies at a distribution site run by the newly formed, US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), in Rafah. Ajith Sunghay, head of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, told reporters in Geneva on Wednesday that 47 Palestinians were wounded, mainly by Israeli gunfire, during that incident. The Israeli military said its forces had fired warning shots nearby. 'We have seen yesterday the shocking images of hungry people pushing against fences, desperate for food. It was chaotic, undignified and unsafe,' UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini told reporters at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo. 'I believe it is a waste of resources and a distraction from atrocities,' Lazzarini continued. 'We already have an aid distribution system that is fit for purpose.' 'The clock is ticking towards famine, so [the] humanitarian [system] must be allowed to do its life-saving work now,' Lazzarini said.
eNCA
27-04-2025
- Health
- eNCA
Gaza ministry says hundreds of war missing confirmed dead, toll at 52,243
GAZA - The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza announced Sunday that the death toll from the war had risen to more than 52,000 people, after hundreds previously listed as missing were confirmed dead. "An additional 697 martyrs have been added to the cumulative statistics after their data was completed and verified by the committee monitoring missing persons," the health ministry said in a statement, giving the overall toll of 52,243. Several United Nations agencies that operate in Gaza have said the ministry's data is credible and they are frequently cited by international organisations. One hospital in the Palestinian territory confirmed the data and elaborated on the process. "The families of those initially reported missing had informed authorities of their disappearance, but their bodies were subsequently recovered, either from beneath the rubble or from areas previously inaccessible to medical teams due to the presence of the Israeli army," said Khalil al-Daqran, spokesman for Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. He said the ministry's release of the 697 figure came after a "judicial committee" that collects and checks data completed its documentation, "confirming their martyrdom and transferring their status from missing persons to martyrs." When asked why such a large number was announced simultaneously, the Hamas government's Media Office in Gaza explained that statistics are released periodically. It is not the first time the health ministry has made such a revision. "Because the judicial committee issues its report periodically rather than daily. They follow their own procedural protocols, and once their report was finalised, it was officially adopted," Ismail al-Thawabta, director general of the Media Office, told AFP. With Gaza largely in ruins after more than 18 months of war, the health ministry has struggled to count the death toll. AFP | STRINGER But neither the Israeli military nor top Israeli officials have denied the scale of the overall toll. Earlier this year, Israel and Hamas agreed to a truce, which began on January 19, but collapsed two months later on March 18 due to disagreements over the next phase of the deal.
Hindustan Times
27-04-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Gaza's overall death toll at 52,243; hundreds of missing confirmed dead: Report
The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza announced Sunday that the death toll from the war had risen to more than 52,000 people, after hundreds previously listed as missing were confirmed dead. "An additional 697 martyrs have been added to the cumulative statistics after their data was completed and verified by the committee monitoring missing persons," the health ministry said in a statement, giving the overall toll of 52,243. Also Read: 'Professional failures': Israel as probe finds military at fault over 15 medics' killing in Gaza Several United Nations agencies that operate in Gaza have said the ministry's data is credible and they are frequently cited by international organisations. One hospital in the Palestinian territory confirmed the data and elaborated on the process. "The families of those initially reported missing had informed authorities of their disappearance, but their bodies were subsequently recovered -- either from beneath the rubble or from areas previously inaccessible to medical teams due to the presence of the Israeli army," said Khalil al-Daqran, spokesman for Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Also Read: Qatar's chief negotiator expresses frustration at 'slowness' of Gaza peace talks He said the ministry's release of the 697 figure came after a "judicial committee" that collects and checks data completed its documentation, "confirming their martyrdom and transferring their status from missing persons to martyrs." When asked why such a large number was announced simultaneously, the Hamas government's Media Office in Gaza explained that statistics are released periodically. It is not the first time the health ministry has made such a revision. Also Read: 'Little light in a lot of sorrow': How a missing dog was reunited with Israeli family after 18 months in Gaza "Because the judicial committee issues its report periodically rather than daily. They follow their own procedural protocols, and once their report was finalised, it was officially adopted," Ismail al-Thawabta, director general of the Media Office, told AFP. With Gaza largely in ruins after more than 18 months of war, the health ministry has struggled to count the death toll. Israel has repeatedly questioned the credibility of the daily figures put out by the ministry, criticising the Gaza authorities for failing to distinguish between combatants and civilians. But neither the Israeli military nor top Israeli officials have denied the scale of the overall toll. Earlier this year, Israel and Hamas agreed to a truce, which began on January 19, but collapsed two months later on March 18 due to disagreements over the next phase of the deal. Since then, Israel has resumed its military campaign in Gaza, resulting in at least 2,151 additional deaths.
RTÉ News
27-04-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Gaza health ministry says death toll has risen to over 52,000
The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza has announced that the death toll from the conflict had risen to more than 52,000 people, after hundreds previously listed as missing were confirmed dead. "An additional 697 martyrs have been added to the cumulative statistics after their data was completed and verified by the committee monitoring missing persons," the health ministry said in a statement, giving the overall toll of 52,243. Several United Nations agencies that operate in Gaza have said the ministry's data is credible and they are frequently cited by international organisations. One hospital in the Palestinian territory confirmed the data and elaborated on the process. "The families of those initially reported missing had informed authorities of their disappearance, but their bodies were subsequently recovered - either from beneath the rubble or from areas previously inaccessible to medical teams due to the presence of the Israeli army," said Khalil al-Daqran, spokesman for Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. He said the ministry's release of the 697 figure came after a "judicial committee" that collects and checks data completed its documentation, "confirming their martyrdom and transferring their status from missing persons to martyrs." When asked why such a large number was announced simultaneously, the Hamas government's Media Office in Gaza explained that statistics are released periodically. It is not the first time the health ministry has made such a revision. "Because the judicial committee issues its report periodically rather than daily. They follow their own procedural protocols, and once their report was finalised, it was officially adopted," Ismail al-Thawabta, director general of the Media Office said. With Gaza largely in ruins after more than 18 months of war, the health ministry has struggled to count the death toll. Israel has repeatedly questioned the credibility of the daily figures put out by the ministry, criticising the Gaza authorities for failing to distinguish between combatants and civilians. But neither the Israeli military nor top Israeli officials have denied the scale of the overall toll. Earlier this year, Israel and Hamas agreed to a truce, which began on 19 January, but collapsed two months later on 18 March due to disagreements over the next phase of the deal. Since then, Israel has resumed its military campaign in Gaza, resulting in at least 2,151 additional deaths. The Israeli military also said it has killed a Hezbollah militant in a strike in southern Lebanon's Halta area, in the latest attack despite a ceasefire that ended a war between Israel and the Lebanese armed group. "Earlier today, the IDF (military) struck in the area of Halta in southern Lebanon and eliminated a Hezbollah terrorist who advanced Hezbollah's attempts to re-establish itself in the Halta area," the military said.
