Latest news with #UNReliefandWorksAgency
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Mohammad Sinwar: The ghost commander behind Hamas's deadliest strikes
Mohammad Sinwar, the elusive Hamas commander announced dead by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, was one of the group's most senior military figures and a top name on Israel's most wanted list. Known for his clandestine operations and ghost-like elusiveness, Sinwar was elevated to the top ranks of Hamas in 2024 following the death of his brother Yahya Sinwar—mastermind of the October 2023 attack on Israel that triggered the ongoing war in Gaza. Mohammad's rise through the group's ranks was marked by his role as a hardliner and seasoned battlefield strategist. As reported by Reuters, Sinwar played a key role in planning and executing the October 7, 2023, attack—described as Israel's worst security failure in decades. He had previously been linked to the 2006 cross-border raid that led to the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was later released in a prisoner swap that freed over 1,000 Palestinians, including his brother Yahya. He was rarely seen in public and seldom spoke to the media. Born on September 15, 1975, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, he grew up in a family originally from Asqalan (modern-day Ashkelon), who became refugees during the 1948 war, an event Palestinians refer to as the Nakba. He was educated in schools run by the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which has long had a strained relationship with Israel. Influenced by his brother Yahya, a former member of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mohammad joined Hamas soon after its founding in 1987 during the First Intifada. By 2005, Sinwar was leading the Hamas brigade in Khan Younis, one of the group's largest and most capable units. It has been responsible for a wide range of military operations, including rocket attacks, tunnel infiltration, and surveillance of Israeli troop movements. According to Reuters, his unit also participated in the 2006 abduction of Shalit, which was carried out by elite Hamas commandos under his leadership. Sinwar was considered one of the 'ghosts' of Hamas, consistently outmaneuvering Israeli intelligence services. Reuters reports that he had survived multiple assassination attempts, including remote-controlled explosives and bombings targeting his home. On one occasion, Hamas operatives discovered a bomb disguised as a brick along a cemetery path Sinwar was meant to take. In another incident in 2003, an explosive device planted in his home's wall was found and neutralised before detonation. His close associations with top Hamas military leaders, such as Mohammed Deif and Marwan Issa, further consolidated his influence. Despite Israel's efforts, Sinwar maintained a low profile, focusing on strategy and operations rather than public appearances. Yahya Sinwar's death in 2024—captured in footage showing him throwing a piece of wood at an Israeli drone before being killed—marked a dramatic moment that led to Mohammad's rise, according to Reuters. While Hamas has yet to confirm Sinwar's death, his absence could reshape Hamas's military command structure. Reports suggest Izz al-Din Haddad, a key figure currently overseeing operations in northern Gaza, may take over the group's armed wing. However, it remains unclear how Sinwar's elimination would affect decision-making within Hamas, particularly regarding ceasefire negotiations and the influence of exiled leaders in the group's political bureau. (With Inputs from Reuters)
Shafaq News
25-05-2025
- Health
- Shafaq News
Gaza War: +100 killed in 24 hours as strikes escalate
Shafaq News/ Israeli air and ground operations continued across Gaza in the past 24 hours, with 112 Palestinians killed and 289 injured, according to health authorities. The total Palestinian death toll since October 7, 2023, has now climbed to 53,253, with 111,618 wounded. Israeli forces have intensified strikes in Rafah and central Gaza, hitting targets in Al-Nuseirat refugee camp and other areas. Meanwhile, Gaza's humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate despite the reopening of the Kerem Shalom crossing. The United Nations confirmed the entry of 210 aid trucks carrying food, fuel, and medical supplies, but warned the deliveries are far below what's needed. The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) stated that a minimum of 500 to 600 trucks daily is required to meet Gaza's needs. 'The only way to prevent further catastrophe is sustained and effective aid access,' the agency warned. Hospitals are overwhelmed, operating under extreme shortages of medicine, electricity, and surgical equipment, with medical teams performing procedures in severely under-resourced conditions.
Gulf Today
24-02-2025
- Health
- Gulf Today
Mass vaccination
Taking care of children in war-torn Gaza is a noble work performed by the team of a vaccination campaign involving multiple UN agencies, including the Israeli-boycotted UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees ('Third polio mass vaccination campaign begins in Gaza,' Feb.23, Gulf Today website). According to the report, A third mass polio vaccination campaign began in Gaza on Saturday, AFP journalists reported, with the aim of delivering the first dose to nearly 600,000 children across the Palestinian territory. Scores of children under the age of 10 received the dose at a mosque in Jabalia, in northern Gaza, where a blistering Israeli military assault last year reduced many buildings to rubble. The vulnerable people of Gaza have gone through the hell of their life. As Israel and Hamas are observing a ceasefire that has largely halted the fighting is the best time for humanitarian work. I hope the complete sense of peace will prevail between both the warring parties and allow Gaza people to return to their homes and live peacefully with their families. By email
Times of Oman
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
After US, Israel halts participation in UN Human Rights Council
Jerusalem: A day after US President Donald Trump announced America's withdrawal from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gideon Sa'ar, said on Wednesday that Israel would also join the US in its decision not to participate in the UNHRC. Sa'ar expressed Israel's support for Trump's decision, calling it a step in the right direction. In a post on X on Wednesday, Israeli Foreign Minister said, "Israel welcomes President Trump's decision not to participate in the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Israel joins the United States and will not participate in the UNHRC." He called the UNHRC to have "traditionally protected human rights abusers by allowing them to hide from scrutiny, and instead obsessively demonizes the one democracy in the Middle East - Israel. This body has focused on attacking a democratic country and propagating antisemitism, instead of promoting human rights." "The discrimination against us is clear: In the UNHRC, Israel is the only country with an agenda item dedicated solely to it. Israel has been subjected to over 100 condemnatory resolutions, over 20% of all resolutions ever passed in the Council - more than against Iran, Cuba, North Korea and Venezuela combined. Israel will not accept this discrimination any longer!" he added. The announcement from the Israeli Foreign Minister came amid Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the United States. US President Trump announced America's departure from the "anti-semitic" UN Human Rights Council and the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which drew a lot of flak over the allegations of links with Hamas. Trump made the announcement during a joint press conference with Israeli PM Netanyahu in Washington, DC on Tuesday (local time). "I'm also pleased to announce that this afternoon the United States withdrew from the anti-semitic UN Human Rights Council and ended all of the support for the UN Relief and Works Agency, which funnelled money to Hamas and which was very disloyal to humanity. Today I also took action to restore our maximum pressure policy on the Iranian regime. And we will once again enforce the most aggressive possible sanctions, drive Iranian oil exports to zero, and diminish the regime's capacity to fund terror throughout the region and the world," the US President added. Israeli PM Netanyahu arrived in the US on Sunday to discuss the Gaza ceasefire agreement as well as plans for the Middle East with Trump, Al Jazeera reported. The Israeli PM is also expected to have a meeting with the US military leaders and members of Congress, Al Jazeera reported. These meetings will be held over several days. During the visit of the Israeli Prime Minister, Donald Trump said during the joint conference, "The bonds of friendship and affection between the American and Israeli people have endured for generations, and they are absolutely unbreakable."
