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Forums - Politics Discussion - Israel-Hamas war, Gaza genocide

SvennoJ on 10 June 2024

Dozens killed, injured in Rafah

Five Palestinians have been found killed and 30 more have been injured in Gaza’s southern district of Rafah, report our colleagues at Al Jazeera Arabic, citing a local medical source.

The victims have been brought to Nasser Hospital, but electricity shutdowns there could make it difficult for the injured to receive treatment, according to the report.

Gaza’s death toll rises

Israeli attacks in Gaza have killed 40 people and injured 218 in the last 24 hours, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. This brings the total number of people killed in the enclave since October 7 to 37,124, with 84,712 injured, the ministry said.

Israel destroyed over half of Gaza’s buildings: UN

More than half of the buildings in the Gaza Strip have been destroyed by Israeli attacks since October 7, according to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

“The destruction in Gaza is indescribable,” it said on X, citing data from the United Nations Satellite Center (UNOSAT). “Clearing the rubble will take years. Healing from the psychological trauma of this war will take even longer,” UNRWA added, calling for a ceasefire.

“This suffering must come to an end,” it said.

At least 8 killed in Israeli attack on a house near Khan Younis

At least eight people have been killed in an Israeli air attack on a house near the European Hospital in the town of al-Fukhari, south of Gaza’s Khan Younis city, according to local sources.

Footage verified by Al Jazeera’s Sanad fact-checking agency showed the injured, including infants and young children, being taken to the European Hospital.

The local sources said the targeted house belonged to the Kwarea family.





Israel attacking journalists again

Israel alleges journalist held hostages in Gaza, without providing evidence

https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/10/middleeast/israel-gaza-hostages-journalist-hamas-intl-hnk/index.html

Three hostages rescued during a deadly Israeli military operation on the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza were held captive by a journalist, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) alleged Sunday, without providing evidence to support their claim.

In a statement, the IDF claimed freed hostages Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov and Shlomi Ziv were held by journalist Abdallah Aljamal and his family members at their home in the central Gaza camp.

Aljamal was killed in the IDF operation along with his wife and father, according to Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor chairman Ramy Abdu, citing initial testimony gathered by the group documenting the IDF’s alleged killings in the Nuseirat camp on Saturday.

Aljamal lived on the first floor of a multi-story building, according to Euro-Med. The IDF said the hostages were found on the third floor.

CNN is attempting to reach out to people familiar with Aljamal.


The IDF statement claimed Aljamal was a Hamas operative and a journalist for Al Jazeera.

In a statement Sunday, Al Jazeera called Israel’s allegations “completely unfounded” and “a continuation of the process of slander and misinformation aimed at harming Al Jazeera’s reputation, professionalism, and independence.”

Aljamal never worked for the network but had once contributed to an opinion piece published on its website, Al Jazeera said.

Al Jazeera’s website credits Aljamal as the author of an op-ed published in 2019. His biography page on the site describes him as a “Gaza-based reporter and photojournalist.” Aljamal was a freelance contributor to The Palestine Chronicle, according to the US-based online outlet. The Chronicle said it was saddened by Aljamal’s death, noting his reports “have focused entirely on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.”

Meanwhile, an X account linked to Israel’s Foreign Ministry claimed Aljamal was a spokesperson for the Palestinian Ministry of Labor, citing unnamed sources in Gaza.  Without providing evidence, the Israeli X account also claimed that Argamani was held in Aljamal’s home, before later saying the three men were held captive there.



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SvennoJ on 10 June 2024

Palestinians describe Israeli killings in Gaza raid to free captives

Palestinians in central Gaza have accused Israeli forces of executions and mass killings during a major attack to free four Israeli captives.



Israel used area ‘near’ US military pier in Nuseirat raid: Pentagon

Israel’s army used an area “near” the US military’s pier during its bloody raid on the Nuseirat refugee camp to recover four Israeli captives, according to a US Pentagon spokesperson.

The assault on Saturday killed at least 274 Palestinians and wounded hundreds.

US-built temporary pier not used for Israel’s Nuseirat raid: Pentagon

The Pentagon has clarified that the US-built temporary military pier in Gaza was not used for Israel’s Saturday raid of the Nuseirat refugee camp “in any way”.

It added that false perceptions of the use of the pier by Israel did not increase the risk to US troops operating the pier for humanitarian relief efforts.

Well there you have it, Hamas does not use civilian infrastructure in Gaza by operating "near" civilian buildings.


Gaza’s hospitals overwhelmed by wounded from Israeli attacks

Gaza’s damaged, underequipped and understaffed hospitals are in a dire state eight months into Israel’s war on Gaza.

The collapse in Gaza’s health system in the face of massive Israeli bombardment has complicated a host of other unfolding disasters, from hunger to spreading disease. It has left those with chronic conditions unable to access basic care.

The war has also brought sudden influxes of badly injured people into the few operating hospitals even as they struggle to access medical supplies, overwhelming doctors and nurses.

“We placed the injured along the internal corridors and in between beds. There is no room at all inside this hospital. We had them sleep in external tents,” said Dr Khalil al-Dakran of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.

There are now four times more wounded people at the hospital than beds for them, he added.



SvennoJ on 10 June 2024

More on Blinken’s ‘all-out push’ to deliver ceasefire announced by Biden

This is an all-out push by Antony Blinken to deliver the ceasefire proposed by Joe Biden. He put the onus on Hamas, but really, there are two parties to this – the Israelis and Hamas, both with pretty entrenched positions.

Hamas – they want a promise to end the war and the withdrawal of Israeli forces. The Israelis – Benjamin Netanyahu constantly repeating his mantra “we are committed to total victory.” For Netanyahu, that means the removal of Hamas and its ability to fight in Gaza.

A couple of things may have changed in Israel. There is pressure on Netanyahu to release more of the captives after the operation to release those four a couple of days ago at the expense of 274 Palestinian lives.

Plus, you have the resignation of Benny Gantz from the war cabinet on the other side. That means Netanyahu is further reliant again on the far right in his coalition keeping him in power. They are saying any deal with Hamas and we will collapse the government. So those are the challenges that remain very difficult to bridge.

Blinken’s comments on truce deal ‘biased toward Israel’: Hamas

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri says the US secretary of state’s comments on the Gaza ceasefire proposal show “bias toward Israel”.

“Blinken’s speech during his visit to Egypt … offers an American cover to the holocaust conducted by the occupation in Gaza,” he told Reuters.

We reported earlier that Blinken said during a visit to Cairo: “My message to governments throughout the region, to people throughout the region, is if you want a ceasefire, press Hamas to say ‘yes’.

“If you want to alleviate the terrible suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, press Hamas to say ‘yes’. If you want to get all the hostages home, press Hamas to say ‘yes’. If you want to put Israelis and Palestinians alike on the path to more durable peace and security, press Hamas to say ‘yes’.”



Biased is an understatement, the US is completely one sided.

US deputy ambassador to UN insists Israel accepted US ceasefire proposal

US Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Robert Wood has said that Israel accepted the US proposal for a three-phase deal between Hamas and Israel.

This came hours before the UN Security Council is set to vote on a draft resolution put forward by the United States calling for Hamas to accept the deal.

“This proposal is the best opportunity we have right now, to bring at least a temporary halt to this fighting to be able to get more assistance in, get hostages released, and all the other things are included in the proposal. So we want to work hard to get that done,” said Wood, speaking at the UN headquarters in New York City.

“We want to put pressure on Hamas to accept this deal. So far, it hasn’t accepted this deal,” he claimed.

When prompted by a journalist who said that Israel has not formally accepted the proposal, either, Wood answered: “Israel’s accepted the deal. It’s Hamas. Hamas needs to accept this deal.”

You can have a temporary halt anytime, tell Israel to back off and let aid in. Then the hostage situation and permanent ceasefire can be figured out without killing more innocent civilians, including more hostages in the process. There is no victory in this war.

Biden's desperation on full display here, he needs a 'win' in the form of getting a temporary ceasefire so the weekly mass killings stop for a bit. Then he can run his campaign without actually having to stop supporting the genocide.

Israel reprimands ambassador of Slovenia over Palestine recognition

Israel’s foreign ministry said in a statement that during a conversation with the Slovenian ambassador, Slovenia’s statehood recognition “does not promote peace, it encourages the Hamas terrorist organization, and it makes it difficult to promote a deal for the release of the hostages”.

Several countries in the European Union have recognised the state of Palestine in recent weeks, including Ireland, Spain and Norway.Israel doesn't even mention the words ceasefire.

It can't be more clear they're only interested in phase 1 of the deal and will resume the slaughter right after. That is, if they will even agree to a temporary halt with Gantz out of the war cabinet.


Last edited by SvennoJ - on 10 June 2024

SvennoJ on 10 June 2024

Israeli drone shot down over Lebanon

An Israeli drone has been shot down over Lebanon by a surface-to-air missile, according to Israel’s military.

“A surface-to-air missile was launched toward an Israeli Air Force UAV [unmanned aerial vehicle] that was operating in Lebanese airspace. As a result, the UAV was damaged and fell in Lebanese territory,” the military said.

Hezbollah confirms it downed Israeli drone

Hezbollah says its air defence systems brought down the Israeli Hermes 900 unmanned aerial vehicle as it prepared to carry out attacks on southern Lebanon.

Five people hospitalized from fires in northern Israel

Five people have been taken to Ziv Medical Center in the city of Safed after fires broke out in the region because of clashes between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

All suffered from smoke inhalation, Israeli broadcaster Kan News reported.



SvennoJ on 10 June 2024

Pro-Palestine protesters target UK’s Barclays bank branches with red paint

Pro-Palestine activists have targeted 20 Barclays branches in England and Scotland, urging divestment from Israel’s weapons trade.

Some branches were also vandalised and had their windows broken.

According to the group Palestine Action, the protests were carried out to “demand the bank divests from Israel’s weapons trade and fossil fuels”. It said it will continue targeted actions until Barclays stops investing in certain companies.

You shall not mention the war...

University in Chicago dismisses professor after assignment on Israeli war on Gaza

DePaul University says it has dismissed a part-time biology instructor after she gave an optional assignment related to the war.

Anne d’Aquino told students in May that they could write about the impact of “genocide in Gaza” on human health. The theme of the spring class at the Chicago university was how microorganisms cause disease.

DePaul said some students objected to politics in a science class. It found the material was “outside the scope” of the class. D’Aquino appealed her dismissal. She said the assignment was relevant, noting that scientists had warned about the spread of infectious disease in Gaza.



International probe into Gaza hospital mass graves ‘essential’: UK medical charity

Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) is “deeply concerned” that no international investigators have yet been allowed to enter Gaza to preserve evidence and pursue accountability more than a month after the discovery of hundreds of bodies in mass graves at the enclave’s two hospitals.

At the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, the Palestinian Civil Defence recovered 392 bodies, including those of women, children, the elderly and injured people, from at least three mass graves. The discovery of these mass graves followed a weeks-long siege and military raid by Israeli forces, which forced Nasser hospital out of service.

Similarly, after a two-week-long invasion and siege by the Israeli military, at least seven mass graves were reported at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

“Israel has attacked nearly every hospital in Gaza. Hundreds of health workers and patients have been killed and detained. The discovery of mass graves in two hospitals further demonstrates that the protected status healthcare in Gaza under international law has totally failed, with harrowing results,” said MAP’s director of advocacy Rohan Talbot.

“The families of the dead deserve to know the truth of what happened to their loved ones, and to have justice wherever serious violations of international law have occurred. This can only be achieved through thorough, prompt and impartial investigations,” he said.

“The international community must therefore demand access to Gaza for independent investigators and forensic experts, so that evidence can be preserved and accountability pursued,” Talbot added.

 

US rights groups file appeal against Biden, Blinken alleging complicity in Israeli genocide in Gaza

The Center for Constitutional Rights, a New York civil liberties group, has filed an appeal on behalf of the Palestinian human rights organisations Al-Haq and Defence for Children International as well as Palestinians in Gaza and Palestinian Americans in the US in the Ninth District Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

They assert that the US (including the president, secretary of state and secretary of defence) is complicit in an Israeli genocide in Gaza.

The original lawsuit was filed in November in federal court, but it was dismissed in January on jurisdictional grounds.

“I promised my surviving family members in Gaza that I would do everything in my power to advocate on their behalf,” said Laila El-Haddad, a plaintiff in the case who has lost five family members in the war.



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SvennoJ on 10 June 2024

Israel keeps Palestinian woman journalist in ‘administrative detention’

An Israeli military court extended the detention of Rasha Herzallah, 39, until June 24 for alleged incitement on social media platforms. According to the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society and the Commission for Detainees’ Affairs, Israeli authorities detained the journalist from Nablus and interrogated her on June 2, and placed her under administrative detention – without charge or a trial.

The groups said the number of Palestinian women in Israeli prisons is 74, with many of them detained since October 7 for alleged “incitement against Israel” on social media platforms.

According to Women In Journalism, an advocacy and support organisation, Herzallah joins more than 40 journalists currently in Israeli prisons.

‘They are heartless’: Former Hamas captive mourns husband

Israel’s collective euphoria following the rescue of four captives stands in stark contrast with the anger of Tami Metzger, whose husband held in Gaza was pronounced dead days ago.

“If the government had stopped the war”, her husband Yoram would still be alive, said Metzger, 79, who was also held by Hamas but freed in a November prisoner exchange. “I’m angry … they are heartless.”

The Israeli army announced on June 3 that four Israeli captives held in Gaza were dead, including Yoram Metzger, 80.


Former Israeli captive Tami Metzger holds a portrait of her husband Yoram

 

Building of US pier ‘futile’: Gaza media office

The Government Media Office in Gaza has released a statement on the recently repaired, US-built humanitarian aid pier:

  • “In the wake of the World Food Programme’s announcement of stopping the entry of their aid into Gaza through the American floating dock due to security concerns, we once again confirm the futility of this dock, as we have not seen any serious contribution to it since its inauguration a month and a half ago, to alleviate the catastrophic humanitarian reality.”
  • “If the American administration were serious in its approach to mitigate the impact of the humanitarian catastrophe, and sincere in its intentions to help our people, it would have pressured the occupation to open the land crossings.”
  • “We call on the international community to take urgent and serious action – before it is too late – to ensure the entry of aid to all areas of the Gaza Strip.”



SvennoJ on 10 June 2024

Report: US, UK strike western Yemen targets

Aircraft from the United States and United Kingdom targeted the al-Faza coast in al-Tuhayta district in Hodeidah city, the Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah news outlet reports.

The Houthis have attacked ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden and fired missiles and drones at Israeli targets in a show of support for Palestinians in war-battered Gaza, drawing anger from Western nations.

The US and allies have bombed Houthi targets in Yemen since January, but the military campaign has not deterred Houthi attacks. The group pledged to continue targeting Israel-linked ships as long as the war on Gaza, which has killed more than 37,000 people, continues.

Yemen’s Houthis say ‘American-Israeli spy cell’ busted

An “American-Israeli spy cell” has been discovered, the Houthi militia says, a few days after the Iran-backed group detained about a dozen United Nations personnel.

The alleged spy cell included former staff at the US embassy in Yemen, according to a television statement from Abdel Hakim al-Khaiwani, the Houthis’ intelligence chief. “The American-Israeli spy cell carried out espionage and sabotage activities in official and unofficial institutions for decades in favour of the enemy,” he said.

“Members of the spy spell and American officers exploited their positions at the American embassy to carry out their sabotage activities. After the American embassy left Sanaa … the members of the spy cell continued to implement their sabotage agendas under the cover of international and UN organisations.”

The was no immediate comment from the United Nations or United States.



SvennoJ on 10 June 2024

What’s in the latest UN Security Council Gaza ceasefire resolution?

The UN Security Council has scheduled a vote at 3pm (19:00 GMT) on a US resolution that welcomes a ceasefire proposal announced by Biden, which the United States says “Israel has accepted”.

It calls on Hamas, which has said it views the proposal “positively”, to accept the three-phase plan. Here’s a look at the document:

  • The proposal would begin with an initial six-week ceasefire with the release of captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza and the return of Palestinian civilians to all areas in the territory.
  • Phase one also requires the safe distribution of humanitarian assistance “at scale throughout the Gaza Strip”, which Biden said would lead to 600 trucks loaded with aid entering Gaza every day.
  • In phase two, the draft resolution says that with the agreement of Israel and Hamas, “a permanent end to hostilities, in exchange for the release of all other hostages still in Gaza, and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza” would take place.
  • Phase three would launch “a major multi-year reconstruction plan for Gaza and the return of the remains of any deceased hostages still in Gaza to their families”.
  • If adopted, it would be the first Security Council resolution on a ceasefire plan aimed at ending the eight-month war.


Blinken emphasised post-war Gaza plan in meeting with Netanyahu

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasised the importance of a post-conflict plan for Gaza in a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Blinken also stressed the importance of preventing the conflict from spreading, the US Department of State said, noting that Blinken “reiterated the [ceasefire] proposal on the table would unlock the possibility of calm along Israel’s northern border and further integration with countries in the region”.


Mother of freed Israeli captive calls on Israeli government to reach a deal

The mother of an Israeli captive rescued from Gaza in a deadly Israeli military raid asked the government to agree on a deal to free others still held there.

“There are … families who are waiting without being able to breathe or sleep without thinking about their loved ones in Gaza,” said Orit Meir, adding she finally was able to have her “first full night sleep in eight months”.

Her son Almog Meir Jan, 22, was recovered from Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp along with three other captives in the operations, which killed more than 274 Palestinians.

Meir said she felt “lucky” but is hoping others will have the same opportunity to be reunited with family. “The remaining hostages need a deal to get home safely. There is a deal on the table. We ask the Israeli government to move forward with the deal,” she said.


Almog Meir Jan, a rescued captive, embraces his mother, Orit Meir


Hamas, PIJ release statement ahead of UN Security Council vote

The leaders of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) met in Qatar to discuss the proposed ceasefire deal for Gaza, according to a statement released after talks concluded.

The statement said Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas and Ziyad al-Nakhalah of PIJ discussed “indirect talks” to reach an agreement.

There are no direct talks between Hamas and Israel. According to the statement released by PIJ, the leaders said any deal must lead to a permanent ceasefire, a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, an end to the Israeli siege of Gaza, reconstruction, and “a serious exchange deal” between captives in Gaza and Palestinians held in Israeli jails.



SvennoJ on 10 June 2024

Russia didn't use its veto!

UN Security Council passes Gaza ceasefire resolution

The US-sponsored vote passes with 14 in favour, 0 against and one abstention.

Russia was the one country to abstain.

It is the first time the UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding a ceasefire after eight months of war on Gaza by Israel’s military – a conflict that has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians.

 

US ambassador to UN urges Hamas to accept ceasefire deal

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN, pressed the United States line that only Hamas is left to accept US President Joe Biden’s ceasefire deal.

“For months the United States has worked around the clock alongside Egypt and Qatar to broker a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas,” she said at UN headquarters in New York.

“Such a deal has proven elusive. Why? Because Hamas has refused to accept any agreement. But right now, there is another opportunity,” Thomas-Greenfield added, saying the deal “is nearly identical to Hamas’s own proposals”.

Another pathological liar. US and Israel are united in lies. But maybe there is a way forward between all the lies and deceptions.

Hamas says it has informed Qatari and Egyptian mediators that it has accepted their proposal for a new Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal with Israel.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68964108 May 6 2024



“This deal would bring hostages home, ensure Israel’s security, and enable a surge of humanitarian relief and essential services including water and electricity, medical facilities and rubble removal to Palestinian civilians in Gaza, and set the stage for a political settlement that provides a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”

“Colleagues, I’ll also note this resolution rejects any demographic or territorial changes in Gaza, including any actions that reduce the territory of Gaza, and reiterates this council’s unwavering commitment to the vision of a negotiated two-state solution, where Israelis and Palestinians live side by side in peace within secure and recognised borders, consistent with international law and relevant UN resolutions,” Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the 15 council members.

“The draft before us also stresses the importance of unifying the West Bank and Gaza under the leadership of a reformed and revitalised Palestinian Authority.”



SvennoJ on 10 June 2024

UN resolution ‘not perfect’ but offers ‘glimmer of hope’: Algeria UN envoy

Amar Bendjama says his country voted in favour of the draft resolution because “it can represent a step towards an immediate and lasting ceasefire”.

“I would like to extend our gratitude to the US delegation, especially Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, for their diligent efforts and for addressing some of our concerns in the final text,” he said in his remarks shortly after the vote.

“Algeria engaged during the negotiation process in good faith, working closely with Palestinian mediators to achieve a resolution that ensures an immediate ceasefire, and hopefully will have a tangible impact on the ground. This text is not perfect, but it offers a glimmer of hope to the Palestinians.”

Bendjama said Algeria was “unwavering” in its commitment to “halt the massacres committed by the Israeli occupying forces in Gaza during these dark times in human history”.

“Algeria’s sole guiding principle has been the preservation of Palestinian lives. We cannot stand by while the Israeli occupying forces continue to exterminate Palestinians.”

Hamas ‘welcomes’ UN resolution on permanent ceasefire

In a statement, the group welcomed a “permanent” ceasefire, compete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, a captive-prisoner exchange, a plan to re-build, the return of the internally displaced to their homes, and the rejection of any demographic changes or shrinkage of the enclave’s area, as well as the entry of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

“We confirm our willingness to work with our brothers the interlocutors to negotiate indirectly on how to implement these principles that coincide with our people and the resistance’s demands,” Hamas said.

‘Now that UN resolution has passed, can it be implemented?’

That’s the big question moving forward: can it be enforced and can it be implemented?

As you heard from Linda Thomas-Greenfield, she said the United States will help or encourage Israel to implement it, and she said Egypt and Qatar will help Hamas implement it.

So they are looking at this clear-eyed – just because the Security Council passed this overwhelmingly, and it is binding under international law, it is now up to the parties to abide by it and implement it.

The US is saying very clearly that Israel has agreed to this. That puts a lot of pressure on Israel. This is clearly a diplomatic victory for the United States.