Gaza health authorities confirmed that 181 Palestinians have been killed, including 52 children and 31 women, and 1,225 others had different injuries…reports Asian Lite News
Tensions between Israel and Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip have continued unabated for a seventh consecutive day, as the death toll in the coastal enclave climbed to 181, officials said.
The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza said in a statement on Sunday that since the escalation began on May 10, 181 Palestinians have been killed, including 52 children and 31 women, and 1,225 others had different injuries, reports Xinhua news agency.
Militant groups, led by the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), fired barrages of rockets from the Gaza Strip at cities and towns in central and southern Israel.
Israeli fighter jets intensified its airstrikes on buildings, military posts and facilities affiliated with the militants all over the strip, according to security sources.
Palestinian Territories, Gaza city: Fire billows from a building hit by an Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip, amid the escalating flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence(Photo: Mahmoud Khattab/Quds Net News via ZUMA Wire/dpa/IANS)
The sources said that the houses of Hamas chief in the Gaza Strip Yehya Sinwar and his brother were destroyed in the intensive Israeli airstrikes waged on the southern city of Khan Younis, adding that no injuries were reported.
Ashraf al-Qedra, spokesman of the Health Ninistry in Gaza, told reporters that late Saturday night and on Sunday morning, 23 Palestinians were killed and over 50 wounded in the airstrikes on Gaza.
An Israeli army spokesman said that in the last 24 hours, fighter jets struck 90 targets that belong to Hamas and the Islamic Jihad in Gaza, including the houses of Sinwar and his brother Mohammed.
The spokesman said that Gaza militants fired more than 120 rockets towards Israel, adding that the Iron Dome Air Defense System has intercepted most of them.
Since May 10, more than 2,300 have been fired by the Hamas, according to Israel’s Army.
Israel has since responded with airstrikes and artillery shelling, striking more than 650 targets.
Palestinian Territories, Gaza City: Fire and smoke rise from the collapsing Al-Shorouk Tower building after it was hit by an Israeli airstrike, amid the escalating flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence. . (Photo: Ahmed Zakot/SOPA Images via ZUMA Wire/dpa)
According to Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service, 10 people were killed and 636 injured in the Jewish state as a result of the rocket fire.
Meanwhile, Palestinian sources said there were regional and international efforts to reach a humanitarian ceasefire between the two sides.
The sources told Xinhua that Egypt has been trying to pressure the two sides to declare a temporary humanitarian ceasefire to alleviate the suffering in Gaza until a permanent truce is reached.
They added that the Egyptian proposal “is under discussion by the Palestinian factions and will be on the table of Israeli cabinet for discussion on Sunday”.
Fight between rivals in Afghanistan resumes as 3 day Eid ceasefire ends…reports Asian Lite News
Fighting in Afghanistan resumed with 31 Afghans, mostly militants, killed in the insurgency-battered Asian country on Sunday after a three-day ceasefire observed with the start of Eid al-Fitr on Thursday to enable celebrations of the end of the Muslim fasting month Ramadan, officials said.
Mohammad Zaman Hamdard, the spokesman for provincial police in the southern Helmand province, has accused the Taliban militants of violating the ceasefire, saying the Taliban fighters attacked security checkpoints on Friday, the second day of the Eid al-Fitr festival, the Xinhua news agency reported.
Hamdard said that the security forces after the end of the three-day truce targeted the militants from the ground and air on Sunday killing 21 militants and injuring 13 others.
In the meantime, a roadside mine planted by militants struck a car in Khwaja Omari district of the southeastern Ghazni province early Sunday killing three civilians and injuring three others, district chief Ahmad Zia Yaqubi said.
Similarly, Taliban attacks on security checkpoints in Nasay district of the northern Badakhshan province were repulsed Sunday and the militants fled away after leaving seven bodies behind, army officer Abdul Razaq told said.
Four other militants and two security personnel were injured in the fighting lasting hours, the officer added.
A driver sustained injury as his car ran over a mine in the Dasht-e-Padola area of PD 7 of the capital city of Kabul on Sunday, police said.
Afghan security force members take part in a military operation in Ghazni province, eastern Afghanistan
Taliban-related militancy, according to the Afghan Defense Ministry had left more than 40 people dead and injured during the three-day Eid al-Fitr holidays in Kandahar, Kunduz, Ghazni, Herat, Farah, Logar and Wardak provinces as the armed group violated the cease-fire.
Among the deadly violent incidents was a blast inside a mosque on the outskirts of Kabul on Friday, the second day of Eid al-Fitr, which claimed 12 lives and injured 15 others. Taliban purported spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid besides condemning the attack has denied the group’s involvement.
In a counter claim, Mujahid has accused the government forces of breaking the ceasefire.
The Israeli Army attacked further targets on Palestinian territory, including rocket launchers and two combat units belonging to the Hamas movement….reports Asian Lite News
Hamas continued to attack Israel with rockets on Sunday and the Israeli army struck back with force as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to pursue the Palestinian militant group for as long as necessary.
“Fire will be met with fire,” Netanyahu said in a video address late Saturday night.
“This (military) operation will continue as long as it takes until we achieve our goals and bring peace and security to all Israeli citizens,” the Jerusalem Post quoted the Prime Minister as saying.
Israel’s security cabinet is set to meet on Sunday, dpa news agency quoted the Jerusalem Post as saying.
Rockets fired by militant Palestinians continued to rain on Israeli cities on Saturday, while warning sirens wailed in the desert city of Beersheba and in border areas near Gaza, the Army said.
Alarms also went off several times in Tel Aviv, with the latest alarm triggered in the Israeli coastal metropolis late Saturday.
At least one person was killed in a rocket attack on the greater Tel Aviv area on Saturday.
The Israeli Army attacked further targets on Palestinian territory, including rocket launchers and two combat units belonging to the Hamas movement.
The air force destroyed a high-rise in the Gaza Strip that housed the offices of several media organizations, the military said.
The military said the building also contained “military assets” belonging to the Hamas movement, adding it had warned civilians ahead of the strike and left them time to evacuate.
Palestinian Territories, Gaza city: Fire billows from a building hit by an Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip, amid the escalating flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence(Photo: Mahmoud Khattab/Quds Net News via ZUMA Wire/dpa/IANS)
“This is an incredibly disturbing development,” Associated Press (AP) chief Gary Pruitt said in New York.
“We narrowly avoided a terrible loss of life.”
The news agency had been informed in advance of the airstrike on the high-rise, he said.
A dozen AP journalists and freelancers were pulled to safety in time, he added.
Pruitt said he was “shocked and horrified” that the Israeli military destroyed a building with media offices. He said the world would now know less about what is happening in Gaza.
Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera said it too had its office in the high-rise.
After the attack, the fifth high-rise destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in the current conflict, a spokesperson for Hamas said Tel Aviv should prepare for an “answer that will shake the earth”.
An Israeli man injured after a rocket from the Gaza strip landed is evacuated in central Israeli city of Holon, on May 11, 2021. (Gideon Markowicz/JINI via Xinhua/IANS)
The Israeli army said it had targeted the house of Khalil al-Hayya, deputy head of the Hamas political bureau, and other ranking officials.
According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, about 145 Palestinians have been killed and 1,100 injured since fighting escalated on Monday.
According to the Magen David Adom rescue service, 10 people were killed and 636 injured in Israel as a result of the rocket fire over the past few days.
Palestinian militants have been continuously firing rockets at Israel since tensions first flared up on May 10.
More than 2,300 have been fired, according to Israel’s Army, although about 20 per cent go down over Gaza without reaching Israeli territory.
Israeli army Artillery Corps fire into the Gaza Strip near the southern Israeli city of Sderot amid escalating tension on May 12, 2021. (JINI via Xinhua/IANS)
Israel has responded with airstrikes and artillery shelling, striking more than 650 targets, according to an officer.
Civil unrest has also been mounting between in Israel’s Jewish and Arab populations, with protests and riots reported.
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, at least nine people died in clashes in the West Bank and 21 were severely injured.
Rising tension first came to a head during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, with clashes at a Jerusalem holy site as well as over the forced evictions of Palestinians in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah.
Maritime authorities on Wednesday reported that there were 287 Chinese maritime militia vessels scattered in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea….reports Asian Lite News
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBunj9Hl3bw
President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday said that Philippine ships in the West Philippine Sea will not move an inch backward following reported incursions by nearly 300 Chinese militia vessels in the disputed territory.
“Our vessels are now there in Pag-asa and in other areas, we will not move an inch backward,” said Duterte in his public address, reported Manila Times.
Maritime authorities on Wednesday reported that there were 287 Chinese maritime militia vessels scattered in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr on Wednesday ordered the filing of another diplomatic protest against Beijing over the recent incident.
China-ship
Despite his pronouncement, Duterte also reiterated that he does not want a quarrel with China.
I don’t want to quarrel with China. I really don’t want to. I repeat, we owe them a big debt of gratitude,” said Duterte.
Last month, Philippines had conducted maritime exercises in the disputed West Philippine Sea, as Chinese coast guard ships continue to amass near a disputed reef in the South China Sea.
Members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources began their “intensified” maritime training.
Eight capital ships of the national government had been deployed for the maritime exercises in Bajo De Masinloc and Pag-asa Island. The exercises covered navigation, small boat operations, maintenance, and logistical operations.
The vessels were also used to perform maritime drills in the Batanes Group of Islands, Benham Rise, as well as in the southern and eastern portions of the Philippines.
“We are supporting the whole-of-nation approach in securing our maritime jurisdiction, especially the efforts of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea to undertake maritime security, maritime safety, maritime law enforcement, maritime search and rescue, and marine environmental protection roles in our country’s waters,” PCG spokesperson Commodore Armando Balilo said.
China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea and has overlapping territorial claims with Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan.
China has been increasing its maritime activities in both the South China Sea and the East China Sea over the past few months, partly in response to Beijing’s concerns over the increasing US military presence in the region because of escalating Sino-US tensions.
Beijing’s rising assertiveness against counter claimants in the East and South Sea has resulted in unprecedented agreement across the Indo-Pacific. (ANI)
The armed resistance at Mindat marks a dramatic transformation of the pro-democracy movement from a peaceful protest agitation to an armed one…reports Anwesha Bhaumik
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZS3jZ1Nw_sA
Heavy fighting continued in Mindat town in Myanmar’s Chin state on Saturday, as civilian fighters fought the Myanmar military or Tatmadaw, braving heavy artillery barrages.
Two more resistance fighters died on Friday, bringing the death toll to three, said a spokesman of the resistance who called himself “John”.
“John” told IANS the Mindat Defense Force were not taking cognisance of a declaration of martial law by the Myanmar military junta.
“We just don’t care for such declarations. We will fight on and not allow the Tatmadaw enter our town,” said John.
The armed resistance at Mindat marks a dramatic transformation of the pro-democracy movement from a peaceful protest agitation to an armed one, that could dramatically escalate Myanmar’s civil war so far restricted to ethnic border regions like Kachin, Karen and Rakhine provinces.
A demonstrator stacks bags on a street as a barricade during a demonstration against the military coup and the detention of civilian leaders in Myanmar(ians)
While hundreds of Burmese protesters have fled and joined armed resistance groups like the Federal Army and United Defence Force and are now receiving training at Karen and Kachin rebel bases, the defence by Chin boys and girls armed with just hunting rifles and gunpowder used locally is turning into an epic symbol of the resistance.
The junta describes the Chin resistance fighters as ‘armed terrorists’.
John said the Mindat Defense Force is just 300-400 boys and girls with a sprinkling of local police and former Chin insurgents, armed with barely 100 hunting rifles, but adept at using the hill terrain to tie down a demoralised Burmese army.
He said the Tatmadaw is pounding the Mindat town with artillery from a base in Magwe 33 km away.
“They have also brought in snipers who killed two of our fighters,” John told IANS.
“We are not able to retrieve the two dead bodies or rescue the wounded since the junta troops are opening fire on anyone who appears on the streets.”
A Myanmar police officer
“The junta troops are trying to enter into the town via both the west and east entrances while we are protecting our town. Fighting at the east side of the town is intensifying. Shootouts also occurred downtown,” he added.
The civilian resistance fighters also reportedly seized about six military vehicles from Kyaukhtu that were approaching Mindat during the shootouts.
A viral video on social media shows weapons and provisions on about six vehicles abandoned by the fleeing junta troops being taken by Chin civilian resistance fighters.
Local residents also said that at least five junta troops were reportedly killed during the shootouts on the east side of the town on Friday.
Fighting between junta troops and the Mindat Defense Force resumed on Wednesday night after a ceasefire in late April broke down.
The military regime declared martial law for Mindat on Thursday night after bombarding the town with artillery in response to the residents’ week-long resistance.
Under martial law, those who commit one of 23 “offenses” in the town will be tried in military courts and face penalties ranging from death, indefinite jail terms with labor and the maximum possible punishments under existing legislation, said orders signed by the military regime’s secretary Lieutenant-General Aung Lin Dwe.
Myanmar protests
The 23 offenses also include high treason, sedition, obstruction of military personnel and civil servants performing their duties, possession of weapons, ties to unlawful associations and violence.
However, the martial law declaration has had no effect on the town since 60 per cent of Mindat is under the control of its residents, said a member of Mindat’s People Administration, who identified himself as “Lian”.
“Our people do not accept the marital law. Currently, we are concentrating on the shootouts. We can govern the whole town, except the police station and some places,” Lian said.
Since 6 p.m. on Thursday, shootouts started on the Mindat-Matupi highway, which is located on the west edge of the town.
Mindat Defense Force fighters defended the approach to the town against about 11 vehicles carrying 250 junta troops on a probing mission.
Security guards are seen at the entrance of the City Hall in Yangon, Myanmar
Meanwhile shootouts have been happening on the highway connecting Mindat and Magwe region’s Kyaukhtu on the east side of the town since Thursday morning.
Civilian resistance fighters there are fighting against about 180 junta troops from Kyaukhtu that are approaching the town.
Also, civilian resistance fighters resisting junta troops at the east side of the town have also been attacked by artillery based in Kyaukhtu, John told IANS.
Mindat Defense Force said in its statement on Friday that the military has used reinforced troops, heavy explosives, artillery, rocket propelled grenades and automatic machine guns in the shootouts with civilian resistance fighters.
In the firefights, most civilian resistance fighters are using traditional percussion lock firearms, a kind of hunting rifle.
The firearm uses technology dating back to the early 19th century.
On Friday, residents were told by the Mindat’s People Administration to dig bomb shelters as two military helicopters were hovering over the town.
Photo taken on Feb. 1, 2021 shows a resting place for federal parliamentarians blocked by the military in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.(Photo by U Soe/Xinhua/ians)
On Thursday night, shootouts between junta troops and resistance fighters occurred at Mindat’s police station near the headquarters of the military’s Battalion 274.
After the initial encounters, the Tatmadaw troops opened indiscrminate fire on the town.
In Thursday’s encounter, an ethnically Chin teenager was killed and six other members of Chin state’s civilian resistance forces were wounded by junta artillery.
Armed resistance by Mindat residents started on April 26 with an attack on the police station after junta forces broke promises to release seven young anti-regime protesters.
On April 26 and 27, the Mindat Defense Force attacked military reinforcements approaching the town using homemade percussion lock firearms, leaving at least 20 junta troops dead.
The military casualties led to talks with residents and a ceasefire in April that broke down this week.
Pakistan’s military has been fighting back against the terrorists linked to Pakistan Taliban…reports Asian Lite News
The ongoing fighting between the Pakistan government and the Taliban in northwest Pakistan has forced many residents to flee from their homes and some of them are living in caves to escape the violence.
“They live here not out of choice, but necessity in the mountains bordered with Afghanistan. Militants group are active, the caves provide a degree of safety, if not comfort,” said Jonathan Crane, reporting for DW News Agency.
“These caves were once empty, full of dust. We cleared them out after the security situation changed. The times when it was peaceful is not coming back. There was peace and freedom and everything was ok. There were no problems. Right now is a killing time,” said one of the cave-dwellers.
Pakistan’s military has been fighting back against the terrorists linked to Pakistan Taliban. The offensive which began in 2014 forced many to flee their home and into poverty. For many, caves were only the options, reported DW News Agency.
“We have no source of income. Our fathers and grandfathers also lived this life. They used to live this way. We have to because we have nowhere else to live,” said a resident.
While reporting from these caves, Jonathan Crane came across a man who was sick and had no one to take care of him.
“I have a burning sensation in my hands and feet. It’s itching, I can’t touch them,” said the sick man.
The caves contain a mosque, allowing the locals to worship. These caves and mosques are 3-5 centuries old.
“This place is known as Randapal and this is called the Randapal mosque,” said the Maulvi of the mosque. (ANI)
This comes under World Bank’s effort to help poor countries purchase and distribute vaccines, tests, and treatments…report Asian Lite News
The World Bank has approved the provision of USD 153 million to support the ongoing national vaccine drive in Pakistan to help the country fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
This comes under World Bank’s effort to help poor countries purchase and distribute vaccines, tests, and treatments. As of May 13, the World Bank has approved vaccine projects in 21 countries amounting to more than USD 2 billion.
ثانیہ اور احساس ٹیم کو یہ سنگِ میل بہت مبارک کہ وہ اس اعزاز اور عالمی پذیرائی کے پوری طرح حقدار تھے۔ https://t.co/nl9c4T6UPr
According to the press statement released on Thursday, these funds will help strengthen the health system’s capacity to implement the vaccination campaign for its prioritized and eligible populations.
“The third wave of COVID-19 emerged in Pakistan in March 2021 and is threatening the lives and livelihoods of millions of people,” said Najy Benhassine, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan.
“The World Bank remains a committed partner to support Pakistan in addressing this public health crisis, including through vaccination, and providing support to tackle the social and economic impacts of the pandemic.”
Pakistan’s medical facilities crumbling under rising COVID-19 cases(ANI)
In addition to this financing for vaccines in Pakistan, the World Bank has provided a total of USD 768.5 million to support the vaccination purchase and rollout efforts in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
In addition to financing, the Bank is providing technical assistance and knowledge-sharing workshops for countries in South Asia on different aspects of designing and deploying fair and equitable vaccine strategies.
Till May 13, a total of 3,997,186 people in Pakistan had received the COVID-19 jab, Geo News reported. (ANI)
The intra-Afghan negotiations provide a historic opportunity to achieve an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement in Afghanistan for ending the long-lasting conflict, said Qureshi…reports Asian Lite News
Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has reaffirmed his country’s support to the Afghan peace process for a sustainable political settlement in the war-torn neighbouring country.
The intra-Afghan negotiations provide a historic opportunity to achieve an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement in Afghanistan for ending the long-lasting conflict, Qureshi said during a call on with his Afghan counterpart Mohammad Hanif Atmar, Xinhua news agency reported.
He said Pakistan welcomed the announcement of the three-day Eid-ul-Fitr ceasefire by the Afghan parties recently, adding that efforts should continue for a permanent ceasefire.
Both sides also agreed to maintain high-level bilateral exchanges and work together for the further consolidation of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations.
Meanwhile, Pakistani Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa was in Kabul to discuss the Afghan peace process with all stakeholders.
Ashraf Ghani
He arrived unannounced at a time of heightened uncertainty in a region where violence has surged amid US intent to pull out all troops from Afghanistan. According to sources, Bajwa is going to meet Afghan president Ashraf Ghani and other Afghan leaders in Kabul.
The sources said that Pakistani security officials have approached the Afghan Taliban leadership in Doha and made it clear to them that their refusal to participate in the Istanbul Conference was a big blow to the Afghan Peace Process, and if they do not show some flexibility, they will have to face the consequences.
It is believed that few senior Taliban leaders of the negotiating team are already in Pakistan to seek “guidance” from their leadership who are in Pakistan.
“Where are stalemate in talks, they (Taliban) say that we are going to consult our elders. In reality their elders are the ISI and Pakistani army,” said the first vice president of Afghanistan Amrullah Saleh.
Afghan President Ghani, after the US decision to withdraw its troops, had said, “the withdrawal has forced them to make a choice. Taliban and their patrons in Pakistan, will they become credible stakeholders, or will they foster more chaos and violence? If the Taliban choose the latter path, the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) will fight them. And if the Taliban still refuse to negotiate, they will be choosing the peace of the grave.” He further said, “The negotiations would confront difficult issues, such as whether and how the Taliban would end their relationship with Pakistan, which provides them with support for logistics, finances, and recruitment.” (with inputs from IndiaNarrative)
Lauding the generous contributions of the diaspora community, CTA President Lobsang Sangay said the amount has been raised across North America, Europe, Australasia, Taiwan, India, Nepal and Bhutan…reports Asian Lite News.
The Tibetan diaspora in exile has contributed Rs 5 crore to the government of India’s emergency fund — the PM CARES Fund, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) said on Friday.
These contributions made by Tibetans from all over the world were collected through respective settlement offices based in India and Offices of Tibet in 13 countries in just two weeks.
Lauding the generous contributions of the diaspora community, CTA President Lobsang Sangay said the amount has been raised across North America, Europe, Australasia, Taiwan, India, Nepal and Bhutan.
Health workers in PPE coveralls inside the temporary care center of 500 beds with oxygen support, amid the ongoing second wave of coronavirus pandemic at Ramlila Maidan Near by Lok Nayak Jaya Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital in New Delhi on India May 15, 2021 (Pallav Paliwal)
The contribution, he said, is a token of the Tibetan people’s deep gratitude to the government and people of India who have provided a safe haven for Tibetan refugees for over six decades and most importantly hosted Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and the exile Tibetan administration.
Sangay in his virtual address to the Tibetan community across the world on May 12 expressed his appreciation for the hard work of the frontline workers led by healthcare workers and settlement CTA staff at the forefront of the pandemic fight.
Sharing his highest regard for essential workers, especially healthcare workers and teachers, he commended their relentless service amidst the unprecedented challenges and urged them to continue to dedicate their efforts.
Extending support to their efforts, he announced Rs 5,000 honorarium for healthcare workers from his Cabinet’s budget.
He also announced that the average pay of CTA staff in line with the five-year pay raise has been raised by 15.2 per cent.
There was no more information about the Hamas chief, while informed sources said he wasn’t home when the building was bombed….reports Asian Lite News
Homes and apartments in the Gaza Strip, including the house of a Hamas leader, were bombed and destroyed as Israel slammed the region with airstrikes.
According to witnesses and local sources, among the targets on Saturday was the house of Yehya Sinwar, leader of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the Gaza Strip, reports Xinhua news agency.
There was no more information about the Hamas chief, while informed sources said he wasn’t home when the building was bombed.
Palestinian Territories, Gaza city: Fire billows from a building hit by an Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip, amid the escalating flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence(Photo: Mahmoud Khattab/Quds Net News via ZUMA Wire/dpa/IANS)
The house of his brother, Mohammed Sinwar, was also bombed with approximately 15 air raids.
“The Israeli warplanes launched more than 155 air strikes among several areas of Gaza Strip as a reaction of launching batches of new versions of missiles by the Palestinian armed resistance factions towards southern and central Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv,” said a civil defense spokesman.
Ambulance and civil defence crews in Gaza were still searching for bodies and survivors under the rubble of the bombed buildings.
