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UN, EU criticize Gaza bombardments 

Israel unleashed its bombing campaign after Hamas gunmen stormed across the Gaza border on October 7, killing 1,400 people, mostly civilians…reports Asian Lite News

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday sharply criticized the “unprecedented escalation” by Israel of the bombardments in Gaza, and repeated a call for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire for the delivery of aid.

“I was encouraged by what seemed to be a growing consensus for the need of at least a humanitarian pause in the Middle East,” Guterres said in a statement. “Regrettably, instead I was surprised by an unprecedented escalation of bombardments, undermining humanitarian objectives.”

He called for the situation to be reversed, during a visit to the Qatari capital, Doha, where he met with foreign minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman.

Guterres spoke as Israel announced Saturday that the war with Hamas had “entered a new phase,” with its forces relentlessly pounding Gaza three weeks into a conflict sparked by the deadliest attack in the country’s history.

Israel unleashed its bombing campaign after Hamas gunmen stormed across the Gaza border on October 7, killing 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and seizing more than 220 hostages, according to Israeli officials.

The Hamas-controlled health ministry in Gaza said Israeli strikes had killed 7,703 people, mainly civilians, with more than 3,500 of them children.

“I reiterate my appeal for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire, together with the unconditional release of hostages and the delivery of relief at a level corresponding to the dramatic needs of the people in Gaza, where a humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in front of our eyes,” Guterres said in the statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Qatar, which hosts a political bureau for Hamas in Doha and has provided millions of dollars in financial aid to Gaza, has been linked to mediation efforts for a prisoner exchange between the Palestinian militant group and Israel.

The top diplomat “underscored the State of Qatar’s complete rejection of the indiscriminate bombing of the Gaza Strip and the attempts to forcibly displace its people,” according to a foreign ministry statement.

He also warned of “the danger of a ground escalation… to the safety of civilians and hostages in Gaza.”

Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell demanded on Saturday a “pause of hostilities” to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip after the intense overnight bombing of the coastal territory.

“Gaza is in complete blackout and isolation while heavy shelling continues. UNRWA warns about the desperate situation of Gaza people without electricity, food, water,” he said on social media.

“Far too many civilians, including children, have been killed. This is against International Humanitarian Law,” he said. “A pause of hostilities is urgently needed to enable humanitarian access,” Borrell added.

Borrell also condemned all attacks on civilians, “including continuing indiscriminate rocket attacks against Israel” and called for the “immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.”

Late on Friday Israel stepped up its air campaign on Gaza, turning hundreds of buildings and thousands of houses into rubble.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk warned earlier on Saturday there was the potential for thousands more civilians to die if Israel presses a major ground offensive in Gaza.

ALSO READ: Gaza Crisis Reshapes Pro-Israel Sentiment In US

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Free all Palestinian prisoners in exchange for hostages, tells Hamas  

Some 229 hostages are being held by militants in the Gaza Strip…reports Asian Lite News

“We are ready to conduct an immediate prisoner exchange deal that includes the release of all Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails in exchange for all prisoners held by the Palestinian resistance,” Sinwar said in a statement.

Earlier on Saturday, Hamas’ armed wing said it was ready to release the hostages it abducted during its shock attack on October 7 if Israel freed all Palestinians held in its prisons.

Hamas’ leader in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar, said Saturday that the Palestinian militant group was ready for an “immediate” prisoner swap with Israel.

“The price to pay for the large number of enemy hostages in our hands is to empty the (Israeli) prisons of all Palestinian prisoners,” Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades spokesman Abu Obeida said in a statement broadcast by the Hamas-run Al-Aqsa television channel.

“If the enemy wants to close this file of detainees in one go, we are ready for it. If it wants to do it step-by-step, we are ready for that too.”

Some 229 hostages are being held by militants in the Gaza Strip, according to the Israeli army.

On Thursday, Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades said “almost 50” hostages had been killed in Israeli bombing raids in the three weeks since the war began. AFP was not immediately able to verify the figure.

Israel has been building up to a ground invasion since Hamas fighters stormed across the border on October 7, seizing hostages and killing more than 1,400 people, mainly civilians, Israeli officials say.

More than 7,700 people have been killed in retaliatory Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip, including about 3,500 children, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.

ALSO READ: Gaza Crisis Reshapes Pro-Israel Sentiment In US

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Labour faces rebellion from members over Gaza stance

Labour’s position, set by Starmer, has seen the party reject calls for a ceasefire, instead backing the opening of humanitarian aid channels into the besieged Gaza Strip….reports Asian Lite News

Keir Starmer, leader of the UK’s opposition Labour Party, is contending with a grassroots rebellion over the Israel-Gaza war.

It comes after three senior Labour figures have ignored the party line and called for a ceasefire between the two warring sides, The Independent reported.

The breaking of ranks by mayor of London Sadiq Khan, Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, and leader of the Scottish Labour Party Anas Sarwar, took place as more than 250 Muslim councilors signed a joint letter to Starmer and his deputy, Angela Rayner, pushing for a ceasefire.

Labour’s position, set by Starmer, has seen the party reject calls for a ceasefire, instead backing the opening of humanitarian aid channels into the besieged Gaza Strip.

Dozens of Labour Party members have reportedly resigned, with members “heartbroken” and “angry” over the opposition’s stance.

Azhar Ali, Labour leader for Lancashire County Council, said: “I’m leader of the county council, 1.2 million people. My emails and my text messages and my contacts are with not only Labour people, but ordinary people around the county — people are heartbroken.

“They cannot see the logic of what’s been done in their name and what they want is a long-term solution. They want Keir to play that proactive role in ensuring that we get a ceasefire and putting (Prime Minister) Rishi Sunak and his government under pressure.”

At least 20 councilors across the UK have resigned in protest against the party’s position on a ceasefire.

In Glasgow, Scotland, 15 party officers quit after accusing Scottish Labour of “stifling democracy.” It followed a ruling by the party that a motion calling for end to military action on Gaza was out of order.

A memo released by the party’s general secretary, David Evans, advises local groups to avoid falling foul of the party by avoiding motions that are “grossly detrimental.”

It said: “I recognize that these tragic events in the Middle East will trigger great emotion and debate. However, I will not let that become a flashpoint for the expression of views that undermine the Labour party’s ability to provide a safe and welcoming space for all its members.

“This includes attempts to table motions at meetings that are prejudicial or grossly detrimental to the Labour party and risk infringing the party’s codes of conduct on antisemitism and Islamophobia.

“Accordingly, and consistent with previous precedent, any such motions will be ruled out of order.”

The memo has led to fears that the party, through its central command, will prevent local branches from calling for a ceasefire.

Nine councilors from Oxford City Council have resigned in the wake of the controversy, ending Labour’s overall control of the city. In Nottinghamshire, two councilors also resigned from Labour last week.

A Labour spokesperson said: “Of course, we understand why people want to call for a ceasefire. The Palestinian people are not Hamas, and they are suffering terribly.

“That’s why we support humanitarian pauses so that aid, fuel, water electricity and medicines can urgently get to those who need it. We also have to recognize Israel was subject to a vile terrorist attack. Israel has a right and a duty to defend itself, rescue the hostages and stop Hamas from being able to carry out that sort of terrorist attack ever again.

“Hamas are currently firing rockets into Israel and have built the infrastructure, including tunnels, from which to carry out further attacks, so that military operation is ongoing. That must be done within international law and aid must get in quickly, safely, and regularly to halt a humanitarian disaster.”

London hate crimes rise again

Antisemitic and Islamaphobic incidents have almost doubled in just over a week in London, police data showed on Friday, in the wake of the attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel nearly three weeks ago and subsequent bombardment by Israel of Gaza.

There have been growing tensions in Britain and elsewhere since Hamas gunmen rampaged through Israeli towns and Israel besieged Gaza in response, with pro-Palestinian demos and vigils held by Jewish groups in solidarity with hostages, some of whom are British, who were taken by the militants.

Commander Kyle Gordon said there had been 408 antisemitic incidents recorded in the British capital so far this month compared to 28 in the same period last year, while there had been 174 Islamophobic offenses compared to 65.

In both cases the numbers were almost twice as high as those given a week ago.

“My colleagues continue to ruthlessly deal with any acts of hate crime that they encounter,” Kyle told reporters. “Since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict, we have made 75 arrests linked to the conflict.”

Last week, about 100,000 protesters took part in a march organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and in the aftermath police faced criticism from some lawmakers for not being tougher over slogans shouted there.

The US on Friday expanded its effort to cut off funding for Hamas, announcing a second round of sanctions against people and organizations linked to the group.

The new sanctions highlight Iran’s role in providing financial, logistical and operational support to Hamas, the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control said in a statement.

They include a Hamas representative in Iran and members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard.

The sanctions were announced as Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo traveled to London to shore up support from Britain, one of America’s closest allies, for the drive to squeeze off funding for Hamas, which both countries consider a terrorist organization.

“Today’s action underscores the United States’ commitment to dismantling Hamas’s funding networks by deploying our counterterrorism sanctions authorities and working with our global partners to deny Hamas the ability to exploit the international financial system,” Adeyemo said.

Among those targeted are Khaled Qaddoumi, described as a liaison between Hamas and the Iranian government; and Ali Morshed Shirazi and Mostafa Mohammad Khani, officials in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Qods Force who are accused of training and assisting Hamas fighters.

The US also sanctioned a number of organizations, including the Iranian Bonyad Shahid, also known as the Martyrs Foundation. US officials say the group, which is affiliated with Palestinian Islamic Jihad, funnels millions of dollars through the Gaza-based Al-Ansar Charity Association for the families of militants.

The practice “ultimately serves as a recruiting tool for terrorist activities,” the US said.

ALSO READ: Gaza Crisis Reshapes Pro-Israel Sentiment In US

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India Abstains From UN Vote, Seeks Condemnation of Hamas Attack

It is pertinent to note that India was in favour of the Canadian resolution which condemned the attacks by Hamas.

Even as India was among the countries that abstained from voting for a non-binding Jordanian resolution, it voted in favour of a Canada-led amendment to the draft resolution on the Gaza crisis which failed to pass at the UNGA as it did not achieve a two-thirds majority.

Canada proposed an amendment to the resolution drafted by Jordan, which originally called for unhindered humanitarian access in the Gaza Strip but did not condemn Hamas. Canada’s proposed amendment sought to insert a paragraph condemning the “terrorist attacks by Hamas.”

India abstained from voting on the Jordanian resolution which called for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce” between Israeli forces and Hamas in Gaza. However, it is pertinent to note that India was in favour of the Canadian resolution which condemned the attacks by Hamas.

The Jordanian-led draft resolution was adopted by the General Assembly, with 120 votes in favour, 14 against and 45 abstentions. The 45 nations that abstained from voting on the resolution included Iceland, India, Panama, Lithuania and Greece.

The resolution was adopted during the UN General Assembly’s emergency special session on the Israel-Palestine crisis. The UNGA also demanded “continuous, sufficient and unhindered” provision of lifesaving supplies and services for civilians trapped inside the enclave.

The Canada-led amendment to the draft resolution on the Gaza crisis did not pass at the UNGA. It failed to achieve a two-thirds majority. An amendment proposed by Canada “unequivocally rejects and condemns the terrorist attacks by Hamas” in Israel which started on October 7 and the taking of hostages.

During the voting on the Canada-led amendment to the draft resolution, 88 voted in favour of the amendment, 55 voted against the amendment and 23 abstained from voting. The nations that voted in favour of the amendment included India, Australia, US, UK, Austria and Ukraine.

Meanwhile, expressing deep concerns over the deteriorating security situation and the astounding loss of civilian lives in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, India at the UN urged both parties to “de-escalate, eschew violence.”

India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Yojna Patel on Friday (local time) in her remarks at the United Nations General Assembly Emergency Special Session on the Israel-Hamas war said, “India is deeply concerned at the deteriorating security situation and the astounding loss of civilian lives in the ongoing conflict. The escalation of hostilities in the region will only exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. It is necessary for all parties to display the utmost responsibility.”

She noted that India has always supported a “negotiated two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine.” Patel said that India urges the parties to de-escalate, eschew violence and work towards creating conditions for an early resumption of direct peace negotiations.

“India has always supported a negotiated two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine issue leading to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders side by side in peace with Israel. For this, we urge the parties to de-escalate, eschew violence and work towards creating conditions for an early resumption of direct peace negotiations,” Yojna Patel said.

“We hope that the deliberations of this assembly will send a clear message against terror and violence and expand prospects for diplomacy and dialogue while addressing the humanitarian crisis that confronts us,” she added.

Patel also called the Hamas’s attacks on Israel on October 7 “shocking” and stressed that they deserve condemnation. She said that India calls for immediate and unconditional release of hostages.

“The terror attacks in Israel on 7th October were shocking and deserve condemnation. Our thoughts are also with those taken hostages. We call for their immediate and unconditional release. Terrorism is a malignancy and knows no borders, nationality or race. The world should not buy into any justification of terror acts. Let us keep aside differences, unite and adopt a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism,” Yojna Patel said.

Calling the casualties in Gaza a “telling, serious and continuing concern,” Yojna Patel said that the humanitarian crisis needs to be addressed. She stated that India welcomes the international community’s de-escalation efforts and delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza.

Patel said, “Casualties in the ongoing conflict in Gaza are a telling, serious and continuing concern. Civilians, especially women and children, are paying with their lives. This humanitarian crisis needs to be addressed. We welcome the international community’s de-escalation efforts and delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. India, too, has contributed to this effort.”

Emphasising that differences and disputes should be resolved through dialogue, Patel said, “In a world where differences and disputes should be resolved by dialogue, this august body should be deeply concerned at recourse to violence. That too, when it happens on a scale and intensity that is an affront to basic human values. Violence as a means to achieve political objectives damages indiscriminately and does not pave the way for any durable solutions.”

The adoption of the Jordanian resolution is the first formal response of the United Nations to the escalation of violence in Israel and Palestine since the Hamas attacks of 7 October.

The voting at UNGA comes at a time when Israel has announced expanding ground operations in Gaza. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Israel ground forces carry out raids in Gaza

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Netanyahu’s Stern Warning to Hezbollah Amidst Israeli Military Buildup

Benjamin Netanyahu

More Israeli soldiers were kitted out in full combat gear along the security fence with Gaza in preparation for a possible ground offensive against the Palestinian enclave….reports Asian Lite News

Israel is stepping up its attacks on the Gaza Strip ahead of an anticipated ground invasion of the Palestinian enclave, the Israeli military has said, amid escalating tensions also on the country’s northern front and in the occupied West Bank.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesman Daniel Hagari said on Sunday that the military was “intensifying air strikes on the Gaza Strip”, adding that “dozens” of Hamas militants were killed overnight, including Muhamad Qatmash, who was identified as the deputy head of Hamas’ artillery array in Gaza.

Hagari also updated the number of known hostages being held in the Gaza Strip to 212. In addition, the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, as it entered the 16th day, has led to more than 6,000 deaths on both sides, Xinhua news agency reported.

More Israeli soldiers were kitted out in full combat gear along the security fence with Gaza in preparation for a possible ground offensive against the Palestinian enclave.

Meanwhile, Hamas continued its strikes on Israeli forces despite the odds of a broader war seeming perilously high.

In a press statement, Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, said its fighters carried out “a tight ambush” against Israeli troops “east of Khan Younis,” a southern Gazan city, on Sunday, killing at least one Israeli soldier.

The Israeli army confirmed that one of its soldiers was killed and three others injured by an anti-tank missile launched from Gaza. The missile targeted a tank and an engineering vehicle near Kibbutz Kissufim, an Israeli community in the vicinity of the Palestinian enclave.

It noted that the troops were ambushed while carrying out an operation as “part of the effort to dismantle terrorist infrastructure, clear the area, and locate missing persons and bodies.”

Also on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while visiting troops near the border with Lebanon, warned Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Lebanese armed group and political party, against opening a second war front with Israel.

“If Hezbollah decides to enter the war, it will be making the mistake of its life. We will strike it with a force that it cannot even imagine, that will be destructive for the Lebanese state,” he cautioned.

In an interview with the local MTV channel on Sunday, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib reaffirmed that Hezbollah will not intervene in the Israel-Hamas conflict unless Israel launches a large-scale invasion of Gaza or a heavy attack on Lebanon.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military said in a statement that it carried out four rounds of attacks, including two drone attacks, targeting Hezbollah posts after anti-tank missiles were fired from Lebanon toward Israel.

According to Israel’s state-owned Kan TV news, at least 11 Hezbollah militants were killed by Israeli fire since Saturday night.

As cross-border fighting between Israel and militants in southern Lebanon intensified, Israel on Sunday announced plans to evacuate 14 more communities near the northern border.

In the occupied West Bank, Israel carried out earlier in the day a rare air strike on Al-Ansar mosque, which the IDF claimed to be a hideout of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) members.

The strike killed two militants and raised the death toll of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank to 93 since Oct. 7, according to the Ramallah-based Palestinian Health Ministry.

The airstrike targeted “an underground compound” in the mosque, located in Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank, according to a joint statement released by Israel’s Shin Bet internal security agency and army. They claimed that Hamas and PIJ operatives were “organizing an imminent terror attack” there.

In addition, at nightfall, two Palestinians, including a teenager, were killed during clashes with Israeli forces in the town of Zawata, west of the West Bank city of Nablus.

ALSO READ: Sixth flight with 143 passengers arrive in Delhi

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GCC, ASEAN Leaders Seek Peace in Gaza

President H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is leading the UAE delegation to participate in the joint summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Riyadh….reports Asian Lite News

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman emphasized the Kingdom’s unwavering support for achieving a just resolution to the Palestinian issue during his opening speech at the inaugural Gulf Cooperation Council-Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit held in Riyadh. He expressed deep concern over the escalating violence in Gaza, which has led to innocent civilians bearing the brunt, and firmly condemned the targeting of civiliants.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who led the 10-member ASEAN this year, echoed these sentiments, calling for an end to the violence in Gaza in accordance with international laws. Crown Prince Mohammed underscored Saudi Arabia’s commitment to enhancing its relations with ASEAN countries across various sectors.

While the GCC and ASEAN established their relations in 1990, this summit marked their first meeting, aimed at optimising collaboration between the two regional groups. The ASEAN delegation was led by ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, and the summit concluded with the issuance of a joint statement outlining the outcomes and cooperation plans for the period from 2024 to 2028.

For Southeast Asian leaders, this gathering provided an opportunity to seek support from Gulf states on matters pertaining to energy security. The GCC comprises Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE, while the ASEAN bloc consists of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and the Philippines. The current trade value between ASEAN nations stands at more than $110 billion.

MBZ Arrives in Riyadh

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has arrived in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, leading the UAE delegation to participate in the joint summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The summit commenced today in the Kingdom.

Upon arrival at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, His Highness was received by HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, along with other high-ranking officials.

The UAE delegation to the summit includes H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi; H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Ali Mohammed Hammad Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for National Security; Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President; and Sheikh Nahyan bin Saif Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Fresh Wave of ME Protests Expected

Fresh protests against Israel’s siege of Gaza are expected across much of the Middle East on Friday as aid agencies warned hospitals in the enclave are running out of fuel amid fears life-saving aid will be still stuck in Egypt for another day.

With the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deteriorating each hour, Israeli leaders have been rallying troops preparing for a potential ground incursion and on Friday morning they issued a mandatory evacuation order to some 23,000 residents living near the border with Lebanon, CNN reported.

Israeli warplanes’ relentless bombardment has left hundreds of thousands of people homeless and sparked growing protests across the Middle East.

Egypt’s state-aligned political parties and institutions have called for nationwide protests in Egypt on Friday in support of Palestinians, a rare moment during a decade of strict anti-protest laws, CNN reported.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday that the risk of regional spillover from the Israel-Hamas war is “real”.

“We have seen the Arab streets fill with rage, all across the region… This is exactly what Hamas was hoping to achieve. And this can derail the recent and historic rapprochement between Israel and its Arab neighbours,” von der Leyen said during a speech at the Hudson Institute in Washington.

With anti-Israel protests rising across the Middle East there are fears other fronts could open up, particularly on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon where Hezbollah dominates and has increasingly clashed with Israel’s military over the last week.

ALSO READ: Fresh Wave Of Protests Loom Over Middle East

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Gaza Carnage Sparks Protests Across Middle East

Hundreds demonstrated outside the British and French embassies in Tehran, US and Israeli embassies in Amman, while several thousand gathered in Palestine Square in the centre of the city….reports Asian Lite News

The bombardment of the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital has triggered a wave of anger and protests across the Middle East with protesters taking to the streets in at least eight countries to condemn the deadly attack, media reports said.

Hundreds demonstrated outside the British and French embassies in Tehran, while several thousand gathered in Palestine Square in the centre of the city.

“Death to France and England,” protesters shouted, throwing eggs at the walls of the French embassy compound in the Iranian capital, Al Jazeera reported.

Thousands also gathered at the US and Israeli embassies in Amman with tens of thousands of others taking to the streets across the country.

Israel has reportedly evacuated the embassy several days ago. Demonstrators had already attempted to break into the embassy last night and were dispersed by the Jordanian police, Times of Israel reported.

Protests also erupted in Lebanon, where Hezbollah has traded fire with Israeli forces at the border.

“The Arab street has a voice. That voice may have been ignored in the past by governments in the region and the West … but they cannot do this anymore,” Bader al-Saif, a university lecturer, said. “People are on fire”, Al Jazeera reported.

Angry protesters gathered outside the French embassy in Tunis, also denouncing the US.

The hospital massacre triggered protests in the occupied West Bank, with hundreds of Palestinians taking to the streets in Ramallah. There were confrontations with security forces. One Palestinian protester has reportedly been killed by Israeli forces in a village near Ramallah.

Protests were also held in Libya, Yemen, and Morocco to denounce the attack on the hospital, Al Jazeera reported.

Mass rallies took place in the West Bank, Jordan and Lebanon last night in the wake of a hospital blast in Gaza that Hamas claims resulted from an Israeli airstrike.

Israel has maintained that a misfired Gazan rocket caused the blast.

Death Toll Skyrockets

The death toll in the ongoing Hamas-Israel conflict is nearing 5,000, with thousands of others injured and displaced as a result of the violence which continued for the 13th day on Thursday.

In its latest situation update, the UN Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs (OCHA) said the death toll in Israel as of Thursday morning stood at 1,400, which included foreign nationals, as Palestinian armed groups’ continued indiscriminate rocket firing towards Israeli population centres.

The number of injured increased to 4,562.

According to the OCHA, Israel’s death toll is over threefold the cumulative number of Israelis killed since the Office began recording casualties in 2005 (nearly 400).

Meanwhile, at least 199 people are currently being held captive in Gaza, it added.

Citing the Palestinian Health Ministry based in Gaza, the OCHA said that the death toll in Gaza has increased to 3,478, including 853 children, with about 12,500 others injured.

The UN agency said the deadly bombing at Al Ahli Arab Baptist hospital in Gaza City on Tuesday left at least 471 people dead, including children, healthcare staff and Internally Displaced People (IDPs).

The overall death toll in Gaza in the last 12 days of hostilities has significantly surpassed the total number of fatalities during the 2014 escalation, which lasted for over 50 days, resulting in 2,251 Palestinian deaths, the OCHA said.

Meanwhile in the West Bank, 64 people have died since the conflict erupted on October 7, including 18 children. The number of injured persons stood at 1,284.

The cumulative number of IDPs in Gaza is estimated at about one million, including over 513,907 people staying in UN Relief Works Agency-designated emergency shelters , of whom 353,539 are in central and southern Gaza alone. 

Since October 11, Gaza has been under a full electricity blackout, following Israel’s halt of its electricity and fuel supply, which in turn triggered the shutdown of the besieged enclave’s sole power plant. 

The Office also said that the complete siege of Gaza continues, with the Rafah, Erez and Kerem Shalom crossings remaining closed.

ALSO READ: UAE President, UN Chief Discuss Gaza Humanitarian Crisis

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UAE President, UN Chief Discuss Gaza Humanitarian Crisis

The UAE President and UN Chief called for intensifying diplomatic efforts to open critical humanitarian corridors and to establish a humanitarian ceasefire…reports Asian Lite News

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres have discussed the urgent need to implement measures that prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

The conversation emphasised intensifying diplomatic efforts to open critical humanitarian corridors and to establish a humanitarian ceasefire to enable the unobstructed delivery of relief and medical aid to Gaza.

His Highness and the UN Secretary-General underscored the priority of ensuring civilian protection in accordance with international humanitarian law, particularly in light of the violence and worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.(photo:Twitter)

The two sides also emphasised the importance of urgent action to halt escalation and enable diplomatic efforts to contain the situation and restore calm. They also highlighted the grave potential repercussions of the crisis on regional peace, stability, and security.

Moreover, the discussion covered the role of the United Nations in coordinating with key international stakeholders to find a political horizon to advance a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace between Israel and Palestine, to achieve sustainable security and stability in the Middle East.

Later, President MBZ held a phone call with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in which discussed they discussed prioritising the full protection of civilians in accordance with the principles of international humanitarian law, emphasising the urgent need to shield them from further suffering amidst serious escalation in the Gaza Strip.

Both sides also discussed the need to intensify international efforts to take immediate measures to cease hostilities and prevent further escalation and the deterioration of humanitarian conditions. The two sides stressed the necessity of reinforcing diplomatic endeavours to promptly establish humanitarian corridors to deliver relief and medical aid unhindered and enable humanitarian organisations to fulfil their responsibilities in this regard.

Moreover, the two leaders underscored the need to advance efforts to achieve a comprehensive and just peace, curb the spread of conflict, and avert further unrest in the Middle East.

Sheikh Mohamed and Kishida also addressed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation and broaden prospects in various fields as part of the deep-rooted historical relations and comprehensive strategic partnership between the UAE and Japan.

ALSO READ: UAE, Russia Seek Urgent UNSC Meet After Gaza Hospital Attack

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Nepal Thanks India for Rescuing Citizens from Israel

Along with Indian nationals, there were some Nepal citizens as well, who were also evacuated by India under ‘Operation Ajay’….reports Asian Lite News

Nepal’s Foreign Minister, NP Saud, has conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, for the successful evacuation of Nepali citizens from Israel.

Thanking Jaishankar, Saud said that the people of Nepal are helpful for the same.

“Your Excellency @DrSJaishankar, we appreciate this help in difficult time. Nepal and Nepali people are thankful,” Saud posted on X on Tuesday.

The fifth flight carrying 286 Indian nationals including 18 citizens of Nepal arrived in New Delhi late on Tuesday night. Upon arrival, they were received by the Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, L Murugan.

“Wherever Indians are stranded, our priority is to bring them back. We have successfully conducted Operation Ganga and Operation Kaveri now under Operation Ajay we are bringing people back from Israel. This is the fifth flight, and we have already brought 1180 people back home. We are the first country to start the evacuation, and we are also bringing people belonging to our neighbour (Nepal) countries…,” the Minister said.

Along with Indian nationals, there were some Nepal citizens as well, who were also evacuated by India under ‘Operation Ajay’.

Ambika, a Nepali citizen who returned from Israel told ANI, “The situation in Israel is dangerous. We were scared, there were explosions. I want to thank the Indian Govt for bringing us back.

Several Nepali citizens still stranded in Israel…”

Following the evacuation, the Ambassador of Nepal to India, said, “We would like to thank the Indian Govt for bringing Nepali citizens back from Tel Aviv to Delhi. They have arrived here safely. Flights are also being sent from Nepal to evacuate Nepali citizens. There are around 4,500 Nepalis in Israel, out of which 400 have been evacuated. Nepal Govt is working to bring them back…”

Operation Ajay is an ongoing operation conducted by the Indian Armed Forces to evacuate Indian citizens from Israel during the 2023 Israel-Hamas war.

The fourth flight from Israel under ‘Operation Ajay’ carrying 274 Indian passengers landed in the national capital on Sunday.

Union Minister of State General (Retd) VK Singh received the Indian passengers at the airport.

He interacted with them and also gave tricolours to every Indian passenger.

MoS for Road Transport and Highways, VK Singh informed that more flights will be carried out to evacuate the Indian citizens amid the situation in Israel.

The Indian nationals applauded the operation and said that there was support from the Indian embassy and the evacuation process was nice and quick. ‘Operation Ajay’ was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring back around 18,000 Indians in Israel. Registration of Indians began on Thursday.

The Indian embassy in Israel is providing assistance to Indian companies and has set up a helpline for Indian citizens in need of assistance. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Nepal Airlines’ Fire Sale on Chinese Planes

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11 Palestinian Journalists Killed In Gaza Conflict

Over the course of the ongoing 10-day Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, 50 local, regional, and international media organizations have been subjected to attacks…reports Asian Lite News

At least 11 Palestinian journalists were killed and 20 more others injured in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said.

In a press statement, the syndicate added on Monday that 50 local, regional, and international media organisations were targetted in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, which have continued for 10 days.

Moreover, two journalists have gone missing as they were covering the escalation between Gaza-ruling Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and Israel, the syndicate said.

It also noted that the continued power outage and internet problem in Gaza limited the ability of journalists to continue their coverage, Xinhua news agency reported.

“Many journalists were subjected to direct threats and incitements from Israel on social media platforms,” the syndicate said, calling on the international community to intervene to protect journalists.

Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israeli towns adjacent to the Gaza Strip a week ago, prompting Israel to launch retaliatory strikes on Gaza.

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