According to Israeli authorities, the militant group has taken up 150 people as hostages in Gaza following its attack on October 7….reports Asian Lite News
Israel’s Energy Minister Israel Katz on Thursday said that there will be no supply of electricity, fuel or water for the Gaza Strip until the Hamas militant group frees hostages.
In a post on X, the Minister said: “No electrical switch will be turned on, no water hydrant will be opened and no fuel truck will enter (Gaza) until the Israeli abductees are returned home.
“Humanitarian for humanitarian. And no one will preach us morals.”
According to Israeli authorities, the militant group has taken up 150 people as hostages in Gaza following its attack on October 7.
Israel Katz
In retaliation to the unprecedented assault, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday had ordered a “complete siege” of Gaza, saying he would halt the supply of electricity, food, water and fuel.
The Gaza Strip’s only power station stopped working on Wednesday due to fuel shortages.
As a result, every facility in the hamas-controlled enclave, including the hospitals, are relying on generators, which in turn need fresh supplies of fuel.
On Thursday, the International Committee of the Red Cross warned that the hospitals now risk turning into morgues as they lose power.
“The human misery caused by this escalation is abhorrent, and I implore the sides to reduce the suffering of civilians,” the BBC quoted the ICRC’s regional director for the Near and Middle East, Fabrizio Carboni, as saying.
“As Gaza loses power, hospitals lose power, putting newborns in incubators and elderly patients on oxygen at risk. Kidney dialysis stops, and X-rays can’t be taken.”
Gaza, one of the most densely populated places where some 2 million people live in an area of 140 square miles, has been almost completely cut off from the rest of the world for nearly 17 years, when Hamas seized control.
This prompted Israel and Egypt to impose a strict siege on the territory, which is ongoing.
Israel also maintains an air and naval blockade on Gaza.
More than half of the enclave’s population lives in poverty and is food insecure, with nearly 80 per cent relying on humanitarian assistance.
European Commissioner Thierry Breton urged Meta to remove illegal terrorist content and hate speech amid the ongoing war in Israel….reports Asian Lite News
After warning X owner Elon Musk, European Commissioner Thierry Breton has now written to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, telling him to remove pro-Hamas content across his platforms and “be very vigilant” else it could put the company in violation of new EU regulations.
In a letter to Zuckerberg, Breton urged Meta to remove illegal terrorist content and hate speech amid the ongoing war in Israel.
He said that the European Commission had seen “a surge of illegal content and disinformation being disseminated in the EU.”
“I urgently invite you to ensure that your systems are effective. Needless to say, I also expect you to be in contact with the relevant law enforcement authorities and Europol, and ensure that you respond promptly to any requests,” he noted.
Breton asked that Zuckerberg respond to the European Union’s (EU) concerns within the next 24 hours.
“I would ask you to be very vigilant to ensure strict compliance with the digital services act (DSA) rules on terms of service, on the requirement of timely, diligent and objective action following notices of illegal content in the EU, and on the need for proportionate and effective mitigation measures.”
In a statement, a Meta spokesperson said the company has created a “special operations center with experts, including fluent in Hebrew and Arabic speakers” after the Hamas attacks on Israel.
“Our teams are working around the clock to keep our platforms safe, take action on content that violates our policies or local law, and coordinate with third-party fact checkers in the region to limit the spread of misinformation. We’ll continue this work as this conflict unfolds,” said the spokesperson.
Thierry Breton
Earlier, the EU commissioner warned Tesla and SpaceX CEO, saying that his X platform “is being used to disseminate illegal content and disinformation in the EU” after the Hamas attacks in Israel.
In a letter addressed to Musk, Breton had said that following the “terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel”, they have indications that “your platform is being used to disseminate illegal content and disinformation in the EU”.
Responding to Breton, Musk asked him to flag the violative content publicly on X, writing that the company takes its “actions in the open”.
Breton replied saying: “You are well aware of your users’ — and authorities’ — reports on fake content and glorification of violence.”
“I still don’t know what they’re talking about!” Musk said.
The aid will be channelled through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)….reports Asian Lite News
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has directed the provision of US$20 million in humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.
The aid, which will be channelled through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), comes as part of the UAE’s policy to provide urgent relief and assistance to vulnerable populations and those in need around the world in times of crisis.
Meanwhile, UAE Foreign Minister H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan has discussed ways to stop the escalation between the Palestinian and Israeli sides and protect civilians during a telephone call with Japanese counterpart Yōko Kamikawa.
The UAE top diplomat discussed the repercussions of the ongoing escalation, especially the humanitarian and security situation, and the importance of strengthening the efforts made to de-escalate the situation by all possible means.
Sheikh Abdullah stressed that all current international and regional efforts should focus on immediately stopping the escalation and violence, exercising the utmost restraint, and protecting civilians from the consequences of this exacerbating situation.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gives a speech in Ankara, Turkey, on May 18, 2022. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua/IANS)
Turkey Ready For Mediation
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has offered to mediate in the Hamas-Israel conflict. He said that Turkey continues to step up its diplomatic efforts, Turkey-based Anadolu Agency reported.
Erdogan said, “I would like to state that Turkey is ready for any kind of mediation, including prisoner exchanges, if the parties request it.”
“We continue to step up our diplomatic contacts, which we have been maintaining for a while and have intensified even more in the last three days,” Erdogan said. He made the remarks after chairing a cabinet meeting in Ankara.
Erdogan’s remarks come after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, prompting Israel to declare a state of war.
Turkish President emphasised that the war is subject to a moral and ethical code, adding that the “sides are obliged to comply with. As we always say, ‘There are no losers in a just peace’,” Anadolu Agency reported.
Erdogan urged Israel to stop its bombing of Palestinian regions and called on Palestinians to stop their harassment of civilian settlements in Israel. He called for acting with a human conscience and added, “This moderate step will also open the door to peace.”
Erdogan said, “The destruction of Gaza by air and ground attacks, the bombing of mosques, and the deaths of innocent children, women, elderly, and civilians are never acceptable.” He stated that Turkey is making necessary preparations to provide humanitarian aid materials that the Gaza Strip will require amid Israel’s counter-offensive against Hamas.
He said that Turkey’s stance regarding the issue has been clear from the very beginning and stated that Turkey recognised Israel in 1949. He noted that the two nations continue to have diplomatic ties, according to Anadolu Agency report.
He further said, “We believe that there will be no peace in the region without the establishment of an independent sovereign state of Palestine with geographical integrity, within the 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital,” Anadolu Agency reported.
Erdogan stressed that problems in the region cannot be resolved by “constantly harassing the Palestinian people, disregarding the safety of their life and property, seizing their homes and lands, destroying their infrastructure, and preventing their development.”
He said, “We have always said and continue to say that we disapprove of letting a single innocent person get harmed, whether in Israel or Palestine’s lands. Our position has not changed.”
Earlier on Monday, Erdogan held separate phone calls with Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss the latest situation in the region.
On Sunday, Erdogan stressed that the realization of an independent, and geographically integrated Palestinian state based on 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital, could not be delayed any further, according to Anadolu Agency report.
In his remarks at the opening ceremony of Mor Ephrem Syriac Orthodox Church in Yesilkoy, he said, “Lasting peace in the Middle East is only possible through a final settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.”
He said that Turkey is willing to do its part to stop the conflict between Israel and Palestine and reduce the tensions that escalated on Saturday. He called the Palestine issue the root cause of the problems in the region. He added, “Our region will remain craving peace unless a just settlement is reached.”
The Israel Defence Force (IDF) spokesperson Lieutenant Col. Jonathan Conricus on Wednesday that 1200 Israelis were killed and more than 2,700 wounded and emphasised that the Israeli soldiers are ready to execute mission in Gaza.
“Four days after Hamas breached into Israel, attacked Israeli communities, murdered and massacre Israeli citizens and took dozens of Israeli hostages into Gaza. The dead toll is staggering, a 1200 dead Israelis. The overwhelming majority of them civilians and more than 2700 wounded and sadly something tells me that these are not final numbers,” he said.
The IDF spokesperson said that about 300000 soldiers had been deployed at the Gaza border and claimed that they would ensure that Hamas would not have any military capabilities at the end of the war.
President Biden has spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu twice assuring him that the US will stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel in the current situation….reports Asian Lite News
US Coordinator for the National Security Council (NSC), John Kirby has said that the government has no intentions to intervene militarily in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
The US government will “protect and defend its national security interests wherever they are, including in that part of the world” (Gaza) but has no intention to “put US (military) boots on the ground”, Kirby said on Tuesday in response to a question if the US would intervene militarily if Iran or terror outfit Hezbollah were also to be drawn into the conflict.
Kirby, addressing a media briefing at the White House, said that the movement of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group into the Eastern Med was a step in that direction, protecting American interests overseas. President Joe Biden will “always make sure that we are protecting and defending our national security interests wherever those interests are, including particularly in that part of the world”.
He further said that the President has spoken with “many of our allies and partners — including the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, and the UK — just this afternoon to help coordinate our efforts in the war torn region”.
President Biden has spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu twice assuring him that the US will stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel in the current situation.
In response to Hamas’ attacks, President Biden directed his team to “do everything we can to ensure that the government of Israel has what it needs. At his direction, our military began shipping military aid to Israel and the Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin has adjusted our force posture in the region to bolster regional deterrence efforts”.
“Our teams at the White House and across the US government have been in close contact with our Israeli partners and are working with our regional partners to warn anyone who might seek to take advantage in this situation against taking hostile action,” Kirby said while answering to questions on Iran and Hezbollah “exploiting the situation”.
“Terrorism is never justified, and what we have seen Hamas do is appalling and horrific. We will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Israeli people in this moment of crisis for them. And in keeping with that commitment, you will also see that they will light the White House up tonight in blue and white in honour of Israeli colours and the Israeli flag. That will — that will take place right after sundown.
“We will have more assistance to announce over the coming days to ensure that no enemies of Israel believe that they can or should try to seek advantage from the current situation,” he said.
“The US government is doing everything we can to determine the whereabouts of these U.S. citizens. The President has directed his team to work with their Israeli counterparts on every aspect of the hostage crisis, including sharing intelligence and deploying experts from across the United States government to consult with and advise Israeli counterparts on hostage recovery efforts,” Kirby asserted.
The first tranche of additional security assistance is being delivered to Israel.
It was a few months back when Soman had sent Aanand to Israel for ten months under the “Learn and Earn” scheme for the practical of BSc Agriculture….reports Asian Lite News
Family members of Aanand Sah, one of the Nepalese students killed by Hamas terrorists in Israel are shocked and grief-stricken.
His mother Shivakali Devi lost her conscience after losing her 22-year-old son who was the only bread earner of the family.
Aanand Sah’s father Soman Sah breaks down whenever flashbacks of his son run on his mind not knowing what to do next. It was a few months back when Soman had sent Aanand to Israel for ten months under the “Learn and Earn” scheme for the practical of BSc Agriculture.
Soman Sah said, “He went to Israel for further studies. He was outstanding amongst the students who were on the fray, out of more than 100 students only 50 were selected through interviews. There were no charges for application, visa and flight fare, only the personal expenses need to be incurred by us. I took the loan of 300 thousand and then sent him. I am just a farmer and have mortgaged the lands for it.”
According to the family members, Aanand since his early childhood had a keen interest in agriculture and was on his way to making a career in the same field. Upon getting selected for the scheme to go to Israel for practical he had planned to return back and start working in the field of agriculture, Soman recalled.
“Papa I want to go Israel for technical education, Israel is one of the best places in the world for agriculture and I will learn more technical knowledge and can use it in Nepal later but now he is gone,” Soman broke down as he recalled the conversation with his son.
The Sudur Paschim University where Aanand was studying on full scholarship, had sent 50 students to Israel for ten months practical and was killed in an ongoing terrorist attack by the Hamas terrorist group which started Saturday. The family of Aanand is still unaware of the circumstances under which he lost his life as the authorities are yet to contact the family.
Soman Sah said, “There has been no contact from anyone from the Nepalese authorities, neither there has been communication from the college where he was studying in Israel.”
“We came to know about it through the news, ‘bauwa’ friend informed us after seeing it on the news and messaged us on the phone that he is gone,” said the father calling his son with the pet name “Bauwa” meaning lovely son.
As per the family, Aanand wasn’t able to attend the classes in Israel because he needed to deposit a fee of USD 5088 to enroll in the class starting on October 12, 2023. In order to support the family and reduce pressure on the family, Aanand has started working on a farm. The family doesn’t have any details about the farm where he was working or the university where he was supposed to enroll.
Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to contact the families of the 10 deceased students nor has any state mechanism offered condolence to the families.
Nepal’s government has called on its citizens residing in Israel to register themselves online as it plans to repatriate them. The Israeli Police confirmed the deaths of the 10 Nepal students. The toll is expected to go up as some of the injured are in serious condition and there are others who are yet to be contacted.
The Embassy of Nepal issued a notice, calling on distressed Nepal citizens to register themselves as operations at the Tel Aviv-based airport are proceeding without disruption enabling passage of flights, Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a late-night release issued on Sunday stated, “We have requested the Israeli government to promptly identify and arrange for repatriation of the deceased Nepal nationals, as well as to ensure the rescue and appropriate medical treatment for the injured.”
To make the process smoother, online registration is being prepared in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nepal Embassy in Tel Aviv and the Israel government. “This registration will collect crucial details from Nepalese citizens wishing to return to Nepal from Israel,” the statement added.
As the fighting enters the third day, about 10 Nepalese students have been killed who were in Israel under the ‘Learn and Earn’ program supported by the Israeli government. The deceased- students from Sudur Paschim University of Nepal fell victim to an attack by Hamas, according to the official statement. (ANI)
Candlelight Vigil Held
Dozens of students held a candlelight vigil on the premises of Patan Durbar Square here commemorating the 10 Nepali students killed by Hamas in Israel.
The members of the Nepal Student Union observed a minute of silence on Monday evening and lit candles while they stood in line holding banners and placards that read “Heartfelt condolence” and “Pray for World Peace” and called for prompt rescue of remaining Nepali citizens trapped in Israel.
The 10 Nepali students who were flown to Israel under the “Learn and Earn” scheme of the Israeli Government fell victim to the attack of the Hamas terror group. The Nepal Embassy in Tel Aviv late on Sunday evening confirmed the death of Nepali citizens as well as stated some were in critical condition and some were missing.
“Today we are gathered here to commemorate the fallen 10 Nepali agriculture students who lost their lives in the ongoing fight between Israel and Hamas, they (Nepali students) were in Israel for an Internship and have been killed. The whole nation is now mourning and is in complete shock,” Dipendra Regmi, one of the participants of the vigil ceremony told ANI.
According to the Foreign Minister of Nepal, there are about 4,500 Nepali working as caregivers in Israel whereas 265 additional Nepali students are in Israel participating in the learning and earning programmes, sponsored by the Israeli government.
During Sunday’s address at the parliament, Foreign Minister NP Saud stated that 119 students from Agriculture and Forestry University, 97 from Tribhuvan University, and 49 from Far-Western University were flown to Israel lately.
Notably, 17 of the 49 students from Sudur Paschim University were studying in Kibbutz Alumim, located in southern Israel close to border areas with Gaza. The Foreign Minister in his address had mentioned 10 students to be out of contact who by late evening were confirmed dead.
In addition, the Foreign Minister also stated that 4 of the 17 students from Sudur Paschim University have sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment at a local hospital. (ANI)
The visit will include an expanded session of discussions with Lavrov on regional and international issues, most notably the ongoing escalation in the Gaza Strip….reports Asian Lite News
Secretary-General of the Arab League (AL), Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, has headed to Russia to discuss developments in the situation in the Gaza Strip.
Aboul-Gheit on Sunday flew to Moscow on a working visit at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a statement by Gamal Roshdy, spokesman for the AL Secretary-General.
The visit will include an expanded session of discussions with Lavrov on regional and international issues, most notably the ongoing escalation in the Gaza Strip.
The visit came after Hamas on Saturday launched a surprise attack on Israeli towns adjacent to the Gaza Strip, which has so far resulted in the deaths of more than 700 Israelis, while the death toll from Israeli retaliatory attacks on Gaza Strip has risen to 413.
Al-Sudairi’s arrival comes amid Israel’s efforts to normalise relations with Saudi Arabia…reports Asian Lite News
The first Saudi Ambassador to Palestine, Naif bin Bandar Al-Sudairi, arrived in the West Bank, media reported.
Leading an official delegation, Al-Sudairi, the non-resident ambassador to Palestine and non-resident consul general in Jerusalem, presented his credentials to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the presidency headquarters in Ramallah, it said on Tuesday.
Al-Sudairi’s arrival comes amid Israel’s efforts to normalise relations with Saudi Arabia, Xinhua news agency reported.
During their meeting, Abbas welcomed Al-Sudairi and said his visit to Palestine and his appointment as Saudi ambassador to the State of Palestine would contribute to “strengthening the strong fraternal relations that bind the two countries and the two brotherly peoples”.
The Saudi Ambassador said he hoped that his visit would be “a successful beginning for strengthening relations in all fields,” stressing his country’s firm and supportive positions for the Palestinian people and their just cause.
Earlier on Tuesday, Al-Sudairi told reporters in a statement that “the Arab Peace Initiative is the basic point in any upcoming agreement,” after being asked about the fate of the initiative in the event of reaching a normalisation deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
The Arab Peace Initiative was launched in 2002 after it was drafted by Saudi Arabia and adopted by the Arab League.
The initiative calls for an end to the conflict between Israel and Palestine and the normalisation of relations between Israel and Arab states, in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal from the areas it gained since 1967 and proper settlement to the issue of Palestinian refugees.
The Palestinians demanded the establishment of an independent state alongside Israel in all of the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel in 1967, including the entire West Bank and the Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The Saudi ambassador also confirmed that his country intends to open a consulate in East Jerusalem soon.
The clashes in several West Bank towns and villages broke out hours after 153 Palestinians were injured during clashes with the Israeli police on Friday morning at the compound of Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem, reports Asian Lite News
Dozens of Palestinian protesters were injured during clashes with Israeli soldiers in several West Bank towns and villages, the Palestine Red Crescent Society has said.
In a clash that took place on Friday, five were shot by live ammunition, four by rubber bullets, and dozens suffered from inhaling tear gas, Xinhua news agency reported citing the Palestine Red Crescent Society.
Dozens of anti-settlement demonstrators burned tyres and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers stationed on the outskirts of the villages, said eyewitnesses.
Meanwhile, Murad Ishteiwi, the Palestinian coordinator of the popular resistance in Qalqilya, told Xinhua that during the clashes in the Kafr Qaddum village, Israeli soldiers “had brutally suppressed the protesters by live ammunition and teargas”.
Israeli authorities have not given any comment on the incidents.
The clashes in several West Bank towns and villages broke out hours after 153 Palestinians were injured during clashes with the Israeli police on Friday morning at the compound of Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem.
Tension between Israel and the Palestinians has flared in the West Bank and East Jerusalem over the past three weeks, mainly during the Muslims’ fasting month of Ramadan.
(File pic) Palestinians clash with Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem, Aug. 11, 2019. (Photo by Muammar Awad/Xinhua/IANS)
The Palestinian Health Ministry said in a statement that since January, 42 Palestinians had been killed by Israeli soldiers in the West Bank, including women and children. In the meantime, 14 Israelis have been killed in a series of shooting attacks in Israel since March 22.
Palestinian factions, including the Fatah Party led by President Mahmoud Abbas and Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), condemned the current escalation of tension in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Israel occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which are claimed by the Palestinians, in the 1967 Middle East war.
