The Hamas police chief was among at least 11 Palestinians reportedly killed in an Israeli air strike on a tent camp sheltering displaced families in southern Gaza, the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq62dver40yo">BBC</a> reported on Thursday.
According to local medics, three children and two women were also among the dead in al-Mawasi, west of Khan Younis.
The Hamas-run interior ministry condemned what it called the “assassination” of police director general Mahmoud Salah and his assistant, Hussam Shahwan, who it said had been “performing their humanitarian and national duty.” The Israeli military said it was looking into the reports.
The Israeli military has declared the sandy strip of land along the coast in al-Mawasi to be a “humanitarian zone” for Palestinians displaced by its war with Hamas.
However, it has repeatedly attacked the area, accusing Hamas operatives of hiding among displaced civilians.
Recent cold, wet weather has worsened conditions in the makeshift camp.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

The Israeli Air Strike on Gaza camp killed 11 people, including the Hamas police chief. Among the dead were three children and two women. The Israeli military attacked a tent camp for displaced families in southern Gaza. Hamas condemned the killings as an "assassination". The camp was declared a "humanitarian zone" for displaced Palestinians, but Hamas operatives were reportedly hiding among civilians. The bad weather made conditions in the camp worse. Israeli military said they are investigating the reports.

Israeli Air Strike On Gaza Camp Leaves 11 Dead, Including Hamas Police Chief

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and senior Hamas official Mohammed Deif, accusing them of war crimes related to the October 7 attacks on Israel.
Netanyahu and Gallant face charges of crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, and the use of starvation as a method of warfare.
This marks a historic first, as Netanyahu is the first Israeli leader to be summoned by an international court for alleged war crimes against Palestinians in the ongoing conflict.
Despite the warrants, the Israeli government has rejected the ICC’s actions, calling them politically biased and discriminatory.
The ICC also issued a warrant for Mohammed Deif, a senior Hamas commander believed to have orchestrated the October 7 attacks.
The court accuses him of crimes including murder, torture, rape, and other forms of sexual violence. While Israel claims Deif was killed in an airstrike in July, Hamas has not confirmed his death.
Israel, like the United States, is not a member of the ICC and disputes the court’s jurisdiction over its actions, particularly in Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank.
The warrant announced against Netanyahu on Thursday puts him in the same category as Omar Hassan al-Bashir, the deposed president of Sudan, and President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia.
The court issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March 2023 over crimes committed during Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, including for the forcible deportation of children.
As part of their membership in the court, countries are required to arrest people for whom it has issued warrants, though that obligation has not always been observed.
The ICC is an international tribunal established to prosecute individuals for crimes that fall under its jurisdiction, including genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression.
It is the world’s first permanent international criminal court, created by the Rome Statute in 1998, and became operational in 2002.
The ICC operates as a court of last resort, meaning it intervenes only when national courts are unwilling or unable to prosecute perpetrators of serious crimes.
It is tasked with holding individuals accountable for egregious crimes that threaten international peace and security.
As of now, 123 countries are members of the ICC, though some major powers like the United States, China, Russia, and India are not members.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas official Mohammed Deif for war crimes related to attacks on Israel. Netanyahu and Gallant are accused of crimes against humanity, while Deif faces charges including murder and torture. Israel disputes the ICC's actions, claiming bias. The ICC is an international court that prosecutes serious crimes globally. Some major countries like the US, China, Russia, and India are not members. The ICC intervenes when national courts cannot handle serious crimes, aiming to hold individuals accountable to maintain world peace.

ICC Issues Arrest Warrants For Israeli Prime Minister And Hamas Official

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said that a raid by the Israeli military on a refugee camp, which led to the rescue of four hostages, killed 274 people, including children and other civilians.
Israel’s forces, backed by air strikes, fought intense gun battles with Hamas in and around the Nuseirat refugee camp, freeing the captives on Saturday, reported <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cw44ve90dppo">BBC</a>.
The four captives were identified as Noa Argamani, 26, Almog Meir Jan, 22, Andrei Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 41.
They were abducted from the Nova music festival on 7 October and have been returned to Israel.
The Israeli military has estimated that fewer than 100 people died in the operation, whilst the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said 274 people were killed.
According to <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/6/8/many-casualties-as-israel-escalates-attacks-across-gaza">Al Jazeera</a>, the military’s attacks, one of the worst since October, by air, land and sea on Saturday hit Nuseirat and Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, with doctors describing the scenes inside Al-Aqsa Hospital as a “complete bloodbath”.
One man, Abdel Salam Darwish, told the BBC he was in a market buying vegetables when he heard fighter jets from above and the sound of gunfire. He said:
<blockquote>
Afterwards, people’s bodies were in pieces, scattered in the streets, and blood stained the walls.
</blockquote>
The return of the hostages to their families is being celebrated in Israel and world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, have welcomed the news of their release.
However, there has been mounting criticism of the deadly cost of the operation inside Gaza.
Writing on X, European Union foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said he condemned it “in the strongest terms”.
In response, an Israeli minister said that instead of condemning Hamas for hiding behind civilians, the EU had condemned Israel for saving its citizens.
Pictures from the Nuseirat refugee camp area show intense bombardment and people mourning the dead.
The Hamas-run health ministry released the names of 86 people out of the 274 Palestinians it says were killed during the two-hour operation.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said special forces operated “under heavy fire” when rescuing the hostages.
He said that one special forces officer was wounded and later died in hospital.
One man, who said more than 40 members of his family have been killed since the conflict began in October, said he was in a house that was hit by a strike. He said:
<blockquote>
As soon as these children and women entered the house, the bombing attack took place, claiming the lives of all those inside it.
This home, which used to house approximately 30 people who then became 50, was bombed… only me, my father, my wife, and a young man survived… we are the only survivors out of 50 people.
</blockquote>
Some Palestinians have criticised Hamas for the bloodshed. Speaking to BBC, Hassan Omar, 37, said he lamented the unnecessary loss of lives in Israeli strikes. He said:
<blockquote>
For each Israeli hostage they could have freed 80 Palestinian prisoners and without any bloodshed – [that] is a million times better than losing 100 dead.
My message to Hamas is stopping the loss is part of the gain, we should get rid of those who control us from Qatar hotels.
</blockquote>
During its 7 October attacks in southern Israel, Hamas killed about 1,200 people and took some 251 people hostage.
About 116 remain in the Palestinian territory, including 41 the army says are dead.
A deal agreed in November saw Hamas release 105 hostages in return for a week-long ceasefire and some 240 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
On Saturday, the Hamas-run health ministry said the death toll in Gaza is now above 37,000 people.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Israeli Forces Rescue 4 Hostages, But 274 Palestinians Killed In The Operation

Israel has authorised plans for a military offensive in Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah, despite growing international pressure and warnings from humanitarian groups and world leaders.
Rafah is currently home to 1.4 million people who are caught in the war between Israel and Hamas. Many of the people sought refuge in the city during Israel’s previous ground invasion.
The prospect of an incursion on Rafah has raised concerns among Israel’s allies, including the U.S. and Europe.
President Joe Biden has reaffirmed his opposition to military action in Rafah without a credible plan to protect civilians.
The Israeli military’s proposed approach involves moving civilians to designated “humanitarian islands” elsewhere in the Gaza Strip.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with civilians facing immense hardships due to the ongoing conflict.
The primary delivery route for aid is over land. More than 15,000 trucks of aid have entered Gaza since October 7, 2023, through two entry points: Rafah (on Gaza’s border with Egypt) and Kerem Shalom (an Israeli crossing).
Several countries, including the US, Jordan, Egypt, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium, have been airdropping aid into Gaza. These airdrops include food, medicine, and other essentials.
The US and Jordan conducted an aid drop on March 3, 2024, providing enough food for over 38 000 meals.
Recently, two initiatives aim to deliver aid to Gaza by sea. The Spanish ship Open Arms arrived off the Gaza coast from Cyprus, towing a barge carrying around 200 tonnes of food provided by the US charity World Central Kitchen (WCK).
An additional 500 tonnes of aid is ready in Cyprus. This shipment includes rice, flour, lentils, beans, canned tuna, beef, and chicken, enough for nearly half a million meals.
The food aid delivered by land, air, and sea has provided essential supplies, but the situation remains precarious as the food is not enough to meet the needs of Gazans.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Israel Plans To Push Palestinians Out Of Rafah Before Anticipated Offensive

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has expressed concern over the safety of Minister Naledi Pandor.
As reported by <a href="https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/dirco-concerned-about-pandors-safety/">SABC News</a>, this comes after Pandor told the media on the sidelines of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) last week that she was worried about the safety of her family.
Pandor, who is South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation Minister, has been publicly condemning Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
South Africa took Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over allegations of genocide in Gaza in the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian enclave.
DIRCO Director-General Zane Dangor said that the department will ensure the safety of the Minister and her family. Said Dangor:
<blockquote>
I think the Minister is doing well and she will be cared for. Her safety is of paramount concern to all of us. So the Minister is doing fine.
</blockquote>
South Africa has since sent a letter to the court in The Hague in the Netherlands requesting it to add provisional measures against Israel.
This was in response to the latest Israeli military attack on Gaza’s overcrowded city of Rafah which resulted in the death of 67 Palestinians in an overnight attack, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.
Hamas (Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya), which translates to the Islamic Resistance Movement, runs the Gaza Strip.
On 07 0ctober 2023, Hamas launched the deadliest attack against Israel since the state’s establishment in 1948, killing more than 1 200 people and taking others hostage.
Since that attack, Israel has been bombarding Gaza to destroy Hamas and to rescue the more than 200 hostages but the conflict has resulted in the death of more than 28 000 Palestinians, most of them women and children.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

South Africa Concerned About Minister Pandor's Safety

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a ruling on Friday affirming the right of Palestinians to be protected from acts of genocide. In their decision, a panel of 17 judges, called upon Israel to take all necessary measures to prevent any actions that could violate the 1948 Genocide Convention, <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/26/what-has-the-icj-ordered-israel-to-do-on-gaza-war-and-whats-next">Al Jazeera</a> reported. The court also urged Israel to allow the entry of vital humanitarian aid into the Palestinian enclave, expressing deep concern over the ongoing loss of life and suffering in Gaza.
The provisional ruling did not explicitly demand an immediate cessation of Israel’s military operation but ordered Israel to prevent and punish any public incitement to commit genocide, while also urging Hamas to release any remaining hostages it may be holding. Israel was further instructed to preserve evidence related to allegations of genocide and provide a report on its compliance with these measures within one month.
Dissenting votes came from Judge Sebutinde of Uganda and the Israeli representative, Judge Barak.
<h3>The Case:</h3>
<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/12/30/israel-denies-south-africas-claims-that-its-committing-crimes-of-genocide-against-palestinians/">South Africa filed a case against Israel</a> at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in December 2023, accusing it of crimes of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza after nearly three months of relentless Israeli bombardment had killed more than 21,500 people and caused widespread destruction in the besieged enclave. In an application to the court, South Africa described Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocidal in character because they are intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group”.
South Africa’s 84-page lawsuit, filed on December 29, 2023, accused Israel of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention in the war on Gaza that began on October 7, 2023. South Africa asked the court to order Israel to:
<ul>
<li>Suspend military operations in and against Gaza (not addressed in the court’s provisional measures)</li>
<li>Not escalate military operations any further (not addressed in the court’s provisional measures)</li>
<li>Allow access to adequate food, water, fuel, shelter, hygiene and sanitation.</li>
<li>Prevent the destruction of Palestinian life in Gaza, including psychological damage</li>
<li>Not destroy evidence that would support genocide allegations, nor deny international organisations such as fact-finding missions, access to Gaza to help preserve this evidence.</li>
<li>Abide by the rules of the Genocide Convention.</li>
<li>Take steps to punish those who have been involved in genocide (not included in the court’s provisional measures).</li>
<li>Avoid actions that would complicate or prolong the case (not included in the court’s provisional measures).</li>
<li>Regularly report to the council on their progress toward implementing the measures.</li>
</ul>
The conflict in Gaza has been ongoing since October 2023, resulting in the deaths of more than 21,000 people, with the majority of casualties being civilians. Israel has been accused of targeting schools, hospitals, and mosques, claiming that they are being used as bases by Hamas. This relentless bombardment has caused mass civilian casualties and led to a dire humanitarian situation in the region.
<h3>What Now?</h3>
As members of the United Nations, both South Africa and Israel are bound by the court’s rulings and cannot appeal a decision. However, the ICJ itself does not have any mechanism to enforce its orders.  
Commenting on the ICJ ruling, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasised that despite being a temporary decision, the ruling is binding, and all parties should comply. While acknowledging Israel’s right to defend itself and bring perpetrators to justice, the court highlighted that punishing the entire Palestinian population is not justified. The ICJ issued provisional measures to protect Palestinian rights, considering the imminent risk of irreparable harm.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

ICJ Rules In Favour Of Palestinians' Protection From Genocide; Urges Israel To Comply

Gaza’s Health Ministry has reported that at least 165 Palestinians have been killed and 250 injured in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine in the past 24 hours.
Israeli forces have also conducted overnight raids in the occupied West Bank, resulting in the detention of 14 individuals, <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/12/30/israel-hamas-war-live-un-aid-chief-decries-israeli-attack-on-relief-convoy">Al Jazeera</a> reported citing the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society.
The paramilitary wings of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the PFLP, and the DFLP launched a series of coordinated armed incursions into the Gaza envelope of neighbouring Israeli territory, on 7 October 2023, the first invasion of Israel since the 1948 Arab–Israeli War.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, as Israeli tanks have advanced further into central and southern areas, accompanied by heavy air and artillery fire. This offensive has led to the destruction of numerous buildings and has forced the majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents to flee their homes. Hospitals are overwhelmed with wounded Palestinians, and the lack of access to essential supplies and medical aid is exacerbating the crisis.
The international community has expressed grave concern over the escalating violence and the high number of civilian casualties. South Africa has taken a significant step by initiating war crimes proceedings against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing them of committing genocide in Gaza. Meanwhile, Israel has defended its actions, stating that Hamas is using civilians as human shields and stealing relief aid.
The conflict has not only affected Gaza but has also sparked violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. In addition to the detainment of individuals in overnight raids, a Palestinian journalist and his family were killed in an airstrike. The situation is highly volatile, with no signs of de-escalation.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Gaza's Health Ministry Says At Least 165 Palestinians Have Been Killed In 24 Hours

Israeli forces have taken over 100 bodies from a mass grave at al-Shifa Hospital, according to Ismail Al Thawabta, an official from Gaza’s Government Media Office. The hospital management dug the graves as dead bodies were piling up inside the hospital, according to <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/11/18/israel-hamas-war-live-conditions-worsen-as-another-baby-dies-at-al-shifa">Reuters.</a> The bodies were buried in a mass grave, but Israeli bulldozers dug up the graves and took away the bodies causing distress and anguish among the people of Gaza. Ismail Al Thawabta said:
<blockquote>
The Israeli occupation forces yesterday exhumed the graves we made inside the hospital yard; they took away more than 100 dead bodies who were already buried. In addition to that, all those victims who recently died were denied burial as Israeli forces refused to have them buried inside the hospital.
Days ago, as dead bodies were piling up inside the hospital, the hospital management was forced to dig a mass grave and bury all the dead. This morning, Israeli bulldozers dug up the graves and took away the dead bodies.
</blockquote>
Israeli forces conducted a targeted operation at Shifa Hospital in Gaza, seizing control of northern Gaza and capturing important buildings. The hospital had already stopped operations due to limited supplies and a lack of electricity.
In the absence of refrigeration, a mass grave was dug for 120 bodies in the hospital yard. Israel claims that Hamas is using civilians as human shields. The Israeli military also claims that the hospital sits on top of Hamas militants’ underground headquarters. Palestinians, rights groups, and international critics accuse Israel of recklessly harming civilians.
UNRWA, the agency providing shelter, stated that they can no longer ensure adequate protection due to ongoing bombardment, emphasising that nowhere in Gaza is safe. Hamas condemned the bombing of al-Fakhoora School and vowed to hold Israel accountable for crimes against children and civilians. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticised the attack, suggesting Israel’s aim is to empty the northern Gaza Strip of Palestinians. The situation in Gaza is dire, with numerous casualties and infrastructure damage. The international community is calling for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further loss of life and destruction.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Israeli Forces Seize 100 Bodies From Al-Shifa Hospital Mass Grave In Gaza

Israeli tanks have surrounded the al-Rantisi hospital complex in Gaza City after another night of heavy bombings that targeted civilian infrastructure, including hospitals escalating the situation in Gaza to alarming levels. The impact of these attacks has been devastating, with reports stating that over 50% of housing units across Gaza have been damaged.
The Israeli army has also conducted nightly raids in the occupied West Bank, further exacerbating the tense situation in the region. This comes after one of the deadliest incursions since the start of the Gaza war. The ongoing violence has resulted in a high death toll, with at least 10,812 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. In Israel, the death toll stands at more than 1,400.

<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/10/26/israeli-hamas-war-what-you-need-to/">Israeli-Hamas War: What You Need To Know</a></li>
</ul>
In an attempt to address the dire humanitarian situation, the White House has announced that Israel has agreed to a daily four-hour pause in fighting. This pause is intended to allow Palestinians to leave northern Gaza, where the situation is particularly dire. However, there has been scepticism and resentment expressed on social media across the Arab world towards this announcement. Some view it as a strategy to ethnically cleanse Gaza and to rescue hostages, <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/11/10/israel-hamas-war-live-fears-grow-for-palestinians-at-gaza-hospitals">Reuters</a> reported.
The United Nations’ human rights chief, Volker Turk, has called for an investigation into Israel’s use of “high-impact explosive weapons” in Gaza. Turk has expressed concerns about the indiscriminate destruction caused by these weapons in the densely populated area, which is home to 2.3 million Palestinians, half of whom have been displaced due to the recent fighting.
The situation in Gaza is dire, with reports of hospitals being targeted and rendered out of function. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that al-Shifa Hospital, one of the main medical facilities in Gaza, is coming under bombardment. The intense violence has resulted in casualties, including children, and has created a dire humanitarian crisis.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Israeli Tanks Have Surrounded A Hospital In Gaza City

Thousands of people have broken into United Nations (UN) aid depots to take supplies in Gaza, prompting concerns about the breakdown of civil order. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reported that warehouses containing essentials like flour and soap were ransacked. This development comes as Israel escalates its military action against Hamas in Gaza.
More than half of Gaza’s population of 2.4 million people have been displaced, and numerous buildings have been destroyed, according to the UN. Since October 7, when Hamas militants launched unprecedented attacks on Israel, the conflict has intensified, resulting in over 8,000 reported deaths in Gaza.
UNRWA stated that the raids on aid warehouses were expected due to the desperate conditions faced by the people. A senior spokeswoman for the UN World Food Programme (WFP), Abeer Etefa, told the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67255822">BBC</a>:
<blockquote>
The bottom line is that people are desperate, they are hungry.
</blockquote>
Displaced Gazans who took items from the UN warehouses expressed their need for assistance, as they lacked essential supplies like food, water, and sanitation.
Israel has limited the entry of aid into Gaza, citing concerns that supplies could be used by Hamas to continue the conflict. However, officials announced that more aid would be allowed into the region in the coming days. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern about the dire situation in Gaza and called on all parties involved to step back from the brink. He said:
<blockquote>
More than two million people, with nowhere safe to go, are being denied the essentials for life – food, water, shelter and medical care – while being subjected to relentless bombardment. I urge all those with responsibility to step back from the brink.
</blockquote>
Over the weekend, Israeli tanks and infantry entered Gaza as part of a “second stage” in the ongoing conflict, which began when Hamas launched an aggressive attack on Israel three weeks ago. This ground offensive was accompanied by continued airstrikes from air, land, and sea. Gaza residents described the bombardment as the most intense of the war, resulting in a loss of communication for most of the population. However, communication was partially restored on Sunday. The Israeli military reported that they had targeted over 450 militant sites in the past 24 hours, including Hamas command centres, observation posts, and missile launching positions. They also mentioned that additional ground forces were deployed into Gaza overnight.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Thousands Break Into UN Aid Depots In Gaza Looking For Food

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) stopped the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) from delivering a petition to the United Nations office in Harare to show solidarity with Palestinian workers affected by the Israeli military attacks on Gaza.
Police intervened and declared that the march and petition had not been sanctioned, citing non-compliance with legal requirements, <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200018489/police-stop-teachers-palestine-solidarity-march">NewsDay</a> reported. Artuz had notified the police about their intention to hold the solidarity march, expressing their demand for an end to the attacks on Gaza. The union highlighted the suffering caused by the attacks and stood in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The officer commanding Harare district Chief Superintendent Raudzi Chuma wrote:
<blockquote>
You notified me that your solidarity march shall commence at Ashbrittle shops up to the United Nations offices in Zimbabwe, which are located at Block 10, Arundel Office Park, Norfolk Road, Mt Pleasant, Harare, where you shall hand over your petition.
However, your notification letter falls short of the requirements as outlined in the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act [Chapter 11:23]. Therefore, your intended solidarity march and petitioned has not been sanctioned.
</blockquote>
The Israeli military has been bombarding Gaza in response to Operation Al Aqsa Flood, launched by Palestinian militant Mohammed Deif, as retaliation for Israeli raids at Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa mosque. Gaza is a densely populated strip of land bordered by Israel and Egypt, and the ongoing conflict has resulted in casualties and destruction on both sides. Israel has likened the Hamas attack to the September 11, 2001 tragedy in the United States, declaring war on Palestine.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Zimbabwe Police Block Teachers From Marching In Solidarity With Palestine

Since Israel launched a bombing campaign against Gaza after an attack by Hamas, nearly 5,100 Palestinians have been killed, including around 40% (over 2,000) children, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in the destruction of thousands of buildings and the displacement of over one million people. Israeli military strikes have targeted various locations, including tunnels, command centres, and military compounds used by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/23/gaza-death-toll-exceeds-5000-as-israel-continues-daily-bombardments">Al Jazeera</a> reported.
In response to the Israeli airstrikes, Hamas continues to launch attacks into Israel. The violence has caused significant loss of life on both sides, with Israeli officials reporting at least 1,400 deaths, mostly civilians, from Hamas attacks. The conflict shows no signs of slowing down, as Israel threatens a full-scale ground invasion and the airstrikes in Gaza continue. The situation remains volatile, with bombings occurring even during early morning hours, leading to further casualties and devastation.
Israeli forces have continued to bombard the southern part of Gaza, even after ordering people from the north to relocate there. The situation remains tense, with Israeli forces massed near the border and carrying out limited incursions to target Hamas and rescue captives taken by the group. Skirmishes between Hamas fighters and Israeli armoured units have occurred, resulting in casualties on both sides.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Over 5,000 Palestinians Including Over 2,000 Children Killed In Israeli-Hamas War

Rory Stewart, the former UK Minister of State for Development and Africa, has stated that Israel feels marginalized and unfairly attacked at the United Nations (UN), while other countries like China, Zimbabwe, and Cuba have not faced the same level of criticism.
In June 2018, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution blaming Israel for casualties during clashes with Palestinian protesters at the Gaza border. More recently, the UN Security Council attempted to pass a resolution condemning Hamas’ attack on Israel and calling for a humanitarian pause in the conflict, but the US vetoed it. The US has often used its Security Council veto to protect Israel from critical resolutions.
Commenting on the Israeli-Hamas war and the stance taken by the United Nations, Rory Stewart argues that Israel feels that they are being unfairly treated at the United Nations. He said:
<blockquote>
Israeli’s point of view, there are many Israeli points of view, but they would start by saying, listen understand these are very serious enemies out there. That Hamas back in the 1990s had a founding charter dedicated to the complete elimination of the state of Israel. That states like Iran were committed to the elimination of the state of Israel, the 67 war, and the Young People War, were designed basically to wipe them out. They feel that they have been marginalised and attacked unfairly at United Nations forums for decades while other countries like China, and Zimbabwe and Cuba haven’t been attacked the same way. They feel it’s an existential threat. They would emphasise that the Israeli army warns civilians before it attacks buildings.
<div class="wp-video" style="width: 640px;">
<video class="wp-video-shortcode" controls="controls" height="352" id="video-265309-1" preload="metadata" width="640"><source src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Israel-Zimbabwe.mp4?_=1" type="video/mp4"/><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Israel-Zimbabwe.mp4">https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Israel-Zimbabwe.mp4</a></video></div>
</blockquote>
<h3>The 1967 war</h3>
In 1948, Israel’s Arab neighbours unsuccessfully invaded the newly established state. During the conflict, young Egyptian and Israeli officers, including Yitzhak Rabin and Gamal Abdel Nasser, attempted to resolve a standoff known as the Falluja pocket.
The establishment of Israel led to the displacement of Palestinians, who view it as a catastrophe.
In 1967, the Six-Day War occurred, where Israel launched preemptive strikes and gained control of territories from Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. This war had significant geopolitical implications, fueling national pride in Israel but exacerbating the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Arab leaders refused peace, recognition, and negotiation with Israel. Subsequently, the Yom Kippur War took place in 1973. Israel’s occupation and settlements in the seized territories have hindered progress in Arab-Israeli peace talks. While Israel returned some territories, the status of others, like the Golan Heights and the West Bank, remains unresolved.
Some Zimbabweans feel that they are unjustly compared to Israel by Rory Stewart. They argue that Zimbabwe has not engaged in actions like bombing neighbouring countries. Some pointed out that Zimbabwe should not be compared to Israel because it doesn’t pose a threat to global peace. They stated that seeking revenge and committing atrocities would make Israel look bad, similar to the actions of the Nazis during World War I.
Some people believe that Zimbabwe should only be mentioned in discussions about unfair elections, like the recent situation in Poland. They argue that unfair elections are a common occurrence in Zimbabwe, unlike war. Zimbabwe has conducted several disputed elections, with allegations that the ruling party, ZANU PF, colludes with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to manipulate the outcomes.
China, Cuba, and Zimbabwe have faced criticism over the years for different reasons. China has been criticised for its human rights record, censorship, and territorial disputes. Cuba has restrictions on political freedoms, limited freedom of speech and assembly, and a lack of multiparty elections. Zimbabwe has been scrutinised for political repression, human rights abuses, and allegations of electoral fraud. 
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

UK's Former Minister Claims Israel Feels Unfairly Attacked At UN Compared To Zimbabwe

According to Palestinian officials, a massive explosion at a hospital in Gaza resulted in hundreds of deaths. The hospital, Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, was serving as a shelter for displaced individuals when it was bombed. Palestinian authorities attribute the incident to ongoing Israeli airstrikes, while the Israel Defense Forces deny any involvement, attributing it to a failed rocket launch by a rival militant group, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
The situation raises humanitarian concerns as Israel has been accused of restricting essential resources like food, fuel, and electricity to the people in Gaza. Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus told <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/17/middleeast/israel-gaza-rafah-crossing-week-2-tuesday-intl-hnk/index.html">CNN</a>:
<blockquote>
We did not strike that, and that the intelligence that we have suggests that it was a failed rocket launch by the Islamic Jihad, and I want to add, categorically, that we do not intentionally strike any sensitive facilities, and definitely not hospitals.
</blockquote>
Gaza has been under siege by Israel following a deadly attack by Hamas, the controlling militant group. The enclave, home to 2.2 million people, is facing electricity and water shortages, putting a strain on hospitals trying to care for the wounded. Humanitarian aid is accumulating at Gaza’s closed border, awaiting safe passage.

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US President Joe Biden plans to visit Israel to address the crisis, but a scheduled summit in Jordan was cancelled due to the hospital blast. The Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, housing evacuated individuals, was bombed, with conflicting reports of casualties. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blames Hamas for the attack, referring to them as “barbaric terrorists.” He is quoted as saying:
<blockquote>
Whoever brutally murdered our children is also murdering their children.
</blockquote>
Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari stated that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) possesses evidence, including intercepted communications and drone footage, suggesting that the hospital incident was orchestrated by the Islamic Jihad militants in Gaza. The IDF plans to release the footage and audio to support their claims.
Meanwhile, both Israeli and Gazan officials continue to blame each other for the tragedy. As a response, protests have erupted in various Middle Eastern cities, including Amman, where demonstrators attempted to reach the Israeli embassy.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, over the past week of Israeli bombardment in Gaza, more than 3,000 people have been killed, including a significant number of children, and around 12,500 have been injured. These casualties have exceeded the number of deaths during the 2014 Gaza-Israel conflict. While the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claim they do not target hospitals, international organizations like the UN and Doctors Without Borders report that medical facilities, including hospitals and ambulances, have been hit by Israeli airstrikes. On Tuesday, Israeli warplanes struck densely populated refugee camps and a school housing displaced people, resulting in the deaths of at least 18 individuals. In the occupied West Bank, at least 61 people have been killed, and 20 humanitarian workers have lost their lives in Gaza, according to the UN.
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Massive Explosion At Gaza Hospital Causes Hundreds Of Deaths, According To Palestinian Officials

The Israeli army has given 1 million Palestinians just 24 hours to evacuate northern Gaza and head to the southern part of the besieged territory ahead of an expected ground offensive. 
  
United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated that carrying out the evacuation mentioned would have severe negative impacts on the well-being of the affected people. According to <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/10/13/israel-hamas-live-iran-says-new-fronts-may-open-if-gaza-bombing-continues">Al Jazeera,</a> he urged Israel to withdraw the orders, emphasising that implementing them could worsen the existing tragedy and lead to a disastrous situation.
Hamas, responsible for the shocking and brutal attack on Israel nearly a week ago and continuous rocket launches, disregarded the proposed evacuation plan as a deceptive tactic. According to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-war-c8b4fc20e4fd2ef381d5edb7e9e8308c">AFP News,</a> the group urged Palestinians to remain in their homes, claiming that Israel’s intention was to create confusion and disrupt unity. They advised Palestinians to disregard what they perceived as psychological warfare.
The evacuation order, which covers Gaza City and its large Palestinian population, caused panic among civilians and aid workers. They were already dealing with Israeli airstrikes, a blockade, and a blackout across the territory, adding to the challenges they faced in their attempt to find safety. AFP News quotes a weeping Nebal Farsakh, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Red Crescent in Gaza City, as saying:
<blockquote>
Forget about food, forget about electricity, forget about fuel. The only concern now is just if you’ll make it, if you’re going to live.
</blockquote>
The ongoing war has resulted in a significant loss of life, with over 2,800 casualties on both sides and heightened tensions in the region. While there have been concerns about potential escalation with Hezbollah in Lebanon, the situation there remains relatively calm for now.
The Gaza Health Ministry stated that it was not feasible to evacuate the numerous wounded individuals from hospitals due to the already overwhelming number of dead and injured. They emphasized that hospital staff would not abandon the wounded and sick to their fate.
Iran’s foreign minister warned that the war could expand to “other fronts” if the bombing of Gaza persisted.
Meanwhile, the EU’s foreign policy chief held talks with China’s foreign minister, who attributed the Israel-Hamas conflict to a “historical injustice” against Palestinians. He highlighted the delayed realization of Palestinian statehood and the unresolved historical grievances as the root causes of the problem.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, announced that it would not evacuate the schools where many people have sought shelter. However, they did relocate their headquarters to southern Gaza, as confirmed by spokesperson Juliette Touma.
Pressed by reporters on whether the army would protect hospitals, U.N. shelters and other civilian locations, Hagari, the Israeli military spokesperson, warned that “it’s a war zone.” 
When questioned on whether the Israeli army would protect hospitals hospitals, UN shelters, and civilian areas, the Israeli military spokesperson, Hagari, warned that “it’s a war zone.” He added:
<blockquote>
If Hamas prevents residents from evacuating, the responsibility lies with them.
</blockquote>
Clive Baldwin, a senior legal adviser at Human Rights Watch, criticized the evacuation order in Gaza, stating that it is not effective as there is no safe place for people to go. He highlighted the dire conditions in the area, including damaged roads, scarcity of fuel, and the main hospital being in the evacuation zone. Baldwin urged world leaders to intervene before it’s too late.
<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2022/11/04/benjamin-netanyahu-re-elected-as-israels-prime-minister/">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a> has expressed determination to “crush” Hamas, as he faces public pressure to take more decisive action against the group rather than maintaining the status quo.
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Israeli Army Gives 1 Million Palestinians 24 Hours to Evacuate Northern Gaza

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the country “at war” following a major escalation between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants in Gaza.
Palestinian militants in Gaza launched a surprise attack that resulted in at least 22 deaths and over 250 injuries, <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/07/middleeast/sirens-israel-rocket-attack-gaza-intl-hnk/index.html">CNN</a> reported. Hamas, the Palestinian militant movement that runs Gaza, claimed responsibility for the attack, stating they had captured Israeli soldiers and launched thousands of rockets in response to various grievances. According to the Israeli military, around 2,200 rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip into Israel on Saturday morning while armed gunmen infiltrated across the border in a ground assault into southern Israel.
While the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) did not confirm the capture of its soldiers, there is footage released by Reuters that shows Palestinian soldiers dragging an Israeli soldier from a tanker. According to Israel’s Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency rescue service, one of their ambulances had been taken into the Gaza Strip.
Hamas leaders dubbed the assault operation “Al-Aqsa Storm,” adding that they had targeted enemy positions, airports, and military positions with 5,000 rockets. They said the assault was in response to attacks on women, the desecration of the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, and the ongoing siege of Gaza. Some militants have attempted to break into Israeli homes, prompting calls for help.
In retaliation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza and called up thousands of reservists. Israeli forces are engaged in ground fighting in multiple locations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Hamas would face severe consequences, stating that Israel is at war.
Rocket warnings and interceptions have been ongoing, and Israeli residents near Gaza have been advised to stay in their homes or seek shelter. The IDF blamed Hamas for the attack and stated that it would face the consequences. The conflict has resulted in casualties and property damage in Israel. Social media footage showed masked gunmen in Israeli cities, and reports of infiltrators and hostages emerged. The situation is tense, with ongoing rocket attacks and restrictions on movement and goods in Gaza due to the Israeli blockade.
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