Results for: Gaza Conflict

The Islamist movement Hamas has released a video of an Israeli-American hostage it captured during an attack on southern Israel in October 2023, igniting protests in Jerusalem and calls for the government to do more to secure the release of the captives. The video shows Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who has been missing since the attack, accusing Israel’s government of abandoning hostages and claiming that some 70 captives have been killed in Israel’s bombing campaign. Goldberg-Polin’s family has appealed to world leaders and the United Nations for help, while protests in Jerusalem have called on the government to strike a deal with Hamas to bring the hostages home. Meanwhile, Hamas has stated that it will not release the remaining hostages unless Israel ends the war in Gaza.

Students at Harvard University joined a wave of protests across the US, setting up an encampment to condemn the ongoing conflict in Gaza and demand divestment from Israel. Despite threats of police action, the encampment was erected near Harvard Yard, joining similar demonstrations at other universities. Over 100 protesters were arrested at Columbia University on Thursday, while arrests occurred at New York University, the University of Minnesota, Ohio State University, and the University of Texas at Austin. These protests highlight growing opposition to the Israeli military assault on Gaza, which has resulted in widespread casualties and displacement.

The Israeli military is deploying two reserve brigades for missions in the Gaza Strip, including potential operations in Rafah, Hamas’ last major stronghold. The move comes as Israel prepares for a ground invasion of Rafah, raising concerns over civilian casualties as more than half of Gaza’s population seeks shelter in the city. The brigades have been studying lessons from the ongoing fighting in Gaza and will engage in defensive and tactical missions. The deployment is part of Israel’s war aim of destroying Hamas’ military capabilities, while the conflict has also led to increased violence in the West Bank, including the fatal shooting of a Palestinian woman by Israeli soldiers at the Okfim junction.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday, emphasizing the importance of cooperation between the two countries. While acknowledging differences in their perspectives on the Gaza conflict, both leaders expressed a desire to improve humanitarian conditions in the region and support a two-state solution. Erdogan criticized the West’s stance on the war, accusing it of ignoring Palestinian suffering. Steinmeier also expressed concern about rising racism in Germany and praised the contributions of Turkish-origin citizens to German society.

Emerson College’s student encampment protesting the war in Gaza may face police intervention, according to an email from administrators. Police and fire officials have warned that the tents in Boylston Place alley violate city ordinances. The email emphasized that the violations included blocking pedestrian access, noise violations, and fire hazards. Protest organizers plan to conduct a walkout today and have reported credible incidents of harassment by some protesters towards Jewish supporters of Israel.

Aerial footage reveals the catastrophic destruction in Khan Yunis, the main city in the southern Gaza Strip, as Israel intensifies its aerial bombardments and artillery attacks against Hamas militants.

Members of Parliament (MPs) and Lords will gather on Wednesday, April 24, for a special session to examine the United Kingdom’s arms exports to Israel. The session, held by the Business and Trade Committee, will feature testimony from experts on legal, political, and military issues surrounding these exports. Since 2008, the UK has authorized over £574 million worth of arms to Israel. This figure comes from an analysis of government export data conducted by the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), a UK-based organization advocating for an end to the global arms trade. CAAT has raised concerns about UK industry contributions to F-35 combat aircraft, which have been allegedly employed in the recent bombardment of Gaza. The session takes place amid reports of civilian casualties and alleged mass graves in Gaza, following Israeli airstrikes and Hamas rocket attacks. The UN has expressed dismay over these reports.

In the wake of the Gaza conflict and Netanyahu’s right-wing government’s policies, the American Jewish community is facing a crisis of identity. There is now a dispute over US commitment to supporting Israel and over Zionism itself, which used to be the basis of most American liberal Jews’ self-identity. While some believe that Zionism and liberalism are incompatible, others argue that it is more important than ever to support Israel’s security while demanding an end to the disproportional killing of innocent civilians.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi issued fresh threats to Israel, cautioning against a repeat of the Damascus attack that claimed the lives of high-ranking Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders. During his visit to Pakistan, Raisi strongly criticized the United States and the Western world for backing Israel’s actions in Gaza, labeling them as a ‘genocide.’ Furthermore, Raisi reaffirmed Iran’s unwavering support for the oppressed Palestinian people.

Inspired by protests against Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, students at numerous U.S. colleges are setting up encampments and demanding that their schools cease business with Israel and companies supporting its military operations. The students’ demands include halting investments with arms manufacturers, research collaborations aiding Israeli military efforts, and partnerships with Israeli companies or contractors. Despite university officials expressing concerns about potential antisemitism, students remain determined, citing the suffering in Gaza and the need for greater transparency in university investments.