News Analysis India

Tag: Gaza war

  • Israel’s War On Gaza: Indian Ex-Soldier Serving As UN Aid Worker Killed In Rafah | world news

    The UN aid worker who was killed while driving to a hospital in the Khan Younis area from Rafah has been identified as an Indian national. Waibhav Anil Kale, 46, was a former Indian Army soldier. Farhan Haq, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Deputy Spokesperson, confirmed the identity of the deceased aid worker in a statement issued Monday night.

    According to the UN official, Waibhav Anil Kale started working for the UN as a security service coordinator in Gaza a month ago. According to UN sources, Kale was traveling in a vehicle bearing the United Nations logo.

    However, UN sources said it was unclear who fired on the vehicle in which Waibhav Anil Kale was traveling with another UN aid worker. This is the first such UN death in the Gaza conflict.

    The IDF has already stated that it is investigating the firing and death of a UN aid worker. In a statement issued late Monday night, the IDF stated that the attack took place in an active combat zone and that it was investigating the attack and death of the UN aid worker.

  • 3 Sons, 4 Grandchildren Of Top Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh Killed In Israeli Airstrike In Gaza | world news

    New Delhi: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have announced the deaths of three sons of Hamas political figure Ismail Haniyeh in an airstrike conducted by the Israeli Air Force. The strike, which occurred on Wednesday, resulted in the loss of Amir Haniyeh, a noted cell commander within the Hamas military wing, and his brothers Mohammad and Hazem Haniyeh, both recognized as military operatives.

    “IAF aircraft struck Amir Haniyeh, a cell commander in the Hamas military wing, and Mohammad and Hazem Haniyeh, both Hamas military operatives, in central Gaza today. The IDF confirms that the 3 operatives are the sons of Ismail Haniyeh, the chairman of Hamas ‘political bureau,” the IDF posted on its official

    As per Al Jazeera, the tragedy extended beyond Ismail Haniyeh’s immediate family, claiming the lives of four of his grandchildren during the same strike on the Shati refugee camp. The news has sent shockwaves through the region, particularly as it coincided with the first day of Eid al-Fitr, a time traditionally marked by celebration and family gatherings.

    “Through the blood of the martyrs and the pain of the injured, we create hope, we create the future, we create independence and freedom for our people and our nation,” Haniyeh said, adding that around 60 members of his family, including nieces. and nephews, have been killed since the start of the war.

    The Hamas political leader, who is based in the Gulf state of Qatar, decried what he described as Israel’s brutality in Gaza and stressed that Palestinian leaders will not back down if their families and homes are targeted, Al Jazeera reported.

    “There is no doubt that this criminal enemy is driven by the spirit of revenge and the spirit of murder and bloodshed, and it does not observe any standards or laws,” Haniyeh said. “We’ve seen it violate everything on the land of Gaza. There is a war of ethnic cleansing and genocide. There is mass displacement,” he added.

  • US Prez Biden Criticizes Israel PM Netanyahu’s Approach To Gaza War, Calls It A ‘Mistake’ | world news

    New Delhi: US President Joe Biden on openly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s tactics in the ongoing Gaza conflict, labeling them as erroneous. Speaking to Spanish-language TV network Univision, President Biden expressed his disagreement with Netanyahu’s methods, stating, “I think what he’s doing is a mistake. I don’t agree with his approach.” President Biden has been vocal about his concerns regarding Israel’s military operations in Gaza, previously describing the bombings as “indiscriminate” and the overall military response as “over the top”.

    The White House disclosed that President Biden, during a conversation with Netanyahu, suggested that continued US support for Israel’s campaign might hinge on Israel’s commitment to safeguarding aid workers and civilians. This discussion came in the wake of an Israeli airstrike that resulted in the deaths of seven World Central Kitchen staff members.

    President Biden has urged for a ceasefire, advocating for unrestricted access to essential supplies such as food and medicine for the upcoming weeks, “What I’m calling for is for the Israelis to just call for a ceasefire, allow for the next six, eight weeks, total access to all food and medicine going into the country,” he stated.

    Internationally, Israel’s aggressive actions in Gaza have drawn increasing condemnation. Within the US, President Biden has faced persistent demonstrations from anti-war groups, Muslim communities, and Arab Americans, all calling for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and a reevaluation of US military aid to Israel.

    According to Israeli reports, an attack by Hamas on October 7 resulted in 1,200 casualties. The subsequent Israeli offensive in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip has led to over 33,000 deaths, as reported by local health officials, and has displaced the majority of the 2.3 million residents, sparking accusations of genocide, which Israel denies. Additionally, the region is grappling with severe food scarcity.

    Historically, Israel has been the largest recipient of US foreign aid post-World War Two. However, this aid has been overshadowed in the past two years by the support extended to Ukraine following Russia’s invasion in 2022.

    The US has consistently provided diplomatic protection to Israel in the UN Security Council, having vetoed three draft resolutions concerning the war in Gaza. However, the US abstained from voting last month when the Security Council called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

  • 'Deeply Concerned…': Biden Tells Netanyahu Over Israel's Potential Military Operations In Rafah | world news

    New Delhi: US President Joe Biden expressed his grave concerns to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding potential extensive military actions in Rafah, similar to those in Gaza City and Khan Younis, as conveyed by US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. In a phone call with Biden, Netanyahu consented to dispatch a mixed team of Israeli experts to Washington to deliberate on a different strategy to address key Hamas figures in Rafah and to safeguard the border between Egypt and Gaza without launching a significant ground offensive, as announced. by Sullivan in a press briefing.

    The conversation marked the first direct communication between the leaders in a month, focusing significantly on Rafah.

    Biden detailed his serious apprehensions about Israel initiating large-scale military operations in Rafah, akin to previous campaigns in Gaza City and Khan Younis.

    Sullivan highlighted that over a million individuals have sought sanctuary in Rafah, having moved from Gaza City through Khan Younis, with no alternative refuge available as other major cities in Gaza are mostly in ruins.

    He further noted that Israel has yet to propose a viable plan to the US or the international community for the safe relocation, sustenance, and accommodation of these civilians, including ensuring essential services like sanitation.

    Rafah serves as a crucial gateway for humanitarian aid from Egypt into Gaza, and any military action there would impede this flow.

    Sullivan mentioned Egypt's profound concern regarding a significant military operation in Rafah, which could potentially impact its future relations with Israel.

    He clarified that questioning the strategy in Rafah does not equate to questioning the defeat of Hamas, dismissing such comparisons as baseless.

    The US stance is clear: Hamas must not find refuge in Rafah or elsewhere. However, a substantial ground operation would be erroneous, leading to further civilian casualties, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis, contributing to chaos in Gaza, and increasing Israel's international isolation.

    Sullivan emphasized that Israel's objectives in Rafah could be achieved through alternative methods.

    Biden urged Netanyahu to send a high-level team, including military, intelligence, and humanitarian personnel, to Washington soon to discuss the US's apprehensions regarding Israel's intentions for Rafah and to propose a different plan targeting Hamas in the city while maintaining border security, without a full-scale invasion.

    Netanyahu agreed to this proposal.

    The leaders also reviewed ongoing talks for an immediate ceasefire, which would extend for several weeks in exchange for releasing hostages held by Hamas and other groups in Gaza.

    The aim is to leverage the ceasefire to enhance humanitarian aid delivery at a critical juncture. Despite challenges in reaching an agreement, the US remains committed to this urgent matter.

    Biden reiterated his unwavering commitment to Israel's long-term security and reiterated Israel's right to counteract Hamas, responsible for significant atrocities against the Jewish community, as affirmed in his State of the Union address.