Police Commissioner Edward Caban said that around 300 arrests were made in Columbia and New York.
Tag: Israel Hamas War
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Netanyahu Vows To Invade Rafah ‘With Or Without A Deal’ As Cease-Fire Talks With Hamas Continue
Netanyahu has vowed to achieve “total victory” in the war and has faced pressure from his nationalist governing partners to launch an offensive in Rafah, which Israel says is Hamas’ last major stronghold.
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Nepali Family Of Child Captive To Hamas Turns To Intl Community As Faith In Nepal Govt Wanes |
The family of Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student who was taken into hostage by Hamas in Gaza pleads for international voices to demand his release. The family arrived from over 500 km to the capital Kathmandu, to raise voice for their son.
Joshi’s parents visited Kathmandu to meet Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, marking one of several occasions they have met with him. At the meeting, the family handed over a letter to the Prime Minister, urging the Nepal government to take action for the safe release of their son, whom they have not heard from since October 7, 2023.
“Our son Bipin Joshi, who participated in the Learn and Earn program from Sudurpaschim University, embarked on a journey to Israel on September 12, 2023. Tragically, less than a month into his stay, on October 7, he was taken captive by the Hamas group during an incident involving Israel and Hamas. It’s important to bring this to your attention. Bipin, along with his fellow classmates, ventured to Israel last year as part of his university studies, supported by governmental supervision. Their goal was to contribute to the agricultural sector back home by applying the skills acquired in Israel,” Joshi’s parents—Mahanand Joshi and Padma Joshi wrote in the letter.
“With no end in sight to the ongoing conflict and turmoil in the region since the incident, we find ourselves grappling with the bleak reality of our son’s uncertain fate, both physically and emotionally,” the letter included.
Speaking to WION, the family of Bipin Joshi expressed their dissatisfaction, stating that the Nepal government is not exerting sufficient efforts for his release.
“It has been over 7 months since the tragic incident unfolded. Despite reaching out to various Nepali authorities, we remain without any updates regarding his whereabouts. I urge the Nepali government and the international community to take action to secure his release” Prakash Joshi, brother of Bipin Joshi.
Prakash Joshi says, they have not been able to get in contact with Bipin since the attack, “We became aware of his hostage situation through CCTV footage released by the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces). His health and well-being remain unknown to us.”
The family implores the authorities to ascertain Bipin’s condition, expressing concern over his numerous health issues and questioning whether he is receiving adequate food and medication.
“For more than half a year, we’ve been tirelessly reaching out to various authorities. We’ve engaged with the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, President, and even the Israel Embassy. While the feedback has been encouraging, there has been tangible progress. Despite this, we persist in our daily meetings with officials, with hope and determination,” Pushpa Joshi, sister of Bipin Joshi told WION.
Mahanand Joshi, father of Bipin Joshi is optimistic that during the upcoming visit of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Nepal on April 23, they may receive an update or some progress regarding the status of his son.
Nepal has earlier made several attempts seeking assistance of Qatar and the officials continue to meet with the Ambassador in Nepal.
On March 20, Qatar Ambassador Mishal Mohammed Ali Al-Ansari paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha, and the release of Bipin Joshi was discussed.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani had told then Foreign Minister NP Saud that all efforts are being made for the release, during Saud’s visit to Doha to attend the 21st Doha Forum.
The October 7 attack left 10 Nepali students dead and four others injured, who had reached the West Asian country under the ‘Learn and Earn Programme’.
Joshi is one of the 17 Nepali students who were living at Kibbutz Alumim in southern Israel, close to the Palestinian enclave Gaza, and came under attack from the Islamist group that rules the strip, as per the Nepal’s Foreign Ministry.
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US ‘Outraged’ By Israeli Airstrike Killing Aid Workers In Gaza, UK Summons Envoy | world news
Washington: The Joe Biden Administration is outraged and has expressed deep dismay over an Israeli airstrike that resulted in the tragic deaths of seven aid workers in Gaza, a White House official said on Tuesday. President Joe Biden also spoke with Jose Andres, the founder of the affected organization and conveyed his condolences. “We were outraged to learn of an IDF strike that killed a number of civilian humanitarian workers yesterday from the World Central Kitchen, which has been tirelessly working to get food to those who are hungry in Gaza, and quite frankly, around the world,” White House national security spokesman John Kirby said at a news briefing Tuesday, adding, “We send our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones.”
Kirby emphasized that both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli Defense Forces have pledged to conduct an investigation “in a swift and comprehensive manner.” “We hope that those findings will be made public and that there is appropriate accountability held,” Kirby said. He noted that an initial inquiry had already been completed. Furthermore, Kirby highlighted that one of the victims was a dual-national United States citizen.
President Biden, in a post on Incidents like yesterday’s simply should not happen…”
US President Joe Biden tweets, “I am outraged and heartbroken by the deaths of seven humanitarian workers from World Central Kitchen, including one American, in Gaza yesterday. Incidents like yesterday’s simply should not happen…” pic.twitter.com/WoWT0BtLt1 — ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2024
An Israeli military strike on Monday night resulted in the tragic deaths of seven aid workers from the non-profit organization World Central Kitchen as they were delivering food to starving civilians in Gaza. The workers were traveling in two armored cars marked with the charity’s logo and another vehicle, CNN reported. Among those killed were three British nationals, a dual US-Canadian citizen, individuals from Australia and Poland, and a Palestinian.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the incident, stating that “innocent people” were “unintentionally struck” by the military. The Israel Defense Forces pledged to “at the highest levels.”
Meanwhile, World Central Kitchen founder Jose Andres slammed the Israeli government, saying it “needs to stop this indiscriminate killing.” Israeli President Isaac Herzog apologized to Andres and expressed condolences to the families of the aid workers. He assured a thorough investigation into the tragedy.
Herzog “expressed his deep sorrow and sincere apologies over the tragic loss of life of WCK staff in the Gaza Strip last night, and sent his condolences to their families and loved ones,” according to a post on X from the presidency. “The President reiterated Israel’s commitment to ensuring a thorough investigation of the tragedy,” the post read.
UK Summons Israeli Ambassador
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has taken a firm stance following the tragic killing of World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza, including three British nationals, summoning the Israeli ambassador to London for a decisive discussion, CNN reported. British Minister for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, summoned Israel’s ambassador to set out the government’s “unequivocal condemnation of the appalling killing of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers, including three British nationals,” he said in a Foreign Office press release.
Israel-Hamas Conflict
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has proven particularly deadly for aid workers, with this incident marking one of the deadliest in over two decades, according to the Aid Worker Security Database. In less than six months, nearly 200 aid workers have been killed in Gaza, surpassing casualties in other conflicts such as Afghanistan, Syria, and South Sudan over the past 20 years, as reported by CNN.
The Aid Worker Security data encompasses workers from various humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations. Since October 7, more than 170 UN staff members have been reported killed, marking the highest number of casualties among UN personnel in history.
Additionally, fifteen Palestine Red Crescent Society workers and volunteers have lost their lives, as reported by the UN on March 29, CNN reported.
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Israel-Hamas War: US Approves More Bombs, Warplanes For Jerusalem | world news
New Delhi: Amid escalating tensions and concerns over potential military actions in southern Gaza, the Biden administration has quietly sanctioned the transfer of billions of dollars of bombs and fighter jets to Israel, The Washington Post reported.
Despite apprehensions about the impact on Palestinian civilians, Washington has proceeded with the arms packages, signaling its unwavering support for Israel’s defense strategies, the report added.
The recent authorizations include a substantial arsenal of munitions, comprising over 1,800 MK84 2,000-pound bombs and 500 MK82 500-pound bombs, as confirmed by Pentagon and State Department officials familiar with the matter. The decision to greenlight such significant weaponry raises eyebrows, particularly given the lethal history of the 2,000-pound bombs in previous Israeli military campaigns in Gaza, which have resulted in mass casualties, as reported by The Washington Post.
While the Biden administration has expressed concerns about the potential ramifications of an Israeli offensive in southern Gaza, it has refrained from conditioning aid or imposing restrictions on arms transfers. A White House official reiterated the administration’s stance, affirming its continued support for Israel’s right to self-defense and emphasizing that conditioning aid has not been part of its policy.
However, some Democratic voices, including allies of President Biden, argue for a more nuanced approach, insisting on Israeli commitments to minimize civilian casualties and facilitate humanitarian aid into Gaza. Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland urged the administration to leverage its influence effectively, demanding assurances from Israel before approving further arms transfers to Gaza.
The impasse highlights the delicate balance in US–Israel relations, with disagreements emerging over the conduct of the conflict. While the Biden administration seeks to engage with Israeli authorities to mitigate the bloodshed, tensions have flared over the refusal to veto a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a temporary ceasefire, which Israel perceived as undermining its position.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s recent visit to Washington underlined Israel’s urgent requests for expedited weaponry, with Gen Charles Q Brown Jr, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, acknowledging Israel’s persistent demands for critical military supplies. However, the US has exercised discretion in fulfilling these requests, citing capacity limits and strategic considerations.
The decision to proceed with arms transfers has drawn criticism from some quarters, with concerns raised about the moral implications and potential complicity in Israel’s military actions. Critics argue that the indiscriminate use of powerful munitions, such as the MK84 bombs, poses significant risks to civilian populations and may constitute violations of international law, according to The Washington Post.
The Biden administration’s approach has also sparked internal debate, with advocates defending the need to maintain robust support for Israel’s security while acknowledging the humanitarian imperative of minimizing civilian harm. Efforts to engage with Israeli officials behind the scenes have yielded mixed results, with delays in planned military operations in Gaza attributed partly to ongoing discussions.
Despite the diplomatic tensions, the Biden administration remains committed to facilitating humanitarian assistance to alleviate the dire conditions in Gaza. However, logistical challenges and Israeli restrictions on aid deliveries have hindered efforts to address the humanitarian crisis effectively.
In navigating the complexities of the conflict, the Biden administration faces mounting pressure to reconcile its support for Israel’s security with its humanitarian obligations and concerns about civilian welfare. The delicate balancing act underscores the broader challenges of US foreign policy in the Middle East, where geopolitical interests intersect with moral imperatives.
As the situation in Gaza remains volatile, the Biden administration faces a daunting task in reconciling competing priorities and upholding its commitments to both Israel’s security and the well-being of Palestinian civilians, The Washington Post reported.
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‘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.
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Middle East On Verge Of Full-Scale War? Israel-Hamas Conflict Exposes Erosion Of Self-Restraint In Region | world news
The Middle East countries including some from Asia have now been exposed amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. After Israel’s counter-offensive in Gaza, Lebanon’s Hezbollah opened a front against Jerusalem as well. Now, countries like Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Yemen have become a direct or indirect party of the conflict. The Red Sea has also become a conflict zone with the Yemen-based Houthi rebels attacking cargo ships in solidarity with Palestine and the US forces hitting back at the Houthis in response to ensure free and safe trade movement. The US recently also attacked Houthis inside Yemen. The Houthis, who support the Palestinian armed group Hamas, launched their attacks in response to Israel’s war on Gaza.
According to reports, commanders from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and Lebanon’s Hezbollah group are reportedly present in Yemen, actively involved in directing and overseeing Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.
Just yesterday, Iran-backed militants launched a strike on US bases in Iraq injuring several soldiers. The US Central Command said that several personnel are undergoing evaluation for “traumatic brain injuries” and at least one Iraqi service member was wounded in the attack. “At approximately 6:30 pm (Baghdad time) time Jan. 20, multiple ballistic missiles and rockets were launched by Iranian-backed militants in Western Iraq targeting al-Assad Airbase. Most of the missiles were intercepted by the base’s air defense systems while others impacted the base. Damage assessments are ongoing. A number of US personnel are undergoing evaluation for traumatic brain injuries. At least one Iraqi service member was wounded,” the US Central Command informed on social media platform X.
In yet another turn of events, Israel attacked a building in the Syrian Capital Damascus on Saturday in which at least five military advisors of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were killed. Another Israeli operation in southern Lebanon yesterday resulted in the death of two individuals, with at least one confirmed as a member of Hezbollah. Previous similar actions have targeted both Hezbollah members and members of the Palestinian group Hamas. Jordanian foreign minister Ayman Safadi has warned that Israel’s provoking confrontation of multiple fronts has created a risk that the war on Gaza may spill over to the rest of the region.
On Monday, Iran launched 24 missiles at a purported Israeli intelligence center in Erbil, located in Kurdish northern Iraq. Simultaneously, they targeted Islamic State sites in Idlib, northern Syria. By Tuesday, Iran made a significant move by conducting strikes against Jaish al-Adl, a Sunni separatist group active in Pakistan near the Iranian border. Pakistan also retaliated by carrying out similar strike in Iran governed area.
The situation in the Middle East is such that organizations like the Taliban are calling for restraints, defying irony. Not every aspect of the Middle East can be interconnected. The conflicts in the region don’t all have direct ties or originate exclusively from Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, and some may eventually subside. However, they do exhibit a certain cohesion, partially reflecting a shared decline in self-restraint and adherence to the rule of law.
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Five Dead As Israel Bombs Iran-Backed Meeting In Syria’s Capital Damascus | world news
New Delhi: Israel bombed a building in the Syrian capital Damascus on Saturday, killing five people who were attending a meeting of “Iran-aligned leaders”, a war monitor said, amid rising regional tensions over the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, news agency AFP reported. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based group with a network of sources inside Syria, said the Israeli strike targeted a four-storey building in the Mazzeh neighbourhood, a high-security zone that hosts leaders of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ( IRGC) and pro-Iran Palestinian factions.
“They were for sure targeting senior members” of those groups, said Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman. Syrian state media confirmed the attack, saying it was carried out by a “likely Israeli aggression” that hit a residential building in Mazzeh, without providing further details.
Other Syrian media outlets reported loud explosions heard across Damascus around mid-morning, followed by a large plume of smoke rising from the targeted area.
“I heard the explosion clearly in the western Mazzeh area, and I saw a large cloud of smoke,” a resident told AFP. “The sound was similar to a missile explosion, and minutes later I heard the sound of ambulances,” he added.
Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes on Syrian territory during the country’s decade-long civil war, mainly targeting Iranian-backed forces and Syrian government positions. But it has intensified its attacks since the war between Israel and Hamas, an ally of Iran and Hezbollah, erupted on October 7.
In December, an Israeli air strike killed a senior general of the IRGC, the most high-ranking Iranian commander to be killed outside Iran since the US drone strike that killed Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad in January 2020.
In the same month, Israel also launched air strikes on eastern and northern Syria, killing dozens of pro-Iran fighters, according to the Observatory. The Israeli strikes have also sparked cross-border clashes with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, another ally of Iran.
Israel rarely comments on its strikes in Syria, but it has repeatedly vowed to prevent Iran, its arch-enemy, from expanding its influence and presence there.
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US Strikes Houthi Targets In Yemen After Missile Attack On Vessels In Red Sea | world news
New Delhi: The US launched new strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen on Friday night (local time), a US official told CNN. The strikes hit a radar site used by the rebels, who have been attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The official said the strikes were more limited than the previous ones, which targeted about 30 Houthi locations on Thursday.
The US and UK, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, carried out the Thursday strikes to stop the Houthis from disrupting international trade lanes. Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims II, Director of the Joint Staff, said the Houthis had fired at least one anti-ship ballistic missile at a commercial ship earlier on Friday, CNN reported.
The US acted on its own in the latest strike, the official said. The US also warned that it would take more military action if the Houthis continued their “outrageous behavior” along with their allies, CNN reported. US President Joe Biden said on Friday in Pennsylvania that the US would respond to the Houthis, who have been escalating their attacks recently.
However, the rebels, who are backed by Iran, fired another anti-ship ballistic missile at a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden, south of Yemen, after the US-led strikes. It was unclear if the US strikes were a reaction to the missile launch or a follow-up to the earlier attacks.
The US President said in a statement on Thursday that the US and its partners conducted the strikes against the Houthis, who had “launched their largest attack to date–directly targeting American ships” on January 9. He said the rebels had used anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history, endangering US personnel, civilian mariners, and their partners, and threatening trade and freedom of navigation.
The Houthis have said they are retaliating for Israel’s Gaza conflict, which started on October 7, when thousands of Hamas terrorists killed scores of Israelis. The Houthis have fired several drone and missile attacks at Israel, most of which were intercepted.
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PM Narendra Modi, Israeli Counterpart Netanyahu Discuss Humanitarian Aid, Maritime Traffic Safety |
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu today had a telephone interaction where the two leaders discussed key issues including the Hamas-Israel war and the safety of maritime traffic. The Prime Minister’s office said in a statement that Netanyahu called PM Modi today.
Taking to X, PM Modi shared his conversation with Netanyahu saying, “Had a productive exchange of views with PM @netanyahu on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, including shared concerns on the safety of maritime traffic. Highlighted India’s consistent stand in favour of early restoration of peace & stability in the region with continued humanitarian assistance for the affected.”
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a telephone call today from the Prime Minister of Israel, H.E. Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu. PM Netanyahu briefed the Prime Minister on the recent developments in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The two leaders shared concerns regarding the safety of maritime traffic,” said the PMO.
Had a productive exchange of views with PM @netanyahu on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, including shared concerns on the safety of maritime traffic. Highlighted India’s consistent stand in favour of early restoration of peace & stability in the region with continued…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 19, 2023It also said, “Prime Minister reiterated the need for continued humanitarian aid for the affected population and emphasized an early and peaceful resolution of the conflict, including the release of all hostages, through dialogue and diplomacy. The two leaders agreed to remain in touch.”
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office also issued a statement. “The two leaders spoke about the importance of safeguarding the free shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait that is threatened by the Houthis at the behest of Iran, and the global interest in preventing harm to international trade, including the economies of Israel and India,” it said.
While the Hamas and Israel war are yet to end despite entering the third month, countries across the globe are also concerned with Yemen’s Houthi rebels who have been attacking/hijacking cargo vessels in the Red Sea, disrupting maritime trade and causing freight companies to avoid the area.