Author: mark

(Canberra Times, 27/12/2023) ( https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8470702/un-alarm-as-israeli-strikes-in-central-gaza-kill-scores/?cs=14232 ) Israel have launched fresh airstrikes against central Gaza, where the United Nations voiced alarm over an escalation of attacks that have killed more than 100 Palestinians over two days in one part of the enclave. The war intensified around Christmas, particularly in a central area just south of the… Continue reading UN alarm as Israeli strikes in central Gaza kill score

(The Age, 27/12/2023) ( https://www.theage.com.au/world/middle-east/we-are-not-stopping-netanyahu-visits-gaza-vows-no-let-up-against-hamas-20231226-p5eto0.html ) Gaza/Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stepped onto Gaza soil on vowing to keep up the fight against Hamas militants while Palestinians mourned more than 100 people who Gaza health officials said were killed overnight in Israeli airstrikes. Netanyahu visited Israeli troops in the northern Gaza Strip just hours after… Continue reading ‘We are not stopping’: Netanyahu visits Gaza, vows no let-up against Hamas

by Jonathan Kuttab As we get ready to celebrate Christmas, we think of all the people in Gaza and Palestine who are in no position to celebrate. War is hell. But, for some it can bring out courage and sacrifice, and people are accustomed to acknowledging and saluting their heroes. I would also like to… Continue reading Salute the Heroes, Part II: Medical Personnel

Israeli airstrikes kill more than 100 as assault on Gaza widens ‘Safe’ evacuation zone of Deir al-Balah is hit amid some of the deadliest fighting in the war The Guardian | Bethan McKernan in Jerusalem | Tue 26 Dec 2023 The Gaza Strip is facing some of the deadliest fighting to date in the present… Continue reading Israeli airstrikes kill more than 100 as assault on Gaza widens | Gaza | The Guardian

Egypt floats ambitious plan to end Israel-Hamas war Canberra Times / AAP | Samy Magdy, Najib Jobain, Melanie Lidman | December 25 2023 Egypt has put forward an ambitious, initial proposal to end the Israel-Hamas war with a ceasefire, a phased hostage release and the creation of a Palestinian government of experts. Some details of… Continue reading Egypt floats ambitious plan to end Israel-Hamas war | The Canberra Times | Canberra, ACT

Israeli PM vows no let-up in war against Hamas Canberra Times / AAP | December 26 2023 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to keep up the fight against Hamas militants while Palestinians have mourned more than 100 people who Gaza health officials say were killed in Israeli airstrikes. Netanyahu visited Israeli troops in… Continue reading Israeli PM vows no let-up in war against Hamas | The Canberra Times | Canberra, ACT

The Age/Melanie Lidman https://www.theage.com.au/world/middle-east/no-christmas-lights-or-tree-in-bethlehem-as-festivities-are-cancelled-20231224-p5etjr.html Bethlehem, West Bank: The normally bustling biblical birthplace of Jesus resembled a ghost town on Sunday as Christmas Eve celebrations in Bethlehem were called off due to the Israel-Hamas war. The festive lights and Christmas tree that normally decorate Manger Square were missing, as were the throngs of foreign tourists and… Continue reading No Christmas lights or tree in Bethlehem as festivities are cancelled

The Age/Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy https://www.theage.com.au/world/middle-east/israel-launches-one-of-the-war-s-deadliest-strikes-in-central-gaza-20231225-p5etjy.html Deir Al-Balah/Jerusalem: Dozens were killed in Gaza overnight in one of the deadliest strikes of the war, while Israel’s leaders acknowledged the “very heavy price” after 15 soldiers were killed in combat over the weekend. The strike hit the Maghazi refugee camp, east of Deir al-Balah. Gaza Health… Continue reading Israel launches one of the war’s deadliest strikes in central Gaza

The Age/ Reuters | Michelle Nichols | 24.12.23 The United Nations Security Council has approved a toneddown bid to boost humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and called for urgent steps ‘‘to create the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities’’ after a week of vote delays and intense negotiations to avoid a veto by… Continue reading UN resolution avoids ceasefire call

ABC | Olivia Ralph | 23.12.23 Earlier this week, Human Rights Watch accused Israel of “using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare in the Gaza Strip”. The Israeli government rejected the claims and instead blamed Hamas for hijacking aid intended for civilians. There have been many references to “rules of war” being broken,… Continue reading Human Rights Watch alleges Israel is breaching the rules of war in Gaza — what are they?