Aid agencies report dire conditions in northern Gaza amid intensified Israeli military actions and evacuation orders. Food and water are scarce, with Save the Children describing the situation as the “depths of hell.” Intense fighting in Jabalia refugee camp has resulted in casualties, including at least 10 killed by artillery fire. The Israeli military claims Hamas is preventing civilian evacuations. Residents, like Haydar and Umm Ihab Baroud, express fear and desperation, with constant shelling and restricted movement. International journalists are barred from Gaza, but reports emerge via phone. Penelope Kingsley 16/10/2024 3:00 am
An Israeli air strike on the al-Aqsa Hospital compound in Gaza ignited a fire, killing at least four and injuring dozens, mostly women and children. Witnesses described the horror and helplessness as people burned in makeshift shelters. The Israeli military claimed it targeted Hamas fighters, leading to secondary explosions. Doctors Without Borders disputed the presence of a Hamas center. The UN and the White House expressed concern over civilian casualties, urging Israel to avoid such incidents. The strike occurred early Monday, affecting an area with displaced people. Ava Sinclair 16/10/2024 3:00 am
Brig. Gen. Esmail Ghaani, commander of Iran’s Quds Force, appeared in video footage and photos after speculation about his fate following Israel’s killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Reports suggested Ghaani might have been harmed in Israeli attacks on Beirut. The Quds Force, part of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, supports groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. On Tuesday, Ghaani attended a ceremony and funeral in Tehran for Maj. Gen. Abbas Nilforoushan, killed in the Sept. 27 strike. His presence was confirmed by Iranian state media and international outlets. Ava Sinclair 16/10/2024 3:00 am
The Israeli military’s invasion of Jabaliya in northern Gaza has worsened conditions for residents amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Mohammed, a local, described the area as dangerous and surrounded by fire. The IDF launched a ground offensive, citing Hamas regrouping efforts. The UN and Palestinians fear a “surrender or starve” strategy to displace residents, which Israel denies. The UN estimates 50,000 people have been displaced, with many stranded due to intense fighting. Mohammed and neighbors share limited resources, uncertain of how long they can endure. Noah Prescott 15/10/2024 11:30 pm
S Jaishankar attended the SCO Summit in Pakistan, marking the first visit by an Indian minister in nearly a decade. He briefly interacted with Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif at an official dinner. Relations between India and Pakistan have been strained due to terror attacks in 2015 and 2016. India maintains that dialogue can only proceed in a terrorism-free environment. Jaishankar emphasized that his visit was solely for the SCO Summit, with no bilateral talks planned, underscoring India’s commitment to the forum despite ongoing tensions. Ava Sinclair 15/10/2024 11:30 pm
Ninety rockets were fired at Israel from Lebanon, with one landing near Haifa, but no injuries were reported. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for some attacks. The US opposes Israel’s bombing in Beirut due to civilian toll concerns, marking the first public opposition from the Biden administration. Additionally, the US criticized Israel for low humanitarian aid levels to Gaza, prompting a letter demanding action. The US has not specified potential consequences if Israel does not comply with aid demands. Noah Prescott 15/10/2024 8:00 pm
Tensions between Israel and the UN over peacekeeping in southern Lebanon have escalated, rooted in longstanding mistrust. Israeli PM Netanyahu called for UNIFIL’s withdrawal from “combat areas,” accusing it of failing to enforce UN Resolution 1701 and allowing Hezbollah to regroup. Israel claims UNIFIL ignored Hezbollah’s activities, including tunnel digging and missile embedding. UN Watch and Israeli media allege Hezbollah operates freely near UN bases. Netanyahu urged the UN to prevent Hezbollah from using peacekeepers as “human shields,” criticizing their continued presence. Penelope Kingsley 15/10/2024 8:00 pm
In August, Gaza reported its first polio case in over 25 years in an unvaccinated baby. The World Health Organization launched a campaign to vaccinate over 640,000 children. As a humanitarian worker, I’ve helped administer the first doses to 559,161 children despite challenges. Parents’ efforts to protect their children are inspiring, but ongoing threats remain. Israel’s military allowed “humanitarian pauses” for vaccinations, yet concerns persist about future disease threats like cholera. Penelope Kingsley 15/10/2024 8:00 pm
Mikhail Pichugin survived over two months adrift in icy seas on an inflatable boat, while his brother and nephew perished. The trio set off on August 9 for Sakhalin island but were carried off course. Pichugin, initially weighing 100kg, was found at 50kg. Rescuers had searched for them, suspecting currents took them towards Kamchatka. A fishing boat discovered the vessel 66 days later. Pichugin’s wife called his survival a “miracle,” attributing it to his initial bulk. He was taken to Magadan for medical care. Penelope Kingsley 15/10/2024 8:00 pm
In the farming village of Khodor, Lebanon, rescue workers frantically searched for survivors after an airstrike amid Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hezbollah. The military campaign, initially focused on southern Lebanon, has expanded to the eastern Bekaa Valley, a key Hezbollah stronghold. Rescue teams struggle to manage the destruction. Hezbollah, which began its operations in this rural area, allowed a Washington Post team access, accompanied by a group member. Noah Prescott 15/10/2024 8:00 pm
