[🇧🇩] Israel and Hamas war in Gaza-----Can Bangladesh be a peace broker?

[Saif]

Israeli strikes hit dozens of targets in Gaza as ceasefire efforts stall

Israeli airstrikes hit about 40 targets across the Gaza Strip over the past day, the military said on Friday, hours after Hamas rejected an Israeli ceasefire offer that it said fell short of its demand to agree a full end to the war. Last month the Israeli military broke off a two-month truce that

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Israeli strikes hit dozens of targets in Gaza as ceasefire efforts stall
REUTERS
Published :
Apr 18, 2025 22:04
Updated :
Apr 18, 2025 22:04

A Palestinian man inspects the damage at the site of an Israeli strike on a house, in the northern Gaza Strip, April 18, 2025. Photo : REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa

Israeli airstrikes hit about 40 targets across the Gaza Strip over the past day, the military said on Friday, hours after Hamas rejected an Israeli ceasefire offer that it said fell short of its demand to agree a full end to the war.

Last month the Israeli military broke off a two-month truce that had largely halted fighting in Gaza and has since pushed in from the north and south, seizing almost a third of the enclave as it seeks to pressure Hamas into agreeing to release hostages and disarm.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he would make a special statement on Saturday evening but gave no detail on what it would be about.

Palestinian health authorities said that at least 43 people were killed in strikes on Friday, adding to more than 1,600 deaths since Israel resumed airstrikes in March.

The military said troops were operating in the Shabura and Tel Al-Sultan areas near the southern city of Rafah, as well as in northern Gaza, where it has taken control of large areas east of Gaza City.

Egyptian mediators have been trying to revive the January ceasefire deal that broke down when Israel resumed airstrikes and sent ground troops back into Gaza, but there has been little sign the two sides have moved closer on fundamental issues.

Late on Thursday Khalil Al-Hayya, Hamas' Gaza chief, said the movement was willing to swap all remaining 59 hostages for Palestinians jailed in Israel in return for an end to the war and reconstruction of Gaza.

But he dismissed an Israeli offer, which includes a demand that Hamas lay down its arms, as imposing "impossible conditions".

Israel has not responded formally to Al-Hayya's comments, but ministers have said repeatedly that Hamas must be disarmed completely and can play no role in the future governance of Gaza.

On Friday, Defence Minister Israel Katz repeated that Israel intended to achieve its war aims.

"The IDF is currently working towards a decisive victory in all arenas, the release of the hostages, and the defeat of Hamas in Gaza," he said in a statement.

The ceasefire offer it made through Egyptian mediators includes talks on a final settlement to the war but no firm agreement.

Katz also said this week that troops would remain in the buffer zone around the border that now extends deep into Gaza and cuts the enclave in two, even after any settlement.​

 

[Saif]

Israeli strikes kill 24

Gaza’s civil defence rescue agency said on Friday that Israeli strikes killed at least 24 people, including 10 from the same family, after Hamas signalled its rejection of Israel’s latest ceasefire proposal.

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Israeli strikes kill 24
Hamas rejects truce proposal
Agence France-Presse . Gaza City 19 April, 2025, 00:32

An elderly woman sits inside a damaged building that was hit by Israeli bombardment in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on Friday. | AFP photo

Gaza’s civil defence rescue agency said on Friday that Israeli strikes killed at least 24 people, including 10 from the same family, after Hamas signalled its rejection of Israel’s latest ceasefire proposal.

The Palestinian militants’ chief negotiator dismissed what he called Israel’s ‘partial agreements’ and called for a ‘comprehensive deal’ to halt the 18-month-long war.

Khalil al-Hayya also urged international pressure to end Israel’s complete blockade of Gaza that began on March 2.

The appeal comes after the United Nations warned of worsening conditions and shortages of medicine and other essentials for the Palestinian territory’s 2.4 million besieged people.

Gaza’s civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal said early Friday that crews had ‘recovered the bodies of 10 martyrs and a large number of wounded from the house of the Baraka family and the neighbouring houses’ following Israeli strikes east of Khan Yunis in Gaza’s south.

Civil defence reported at least 14 others killed in multiple Israeli strikes across the territory, including at least two strikes which hit tents sheltering displaced people.

Hundreds of thousands of people have taken refuge in such shelters while trying to escape from the war, which began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023.

The Israeli military has intensified its aerial bombardments and expanded ground operations in the Gaza Strip since resuming its offensive on March 18.

A previous ceasefire and hostage release deal began on January 19 but collapsed two months later. Israel wanted to extend the first phase, while Hamas insisted that negotiations be held for a second phase as outlined by former US president Joe Biden last year.

A source from Hamas said that the militants sent a written response Thursday to mediators on Israel’s proposal for a 45-day ceasefire. Israel had wanted the release of 10 living hostages held by the group, according to Hamas.

It also called for the freeing of 1,231 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails and the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

A Hamas official said the proposal further sought Hamas’s disarmament to secure a complete end to the war, a demand the group rejects.

‘Partial agreements are used by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a cover for his political agenda we will not be complicit in this policy,’ Hayya said in a televised statement late Thursday.

He said Hamas ‘seeks a comprehensive deal involving a single-package prisoner exchange in return for halting the war, a withdrawal of the occupation from the Gaza Strip, and the commencement of reconstruction’ in the territory.

At least 1,691 people have been killed in Gaza since the military resumed its offensive, bringing the total death toll since the war erupted to at least 51,065, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.

Hamas’s attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

Hayya also called on the international community to ‘intervene immediately and exert the necessary pressure to end the unjust blockade imposed on our people in the Gaza Strip’.

The United Nations warned on Monday that Gaza is facing its most severe humanitarian crisis since the war began.

In a statement, the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said no supplies had reached Gaza for a month and a half.

Gazan fisherman Abdel Halim Qanan said his family had resorted to eating turtle meat.

‘There is no food. So it is an alternative for other sources of protein,’ he said.

Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz on Wednesday said the country would keep blocking humanitarian aid from entering Gaza as a means of pressuring Hamas.

The blockade comes as Israel transforms large swathes of Gaza into buffer zones, displacing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

An AFP calculation based on maps issued by the military found that the total area under Israeli control was more than 185 square kilometres, or around 50 per cent of the territory.​

 

[Saif]

Palestine’s plight: A global failure of justice and humanity

The world must act to stop the cycle of violence.

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Palestine’s plight: A global failure of justice and humanity

The international community can no longer ignore the atrocities occurring in Palestine. FILE PHOTO: AFP

The atrocities endured by Palestinians at the hands of Israeli forces have reached alarming proportions, culminating in a global humanitarian crisis that demands urgent international attention. The central questions are: how can the world put an end to these atrocities, and why do Israel's actions persist with the backing of the US and many Western countries? Why does the UN, tasked with upholding human rights, remain so ineffective in safeguarding innocent lives?

The Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols (1977) form the cornerstone of international humanitarian law, specifically designed to protect civilians during armed conflict, including those in occupied territories. In light of these conventions, the actions of the Israeli government could be classified as "state terrorism."

It is shameful that the UN, despite its mandate to protect human rights, has failed to act decisively. Even more troubling is the hypocrisy of Western countries that proclaim democratic values and human rights, yet continue to support Israel despite its repeated violations of international law. For over half a century, Muslim-majority countries have offered little more than rhetorical condemnation—remaining divided and failing to take substantive action against Israel's crimes against humanity.

The role of the US and Western countries

The support of the US and other Western nations is key to understanding why Israel has not been held accountable. Despite recurring human rights violations, Israel has been shielded from international scrutiny and sanctions, particularly within the UN. The US, a long-standing ally of Israel, frequently exercises its veto power to block resolutions that could impose pressure or sanctions. This protection has enabled Israel to operate with impunity, while the suffering of the Palestinian people continues to be neglected.

Western media coverage is often skewed, failing to adequately highlight the plight of Palestinians or to critically examine Israel's actions—thereby perpetuating a one-sided narrative.

The need for reform in the UNSC

The UN Security Council (UNSC), designed to maintain global peace and security, has failed to effectively address the Palestinian issue. Its paralysis, primarily due to the veto power held by its five permanent members, including the US, renders it unable to take meaningful action. For Palestinians, this means justice is continually deferred, and their suffering prolonged.

The ongoing crisis in Palestine exposes the UNSC's failure to protect human life. If the council is to remain relevant, it must undergo significant reform. The current veto system should either be restructured or abolished, and economic sanctions should be imposed on violators of international law through majority votes among UN member states.

Another reform proposal involves selecting UNSC members based on their contributions to global peace, rather than their nuclear capabilities. A more inclusive and representative structure could foster a fairer and more just approach to international issues. Some advocate for proportional representation based on population or religious affiliation, arguing that this could help prevent conflicts driven by religious divides.

Would the world remain silent if Palestinians were Christians instead of Muslims? Some may argue not.

Despite Muslims comprising the world's second-largest religious group and the existence of 57 Muslim-majority countries, there is currently no Muslim representation on the UNSC. This glaring omission highlights the urgency for Muslim states to take a more active role in pushing for UNSC reform. With Muslim representation, the plight of Palestinians—and other oppressed Muslim communities—might have received more meaningful international attention.

The political fragmentation of the Arab world

Without reform of the UNSC, what alternatives remain? One potential solution is the strengthening of regional coalitions, such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), to apply greater diplomatic pressure on Israel and its allies. While the OIC's track record on Palestine has been limited, it represents a significant bloc that could unite to demand international sanctions against Israel.

On April 12, 2025, millions in Bangladesh took part in the March for Gaza, where one of the key demands was for OIC member states to sever diplomatic ties with Israel and impose trade embargoes on it and its supporters. Despite wielding considerable economic leverage through oil, many Muslim-majority countries, such as Saudi Arabia, have not used these resources strategically.

An oil embargo could severely disrupt the economies of countries that support Israel, potentially impeding weapons manufacturing and imposing other costs. While such a measure might be seen as a last resort, the question remains: do Muslim leaders possess the courage, strategic vision, and unity needed to impose such sanctions and to gain support from influential nations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America?

Long-standing rivalries within the Muslim world, such as the tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, have hindered unified action. Overcoming these divisions is crucial if a coordinated response to Israel's actions is to be achieved.

As the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, "The entire Muslim community is like one body. If one part of it feels pain, the whole body feels the pain." If the Ummah truly believes in this, it must take decisive action to end the violence and support Palestinian independence.

Western hypocrisy and the 'self-defence' narrative

For too long, Western nations have prioritised geopolitical interests over human lives in the Israel-Palestine conflict. They are quick to condemn human rights abuses elsewhere, yet remain silent or supportive when it comes to Israel. The widely accepted narrative of "self-defence" masks the reality: this is not defence, but occupation, displacement, and the forced refugee status of Palestinians within their own land.

The power of public opinion

The international community can no longer ignore the atrocities occurring in Palestine. Global public opinion, especially through grassroots movements, has the power to influence policy. Protests, social media campaigns, and petitions can place pressure on governments to reconsider their support for Israel. In extreme cases, citizens may feel compelled to hold their own governments accountable if they continue to endorse actions viewed as crimes against humanity.

While humanitarian aid is crucial, it must not be seen as a substitute for political advocacy. It should instead work alongside efforts to pursue justice for Palestinian victims of aggression.

A global moral responsibility

The struggle for Palestinian rights is not merely a regional issue, it is a global moral imperative. The time to act is now, before yet another generation is lost to conflict and suffering. Continued inaction represents a failure of leadership, of humanity, and of justice.

Nations, particularly those with global influence, must demand accountability, support Palestinian self-determination, and work towards a just and lasting peace. There can be no lasting peace in the Middle East without an independent, sovereign Palestine. The world must act to stop this cycle of violence.

Dr M Jashim Uddin is director at the Center for Peace Studies (CPS) at North South University.​

 

[Saif]

Gazans resort to turtle meat in hunt for food

With food scarce in the besieged and war-battered Gaza Strip, some desperate families have turned to eating sea turtles as a rare source of protein...

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Gazans resort to turtle meat in hunt for food
Agence France-Presse . Khan Yunis, Palestinian Territories 20 April, 2025, 00:10

With food scarce in the besieged and war-battered Gaza Strip, some desperate families have turned to eating sea turtles as a rare source of protein.

Once the shell has been removed, the meat is cut up, boiled and cooked in a mix of onion, pepper, tomato and spices.

‘The children were afraid of the turtle, and we told them it tasted as delicious as veal,’ said Majida Qanan, keeping an eye on the chunks of red meat simmering in a pot over a wood fire. ‘Some of them ate it, but others refused.’

For lack of a better alternative, this is the third time 61-year-old Qanan has prepared a turtle-based meal for her family who were displaced and now live in a tent in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza largest city.

After 18 months of devastating war and an Israeli blockade on aid since March 2, the United Nations has warned of a dire humanitarian situation for the 2.4 million inhabitants of the Palestinian territory.

Israel has accused Hamas of diverting aid, which the Palestinian militant group denies.

The heads of 12 major aid organisations warned on Thursday that ‘famine is not just a risk, but likely rapidly unfolding in almost all parts’ of the territory.

‘There are no open crossings and there is nothing in the market,’ said Qanan. ‘When I buy two small bags [of vegetables] for 80 shekels, there is no meat.’

Sea turtles are internationally protected as an endangered species, but those caught in Gaza fishermen’s nets are used for food.

Qanan mixes the meat with flour and vinegar to wash it, before rinsing and boiling it in an old metal pot.

‘We never expected to eat a turtle,’ fisherman Abdel Halim Qanan said.

‘When the war started, there was a food shortage. There is no food. So [turtle meat] is an alternative for other sources of protein. There is no meat, poultry or vegetables.’

The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has warned that Gaza is facing its most severe humanitarian crisis since the war began on October 7, 2023, triggered by Hamas’s attack on Israel.

Fighting has raged in Gaza since then, pausing only twice—recently during a two-month ceasefire between January 19 and March 17, and in a previous one-week halt in late November 2023.

The World Health Organization’s regional chief Hanan Balkhy said in June that some Gazans were so desperate that they were eating animal food, grass, and drinking sewage water.

Hamas on Thursday accused Israel of using ‘starvation as a weapon’ against Gazans by blocking aid supplies.

Fisherman Qanan said the turtles were killed in the ‘halal’ method, in accordance with Islamic rites.

‘If there was no famine, we would not eat it and leave it, but we want to compensate for the lack of protein,’ he said.​

 

[Saif]

Israeli military review into killing of Gaza aid workers finds 'professional failures'

The Israeli military on Sunday acknowledged professional failures and violations of orders in its review of last month's killing of 15 emergency workers in Gaza but said there was no attempt to conceal the incident, despite dismissing a field commander for providing an inaccurate report. The param

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Israeli military review into killing of Gaza aid workers finds 'professional failures'
REUTERS
Published :
Apr 20, 2025 21:53
Updated :
Apr 20, 2025 21:53

The Israeli military on Sunday acknowledged professional failures and violations of orders in its review of last month's killing of 15 emergency workers in Gaza but said there was no attempt to conceal the incident, despite dismissing a field commander for providing an inaccurate report.

The paramedics and other rescue workers were shot dead on Mar 23 near the southern Gaza city of Rafah and buried in a shallow grave where their bodies were found a week later by officials from the United Nations and the Palestinian Red Crescent.

A commanding officer is to be reprimanded and a deputy commander dismissed over the incident, the military said.

It did not say if anyone would face criminal charges.

"The examination identified several professional failures, breaches of orders, and a failure to fully report the incident," the military said in a statement.

"The fire in the first two incidents resulted from an operational misunderstanding by the troops, who believed they faced a tangible threat from enemy forces. The third incident involved a breach of orders during a combat setting," it said.

A video recovered from the mobile phone of one of the dead men and published by the Palestinian Red Crescent showed uniformed emergency responders and clearly marked ambulances and fire trucks, with their lights on, being fired on by soldiers.

INJURIES

Red Crescent and UN officials have said 17 paramedics and emergency workers from the Red Crescent, the Civil Emergency service and the UN had been dispatched to respond to reports of injuries from Israeli air strikes.

The military said the deputy commander did not initially recognise the vehicles as ambulances due to "poor night visibility" and ordered troops to open fire on a group of individuals who emerged from a fire truck and ambulances.

The deputy commander perceived there to be a threat as an hour earlier troops had opened fire on another vehicle that they determined to belong to Hamas, the military said, but did not say how the soldiers had identified it as "Hamas vehicle".

Paramedic Munther Abed, one of the responders who was detained by the military and later released, has said soldiers opened fire on clearly marked emergency response vehicles.

The Red Cross said on Apr 13 another Palestinian emergency responder was being held by Israeli authorities. The military has not commented on the claim.

The military has said, without providing evidence, that six of the 15 emergency responders killed were later identified as "Hamas terrorists". Hamas has rejected the accusation.

About 15 minutes after the soldiers opened fire on the group of emergency responders, the military said that soldiers fired at a Palestinian UN vehicle. The military blamed "operational errors in breach of regulation" for the incident.

"At dawn, it was decided to gather and cover the bodies to prevent further harm and clear the vehicles from the route in preparation for civilian evacuation," the military said, adding that removing the bodies was reasonable "under the circumstances" but that crushing the vehicles was "wrong".

"In general, there was no attempt to conceal the event, which was discussed with international organizations and the UN, including coordination for the removal of bodies," it said.

The military said that a commanding officer would be reprimanded for his "overall responsibility for the incident". A deputy commander would be dismissed from his position due to being the field commander and for providing an "incomplete and inaccurate report" of the incident.​