Forty Years Ago: When India stood with Palestine
India and Egypt supported the Palestinians' struggle for a homeland and called for Israel's withdrawal from occupied Arab territories. This was among the major international issues on which PM Rajiv Gandhi and President Hosni Mubarak were in agreement at the talks they held soon after Gandhi's arrival in Cairo on a two-day official visit on the first leg of his four-nation tour. Speaking later at an Iftar banquet hosted by Mubarak, Gandhi said, 'We have consistently and uncompromisingly supported the Arab cause. We support the struggle of the Palestinian people led by the PLO as their sole representative.'
Indira Murder Trial
Additional Sessions Judge Mahesh Chandra dismissed an application by Kehar Singh, one of the three accused in the Indira Gandhi murder case, seeking open trial of the case. The judge, however, said he would 'not be averse or disinclined' to allowing public men, besides the press and the relations of the accused, to attend the proceedings in the Tihar jail, depending upon the space available.
Amritsar Vigil
Absolute calm prevailed in Punjab, Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh today on the fifth day of the 'Operation Bluestar Week' being observed by the Akalis. No untoward incident was reported from any part of Punjab and the neighbouring states.
60 Tamils Killed
At least 60 people were killed and more than 1,500 houses burnt when Sri Lankan security forces attacked a number of Tamil villages in the Muttur area near Trincomalee in the eastern province, reports reaching Colombo said. More than 6,000 people had been rendered homeless and sheltered in schools, temples and churches, the reports added.
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Hindustan Times
27 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Pro-Palestinian activists charged with damaging planes at UK air base are held in custody
Four pro-Palestinian protesters were held in custody Thursday after their first appearance in a London court on charges they damaged two Royal Air Force planes with red paint and crowbars. Following the incident at RAF Brize Norton, the government introduced legislation to ban Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation.(AFP) The charges come after the group Palestine Action said two of its members entered RAF Brize Norton on June 20 and used electric scooters to approach two Voyager jets used for air-to-air refuelling. The protesters used repurposed fire extinguishers to spray paint into the planes' jet engines and caused further damage with crowbars, according to the group, which released video footage of the incident. The four, all between the ages of 22 and 35, are charged with conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to enter a prohibited place for purposes prejudicial to the interests of the UK, counterterror police said in a statement. The Crown Prosecution Service will argue that the offenses have a 'terrorist connection,' police said. The group did not enter pleas in Westminster Magistrates' Court. They were scheduled to appear July 18 at the Central Criminal Court. Palestine Action has claimed responsibility for a series of incidents targeting Israeli defense contractors in the UK and other sites linked to the war in Gaza. Following the incident at RAF Brize Norton, the government introduced legislation to ban Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. The measure, being debated in Parliament, would make it a criminal offence to belong to or support the group, with a maximum of 14 years in prison. Palestine Action said its protests are designed to end international support for Israel's war in Gaza. Planes from Brize Norton, 112 kilometres northwest of London, regularly fly to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, Britain's main air base for operations in the Middle East.
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First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
Israel used 230 kg bomb in Gaza café strike killing 24; experts say may constitute war crime
The use of heavy munition in an area known to be filled with unprotected civilians, including children, women, and the elderly, was likely unlawful and could amount to a war crime, according to report, citing experts read more Palestinians check an area of a cafe that was damaged in an Israeli strike in Gaza City on Monday. AP The Israeli military used a 500lb (230kg) bomb, a powerful and wide-impact weapon, in a strike on a crowded beachfront café in Gaza on Monday, according to The Guardian report, citing evidence reviewed by news outlet. The use of such munition in an area known to be filled with unprotected civilians, including children, women, and the elderly, was likely unlawful and could amount to a war crime, added the report, citing international law experts. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to the report, ordnance experts have identified weapon fragments found in the ruins of al-Baqa café as parts of a US-made MK-82 general-purpose 230kg bomb, commonly used in airstrikes over recent decades. The large crater at the scene further supports the use of a powerful bomb like the MK-82, added the report, citing two ordnance specialists. An Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson said the strike is under review, adding that 'steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians using aerial surveillance' prior to the attack. The cafe strike killed 24 to 36 Palestinians, with dozens injured, according to medical and other officials. The dead included a prominent filmmaker, an artist, a 35-year-old housewife, and a four-year-old child. Among the wounded were a 14-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl. Under international law, attacks causing civilian deaths must not be excessive in relation to the anticipated military advantage. While interpretation varies, experts say only a target of major strategic value could justify such high civilian casualties, reported The Guardian. The café had two levels — an open upper deck and a lower floor with large beach-facing windows — and was in a location clearly visible from the air. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The Israeli military hasn't said exactly whom it was targeting but it said it used aerial surveillance to minimise civilian casualties, which means it knew the cafe was teeming with customers at the time," The Guardian quoted Gerry Simpson, of Human Rights Watch, as saying. 'The military would also have known that using a large guided air-dropped bomb would kill and maim many of the civilians there. The use of such a large weapon in an obviously crowded cafe risks that this was an unlawful disproportionate or indiscriminate attack and should be investigated as a war crime,' Simpson added. Dr Andrew Forde, an assistant professor of human rights law at Dublin City University, said the strike was shocking. 'When you see a situation where there are heavy munitions being used, particularly [in a] crowded civilian space, even with the best targeting in the world … that will necessarily create an indiscriminate outcome that is not in compliance with … the Geneva conventions,' he told The Guardian. Founded nearly 40 years ago, the family-run al-Baqa café was a popular spot for young people and families in Gaza City. Despite widespread malnutrition and looming famine in Gaza, some residents with savings or salaries still frequent the few cafés that remain open. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Al-Baqa was located in Gaza's port area, which was not covered by any Israeli evacuation orders ahead of the strike. Israel has access to a wide range of munitions and has often used smaller, precision-guided weapons in targeted strikes across Gaza, Lebanon, and more recently Iran. In a prior statement, the IDF said that even the most sophisticated measures employed to assess civilian harm were hardly ever perfect and that its choice of munitions was 'a professional matter contingent on the nature of the strike's objective'. 'While some targets are suitable for smaller payloads, others may require heavier munitions to achieve mission success – for example, when intending to destroy structures that are built with certain hard materials, large structures, or underground tunnel,' the statement read. On Tuesday, an Israeli government spokesperson said the IDF 'never, ever targets civilians.' Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields — a claim Hamas denies. With inputs from agencies STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Pakistan to betray Iran and make friendship with Israel? Islamabad says this on joining Abraham Accord
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Pakistan to betray Iran? The recent decade has seen many Islamic countries of the world including UAE, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco improving their relations with Israel. In the historic development, many Muslim countries signed the Abraham Accord, brokered by the United States of America, led by US President Donald Trump. However, Pakistan has been one of the rare Muslim countries which has never shown any positivity towards Israel. However, media reports are now talking about the increasing international pressure on Pakistan to join the Abraham Accords. Here are all the details you need to know about Pakistan's recent stand on Israel. Amid the reports of Pakistan joining Israel, Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that Pakistan will only consider signing the Abraham Accords if a sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital is ensured. Maintaining the position on Israel, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has also firmly rejected recognizing Israel until the two-state solution is implemented. Readers must note that Iran and Israel recently engaged in a military conflict and if Pakistan accepts Israel, it will be like betraying Iran. EAM Jaishankar reacts on Pakistan issue in India-US relations In another significant development relating to Pakistan, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar dismissed the notion that Pakistan impinges on the relations between the US and India, which are based on their complementarity and not on third countries. He also dismissed the claims of US President Donald Trump that he forged the ceasefire between the two neighbours after Operation Sindoor, saying the record speaks for itself. 'I would really urge you to get over the idea that we need to define ourselves regarding third countries in order to forge ahead' in ties with the US, EAM Jaishankar told a questioner who asked if there was a change in the relations because of Pakistan. 'Big relationships are not forged in terms of third countries and where they fit,' he emphasised. (With inputs from agencies)
