Latest news with #CivilDefenceAgency


Malaysian Reserve
4 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysian Reserve
2 killed, several injured as Israeli warplanes strike catholic church in Gaza city
GAZA CITY / ISTANBUL — Two people were killed and several others injured when the Israeli army struck a Catholic church in the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. Fighter jets hit the Catholic Holy Family Church in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City early Thursday, witnesses said. According to Gaza's Civil Defence Agency, two elderly Palestinians died, while several other people were injured, including the parish priest, Gabriel Romanelli. Romanelli was transferred to the al-Ahli Baptist Hospital to receive medical treatment for his leg injury, witnesses said. In a press release, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem confirmed the attack and the injuries, including the wounding of the parish priest, stating that the church has sustained damage. In the course of its deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army has bombed several worship places, including the Gaza Baptist Church and the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius, the oldest in the Gaza Strip and the third oldest in the world. The Holy Family Church is the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip, which has been sheltering many displaced Christian and Muslim Palestinians since October 2023. The Israeli army, rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, has pursued a brutal offensive against Gaza since October 2023, killing nearly 58,600 Palestinians, most of them women and children. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave. — BERNAMA-ANADOLU


News18
13-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Israeli Strikes On Hamas Allegedly Kill Eight Children Waiting At Water Distribution Point In Gaza
However, on Saturday, each side accused the other of obstructing efforts to reach an agreement during indirect talks in Doha, Qatar. Seven UN agencies issued a joint warning on Saturday, stating that a fuel shortage in Gaza has reached 'critical levels," posing a significant threat to aid operations, hospital care, and exacerbating chronic food insecurity, AFP reported. According to Civil Defence Agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal, at least 43 people were killed in the latest Israeli strikes, including 11 when a market in Gaza City was hit. Bassal said that eight children were among 10 victims of a drone strike at a water point in the Nuseirat refugee camp, in central Gaza. 'We woke up to the sound of two large explosions," Khaled Rayyan told AFP after a house was flattened in Nuseirat. 'Our neighbour and his children were under the rubble." 150 Targets In 24 Hours The Israeli military remained silent on the matter, but in a separate statement on Sunday, it announced that its fighter jets had 'struck more than 150 terror targets throughout the Gaza Strip". The war was sparked by Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that led to 1,219 deaths, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Out of 251 people taken hostage that day, 49 are still held in Gaza, including 27 that the Israeli military says are dead. Hamas-run Gaza's health ministry says that at least 58,026 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have been killed in Israel's military reprisals. The UN considers the figures reliable. Fears Of Forced Displacement


LBCI
26-06-2025
- LBCI
Gaza rescuers say 35 killed by Israeli forces
Rescuers in Gaza said Israeli forces killed 35 people in the territory on Thursday, including four who they said were waiting to collect aid. Mahmud Bassal, spokesperson for the Gaza Civil Defence Agency, told AFP that 35 people were killed by Israeli fire in various locations throughout the Gaza Strip. They included "four who were waiting for humanitarian aid," he added. The military did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment, saying it required further information. AFP
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Starmer faces calls for stronger line on Gaza
Sir Keir Starmer is facing pressure from some of his own MPs to take further action against Israel over what they say is a genocide in Gaza. At prime minister's questions, Sir Keir described the situation in Gaza as "appalling and intolerable" and repeated calls for a ceasefire. He added that further actions against Israel will be considered, including sanctions. But his words were not enough to satisfy opposition critics and left-wing Labour MPs, who are calling on the government to take stronger action against Benjamin Netanyahu and his ministers. It comes after aid distribution centres in Gaza were closed for the day, with the Israeli military warning roads leading to the sites will be considered "combat zones". At least 27 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire close to a distribution centre on Tuesday, according to the Hamas-run Civil Defence Agency. The Israel Defence Forces say its troops fired shots after identifying suspects who moved towards them "deviating from the designated access routes". The UK's Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer faced the anger of backbench Labour MPs - many of whom were wearing red "stop arming Israel" badges - in the House of Commons. Falconer said he was "appalled" by Palestinians being killed when trying to access aid sites, adding: "We call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events for the perpetrators to be held to account." He added: "Israel's unjustified block on aid into Gaza needs to end - it is inhumane. "Israel must immediately allow the United Nations and aid partners to safely deliver all types of aid at scale to save lives, reduce suffering and maintain dignity." Killings near Gaza aid centre will deepen criticism of Israel's new distribution system UK, France and Canada threaten action against Israel over Gaza Paul Adams: Starmer and Lammy sound genuinely angry at Israel Labour MP Rosena Allin-Khan called for Mr Netanyahu and "the other murderous figures who are responsible" to be sanctioned. "Words are not enough," she said, as she called for a date for when the government would impose restrictions on them. Labour MP Paula Barker said the history books "will not be kind" to the government unless action is taken. "What more evidence do we need to call this exactly what it is? A deliberate policy of annexation and genocide," she added. Her call for the government to acknowledge that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza was echoed by a number of MPs. Falconer said that it was a matter for a "competent court to determine". He added that he understood their frustrations, and promised further action if the UK could not persuade the Israeli government to "change course". Israel says it is working to destroy the Palestinian armed group Hamas and get back hostages they have taken. It has strongly denied allegations of genocide, claims which are also being examined by the International Court of Justice. The government is also facing calls to "urgently" recognise the state of Palestine - including from Conservative MP and former attorney general Sir Jeremy Wright. Sir Jeremy told MPs he he had changed his mind the timeframe for such a move - traditionally seen as being part of a "two-state solution" - over the rhetoric coming from the Israeli government. During the debate, protesters gathered outside Parliament to demand the end of arms sales to Israel, something that was repeatedly echoed by MPs, including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. The MP, who now sits as an independent, is calling for a public inquiry to uncover what he called the "murky history of what's gone on, the murky arms sales and the complicity in appalling acts of genocide". He has tabled a draft bill to set up an inquiry to examine the "any UK military, economic or political cooperation" with Israel, with powers to question ministers and officials. The bill is backed by prominent left-wing Labour MPs including Diane Abbott and Richard Burgon, four independent MPs, two Greens and members of Plaid Cymru and the SNP. It has been scheduled for debate on 4 July, but is unlikely to become law without government backing. Corbyn was among the MPs calling for a total embargo on the sale of arms to Israel - including parts for F-35 fighter jets. Hamish Falconer said the UK had already taken steps to "ensure that weapons directly for use in Gaza have been suspended," and had stopped supplying F-35 parts "directly to Israel". But he said the UK would continue to supply parts to the "global pool" of F-35 spares, as this was needed to help "the defence of Nato allies" and support the Ukraine war effort. When it was put to him that Ukraine did not use F-35s, he said the planes were needed for the redeployment of F-15s, which were used in the fight against Russia. But Corbyn and other critics insist the government's explanations lack credibility and they must know that the parts are being used to attack Palestinians in Gaza. The Lib Dems are also urging a tougher stance from the government on Israel. At prime minster's questions, Sir Ed Davey urged Keir Starmer to "push at the UN Security Council for humanitarian corridors to get the desperately needed aid urgently into Gaza". Sir Keir said that the government is "working at pace with our allies on that very issue, to take whatever measures we can to get that humanitarian aid in". Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza in response to Hamas' cross-border attack on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. At least 54,607 people have been killed in Gaza since then, including 4,335 since Israel resumed its offensive on 18 March, according to the territory's health ministry.


Middle East Eye
24-03-2025
- Middle East Eye
Six Gaza rescuers missing after Israeli forces storm Rafah
Gaza's Civil Defence Agency says it has lost contact with six of its members who entered Rafah on a rescue mission. They were responding to distress calls after Israeli forces moved into the al-Hashaashin area in western Rafah, reportedly leaving casualties behind. Palestine Red Crescent teams also joined the operation on Sunday, but since then, there has been no word from the rescuers. The agency says it fears the worst.