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Days of Palestine
05-07-2025
- Health
- Days of Palestine
Gaza Faces Burial Crisis Amid Mounting Death Toll
DayofPal– As the death toll in Gaza surpasses 57,000 since October 7, 2023, the territory faces an unprecedented funeral crisis, leaving thousands of bodies without graves or dignity in death. With cemeteries full and over 40 destroyed by the Israeli army, families are forced to bury their loved ones in mass graves, re-open old tombs, or lay the dead in makeshift plots built from rubble, wood, and zinc sheets. Hospitals have run out of mortuary space, leading to bodies piling up in corridors and patient rooms. Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, announced it had run out of burial plots, causing a new wave of psychological torment for those who lost their loved ones. According to Dr. Ismail Thawabteh, spokesperson for Gaza's Government Media Office, the Strip typically sees 6,000 deaths per year, a figure now nearly ten times higher due to continuous Israeli bombardment. Survivors recount harrowing scenes, where people buried three-deep in shared graves, people separated across multiple burial sites, and corpses lying exposed as families search in vain for burial space. In many cases, names are written on cardboard, often lost to the elements. 'We don't have shrouds or gravestones,' said gravedigger Ibrahim Shaheen. 'Sometimes we don't even know their names.' 'In October 2023, when my sister and her family were murdered. We couldn't find an empty grave. We were forced to open my grandfather's tomb, passed away in 2001, and we placed her body next to his,' Shaheen added. Khaled Abdul Aziz from Al-Bureij said that they visited every cemetery in Al-Nuseirat, Al-Zawayda, Al-Bureij to find a grave for her daughter, yet all of them were either full or inaccessible. He continued, 'I sat with my sister's body wrapped in a blanket under the blazing sun for an hour in Deir Al-Balah cemetery, until a sheikh told me there was a mass grave for seven girls from the Ismail family. My sister would become the eighth. I agreed immediately.' Enas Qishta said that before her brother Suliman was killed, his foot was amputated and buried in one grav already used. Later, his thigh was cut and buried elsewhere with unknown dead people. 'After he succumbed to injuries, the rest of his body was buried in a third cemetery,' she concluded. As the crisis deepened and burial spaces vanished, the authorities were forced to adopt emergency measures, most notably, the expansion of collective graves as a last resort to preserve what remains of the martyrs' dignity. According to the government's emergency plan, new burial sites have been designated near hospitals and in areas adjacent to shelters, aiming to accelerate burials and reduce the hardship of transporting bodies, especially amid ongoing bombardment and movement restrictions. In response to the crisis, Gaza's authorities have launched emergency initiatives, including waqf cemeteries and the 'Ikram' project to provide free burials. Despite efforts to document every body, many are buried unidentified, without rites or records, a situation that goes in contrast with articles of international humanitarian law. According to the customary IHL: Parties to a conflict must search for and recover the dead without delay (Rule 112). They must also ensure respectful burial in accordance with religious traditions, avoiding mass graves except in cases of absolute necessity. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reiterates this in Rule 113: Mutilation or desecration of the dead is strictly prohibited. The dead must always be treated with dignity and respect. Yet on the ground, families are often left with no choice but to preserve the bodies of their loved ones at home for days, or even weeks, due to the absence of burial spaces. Many women are denied even the basic right to bid farewell to their children or spouses, compounding their grief and trauma. In some instances, victims are buried hastily in mass graves, without identification, religious rites, or documentation, under siege and bombardment. The collapse of Gaza's funerary system marks a profound humanitarian tragedy. Experts warn that the inability to bury the dead with dignity is a breach of both religious custom and legal obligation, potentially amounting to war crimes under international law. While global attention remains fixed on airstrikes and humanitarian aid, Gaza's silent crisis, the denial of a final resting place, continues to haunt its people and challenge the conscience of the world. Shortlink for this post:
Glasgow Times
05-07-2025
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow man jailed after racist rants at flat block
Robert Bryson, 58, of Govan, was sentenced at Glasgow Sheriff Court recently after pleading guilty to multiple charges. He admitted to two charges of acting in a manner that was racially aggravated, which caused or was intended to cause other people alarm or distress, breaching bail conditions, and two charges of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner. The court heard that at 9pm on November 21, 2023, Kanwal Chaudhry and Sehr Chaudhry were within a property on Elder Street when they heard a sudden and continuous banging on the living room wall coming from the next flat where Bryson lived. They banged on the wall in the hopes of Bryson stopping; however, the loud banging continued, and the pair heard Bryson shouting and swearing. He stated: 'ya p***k, f**k off, you bloody b***h, you black b*****d.' The pair deemed the comments as racially prejudiced based on their Pakistani descent and believed the verbal abuse to be directed at them. They contacted 101 and at 9.45pm police attended and arrested Bryson, to which he replied, 'I did say black b*****d, I was shouting at my son'. READ NEXT: Electrician caught with psychedelic Wonka bars in Clydebank In a separate incident at 1.05am on December 24, 2024, Sarmad Ikram was asleep when he was woken by a loud banging noise coming from next door, where Bryson lived. Bryson was heard shouting 'illegal immigrants, black b******s, your gran and grampa are illegal immigrants, get them the f**k out of my country, this is Scotland not Pakistan, f**k off, get yourselves to f**k. 'It's Scotland, we will beat you black b******s.' Police attended that evening to take statements. Then, at 00.18am on December 25, 2024, officers had cause to force entry to Bryson's property. He was cautioned and charged. In a further incident on January 7, 2025, Mr Chaudhry and Mr Ikram were within a property on Elder Street when they could hear Bryson shouting from his flat. He stated: 'black b******s, p****s, monkeys'. Police were contacted, and at 00.50am on January 8, officers attended. They overheard Bryson shout 'ya black b******s' from within his home. READ NEXT: Clydebank woman faked pregnancy to extort man out of £6k At 1.30am the same day, Bryson was cautioned and informed he was under arrest. He was later charged. In a fourth incident at 11pm on January 13, 2025, Mr Ikram was outside a flat block on Elder Street in Govan. He saw Bryson enter the street and as he approached Mr Ikram he shouted 'b******s, a*******s, d**khead, f**k'. Mr Ikram believed these comments were aimed at him as there was no one else in the street at the time. Bryson went inside, and police were contacted. At 00.05am on January 15, Bryson was traced at his home where he was arrested and cautioned. Bryson's lawyer told the court that her client's offending 'could be attributed to alcohol consumption'. READ NEXT: Diocese launch appeal after 'vandalism' at Barrhead cemetery The defence solicitor said: 'These are very serious offences. He doesn't appear to remember all of them. 'His offending is attributed to alcohol consumption. That being said, he has expressed a willingness to attend alcohol anonymous meetings, but he has yet to do so. 'In the view of the social worker, he was attending appointments consistently, but his attitude remains the same to alcohol misuse. 'The report states there is no evidence that his needs cannot be met by a community payback order with supervision.' Addressing Bryson, Sheriff Joanna McDonald commented: 'The difficulty I have in dealing with you is you will not address your alcohol issue. 'You still have these entrenched views. You keep saying you're not racist, but you have been racist. You subjected them to abuse by you since 2023. 'On the first matter, I dealt with you and at that time I was told it was a one off but there have been three further offences against the same people.' Bryson was jailed for 411 days.
India Today
28-06-2025
- Sport
- India Today
India pooled alongside Pakistan in Junior Men's Hockey World Cup 2025
Hosts India were clubbed alongside Pakistan in Pool B for the upcoming FIH junior Men's Hockey World Cup which will take place in Chennai and Madurai from November 28 till December 10 this year. Apart from the Asian giants, Chile and Switzerland are also present in Pool B. The draw ceremony was held at the FIH Headquarters on Saturday, June 28 as the upcoming edition will feature 24 teams for the first time. Pool A consistes of Germany, South Africa, Canada and Ireland while Pool C contains Argentina, New Zealand, Japan and China. Spain, Belgium, Egypt and Namibia are in Pool D while Pool E will have Netherlands facing off against Malaysia, England and Austria. advertisementAlso Read: Manpreet Singh hits 400: A testament to unyielding grit France, Australia, Korea and Bangladesh form Pool F. International Hockey Federation president Tayyab Ikram participated in the draw ceremony alongside with Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh, and Hockey India Director General RK Srivastava. Ikram said that the part of the strategy from the FIH is to empower and engage the youngsters from all nations. "It is a great pleasure for me to be here ahead of a milestone moment as we start the journey towards the first ever 24-team FIH Junior Hockey World Cup!"It is a part of the FIH strategy to empower and engage the youth from all nations, including the emerging nations, and this event will be the first step towards doing that," FIH chief Ikram said in a the draw ceremony earlier today, we are glad to reveal the six Pools for the upcoming expanded FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025, which will feature 24 teams for the very first time!Full story @TheHockeyIndia#JWC2025 #RisingStars— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) June 28, 2025advertisementJunior Men's Hockey World Cup 2025: PoolsPool A: Germany, South Africa, Canada, IrelandPool B: India, Pakistan, Chile, SwitzerlandPool C: Argentina, New Zealand, Japan, ChinaPool D: Spain, Belgium, Egypt, NamibiaPool E: Netherlands, Malaysia, England, AustriaPool F: France, Australia, Korea, Bangladesh- Ends
Indian Express
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
India, Argentina hockey players observe a minute's silence for Ahmedabad plane crash victims
India and Argentina men's hockey players on Thursday observed a minute's silence before their FIH Pro League match as a tribute to the victims of the horrific plane crash that occurred in Ahmedabad earlier on the day. The players stood adjacent to each other with the officials at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands, and the tribute was made before the national anthems were played. The Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner (VT-ANB), operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick airport, crashed shortly after takeoff from on Thursday afternoon with 242 people on board. One person has miraculously survived, while the remaining 241 people on board are feared dead. The @TheHockeyIndia and @ArgFieldHockey teams observed a minute's silence for all the victims of today's tragic Air India plane crash, and their families, ahead of their FIH Hockey Pro League match. Our thoughts are with all the victims and their families. RIP. — International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) June 12, 2025 'The Indian team observed a minute's silence ahead of the match today, paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. A heartbreaking day. The entire Hockey India family stands in solidarity and prays for the victims and their families,' said Hockey India in a post on X. International Hockey Federation (FIH) president Tayyab Ikram said that a similar tribute will be paid in England on Saturday. The Indian women's hockey team begin the European of their Pro League campaign at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London on Saturday with a match against Australia. 'Shocked and deeply saddened to hear about the Air India plane crash tragedy today. Our thoughts are with all the victims and their families. As a mark of respect and tribute, a moment of silence preceded the start of the FIH Hockey Pro League match between India and Argentina today in Amsterdam. The same will happen in England on Saturday. RIP,' Ikram said in a statement posted by the FIH on its X handle. India suffered a close 1-2 defeat against Argentina in the match. Jugraj Singh (4′) netted a goal for the Indian team, while for Argentina, Tomas Domene (9', 49') scored a brace.
Express Tribune
04-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Hafizabad gang-rape victim records statement
The complainant in a gang-rape case that took place in Mangat Uncha on April 25 recorded her statement under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code before Civil Judge and Area Magistrate Ali Naqi Tipu, detailing the events involving abduction and assault. Over a month after the incident of gang-rape and forced sexual abuse, police registered a First Information Report (FIR) on June 3. The incident involved three armed men who allegedly gang-raped a woman in front of her husband at gunpoint, while one of the suspects recorded the assault on video. The case gained renewed urgency after the explicit footage surfaced on social media. According to initial reports, the victim were resident of Shahdara Town, Lahore, returning from visiting Nowshehra Virkan when they stopped for a short break. While the victim stepped aside to relieve herself, they were ambushed by seven armed men. The attackers included Ikram, Laeeq and Khawar, residents of Mangat Uncha, along with four unidentified accomplices. The victims were taken at gunpoint to a deserted area behind the Government High School in Mangat Uncha, where the woman was reportedly raped by three men. The perpetrators also stripped both husband and wife, beat them, and forced them to perform explicit acts in front of a camera. A suspect named Chand was reportedly responsible for filming the entire incident. An FIR has now been registered against eight suspects, but no arrests have been made so far. Police have reportedly cordoned off the entire village in a bid to apprehend the culprits.
