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Genocide unfolding: 640 Palestinians killed in north Gaza in 17 days

Monday, October 21, 2024  
Israel has killed at least 640 Palestinians in north Gaza since it laid siege to the area 17 days ago, 33 of them since dawn on Monday, medical sources have told Al Jazeera.

In Gaza, civilians face unimaginable hardship amid ongoing conflict. Children carry injured siblings on foot, struggling to survive. War-torn streets leave them exhausted, vulnerable, and reliant on strangers for help. In the south, drone strikes target makeshift shelters, killing displaced civilians. Families mourn innocent lives lost in supposed "safe zones." Nowhere in Gaza is safe, especially in the north, where Israeli forces intensify their offensive. Civilians are forced to flee under the threat of death, with hospitals overwhelmed and the war showing no signs of ending.

Al Jazeera’s Zein Basravi reports.

One Year in Gaza: Nowhere Safe | Witness Documentary

Saturday, Oct 5, 2024  
A doctor, first responder, social media content creator and a child share their experiences of the war on Gaza. From October 2023, they survive under Israeli bombardment, revealing moments of strength and vulnerability.

They are all displaced because their homes have been destroyed by Israeli air strikes. As the doctor flees south, contact is lost. For the others, impossible choices must be made under unimaginable circumstances as the months passing turn into a year. As the war intensifies, nowhere is safe.

While sheltering in makeshift tents, schools and refugee compounds, they do not know if they or their loved ones will live to see another day. All of their stories reveal their humanity in times of war.

Is Hezbollah still able to fight Israel?

Friday, Oct 4, 2024  
Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah is dead, along with several other senior leaders.

But Hezbollah says it will continue the fight.

And despite the setbacks, it's demonstrated its capabilities to Israeli troops.

The Israeli military has confirmed the killing of several soldiers since a ground operation in Lebanon began on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.

So, is Hezbollah prepared for a long battle with Israel?

And how will it face discontent among Lebanese civilians at the prospect of another war?

Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra

Guests:
Sami Atallah -- Founding director of The Policy Initiative, an independent Lebanese think tank

Yezid Sayigh -- Senior Fellow at the Malcolm H Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center

Joseph Daher -- Visiting Professor at Lausanne University and author of the book, 'Hezbollah: The Political Economy of Lebanon's Party of God'

Live: Iran has fired missiles at Israel

Tuesday, Oct 1, 2024
The Israeli military reports that missiles have been launched from Iran, as sirens sound across the country. Flares and missiles are currently visible in the Tel Aviv sky. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the missile attack underway on Israel is in response to the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah last week as well as that of the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh earlier this year, Iran’s Fars news agency reported.

Red alert sirens have been activated across central and southern Israel.

Israeli army says Iran has fired missiles at Israel

Tuesday, Oct 1, 2024
The Israeli military reports that missiles have been launched from Iran, as sirens sound across the country. Flares and missiles are currently visible in the Tel Aviv sky. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the missile attack underway on Israel is in response to the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah last week as well as that of the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh earlier this year, Iran’s Fars news agency reported.

Red alert sirens have been activated across central and southern Israel.

Joining us to discuss the latest developments are political analyst Akiva Eldar from Tel Aviv and Iranian affairs specialist Tohid Asadi from Tehran.

US ceasefire talk means nothing while sending Israel weapons: Analysis

Sunday, Sep 29, 2024  #US #JoeBiden #Lebanon
US President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the killing of Nasrallah, calling it "a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese civilians".

Biden said the US "fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself against Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and any other Iranian-supported terrorist groups".

Biden added that his government was enhancing "the defense posture of U.S. military forces in the Middle East region to deter aggression and reduce the risk of a broader regional war".

Al Jazeera’s Shihab Rattansi has more on the US reaction from Washington, DC.

Phyllis Bennis is a fellow with the Institute for Policy Studies. She says the Biden administration's efforts to secure a ceasefire are undermined by their continual supply of weapons to Israel.

Is the killing of Hassan Nasrallah a game changer?

Saturday, Sep 28, 2024  #HassanNasrallah #Hezbollah #Israel

He led Hezbollah for more than three decades and made it into a military and political force to be reckoned with, in the long-running conflict in the Middle East.

Hassan Nasrallah's killing in a massive Israeli air attack in a southern suburb of Beirut is sure to open a new page in the ongoing war.

Israel is on high alert and says it is prepared for all options after it announced his death.

But will Hezbollah respond - and if so, how?

And how will the latest development shape the future of the armed group and its role in the region?

Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra

Guests:
Nicholas Noe, Editor-in-Chief of Beirut-based Mideastwire.com.
Stephen Zunes, Professor of Politics and founding chair of Middle Eastern Studies at the University of San Francisco.
Gideon Levy, Columnist with the Haaretz Newspaper and Author of the book 'The Punishment of Gaza'.

Varanasi: Worship started from today in Vyas basement located in Gyanvapi Mosque

Thursday, February 1, 2024

Implementing the decision given on Wednesday, 31 January 2024 by the District Court of Varanasi in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, the district administration started worship in the Vyas basement located in the Gyanvapi Masjid complex on the morning of Thursday, 1 February 2024.

Varanasi District Magistrate S Rajalingam gave this information to journalists in the early hours of Thursday, February 1, 2024.

S Rajalingam said, "The court order given to me has been complied with."

Whereas in response to a question asked about the barricading in front of Vyas basement located in Gyanvapi campus, S. Rajalingam again said that 'the court order was complied with'.

When journalists asked S. Rajalingam whether the puja was conducted, S. Rajalingam again gave the same answer, "Whatever the court has said was complied with."

Call it a coincidence or a pre-planned plan that 38 years ago today (Thursday, 1 February 2024) in 1986, the lock of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya was opened on 1 February.

While talking to ANI on Thursday, February 1, 2024, Sohan Lal Arya, a plaintiff and lawyer in this case, has confirmed that a path to the Vyas basement has been made, but the people taking darshan are not allowed to go there right now.

Sohan Lal Arya said, "Today (Thursday, 1 February 2024) seems to be a very proud moment. We are thrilled from every corner. The decision of the District Judge yesterday (Wednesday, 31 January 2024) seemed unprecedented. Right now all the The arrangements are complete but right now the public is not being allowed to have darshan there (Vyas's basement). We were waiting for this moment for 40 years."

According to Sohan Lal Arya, "Now a separate door has been made from the side of Nandi (to the north) to go towards Baba's basement. There were three policemen there. We asked them to allow us to have darshan. On this they Said that right now there is no right for darshan and worship, all the devotees will be allowed to go there as soon as it is available."

Earlier, showing great haste, Varanasi DM S Rajalingam along with other top officials of police and administration went inside from gate number four of Kashi Corridor at around 11 pm on Wednesday, January 31, 2024. From there there is a way to go inside the Gyanvapi complex.

At the same time, many laborers reached there to make a path in front of the statue of Nandi located in the Vishwanath temple complex by cutting some part of the barricade around the Gyanvapi complex.

A large number of police personnel were also deployed there. Varanasi Police Commissioner Ashok Jain said that all arrangements for law and order were made.

Almost three hours later, at 2 am on Thursday, February 1, 2024, DM S Rajalingam came out of the premises and told the media, "The court order has been complied with."

Varanasi district court gave the order on Wednesday, January 31, 2024

On Wednesday, January 31, 2024, the District Court of Varanasi had given the Hindu side the right to worship in the Vyas basement of the Gyanvapi Mosque.

The District Court of Varanasi had written in its order, "The District Magistrate, Varanasi/Receiver is directed to hand over the basement situated on the south side of the building situated at Settlement Plot No. 9130, Thana Chowk, District Varanasi, which is the suit property. The plaintiff and the Kashi Vishwanath Trust Board should get the priest to start worshiping and worshiping the idols located in the basement."

The court had given the administration 7 days to implement this order. But the district administration acted very quickly and followed the court's order within 12 hours.

If only the district administrations of the states of India (especially the district administration of Varanasi) had shown so much promptness in the development work, then every district of India would have been a developed district and India would have been a developed country. India is seriously struggling with the problems of extreme poverty, hunger and unemployment. But the legislatures and executives of India and its states do not pay attention to this. Indian politics has become centered on religious issues, religious faith and religious sentiments. The consequences of which most of the people of India are facing in the form of problems like severe poverty, hunger and unemployment.

However, the Gyanvapi Masjid side has announced to challenge the decision of the Varanasi District Court in the Allahabad High Court.

It is certain that this decision of the Varanasi District Court will increase communal tension between Hindus and Muslims in India. Just as India has been burning in the fire of communalism for decades after the lock of Babri Masjid was opened by the court's decision. The fire of communalism in India has not yet been extinguished and this decision of the Varanasi District Court plunged India into the fire of communalism for decades. What will happen in the future? No one knows, but it is certain that it will have a bad impact on future India. For the future of India to be good, it is necessary that the legislature, executive and judiciary of India should refrain from taking any controversial work or decision without thinking or under any agenda which may lead to internal unrest in India or threaten the future of India.

Before us is the example of the decision given by the Manipur High Court, due to which Manipur has been a victim of large-scale violence between Meitei (Hindus, followers of Sanatan Dharma) and Kuki tribals (Christians) for the last several months. Lakhs of people were displaced and hundreds were killed due to this violence. Many women were raped and many women were paraded naked. India faced widespread criticism and opposition due to Manipur violence at the international level.

The work on the corridor connecting India, Middle East countries and Europe may start soon. In the G-20 conference, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) and India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, saying that it will become an effective medium of economic connectivity between India, West Asia and Europe.

"This will provide a sustainable direction to connectivity and development across the world," Narendra Modi said in the presence of US President Joe Biden, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen. Strong connectivity and infrastructure are the fundamental basis for the development of human civilization. India has given top priority to this subject in its development journey. Along with physical infrastructure, investment is being made on an unprecedented scale in social, digital and financial infrastructure. With this we are laying the strong foundation of a developed India.

Narendra Modi said, "We have completed infrastructure projects in technology sectors like energy, railways, water, technology parks as a reliable partner in many countries of the Global South. We have emphasized on demand driven and transparent approach. Through PGII, we can make an important contribution in reducing the infrastructure gap in the countries of the Global South. India does not limit connectivity to regional boundaries. We believe that connectivity not only enhances mutual trade but also mutual trust."

European Commission chief Urs von der Leyen said that the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor is historic. This will be the fastest connection ever connecting these three. This will make the pace of business faster.

Unlike the annual UN conferences on climate change, the G-20 meetings generally do not see serious disagreements between developed and developing countries on actions to be taken to address this problem.

But this time in the G-20 conference, the picture regarding this looks different. In the meeting of environment ministers of G-20 countries, no consensus seems to be reached on achieving the goals like gradually reducing the use of fossil fuels, increasing the targets of renewable energy and reducing greenhouse emissions.

Whereas G-20 countries are responsible for 75% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. At the G-20 conference, Russia, China, Saudi Arabia and India have opposed the goal of developed countries to triple the capacity of renewable energy by 2030.

News agency Reuters, quoting official sources, has said that in the Sherpa level meeting on September 6, 2023, these countries disagreed with the goal of developed countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent by 2035.

China has rejected media reports that it had obstructed the consensus on steps to be taken to control climate change at the G-20 environment ministers' meeting held in July 2023.

China had appealed to developed countries to work according to their capacity, responsibilities and duties to eliminate the problem of climate change.

Fast-growing economies like China and India say that developed countries should fulfill their historical responsibility to reduce carbon emissions.

Whereas developing countries say that this task is difficult without the major economies coming together. The countries on both sides of the G-20 are adamant. This gives an indication of what is going to happen at COP 28, the annual UN conference on climate change.