Gaza

By Muhammad Abubakar

The leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Canada issued a joint statement today strongly condemning the Israeli government’s continued military operations in Gaza and its denial of humanitarian aid to the besieged population.

In the statement, the three nations called the humanitarian situation in Gaza “intolerable” and labelled Israel’s limited allowance of food into the territory as grossly inadequate. They urged the Israeli government to halt its military offensive immediately and allow unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid, in cooperation with the United Nations.

The leaders also called on Hamas to release the remaining hostages held since the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, while affirming Israel’s right to self-defence. However, they described the ongoing Israeli response as “wholly disproportionate.”

The statement strongly criticised the Israeli government’s use of inflammatory rhetoric and warned that permanent forced displacement of Gaza’s population would constitute a breach of international humanitarian law.

The three countries also voiced strong opposition to the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, stating such actions undermine prospects for a viable Palestinian state and threaten regional security. They pledged to take further actions, including potential targeted sanctions, if the situation does not improve.

The joint statement expressed support for current ceasefire efforts led by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, and emphasised the need for a long-term political solution. The leaders stressed their commitment to a two-state solution. They highlighted the upcoming June 18 international conference in New York, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, as a key moment for advancing peace.

“We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state as a contribution to achieving a two-state solution,” the statement concluded, reaffirming their readiness to work with international partners to bring stability to the region.

By Muhammad Abubakar

In a controversial address on Monday, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich openly acknowledged that the limited humanitarian aid allowed into the Gaza Strip is intended not to alleviate civilian suffering but to shield Israel from international war crimes accusations.

Smotrich declared that Israel is “annihilating everything that remains in the Strip,” describing Gaza as “one big city of terror.” He said the provision of minimal aid — such as “a few bakeries distributing pitas” and “a daily portion of cooked food” — serves a strategic purpose: maintaining global political cover. “It allows the world to continue providing us with international protection,” he asserted.

Smotrich defended Israel’s ongoing campaign of widespread devastation, describing it as a shift from targeted raids to full-scale occupation. “No more raids with ins and outs… we are conquering, clearing, and staying until Hamas is destroyed,” he said.

The minister praised the military’s intensified focus on Gaza’s civil infrastructure, noting that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) is now targeting the administrative apparatus of Hamas, including ministers, civil servants, and the economic networks.

Boasting of the level of destruction inflicted on the enclave, Smotrich said, “We are dismantling Gaza, leaving it in ruins with unprecedented destruction, and the world still hasn’t stopped us.” He went further, expressing support for a complete blockade of essential services: “Until the last of the hostages returns, we should also not let water into the Gaza Strip.”

Perhaps most alarmingly, Smotrich appeared to endorse forced displacement, stating: “The population will reach the south of the Strip, and from there, God willing, to third countries, as part of President Trump’s plan.”

His remarks have sparked renewed concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and raised serious questions about the legality and morality of Israel’s ongoing military strategy.

By Muhammad Abubakar

The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, has temporarily stepped down from his duties as an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against him gets underway.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, a junior staff member has accused Mr Khan of forcing himself on her—an allegation he strongly denies. The ICC has not released further details but confirmed that Mr Khan would take a leave of absence to allow for an impartial probe.

Mr Khan has recently been at the centre of international legal proceedings, having sought arrest warrants for leaders of both Israel and Hamas over alleged war crimes committed during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

In his absence, the ICC announced that Khan’s two deputies will assume his responsibilities to ensure continuity in the Court’s operations.

The investigation is ongoing.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

In his first Sunday message as Pope, Leo XIV made a powerful plea for peace, urging an immediate end to the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. 

Addressing the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the pontiff called for “an authentic and lasting peace” in Ukraine, emphasising the devastating human cost of the ongoing war. 

He further implored for a ceasefire in Gaza, demanding the release of all Israeli hostages held captive.

“The world yearns for peace,” Pope Leo XIV stated, his voice resonating across the square. “We must strive for dialogue and understanding, putting an end to the violence that inflicts immeasurable suffering. In Ukraine, let the weapons fall silent, and in Gaza, let the hostages be released.”

His message underscored the Vatican’s continued commitment to promoting peace and reconciliation in conflict-plagued regions. 

The Pope’s appeal resonated with many, who hope his words may inspire concrete action toward achieving a lasting resolution.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Momodou Taal, a British Gambian pro-Palestine activist and former Cornell PhD student, has left the United States due to deportation threats. Following his lawsuit against the Trump administration over executive orders targeting pro-Palestinian activism, Taal faced mounting pressure, including visits from ICE agents and visa revocation.

In a statement on social media, Taal expressed gratitude to his supporters but voiced his loss of faith in the U.S. legal system, stating, “I have lost faith I could walk the streets without being abducted.” He criticized both the government’s actions and the silence surrounding the situation in Palestine.

Taal remains committed to the cause, declaring, “As sad as I feel right now, I do not despair. History will absolve us.” He is confident that the fight for justice will lead to the liberation of Palestine.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Israeli airstrikes on Gaza killed at least 35 people, including women and children, as Palestinians observed Eid al-Fitr.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) also confirmed the recovery of 14 health workers’ bodies in Rafah, missing since March 23 after coming under Israeli fire.

Among them were eight PRCS paramedics and six civil defense workers.

The PRCS condemned the attack as a war crime.

Hamas denounced the killings, and stated the victims were found handcuffed in a single grave.

The International Federation of Red Cross and the UN called for the protection of medical personnel, describing that attacks on humanitarian workers are unacceptable.

Since Israel resumed military operations on March 18, over 800 Palestinians have been killed, and severe shortages of food and medical supplies persist.

The UN warns Gaza’s bakeries may shut down within a week due to the blockade.

The crisis continues, drawing global condemnation and calls for urgent intervention.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

An Israeli soldier has told CBS News that he was ordered to use Palestinian civilians as human shields during military operations in Gaza. 

The soldier, identified by CBS as “Tommy” (not his real name), detailed how his unit was instructed to force civilians into dangerous situations to protect Israeli troops.

“We’ve burned down buildings for no reasons, which is violating the international law, of course,” he told CBS News. “…And we used human shields as protection.”

Tommy said his commander ordered his unit to use Gazan civilians to search buildings for explosives instead of dogs.

“They were Palestinian,” he said. “We sent them in first to see if the building was clear and check for booby traps…They were trembling and shaking.”

The allegations add to growing concerns over Israel’s conduct in its ongoing military campaign in Gaza. Human rights organizations have long accused the Israeli military of violating international law, including the use of civilians in combat zones.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have denied such practices, insisting that they operate within legal and ethical guidelines. However, Tommy’s testimony raises serious questions about Israel’s adherence to international humanitarian law.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

Al Jazeera journalist Hossam Shabat was killed in an Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza shortly after reporting on the death of his colleague, Mohammed Mansour.

Shabat’s car was bombed on Sunday, marking yet another fatal attack on media workers in the besieged Palestinian territory.

Shabat had just posted about Mansour’s killing when he himself became a victim of Israeli bombardment. His death adds to the growing toll on journalists in Gaza, where at least 208 media workers have been killed since Israel launched its military offensive on October 7, 2023.

The targeting of journalists has drawn widespread condemnation, with press freedom organizations calling for accountability and urgent protection for reporters covering the war.

Al Jazeera has repeatedly accused Israel of deliberately targeting its journalists, a charge Israel denies.

The ongoing war in Gaza has led to unprecedented casualties among civilians and media professionals, raising concerns over press freedom and the safety of journalists in conflict zones.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Israel has launched a fresh ground offensive in Gaza, targeting key areas amid escalating violence. The Israeli military described the operation as a “limited ground offensive” aimed at securing strategic zones.

The assault follows intense airstrikes that have killed hundreds of Palestinians, including women and children, and damaged civilian infrastructure. The renewed fighting has shattered a fragile ceasefire, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to continue until Hamas is dismantled.

International leaders have expressed concern over the growing humanitarian crisis, urging restraint to prevent further civilian casualties and displacement.

By Muhsin Ibrahim

French President Emmanuel Macron has strongly criticised U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to evacuate Gaza, calling it a humanitarian crisis rather than a political manoeuvre.

“You cannot come and tell two million people to leave. It is a humanitarian issue. Human beings. This is not a real estate issue; it is a political issue,” Macron said in an interview with CNN.

Macron added that, “We have to respect the willingness of the Palestinian people to have a state.”

The French leader’s remarks come amid ongoing international debates over the future of Gaza and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Many people described Trump’s proposal as ethnic cleansing and condemned it, while Israel’s far-right politicians welcomed it.