Israel - Palestinian militants launch massive attack, 7 Oct 2023 #10

[JennieM]

4m ago

Turkey’s foreign minister told his Australian counterpart Penny Wong in a call on Tuesday that Israel’s targeting of hospitals and schools in Gaza amounted to an “open violation of international law”, a Turkish diplomatic source told Reuters.

Reuters reports that Hakan Fidan also emphasised the urgency of achieving a full ceasefire as soon as possible and the need for unhindered access of humanitarian aid into the enclave, the source said.

Wong has been involved in heated scenes in the Australian parliament, as Anthony Albanese’s government has stopped short of calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

IDF says it has entered Gaza’s largest hospital – as it happened

IDF forces say they are targeting Hamas ‘in a certain part of the Shifa hospital’ after Gaza’s health ministry said it was warned by Israel that it would raid the facility ‘within minutes’

www.theguardian.com

 

[JennieM]

48m ago

The IDF has reported that an alert has been activated in Israel’s southern port resort of Eilat, which is being investigated.

While alerts are frequent near Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip and near the UN-drawn blue line that marks the boundary between Israel and Lebanon, they are much rarer in Eilat, in Israel’s far south.

Earlier in the conflict the city did come under attack from a long range missile fired from within Gaza, and the Israeli military repelled attacks claimed by Yemen’s Houthis.

IDF says it has entered Gaza’s largest hospital – as it happened

IDF forces say they are targeting Hamas ‘in a certain part of the Shifa hospital’ after Gaza’s health ministry said it was warned by Israel that it would raid the facility ‘within minutes’

www.theguardian.com

 

[JennieM]

Charity says Gaza hospital doesn't need incubators, it needs fuel​

A UK-based charity says Gaza City's largest hospital, Al-Shifa, needs fuel - not incubators, as has been widely speculated.

It comes after the Israeli military said it was in process of "coordinating the transfer of incubators from a hospital in Israel to Gaza", though it didn't specify if the machines were going to Al-Shifa.

Melanie Ward, the CEO of Medical Aid for Palestinians, says the situation is "beyond horrific":

The reason the babies are dying is not because they don't have incubators ... What is killing them is the lack of fuel that is being provided to the hospital because Israel is preventing it from getting fuel."

She adds that Al-Shifa already has incubators and staff with the "medical skill" to save the lives of babies - but until fuel is allowed in, the situation won't improve.

Israel hasn't allowed fuel to enter Gaza since the fighting with Hamas erupted last month, for fear that Hamas will use it militarily.

Ward says if it could be couriered into the territory by the UN, incubators could turn back on and "the lives of the babies saved".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-67400490

 

[JennieM]

Contact inside hospital says mass grave for 170 bodies being prepared​

Rushdi Abu Alouf
Reporting from Khan Younis, southern Gaza

In the last hour I've spoken to some of the last remaining journalists inside Gaza City's Al-Shifa hospital.

One told me the hospital is preparing a mass grave for about 170 bodies in a small courtyard of the hospital. He witnessed around 30 bodies being put into the grave.

He says moving from one building to another at the hospital is a risk, and even burying the bodies is risky because tanks surround the facility.

As I reported earlier, tanks were yesterday on three sides of the hospital complex - but as of overnight, they're now close to the main gate.

My source says the hospital is not dealing directly with Israeli officials because that’s considered too risky. Staff want a third party to intervene, he says, and deal with negotiations for the fuel to power the hospital.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-67400490

 

[IDK]

BBM. That message is being conveyed loud and clear. The question remains: is the political leadership of Israel hearing it or does it even care?
JMO

The US continues to send billions of dollars of military aid to Israel— what message is that sending?

“The United States has given Israel more aid than any other nation since World War II, granting it more than $260 billion.”

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2023-10-10/how-much-aid-does-the-u-s-give-to-israel

 

[JennieM]

1m ago

Bethan McKernan is in Jerusalem for the Guardian. Here is her latest update:

Another 200,000 people have fled northern Gaza in the past 10 days, the UN has said, as fierce fighting between Hamas militants and the Israeli army encroaches on hospitals where patients are dying due to energy shortages and dwindling supplies.

<modsnip - snipped for copyright, please see link>

Read more of Bethan McKernan’s report here: Another 200,000 people flee northern Gaza as fighting continues

IDF says it has entered Gaza’s largest hospital – as it happened

IDF forces say they are targeting Hamas ‘in a certain part of the Shifa hospital’ after Gaza’s health ministry said it was warned by Israel that it would raid the facility ‘within minutes’

www.theguardian.com

 

[JennieM]

Recap of the last few hours​

EPACopyright: EPA
Fighting rages on in northern Gaza as the Israeli military continues on its retaliatory offensive against Hamas.

A main focus of our reporting over the last few days has been activity at or near some of the enclave's main hospitals, which we're still hearing about today.

If you're just joining us, or need a recap, here you go:

• The BBC's Rushdi Abualouf says he's heard from a contact inside Gaza city's largest hospital, Al-Shifa, that a mass grave is being dug for an estimated 170 bodies
• Hospitals have become caught up in intense fighting, with attention largely focused on Al-Shifa
• While Israel says it's not targeting hospitals directly, it has acknowledged "clashes" around Al-Shifa and other facilities
• The Israeli military continues to accuse Hamas of having a command centre underneath Al-Shifa - both the facility and Hamas deny this
• The Israel Defense Forces (DF) have also confirmed the death of 19-year-old Noa Mariciano who was kidnapped by Hamas last month
• Meanwhile, the head of a local hospital says seven Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank’s Tulkarem refugee camp following clashes with the IDF

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-67400490

 

[JennieM]

Deadly clashes at West Bank refugee camp​

Joel Gunter
Reporting from Jerusalem

Seven Palestinians were killed in the West Bank’s Tulkarem refugee camp this morning in clashes with the Israeli military, the head of the local hospital confirmed to the BBC.

<modsnip - snipped for copyright, please see link>

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-67400490

 

[JennieM]

IDF confirms death of 19-year-old Israeli captive​

IDFCopyright: IDF

The Israeli military has confirmed the death of a 19-year-old Israeli who was kidnapped by Hamas on 7 October.

<modsnip - snipped for copyright, please see link>

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-67400490

 

[Baby baby Jane]

Contact inside hospital says mass grave for 170 bodies being prepared​

Rushdi Abu Alouf
Reporting from Khan Younis, southern Gaza

In the last hour I've spoken to some of the last remaining journalists inside Gaza City's Al-Shifa hospital.

One told me the hospital is preparing a mass grave for about 170 bodies in a small courtyard of the hospital. He witnessed around 30 bodies being put into the grave.

He says moving from one building to another at the hospital is a risk, and even burying the bodies is risky because tanks surround the facility.

As I reported earlier, tanks were yesterday on three sides of the hospital complex - but as of overnight, they're now close to the main gate.

My source says the hospital is not dealing directly with Israeli officials because that’s considered too risky. Staff want a third party to intervene, he says, and deal with negotiations for the fuel to power the hospital.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-67400490

Clarity about risk to medics should have been reported by BBC.
1. Are staff worried get shot by Hamas if they engage with IDF, even if it’s to save lives? Because Hamas want medical staff to stay there to support their injured Hamas.

2. Are staff afraid of IDF who promises safe passage and are on video 100% of the time.

Please tell us BBC - please define the RISK to medics?

 

[JennieM]

Western leaders urge restraint from Israel​

The US and UK, like many other countries, offered their full support to Israel following Hamas's attack on 7 October.

That commitment stayed steadfast as the Israeli military launched its retaliatory strikes on Gaza - but over the last few days appeals to Israel to exercise restraint have been stepped up, with US President Joe Biden and UK PM Rishi Sunak both pushing for greater protections of Palestinian hospitals and civilians.

Biden told reporters at the White House yesterday that he hoped for less intrusive action around Al-Shifa, saying that Gaza City's largest hospital must be protected.

Meanwhile, Sunak last night spoke of the "terrible suffering" of Palestinians in Gaza, saying too many civilians are dying. He also called for pauses in the fighting.

Neither Washington nor London have called for a full-blown ceasefire, despite pressure from French President Emmanuel Macron.

The Israeli government claims Hamas has created the crisis at Al-Shifa for propaganda reasons and uses tunnels under the hospital as a base. Hamas denies this.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-67400490

 

[Brightchaser47]

For perspective:

Al Rantisi Children with cancer evacuated from Gaza for treatment to Egypt and Jordan

WHO, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital and key countries coordinate vital humanitarian action amidst ongoing conflict​

Several children with cancer and serious blood disorders evacuated from Gaza

Their evacuation comes on the heels of weeks of difficult negotiations involving the U.S., Egypt, Israel and Hamas. Dozens more remain.

www.nbcnews.com

Several children with cancer and serious blood disorders evacuated from Gaza​

They tried to evacuate 10 days previously, but were unsuccessful. It took the WHO, St Jude's and a secret mission to get them across the border.

And now this:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-hamas-operated-command-center-likely-held-hostages-under-gaza-kids-hospital/

IDF: Hamas operated command center, likely held hostages under Gaza kids’ hospital​

Army spokesman releases video from basement of Rantisi hospital showing stash of weapons, accuses terror group of using medical facilities in Strip ‘as an instrument of war’​

________________________________________________________________________

Al Ransiti was founded by an American NGO in 2019. Al Ransiti was a partner with St. Judes, which is based in Memphis, TN. Even though it is now known as a "Hamas Command Center", I struggle to find the hospital complicit.

I hate compare humans to rodents, but I've had problems with rats before. I thought I didn't have a problem. One day, I opened a dark kitchen cabinet, which I hadn't open in years. (I believe it had been 10 years!) and it was obvious that they had taken up residency. They rats were building tunnels in my house from the attic down through the walls and into my kitchen. This had been going on for years and I had no idea. How could I not hear them??????

MOO I feel like Hamas is like this, They make their tunnels under the cover of darkness. Hospital staff may not be aware of going on, because Hamas know where the places are where staff doesn't visit. MOO

I really struggle to find doctors and nurses at Al Ransiti complicit with terrorism.

I personally don't feel medical professionals are complicit with Hamas. They may have had to issues and run ins with them, but they are treating patients and they seem quite dedicated to me! I was a nurse. (The baby picture is "different", but I won't judge) I see enough trauma video of adults and kids to know that they are truly hurt and being treated. I feel the medical professions are doing their best.

I don't believe medical professionals are engaged in terrorist activities. (Now of course, there might always be one!) But I feel these are hard worker professionals who care about their patients.

____________________


It too wonder where the patients at al-Shifa will go? They need to be evacuated to Egypt, like these children were..MOO. I hope someone has a secret evacuation plan.

It's also possible that certain members of hospital staff (and their families) have been threatened, if they don't comply with Hamas' wishes.
I also believe the bulk of the medical personnel in these hospitals are doing their best to save lives-- all lives. That's why they're in the medical profession. I question the higher echelon, tbvh, but that's my opinion.

 

[JennieM]

Rows of tents shelter displaced Palestinians from fighting and cold conditions​

In Khan Younis, southern Gaza, colder conditions are beginning to set in - affecting some of the 1.6 million Palestinians the UN estimates have been internally displaced since the war began last month.

Many have been forced to shelter from the fighting in tents, including the BBC's Gaza correspondent Rushdi Abualouf, who says many people are being forced to sleep on the ground.

Here's a look at one such collection of tents, filled with people who've had to flee their homes since 7 October.

ReutersCopyright: Reuters
A camp sheltering displaced Palestinians in Khan Younis, south Gaza

ReutersCopyright: Reuters
People's washing - hung out to dry - line some of the rows between tents

ReutersCopyright: Reuters
As colder conditions set in, people have been pictured in coats and jumpers

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-67400490

 

[Elley Mae]

Cold conditions?

Rafah Egypt its 78
Nirim Israel its 79

 

[JennieM]

8m ago

Israeli minister says Israel no longer able to accept existence of Gaza, calls for 'voluntary emigration'​

A senior member of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government said on Tuesday Gaza could not survive as an independent entity, and Palestinians there should agree to “voluntary emigration” and leave for other countries.

Finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said “I welcome the initiative of the voluntary emigration of Gaza Arabs to countries around the world. This is the right humanitarian solution for the residents of Gaza and the entire region after 75 years of refugees, poverty and danger. The State of Israel will no longer be able to accept the existence of an independent entity in Gaza

<modsnip - snipped for copyright, please see link>

IDF says it has entered Gaza’s largest hospital – as it happened

IDF forces say they are targeting Hamas ‘in a certain part of the Shifa hospital’ after Gaza’s health ministry said it was warned by Israel that it would raid the facility ‘within minutes’

www.theguardian.com

 

[JennieM]

7m ago

Humanitarian aid sent by Italy to Gaza is entering the area, the Italian foreign minister said on Tuesday.

“Italy has sent two C130 military aircraft carrying 16 tonnes of humanitarian aid, which are in transit towards Gaza in these hours,” Reuters reports Antonio Tajani told parliament’s joint foreign affairs and defence committees, adding the aid travelled through the Rafah crossing, on the border with Egypt.

IDF says it has entered Gaza’s largest hospital – as it happened

IDF forces say they are targeting Hamas ‘in a certain part of the Shifa hospital’ after Gaza’s health ministry said it was warned by Israel that it would raid the facility ‘within minutes’

www.theguardian.com

 

[JennieM]

Cold conditions?

Rafah Egypt its 78
Nirim Israel its 79

“As colder conditions set in”

What are the temperatures at night in Gaza Elley? Would it be comfortable to sleep inside an uninsulated tent, more than likely without a blanket? How will the temperatures change in November and December?

 

[JennieM]

AN ISRAELI HOSTAGE HAS DIED IN HAMAS CAPTIVITY, BOTH SIDES SAY​

JERUSALEM — A 19-year-old soldier who was among about 240 people captured by Hamas during its Oct. 7 raid in Israel has died in captivity, both sides said.

<modsnip - snipped for copyright, please see link>

Live updates | Israel says it has launched an operation inside Gaza hospital

Fighting between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants in northern Gaza caused another 200,000 people to flee south in the past 10 days.

apnews.com

 

[JennieM]

RIGHTS GROUP ACCUSES ISRAEL OF DISREGARDING CIVILIAN LIVES​

BEIRUT — Human Rights Watch said Tuesday that an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon that killed three children and their grandmother earlier this month showed “reckless disregard for civilian life.”

<modsnip - snipped for copyright, please see the link>

Live updates | Israel says it has launched an operation inside Gaza hospital

Fighting between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants in northern Gaza caused another 200,000 people to flee south in the past 10 days.

apnews.com

 

[JennieM]

RESIDENTS OF KIBBUTZ BEGIN TO RETURN AFTER HAMAS ATTACK​

KFAR AZA, Israel — Residents of Kfar Aza kibbutz in southern Israel have started to return to pick up what remains of their belongings.

<modsnip - snipped for copyright, please see the link>

Live updates | Israel says it has launched an operation inside Gaza hospital

Fighting between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants in northern Gaza caused another 200,000 people to flee south in the past 10 days.

apnews.com