372 Days of Genocide: October 13th Newsletter
372 Days of Genocide: October 13th Newsletter
Palestinian journalist, 19, killed in Israeli raid after receiving threats
“Israeli forces have killed Palestinian journalist Hassan Hamad in an air strike on his home in northern Gaza’s Jabalia refugee camp, days after the slain journalist said he was warned by an Israeli officer to stop filming in Gaza.
“Hassan Hamad, the journalist who did not live past the age of 20, resisted for a full year in his own way. He resisted by staying away from his family so they wouldn’t be targeted. He resisted when he struggled to find an internet signal, sitting for an hour or two on the rooftop just to send the videos that reach you in seconds,” a post on Hamad’s X account posted by his colleague said.
“At 6am (03:00 GMT), he called me to send his last video. After a call that didn’t last more than a few seconds, he said, ‘There they are, there they are, it’s done,’ and hung up,” the colleague added.
According to footage verified by Al Jazeera, Hamad’s body was found in pieces and had to be put into bags and boxes after the Israeli attack.”
More at Al Jazeera.
Israel launches ground offensive on Jabalia again, killing 17
The Israeli military has carried out intense bombardment in the Jabalia refugee camp, killing at least 17 people hours after forcing residents in the area to leave again during its third ground assault on the densely populated camp in northern Gaza since launching the war a year ago.
More at Al Jazeera.
Israel kills 26 in attack on Gaza mosque, school; orders more evacuations
At least 26 Palestinians have been killed and many others wounded after Israeli forces attacked a mosque and a school sheltering displaced people in central Gaza’s Deir el-Balah, the strip’s Health Ministry said.
More at Al Jazeera.
Students occupy University of Manchester campus in protest against ties with Israel
“Students at the University of Manchester have occupied part of its campus in protest against the institution’s complicity with Israel and its ongoing occupation of Gaza and the Palestinian territories.
In a press release by Manchester Leftist Action, a coalition of left-wing student activists from universities across Manchester, it announced that “As part of students’ actions against the senior leadership of their academic institutions that have been ignoring the demands to cut ties [with Israel], on Friday 04 October, students occupied the Samuel Alexander building” at the University of Manchester’s campus.”
More at Middle East Monitor
Israeli soldiers beat renowned Palestinian activist Ziad Abu Helaiel to death in Hebron
"Israeli forces on Monday beat to death a renowned 66-year-old Palestinian activist after raiding his home in the occupied West Bank.
Ziad Abu Helaiel was a popular tribal figure in the West Bank, famous for peacefully confronting Israeli soldiers during demonstrations and standing between them and protesters.
Abu Helaiel's son, Murad, told AFP that around 3am on Monday, a group of Israeli forces stormed their home in Dura, south of Hebron, trying to arrest one of their relatives.
"My father tried to stop them, so they struck him twice on the chest, then pushed him, causing his chest to collide with the door, which led to his martyrdom," Murad said.
The soldiers then withdrew from the house, leaving Abu Helaiel unconscious on the floor. The activist was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead."
More at Middle East Eye.
The story of disabled Palestinian woman burnt alive by an Israeli soldier
Muhammed Ismail al-Hweihi froze when he saw an Israeli soldier setting ablaze a makeshift tent with his daughter inside.
Duaa, a disabled 34-year-old, had been separated from her father, her sole carer, only a few minutes earlier.
Hweihi was forced to hastily flee the tent the family set up in the courtyard of a school-turned-shelter in northern Gaza’s Jabalia refugee camp.
This was because Israeli troops had suddenly begun to fire live bullets inside the school ahead of storming it during a devastating assault on the camp in May.
Duaa, who was unable to speak or move, was left behind inside the tent because her father couldn’t carry her. After the soldiers entered the school under the cover of heavy fire, men and women were separated.
Moments later, a soldier poured gasoline on dozens of tents in courtyards before setting them on fire.
His voice drowned out by the hammering blast of tanks and heavy gunfire, Hweihi stood watching silently and hopelessly.
“She was burnt alive while we couldn't move,” he said.
“I felt my heart and brain burning.”
More at Middle East Eye.
Israel’s war on the occupied West Bank since Oct 7 attacks
For the past year, it isn’t just Gaza where Palestinians have been under Israeli attack. In the occupied West Bank, analysts say Israel is pushing for the full annexation of Palestinian territory. Al Jazeera's Soraya Lennie looks at what’s been happening.
Despite war horrors, hope remains for Gaza’s universities
Despite the grave circumstances over the past year, I have tried to stay in touch with my students. We communicate through phone calls, text messaging or WhatsApp and sometimes in person. We exchange greetings, inquire about health, and talk about IUG and the English Department, unable to hide our sorrow and indignation. However, I remain optimistic and determined not to give up.
Optimism is a source of resilience, which we Palestinian educators need to nurture in order to support our students and help them cope with stressful conditions.
Even in the darkest of times, there is hope. That is why I use the present tense in this article when I talk about my university. IUG is, not was.
More from Dr. Hassan El-Nabih for Al Jazeera.
Hind Rajab Foundation Files Historic ICC Complaint Against 1,000 Israeli Soldiers for War Crimes in Gaza
The Hind Rajab Foundation, a branch of the March 30 Movement, has filed an unprecedented and historic complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) against 1,000 Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) soldiers for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in Gaza, Palestine. These individuals, all of whom have been identified by name, are accused of participating in systematic attacks against civilians during the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
This complaint, supported by over 8,000 pieces of verifiable evidence—including videos, audio recordings, forensic reports, and social media documentation—demonstrates the soldiers' direct involvement in these atrocities. All of the named soldiers were located in Gaza during the genocidal assault, and the evidence reveals their participation in violations of international law.
More at March 30 Movement.
Two Al Jazeera cameramen targeted this week
Dozens have been killed as people were shot while trying to flee an Israeli assault on Jabalia, northern Gaza, marking the third ground offensive in the area since the war on Gaza began.
Is Israel deliberately targeting Lebanon’s first responders
Beirut, Lebanon – On Monday, Israel killed 10 firefighters in a strike on the southern Lebanese town of Baraachit, near Bint Jbeil, in what rescue workers have described as a deliberate attack. The killings pushed the number of rescue workers Israel has killed in Lebanon to more than 100 in the past year – most of them in the past two weeks.
Since last October, at least 107 rescue workers have been killed by Israeli attacks, according to the Ministry of Public Health, with many in Lebanon expressing anger over Israel’s lack of accountability.
Israel’s Arabic language spokesperson has repeatedly claimed that Israel does not target civilians or rescue workers, and that the strikes have focused solely on “Hezbollah terrorist targets”.
However, Mahmoud Karaki, a spokesman for the Islamic Health Committee rescue unit, told Al Jazeera that 18 of the committee’s centres have been “directly targeted” by Israel in the past year.
More at Al Jazeera.
Two protesters from the group, Youth Demand, placed a photograph of a Gazan mother and her child over Picasso’s 1901 painting, “Motherhood”, before pouring red paint on the gallery floor to symbolise the bloodshed in Gaza
Via Youth Demand.
Israel bombs the only flour store in northern Gaza
A fire has engulfed the only remaining store of flour in northern Gaza after Israel reportedly bombed a warehouse near Jabalia Camp. The flour was being used by the Shaflouh bakery, which was the only place to get bread for people in Jabalia, Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahia.
The move comes as part of a wider Israeli military campaign to force people to move south, which has involved widespread bombing raids and the forced closure of the 3 remaining hospitals in northern Gaza.” via Middle East Monitor
Revealed: Israel's own footage of Gaza air strikes documents 'devastating' civilian harm
“An analysis of hundreds of video clips released by the Israeli military has uncovered further evidence that Israeli air strikes on Gaza over the past year have been far from precise, leading to "devastating levels of civilian harm", a British war monitor says in a film released on Wednesday.
Airwars reviewed hours of footage of Israeli strikes on the enclave, geolocating them and matching them to incidents where Palestinians had publicly reported that civilians had been harmed.
In the first month of the war alone, Airwars said it found 17 incidents in which footage released by the Israeli military matched the exact location of where the monitor had documented civilians killed or wounded.
More than 400 Palestinian civilians, including more than 200 children, were reportedly killed in those 17 clips which represent 1 percent of all footage released in the past year, the organisation said in the film about their investigation.
Emily Tripp, Airwars' director, described the Israeli military videos as "grainy black and white clips with few details, but captions declaring they were striking Hamas targets".
More at Middle East Eye.
United States Calls for Ceasefire at UN Security Council Briefing
In a largely performative move, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield called for a ceasefire at at a UN Security Council Briefing on October 9th 2024.
It is far past time for a hostage and ceasefire deal, consistent with Resolution 2735, to bring the hostages home, allow for a surge in humanitarian aid, assure Israel’s security, end this war, and move toward a two-state solution.
But as we push for this deal, we must also continue to work to alleviate the humanitarian crisis unfolding before our eyes. Because let’s be clear: conditions are catastrophic and will further deteriorate if additional steps are not taken.
Indeed, all parties must meet their responsibilities under Resolution 2720.
Resolution 2735 is a United States proposal for a ceasefire adopted on 10 June 2024, and Resolution 2720, adopted on 22 December 2023, called for increased humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Israeli forces fire on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, wounding two
The Israeli military “repeatedly” fired at UNIFIL headquarters and positions in southern Lebanon, injuring two members of the peacekeeping force, the United Nations says, as Israel presses on with its assault on Hezbollah.
UNIFIL – the UN Interim Force in Lebanon – said on Thursday that two of its peacekeepers were injured after an Israeli tank “fired its weapon” at a guard tower at the group’s headquarters, located in the border area town of Naqoura.
More at Al Jazeera.
At least 28 killed in Israeli attack on school sheltering displaced in Gaza
An Israeli air strike on a school-turned-shelter in the central Gaza Strip has killed at least 28 people and wounded dozens of others, according to Palestinian authorities.
“Palestine Red Crescent teams responded to 28 fatalities and 54 injuries following the Israeli occupation army’s targeting of Rafida School,” the Palestinian Red Crescent said on Thursday. Gaza’s Health Ministry also confirmed the death toll.
More at Al Jazeera.
UN Commission finds war crimes and crimes against humanity in Israeli attacks on Gaza health facilities and treatment of detainees, hostages
The United Nations has found that ‘Israel has perpetrated a concerted policy to destroy Gaza’s healthcare system as part of a broader assault on Gaza, committing war crimes and the crime against humanity of extermination with relentless and deliberate attacks on medical personnel and facilities’.
More here.
Nelson Mandela's grandson Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela says he was Prevented from Entering UK for Palestine Events
“Chaos has erupted after a major nine-date speaking tour by Nelson Mandela's grandson was thrown into doubt when he did not receive a UK visa in time for his flight.
Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela has reportedly cancelled his flight to the UK, where he was due to address a series of pro-Palestine events in eight cities - Sheffield, Manchester, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Bristol and Brighton - including one alongside Labour MPs.
He had been expected to speak in person at an event in Sheffield on Thursday evening to kick off his speaking tour, seen as a major event for the British pro-Palestinian activist movement.
"It seems that there are those who are intent on preventing me from being physically with you [in Britain]," he said on Thursday, adding that "the struggle against Apartheid and against colonisation cannot be stopped or silenced."
He is still expected to visit Dublin in Ireland, where his visa requirement to enter has been waived.”
More at Middle East Eye.
Bolivia joins South Africa’s ICJ Genocide case against Israel
Bolivia has officially joined South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, the court confirmed yesterday. The South American country submitted its application on Tuesday to intervene in the case, which accuses Israel of committing “genocidal acts” in Gaza, in violation of the Genocide Convention.
“Israel’s genocidal war continues, and the Court’s orders remain dead letters to Israel,” argued Bolivia in its submission to the ICJ. “Bolivia seeks to intervene since it considers that it has a responsibility to condemn the crime of genocide.”
More at Middle East Monitor.
1 year of Gaza genocide: Psychological terror 'part of Israel's genocidal plan' - UN Special Rapporteur
“Tlaleng Mofokeng, the UN special rapporteur on the right to health, spoke to Anadolu about the mental health crisis in Gaza. "The amount of anxiety and the exposure to trauma, as well as the level of anticipation of violence, is very abnormal," Mofokeng said, emphasizing the persistent threat of violence as a major contributor to the psychological distress.
She highlighted that 50% of Gazans were already suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) before the relentless violence they experienced since Oct. 7, 2023. "We have to talk about it as a deliberate infliction of mental trauma," she added. The psychological impacts, manifesting as anxiety, nightmares, depression, and memory loss, are compounded by the absence of adequate mental health resources.
Yet, some scars remain invisible, Mofokeng pointed out, as many suffer in silence, with distress escalating into PTSD, eventually leading to complex mental health issues. These only intensify for children who have lost their entire family. She further noted that the lack of proper mourning and dignified funerals is "very detrimental," robbing families and communities of the chance to heal and opening wounds that may take a lifetime to mend.
The absence of healthcare and therapy has exacerbated the situation. "The situation is much worse," she stressed.”
More at Andalou.
Al Jazeera's All Hashem reports from the scene of one of the Israeli attacks in central Beirut that killed at least 22 people Among the victims was a family who fled Israel's assault on southern Lebanon.
Israeli-besieged hospital in north facing 'catastrophe', say medical staff
Medical staff at the besieged Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza have described the situation as “catastrophic,” with the lives of children in its overcrowded intensive care unit (ICU) at risk amid dwindling fuel and medical supplies.
On Tuesday, Israeli forces issued expulsion orders for three major hospitals - Kamal Adwan, al-Awda and the Indonesian hospital in northern Gaza - where it has launched a major offensive, trapping over 300 critically ill patients, according to the UN.
Kamal Adwan has since been under Israeli siege, with live ammunition and smoke grenades firing in its vicinity.
The hospital's director, Dr Husam Abu Safiyeh, refused to comply with the expulsion orders as he said transporting the patients could prove deadly for them.
According to Dr Eid Sabah, the director of the nursing department, there are about 50 patients trapped in the hospital, including nine ICU patients, most of whom are children.
More at Middle East Eye.
“We didn't hear the missile but only saw debris, pieces of flesh and destruction all around us in classrooms.”
Displaced Palestinians recount the moment Israeli air strikes targeted the Rofaida school-turned-shelter in central Gaza and killed at least 28 people on Thursday.
A number of women and children were among the casualties who have been rushed to al-Aqsa hospital in Deir al-Balah. (via Al Jazeera)
Israel plan to expel Palestinians from north Gaza 'could last several months'
The Israeli military is enacting a plan that will effectively ethnically cleanse the Palestinian population in northern Gaza after a siege that could last months, according to an Israeli report based on conversations with military officials.
Conceived by retired Major-General Giora Eiland, the plan aims to empty northern Gaza of its 400,000 residents to make way for a "closed military zone".
"The general's plan," which was launched in an Israeli TV campaign in September, called for the ethnic cleansing of northern Gaza, warning that those that remain will face starvation.
"The right thing to do is to inform the approximately 300,000 residents who remained in the northern Gaza Strip… we are ordering you to leave," Eiland said last month.
"In a week, the entire territory of the northern Gaza Strip will become military territory."
More at Middle East Eye.
Thousands trapped in Jabalia as Israel steps up attacks in northern Gaza
The Israeli military has launched deadly attacks across the Gaza Strip, including Deir el-Balah, Maghazi and Nuseirat refugee camps, Gaza City and Jabalia refugee camp, where MSF said thousands of people are trapped.
The Israeli attacks killed at least 41 people across Gaza on Friday, Palestinian medics said, with nearly half of the fatalities occurring in northern Gaza’s Jabalia, where Israeli forces are pressing ahead with a brutal ground offensive.
More at Al Jazeera.
Israeli army threatens to attack ambulances in southern Lebanon
The Israeli army has threatened to hit ambulances in southern Lebanon, claiming they are being misused by Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, and also ordered more villages to evacuate.
The warning came after Israeli forces hit positions of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), injuring peacekeepers.
Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee on Saturday alleged that “Hezbollah elements are using ambulances to transport fighters and arms.” He did not provide any proof of his accusation.
“We call on medical teams to avoid contact with Hezbollah members and not to cooperate with them,” he said. The Israeli military “affirms that the necessary actions will be taken against any vehicle transporting armed individuals, regardless of its type”.
Adraee also warned residents of southern Lebanon not to go back to their homes as Israeli troops continued fighting Hezbollah fighters in the area.
More at Al Jazeera.
Uncle Robbie Thorpe files private prosecution against Netanyahu adviser for advocating genocide
“I find it offensive that this country that committed genocide against us is now allowing our country to be used as a base to advocate genocide against Palestinian people.”
This was the last thing that Krautungalung elder Uncle Robbie Thorpe (uncle of Senator Lidia Thorpe) said to the supporters waiting with him outside the Melbourne Magistrates Court before the start of the hearing on Wednesday, 9 October.
Thorpe and lawyer Daniel Taylor were at the Court to hear opening statements at their private prosecution of Mark Regev, Benjamin Netanyahu’s former Senior Advisor for Foreign Affairs and Communication. Regev has joint Australian and Israeli citizenship and is also the former Israeli Ambassador to the UK.
Regev is being charged with Advocacy for Genocide, section 80.2D of the Australian Criminal Code, for public comments advocating for Genocide of the Palestinian people in the Australian Media. He was served in Israel a few weeks ago with the charge sheet and summons.”
More at Pen International Melbourne Centre.
Sulala Animal Rescue
Imagine being in the middle of a genocide and taking the effort to rescue and rehabilitate a paralysed kitten.
Sulala Animal Rescue is the last animal rescue left in Gaza. Facebook Instagram
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