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Gaza girl emerges from rubble days after Israeli raid killed family

Gaza girl emerges from rubble days after Israeli raid killed family
This picture taken on March 6, 2024 shows Palestinian girl Hala Hazem Hamada taking rest inside a hospital in Rafah. The 15-year-old Hala was finally rescued on March 5 after a deadly encounter with Israeli soldiers that claimed the lives of six relatives including her parents. (AFP)
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Updated 07 March 2024

Gaza girl emerges from rubble days after Israeli raid killed family

Gaza girl emerges from rubble days after Israeli raid killed family
  • The bloodshed began on Saturday, when Israeli troops descended on the residential complex where Hala’s family, had sought refuge outside the territory’s southern city of Khan Yunis

RAFAH, Palestinian Territories: Tears in his eyes, Mohammed Al-Sabbagh shouts into a mobile phone, imploring his niece on the other end to “be strong” as she languishes under rubble in Gaza.
The call was made near the start of a three-day ordeal for the girl, 15-year-old Hala Hazem Hamada, who was finally rescued on Tuesday after a deadly encounter with Israeli soldiers that claimed the lives of six relatives including her parents.
The bloodshed began on Saturday, when Israeli troops descended on the residential complex where Hala’s family, originally from northern Gaza, had sought refuge outside the territory’s southern city of Khan Yunis.
The Israeli military had said it was raiding “terrorist infrastructure” in the area and taking suspected “terrorists” into custody.
Hala told AFP that soldiers had called out on a loudspeaker asking residents to leave, but before she and her family could do so, “the house started collapsing on us,” levelled by bulldozers.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.
“Snipers targeted everyone in the family except my sister and me,” she said.
“My sister Basant told me, ‘I’m scared, save me. I can’t move. The rubble is on my feet, and my father is on my leg. I can’t move’.”
Then Basant went silent, leaving Hala alone to wait out the long hours before her rescue. Basant, 19, was among the six dead.
Israel’s military offensive in Gaza was triggered by Hamas’s unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli figures.
The retaliatory Israeli campaign has killed at least 30,717 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.
As Hala waited, an AFP journalist filmed Mohammed Al-Sabbagh offering words of support over the phone.
“Stay safe and stay strong. If there is something around you, eat it to keep you steadfast until we reach you,” he said.
“I swear to God, we don’t know how to reach you... (but) we’re trying to reach you. Don’t worry, we will come to you.”
The updates from Hala were grim.
“My father is covered in blood. He was breathing but not anymore,” she said.
On Wednesday, Hala described her rescue, speaking to AFP from a hospital bed in the southernmost city of Rafah.
“They started removing the debris and cutting the iron bars until they pulled me out. When they pulled me out, they put me on a stretcher,” she said.
Though she suffered no major injuries, she was trying to recover physically after so much time without food or water, while also grappling with the massive trauma and loss she experienced.
“I survived, but I want to see my family for the last time,” she said.
“I saw my sister and father, but they have not been pulled out yet. They are still under the rubble. I want to see them to at least say goodbye.”


Israeli forces start withdrawing from areas in Gaza’s Rafah to corridor along Egypt-Gaza border, pro-Hamas media says

Israeli soldiers move along the Philadelphi Corridor along the border with Egypt, in the Gaza Strip on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024.
Israeli soldiers move along the Philadelphi Corridor along the border with Egypt, in the Gaza Strip on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024.
Updated 13 sec ago

Israeli forces start withdrawing from areas in Gaza’s Rafah to corridor along Egypt-Gaza border, pro-Hamas media says

Israeli soldiers move along the Philadelphi Corridor along the border with Egypt, in the Gaza Strip on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024.

CAIRO: Israeli forces started withdrawing from areas in Gaza’s Rafah to the Philadelphi corridor along the border between Egypt and Gaza, pro-Hamas media reported early on Sunday.

 


Houthis warn of ‘consequences’ for any attacks on Yemen during Gaza ceasefire

This picture taken on March 7, 2024 shows the Rubymar cargo ship partly submerged off the coast of Yemen. (AFP)
This picture taken on March 7, 2024 shows the Rubymar cargo ship partly submerged off the coast of Yemen. (AFP)
Updated 19 January 2025

Houthis warn of ‘consequences’ for any attacks on Yemen during Gaza ceasefire

This picture taken on March 7, 2024 shows the Rubymar cargo ship partly submerged off the coast of Yemen. (AFP)
  • An initial 42-day truce in the Israel-Hamas war is scheduled to begin at 0630 GMT Sunday
  • “The American aircraft carrier was forced to leave the theater of operations,” the rebels’ statement said

SANAA: Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed an attack on an American aircraft carrier on Sunday and warned of “consequences” for any retaliation during the coming Gaza ceasefire.
“The Yemeni Armed Forces warn the enemy forces in the Red Sea of the consequences of any aggression against our country during the ceasefire period in Gaza,” the rebels said in a statement.
“They will confront any aggression with specific military operations against those forces without a ceiling or red lines.”
An initial 42-day truce in the Israel-Hamas war is scheduled to begin at 0630 GMT Sunday.
The Houthis, who have attacked shipping in the Red Sea throughout the war in Gaza, said they targeted the USS Harry S. Truman and other “warships” with drones and cruise missiles.
“The American aircraft carrier was forced to leave the theater of operations,” the rebels’ statement said.
Part of Iran’s “axis of resistance,” the Houthis have repeatedly launched missile and drone attacks on Israel since the war in Gaza broke out in October 2023, claiming solidarity with the Palestinians.
They have also waged a harassment campaign against shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, severely disrupting trade routes.
On Friday, the Yemeni rebels warned they would keep up their attacks if Israel did not respect the terms of the ceasefire with Hamas.
 

 


Hope and tears as youngest Israeli hostage turns two

Hope and tears as youngest Israeli hostage turns two
Updated 19 January 2025

Hope and tears as youngest Israeli hostage turns two

Hope and tears as youngest Israeli hostage turns two
  • “Today, I tried to write a birthday message for Kfir for the second time,” his aunt Ofri Bibas Levy said
  • Hamas said in November 2023 that the two boys and their mother were killed in an Israeli air strike, but the Israeli military has not confirmed their deaths

TEL AVIV: Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv to demand freedom for hostages held in Gaza, anxious the ceasefire deal would collapse, with many dwelling on the fate of Kfir Bibas, the youngest captive whose second birthday fell on Saturday.
“Today, I tried to write a birthday message for Kfir for the second time,” his aunt Ofri Bibas Levy said. “A message for a child who cannot celebrate... A child trapped in hell. A child who might not even be alive. But no words come out, only tears.”
Taken alongside his now four-year-old brother Ariel and his mother and father, Shiri and Yarden, he has become a symbol of the suffering of the hostages.
“I have two orange ballons on my car,” said Sigal Kirsch in Tel Aviv’s “Hostage Square.” The color has become symbolic of the Bibas boys, both of whom are red-heads.
“I don’t have the words,” she said, visibly overcome with emotion.
Hamas said in November 2023 that the two boys and their mother were killed in an Israeli air strike, but the Israeli military has not confirmed their deaths.
Coming together to protest barely 12 hours before the first three hostages are due to be released, many couldn’t bring themselves to believe after so much false hope that the ordeal of the hostages might finally be over.
“Once they cross the (Gaza) border and they will be rejoined with their families then maybe we can breathe again,” said Shahar Mor Zahiro, the nephew of slain hostage Avraham Munder.
Anxiety was the overwhelming mood.
“This past week was hell,” said Kirsch, who had been every week to the gatherings at Hostage Square, across the road from Israeli military headquarters.
“On Tuesday we were sure that the deal would be signed... and it took until last night. So we’re very, very anxious,” she said.
The deal agreed between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas, via mediators, is broken into three phases.
But, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under pressure from far-right elements of his government opposed to a ceasefire, protesters and families of the hostages expressed fears that the deal would collapse.
“In one sense (the mood) is a little more hopeful, and in another sense, it’s very sad. Because for the people who aren’t in the first phase, I can’t imagine how their hearts bleed at this point,” said Neil Trubowiz, 75, from Tel Aviv, in Hostage Square.
Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who opposed the deal, said he would remain in the government but that the prime minister had promised him the war would continue.
Mor Zahiro demanded that what he called “extremist elements” in the cabinet be prevented from collapsing the deal.
“Tell them to shut up!” he said. “Let the people come back to their loved ones.”
He denounced the idea that the war could start again. “Stop the fighting. Stop the war. Stop everything. Don’t shoot another bullet, let us heal. This is really crucial, otherwise there will be hell here for the next 50 years.”
On Saturday night, Netanyahu gave protesters and hostage families further cause for anxiety, saying the ceasefire deal could not go ahead until Hamas handed over a list of hostages to be released.
He also said in a televised address that Israel “reserved the right to return to war.”
Palestinian militants took 251 people hostage during Hamas’s surprise October 7 attack, 94 of whom remain in captivity in the Gaza Strip, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.
The lengthy ceasefire process, with the first 33 hostages released in small groups over 42 days, followed by a second and third phase that are still to be negotiated, leaves multiple opportunities for the process to collapse.
“We’re anticipating some good news tomorrow, but on the other hand, we’re very wary of what could happen in the meantime,” said Guy Perry, 58, also from Tel Aviv.
He described the possibility of a final end to the war and the return of all hostages as a “very, very dim light” at the end of the tunnel.
Despite their fears the deal could collapse at any moment, many couldn’t help but hope.
“I cannot wait to see my uncle, I really hope he managed to survive,” said Efrat Machikawa, whose uncle Gadi Moses turned 80 while held hostage in Gaza.
“I have to trust my hope. This has to happen, they have to come back.”


What we know about the Gaza hostage and prisoner exchange

What we know about the Gaza hostage and prisoner exchange
Updated 19 January 2025

What we know about the Gaza hostage and prisoner exchange

What we know about the Gaza hostage and prisoner exchange
  • Israel’s Justice Ministry published their details early on Saturday, along with the ceasefire agreement, which said 30 Palestinian prisoners would be released for each female hostage on Sunday

JERUSALEM: The ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas is due to take effect from 8.30 a.m. (0630 GMT) on Sunday, following final approval of the deal by the Israeli government.
Thirty-three of the 98 remaining Israeli hostages, including women, children, men over 50 and ill and wounded captives, are to be freed over the course of the first phase of the ceasefire, due to last six weeks. Israel believes most are still alive but has received no confirmation from Hamas.
In return, Israel will release almost 2,000 Palestinians from its jails.
They include 737 male, female and teen-aged prisoners, some of whom are members of militant groups convicted of attacks that killed dozens of Israelis, as well as of 1,167 Palestinians detained in Gaza since the start of the war and held in Israel.
Israel’s Justice Ministry published their details early on Saturday, along with the ceasefire agreement, which said 30 Palestinian prisoners would be released for each female hostage on Sunday.
During the first phase of the ceasefire, the Israeli army will pull back from some of its positions in Gaza and Palestinians displaced from areas in northern Gaza will be allowed to return.
A second phase, exchanging the remaining hostages and completing the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza is expected to follow, depending on the results of negotiations, which will begin 16 days from the start of the ceasefire.

HOSTAGE AND PRISONER HANDOVER
On Sunday after 4 p.m. (1400 GMT), Israel will hand over 95 Palestinian prisoners and will receive three hostages in exchange. The prisoners to be released on the first day of the ceasefire do not include any prominent detainees, and many were recently detained and not tried or convicted.
The identity of the three hostages to be handed over is not yet known. The military says it will publish the names once they have received the hostages.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN THEY ARE HANDED OVER?
The hostages will be handed by Hamas to Red Cross officials who will take them to the Israeli military in Gaza. The military has set up three locations near the northern, central and southern edges of Gaza in Erez, Re’im and Kerem Shalom to take charge of the hostages, according to the route they take out.
The hostages will be met there by medical staff, welfare specialists and psychologists to help with the initial transition before they are reunited with their families.
They will be taken by vehicle or helicopter to specialized facilities set up to receive them and help them adjust to returning from the trauma of 15 months in captivity. They will be kept away from the press and will receive medical and psychological support.

 

 


Hundreds rally in Tunisia to demand release of Saied critic

Hundreds rally in Tunisia to demand release of Saied critic
Updated 19 January 2025

Hundreds rally in Tunisia to demand release of Saied critic

Hundreds rally in Tunisia to demand release of Saied critic
  • Moussi, who had hoped to run in last year’s presidential election, stands accused of charges including “seeking to change the form of the state”

TUNIS: Hundreds demonstrated in the Tunisian capital on Saturday calling for the release of Abir Moussi, a critic of President Kais Saied jailed for more than a year.
The demonstrators shouted “freedom for Abir” and “we are opponents, not traitors” at the gathering in central Tunis, AFP journalists reported.
Moussi, 49, heads the Free Destourian Party, which critics accuse of seeking to restore the iron-fisted rule that Tunisians overthrew in the Arab Spring protests of 2011.
She has been in custody since her arrest in October 2023 outside the presidential palace where her party says she was seeking to lodge appeals against Saied’s decrees.
Moussi, who had hoped to run in last year’s presidential election, stands accused of charges including “seeking to change the form of the state.”
Saied was elected in 2019 but launched a sweeping power grab in 2021 and has since effectively ruled by decree.
In October, he was re-elected in a landslide after his main opponents were jailed.
Moussi was sentenced to 16 months in prison in November on charges of spreading “false news” after she criticized the electoral authority.
A leading figure in her party, Thameur Saad, said on Saturday that her conviction “is not worthy of a country that calls itself democratic.”