Another part of the tragic conflict in the Middle East. As a result of the Israeli air attack on a building in the north of Gaza, more than 90 people were killed. Israel says there should have been no civilians there. The Knesset passed a law banning UNRWA from operating in Israel and the occupied territories. There is also an exchange of fire between the Israeli army and Hezbollah, which is firing from Lebanon. This organization has just elected its new leader.
After Israeli forces stormed a multi-story building in Beit Lahiya in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, residents search through the rubble, but find no survivors. They are collecting the bodies of, according to the Palestinians, more than 90 victims of Israeli airstrikes, including more than 20 children.
– This building had four floors and dozens of homeless people lived in it. Ismail Waida, a witness to the Israeli attack, says it was bombed without prior warning.
The Israeli military claims it carried out the attack on a “suspected terrorist” and is investigating why so many civilians were in the area at the time. The area had previously been evacuated and was an active war zone. And in a briefing last week, an Israeli general openly admitted that, to his knowledge, Beit Lahiya no longer has a population. However, the photos show otherwise.
– This is a terrible attack with terrible consequences. Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the US State Department, said that he could not confirm the total number of dead, but many children were reported to have died.
“Call the ambulance, give us an ambulance”
Rescuers cannot reach this part of northern Gaza, because it has been under siege for almost a month by the Israeli army, which is trying to prevent the gathering of Hamas terrorists in these areas.
– Call an ambulance, give us emergency help, – said one of the boys who lives in the north of Gaza, in the CNN material.
The third attack on Beit Lahija took place a week after the Israeli parliament passed a law banning the activities of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees – UNRWA – in the country and the territories under its control.
– This is a program that was completely taken over by the terrorist organization Hamas. Sharren Haskell, a co-author of the bill, says he took control of UN facilities: schools, hospitals and clinics to use them as military bases, hide ammunition, missiles and carry out terrorist acts from them.
The Israelis also cite a UN investigation that nine UNRWA workers were involved in the October 7 attacks on Israel. These people were dismissed, but thousands of people work in this agency, and practically the entire population of the Gaza Strip, which is now more than two million, depends on its assistance. And not only that.
This decision of Israel caused strong protests around the world
– The organization helps about six million Palestinian refugees in the Middle East, mainly in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and provides them with everything from health services and shelter to food and education, – notes CNN's Matthew Chance.
This decision of Israel caused a strong protest not only by the organization itself, but also by other aid organizations operating under the UN agency.
– If UNRWA fails to act, we will likely see the collapse of the humanitarian system in Gaza. This sudden decision means there is a new way to kill children, says James Elder, a spokesman for UNICEF.
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The international community openly called on Israel to cancel this provision, and the Americans warned Benjamin Netanyahu of the possible consequences of his government's actions.
– We have clearly expressed our opposition to this bill. As Secretary Blinken said, there could be consequences under US law and policy for implementing such laws, explains Matthew Miller.
Hezbollah and Israel are exchanging fire
In addition to the Gaza strip, Israel is constantly attacking on the second front. On October 28 alone, according to Beirut authorities, at least 60 people were killed in Israeli attacks in eastern Lebanon. However, a visibly weakened Hezbollah continues to attack Israel, and on October 29, the group appointed Naim Kassim, the group's deputy secretary and spokesman for more than 30 years, as its new leader.
Israel fired again at UN peacekeeping forces in Lebanon. “Such actions are unacceptable” Maciej Woroch/Fakty TVN
– I would like to reassure everyone: contrary to what the enemy claims, we still have a large capacity and arsenal, – said Naim Kassem on October 8.
Israel's defense minister, whose forces have eliminated virtually all of Hezbollah's command in recent weeks, expressed his opinion on the selection of a new leader of the group in one sentence – this is a temporary appointment that will not last long.
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Main photo source: Reuters