NIGERIA

‘This Is Very Unfortunate’ – Witches, Wizards Predict Melaye, Uzodimma, Sylva’s Fate In Nov 11 Guber Polls

 1 day ago



Ahead of the November 11 gubernatorial elections, witches and wizards in the country, under the aegis of White Witches and Wizards of Nigeria (WWAWAN), have predicted the loss of Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in Kogi State, Dino Melaye, and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Bayelsa, Timipre Sylva.

Naija News reports that the spokesman of WWAWAN, Okhue Iboi, in an interview with journalists in Lagos at the weekend, said the candidates will fail woefully at the polls if they fail to heed wise counsel.

In the Imo election, Iboi said the fight would be between the candidates of the Labour Party (LP), Athan Achonu, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Samuel Anyanwu, contrary to speculations that the incumbency factor will favour Governor Uzodimma’s second term bid.

He said Uzodinma is terribly hated by his people, and it is widely believed that he was the brain behind the spate of killings perpetrated by the unknown gunmen and the destruction of the properties in the state.

Therefore, he charged security operatives to tighten security in the politically charged and volatile state to avert a bloodbath during the poll.

He said, “When we met in the coven to review the three off-cycle governorship elections, we examined all the political parties and their candidates and their chances of winning the election. We noticed that Uzodimma is terribly hated by his people. Also remember that he’s governor not by popular will, but by legal technicalities of the Supreme Court. To date, his people derisively refer to him as Supreme Court Governor. The senseless killing in the state is another albatross he is carrying. His people thought that he is the brain behind the spate of killings perpetrated by Unknown Gunmen (UGM) and destruction of property of the people. So, the people believe he is their sponsor. This is very unfortunate anyway, but that is what we saw in the coven.”

Speaking on Kogi State, he said the election is between the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and PDP, stressing that Governor Yahaya Bello had already lost over failure to field his deputy to succeed him.

He declared, “The Social Democratic Party (SDP) is as strong as the APC and PDP in the state. When we met in Idah, Okenne, Ankpa, and other parts of the state, Governor Yahaya Bello’s candidate would have won easily in the state, but he appeared to have shot himself in the foot by listening to wrong advice.

“The people that advised him not to field his deputy will cost him the election victory in the state. When we got to the coven, we were told that all his strategies of destabilizing the election by fomenting trouble would not fetch him victory. There will be a bloodbath in Kogi, but Bello will still lose the election. So, we saw the election is between PDP and SDP.

“For Dino Melaye, he’s very recalcitrant. We’ve invited him a couple of times for a strategic meeting, but you know, pride goes before a fall. His vain pomposity will be his undoing. And if he fails to heed our call, he will be shell-shocked about the outcome of the election.

“Governor Bello has already lost out of favour with his people by not fielding his deputy governor to succeed him, but preferring to field his brother.”

On Bayelsa State, Iboi said that the former State governor, Sylva, would not go anywhere in the election.

He said, “Recall that I had in a statement predicted that he would suffer a setback in his candidacy for the ruling APC. Now, he is fighting the battle of his life to retain the candidacy of the party, which the court had taken away from him. If he gets it, we don’t see him going far with it”

GHANA

The story of how infamous witch-doctor

 Dr. Beckley demanded compensation

 from Kufuor government

General News of Saturday, 28 October 2023

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Dr. Beckley's name still resonates bad memories in the minds of many Ghanaians

In September 2002, notorious witch-doctor, Dr Sri Ram Yogi Beckley appealed to President John Agyekum Kufuor for the government compensate him for the destruction of his property which he claimed was worth 50 million old cedis.

Dr Beckley’s home at Gbawe in Accra were reportedly burned down by an angry mob home after a search carried out on his home discovered school uniforms, human skulls of alleged kidnapped victims who were said to have been used for rituals.

According to the September 11, 2002 edition of the GhanaianTimes newspaper, Beckley said following the destruction of his property, he along with and his family were now homeless and were putting up with friends.

He told the newspaper that government must bring to book the police for instigating the damage that was visited on his property at Gbawe adding that the police stood by and looked on while the irate mob looted his house and set it ablaze.

Beckley also claimed he was wrongly detained by the police for no crime committed and indicated that President Kufuor’s government must compensate him due to the situation.

Beckley further told the paper that he had spent months behind bars at the James Fort Prison only to be released on a bail of 5 million cedis and a surety.

“Eventually I am not yet acquitted and discharged formally by the court, I promised to seek redress for any property that I toiled for all these years,” Dr Beckley said pointing out that the perpetrators of the arson attack must face justice.

“While I was in custody, the police took no action to prevent the mob from destroying my house and cars including various sums of local and foreign currencies”, he added.

When asked whether he intended to seek further redress if the government failed to compensate him, Dr Beckley told GhanaianTimes “I shall leave everything to God should my effort yield no results”.

Beckley, who earned himself a bad reputation in the 1990s was said to have been surrounded by very high walls at his residence that no one could see inside.

It was then alleged that he kidnapped young school children and women to sacrifice them to his gods as part of rituals.

The witch doctor was also reported to have inflicted rather gruesome actions on his victims who either had a difficult time getting away from his grips or gave up the ghost.

This forced residents in the community where he lived to launch attacks on his residence, resulting in his arrest.

Details as to how Dr. Beckley's life came to an end remain scanty but it is said that one of his homes in Accra is now a place of worship for a church and a prayer camp.

MA/KPE

Nottingham ice hockey player dies after ‘throat slashed by skate’ during match

Craig Munro and Josh MiltonSunday 29 Oct 2023 

Adam Johnson had previously played in the NHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins (Picture: AP; YappApp)

An ‘incredible’ ice hockey player has died after his throat appeared to be slashed by a skate during a match in Sheffield.

Adam Johnson, a player for the Nottingham Panthers, was rushed off the rink and the team’s game against the Sheffield Steelers was abandoned following the incident on Saturday.

His mother and team confirmed news of the 29-year-old’s death this morning on social media, touching off a wave of tributes across ice hockey.

Susan ‘Kari’ Johnson, who had for years shared footage of her ‘boy’ in the rink on Facebook, posted: ‘I lost half of my heart today. Love you always, Munch.’

The Nottingham Panthers, a British professional ice hockey club and member of the Elite Ice Hockey League, added that the team is ‘truly devastated to announce that Adam Johnson has tragically passed away following a freak accident at the game in Sheffield last night’.

‘The Panthers would like to send our thoughts and condolences to Adam’s family, his partner, and all his friends at this extremely difficult time,’ the team said on X.

‘Everyone at the club including players, staff, management, and ownership are heartbroken at the news of Adam’s passing.’

The Nottingham Panthers thanked emergency services for their efforts ‘in the most testing of circumstances’.

‘Adam, our number 47, was not only an outstanding ice hockey player but also a great teammate and an incredible person with his whole life ahead of him. The Club will dearly miss him and will never ever forget him,’ the statement added.

The Elite Ice Hockey League added in a statement on X: ‘The Elite Ice Hockey League is heartbroken to confirm that Nottingham Panthers forward Adam Johnson sadly passed away following a freak accident in Saturday’s game between Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham Panthers.’

Johnson, from Minnesota, was taken to Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital (Picture: Leon McGowran)

Adam Johnson seen during the match against Sheffield Steelers, moments before the ‘freak accident’

Leeds Knights, an ice hockey team in the West Yorkshire city of the same name, also paid tribute to Johnson.

‘Our thoughts are with his family, friends, teammates and everyone involved last night, RIP Adam,’ it said in a post on X.

Johnson, who previously played for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL, took the brunt of a tackle aimed at one of his team-mates, according to footage of the collision.

Traumatised fans at the Utilita Arena Sheffield – where around 8,000 people had gathered to watch the match – wrote on social media that the injury was the ‘stuff of nightmares.’

One woman wrote: ‘That was undoubtedly the worst thing I’ve ever seen happen, I’m so sorry.’

Adam Johnson scored a goal for the Pittsburgh Penguins (Picture: Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Another wrote: ‘This Adam Johnson situation breaks my heart. The fact neck guards aren’t 100% required everywhere is insane.’

A number of users criticised people sharing the video of the incident, with some attempting to drown out the footage with a clip of Johnson’s first goal for the NHL.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service was called to the scene at around 8.20pm yesterday, sending two ambulances and a critical care paramedic.

The Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, which is the home rink of the Panthers, wrote on social media: ‘Our heartfelt thoughts go out to Adam Johnson, his loved ones, all the Panthers players, staff, fans and the whole ice hockey community, following his horrific injury this evening.’

Police investigate ice hockey

player’s death after throat cut by

opponent’s blade

By Tom Morgan
October 30, 2023 

Police are investigating the horrific death of an ice hockey player whose throat was slashed by an opponent’s stray boot blade during a game in Sheffield.

Adam Johnson, of Nottingham Panthers, was struck in the neck by Sheffield Steelers’ Matt Petgrave, who appeared to lose his footing after tripping in a prior collision.


Ice hockey player killed in freak accident

An American ice hockey player died when an opponent's blade made contact with his neck during a game.

As thousands of traumatised spectators looked on, teammates formed a ring around Johnson on the ice in the immediate aftermath before protective screens were raised. Johnson had come into contact with Petgrave’s raised left leg in a coming together near the centre line.

Seasoned observers say the kick was unintentional and a host of figures in the game sent messages of support to Petgrave.

However, South Yorkshire Police confirmed in a statement on Sunday that officers are trying to piece together exactly what happened in an incident described as “freak” by Johnson’s club.

“Our officers remain at the scene carrying out inquiries today and our investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident remain ongoing,” the force said.

Spectators at the Utilita Arena had been left in tears as Johnson was seen with blood pouring down his jersey before skating away and subsequently collapsing. On Sunday, Johnson’s mother Kari announced on Facebook that she had lost “half of my heart” as it was confirmed the American had died, aged 29.


Adam Johnson in action for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2017.CREDIT:AP

His club added in a statement it was “truly devastated to announce that Adam Johnson has tragically passed away following a freak accident at the game in Sheffield”

The game was stopped in the 35th minute as Johnson initially received emergency treatment.

David Simms, the match announcer, posted on X: “Just a horrible night at the arena, tragic. Our thoughts go to Adam’s family, friends and teammates. Nothing can prepare you for something like this. To Steelers fans, we will do everything we can to ensure Matt Petgrave and the team are looked after in the best possible way.”

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He added: “Seeing the players, staff and medical staff from both clubs last night all working together as one was something I will never forget, the effort they all made was outstanding.”

Yorkshire Ambulance Service said it was called about 8.20pm before sending two ambulances and a critical care paramedic. Johnson was later taken to Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital.

Police added later: “We were called at 8.25pm yesterday to reports that a player had been seriously injured during a Sheffield Steelers versus Nottingham Panthers game at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield. Officers attended the scene alongside other emergency services and one man, aged in his 20s, was taken to hospital with serious injuries. Sadly, he was later pronounced deceased at hospital.”

Telegraph, London

Israeli Forces kill Palestinian civilians in Jenin



2023-10-30 00:15

Shafaq News / 

Four individuals lost their lives, and several others sustained injuries during intense confrontations with Israeli military forces in the city of Jenin and its adjacent refugee camp in the West Bank.

Local sources reported that the Israeli forces stormed Jenin with a formidable display of military might, deploying over 100 military vehicles from multiple directions, accompanied by two armored bulldozers. They besieged the vicinity of Ibn Sina Hospital, simultaneously conducting aerial surveillance with an unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, as confirmed by RT station.

These forces strategically positioned snipers on the rooftops of buildings surrounding the hospital.

Additionally, the Israeli forces demolished numerous businesses at the outskirts of the streets. Iconic landmarks such as the Arch Roundabout, a gateway to the camp, and the Martyrs' Roundabout, known as "Al-Hussan," were also razed to the ground.

NGO: More Children’s Deaths in Gaza in 3 Weeks Than Annual Total Since 2019

TEHRAN (FNA)- More children have now been killed in Gaza in the last three weeks than the total killed in conflicts around the world in every year since 2019, the nongovernmental organisation Save the Children said.

Figures released by the NGO on Sunday, referencing Palestinian health authorities, show that at least 3,324 children have been killed in Gaza since October 7, while 36 have died in the West Bank, Al-Jazeera reported.

According to reports from the UN Secretary-General on children and armed conflict, a total of 2,985 children were killed across 24 countries in 2022, 2,515 in 2021, and 2,674 in 2020 across 22 countries, Save the Children said.

“One child’s death is one too many, but these are grave violations of epic proportions,” said Jason Lee, Save the Children’s country director for the occupied Palestinian territory.

“A ceasefire is the only way to ensure their safety. The international community must put people before politics – every day spent debating is leaving children killed and injured. Children must be protected at all times, especially when they are seeking safety in schools and hospitals,” Lee added.

The statement comes as Israel pushes forward with expanded ground operations inside Gaza as heavy aerial bombardment continues. On Friday, the entire Gaza Strip experienced a near-total communication blackout in what emerging accounts have described as a night of sheer terror and some of the heaviest fighting since the war began.

A further 1,000 children have been reported missing in Gaza and may be under the rubble. Children make up more than 40 percent of the more than 8,000 people confirmed to have been killed in Gaza. More than 6,000 children have been injured in Gaza since the war began.

Overall, at least 1,400 Israelis and foreign nationals have also been killed in Israel, mostly in the surprise attack by Hamas on October 7.

Israel has imposed a total siege on the Gaza Strip, tightening the blockade enforced since 2007, cutting all supplies of food, electricity, fuel and water, and only allowing small amounts of aid in through the Rafah crossing with Egypt since October 21.

The lack of electricity as well as the scarcity of fuel to power generators has forced hospitals to cut down on their operations and the health ministry declared Gaza’s health system in a state of “complete collapse”, further endangering the lives of children, including babies in need of energy-intensive neonatal intensive care.

On Sunday, the Israeli military stepped up attacks close to Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City, after ordering its “immediate” evacuation.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) on Sunday said it has received “serious threats” from Israeli forces to “immediately evacuate” the Al-Quds Hospital in the Tal Al-Hawa area of Gaza City. Attacks in the vicinity of the hospital continued throughout the day.

Al-Jazeera has spoken to the director of the hospital, who says there is no reason for Israel to be targeting the facility or the areas nearby.

“There’s no police presence in the hospital, no military presence, nothing at all. Just thousands of Palestinians here, many of whom have lost their homes. Thousands of others are seeking shelter in UNRWA schools,” he said.

“Israel is targeting every single building around Al-Quds Hospital. Why is that? Nobody knows,” he added.

The PRCS has reported that the hospital is currently providing care to hundreds of injured patients. Around 12,000 displaced civilians, with a majority being children and women, have also sought refuge in the hospital building.

“We reiterate – it’s impossible to evacuate hospitals full of patients without endangering their lives,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director of the World Health Organization (WHO), said on X.

Palestinians have blamed Israel for an explosion at Al-Ahli Arab Hospital that killed nearly 500 people on October 17. Israel has denied being responsible.

What are Israel and Hamas working with in the face of brutal Gaza urban warfare?

By Annika Burgess

ABC NEWS.AU
Hamas are capable of leveraging guerrilla warfare tactics that could make any ground assault dangerous for Israeli troops.(AP: Hatem Moussa)

A ground operation in Gaza was considered to be a high cost, low reward scenario for Israel.

It is expected to escalate and prolong the war, make it much more devastating for both sides, and result in mass civilian casualties.

"There is no good ground option in Gaza. Period. Full-stop," Raphael Cohen, the head of US think tank RAND's Project Air Force, said.

"It will be very, very messy and bloody."
Hamas arsenal includes assault rifles, heavy machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades.(Reuters: Ibraheem Abu Mustafa)

Israel has one of the most technologically advanced militaries in the world.

It has spent decades painstakingly developing its defence capabilities, and has access to the best of the best US weapons systems.

The United States also provides Israel with around $US3.8 billion ($5.9 billion) a year in military aid.

In contrast, Hamas militants are heavily armed and have received weapons and technology assistance from Iran, "but it's pretty basic stuff," Marcus Hellyer, head of research at Strategic Analysis Australia, said.

But while Israel may have advanced technologies, thousands of tanks and sophisticated fighter jets, urban warfare can completely change the dynamic.

"Urban combat is the great leveller," Dr Hellyer said.

"Hamas is forcing Israel to fight the way Hamas wants."

Hamas militants broke through Israel-Gaza border fence in its attack on October 7.(Reuters: Mohammed Fayq Abu Mostafa)

Already, we've seen Hamas taking an asymmetric, unconventional approach, flying over fences fitted with advanced sensors using paragliders, and bulldozing through the border fence.

On the ground in Gaza, analysts expect rapid improvisation and adaptation will play a big role, and it will come down to old-fashioned "messy" fighting between Hamas militants and Israeli defence forces.

So what are both sides working with?

Comparing numbers

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not used the word invasion, but said the ground operation in the territory is the "second stage" of what will be a "long and difficult" war with Hamas.

History will judge Netanyahu on his choice

Israel is preparing to carry out a ground operation with a mission to "destroy Hamas". But what then? What is the political reality and make-up of Gaza and what would it look like without Hamas?

There has been no word on how many ground troops might enter Gaza, but Israel Defense Force (IDF) spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, on Sunday said they were "gradually expanding the ground activity and the scope of our forces in the Gaza Strip".

Ahead of the ground operation, the Israeli military called up around 360,000 reservists — on top of some 170,000 active defence force personnel.

In comparison, when Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine, he amassed about 100,000 troops along the border.

Israel says Hamas has some 30,000 fighters.

They generally get around in utility vehicles and motorbikes with machine guns and small arms.

Meanwhile, Israel has armoured personnel carriers and around 1,700 combat-ready tanks to support any street-to-street battles.

But in a densely-populated environment like Gaza, where threats are harder to detect, size may not always be what matters.
Israeli tanks were lined up near the Gaza Strip border in preparation for the ground offensive. (AP: Ohad Zwigenberg)

Often, close-quarter settings can favour guerilla groups.

Dr Hellyer believes Hamas aimed to goad the IDF into ground fighting.

"One of the things we see from urban conflict is that the defenders can continue to operate in incomplete rubble," he told the ABC.

"If you look at any kind of urban fight, the defenders can hang on for a really, really long time, and all the time inflicting casualties."
Tanks versus drones

The Israeli military used to be known as "the masters of armoured combat," Dr Hellyer said.

Their Merkava main battle tanks are the backbone of the IDF's Armored Corps and considered among the best in the world.

It is similar to the German Leopard 2 tank which became highly sought after in Ukraine.

But a tank is best when it is shooting a target several kilometres away.

And when you bring them into a city, all aspects of a tank can be threatened — especially by drones.

Palestinians wave their national flag by a destroyed Israeli tank at the southern Gaza Strip fence.(AP: Yousef Masoud)

"We will see very quickly what we have already seen in Ukraine, and that is that Hamas will weaponise stock-standard commercial drones," Dr Hellyer said.

"You can simply attach the warhead of a rocket launcher — which exist in hundreds of thousands across the Middle East — and fly it into an armoured vehicle."

The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), a military and geopolitical research institute, said videos have shown quadcopter-dropped munitions destroying an Israeli Merkava tank.

Hamas has likely stockpiled large amounts of drones, both developing them independently and with assistance from Iran, analysts say.

A video the militant group released after its October 7 attacks also showed it has larger drones similar to the Iranian ones used by Russian forces in Ukraine.

An Israeli soldier launches a remote-controlled drone as Israeli soldiers patrol near Israel's border with Lebanon.(Reuters: Ammar Awad)

As one of the world's leading unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) users and manufacturers, Israel has its own vast drone capabilities — for surveillance and combat.

It also has sophisticated counter-drone technology, but urban environments also make them more difficult to use.
Rockets and missiles

In past conflicts, Hamas militants have defended Gaza using rockets, mortars, anti-tank guided missiles, and rocket-propelled grenades.

On Sunday, Hamas said it had been firing mortars against Israeli forces in north Gaza and had hit Israeli tanks with missiles.

WATCH

Duration: 1 minute 26 seconds

Israel is at war with Hamas. Here's what we know about the militant group.

Israeli intelligence estimates the total number of rockets available in Gaza was around 30,000, including some with a range of about 250 kilometres.

While Iran and Syria have smuggled rockets to Gaza in the past, many now appear to have been locally produced, Jean-Loup Samaan, a senior research fellow at the University of Singapore's Middle East Institute, said.

"The less sophisticated rockets you don't need Iranian support," Dr Samaan told the ABC.


"The big unknown is how many rockets and drones Hamas may have in storage."
A perfume container representing rockets used against Israel at a shop in Gaza City.(AP: Fatima Shbair)

Ali Baraka, head of Hamas National Relations Abroad, said in an interview with Russia Today's Arabic news channel RTArabic that the militant group has been preparing for two years.

"We have local factories for everything. We have rockets with ranges of 250km, 160km, 80km, 45km, and 10km," he was quoted as saying.

"We have factories for mortars and their shells … We have factories for Kalashnikovs and their bullets."

Hamas has also been known to use a wide-range of anti-tank guided missiles, including the Soviet Malyutkas and Konkurs.

There are now "Iranian knock-off versions of those Russian systems," Dr Hellyer said, which the group likely has access to.

Israel's Iron Dome was designed to respond to short-range rockets and missiles from Gaza and southern Lebanon.(Reuters: Amir Cohen)

Hamas claimed it fired around 5,000 rockets in 20 minutes in its October 7 attack, which is almost more than the amount used in the 11-day Gaza conflict in 2021.

What is Israel's Iron Dome?


Did Israel's Iron Dome fail over the weekend, and will it be able to hold up if the situation in the Middle East continues to escalate?

Although most were intercepted, the mass attack saturated Israel's Iron Dome air defence system with several rockets getting through.

Several thousand rockets are reported to have been fired towards Israel since the conflict broke out.

"The issue becomes how much of that is left, because the moment Hamas loses its firepower it will lose its edge," Dr Samaan said.

If the Iran-backed Hezbollah gets involved — the militant Shia Muslim group based in Lebanon — then Israel will be facing much larger bombardments with much more sophisticated missiles.

Hezbollah is believed to have around 100,000 rockets and missiles of various types.
Read more about the Israel-Gaza war:LATEST UPDATES: Israel releases images of tanks in Gaza, says call to evacuate southward now 'urgent'
ANALYSIS: A confronting question that needs an answer: Is the killing of almost 1,000 children a week self-defence?
Satellite images show parts of Gaza now a wasteland after weeks of bombardment
Tunnels and 'human shields'

In terms of air power, the IDF has around 300 fighter ground attack jets.

To defeat Hamas, the Israeli military will have to conquer tunnels they call the 'Gaza metro'


An Israeli invasion of Gaza will face an enemy that has built a formidable armoury, dug a vast tunnel network to evade attackers and shown in past ground wars it can exact a heavier toll on Israeli troops each time.


In the lead-up to the ground operation, Mr Netanyahu boasted about "raining down hellfire on Hamas" and killing "thousands of terrorists" in its aerial strikes.

The IDF also claimed its fighter jets struck multiple Hamas command centres in Gaza.

Now to reach militants, soldiers will need to go door-to-door — or underground.

Hamas has spent around 15 years building a warren of tunnels that runs underneath much of Gaza, which Israeli troops call the "Gaza Metro".

If the IDF wants to destroy Hamas, they will need to fight militants in their vast network of tunnels, Mr Cohen said.

"Hamas knows this and would have been working presumably on booby-traps and the like," he said in a media call.


"Also operating underground means that it negates some of Israel's technological supremacy, particularly its air power."

Israel has a small number of GBU-28 "bunker buster" bombs, which Dr Samaan said could prove useful to destroy Hamas tunnels.

They are designed to penetrate targets deep underground and have been used by the US in operations against Al Qaeda in Afghanistan.
A ground offensive into Gaza means Israeli forces will face a vast tunnel network under the Gaza Strip used by Hamas to evade attackers.(Reuters: Jack Guez/Pool)

The IDF have in the past alleged that Hamas uses the tunnels as weapons caches, bunkers, command centres and a concealed transportation artery for terrorists and weapons, including rocket launchers.

It is also suspected that many hostages are also located in the tunnels.

"It's likely Hamas will distribute hostages and put them in strategically important places for Hamas, and essentially use them as human shields," Dr Hellyer said.

The relatives of missing Israelis are fearful for their loved ones.(AP: Maya Alleruzzo)
How dirty could it get?

Already thousands of Gazans are believed to have died in the intense aerial bombardments Israel launched in the wake of the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7.

Israel says 1,400 people, mainly civilians, were killed in the militants' cross-border rampage and more than 200 were taken hostage.

By putting boots on the ground, Mr Netanyahu believes Israel will be able to "eradicate Hamas" and bring home the remaining civilians being held captive.

But eradicating Hamas might not be possible, and the high civilian and troop casualties will likely further fuel the criticisms already being directed at Israel.

"The price of victory against Hamas will be very high … There's not a lot of good options for Israel here, other than expressing rage," Dr Hellyer said.
Thousands have already been killed on both sides in the war and entire Gaza neighbourhoods destroyed.(AP: Hatem Moussa)

Israel is known to have weapons such as cluster bombs, which pose a high risk to civilians, and has also long maintained an undeclared nuclear weapons program.

But Dr Hellyer said it's unlikely there will be that level of escalation.

Israel has been accused of using white phosphorus bombs in recent military operations in Gaza and Lebanon which can inflict "excruciating burns and lifelong suffering," on civilians, Human Rights Watch said in a statement.

But the IDF has denied the claims, saying it was "unequivocally false".

"Everybody's going to have their view on whether Israel is doing everything it can to avoid civilian casualties," Dr Hellyer said.

But regardless of what's used in an expanded ground operation, in the small enclave that was home to 2.1 million people, "there will inevitably be major civilian casualties".

WATCH

Duration: 4 minutes 4 seconds

Why are Israel and Hamas fighting?

 LA REVUE GAUCHE - Left Comment: Search results for PERMANENT ARMS ECONOMY 

 

Hundreds rally in Warsaw in support of Palestine, denounce Israeli attacks on Gaza

Protesters raise their voices against violence and call for swift resolution to crisis

Murat Temizer |30.10.2023 -

Pro-Palestinian demonstration in Poland

WARSAW

Hundreds of protesters gathered in the Polish capital Warsaw's Old Town Square on Sunday in a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people and to strongly denounce Israel's attacks on Gaza

Amid the square’s historical cobblestone streets and centuries-old architecture, demonstrators from diverse backgrounds and affiliations came together to express their support for Palestine.

They raised their voices against the ongoing violence and called for a swift resolution to the crisis.

Throughout the protest, the atmosphere was charged with passionate chants, with banners and placards bearing slogans such as "Freedom for Palestine," "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," and "Stop the genocide in Gaza."

"There is torture and death in Palestine. A solution should be found as soon as possible," Rafal, a Polish citizen who took part in the protest, told Anadolu.

Malgorzata, another protester, said: "Stop the genocide. Take swift action. Enough is enough."

Israel has heavily bombarded Gaza since Oct. 7, when the Palestinian group Hamas carried out a cross-border attack.

The number of Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza has risen to 8,005, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women and 460 elderly people, according to the Health Ministry.

More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed in the conflict.

Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari announced Saturday that Israeli forces were expanding their operations and moving to the "next phase of our war against Hamas," which includes ground operations.

Gaza's 2.3 million residents are meanwhile grappling with shortages of food, water, fuel and medicine due to Israel’s blockade of the enclave.

Crowd storms Dagestan airport in Russia after arrival of Israel flight

About 20 people injured after hundreds search for Israeli passengers


Hundreds of protesters stormed the main airport in Russia's Dagestan region to protest against the arrival of a flight from Tel Aviv. AP


The National

Oct 29, 2023

Russian authorities said the main airport in the Dagestan region is “provisionally closed” until November 6 after it was stormed by hundreds of people following reports that a flight from Israel had arrived.

Footage showed a large crowd of people inside the airport, with some holding Palestinian flags.

Other videos showed protesters storming one plane with at least one jumping on the wing looking for passengers, Russian media reported.

People were also heard searching shouting anti-Semitic phrases and examining the passengers' passports, AP reported.

The plane's identification number showed that the Russian carrier Red Wings had arrived from Tel Aviv at 7.17pm, according to flight-tracker FlightRadar24.

The incident occurred at an airport in Makhachkala, the capital city of the predominantly Muslim Caucasus.

Rosaviatsia, Russia's aviation authority, said the group had been removed from the airport by 10.20pm local time. Russia's Investigative Committee says it has ordered a criminal investigation into the incident.

About 20 people were injured, with two in critical condition, the Dagestan Ministry of Health said. Police and protesters were among those injured.

The Dagestani government urged its citizens to react to “the current situation in the world with understanding”.

“Federal authorities and international organisations are making every effort to bring about a ceasefire against Gaza civilians … we urge residents of the republic not to succumb to the provocations of destructive groups and not to create panic in society,” it wrote on Telegram.

READ MORE

Palestinian students evacuated from Israeli dormitories as crowds chant 'Death to Arabs'

Dagestan Governor Sergei Melikov said the storming of the airport was a “gross violation of the law” and that those found responsible will face consequences.

“All Dagestanis empathise with the suffering of victims of the actions of unrighteous people and politicians pray for peace in Palestine,” he wrote on Telegram.

“But what happened at our airport is outrageous and should receive an appropriate assessment from law enforcement agencies. And this will definitely be done.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the country's ambassador is working with Russian authorities to protect the well-being of Jewish people and Israeli citizens.

“The State of Israel views with utmost gravity attempts to harm Israeli citizens and Jews anywhere,” Mr Netanyahu's office said on X.

Dagestani demonstrators storm Dagestan's airport, attack plane coming from Tel Aviv

Dagestani demonstrators storm Dagestan's airport, attack plane coming from Tel Aviv

[30/October/2023]

MAKHACHKALA October 30. 2023 (Saba) - Demonstrators have stormed an airport in Dagestan after a plane coming from Tel Aviv in protest against the Zionist aggression against the Gaza Strip.

Agence France-Presse said on Sunday “The authorities in Makhachkala, the capital of the republic of Dagestan which is a Muslim majority, closed the airport to air traffic, after dozens of demonstrators stormed the airport following reports of the landing of a plane coming from Israel.”

The demonstrators who denounced the Zionist attacks on Gaza entered the passenger building, reached the airport runway, and crossed the barriers in hopes that searching departing cars in search of Zionist passengers, according to video clips broadcast by the Russian Izvestia agency and RT channel and circulated on social media.

The Russian Aviation Agency announced that “following the raid by unidentified persons into the navigation area at Makhachkala Airport, the decision was taken to temporarily close it to arrival and take-off flights,” confirming that security forces had arrived at the location.

In turn, Reuters news agency quoted the aviation agency as saying all planes heading to Makhachkala in Dagestan were diverted to other airports.

Several Arab and international cities and capitals have witnessed demonstrations and marches for 23 days denouncing the brutal Zionist attack on the Gaza Strip.
H.H

resource : Saba