JERUSALEM: Israeli jets pounded Hamas positions in Gaza overnight after Palestinians staged a cross-border raid into southern Israel, the military said early Sunday.
“Israel Air Force fighter jets targeted a terror target in a military compound belonging to the Hamas terror organization in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip,” it said in an English-language statement.
A Palestinian security source in the coastal enclave said the planes hit a base of Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, causing damage but no injuries.
The strike on the Strip’s Islamist rulers came after four Palestinians “carrying bottles filled with flammable material” breached Gaza’s border fence on Saturday evening near the kibbutz of Kissufim, Israeli daily Haaretz reported, citing the army.
There, they attempted to torch heavy equipment used for work on the frontier barrier, an army spokeswoman told AFP.
The machinery was damaged but did not catch fire, and the attackers fled back into Gaza, she said.
No casualties were reported.
“The incident that took place yesterday is one of many severe incidents that have taken place in the security fence area,” the statement said.
Israel holds Hamas, which rules Gaza, accountable for all attacks launched from the blockaded coastal territory.
Speaking later Sunday, the head of Israeli military intelligence warned that further such incidents would make things worse for Hamas.
“Hamas is at a low point, suffering severe civilian and infrastructure crises,” Major General Herzl Halevi said at a conference.
“Hamas is running into the arms of Iran and exploiting civilians by sending them to the (security fence that divides Gaza and Israel),” he said.
“Hamas must understand such conduct will only make its situation worse.”
Late Sunday in a sign of heightened tensions, air raid sirens went off in southern Israel after the Iron Dome defense system was activated and launched a number of anti-missile projectiles.
A military spokeswoman told AFP that no projectiles were actually fired at Israel, with the Iron Dome possibly set off by machine gunfire in Gaza.
Last month there was a surge in cross-border violence, seen as among the most serious since Israel and Hamas fought a war in 2014 — their third since 2008.
After a bomb wounded four Israeli soldiers inspecting the border fence on February 17, Israel responded by pounding 18 Hamas facilities in two waves of air strikes.
Israeli ground forces also killed two Palestinian teenagers in cross-border fire.
Israeli warplanes hit Hamas in Gaza: army
Israeli warplanes hit Hamas in Gaza: army
Pakistan says operation launched in southwest against separatists behind August assault
- Outlawed BLA claimed responsibility for string of coordinated attacks on Aug 25-26 in which over 50 people killed
- Former separatist who recently surrendered to authorities addresses press conference but unclear if spoke freely
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has launched an armed operation in its southwestern Balochistan province against separatist militants who were behind multiple attacks in August in which more than 50 people, civilians and security officials, were killed, a senior counterterrorism officer said on Friday.
The outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army group claimed responsibility for the attacks, most of which occurred on the night of Aug. 25-26 and indicated that the BLA, which has targeted security forces for years in small-scale attacks and is allied with the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), is now much more organized.
Speaking to media on Friday, Counterterrorism Department DIG Aitzaz Ahmed Goraya said two militants had been arrested and three killed in an operation over the weekend in connection with investigations into the August attacks. The two arrested militants had provided, among other leads, information on how the attacks were planned and carried out, where the funding came from, who the local facilitators of the insurgents were and where their hideouts in the mountains of Balochistan were located, Goraya said.
“Now as I speak to you, based on the information, an operation has been launched since the last two days in Duki, Loralai and surrounding districts in which Frontier Corps, CTD, Levies, police and others are taking part,” the CTD official told reporters.
The press conference was also addressed by a Baloch man who identified himself as Talal Aziz and said he had surrendered to authorities after a brief stint as a separatist.
He did not specify when he had turned himself in and it was unclear under what circumstances he addressed the press conference and whether he spoke freely or under pressure from state authorities in Balochistan, a resource-rich but impoverished province where separatist militants have been fighting a decades-long insurgency to win secession of the region. Insurgents say they are fighting what they see as the unfair exploitation of the province’s mineral and gas wealth by the federation at the center.
The Pakistani government and military deny they are exploiting Balochistan and have long maintained that neighbors such as India, Afghanistan and Iran foment trouble in the remote province and support and fund the insurgency there.
Pakistan’s largest province, Balochistan borders Iran and Afghanistan and is home to major China-led projects such as a strategic port and a gold and copper mine.
Speaking to media, Aziz said he had studied in Quetta and Sibi before getting a scholarship to pursue higher education at the Punjab University in the eastern city of Lahore, where he met some students from Balochistan.
“They convinced me to take up arms for the independence of Balochistan,” Aziz said, saying that later, when he went back to Balochistan during university holidays, some friends pushed him to attend a protest by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) where he was introduced to some dissidents.
The group says it is a human and ethnic rights movement established in response to alleged state human rights abuses in Balochistan but Pakistan’s government and army have repeatedly called it a “terrorist proxy.”
Aziz said after the BYC sit-in, he became convinced to join militants at their mountain hideouts where he claimed he met many other educated, young people like himself who had been similarly “brainwashed.” There, Aziz said he learnt that the purpose of the Baloch militants was to plot the killings of ethnic Punjabis in Balochistan, who they consider outsiders, and he soon realized that he did not want to be part of any such agenda. He then ran away and surrendered to the authorities.
“These terrorists only wanted to lead Baloch people astray and try to break up Pakistan,” Aziz concluded.
The rise of separatist attacks in bBalochistan poses a major challenge for the weak coalition government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which is battling an economic crisis and political instability as well as a rise in militant violence by both religiously motivated and separatist groups across the country.
Balochistan is also currently in the grips of civil rights protests by young ethnic Baloch who are calling for an end to what they describe as a pattern of enforced disappearances and other human rights abuses by security forces, who deny the charge.
Turkiye, Greece must work together to resolve host of issues, Turkish minister says
- Issues between NATO allies Turkiye and Greece are not limited to disagreements over maritime boundaries and jurisdiction in the eastern Mediterranean
ANKARA: Issues between NATO allies Turkiye and Greece are not limited to disagreements over maritime boundaries and jurisdiction in the eastern Mediterranean, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Friday, adding the historic rivals must work together to resolve them.
Speaking at a press conference in Athens alongside his Greek counterpart, Fidan also repeated Ankara’s view that a federation model to resolve the dispute over the ethnically-split island of Cyprus was no longer viable, calling for a two-state solution.
He also said Turkiye wanted to deepen cooperation with Greece on irregular migration and counter-terrorism, while increasing cooperation on tourism and cultural affairs.
HRW urges immediate action on incendiary weapons amid Gaza, Lebanon wars
- Weaponry ‘among cruelest in modern warfare’: Human Rights Watch
- ‘A complete ban on incendiary weapons would undoubtedly have the greatest humanitarian benefits’
LONDON:Countries must work to prohibit the use of incendiary weapons amid growing evidence of their harm on civilians in Gaza and Lebanon, Human Rights Watch has said.
The organization released a 28-page report examining the recent use of the weaponry, which can inflict “excruciating burns, respiratory damage and psychological trauma.”
The report draws on HRW interviews with survivors of incendiary weapons, medical professionals and members of civil society.
It comes ahead of a UN meeting in Geneva next week of states party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons.
HRW urged those countries to condemn the use of incendiary weapons and commit to redressing two loopholes in the treaty’s Protocol III that undermine the protection of civilians.
Since October 2023, Israel has widely deployed airburst and ground-launched white phosphorus munitions in populated areas of Gaza and Lebanon, photographic evidence has shown.
Bonnie Docherty, senior arms adviser at HRW, said: “Incendiary weapons are being used in several conflicts, endangering civilian lives and livelihoods.
“Governments need to take immediate action to protect civilians, civilian infrastructure and the environment from the horrific effects of these weapons.”
HRW described incendiary munitions as “among the cruelest weapons in modern warfare.” As well as harming people, the weapons also cause socioeconomic and environmental damage by burning homes and crops, it said.
Israel has used white phosphorus munitions, a type of incendiary weapon, in at least 17 Lebanese municipalities, including five cases of illegally deployed airburst weapons over southern Lebanon, between October 2023 and June this year.
CCW Protocol III, signed by 117 countries, contains loopholes permitting white phosphorus and features weaker regulations for ground-launched munitions than air-launched weaponry, HRW said.
Hundreds of Lebanese civilians have been displaced following Israeli white phosphorus attacks, with survivors suffering respiratory damage months after exposure.
Lebanese olive groves, a crucial source of income for many, have also come under attack, with white phosphorus able to start wildfires and cause long-term damage to soil quality.
Internationally, pressure has mounted in recent years to address the proliferation of incendiary weapons.
At the most recent CCW meeting last November, more than 100 countries condemned the humanitarian consequences of the weaponry.
HRW urged countries at next week’s Geneva meeting to “initiate informal consultations” that address the loopholes in Protocol III.
Docherty said: “Governments should seize the moment to reiterate their concerns about incendiary weapons and discuss ways to strengthen the law to better protect civilians.
“A complete ban on incendiary weapons would undoubtedly have the greatest humanitarian benefits.”
Israel must comply with ICJ measures to prevent genocide: UN human rights chief
- Volker Turk’s office publishes report covering violations between November 2023, April 2024
- UN Human Rights Office: Almost 70% of fatalities in Gaza are children, women
NEW YORK: The UN high commissioner for human rights on Friday called on Israel to “fully and immediately” comply with the provisional measures issued in January by the International Court of Justice demanding action to prevent a genocide from being perpetrated against the Palestinians.
Volker Turk also called on states to honor their obligations under international law and “assess arms sales or transfers and provision of military, logistical or financial support to a party to the conflict, with a view to ending such support if this risks serious violations of international law.”
His warning comes as a new report by his office, published on Friday, warned that “if committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, (Israel’s violations) may constitute genocide.”
In January, after considering an original case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide, the ICJ issued a ruling that included provisional measures ordering Israel to take action to prevent and punish the commission of, or the incitement to commit, genocide; to halt the indiscriminate killing of Palestinians; and to immediately facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.
Turk said Israel’s compliance with the ICJ ruling is now “even more critical and urgent” in light of the new report, which details “the horrific reality that has unfolded for the people of Israel and Gaza since 7 October 2023,” and concludes by demanding justice with respect to the grave violations of international law that have been committed.
The ICJ measures are also more pertinent than ever given the most recent events, Turk said, including Israel’s operations in northern Gaza and its adoption of legislation banning the main UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees from operating in Israel and occupied East Jerusalem.
“It is essential that there is due reckoning with respect to the allegations of serious violations of international law through credible and impartial judicial bodies and that, in the meantime, all relevant information and evidence are collected and preserved,” said Turk.
The new report covers violations that occurred from November 2023 to April 2024, including the killing of civilians and breaches of international law that it said could amount to war crimes.
“If committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against a civilian population, further to a State or organizational policy, these violations may constitute crimes against humanity,” the report says.
Turk urged support for the work of accountability mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court, in relation to the conflict in Gaza, for the exercise of universal jurisdiction to investigate and try crimes under international law in national courts, and for compliance with extradition requests of suspects of such crimes to countries where they would receive a fair trial.
The report highlights repeated statements from Israeli officials calling for Gaza’s entire destruction and the exodus of its people.
It documents Israel’s efforts to “rationalize discrimination, hostility and violence towards, and even the elimination of, Palestinians.”
The report underscores how civilians have borne the brunt of the attacks, including through the initial “complete siege” of Gaza, as well as Israel’s continuing “unlawful failures” to allow the entry of humanitarian aid, the destruction of civilian infrastructure, and mass displacement of Palestinians.
“This conduct by Israeli Forces has caused unprecedented levels of killings, death, injury, starvation, illness and disease,” the reports says, adding that Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups have also committed serious violations of international law on a wide scale
“The rules of war, in force now for 160 years, were designed to limit and prevent human suffering in times of armed conflict,” Turk said.
“Their wanton disregard has led to the current extremes of human suffering which we continue to see today.
“It seems inconceivable that the parties to the conflict refuse to apply universally accepted and binding norms developed to preserve the very bare minimum of humanity.”
The UN Human Rights Office says close to 70 percent of fatalities in Gaza are children and women, indicating “a systematic violation of the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law, including distinction and proportionality.”
The continuation of these attacks “demonstrates an apparent indifference to the death of civilians and the impact of the means and methods of warfare selected,” the report states.
It also raises concerns over the forcible transfer of Palestinians, attacks on hospitals in “apparent systematic fashion” as well as journalists, and the reported use of white phosphorus munitions.
“Our monitoring indicates that this unprecedented level of killing, and injury of civilians is a direct consequence of the failure to comply with fundamental principles of international humanitarian law — namely the principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions in attack,” Turk said.
“Tragically, these documented patterns of violations continue unabated, over one year after the start of the war.
“The trends and patterns of violations, and of applicable international law as clarified by the International Court of Justice, must inform the steps to be taken to end the current crisis,” he added.
“The violence must stop immediately, the hostages and those arbitrarily detained must be released, and we must focus on flooding Gaza with humanitarian aid.”
Pakistan eyes $25 billion IT exports in three years, 5G rollout despite roadblocks
- Pakistan’s IT exports face significant challenges due to Internet connectivity issues stemming from firewall installations to regulate content
- In August, the Pakistan Software Houses Association said the country’s economy could lose up to $300 million due to Internet disruptions
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday reaffirmed Pakistan’s ambitions to boost its information technology (IT) exports to $25 billion in the next three years and to roll out 5G Internet services, despite challenges from firewall installations.
The Pakistan prime minister expressed these plans during his meeting with a delegation of VEON, an Amsterdam-based multinational telecommunication and digital services company, led by its chairman Augie K. Fabela, to discuss his government’s efforts to “develop and promote” the telecommunications sector, according to Sharif’s office.
The South Asian country’s IT exports face significant challenges due to Internet connectivity issues stemming from firewall installations to regulate content and social media platforms that hinder the ability of local tech firms to communicate with international clients. This results in delayed deliveries, loss of business opportunities and a tarnished reputation for Pakistan’s IT industry, ultimately stifling growth and costing millions of rupees in losses.
In August, the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) said the country’s economy could lose up to $300 million due to Internet disruptions caused by the imposition of the firewall. However, State Minister for IT Shaza Khawaja repeatedly denied the use of firewalls by the government as a form of censorship.
“We are determined to achieve the target of increasing IT exports from Pakistan to 25 billion dollars in the next three years,” Sharif was quoted as saying by his office. “Steps are being taken to introduce 5G Internet services for faster and reliable Internet services in Pakistan.”
Sharif said the rollout of 5G services would make it possible for his government to achieve the vision of “Digital Pakistan.” He said the telecommunications sector would play an important role in promoting a cashless and digital economy, praising the work of a VEON subsidiary, Jazz Group, and expressing his government’s willingness to promote IT, digitization and artificial intelligence (AI) in Pakistan.
The visiting delegation appreciated the Pakistani government’s efforts to stabilize the economy and termed Pakistan an important country for investment in the IT sector, according to Sharif’s office.
Pakistan recorded $298 million in IT exports in June, up 33 percent from the year before. During the fiscal year that ended in June, Pakistan recorded overall IT exports of $3.2 billion, up 24 percent from $2.5 billion in the previous year.
The South Asian nation has lately encouraged its IT sector and facilitated collaborations with firms in several countries, including Saudi Arabia, China and Qatar, to boost its IT exports.
However, IT-related associations and businesses this year raised alarm over slowing Internet speeds as the federal government moved to implement the nationwide firewall to block malicious content, protect government networks from attacks, and allow authorities to identify addresses associated with what it calls “anti-state propaganda.”
In August, the Pakistan Business Council warned that frequent Internet disruptions and low speeds caused by poor implementation of the firewall had led many multinational companies to consider relocating their offices out of Pakistan, with some having “already done so.”
