'Genocide' in Gaza continues 'without a pause'

NT Bureau, Agencies

Tel Aviv/Gaza Strip: At least seven Palestians were killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank as bombardment of Gaza intensified on Thursday.

The death toll in Gaza since Israel declared war has risen to 3,785 Palestinians killed, including 1,524 children, 1,000 women and 120 older people, the Gaza Health Ministry said.

Since midnight, Israeli forces have intensified their strikes in various areas throughout the Gaza Strip. The first hit Rafah, killing 33 people on Thursday. After two weeks of war, all hospitals are overwhelmed and the whole medical system is suffering.

Because of the lack of supplies, doctors are now operating on people without anaesthesia, according to Al Jazeera report.

The European Parliament has called for a “humanitarian pause” in Gaza to make sure aid can reach the needy and stressed that Israel’s right to defend itself can only be done within the strictures of international law. Among the detractors of Israel's move also include some Jews, who have accused the country of committing “war crimes" and attempting “genocide without a pause."

This criticism comes even as world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, among others, have backed Israel's "right to self defence".

“As a Jew, I do not accept that what Israel is doing to Gaza fits the category of self-defence. Sure, Israel has 'the right to defend itself' but its actions, dehumanising language & disproportionate might look like attempted genocide (sic)," London-based noted author Marina Benjamin posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

In Tunis, protesters burned Israeli and American flags and demanded the expulsion of the U.S. and French ambassadors for what they termed their unconditional support for Israel.

"They (Palestinians) have no food or water, and they are getting bombed. This is genocide, not war. This is a crime. We must find a solution," said Ines Laswed, a demonstrator.

World Health Organization chief said ‘hopefully’ deliveries will begin on Friday and urged Israel to let fuel into Gaza Strip.

'Urgently request for diesel to keep Gaza hospitals open'

The Gaza Health Ministry has issued an urgent request for diesel after a fifth major hospital closed due to a lack of fuel.

'No aid or road repair equipment has entered Gaza'

Hamas’s spokesperson for the Rafah crossing, Wael Abu Omar, says no aid or road repair equipment has entered Gaza from Egypt.

In call with Abbas, PM Modi reiterates India's backing for independent Palestine

Prime Minister Modi on Thursday conveyed condolences to President of Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas and reiterated India's long-standing "principled position" on the IsraelPalestine issue.

In a phone conversation, Modi, at the same time, shared with Abbas India's "deep concern" over terrorism, violence and deteriorating security situation in the region.

The prime minister told the Palestine Authority President that New Delhi will continue to send humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people. "Reiterated India's longstanding principled position on the Israel-Palestine issue," the prime minister added.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi has said that India's position concerning the Palestine issue has been "longstanding and consistent".

"India has always advocated resumption of negotiations towards establishing a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine living within secure and recognised borders at peace with Israel. That position remains the same," he said.