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Live blog: Airstrike kills two Palestinians as Israel pounds Gaza
Israel’s war on besieged Palestinians of Gaza — now in its 190th day — has killed at least 33,634 Palestinians and wounded over 76,100 others as Biden anticipates Iran’s retaliation against Israel soon.
The Israeli artillery also struck the eastern areas of Jabalia in northern Gaza and the Nuseirat refugee camp, in the central area of Gaza, Wafa added. / Photo: AFP Archive
AFP ARCHIVE
The Israeli artillery also struck the eastern areas of Jabalia in northern Gaza and the Nuseirat refugee camp, in the central area of Gaza, Wafa added. / Photo: AFP Archive
Saturday, April 13, 2024
0410 GMT — At least two Palestinians were killed in an overnight airstrike in northern Gaza as the deadly Israeli onslaught against the enclave enters day 190.
The official Palestinian news agency, WAFA, said the Palestinians were killed in the vicinity of the Sheikh Zayed City area.
Additional airstrikes took place in several areas across the enclave, including Gaza City, Deir al-Balah and the al-Fukhari area in the southern city of Khan Younis.
The Israeli artillery also struck the eastern areas of Jabalia in northern Gaza and the Nuseirat refugee camp, in the central area of Gaza, WAFA added.
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2230 GMT — Israeli settlers torch 40 Palestinian homes in West Bank rampage
Hundreds of illegal Israeli settlers continued an attack, which began early on Friday, on the town of Al-Mughayyir in the eastern city of Ramallah in the central West Bank, Palestinian authorities have said.
The attack has resulted in the killing of a young man and wounds to dozens of Palestinians, as well as the burning of more than 40 houses.
Palestinian factions have warned of the consequences of the attacks on Palestinian towns in the occupied West Bank and have urged a general mobilisation and resistance, demanding the international community “impose a comprehensive boycott and sanctions on all settlements and settlers.”
Separate statements by Hamas, Fatah and the National Initiative were in response to attacks on the villages of Al-Mughayyir and Deir Abu Falah, and the town of Duma, in central and northern West Bank.
“While the Zionist occupation army continues its genocidal war against our Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, the fascist terrorist government allows gangs of settlers to attack Palestinian villages and towns in the West Bank,” said Hamas.
“Today’s attack by settler militias on the town of Al-Mughayyir resulted in the martyrdom of a Palestinian citizen, the injury of dozens, the burning of several homes and vehicles of citizens, and the sabotage of their properties.”
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Iran readies ‘100+ cruise missiles’ for possible retaliation against Israel
0049 GMT — Israeli army conducts overnight raids in occupied West Bank
The Israeli military has invaded several Palestinian areas across the occupied West Bank, according to Palestine’s official media.
The news agency, WAFA, reported that the military raided several villages in western Jenin and conducted field interrogations of residents.
It cited sources that said the army raided Qalqilya, deployed snipers in several areas in the city, and held youths under interrogation.
The Israeli military also broke into the town of Idna in western Hebron and stormed a hall that shelters Palestinian labourers from Gaza, and detained a number of them, added WAFA.
Tensions have been high across the occupied West Bank since Israel launched a deadly military invasion against Gaza. Israeli troops and illegal settlers have killed at least 460 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since October 7.
2316 GMT — Rockets fired from Gaza to southern Israel
The Israeli military has said that in-coming rocket sirens were activated in the Sderot area in southern Israel after a barrage of projectiles were fired from besieged Gaza.
The Times of Israel news website cited an official in the municipality who said at least eight rockets were fired from Gaza toward Sderot and surrounding areas.
It added that some rockets were intercepted by the Israeli Iron Dome air defence system, and no casualties have been reported.
Despite the decline in the rockets being fired from Gaza in the last few months as a result of the Israeli invasion on Gaza, Palestinian groups have still announced from time to time rockets from Gaza.
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Israel reportedly bars items like crutches, croissants from entering Gaza
2107 GMT — Germany shuts down pro-Palestinian gathering
German police have cut the power and shut down a conference of pro-Palestinian activists after a banned speaker appeared by video link, organisers said.
The three-day Palestine Congress, promoted by pro-Palestinian groups including former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis’s DIEM25 party, said it aimed to raise awareness of what it called Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
The police banned the final two days of the event, citing concern about the potential for hate speech.
Among the speakers was activist Salman Abu Sitta, author of a January essay that expressed understanding for the Hamas fighters who on October 7 carried a daring raid in southern Israel’s military and Zionist settlements.
“A speaker was projected who was subject to a ban on political activity,” Berlin police said on social media. “There is a risk of a speaker being put on screen who in the past made antisemitic and violence-glorifying remarks. The gathering was ended and banned on Saturday and Sunday.”
Organisers of the conference said police intervened when Salman, who according to Stern magazine was banned from entering Germany, began speaking on video.
“The police violence, like we were some sort of criminals, was unbearable for a democratic country,” said Karin de Rigo, a parliamentary candidate for the German offshoot of DIEM25.
“They not only stormed the stage, they cut the power like we were transmitting violence.”
For our live updates from Friday, April 12, click here.
SOURCE: TRTWORLD AND AGENCIES
