Hamas Archives - Page 3 of 5 - Lokmarg

Arab Revulsion Puts Hamas On The Defensive

By LokMarg 12th October 2023

Stung by a stream of gory videos from southern Israel and revulsion in the Arab world, the Hamas terror organization is trying burnish its image with a new public relations campaign. But recent comments made by a Hamas figure suggest the damage is irreparable.

“We respect the international laws of war and protect the lives of the captives,” said Izzat al-Rashak, a senior Hamas official and former member of its politburo told the Al Jazeera network on Thursday.

“The publications are Israeli propaganda and an effort to introduce the Zionist narrative,” he added, while calling for an international investigation.

Hamas is on the defensive in the face of Arab criticism.

Amjad Taha, a prominent Emirati publicist and researcher, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, where he has more than 480,000 followers.

“So, Gaza Palestinian terrorists behead children, rape women, kidnap the elderly, and then request utilities (electricity & water) from Israel? What’s their next request — a monthly bill and a fast-food meal?”

The tweet added, “Israel must halt any aid to these terrorists and, in defense of humanity, destroy their infrastructure and their supporters.” It even ended with the hashtag, #IStandWithIsrael.

Abdel Aziz Al Khamis, a well-known Saudi researcher and journalist, echoed the call for action, saying that “running over Hamas” is a necessary step towards finding a solution to the Palestinian issue.

Denunciations included videos posted by Palestinians. “Let the Koran and the religion of Islam speak for themselves… these are people whose hearts are black and dark, people who disbelieve in Islam and whose place is in hell,” as one Palestinian said.

Meanwhile, European Union Commissioner Thierry Breton sent a letter to X and Meta, the parent company of both Facebook and Instagram, giving the social media giants 24 hours to take action against Hamas-linked accounts or face steep fines. X CEO Linda Yaccarino said the social media giant shut down hundreds of accounts.

Breton’s letter was in response to a surge of what he called “fake and manipulated images and facts.”

The EU proscribes Hamas as a terror organization. (ANI/TPS)

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IAF On Standby To Bring Back Indians From Israel

By LokMarg 12th October 2023

The Indian Air Force has kept its aircraft on standby in case there is a requirement to bring back Indian citizens from Israel amidst the war with Hamas, Indian Air Force officials said on Thursday.

According to the officials, the IAF transport aircraft fleet includes the C-17 and IL-76 heavy-lift transport planes along with the C-130J Super Hercules Special Operations aircraft which have been used in the past for such evacuation operations.

“Operation Ajay” was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring back around 18,000 Indians in Israel amidst the war between Hamas and Israel. Registration of Indians began on Thursday.

The Indian embassy in Israel is providing assistance to Indian companies and has set up a helpline for Indian citizens in need of assistance.

“A charter flight will reach Tel Aviv today later in the evening. It is expected to get 230 passengers onboard. We have all options, but the role of IAF (in evacuation) can’t be ruled out,” the MEA spokesperson said on ‘Operation Ajay.’

Yesterday, the MEA had set up a 24-hour control room in view of the escalating conflict. The control room will help monitor the situation and provide information and assistance.

Earlier today, the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar chaired a meeting to review preparations for “Operation Ajay”.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defence Forces said that Hamas brought ISIS flags to Israel when they had infiltrated various parts of South Israel last weekend.

In a post shared on X, Israeli Defence Forces stated, “Hamas brought ISIS flags to massacre Israeli children, women and men. Hamas is a genocidal terrorist organization. Hamas is worse than ISIS.”

The death toll in Israel since the Hamas attack on October 7 has jumped to 1,300 and some 3300 have been injured, including 28 in critical condition and 350 in serious condition, The Times of Israel reported citing Hebrew media reports. The fate of an es-timated 150 people abducted and taken to the Gaza Strip during the attack by Hamas is still unclear, the report said.

Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the military has so far notified families of 97 hostag-es who were being held by terrorists in the Gaza Strip, The Times of Israel reported. (ANI)

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It’s Not 1943 Jews Have Different Capabilities: Israeli Def Min

By LokMarg 12th October 2023

Issuing a stern warning to the Hamas terror group, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said that “2023 is not 1943” and in an indirect reference to the persecution of Jews under the Nazi regime in Germany, added that today’s Jewish people possess “different capabilities”, Times of Israel reported.

His comments came during a briefing for 31 NATO counterparts at a meeting in Brussels.

“We have been hit hard. Yet make no mistake – 2023 is not 1943. We are the same Jews, but we have different capabilities. The State of Israel is strong. We are united and powerful,” he said.

Gallant also briefed them about atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists against children, women, men and the elderly.

He expressed appreciation for the global show of support for Israel after Hamas launched an attack on the former on October 7, according to The Times of Israel report.

The Israeli President also showed them an uncensored video of some of the attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers as well as foreign nationals, i24 News English reported.

He further asserted that Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) will destroy Hamas and “will hunt down every last man with the blood of children,” The Times of Israel reported.

“Hamas is the ‘ISIS’ of Gaza, a savage organization, funded and supported by Iran. Hamas is ISIS,” he says. “The ‘ISIS’ of Gaza will not exist, on our borders. The IDF will destroy Hamas. And we will hunt down every last man, with the blood of our children, on his hands,” Gallant said.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defence Forces said that Hamas brought ISIS flags to Israel when they had infiltrated various parts of South Israel last weekend.

The death toll in Israel since the Hamas attack has jumped to 1,300 and some 3300 have been injured, including 28 in critical condition and 350 in serious condition, The Times of Israel reported citing Hebrew media reports.

The fate of an estimated 150 people abducted and taken to the Gaza Strip during the attack by Hamas is still unclear, the report said.

Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the military has so far notified families of 97 hostages who were being held by terrorists in the Gaza Strip, The Times of Israel reported. (ANI)

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People Flee Homes After Hamas Launches Rocket In Southern Israel

By LokMarg 12th October 2023

After Hamas terrorists launched a rocket attack in southern Israel in retaliation to Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, people in Moshe Haim Shapira locality in Tel Aviv have started fleeing residential buildings and moving to safety.

Marina, an Israeli whose building was destroyed in a Hamas rocket attack has along with her family moved to her mother’s home. She said there is much pain and she is unable to speak about Hamas’s attack in Israel.

Speaking to ANI, Marina said, “We are leaving my home. I don’t want speak on this (Hamas attack) as there is a pain…This is hard…”

The war in Israel has entered the sixth day since Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel on October 7. Israel has launched a counter-offensive on Hamas after the latter’s attack.

Israeli Defence Forces on Thursday said that they launched a wave of attacks with the goal of causing damage to the commando force of the terrorist organization Hamas.

In a post shared on X, Israeli Defence Forces said, “During the night (Thursday) the Air Force launched a wave of tree attacks with the aim of continuing to damage the commando force of the terrorist organization Hamas known as “Nachaba”, by attacking operational headquarters which were used by operatives who infiltrated the Otaf settlements last Saturday.”

Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus confirmed reports that Hamas had beheaded babies in the Israeli kibbutz of Kfar Aza. The spokesperson said it was hard to believe that Hamas could perform such a barbaric act.

In his daily update video on the Israel-Hamas conflict, Lt. Col. Conricus said, “The scenes are out of a zombie movie,” stating that it’s a war zone, he said, “There were babies that have been beheaded…it was hard to believe that even Hamas could perform such barbaric act.”

He further highlighted the atrocities done to the civilians of Israel, including children.”There were bodies scattered everywhere, mutilated, women and children that were handcuffed and shot, executed, houses torched and burned, and people who were either burnt inside or suffocated,” Conricus said.

The Israeli Air Force has been striking a lot of targets in various neighbourhoods in Gaza, he said.”We are prioritizing striking commanders, and senior officials in Hamas… whenever we have intelligence that indicates the whereabouts of the senior Hamas officials or military commanders, we strike in that location, IDF spokesperson emphasized.

The death toll in Israel stands at over 1200 and more than 2700 have been injured since Hamas launched an attack on Saturday. (ANI)

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Scenes Out Of A Zombie Film: IDF On Beheading Of Babies By Hamas

By LokMarg 12th October 2023

As Thursday marks the sixth day of Israel Hamas conflict, Israel Defence Force (IDF) spokesperson Lieutenant Col. Jonathan Conricus confirmed reports that the Hamas had beheaded babies in the Israeli kibbutz of Kfar Aza. The spokesperson said it was hard to believe that Hamas could perform such a barbaric act.

In his daily update video on Israel-Hamas attacks, Lt. Col. Conricus said, “The scenes are out of a zombie movie,” stating that it’s a war zone, he said, “There were babies that have been beheaded…it was hard to believe that even Hamas could perform such barbaric act.”

He further highlighted the atrocities done to the civilians of Israel, including children.

“There were bodies scattered everywhere, mutilated, women and children that were handcuffed and shot, executed, houses torched and burned, and people who were either burnt inside or suffocated,” Conricus said.

The Israeli Air Force has been striking a lot of targets in various neighbourhoods in Gaza, he said.

“We are prioritizing striking commanders, and senior officials in Hamas… whenever we have intelligence that indicates the whereabouts of the senior Hamas officials or military commanders, we strike in that location, IDF spokesperson emphasized.

Additionally, noting the current situation of Gaza, he said that the place where Hamas has the infrastructure, whether it is financial, construction, or commander control, intelligence, research and development…whatever it is, “if it belongs to Hamas, we are striking it and that’s what going on in Gaza strip today.”

Furthermore, he said, “We are deployed in significant numbers, strength and capabilities on the southern part of the border and we are very vigilant to any attempt by Hezbollah.”

He also highlighted that a US Naval group is making its way into the Mediterranean, noting that “it has almost arrived.”

US Navy aircraft carrier USS Dwight D Eisenhower and her strike group is heading to the Mediterranean, White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said. Earlier the US Navy had also deployed USS Gerald Ford strike group in the area.

Addressing a press briefing on Wednesday, Kirby stated that there is no operational decision taken regarding the deployment of the second US aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean. However, he noted that the USS Dwight D Eisenhower aircraft carrier was heading in that direction.

On Thursday night, the Israel Air Force launched a wave of attacks with the aim of continuing to damage the commando force of the terrorist organization Hamas known as “Nachaba”, by attacking operational headquarters which were used by operatives who infiltrated the Otaf settlements last Saturday.

Also, Air Force aircraft killed Muhammad Abu Shamla, a senior operative from the Hamas naval formation in the Rafah Brigade. Abu Shamla’s house was also used to store naval weapons intended to carry out terrorist operations against Israel.

According to the latest updates, 51 Palestinians have been killed and 281 have been injured over the past several hours of overnight airstrikes by Israel in Gaza, according to Gaza health ministry, The Times of Israel reported.

Israel has launched a counter-offensive against Hamas in response to the latter’s attack on Saturday that left over 1,200 Israelis dead and is aiming to completely eliminate the terror group. (ANI)

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First Plane Laden With US Armaments Arrives In Israel

By LokMarg 11th October 2023

The first plane carrying US armaments landed in southern Israel on Tuesday evening, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said.

“The first plane carrying US armaments has since arrived at the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel this evening,” posted IDF on X.

However, the IDF did not reveal the kinds of weapons or military equipment it received.

As Israel wages war with Hamas, US President Joe Biden’s administration has begun delivering munitions to Israel this week.

“The cooperation between our militaries is a key part of ensuring regional security and stability in times of war,” IDF’s post added.

Meanwhile, Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday held a telephone conversation with US President Biden for the third time.

“I told him (Biden) that Hamas is worse than ISIS – and that they should be treated that way,” posted Netanyahu on the social media platform, X, after the talks.

Biden reiterated that the “US stands by Israel” and “fully supports its right to defend itself,” the Israeli PM said while thanking him for “unreserved support”.

“Since our last conversation, the scale of this evil has only grown. They abducted dozens of children, burned them and executed them. They cut off the heads of soldiers, they murdered the young people who were celebrating at a festival in the wild…We have not seen such barbarism in the entire history of the State of Israel…,” Netanyahu posted on X.

As the war against Hamas has completed four days, over a thousand Israelis have been killed, more than 2,800 are injured and 50 are confirmed hostage or missing, IDF said.

It also said that over 4,500 rockets have been fired from Gaza so far on Israel.

On the other hand, over 770 Palestinians have also been killed in air raids after Israel launched a strong counter-offensive. The Health Ministry in Gaza said that at least 770 Palestinians have been killed and 4,000 wounded in Israeli air raids. Among the dead are 140 children and 120 women, a ministry spokesperson said.

A day ago, in a stern warning to Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “though Israel did not start this war” but “will finish it”.

“Israel is at war. We didn’t want this war. It was forced upon us in the most brutal and savage way. But though Israel didn’t start this war, Israel will finish it,” said Netanyahu in an address to the nation.

Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, firing a barrage of rockets into the southern and central parts of the country. (ANI)

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Turkey Ready For Any Kind Of Mediation On Israel-Hamas Conflict: Erdogan

By LokMarg 11th October 2023

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has offered to mediate in the Hamas-Israel conflict. He said that Turkey continues to step up its diplomatic efforts, Turkey-based Anadolu Agency reported.

Erdogan said, “I would like to state that Turkey is ready for any kind of mediation, including prisoner exchanges, if the parties request it.”

“We continue to step up our diplomatic contacts, which we have been maintaining for a while and have intensified even more in the last three days,” Erdogan said. He made the remarks after chairing a cabinet meeting in Ankara.

Erdogan’s remarks come after the terrorist group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, prompting Israel to declare a state of war.

Turkish President emphasised that the war is subject to a moral and ethical code, adding that the “sides are obliged to comply with. As we always say, ‘There are no losers in a just peace’,” Anadolu Agency reported.

Erdogan urged Israel to stop its bombing of Palestinian regions and called on Palestinians to stop their harassment of civilian settlements in Israel. He called for acting with a human conscience and added, “This moderate step will also open the door to peace.”

Erdogan said, “The destruction of Gaza by air and ground attacks, the bombing of mosques, and the deaths of innocent children, women, elderly, and civilians are never acceptable.” He stated that Turkey is making necessary preparations to provide humanitarian aid materials that the Gaza Strip will require amid Israel’s counter-offensive against Hamas.

He said that Turkey’s stance regarding the issue has been clear from the very beginning and stated that Turkey recognised Israel in 1949. He noted that the two nations continue to have diplomatic ties, according to Anadolu Agency report.

He further said, “We believe that there will be no peace in the region without the establishment of an independent sovereign state of Palestine with geographical integrity, within the 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital,” Anadolu Agency reported.

Erdogan stressed that problems in the region cannot be resolved by “constantly harassing the Palestinian people, disregarding the safety of their life and property, seizing their homes and lands, destroying their infrastructure, and preventing their development.”

He said, “We have always said and continue to say that we disapprove of letting a single innocent person get harmed, whether in Israel or Palestine’s lands. Our position has not changed.”

Earlier on Monday, Erdogan held separate phone calls with Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss the latest situation in the region.

On Sunday, Erdogan stressed that the realization of an independent, and geographically integrated Palestinian state based on 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital, could not be delayed any further, according to Anadolu Agency report.

In his remarks at the opening ceremony of Mor Ephrem Syriac Orthodox Church in Yesilkoy, he said, “Lasting peace in the Middle East is only possible through a final settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.”

He said that Turkey is willing to do its part to stop the conflict between Israel and Palestine and reduce the tensions that escalated on Saturday. He called the Palestine issue the root cause of the problems in the region. He added, “Our region will remain craving peace unless a just settlement is reached.”

The Israel Defence Force (IDF) spokesperson Lieutenant Col. Jonathan Conricus on Wednesday that 1200 Israelis were killed and more than 2,700 wounded and emphasised that the Israeli soldiers are ready to execute mission in Gaza.

“Four days after Hamas breached into Israel, attacked Israeli communities, murdered and massacre Israeli citizens and took dozens of Israeli hostages into Gaza. The dead toll is staggering, a 1200 dead Israelis. The overwhelming majority of them civilians and more than 2700 wounded and sadly something tells me that these are not final numbers,” he said.

The IDF spokesperson said that about 300000 soldiers had been deployed at the Gaza border and claimed that they would ensure that Hamas would not have any military capabilities at the end of the war.

In a live video posted on X, Lieutenant Colonel Conricus added, “We have sent our inventory, armoured soldiers, our artillery cores and many other soldiers from the reserves. 300000 in numbers in different brigades and divisions and they are now close to the Gaza strip getting ready to execute the mission that Israeli government and that is to make sure that Hamas at the end of the war won’t have any military capabilities by which they can threaten or kill Israeli citizens.” (ANI)

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Hamas Threatens Ashkelon With Major Rocket Attack As Conflict Grows Intense

By LokMarg 10th October 2023

As the ongoing conflict between Israel and terrorist group Hamas grows tense, the spokesperson for Hamas’s Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, has threatened Israel’s coastal city of Ashkelon with a major rocket barrage in the coming hours, The Times of Israel reported.

The Hamas leader has also asked the residents to leave their homes in order to not fall victim to the attacks.

“In response to the enemy’s crime of displacing our people and forcing them to flee their homes in several areas of the Gaza Strip, we give the residents of the occupied city of Ashkelon a deadline to leave before 5 p.m.,” Abu Obeida said on his Telegram channel, according to The Times of Israel.

Over 770 Palestinians have been killed in air raids after Israel launched a strong retaliation after the ‘surprise attack’ by Hamas, Al Jazeera reported on Tuesday.

The Health Ministry in Gaza said that at least 770 Palestinians have been killed and 4,000 wounded in Israeli air raids. Among the dead are 140 children and 120 women, a ministry spokesperson said.

In addition to this, at least 18 people have also been killed and around 100 were injured in the West Bank region since Saturday, Al Jazeera reported. Meanwhile, at least 900 Israelis were killed and over 2,616 people injured after Hamas launched a barbaric ‘surprise attack’ on Israel on October 7.

In a war update shared by Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on X, the IDF said that about 30 hostages have been held by Hamas in Gaza in the ongoing conflict.

It also stated that about 4,500 rockets have been fired from Gaza on Israel after which the Israeli defence forces struck 1290 Hamas targets in Gaza.

An IDF Spokesperson has confirmed that 123 soldiers have been killed in the fighting, and 50 families have been informed that a relative was kidnapped by Hamas.

Earlier in the day, in a stern warning to Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “though Israel did not start this war” but “will finish it”.

As part of its retaliation against Hamas, Israel has mobilised 3,00,000 troops. This is the largest mobilisation since the 1973 Yom Kippur War when Israel called up 400,000 reservists, Times of Israel reported.

The Israeli Air Force continues to extensively attack many targets of the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip. (ANI)

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Rocket Sirens Sound In Beersheba; Hamas Claims Responsibility

By LokMarg 10th October 2023

Incoming rocket sirens were heard in the Southern city of Beersheba in Israel on Tuesday, according to the Times of Israel.

A number of explosions are audible over the city, signalling that missiles have been deflected or have crashed nearby.

According to The Times of Israel, Hamas has claimed responsibility for the rocket attack. However, there are currently no reports of damage or injuries.

Israel is currently ‘at war’ with the terrorist group Hamas and it is the civilians, especially the women and children that are bearing the brunt of the ongoing conflict in the most tragic ways.

At least 900 Israelis were killed and over 2,616 people injured after Hamas launched a barbaric attack on Israel.

Earlier today, Israel Defense Forces’ top spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stressed that the military has regained full control of the Gaza border after Hamas terrorists blew up sections of the border fence during the attack on Saturday, reported The Times of Israel.

Adding to this, he noted that not even a single terrorist entered via the fence. “In the last day, not a single terrorist entered via the fence,” he said. It further noted that the forces continue to carry out scans in order to ensure the killing of terrorists who are hiding.

In a war update shared by the IDF, about 4,500 rockets have been fired from Gaza on Israel after which the Israeli defence forces struck 1290 Hamas targets in Gaza.

It’s been 36 hours that extensive attacks by the Air Force are carried out, in which it has dropped hundreds of tons of bombs on thousands of targets.

According to the Israeli Air Force handle on X, the Israeli Air Force is currently launching an extensive attack against terror targets of the terrorist organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The Air Force continues to strike Hamas targets on the Gaza Strip with great intensity.

Fighter jets of the Air Force recently attacked among other things a military compound and a weapons warehouse. Also, a combat management room in Western Jabaliya was attacked which was used by Hamas to direct terrorism against Israel. (ANI)

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Israel-Hamas Conflict: Violence Not Pathway To Resolution,” Says UNGA Prez

By LokMarg 10th October 2023

Stating “violence is not a pathway to a resolution of the conflict,” United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Dennis Francis has called to “halt the hostilities” in Israel.

In an exclusive ANI interview, the UNGA President said that a diplomatic process can lead to a secure pathway.

“I have said before, and as the Secretary-General himself, has said, that violence is not a pathway to a resolution of the conflict…So I would want to call a halt to the hostilities and for there to be, the engagement of a diplomatic process that can lead to a secure pathway…,” said Francis.

Israel has begun its retaliation after a surprise attack by Hamas on Saturday morning which led to the death of as many as 700 Israelis and injuring 2,300 others. In a stern warning to Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday said that though Israel did not start this war but will finish it.

The UNGA President also reiterated that the United Nations is willing to play the role of diplomatic negotiator hoping combatants will realise the importance of dialogue.

“Well, the United Nations, as you know, is always the home of diplomacy negotiation and discourse. And those realities, exist. We are willing to play that role, in all situations of conflict. So, my hope is that the combatants will recognize the importance of rebooting to a process of dialogue. In order to save lives and minimize the destruction and the harm that results from violent engagement…,” added Francis.

Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also called for stopping these attacks and the release of the hostages.

“I recognize the legitimate grievances of the Palestinian people. But nothing can justify acts of terror & the killing, maiming & abduction of civilians. I reiterate my call to immediately cease these attacks & release all hostages,” posted Guterres on the social media platform, X.

In another development, the Israeli military has also deployed troops against a suspected infiltration from Lebanon. Meanwhile, the IDF continued to carry out airstrikes, with the military saying it was hitting targets belonging to the Hamas terror group. (ANI)

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