A Gaza-based journalist told VOA of his “overwhelming experience” covering the Israeli-Hamas war on the besieged territory when the Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked on October 7. Living in the southern part of Gaza,Fuad Abu Khamash says he is embedded with an emergency team covering the war within an ambulance.
As per a new report, there might be a deal between Israel and Hamas to free dozens of hostages held in Palestinian territory. Such a deal would bring much-needed aid across the border and at least a temporary pause to the bloodshed in Gaza. Such an agreement, according to American and Israeli sources, is not yet finalized.
The division between Muslims and Jews in Israeli society has deepned as a result of the October 7 Hamas attack and the military operation that followed. However, there are families that are determined that education is the first step towards learning Arabs and Jews how to live together.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has reported an increase in Jewish settler attacks against Palestinians since the war started between Israel and Hamas. In the southern part of the West Bank, over a thousand people have been displaced, over a dozen villages have been destroyed, and farmers have been evicted from their land.
Families of the nearly 240 hostages that Hamas is believed to be holding in Gaza have begun a five-day march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. They say that they want the government to take more action to secure their loved ones’ freedom. From Tel Aviv, Linda Gradstein has this report.VOA footage by Ricki Rosen. VOA …
Continue reading “March for Loved Ones: Families of Hostages Held by Hamas”
Brothers in Arms, an Israeli volunteer network, was prepared to take on a fresh challenge when the war with Hamas broke out: helping evacuated citizens and saving the agricultural sector.
In an effort to eliminate Hamas targets, the Israeli Defence Forces, or IDF, continued to push further into Gaza, surrounding Shifa Hospital in the city’s northern part. The IDF believes an access to Gaza’s extensive tunnel network may be located near the hospital, where many Palestinians have taken refuge.
Since Israel began allowing relief to be delivered to Palestinians displaced by the Hamas-Israel war on October 21, aid convoys have been entering Gaza on a regular basis. But Israel insists on inspecting the loads before they arrive at the besieged enclave, so the trucks must take a serious detour.
After Hamas’ October 7 attack, which killed some 1,400 people, thousands of Israelis living in the communities around Gaza were evacuated. After a month, Israeli authorities are considering plans for rehabilitation. For many in the affected communities, the pain is too fresh to decide returning.
About 240 Israelis and other nationals have been held by the Palestinian militant group Hamas for a month. Families are now increasing pressure to the Israeli government to release them. At the same time, the families are terrified that a wrong move may put their loved ones in danger.