Israeli strikes kill at least 17 in Gaza, Huckabee makes first appearance as US ambassador
Deir al-Balah, Apr 18 (AP): Israeli airstrikes across Gaza killed at least 17 people early Friday including children, hospital workers said, as the new US ambassador to Israel made his first public appearance in Jerusalem.
Among the dead were 10 people in Jabaliya, including eight from the same house, according to the Indonesian Hospital, which received the bodies.
In the southern city of Khan Younis, seven people were killed, one of them a pregnant woman, according to Nasser Hospital, where the bodies were brought.
The strikes came a day after more than two dozen people died in Gaza as Israel ramps up attacks, pressuring Hamas to return the hostages and disarm.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Friday appeared at the Western Wall, the holiest Jewish prayer site in Jerusalem's Old City. Huckabee inserted a prayer into the wall, which he said was handwritten by US President Donald Trump. "Those are his initials, D.T.,“ said Huckabee while showing the note to the media.
In his first act as ambassador, Huckabee said Trump told him to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Huckabee also said every effort was being made to bring the remaining hostages held by Hamas home. A one-time presidential hopeful, Huckabee has acknowledged his past support for Israel's right to annex the West Bank and incorporate its Palestinian population into Israel but said it would not be his “prerogative” to carry out that policy.
During his first term, Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital over Palestinian objections and moved the embassy from Tel Aviv. Palestinian seek the eastern part of the city that Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast war as their future capital.
Huckabee's arrival comes at a pivotal time in the 18-month war, as international mediators including the US are trying to get a broken ceasefire back on track.
Israel is demanding that Hamas release more hostages at the start of any new ceasefire and ultimately agree to disarm and leave the territory. Israel has said it plans to occupy large “security zones” inside Gaza.
Khalil al-Hayya, head of Hamas' negotiating delegation, said Thursday the group had rejected Israel's latest proposal along those lines. He reiterated Hamas' stance that it will return hostages only in exchange for the release of more Palestinian prisoners, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a lasting truce, as called for in the now-defunct ceasefire agreement reached in January.
Hamas currently holds 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be alive.
The war began when Hamas-led group attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. Most of the hostages have since been released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.
Israel's offensive has since killed over 51,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
The war has destroyed vast parts of Gaza and most of its food production capabilities. The war has displaced around 90 per cent of the population, with hundreds of thousands of people living in tent camps and bombed-out buildings.
On Thursday, aid groups raised the alarm over Israel's blockade of of Gaza, where it has barred entry of all food and other goods for more than six weeks.
Thousands of children have become malnourished, and most people are barely eating one meal a day as stocks dwindle, the United Nations said.
Israel's Defence Minister says the blockade is one of the “central pressure tactics” against Hamas, which Israel accuses of siphoning off aid to maintain its rule. Aid workers deny there is significant diversion of aid, saying the UN closely monitors distribution. Rights groups have called it a “starvation tactic.”
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NIA files supplementary charge sheet against three in Parappana Agrahara inmate assistance case
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Bengaluru: The National Investigation Agency has filed a supplementary charge sheet before a court against three accused in a case related to providing assistance to inmate T. Nazeer, who was lodged at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison.
This is the second charge sheet filed by the NIA in the case. The supplementary charge sheet names Junaid’s mother Anis Fatima, Assistant Sub-Inspector Chand Pasha A., and prison doctor Dr Nagaraj S. as accused. The agency has invoked provisions of the Indian Penal Code, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Explosive Substances Act, the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the Karnataka Prison Act.
Earlier, the NIA had filed a charge sheet against nine accused, including absconding accused Junaid. With the fresh findings, the agency has now added further charges against the three accused.
According to the NIA investigation, Anis Fatima allegedly arranged financial support for T. Nazeer inside the prison. Acting on her son’s instructions, she is accused of procuring ammunition and walkie-talkies and facilitating communication between various accused in the case. The investigation also found that she helped prime accused Salman Khan by providing shelter and arranging travel documents, enabling him to flee to Dubai. Salman Khan was later traced to Rwanda, arrested, and brought back to India.
The agency has further stated that Chand Pasha, who was serving as an ASI in the City Armed Reserve South division, shared details about the movement and route used while escorting T. Nazeer to court. In return, he allegedly received illegal gratification from Salman Khan.
Dr Nagaraj, who was working as a psychiatrist at the Parappana Agrahara prison hospital, is accused of illegally selling mobile phones to inmates in exchange for money. The NIA has stated that he had also sold a mobile phone to T. Nazeer.
The case is now pending further proceedings before the court.
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