ICSPR reports escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calls for urgent global action
Gaza City, Nov 18: The International Commission to Support Palestinian Rights (ICSPR) has reported a severe escalation in the humanitarian crisis in Northern Gaza, marking the 44th consecutive day of intense ground operations and a tight siege by Israeli forces. The ICSPR has accused Israeli forces of committing ethnic cleansing, genocide, forced displacement, and large-scale destruction, calling it a grave violation of international law.
In its statement, ICSPR revealed that the ongoing military actions have resulted in over 70 massacres, claiming more than 2,500 lives and leaving 6,000 injured. Hundreds remain missing, while tens of thousands of Palestinians have been forcibly displaced, stripped of basic necessities, and left homeless. Targeted violence, including nighttime bombings of homes sheltering civilians—primarily women and children—has further exacerbated the crisis.
In just the past few hours, ICSPR documented four additional massacres in Beit Lahiya, claiming over 90 lives and devastating families such as Abdel-Atti, Ghabein, Ghoneim, Talouli, and Safi. Forty-two shelters for displaced individuals have been destroyed, and displaced residents at three shelters in Beit Hanoun were forcibly expelled, with aid supplies set ablaze. In a separate incident, the UNRWA-operated Abu Asi School in Al-Shati Camp was bombed, resulting in 10 fatalities and 20 injuries, with many victims still trapped under the rubble.
Northern Gaza remains under an unrelenting siege, with humanitarian aid and medical supplies blocked for the 53rd day. This has crippled essential healthcare services, with facilities like the Indonesian Hospital rendered non-operational and Kamal Adwan and Al-Awda hospitals nearing the depletion of critical resources. An estimated 70,000 residents are trapped, facing starvation and limited access to medical care.
The ICSPR also reported the destruction of critical infrastructure, including homes and civilian facilities, alongside the forced displacement of over 150,000 people. Drone strikes targeting civilians attempting to flee have added to the devastation. The commission highlighted that bombings of residential areas and displacement camps continue indiscriminately and without warning.
For 408 consecutive days, ICSPR noted, Israeli forces have waged what it describes as a war of aggression characterized by genocidal acts against civilians. The toll includes approximately 43,799 fatalities—representing 4% of Gaza’s population—over 103,601 injuries, 7,000 detentions, and the destruction of 86% of homes and civilian infrastructure.
ICSPR accused the Israeli government, the United States, and other supportive states of enabling war crimes and violating international treaties, including the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the Rome Statute. The organization also condemned the international community for failing to act decisively to halt the violence or ensure accountability.
The commission has issued urgent pleas to the United Nations, European Union, International Criminal Court, and other global entities to intervene immediately. It has called for measures to halt the violence, facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, and hold Israeli leaders accountable for alleged war crimes to prevent further impunity.
“The international community’s inaction has emboldened those committing these atrocities,” the ICSPR emphasized, demanding a swift response to protect civilians, restore humanitarian access, and bring an end to the escalating violence in Gaza.
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Young woman from MP who shot to fame during Kumbh found to be minor, case registered against husband
Khargone (MP) (PTI): The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes on Friday confirmed that a young woman from Madhya Pradesh who became famous due to her viral videos during the 2025 Maha Kumbh has been found to be a minor after an inquiry.
Citing the findings of an inquiry panel set up by the commission, local BJP leaders alleged that her interfaith marriage in Kerala last month was a case of "love Jihad", and sought legal action.
While the panel had submitted its report in March, ST commission chairman Antar Singh Arya confirmed its findings to the PTI on Friday.
A case for alleged kidnapping and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has already been registered against her husband, a Muslim man, at Maheshwar on the basis of the inquiry findings, police said.
The girl gained national fame after her videos while selling garlands and rudraksha at the Maha Kumbh went viral on social media and also earned her a role in a film.
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes set up an inquiry panel after receiving a complaint on March 17 from Pratham Dubey, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, that she was a minor and was being exploited.
Maheshwar BJP MLA Rajkumar Mev and BJP mandal president Vikram Patel, armed with documents, told reporters on Friday that her marriage in Kerala was a case of "love Jihad" and she should be brought back home.
'Love jihad' is a term used by right-wing groups to allege a conspiracy by Muslim men to lure Hindu women into marriage to convert them to Islam.
Police said an investigation is underway, and further action would be taken accordingly.
The girl, who belongs to the nomadic Pardhi community, got married at a temple in Kerala in March. The interfaith marriage drew angry reactions from rightwing Hindu groups.
Her family members and film director Sanoj Mishra -- who had offered her a film role after she became famous -- too alleged that it was 'love Jihad'.
As per the inquiry conducted by the ST commission, records at the Maheshwar government hospital showed the woman's date of birth as December 30, 2009 which meant she was 16 years and two months old at the time of marriage, said Dubey, the complainant.
On a complaint filed by her father, police registered a case against the girl's husband at Maheshwar police station on March 25 for alleged kidnapping and under the POCSO Act and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Police sources said that a separate case was also registered on March 24 under section 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (taking a minor from lawful custody of guardian without their consent) based on the the commission's findings.
