Israel accuses Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza of terror ties; network denies allegations
Tel Aviv/Doha: The Israeli military has alleged six Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza as operatives of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, accusing them of actively supporting these groups. Israel Defence Forces (IDF) shared photographs and claimed it possessed documents, such as personnel lists and training records, linking the journalists to militant activities.
"The IDF has disclosed intelligence proving that these journalists are affiliated with Hamas and Islamic Jihad, involved in propaganda efforts for these organizations," read an official statement posted on X.
Al Jazeera dismissed the accusations, calling them "baseless" and part of an ongoing campaign to suppress media coverage of the war. "This is an effort to silence the remaining journalists in Gaza, obscuring the war's harsh realities from global audiences," the Qatari-based network said.
The conflict between Israel and Al Jazeera intensified after Israeli forces stormed the outlet's Ramallah office a month ago, ordering its closure for 45 days. Al Jazeera emphasized its dedication to reporting from conflict zones, asserting that its journalists are "documenting the war's impact on Gaza’s civilians, not participating in any militant activities."
The media organization said that Israel is targeting journalists to suppress reporting of war crimes committed during the ongoing conflict, reiterating its mission to "bring the truth to light."
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Karnataka Governor gives assent to legislation against ‘honour killing’ in inter-caste marriages
Bengaluru: The government has brought into force the Karnataka Freedom of Choice in Marriage and Prevention and Prohibition of Crimes in the name of honour and tradition (Eva Nammava Eva Nammava) Act, 2026, intended to restrict ‘honour killings’ in inter-caste marriages.
According to The Indian Express, the legislation received assent from Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot on April 9 and was officially notified in the state gazette on April 10. The law had been passed unanimously by the state legislature last month.
The Bill was proposed by the Congress government in the wake of caste-linked ‘honour killings’ in the state, including the December 21, 2025, murder near Hubli of a 20-year-old Lingayat woman by her father for marrying a man from another caste.
The phrase ‘Eva Nammava Eva Nammava’ in the title is in reference to the message of universal humanity that the Lingayat saint Basavanna espoused. Basavanna, who rebelled against the caste system to lay the foundation of the Lingayat faith system, an amalgamation of all castes, used the words meaning ‘he is a part of me’ to say all people are one.
Under the new law, crimes committed in the name of ‘honour’, including murder, assault, threats, and social boycott, are specifically addressed with stringent punishments. ‘Honour killing’ offences carry a minimum imprisonment of five years, while serious assaults attract at least three years in jail.
The new law defines the social boycott of inter-caste couples as forcible eviction to remote corners of villages, refusal to provide services, refusal to provide work, refusal to conduct business, denial of loans and admissions to schools, and makes it punishable.
In the case of ‘honour killings’ per se, the new law prescribes a minimum imprisonment of five years, and in the case of assaults, a prison term that is not less than three years for serious injury and two years for minor injuries.
The offences under the proposed law are cognisable and non-bailable, which means police can carry out arrests without court permissions after taking up a case.
The legislation follows several reported inter-caste relationship-related killings in Karnataka in 2025, including cases in Raichur and another involving 18-year-old Kavita.
The law to protect the freedom of choice in marriages is among several social bills that the Congress government has brought out in line with its policies for the backward and downtrodden communities in the state.
