Israeli airstrike hits refugee camp in Northern Gaza, killing 33
Deir Al-balah (Gaza Strip): At least 33 people, including 21 women, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, according to Hamas-led authorities. The attack, which injured more than 85 people, has worsened the dire humanitarian situation in the densely populated camp, which has been under siege for weeks.
The final death toll is expected to rise, as many residents remain trapped beneath the rubble of homes belonging to three families. Ambulance crews continue recovery efforts, but overwhelmed hospitals are treating injured individuals on the floors due to a lack of space.
Video footage circulating on social media, which has not been independently verified, shows bodies wrapped in white shrouds laid out at al-Awda Hospital. The hospital's director described the influx of casualties as unmanageable, stating, “Our wards are completely full.”
Israeli authorities have not commented on the attack. They claim to have delivered 30 trucks carrying food, water, and medical supplies into northern Gaza, but local officials say aid has not reached heavily impacted areas like Jabalia.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis continues to escalate. The head of the UN's Office for Humanitarian Assistance, Georgios Petropoulos, warned that conditions in Jabalia are "atrocious." Speaking from southern Gaza, he emphasized the urgent need for more relief efforts.
Israel's blockade of northern Gaza remains in place, with Minister Amichai Chikli defending the restrictions as “legal under international law.” He stated that civilians were given an opportunity to evacuate to designated safe zones, but supplies were barred from entering the blockaded areas.
In a parallel development, US President Joe Biden expressed hope for a potential ceasefire in Lebanon, where Israel is engaged in ground operations against Hezbollah militants. However, he admitted that achieving a ceasefire in Gaza would be more challenging.
The airstrike follows the recent killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, which some had hoped might bring an end to the conflict. However, Hamas deputy leader Khalil al-Hayya declared that hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack would not be released unless Israel ends its military campaign and withdraws from Gaza.
Clashes also intensified in Lebanon, with Israel claiming to have killed 60 Hezbollah fighters and destroyed a regional command center. In response, Hezbollah reported rocket attacks on Haifa and nearby areas.
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Bypolls: K'taka Cong Minority Abdul Jabbar chief resigns amid allegations of 'internal conspiracy'
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Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Congress Minority Department President K Abdul Jabbar announced his resignation from the post on Saturday, a day after a group of Muslim leaders accused members of their own party of "conspiring" to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South.
Jabbar, an MLC, was an aspirant for the Congress ticket from the Davanagere South Assembly segment.
"It has been an honor for me to serve as Chairman of the KPCC Minority department and have worked to the best of my ability during assembly elections 2023 and followed by Parliament polls and many such occasions whenever the party needed the minority department and showed results. I have toured the entire state of Karnataka and worked to align the minorities with Congress values and principles. Most of it is available in the public domain," Jabbar has said in a letter to the party.
"Minority voters and minority office bearers are the backbone of our great Congress party and certainly deserve better," he said.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President, confirmed Jabbar's resignation.
"I won't speak about this now, I have got some reports. The Minority President has submitted his resignation. I will verify things, I will seek a report from local leaders after that I will speak," he told reporters in response to a question on internal conspiracy.
A rift within the Karnataka Congress surfaced on Friday, a day after the bypolls to two Assembly constituencies in the state, as a group of Muslim leaders alleged a "conspiracy" by some of their own senior party leaders to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South.
However, they asserted that despite efforts by some within to project that Congress "betrayed" Muslims, the party candidate Samarth Mallikarjun will win in Davanagere South, the constituency where the community has a significant presence.
They said the party finally named Samarth Mallikarjun as the candidate after considering all factors and taking all Muslim leaders into confidence. Despite this, a massive campaign, including from some within the party, projected the Congress as having "betrayed" the minorities by denying them tickets.
Chief Whip in the Legislative Council Saleem Ahmed, MLAs Rizwan Arshad, Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan, MLC Bilkis Bano, and other Congress leaders addressed a joint press conference on Friday, claiming an "internal conspiracy".
According to party sources, these Muslim leaders have also complained to AICC and state party leadership, alleging "internal sabotage" in Davanagere South.
Though the leaders did not name anyone, several party sources said their attack was directed at State Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan and Jabbar among others.
Khan, who had openly demanded the Davanagere South ticket for a Muslim candidate, initially stayed away from campaigning in the constituency, citing his Kerala poll responsibilities.
However, he addressed a press meet with Samarth's father and Minister SS Mallikarjun at the request of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Jabbar too had not actively participated in the campaigning, despite hailing from Davanagere.
Bypolls for Davanagere South were held along with Bagalkot on Thursday. The election was necessitated following the death of sitting MLAs Shamanur Shivashankarappa and H Y Meti respectively. Samarth is the grandson of Shivashankarappa.
Muslim disgruntlement appears to be a concern for the Congress in Davanagere South. With 14 of the 25 candidates in the fray belonging to the community, there are apprehensions within the party about a split in votes, which could benefit the BJP.
Given its significant presence in the constituency, the Muslim community strongly demanded the Congress ticket for Davanagere South. Some party factions had opposed giving the ticket to the Shamanur family.
Although the Congress was successful in persuading rebel candidate Sadiq Pailwan to withdraw from the contest, he remained in the fray as the move came after the deadline for withdrawal of nominations.
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