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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Uber, Ola partner with Bengaluru Police on safety
Bengaluru (PTI): Bengaluru City Police (BCP) on Monday said that it has, in collaboration with cab aggregator platforms Uber and Ola, implemented a technology-driven integration aimed at enhancing the safety of riders and drivers.
It would also strengthen emergency response mechanisms across the city.
As part of this initiative, emergency call facilities have been incorporated within the Uber and Ola mobile applications used for booking rides, it said.
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Through this integration, riders and drivers seeking emergency assistance can directly share real-time location data, trip details, and contact information with Bangalore City Police's 112 emergency response infrastructure from within the Uber/Ola app itself, an official release said.
Noting that this seamless flow of critical information enables quicker police access during emergencies, facilitating faster response times and potentially life-saving interventions by first responders, it said the initiative is a significant step towards leveraging technology partnerships to ensure safer urban mobility and improved public safety.
