Israeli military strikes Hamas military post in Gaza
Jerusalem, Aug 4 : The Israeli military on Friday struck a Hamas military post in the southern Gaza Strip, according to a statement issued by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The strike was carried out by an IDF tank after several Palestinians infiltrated into Israel from southern Gaza, and hurled firebombs and an explosive device in the border fence area, said the Israeli army, Xinhua reported.
According to the army, about 8,000 Palestinians on Friday gathered in five locations along the Gaza Strip border, attempting to sabotage security infrastructure.
A 25-year-old Palestinian was killed and 220 others wounded during the clashes on the Gaza Strip border, the Israeli media quoted the Gaza Health Ministry as saying.
"The troops are responding with riot dispersal means and operating according to standard operating procedures," said the IDF.
The Islamic Hamas movement, which runs the Gaza Strip, was considering accepting the terms of a long-term cease-fire with Israel, which was brokered by the United Nations envoy for Middle East peace and Egyptian officials in recent months, Israeli media reported.
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MP Brijesh Chowta urges centre to grant point of call status to Mangaluru airport
New Delhi: Dakshina Kannada MP Brijesh Chowta has demanded that Mangaluru International Airport be given Point of Call (TOC) status urgently.
Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha under Rule 377, MP Chowta said that Mangaluru International Airport is a major aviation gateway for coastal Karnataka and neighbouring Kerala. The airport handled around 23.4 lakh passengers, including 7.15 lakh international passengers, during 2024-25. More than 16,800 flights were operated for it. This has registered a growth of more than 15% annually. He said that these figures highlight the importance of the airport in terms of growth and commercial promotion.
A significant number of people from Tulunadu regions work in Gulf and Middle Eastern countries. This working community relies heavily on Mangaluru airport for international travel. However, due to lack of point of call status, foreign airlines are unable to operate direct international services from here. Hence, passengers have to travel via Bengaluru or Cochin airports. This is causing various inconveniences to the NRI community, including high cost, long travel time, Brijesh Chowta has drawn the attention of the House.
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Granting the status to Mangaluru International Airport will enable direct international connectivity for the people of this region. It will also facilitate further expansion of airline operations. It will enable smooth travel for the working class abroad and their families.
Such air connectivity will naturally boost trade and investment activities here. It will also support and encourage regional industries like areca nut, cashew nut processing and petrochemicals. It will also complement the growth of the Mangalore Special Economic Zone, MP Chowta assured the House.
Providing direct international connectivity can not only boost the growth of tourism in the coastal region but also the progress in the education sector. It will also facilitate easy travel for students, researchers and visitors of prestigious institutions like NITK Suratkal and Manipal Institute of Technology to international forums, he said.
