Australia PM praises Usman Khawaja for showing courage amid stand-off with ICC
Melbourne: Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has praised Usman Khawaja's courage amid his stand-off with the ICC after expressing solidarity with the victims of the conflict between Palestine and Israel.
The ICC has barred the Australian opener from displaying messages of equality and freedom, specifically a dove logo and an olive branch on his shoes, during the Test series against Pakistan.
The decision was based on the international regulation that prohibits players from showcasing personal messages on their uniforms But his act has won him an admirer in the country's premier who touched upon Khawaja's gesture during an address to the Australian and Pakistan teams ahead of the Sydney Test.
''I'd like to congratulate (Khawaja) for the courage he has shown standing up for human values,'' Albanese said.
''He has shown courage, and the fact that the team has backed him in is a great thing.'' ''When Ussie and Dave (David Warner) go out, it will be a very special moment, when you walk on to the SCG,'' Albanese added. The SCG Test will mark the last time Khawaja and Warner will be walking out together to open the innings with the latter retiring from the traditional format after the match beginning on Wednesday.
Last week, Australian captain Pat Cummins had come in support of his teammate, saying the opener’s attempt to bring to the fore the humanitarian crisis in Gaza was ''not offensive.'' Cricket's global governing body, the ICC, had rejected Khawaja's application to have a sticker showing a black dove holding an olive branch on his bat and shoes during the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan.
''We really support Uzzy. He's standing up for what he believes and I think he's done it really respectfully,'' Cummins had said on the eve of the second Test at the MCG, which Australia won to wrap up the series.
''As I said last week, 'All lives are equal', I don't think that's very offensive and I'd say the same about the dove,'' Cummins had said.
Notably, the ICC reprimanded Khawaja for wearing a black armband during Australia's 360-run win over Pakistan in Perth, the action coming after he was barred from wearing boots with the messages ''Freedom is a human right'' and ''All lives are equal'' in the colours of the Palestinian flag during the match at the Optus Stadium.
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Israeli strikes on Gaza, kills at least 27 Palestinians
Deir Al-Balah, Apr 28 (AP): Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip overnight into Monday killed at least 27 Palestinians, according to local health officials.
Israel has carried out daily strikes on Gaza since ending its ceasefire with Hamas last month. It has cut off the territory's two million Palestinians from all imports, including food and medicine, since the beginning of March in what it says is an attempt to pressure the fighter group to release hostages.
The daily bombardment and widespread hunger is taking a heavy toll on Gaza's most vulnerable residents, including pregnant women and children.
An airstrike hit a home in Beit Lahiya, killing 10 people, including a Palestinian prisoner, Abdel-Fattah Abu Mahadi, who had been released as part of the ceasefire. His wife, two of their children and a grandchild were also killed, according to the Indonesian Hospital, which received the bodies.
Another strike hit a home in Gaza City, killing seven people, including two women, according to the Gaza Health Ministry's emergency service. Two other people were wounded.
Late Sunday, a strike hit a home in the southern city of Khan Younis, killing at least 10 people, including five siblings as young as four-years-old, according to the Health Ministry. Two other children were killed along with their parents, according to Nasser Hospital, which received the bodies.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. Israel says it makes every effort to avoid harming civilians and blames Hamas for their deaths because the fighter group operate in densely populated areas.
The war began when Hamas-led group attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. Hamas is still holding 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.
Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed over 52,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were fighters or civilians. Israel's bombardment and ground operations have destroyed vast areas of Gaza and left most of its population homeless.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the offensive until all the hostages are returned and Hamas is either destroyed or agrees to disarm and leave the territory. He says Israel will then implement US President Donald Trump's proposal to resettle much of Gaza's population in other countries through what the Israeli leader refers to as "voluntary emigration."
Palestinians say the plan would amount to forcible expulsion from their homeland after Israel's offensive left much of Gaza uninhabitable. Human rights experts say it would likely violate international law.
Hamas has said it will only release the remaining hostages in return for more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, as called for in the ceasefire that Israel ended.
