ICSPR reports escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calls for urgent global action
Gaza City, Nov 18: The International Commission to Support Palestinian Rights (ICSPR) has reported a severe escalation in the humanitarian crisis in Northern Gaza, marking the 44th consecutive day of intense ground operations and a tight siege by Israeli forces. The ICSPR has accused Israeli forces of committing ethnic cleansing, genocide, forced displacement, and large-scale destruction, calling it a grave violation of international law.
In its statement, ICSPR revealed that the ongoing military actions have resulted in over 70 massacres, claiming more than 2,500 lives and leaving 6,000 injured. Hundreds remain missing, while tens of thousands of Palestinians have been forcibly displaced, stripped of basic necessities, and left homeless. Targeted violence, including nighttime bombings of homes sheltering civilians—primarily women and children—has further exacerbated the crisis.
In just the past few hours, ICSPR documented four additional massacres in Beit Lahiya, claiming over 90 lives and devastating families such as Abdel-Atti, Ghabein, Ghoneim, Talouli, and Safi. Forty-two shelters for displaced individuals have been destroyed, and displaced residents at three shelters in Beit Hanoun were forcibly expelled, with aid supplies set ablaze. In a separate incident, the UNRWA-operated Abu Asi School in Al-Shati Camp was bombed, resulting in 10 fatalities and 20 injuries, with many victims still trapped under the rubble.
Northern Gaza remains under an unrelenting siege, with humanitarian aid and medical supplies blocked for the 53rd day. This has crippled essential healthcare services, with facilities like the Indonesian Hospital rendered non-operational and Kamal Adwan and Al-Awda hospitals nearing the depletion of critical resources. An estimated 70,000 residents are trapped, facing starvation and limited access to medical care.
The ICSPR also reported the destruction of critical infrastructure, including homes and civilian facilities, alongside the forced displacement of over 150,000 people. Drone strikes targeting civilians attempting to flee have added to the devastation. The commission highlighted that bombings of residential areas and displacement camps continue indiscriminately and without warning.
For 408 consecutive days, ICSPR noted, Israeli forces have waged what it describes as a war of aggression characterized by genocidal acts against civilians. The toll includes approximately 43,799 fatalities—representing 4% of Gaza’s population—over 103,601 injuries, 7,000 detentions, and the destruction of 86% of homes and civilian infrastructure.
ICSPR accused the Israeli government, the United States, and other supportive states of enabling war crimes and violating international treaties, including the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the Rome Statute. The organization also condemned the international community for failing to act decisively to halt the violence or ensure accountability.
The commission has issued urgent pleas to the United Nations, European Union, International Criminal Court, and other global entities to intervene immediately. It has called for measures to halt the violence, facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, and hold Israeli leaders accountable for alleged war crimes to prevent further impunity.
“The international community’s inaction has emboldened those committing these atrocities,” the ICSPR emphasized, demanding a swift response to protect civilians, restore humanitarian access, and bring an end to the escalating violence in Gaza.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Three company directors held in Rs 100-crore investment fraud in Kochi
Kochi (Kerala) (PTI): Police on Sunday arrested three directors of a firm accused of cheating hundreds of investors of over Rs 100 crore through a fake investment scheme linked to agricultural tourism here, officials said.
The accused were identified as Muraleedharan, Ashik Murali and Akhil Murali, all natives of Thrissur.
The arrests were made by the Kalamassery police in connection with a fraud involving ATCOS (Agri Tourism Cooperative Society), a firm headquartered at Pathadipalam here.
Police said the company had promised high returns by collecting investments from the public in the agricultural tourism sector, but allegedly cheated hundreds of people and fled with the money.
ATCOS was registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act and operated 13 branches across various districts in Kerala, besides a branch in Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, officials said.
When investors failed to receive their promised returns or the invested amount, complaints were filed with the police.
Officials said around 54 cases have been registered against the firm in 32 police stations across the state, including 29 cases at the Kalamassery police station alone.
Following instructions from Kochi City Police Commissioner K S Mahesh Kumar, a special investigation team was formed under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Shehensha and Thrikkakara ACP Manoj Kumar.
The team traced the accused to an apartment in Amala Nagar in Thrissur, where they had been hiding after secretly renting the flat, officials said.
The bank accounts of the accused have been frozen, and steps have been initiated to trace their assets, officials said.
Police also conducted a raid at the company’s office at Pathadipalam and seized several documents related to the case.
The accused were produced before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Kalamassery, which remanded them to judicial custody and sent them to Kakkanad jail.
Police said they would seek the custody of the accused for further interrogation as the investigation continues.
