Israeli strikes kill 14 in Gaza, destroy heavy equipment needed to clear rubble
Deir al-Balah, Apr 22 (AP): Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip killed at least 14 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and destroyed bulldozers and other heavy equipment that had been supplied by mediators to clear rubble. Separate strikes on Tuesday killed two people in Lebanon.
Israel's 18-month offensive against Hamas has destroyed vast areas of Gaza, raising fears that much of it may never be rebuilt. The territory already had a shortage of heavy equipment, which is also needed to rescue people from the rubble after Israeli strikes and to clear vital roads.
The Israeli military said it struck and destroyed around 40 pieces of heavy machinery. Israel said Hamas used the vehicles, including bulldozers, for planting explosives, digging tunnels, and breaching fences, including during the October 7, 2023 attack.
A municipality in the Jabaliya area of northern Gaza said a strike on its parking garage destroyed nine bulldozers provided by Egypt and Qatar, which helped broker the ceasefire that took hold in January. Israel ended the truce last month, renewing its bombardment and ground operations and sealing the territory's 2 million Palestinians off from all imports, including food, fuel and medical supplies.
The strikes also destroyed a water tanker and a mobile generator provided by aid groups, and a truck used to pump sewage, the Jabaliya al-Nazla municipality said.
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Body of Kerala nurse killed in Ahmedabad plane disaster brought home
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): The body of a 37-year-old nurse from Kerala who died in the Ahmedabad flight disaster was brought back to her home state on Tuesday morning.
Ranjitha, a native of Pathanamthitta district, was working in the UK when the incident occurred. Her mortal remains were identified through a DNA test.
Her body arrived at the international airport in Thiruvananthapuram around 7 am.
Kerala ministers V Sivankutty and G R Anil were among the officials who paid their last respects.
Senior political leaders, including CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby and Congress veteran Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, also offered tributes.
The coffin was later taken to her village, where it will be kept at a school in Pullad for the public to pay their respects.
Her brother and a close relative accompanied the body on its final journey.
Cremation is expected to take place on the premises of her family home later in the evening.
Ranjitha, a mother of two, was remembered as a dedicated nurse who had worked outside the state for several years to support her family.
