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Why Does Israel Continue to Kill Journalists?
CrossFireArabia- November 30, 2024
CROSSFIREARABIA – Over 190 Palestinian journalists have been killed in Gaza since 7 October, 2023 for daring to report and utter the truth.
The Government Media Office in Gaza states the number of journalists killed in Gaza, as reported on 30 November, 2024, is now 191 after the death of Mamdouh Quneita in the al-Ahli Arab Hospital.
Quneita was an editor for Al-Aqsa satellite channel, the media office said.
“The Government Media Office condemns in the strongest terms the targeting, killing and assassination of Palestinian journalists by the Israeli occupation. We hold it fully responsible for committing this heinous crime.”
His name is trending on the social media for he was killed by an Israeli drone in the middle of Gaza City on Saturday afternoon in the courtyard of the Baptist Al Ahli hospital . According to the Anadolu Agency, as of Nov 27, 190 journalists have been killed in Gaza from Israeli attacks since Oct 7, 2023
One blogger writes: Shame on mainstream medias and all western journalists who remain silent in the face of Palestinian journalists being killed in unprecedented numbers by the Israeli colonial and apartheid regime. @MariamBarghouti, @ReporterSol
Another said Israeli forces shot and killed Mamdouh Quneita with a direct bullet to the head while he was performing his journalistic duties by Mamadani hospital. 191 journalists killed by Israel in just 13 months. This should be met with outrage and consequences.
Quneita was killed at the same hospital that Israel bombed October 17, 2023 killing hundreds in one go and setting the precedent for what later became a targeted attack on the Palestinian health infrastructure— including the rape and execution of doctors, nurses, and their own children.
One writes the killing of Palestinian journalists is more than WWI, WWII and Vietnam war combined yet the killing goes on the silence by the international community is maintained.
Yet the shocks continue by shallow statements from such western politicians.
Ben Gvir: ‘No Call to Prayer’
- CrossFireArabia
- November 30, 2024
Ultranationalist Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir orders police to begin confiscating loudspeakers from mosques in 1948-occupied Palestine, claiming the call to prayer disturbs settlers. He also demands fines for instances where confiscation is not possible, according to Channel 12 reporter.
Trashing….
- CrossFireArabia
- November 30, 2024
CEOSSFIREARABIA – At first France said it would adhere to the decision of the International Criminal Court and arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he landed in Paris because he is wanted as a war criminal.
This angered Netanyahu. In a private telephone call with President Emmanuel Macron, the two leaders had a terse conversation on the international legality of the ICC decision. Netanyahu questioned its validity in the strongest manner.
While this was going on, France was interested in reaching a ceasefire deal on Lebanon and Hezbollah. Israel started another battle on its northern borders come mid-September and was busily attacking south Lebanon up to Beirut’s south district, seen as a Hezbollah stronghold.
The French government soon started its diplomacy and started to push for a ceasefire. Thus the context became that if France waived the Netanyahu arrest and that of his ex-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, should they travel to France, a deal can be reached on Lebanon.
And thus a 60-day ceasefire was finally reached; this was a ceasefire that could be extended.
Meanwhile France needed to provide its pretext for “arresting/not arresting Netanyahu” if he landed in France. Excuses had to be made: Israel wasn’t privy to ICC decisions because it was not a signatory to the world body as well it was felt that that Netanyahu couldn’t be arrested because he was a sitting prime minister.
This meant that the whole issue was becoming very confusing. But the ICC decision was binding on all 124 of its members in the world that includes France which is bound to follow the decisions of the international court with no excuses!
This political diplomacy maybe water on a duck’s back because Netanyahu is still promising that he will go after Hezbollah soon ant that means an Israeli war on Lebanon is likely to start again in the near future.
But is this likely as well, since the north of Israel is clearly devastated and neither the Israelis nor their army would prefer to see war re-starts again. For the time being however, its touch and go.
Trump, Gaza Ceasefire & Hostage Deal
- CrossFireArabia
- November 30, 2024
US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told Axios that US President-elect Donald Trump wants to see a Gaza hostage deal and ceasefire before he returns to the White House in January. “Trump is more determined than ever to release the hostages and supports a ceasefire that includes a hostage deal. He wants to see it happening now,” Graham told Axios.
“I want people in Israel and in the region to know that Trump is focused on the hostages issue. He wants the killing to stop and the fighting to end,” he said. “I hope President Trump and the Biden administration will work together during the transition period to release the hostages and get a ceasefire,” he added.