Full blown’ humanitarian crisis in Gaza: ICRC
January 7, 2009
The international Red Cross yesterday warned that increasing numbers of civilians in the Gaza Strip are being killed during Israel’s military offensive, locking the territory in a “full blown” humanitarian crisis. “I cannot sufficiently underline the level of concern and anxiety that is felt at the ICRC in relation to the crisis in Gaza,” said Pierre Kraehenbuehl, the director of operations for the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Israel tightens grip on Gaza, fights off ceasefire pressure
January 6, 2009
Israeli warplanes carried out intensive raids on Hamas targets on Monday as ground troops surrounded Gaza’s main city, while Israel faced mounting diplomatic pressure for a ceasefire. The senior Hamas leader in Gaza promised “victory is coming” for the Islamist group, but Israel’s defence minister said “we have hit Hamas hard” while insisting the operation to halt Hamas rocket attacks would continue.
Muslims rally worldwide for peace in Gaza
January 3, 2009
Thousands of Afghans demonstrated Friday against Israel’s strikes on the Gaza Strip, chanting slogans against the Jewish state and calling for the defence of Islam, including by jihad or holy war. About 1,000 demonstrators in the western city of Herat ripped up an Israeli flag, torched banners and set alight an effigy of Israeli President Shimon Peres, an AFP reporter at the scene witnessed.
Pro-India Muslim to head new Kashmir government
December 31, 2008
A young, pro-India Muslim politician, Omar Abdullah, was set Tuesday to become the new chief minister of Indian Kashmir-the third generation of his family to hold the post. Abdullah, the leader of the pro-India National Conference, was backed by India’s ruling Congress Party, after state elections in the troubled Muslim-majority region failed to return an outright winner.
Oil rises above $40 on Israel-Hamas violence
December 30, 2008
Oil prices rose above $40 a barrel on Monday, up nearly 8 per cent on the previous session, after violence between Israel and Hamas served as a reminder of tensions that could threaten crude supplies from the Middle East. US light, sweet crude was up $3.18 at $40.89 a barrel by 1000 GMT (5:00am EST), below a session high of $42.20.
205 killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza
December 28, 2008
Israel hammered Hamas targets in Gaza on Saturday, killing at least 205 people in retaliation for ongoing rocket fire in one of the bloodiest days of the decades-long Middle East conflict. The Israeli defence minister, Ehud Barak, said ‘Operation Cast Lead,’ which has also left some 300 wounded, would continue ‘as long as necessary.’
Pakistan warns India it will respond to any attack
December 28, 2008
Pakistan warned India not to launch a strike against it and vowed to respond to any attack, but also sought to defuse tensions with its rival in the wake of the Mumbai attacks. Though the South Asian nuclear powers have engaged in tit-for-tat accusations in recent weeks, both sides have repeatedly said they hope to avoid conflict.
Pakistan cancels army leave, shifts troops
December 27, 2008
Pakistan has cancelled leave for “operational” armed forces personnel and redeployed troops to the Indian border amid simmering tensions with New Delhi, a military official said Friday. Relations between the South Asian neighbours have been badly strained since the Mumbai attacks, which New Delhi has blamed on Pakistan-based militants. Islamabad says India has not provided it with evidence on which to act.
India demands increased global pressure on Pakistan
December 23, 2008
India’s foreign minister on Monday criticised the international reaction to last month’s attacks on Mumbai, saying pressure put on Pakistan by world leaders was inadequate. Pranab Mukherjee said that he wanted to see more results from US-led attempts to force Pakistan to co-operate with the probe into the attacks, which India blames on Pakistan-based militants.
Mumbai hostage hotels re-open
December 22, 2008
Two luxury hotels that were stormed by Islamist militants re-opened amid tight security in Mumbai Sunday, less than a month after devastating attacks that rocked India’s financial and entertainment hub. The Trident and Taj Mahal hotels received their first guests since the carnage, with staff praised for their dedication and resilience as others called for defiance in the face of extremism.