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<p>Israel has told the United Nations (UN) that it would not renew a visa for a top UN humanitarian aid official for the Gaza Strip and West Bank, a spokesperson said on Friday (Dec 1). Lynn Hastings, a veteran UN official, has served as the deputy special coordinator for the Middle East peace process and UN humanitarian coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory for nearly three years.</p>

<p>Speaking to reporters, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said, "We've been informed by the Israeli authorities that they would not renew the visa of Ms Hastings past the due date at some point later this month."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-war-live-updates-178-killed-in-gaza-post-fight-resumption-665264">Click here to follow top updates on the Israel-Hamas war</a></strong></p>

<p>Dujarric did not mention whether Hastings would be replaced but said UN staff did not overstay their visas in any country, adding UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had full confidence in her.</p>

<h2><strong>Renewed fighting enters day 2</strong></h2>

<p>The renewed fighting between Israel and Hamas following the end of the weeklong truce entered the second day on Saturday. On Friday, explosions over the Gaza City could be heard from southern Israel. A report by the news agency Reuters said that eastern areas of southern Gaza came under intense bombardment with columns of smoke rising into the sky.</p>

<p>The Israeli military said it struck over 200 terror targets in Gaza. By Friday evening, health officials in the coastal strip said Israeli strikes had killed 184 people, wounded at least 589 others and hit more than 20 houses.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-war-israeli-officials-knew-about-hamas-attack-over-a-year-ago-says-report-665019">Israeli officials knew about Hamas' attack plan over a year ago, says report</a></strong></p>

<p>Israel and Hamas have blamed each other for the truce collapse by rejecting terms to extend the daily release of hostages held by militants in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli jails.</p>

<p>The truce started on Nov 24 and was extended twice.</p>

<h2><strong>Negotiations going on to restore truce: Qatar</strong></h2>

<p>Qatar said on Friday that negotiations are going on with Israelis and Palestinians to restore the truce, but Israel's renewed bombardment of Gaza had complicated matters. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Washington was working diplomatically to restore the truce.</p>

<p>"We're going to continue to work with Israel and Egypt and Qatar on efforts to re-implement the pause," he told reporters in California.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Israel has told the United Nations (UN) that it would not renew a visa for a top UN humanitarian aid official for the Gaza Strip and West Bank, a spokesperson said on Friday (Dec 1).

Israel has told the United Nations (UN) that it would not renew a visa for a top UN humanitarian aid official for the Gaza Strip and West Bank, a spokesperson said on Friday (Dec 1). Lynn Hastings, a veteran UN official, has served as the deputy special coordinator for the Middle East peace process and UN humanitarian coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory for nearly three years. Speaking to reporters, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said, "We've been informed by the Israeli authorities that they would not renew the visa of Ms Hastings past the due date at some point later this month." Click here to follow top updates on the Israel-Hamas war Dujarric did not mention whether Hastings would be replaced but said UN staff did not overstay their visas in any country, adding UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had full confidence in her. Renewed fighting enters day 2 The renewed fighting between Israel and Hamas following the end of the weeklong truce entered the second day on Saturday. On Friday, explosions over the Gaza City could be heard from southern Israel. A report by the news agency Reuters said that eastern areas of southern Gaza came under intense bombardment with columns of smoke rising into the sky. The Israeli military said it struck over 200 terror targets in Gaza. By Friday evening, health officials in the coastal strip said Israeli strikes had killed 184 people, wounded at least 589 others and hit more than 20 houses. Also read: Israeli officials knew about Hamas' attack plan over a year ago, says report Israel and Hamas have blamed each other for the truce collapse by rejecting terms to extend the daily release of hostages held by militants in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli jails. The truce started on Nov 24 and was extended twice. Negotiations going on to restore truce: Qatar Qatar said on Friday that negotiations are going on with Israelis and Palestinians to restore the truce, but Israel's renewed bombardment of Gaza had complicated matters. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Washington was working diplomatically to restore the truce. "We're going to continue to work with Israel and Egypt and Qatar on efforts to re-implement the pause," he told reporters in California. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel-Hamas war: Israel will not renew visa for top UN aid official in Gaza and West Bank

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<p>A spokesperson of the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday (Dec 1) that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas was in fact 'a war on children',&nbsp;adding the world could not see more children with the wounds of a conflict. Sharing a video on Instagram, James Elder&nbsp;said he was at a hospital in the Gaza Strip, and an explosion occurred 50 metres from the premises.</p>

<p>"The ceasefire is over. We can already hear the bombing. I am at a hospital. There was a hit about 50 metres from here. This is the biggest, still functioning hospital in Gaza. It's at 200% capacity. Yes, this is a hospital. The health system here is overwhelmed," Elder said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>"This hospital simply cannot take more children with the wounds of war. There are children everywhere," he added.</p>

<h2><strong>'Cannot allow more children in Gaza to suffer'</strong></h2>

<p>Elder said that the world could see more children with the wounds of war, with burns, with shrapnel littering their bodies, with broken bones. The UNICEF spokesperson pointed out that inaction by those with influence was allowing the killing of children.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Clearly words, clearly pleas from the world do not make a difference on those who have the power to stop the killing, the maiming of children. So let's, at least, look at the damage being done," he further said.</p>

<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-war-israeli-officials-knew-about-hamas-attack-over-a-year-ago-says-report-665019">Israeli officials knew about Hamas' attack plan over a year ago, says report</a></strong></p>

<p>Elder's remarks came after fighting renewed between Israel and Hamas following the expiration of the week-long truce which started on Nov 24. On Saturday, the Israeli military carried out deadly bombardments in the Gaza Strip.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hamas said on Friday that more than 170 people had been killed in the war-torn region since Friday. The UN had warned that the fighting would worsen an extreme humanitarian emergency.</p>

<p>"Hell on Earth has returned to Gaza," Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN humanitarian office in Geneva, said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A spokesperson of the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday (Dec 1) that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas was in fact 'a war on children', adding the world could not see more children with the wounds of a conflict.

A spokesperson of the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday (Dec 1) that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas was in fact 'a war on children', adding the world could not see more children with the wounds of a conflict. Sharing a video on Instagram, James Elder said he was at a hospital in the Gaza Strip, and an explosion occurred 50 metres from the premises. "The ceasefire is over. We can already hear the bombing. I am at a hospital. There was a hit about 50 metres from here. This is the biggest, still functioning hospital in Gaza. It's at 200% capacity. Yes, this is a hospital. The health system here is overwhelmed," Elder said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by James Elder (@james_unicef) × "This hospital simply cannot take more children with the wounds of war. There are children everywhere," he added. 'Cannot allow more children in Gaza to suffer' Elder said that the world could see more children with the wounds of war, with burns, with shrapnel littering their bodies, with broken bones. The UNICEF spokesperson pointed out that inaction by those with influence was allowing the killing of children. "Clearly words, clearly pleas from the world do not make a difference on those who have the power to stop the killing, the maiming of children. So let's, at least, look at the damage being done," he further said. Also read: Israeli officials knew about Hamas' attack plan over a year ago, says report Elder's remarks came after fighting renewed between Israel and Hamas following the expiration of the week-long truce which started on Nov 24. On Saturday, the Israeli military carried out deadly bombardments in the Gaza Strip. Hamas said on Friday that more than 170 people had been killed in the war-torn region since Friday. The UN had warned that the fighting would worsen an extreme humanitarian emergency. "Hell on Earth has returned to Gaza," Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN humanitarian office in Geneva, said. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel-Hamas conflict ‘a war on children’: UNICEF spokesperson

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<p>New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Friday (Dec 1) that phones will be banned in schools across the country, a move he said would stop disruptive behaviour and help students focus. "We are going to ban phones across New Zealand in schools. We want our kids to learn and we want our teachers to teach," Prime Minister Luxon said, the news agency AFP reported.</p>

<p>Luxon declared the ban would be in place within his first 100 days in office. The decision comes amid levels of reading and writing in the country declining to the point that some researchers feared there was a classroom "crisis".</p>

<p>AFP reported that Education Hub, a charity organisation, warned of a literacy crisis last year, finding more than one-third of 15-year-olds in New Zealand could barely read or write. "That something must be done to address the distressingly low literacy rates in Aotearoa New Zealand is clear," it said.</p>

<h2><strong>Survey: Phones shouldn't be banned during break time in schools</strong></h2>

<p>Most citizens supported phones being banned in classrooms but not during break time, a survey from Horizon Research said. Horizon surveyed 1,481 adults of which 61 per cent supported banning phones during class time but not during break; 56 per cent supported a ban on phones for the whole school day; 16 per cent of respondents said there should be no ban; and 52 per cent supported whatever decision the school took.</p>

<p>The survey was carried out last month.</p>

<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-all-set-to-scrap-smoking-generation-ban-to-help-fund-tax-cuts-663182">'Win for tobacco lobby': New Zealand all set to scrap 'smoking generation ban'</a></strong></p>

<p>Horizon Research said that although the phone ban policy was considered controversial during the election campaign, it had strong public support, and tweaking the policy would maximise support.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Luxon's government, which was sworn in Monday, has been mired in controversy since. The government scrapped tobacco control measures that aimed to prohibit the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after 2008, a decision widely criticised by doctors.</p>

<p>The government also agreed to restart offshore oil and gas exploration, junking one of former premier Jacinda Ardern's signature climate change policies.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Friday (Dec 1) that phones will be banned in schools across the country, a move he said would stop disruptive behaviour and help students focus.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Friday (Dec 1) that phones will be banned in schools across the country, a move he said would stop disruptive behaviour and help students focus. "We are going to ban phones across New Zealand in schools. We want our kids to learn and we want our teachers to teach," Prime Minister Luxon said, the news agency AFP reported. Luxon declared the ban would be in place within his first 100 days in office. The decision comes amid levels of reading and writing in the country declining to the point that some researchers feared there was a classroom "crisis". AFP reported that Education Hub, a charity organisation, warned of a literacy crisis last year, finding more than one-third of 15-year-olds in New Zealand could barely read or write. "That something must be done to address the distressingly low literacy rates in Aotearoa New Zealand is clear," it said. Survey: Phones shouldn't be banned during break time in schools Most citizens supported phones being banned in classrooms but not during break time, a survey from Horizon Research said. Horizon surveyed 1,481 adults of which 61 per cent supported banning phones during class time but not during break; 56 per cent supported a ban on phones for the whole school day; 16 per cent of respondents said there should be no ban; and 52 per cent supported whatever decision the school took. The survey was carried out last month. Also read | 'Win for tobacco lobby': New Zealand all set to scrap 'smoking generation ban' Horizon Research said that although the phone ban policy was considered controversial during the election campaign, it had strong public support, and tweaking the policy would maximise support. Prime Minister Luxon's government, which was sworn in Monday, has been mired in controversy since. The government scrapped tobacco control measures that aimed to prohibit the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after 2008, a decision widely criticised by doctors. The government also agreed to restart offshore oil and gas exploration, junking one of former premier Jacinda Ardern's signature climate change policies. (With inputs from agencies)

New Zealand to ban phones at schools amid fears of a classroom 'crisis'

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<p>US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday (Nov 30) told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that his country should avoid massive civilian losses in southern Gaza. Addressing a press conference in Tel Aviv, Blinken laid out steps for Israel to minimise civilian casualties but did not say if he was assured the steps would be taken.</p>

<p>"We discussed the details of Israel's ongoing planning and I underscored the imperative for the United States that the massive loss of civilian life and displacement of the scale that we saw in northern Gaza not be repeated in the South," Blinken said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Israel understands the imperative of protecting civilians, the imperative of the humanitarian assistance, and will continue to work to ensure that that carries forward in practice," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-war-live-updates-idf-says-ready-to-resume-fighting-664833"><strong>Click here to follow top updates on the Israel-Hamas war</strong></a></p>

<p>The US Secretary of State pointed out that the Israeli military was one of the most sophisticated militaries in the world and was capable of neutralising the threat posed by Hamas while minimising harm to innocent people.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Blinken urges Israel to create safe zones in Gaza</strong></h2>

<p>Blinken also urged Israel to create safe zones in the Gaza Strip before fighting resumed and called for a further extension of the truce which included hostage and prisoner swaps and aid deliveries into Gaza.</p>

<p>"Clearly, we want to see this process continue to move forward. We want an eighth day and beyond," he said. The initial four-day truce was extended for three days following work by international mediators, led by Qatar.</p>

<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-have-sworn-to-destroy-hamas-netanyahu-tells-blinken-after-three-israelis-are-killed-in-jerusalem-664826">'I have sworn to destroy Hamas': Netanyahu tells Blinken after three Israelis are killed in Jerusalem</a></strong></p>

<p>The current truce will expire on Friday unless there is an agreement to extend it. The truce has facilitated the release of scores of Israeli and foreign hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails along with the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.</p>

<p>On Thursday, eight hostages were released in exchange for 30 Palestinian prisoners.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Hamas open to extending truce</strong></h2>

<p>Hamas said on Thursday that it was willing to extend the truce for hostage and prisoner exchanges, the news agency AFP reported citing a source.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The mediators are currently making strong, intense and continuous efforts for an additional day in the truce and then working to extend it again for other days," the source said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday (Nov 30) told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that his country should avoid massive civilian losses in southern Gaza.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday (Nov 30) told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that his country should avoid massive civilian losses in southern Gaza. Addressing a press conference in Tel Aviv, Blinken laid out steps for Israel to minimise civilian casualties but did not say if he was assured the steps would be taken. "We discussed the details of Israel's ongoing planning and I underscored the imperative for the United States that the massive loss of civilian life and displacement of the scale that we saw in northern Gaza not be repeated in the South," Blinken said. "Israel understands the imperative of protecting civilians, the imperative of the humanitarian assistance, and will continue to work to ensure that that carries forward in practice," he added. Click here to follow top updates on the Israel-Hamas war The US Secretary of State pointed out that the Israeli military was one of the most sophisticated militaries in the world and was capable of neutralising the threat posed by Hamas while minimising harm to innocent people. Blinken urges Israel to create safe zones in Gaza Blinken also urged Israel to create safe zones in the Gaza Strip before fighting resumed and called for a further extension of the truce which included hostage and prisoner swaps and aid deliveries into Gaza. "Clearly, we want to see this process continue to move forward. We want an eighth day and beyond," he said. The initial four-day truce was extended for three days following work by international mediators, led by Qatar. Also read | 'I have sworn to destroy Hamas': Netanyahu tells Blinken after three Israelis are killed in Jerusalem The current truce will expire on Friday unless there is an agreement to extend it. The truce has facilitated the release of scores of Israeli and foreign hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails along with the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. On Thursday, eight hostages were released in exchange for 30 Palestinian prisoners. Hamas open to extending truce Hamas said on Thursday that it was willing to extend the truce for hostage and prisoner exchanges, the news agency AFP reported citing a source. "The mediators are currently making strong, intense and continuous efforts for an additional day in the truce and then working to extend it again for other days," the source said. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel-Hamas war: Blinken urges Israel to avoid massive civilian deaths in southern Gaza

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<p>The truce deal between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip expired on Friday (Dec 1) with no announcement of an extension, the news agency AFP reported. Negotiators had been working feverishly to renew the pause in fighting which has been going on since October 7. The Israeli military said that it resumed combat in the Gaza Strip following the expiration of the truce.</p>

<p>"Hamas violated the operational pause, and in addition, fired toward Israeli territory," the Israeli Army said in a statement, adding it resumed combat against Hamas in Gaza.</p>

<p>In an hour before the truce was about to end, Israel said it intercepted a rocket fired from Gaza.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hamas violated the operational pause, and in addition, fired toward Israeli territory.<br />
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The IDF has resumed combat against the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza. <a href="https://t.co/gVRpctD79R">pic.twitter.com/gVRpctD79R</a></p>
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1730455649815822608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Earlier, a report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) said that the truce was extended for another day, facilitating the exchange of Israeli and foreign hostages and Palestinian prisoners along with the delivery of humanitarian aid to the war-torn region. However, there was no official confirmation.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>8 Israeli hostages, 30 Palestinians freed in last exchange</strong></h2>

<p>On Thursday, Hamas released eight Israeli hostages in exchange for 30 Palestinian prisoners.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-war-live-updates-idf-says-ready-to-resume-fighting-664833"><strong>Click here to follow all updates on Israel-Hamas war&nbsp;</strong></a></p>

<p>Thus far, during the truce since November 24, Hamas has freed 105 hostages and Israel has released 240 Palestinian prisoners. Also on Thursday, more fuel and 56 trucks of humanitarian supplies entered Gaza.</p>

<h2><strong>29 killed since truce ended: Hamas</strong></h2>

<p>The Hamas health ministry in Gaza said 29 people had been killed on Friday in the initial hours after the truce expired and hostilities resumed.</p>

<p>Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra told AFP the dead included 10 people killed in al-Maghazi in central Gaza, nine in Rafah in the south, and five in Gaza City in the north, following the expiring of the truce at 7 am local time.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-have-sworn-to-destroy-hamas-netanyahu-tells-blinken-after-three-israelis-are-killed-in-jerusalem-664826">'I have sworn to destroy Hamas': Netanyahu tells Blinken after three Israelis are killed in Jerusalem</a></strong></p>

<p>Israel has sworn to annihilate Hamas, which rules Gaza, in response to the October 7 rampage by the Palestinian militant group. Israel said that 1,200 people were killed by Hamas while Palestinian authorities said that 15,000 Gazans were killed.</p>

<p>When the ceasefire first came into effect a week ago, Israel was preparing to turn the focus of its operation to southern Gaza after its seven-week assault to the north.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The truce deal between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip expired on Friday (Dec 1) with no announcement of an extension, the news agency AFP reported. Negotiators had been working feverishly to renew the pause in fighting which has been going on since October 7.

The truce deal between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip expired on Friday (Dec 1) with no announcement of an extension, the news agency AFP reported. Negotiators had been working feverishly to renew the pause in fighting which has been going on since October 7. The Israeli military said that it resumed combat in the Gaza Strip following the expiration of the truce. "Hamas violated the operational pause, and in addition, fired toward Israeli territory," the Israeli Army said in a statement, adding it resumed combat against Hamas in Gaza. In an hour before the truce was about to end, Israel said it intercepted a rocket fired from Gaza. Hamas violated the operational pause, and in addition, fired toward Israeli territory. The IDF has resumed combat against the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/gVRpctD79R — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) December 1, 2023 × Earlier, a report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) said that the truce was extended for another day, facilitating the exchange of Israeli and foreign hostages and Palestinian prisoners along with the delivery of humanitarian aid to the war-torn region. However, there was no official confirmation. 8 Israeli hostages, 30 Palestinians freed in last exchange On Thursday, Hamas released eight Israeli hostages in exchange for 30 Palestinian prisoners. Click here to follow all updates on Israel-Hamas war Thus far, during the truce since November 24, Hamas has freed 105 hostages and Israel has released 240 Palestinian prisoners. Also on Thursday, more fuel and 56 trucks of humanitarian supplies entered Gaza. 29 killed since truce ended: Hamas The Hamas health ministry in Gaza said 29 people had been killed on Friday in the initial hours after the truce expired and hostilities resumed. Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra told AFP the dead included 10 people killed in al-Maghazi in central Gaza, nine in Rafah in the south, and five in Gaza City in the north, following the expiring of the truce at 7 am local time. Also read: 'I have sworn to destroy Hamas': Netanyahu tells Blinken after three Israelis are killed in Jerusalem Israel has sworn to annihilate Hamas, which rules Gaza, in response to the October 7 rampage by the Palestinian militant group. Israel said that 1,200 people were killed by Hamas while Palestinian authorities said that 15,000 Gazans were killed. When the ceasefire first came into effect a week ago, Israel was preparing to turn the focus of its operation to southern Gaza after its seven-week assault to the north. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel-Hamas war: Gaza truce deal expires, fighting resumes

<p>Israeli officials knew about Hamas' plans to carry out an attack more than a year before the actual assault happened on October 7, claimed&nbsp;the New York Times in a report.</p>

<p>Citing documents, emails, and interviews, the report said Israeli military and intelligence officials dismissed the Hamas plan as aspirational, considering it too difficult for the Palestinian militant group to execute it.</p>

<p>This development came as the ongoing war escalated on Friday (Nov 30) following the expiry of a week-long ceasefire between the warring factions.</p>

<p>The report said that an approximately 40-page document called "Jericho Wall" gave details about Hamas' proposed attack.</p>

<p>As per the document, there was no&nbsp;fixed date for the attack. But it described a methodical assault designed to overwhelm fortifications around the Gaza Strip, take over cities in Israel, and storm key military bases.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-war-live-updates-idf-says-ready-to-resume-fighting-664833">Click here to follow all updates on the Israel-Hamas war</a></strong></p>

<p>It was not yet known if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or other top Israeli politicians saw the document.</p>

<p>The Hamas attack of October 7 left at least 1,200 Israelis dead.</p>

<h2><strong>Hamas followed document's details with shocking precision</strong></h2>

<p>The NYT report claimed that Hamas followed the details described in the document with shocking precision.</p>

<p>The 'Jericho Wall' called for a barrage of rockets at the outset of the attack, drones to knock out security cameras, and gunmen to arrive in Israel in paragliders, motorcycles, and on foot:&nbsp; all of which actually happened on October 7.</p>

<p>The document also showed details about the location and size of Israeli forces, communication hubs, and other sensitive information.</p>

<p>This raised questions about how Hamas gathered its intelligence and whether there were any leaks inside the Israeli security establishment.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/hamas-israel-war-as-war-rages-a-middle-east-peace-fantasy-returns-664535">As war rages, a Middle East peace fantasy returns</a></strong></p>

<p>In 2022, shortly after this document was obtained, officials in the Israeli military's Gaza division&nbsp;said that Hamas' intentions were unclear. A military assessment reviewed by the publication said that it was not yet possible to determine whether the plan was fully accepted and how it would be manifested.</p>

<h2><strong>Three months before war, a warning</strong></h2>

<p>Three months before the October 7 attack, a veteran analyst with Israel's&nbsp;signals intelligence agency Unit 8200 warned that Hamas had carried out an intense&nbsp;daylong training exercise that appeared similar to what was outlined in the document. On July 6, the analyst wrote to a group of&nbsp;other intelligence experts that dozens of Hamas militants had recently conducted training exercises, with senior commanders of the group observing.</p>

<p>She warned the drill closely followed the Jericho Wall plan, and Hamas was building the capacity to conduct it.</p>

<p>However, a colonel in the Gaza division&nbsp;brushed off her concerns by saying the scenario was imaginary, and not an indication of Hamas' ability to pull it off.&nbsp;“In short, let’s wait patiently,” the colonel said, the NYT reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Israeli officials knew about Hamas' plans to carry out an attack more than a year before the actual assault happened on October 7, claimed the New York Times in a report.

Israeli officials knew about Hamas' plans to carry out an attack more than a year before the actual assault happened on October 7, claimed the New York Times in a report. Citing documents, emails, and interviews, the report said Israeli military and intelligence officials dismissed the Hamas plan as aspirational, considering it too difficult for the Palestinian militant group to execute it. This development came as the ongoing war escalated on Friday (Nov 30) following the expiry of a week-long ceasefire between the warring factions. The report said that an approximately 40-page document called "Jericho Wall" gave details about Hamas' proposed attack. As per the document, there was no fixed date for the attack. But it described a methodical assault designed to overwhelm fortifications around the Gaza Strip, take over cities in Israel, and storm key military bases. Click here to follow all updates on the Israel-Hamas war It was not yet known if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or other top Israeli politicians saw the document. The Hamas attack of October 7 left at least 1,200 Israelis dead. Hamas followed document's details with shocking precision The NYT report claimed that Hamas followed the details described in the document with shocking precision. The 'Jericho Wall' called for a barrage of rockets at the outset of the attack, drones to knock out security cameras, and gunmen to arrive in Israel in paragliders, motorcycles, and on foot: all of which actually happened on October 7. The document also showed details about the location and size of Israeli forces, communication hubs, and other sensitive information. This raised questions about how Hamas gathered its intelligence and whether there were any leaks inside the Israeli security establishment. Also read: As war rages, a Middle East peace fantasy returns In 2022, shortly after this document was obtained, officials in the Israeli military's Gaza division said that Hamas' intentions were unclear. A military assessment reviewed by the publication said that it was not yet possible to determine whether the plan was fully accepted and how it would be manifested. Three months before war, a warning Three months before the October 7 attack, a veteran analyst with Israel's signals intelligence agency Unit 8200 warned that Hamas had carried out an intense daylong training exercise that appeared similar to what was outlined in the document. On July 6, the analyst wrote to a group of other intelligence experts that dozens of Hamas militants had recently conducted training exercises, with senior commanders of the group observing. She warned the drill closely followed the Jericho Wall plan, and Hamas was building the capacity to conduct it. However, a colonel in the Gaza division brushed off her concerns by saying the scenario was imaginary, and not an indication of Hamas' ability to pull it off. “In short, let’s wait patiently,” the colonel said, the NYT reported. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel-Hamas war: Israeli officials knew about Hamas' attack plan over a year ago, says report

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuida3xnpPtjOTen" /><meta charset="utf-8" />More than two million people have been displaced across the Horn of Africa due to torrential rain and flood, the news agency AFP reported late Thursday (Nov 30).</p>

<p>Almost 300 people died in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia. The heavy rainfall has been linked to the El Nino weather pattern and struck as the Horn of Africa was emerging from the worst drought in four decades that drove millions into hunger.</p>

<p>On the first day of the COP28 summit in Dubai on Thursday, Action Against Hunger said in a statement that it was a dire situation in the region. "Regions that were struggling to recover from the economic and environmental impacts of prolonged drought are now doubly burdened with flooding," it added.</p>

<p>The Horn of Africa is one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change, despite Africa's contribution to global carbon emissions being a fraction of the total.</p>

<h2><strong>A deep humanitarian crisis in Somalia</strong></h2>

<p>This latest incident of flooding has caused a deep humanitarian crisis in Somalia. On Thursday, United Nations and Somali officials said in a joint statement that more than 100 people died and over one million were displaced.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Authorities in the capital city of Mogadishu declared a state of emergency last month and warned against the proliferation of disease. The statement said that an estimated 1.5 million children under the age of five were facing acute malnutrition over the period between August this year and July 2024.</p>

<p>It added that floodwaters could swamp more than 1.5 million hectares in December. The flooding has already engulfed homes and farmland and left many communities marooned. Roads and bridges have been damaged, and hospitals and schools remain closed.</p>

<h2><strong>Fears of widespread cholera</strong></h2>

<p>The UN's humanitarian response agency OCHA said that 57 people have died and over 600,000 people have been displaced in Ethiopia due to the flooding. The country has been hit by a new cholera outbreak. In the Somali region, cholera has claimed the lives of at least 23 people, with a total of 772 confirmed cases, Save the Children said Thursday.</p>

<p>Save the Children warned the cholera outbreak across Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa could spiral out of control if swift action was not taken by governments and donors to provide clean drinking water and sanitation facilities for communities forced out of their homes by flooding.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, in Kenya, flooding killed 136 people with over 460,000 people displaced.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


More than two million people have been displaced across the Horn of Africa due to torrential rain and flood, the news agency AFP reported late Thursday (Nov 30).

More than two million people have been displaced across the Horn of Africa due to torrential rain and flood, the news agency AFP reported late Thursday (Nov 30). Almost 300 people died in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia. The heavy rainfall has been linked to the El Nino weather pattern and struck as the Horn of Africa was emerging from the worst drought in four decades that drove millions into hunger. On the first day of the COP28 summit in Dubai on Thursday, Action Against Hunger said in a statement that it was a dire situation in the region. "Regions that were struggling to recover from the economic and environmental impacts of prolonged drought are now doubly burdened with flooding," it added. The Horn of Africa is one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change, despite Africa's contribution to global carbon emissions being a fraction of the total. A deep humanitarian crisis in Somalia This latest incident of flooding has caused a deep humanitarian crisis in Somalia. On Thursday, United Nations and Somali officials said in a joint statement that more than 100 people died and over one million were displaced. Authorities in the capital city of Mogadishu declared a state of emergency last month and warned against the proliferation of disease. The statement said that an estimated 1.5 million children under the age of five were facing acute malnutrition over the period between August this year and July 2024. It added that floodwaters could swamp more than 1.5 million hectares in December. The flooding has already engulfed homes and farmland and left many communities marooned. Roads and bridges have been damaged, and hospitals and schools remain closed. Fears of widespread cholera The UN's humanitarian response agency OCHA said that 57 people have died and over 600,000 people have been displaced in Ethiopia due to the flooding. The country has been hit by a new cholera outbreak. In the Somali region, cholera has claimed the lives of at least 23 people, with a total of 772 confirmed cases, Save the Children said Thursday. Save the Children warned the cholera outbreak across Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa could spiral out of control if swift action was not taken by governments and donors to provide clean drinking water and sanitation facilities for communities forced out of their homes by flooding. Meanwhile, in Kenya, flooding killed 136 people with over 460,000 people displaced. (With inputs from agencies)

Over two million displaced due to floods across Horn of Africa

<p>US&nbsp;President Joe&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;said on Thursday he will visit Angola in a trip that could mark renewed engagement with Africa at a time of international turmoil.</p>

<p>"I have been there and I will be back,"&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;said when asked about visiting the country during an Oval Office meeting with his Angolan counterpart, Joao Lourenco.</p>

<p>Biden&nbsp;did not specify when the meeting would take place. The White House did not respond to a request for additional details.</p>

<p>The US&nbsp;president, seeking re-election next year and facing a range of foreign policy challenges from Ukraine to Israel, has drawn attention for the lack of a trip to African continent despite what he says is its importance on global issues.</p>

<p>The two leaders were set to discuss cooperation and investment between the countries on solar energy, infrastructure development and space, areas where the&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;administration sees itself locked in competition with China and where it has also been trying to counter Russia.</p>

<p>As part of the visit, Angola was set to agree to the Artemis Accords, a pact designed to shape the rules for space exploration. Angola has a satellite program that has benefited from Russian support.</p>

<p>The United States has been supporting a project that links resource-rich Democratic Republic of Congo to the port of Lobito in Angola by rail to bypass road congestion and avoid delays on the copper and cobalt route.</p>

<p>"Africa: 1 billion people. Critically important,"&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;said ahead of the Oval Office meeting. "No country more important than Angola."</p>

<p>Last December,&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;said, "I'm eager to visit your continent," at a Washington summit of African leaders. "I'm looking forward to seeing many of you in your home countries."</p>

<p>Biden&nbsp;briefly attended a climate conference in Egypt last year, but the conference was held on the Asian Sinai Peninsula. Vice President Kamala Harris took a week-long trip to Africa earlier this year.</p>


US President Joe Biden said on Thursday he will visit Angola in a trip that could mark renewed engagement with Africa at a time of international turmoil. "I have been there and I will be back," Biden said when asked about visiting the country during an Oval Office meeting with his Angolan counterpart, Joao Lourenco.

US President Joe Biden said on Thursday he will visit Angola in a trip that could mark renewed engagement with Africa at a time of international turmoil. "I have been there and I will be back," Biden said when asked about visiting the country during an Oval Office meeting with his Angolan counterpart, Joao Lourenco. Biden did not specify when the meeting would take place. The White House did not respond to a request for additional details. The US president, seeking re-election next year and facing a range of foreign policy challenges from Ukraine to Israel, has drawn attention for the lack of a trip to African continent despite what he says is its importance on global issues. The two leaders were set to discuss cooperation and investment between the countries on solar energy, infrastructure development and space, areas where the Biden administration sees itself locked in competition with China and where it has also been trying to counter Russia. As part of the visit, Angola was set to agree to the Artemis Accords, a pact designed to shape the rules for space exploration. Angola has a satellite program that has benefited from Russian support. The United States has been supporting a project that links resource-rich Democratic Republic of Congo to the port of Lobito in Angola by rail to bypass road congestion and avoid delays on the copper and cobalt route. "Africa: 1 billion people. Critically important," Biden said ahead of the Oval Office meeting. "No country more important than Angola." Last December, Biden said, "I'm eager to visit your continent," at a Washington summit of African leaders. "I'm looking forward to seeing many of you in your home countries." Biden briefly attended a climate conference in Egypt last year, but the conference was held on the Asian Sinai Peninsula. Vice President Kamala Harris took a week-long trip to Africa earlier this year.

Biden plots trip to Angola as promise of Africa trip lingers

<p>Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's popularity has further depleted with fresh corruption allegations emerging this week over the&nbsp;secret funds Tokyo had at its disposal that were allegedly used to sway the vote for the country&nbsp;to host the 2020 Olympics.</p>

<p>According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on Thursday (Nov 30), the accusations regarding the scandal centre on the&nbsp;unlimited funds for Tokyo to win over members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) who chose the host city for the Olympics, while $135,000 was spent on&nbsp;photo albums for IOC individuals.</p>

<p>These suggestions&nbsp;prompted the opposition on Monday to question Prime Minister Kishida in parliament. Citing analysts, the report said that Kishida's support has already been declining over other challenges, and a renewed attack on the government's handling of the Olympics is the last thing he needed.</p>

<h2><strong>The secret funds</strong></h2>

<p>On Nov 17,&nbsp;Hiroshi Hase, a former leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party who is now&nbsp;governor of Ishikawa prefecture, said in a speech that he provided gifts to IOC members amid their deliberations over the 2020 Olympics host city.</p>

<p>The report said that Tokyo was up against Turkey's Istanbul and Spain's Madrid when the vote was held in 2013. Hase was the head of the Tokyo committee and said he was given access at that time to&nbsp;discretionary funds,&nbsp;which were also known as secret funds.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deputy-finance-minister-of-japan-resigns-from-position-following-tax-scandal-658047">Deputy finance minister of Japan resigns after tax scandal in another blow to PM Fumio Kishida</a></strong></p>

<p>He said then-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (who was assassinated in 2022) told him to make sure he won, and that the government would give him as much money as required as there were secret funds, the report said citing&nbsp;Kyodo News.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hase added that he arranged for the creation of photo albums, each costing around $1,350,&nbsp;detailed the sporting and political careers of 100 IOC members, and travelled across the world to deliver these gifts to them. The report said that the provision of gifts to IOC members would be a violation of the committee's code of ethics.</p>

<p>Days after this speech, the&nbsp;Ishikawa governor said that his remarks were&nbsp;inappropriate and could cause misunderstanding, and he retracted them.</p>

<h2><strong>In parliament, oppn demands probe into Hase's remarks</strong></h2>

<p>Opposition leaders in parliament demanded Prime Minister Kishida to investigate Hase's remarks. The prime minister, meanwhile said that he would like to think about concrete responses following a careful consideration about the circumstances surrounding the retraction.</p>

<p>Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno attempted to stifle the issue by saying that to maintain national secrecy, the funds were being used as expenses for which it was inappropriate to reveal their use.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's popularity has further depleted with fresh corruption allegations emerging this week over the secret funds Tokyo had at its disposal that were allegedly used to sway the vote for the country to host the 2020 Olympics.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's popularity has further depleted with fresh corruption allegations emerging this week over the secret funds Tokyo had at its disposal that were allegedly used to sway the vote for the country to host the 2020 Olympics. According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on Thursday (Nov 30), the accusations regarding the scandal centre on the unlimited funds for Tokyo to win over members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) who chose the host city for the Olympics, while $135,000 was spent on photo albums for IOC individuals. These suggestions prompted the opposition on Monday to question Prime Minister Kishida in parliament. Citing analysts, the report said that Kishida's support has already been declining over other challenges, and a renewed attack on the government's handling of the Olympics is the last thing he needed. The secret funds On Nov 17, Hiroshi Hase, a former leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party who is now governor of Ishikawa prefecture, said in a speech that he provided gifts to IOC members amid their deliberations over the 2020 Olympics host city. The report said that Tokyo was up against Turkey's Istanbul and Spain's Madrid when the vote was held in 2013. Hase was the head of the Tokyo committee and said he was given access at that time to discretionary funds, which were also known as secret funds. Also read: Deputy finance minister of Japan resigns after tax scandal in another blow to PM Fumio Kishida He said then-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (who was assassinated in 2022) told him to make sure he won, and that the government would give him as much money as required as there were secret funds, the report said citing Kyodo News. Hase added that he arranged for the creation of photo albums, each costing around $1,350, detailed the sporting and political careers of 100 IOC members, and travelled across the world to deliver these gifts to them. The report said that the provision of gifts to IOC members would be a violation of the committee's code of ethics. Days after this speech, the Ishikawa governor said that his remarks were inappropriate and could cause misunderstanding, and he retracted them. In parliament, oppn demands probe into Hase's remarks Opposition leaders in parliament demanded Prime Minister Kishida to investigate Hase's remarks. The prime minister, meanwhile said that he would like to think about concrete responses following a careful consideration about the circumstances surrounding the retraction. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno attempted to stifle the issue by saying that to maintain national secrecy, the funds were being used as expenses for which it was inappropriate to reveal their use. (With inputs from agencies)

Japan PM Kishida's popularity further depletes over 'secret funds' scandal

<p>Researchers have detected an exoplanet that appears to be far too massive for its host star. According to the study published in <strong><a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abo0233?adobe_mc=MCMID%3D29156901692544506352378989499645601893%7CMCORGID%3D242B6472541199F70A4C98A6%2540AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1701342118">the journal Science</a></strong>, researchers said the exoplanet- called LHS 3154b- is 13 times bigger than Earth, and is orbiting the star called 3154, which is nine times smaller than the Sun. The planet was found using an instrument called the Habitable Zone Planet Finder (HPF)</p>

<p>"We used radial velocity observations to detect a Neptune-mass exoplanet orbiting LHS 3154, a star that is nine times less massive than the Sun," the study said.</p>

<p>"The exoplanet’s orbital period is 3.7 days, and its minimum mass is 13.2 Earth masses," it added. The study said that planets form in protoplanetary disks of gas and dust around young stars that are undergoing their formation process.</p>

<p>The amount of material in the disk determines how big the planets can grow. "In the core-accretion simulations, we show that close-in Neptune-mass planets are only formed if the dust mass of the protoplanetary disk is an order of magnitude greater than typically observed around very low-mass stars," it further added.</p>

<p>Speaking to The Guardian, the study's co-author Professor Suvrath Mahadevan, of Penn State University said that this discovery drives home the point of just how little is known about the universe.</p>

<p>"We wouldn’t expect a planet this heavy around such a low-mass star to exist," Professor Mahadevan said. “The planet-forming disk around the low-mass star LHS 3154 is not expected to have enough solid mass to make this planet,” he added.</p>

<p>Mahadevan also said there is a need to re-examine the understanding of how planets and stars are formed.</p>

<p>Speaking on the findings, Prof Frédéric Masset of the National Autonomous University of Mexico said that such a big planet in the vicinity of such a small star is “unheard of” and could prompt a rethink of planetary formation, The Guardian reported.</p>


Researchers have detected an exoplanet that appears to be far too massive for its host star. According to the study published in the journal Science, researchers said the exoplanet- called LHS 3154b- is 13 times bigger than Earth, and is orbiting the star called 3154, which is nine times smaller than the Sun.

Researchers have detected an exoplanet that appears to be far too massive for its host star. According to the study published in the journal Science, researchers said the exoplanet- called LHS 3154b- is 13 times bigger than Earth, and is orbiting the star called 3154, which is nine times smaller than the Sun. The planet was found using an instrument called the Habitable Zone Planet Finder (HPF) "We used radial velocity observations to detect a Neptune-mass exoplanet orbiting LHS 3154, a star that is nine times less massive than the Sun," the study said. "The exoplanet’s orbital period is 3.7 days, and its minimum mass is 13.2 Earth masses," it added. The study said that planets form in protoplanetary disks of gas and dust around young stars that are undergoing their formation process. The amount of material in the disk determines how big the planets can grow. "In the core-accretion simulations, we show that close-in Neptune-mass planets are only formed if the dust mass of the protoplanetary disk is an order of magnitude greater than typically observed around very low-mass stars," it further added. Speaking to The Guardian, the study's co-author Professor Suvrath Mahadevan, of Penn State University said that this discovery drives home the point of just how little is known about the universe. "We wouldn’t expect a planet this heavy around such a low-mass star to exist," Professor Mahadevan said. “The planet-forming disk around the low-mass star LHS 3154 is not expected to have enough solid mass to make this planet,” he added. Mahadevan also said there is a need to re-examine the understanding of how planets and stars are formed. Speaking on the findings, Prof Frédéric Masset of the National Autonomous University of Mexico said that such a big planet in the vicinity of such a small star is “unheard of” and could prompt a rethink of planetary formation, The Guardian reported.

Exoplanet 13 times bigger than Earth found orbiting star 9 times smaller than our Sun

<p>The Saudi capital Riyadh on Tuesday won the right to host the 2030 World&nbsp;Expo, easily defeating rival bids from Italy and South Korea as well as overcoming objections from rights activists.</p>

<p>Needing only one round of voting and securing the necessary two-thirds majority of member states at the general assembly of organisers Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) in Paris, Riyadh won 119 votes, South Korea's Busan 29 and Italian capital Rome 17, the BIE said.</p>

<p>Hosting the&nbsp;Expo&nbsp;is of immense importance for Saudi Arabia, whose bid was spearheaded by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known as MBS, as he seeks to secure the world's top events to showcase the kingdom across the globe.</p>

<p>The kingdom is also set to host the 2034 football World Cup after emerging as the only bidder for the event.</p>

<p>The date of 2030 is hugely symbolic for Saudi, coinciding with the key milestone in the Vision 2030 programme of MBS to diversify Saudi Arabia economically and culturally.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Riyadh&nbsp;Expo&nbsp;is set to take place from October 2030 to March 2031 on the theme "The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow", according to the Saudi bid.</p>

<p>But many rights groups had expressed dismay over Saudi Arabia winning the bid, arguing that MBS's glitzy reform drives hide a reality where dissidents are imprisoned and executions rampant.</p>

<p>Concern over Saudi's rights record under MBS has always been symbolised by the 2018 murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.</p>

<p>But Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in his final presentation pledged an "unwavering commitment to collaborate with all nations to deliver an&nbsp;Expo&nbsp;built by the world for the world".</p>

<p>"As we work diligently to grow and transform our economy we believe the kingdom's progress,&nbsp;regional development and the health of the global economy will advance in lockstep," he said.</p>


The Saudi capital Riyadh on Tuesday won the right to host the 2030 World Expo, easily defeating rival bids from Italy and South Korea as well as overcoming objections from rights activists.

The Saudi capital Riyadh on Tuesday won the right to host the 2030 World Expo, easily defeating rival bids from Italy and South Korea as well as overcoming objections from rights activists. Needing only one round of voting and securing the necessary two-thirds majority of member states at the general assembly of organisers Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) in Paris, Riyadh won 119 votes, South Korea's Busan 29 and Italian capital Rome 17, the BIE said. Hosting the Expo is of immense importance for Saudi Arabia, whose bid was spearheaded by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known as MBS, as he seeks to secure the world's top events to showcase the kingdom across the globe. The kingdom is also set to host the 2034 football World Cup after emerging as the only bidder for the event. The date of 2030 is hugely symbolic for Saudi, coinciding with the key milestone in the Vision 2030 programme of MBS to diversify Saudi Arabia economically and culturally. The Riyadh Expo is set to take place from October 2030 to March 2031 on the theme "The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow", according to the Saudi bid. But many rights groups had expressed dismay over Saudi Arabia winning the bid, arguing that MBS's glitzy reform drives hide a reality where dissidents are imprisoned and executions rampant. Concern over Saudi's rights record under MBS has always been symbolised by the 2018 murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. But Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in his final presentation pledged an "unwavering commitment to collaborate with all nations to deliver an Expo built by the world for the world". "As we work diligently to grow and transform our economy we believe the kingdom's progress, regional development and the health of the global economy will advance in lockstep," he said.

Saudi capital Riyadh to host World Expo 2030

<p>The trial of Monique Olivier, widow of a French&nbsp;serial&nbsp;killer&nbsp;known as the "Ogre of the Ardennes", opened on Tuesday over her role in three murders dating back several decades, including the killing of a British woman whose body was found in a river in 1990.</p>

<p>Olivier's husband, Michel Fourniret, was charged with abduction, rape and murder in the cases but died in 2021, aged 79, before he could be brought to trial.</p>

<p>Olivier arrived in court around 10:00 am (0900 GMT) with short, grey hair and wearing a white sweater, to face a wall of cameras.</p>

<p>"I will do my best," she told the lead judge in a low voice when asked if she would answer questions.</p>

<p>The crimes date back to 1988 in the case of Marie-Angele Domece, who disappeared aged 18 from Auxerre, and 1990 for 20-year-old British woman Joanna Parrish, whose naked body was found in the Yonne river that runs through the department of the same name in central France.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Olivier is charged with aiding and abetting the kidnapping and murder of the girls.</p>

<p>Her third charge is for complicity in the 2003 disappearance of nine-year-old Estelle Mouzin, whose body has never been found two decades on, despite intensive searches.</p>

<p>The body of Domece has also never been found.</p>

<p>"I regret everything that happened," Olivier told the court after lead judge Didier Safar read out the charges.</p>

<p>It was "essential" to hold a trial for Olivier, said Corinne Herrmann, a lawyer representing Domece's family, adding that it was "harrowing" but also "a release for the families".</p>

<h2><strong>'Long battle'</strong></h2>

<p>Many of the witnesses set to be called in the three-week trial are investigators from France and Belgium, where Fourniret was arrested in 2003.</p>

<p>They are also set to include Sabine Kheris, the investigating magistrate who took Fourniret's confession.</p>

<p>She is now in charge of a recently created "cold cases" unit based in the Paris suburb of Nanterre. This case is the first of the unit's to come to trial.</p>

<p>France has for years been simultaneously repelled and fascinated by the crimes of Fourniret, who was dubbed the "Ogre of the Ardennes" by media after the hilly region on the French-Belgium border where he lived and preyed on his victims.</p>

<p>The trial is "the result of a very long battle", said Didier Seban, a lawyer representing Mouzin's father, Eric.</p>

<p>That Fourniret never stood trial for the crimes shows "we didn't manage to run the investigation the way it should have been", Seban said.</p>

<p>Fourniret himself asked in 2008 to be tried in all three cases but "nothing was done", Herrmann recalled ahead of the trial.</p>

<p>The trial of Olivier alone is "somewhat short of the mark" for Eric Mouzin, who threw all his energy into finding out what happened to his daughter.</p>

<p>"It will be difficult to pass judgement with only a single defendant," he said, even though Olivier herself is charged with "significant" crimes.</p>

<p>Neither does he hope for anything from the woman in the dock herself, beyond seeing her "sentenced in line with the seriousness of the crime".</p>

<h2><strong>No 'revelations'</strong></h2>

<p>Olivier's lawyer, Richard Delgenes, said the court should "not expect any revelations" on her part but that her "participation" in the process is what sets her apart from her husband.</p>

<p>"Unlike him, she takes no special pleasure in the pain of his victims or of the families," he added.</p>

<p>The 75-year-old has already been convicted twice of aiding and abetting in some of her husband's crimes.</p>

<p>She fled in the early 1980s from her violent first husband, with whom she had two children, before becoming a penpal of Fourniret while he was serving a jail sentence for rape.</p>

<p>The two sealed a pact that she would find him virgins to rape if he would kill her then-husband -- which he never did.</p>

<p>They lived together after he was released in 1987 -- buying a chateau with stolen gold dug up from a graveyard -- and had a son together.</p>

<p>Olivier received a life sentence in 2008 over her role in four murders and a rape committed by Fourniret, and could face a second in the present trial.</p>

<p>In 2018, Olivier was given a further 20 years' jail for her part in the killing of Farida Hammiche, the wife of one of Fourniret's former cellmates.</p>

<p>In 2019, she overturned her husband's alibi for the day Mouzin disappeared, prompting him to admit responsibility months later. Fourniret had earlier admitted killing Parrish and Domece.</p>


The trial of Monique Olivier, widow of a French serial killer known as the "Ogre of the Ardennes", opened on Tuesday over her role in three murders dating back several decades, including the killing of a British woman whose body was found in a river in 1990.

The trial of Monique Olivier, widow of a French serial killer known as the "Ogre of the Ardennes", opened on Tuesday over her role in three murders dating back several decades, including the killing of a British woman whose body was found in a river in 1990. Olivier's husband, Michel Fourniret, was charged with abduction, rape and murder in the cases but died in 2021, aged 79, before he could be brought to trial. Olivier arrived in court around 10:00 am (0900 GMT) with short, grey hair and wearing a white sweater, to face a wall of cameras. "I will do my best," she told the lead judge in a low voice when asked if she would answer questions. The crimes date back to 1988 in the case of Marie-Angele Domece, who disappeared aged 18 from Auxerre, and 1990 for 20-year-old British woman Joanna Parrish, whose naked body was found in the Yonne river that runs through the department of the same name in central France. Olivier is charged with aiding and abetting the kidnapping and murder of the girls. Her third charge is for complicity in the 2003 disappearance of nine-year-old Estelle Mouzin, whose body has never been found two decades on, despite intensive searches. The body of Domece has also never been found. "I regret everything that happened," Olivier told the court after lead judge Didier Safar read out the charges. It was "essential" to hold a trial for Olivier, said Corinne Herrmann, a lawyer representing Domece's family, adding that it was "harrowing" but also "a release for the families". 'Long battle' Many of the witnesses set to be called in the three-week trial are investigators from France and Belgium, where Fourniret was arrested in 2003. They are also set to include Sabine Kheris, the investigating magistrate who took Fourniret's confession. She is now in charge of a recently created "cold cases" unit based in the Paris suburb of Nanterre. This case is the first of the unit's to come to trial. France has for years been simultaneously repelled and fascinated by the crimes of Fourniret, who was dubbed the "Ogre of the Ardennes" by media after the hilly region on the French-Belgium border where he lived and preyed on his victims. The trial is "the result of a very long battle", said Didier Seban, a lawyer representing Mouzin's father, Eric. That Fourniret never stood trial for the crimes shows "we didn't manage to run the investigation the way it should have been", Seban said. Fourniret himself asked in 2008 to be tried in all three cases but "nothing was done", Herrmann recalled ahead of the trial. The trial of Olivier alone is "somewhat short of the mark" for Eric Mouzin, who threw all his energy into finding out what happened to his daughter. "It will be difficult to pass judgement with only a single defendant," he said, even though Olivier herself is charged with "significant" crimes. Neither does he hope for anything from the woman in the dock herself, beyond seeing her "sentenced in line with the seriousness of the crime". No 'revelations' Olivier's lawyer, Richard Delgenes, said the court should "not expect any revelations" on her part but that her "participation" in the process is what sets her apart from her husband. "Unlike him, she takes no special pleasure in the pain of his victims or of the families," he added. The 75-year-old has already been convicted twice of aiding and abetting in some of her husband's crimes. She fled in the early 1980s from her violent first husband, with whom she had two children, before becoming a penpal of Fourniret while he was serving a jail sentence for rape. The two sealed a pact that she would find him virgins to rape if he would kill her then-husband -- which he never did. They lived together after he was released in 1987 -- buying a chateau with stolen gold dug up from a graveyard -- and had a son together. Olivier received a life sentence in 2008 over her role in four murders and a rape committed by Fourniret, and could face a second in the present trial. In 2018, Olivier was given a further 20 years' jail for her part in the killing of Farida Hammiche, the wife of one of Fourniret's former cellmates. In 2019, she overturned her husband's alibi for the day Mouzin disappeared, prompting him to admit responsibility months later. Fourniret had earlier admitted killing Parrish and Domece.

French serial killer's widow on trial over decades-old murders

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Harshit Sabarwal

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