<p>Selena Gomez&nbsp;has finally addressed the Israel-Hamas conflict, expressing her concern over the ongoing violence and terror against children and women. While her message condemned the harm inflicted on innocent civilians, her assertion that her words and social media posts won't make a significant difference has sparked a mixed reaction from her fans.</p>

<p>The singer and actress, who has remained relatively silent on the matter until now, broke her silence on Monday via her Instagram Story. Gomez shared her heartfelt thoughts about the ongoing conflict, expressing her anguish over the horrors, hatred, violence, and terror that have plagued the world. Her post called for the protection of all people, especially children, and an end to violence.</p>

<p>"I’ve been taking a break from social media because my heart breaks to see all of the horror, hate, violence, and terror that’s going on in the world. People being tortured and killed or any act of hate towards any one group is horrific. We need to protect ALL people, especially children and stop the violence for good," Gomez wrote.</p>

<p>However, it was her subsequent remark that her words might not be sufficient to effect real change that drew criticism from some fans. Gomez stated, "I’m sorry if my words will never be enough for everyone or a hashtag. I just can’t stand by innocent people getting hurt. That’s what makes me sick. I wish I could change the world. But a post won’t."</p>

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<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/eric-nam-receives-threats-after-israel-hamas-post-controversy-issues-statement-653124">Eric Nam receives threats after Israel-Hamas post controversy; issues statement</a></strong></p>

<p>This statement led to a flurry of reactions on social media, particularly on a post shared by Pop Base. Some fans questioned the idea that her influential reach couldn't create a substantial impact on raising awareness and inciting change.</p>

<p>One user commented, "She’s literally the most followed woman on IG, but her post won’t do anything, um okay." Another user wrote, "But a post won’t; does she not know how big her influence is when she brings attention to this issue? This reeks."&nbsp;A third comment read, "Her post won't even add anything at all. Just like pouring water on a stone."</p>

<p>There were also comments suggesting that being neutral in the face of knowledge might inadvertently support oppressors.</p>

<p>Furthermore, Gomez's assertion that she had been taking a break from social media also led to questions from her followers, with one user saying, "She's been leaving her comments on stuff that's not needed all day," referring to her absence.</p>

<p>Another urged Gomez to use her platform more effectively, stating, "Selena, you can make a difference, though you almost have 400+ million followers. At least keep a strong point here instead of leaving."</p>

<p><strong>Casualties of the Israel-Hamas conflict</strong></p>

<p>Israeli officials claim that the initial Hamas attack and the rocket fire from Gaza have claimed more than 1,400 lives since Oct 7. Meanwhile, health officials in the Hamas-controlled enclave claim that relentless Israeli artillery and missile strikes have left 8,300 people dead.</p>

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Selena Gomez has finally addressed the Israel-Hamas conflict, expressing her concern over the ongoing violence and terror against children and women. While her message condemned the harm inflicted on innocent civilians, her assertion that her words and social media posts won't make a significant difference has sparked a mixed reaction from her fans.

Selena Gomez has finally addressed the Israel-Hamas conflict, expressing her concern over the ongoing violence and terror against children and women. While her message condemned the harm inflicted on innocent civilians, her assertion that her words and social media posts won't make a significant difference has sparked a mixed reaction from her fans. The singer and actress, who has remained relatively silent on the matter until now, broke her silence on Monday via her Instagram Story. Gomez shared her heartfelt thoughts about the ongoing conflict, expressing her anguish over the horrors, hatred, violence, and terror that have plagued the world. Her post called for the protection of all people, especially children, and an end to violence. "I’ve been taking a break from social media because my heart breaks to see all of the horror, hate, violence, and terror that’s going on in the world. People being tortured and killed or any act of hate towards any one group is horrific. We need to protect ALL people, especially children and stop the violence for good," Gomez wrote. However, it was her subsequent remark that her words might not be sufficient to effect real change that drew criticism from some fans. Gomez stated, "I’m sorry if my words will never be enough for everyone or a hashtag. I just can’t stand by innocent people getting hurt. That’s what makes me sick. I wish I could change the world. But a post won’t." Also read: Eric Nam receives threats after Israel-Hamas post controversy; issues statement This statement led to a flurry of reactions on social media, particularly on a post shared by Pop Base. Some fans questioned the idea that her influential reach couldn't create a substantial impact on raising awareness and inciting change. One user commented, "She’s literally the most followed woman on IG, but her post won’t do anything, um okay." Another user wrote, "But a post won’t; does she not know how big her influence is when she brings attention to this issue? This reeks." A third comment read, "Her post won't even add anything at all. Just like pouring water on a stone." There were also comments suggesting that being neutral in the face of knowledge might inadvertently support oppressors. Furthermore, Gomez's assertion that she had been taking a break from social media also led to questions from her followers, with one user saying, "She's been leaving her comments on stuff that's not needed all day," referring to her absence. Another urged Gomez to use her platform more effectively, stating, "Selena, you can make a difference, though you almost have 400+ million followers. At least keep a strong point here instead of leaving." Casualties of the Israel-Hamas conflict Israeli officials claim that the initial Hamas attack and the rocket fire from Gaza have claimed more than 1,400 lives since Oct 7. Meanwhile, health officials in the Hamas-controlled enclave claim that relentless Israeli artillery and missile strikes have left 8,300 people dead. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Selena Gomez says a post can't change the world amid Israel-Hamas conflict

<p>Renowned supermodel Bella Hadid has broken her silence on the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict, drawing on her Palestinian heritage from her father's side. Her statement comes amidst a growing wave of concern over the ongoing violence in the Middle Eastern region.</p>

<p>Sharing a heartfelt and thought-provoking statement on her Instagram account, the supermodel condemned the bloodshed occurring on both sides of the conflict. In her words, "We are one, and God has created all equal. All bloodshed, tears, and bodies should be mourned with the same respect."</p>

<p>Making this statement was not without its challenges, as Hadid candidly acknowledged that her family had recently been subjected to death threats due to their high-profile background.</p>

<p>"I cannot be silenced any longer. Fear is not an option. The people and children of Palestine, especially in Gaza, cannot afford our silence," she asserted.</p>

<p>Bella Hadid went on to shed light on the suffering endured by the Palestinian people over the years, citing her father's personal experience of being uprooted from his home. She emphasised the importance of recognising the hardships faced by Palestinians, who are often unfairly portrayed as terrorists resisting peace.</p>

<p>"It is harmful, it is shameful, and it is categorically untrue," she wrote.</p>

<p>"My family witnessed 75 years of violence against Palestinian people – most notably, brutal settler invasions which led to the destruction of entire communities, murder in cold blood, and the forcible removal of families from their homes. The practice of settlements on Palestinian land still continues to this day. The pain of that is unimaginable."</p>

<p>In her statement, Bella also took a firm stance against the use of terrorism in any conflict and expressed her condolences to Israeli families affected by recent events.</p>

<p>"I mourn for the Israeli families that have been dealing with the pain and aftermath of October 7th. Regardless of the history of the land, I condemn the terrorist attacks on any civilians, anywhere," she stated.</p>

<p>The statement shows that Bella recognises the complexity and intricacy of the Israel-Hamas conflict and looks at the situation with empathy, desiring a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bigbangs-g-dragon-finally-breaks-silence-in-alleged-drug-scandal-theres-no-truth-to-651888">BIGBANG's G-Dragon finally breaks silence on alleged drug scandal: 'There's no truth to...'</a></strong></p>

<p><strong>Read Bella Hadid's full statement here:</strong></p>

<blockquote>
<p><em>"Forgive me for my silence. I have yet to find the ideal words for this deeply intricate and horrific past 2 weeks, weeks that have turned the world's attention back towards a situation that has been taking innocent lives and affecting families for decades. I have much to say, but for today, I will keep it short.</em></p>

<p><em>I've been sent hundreds of death threats daily, my phone number has been leaked, and my family has felt to be in danger. But I can not be silenced any longer. Fear is not an option. The people and children of Palestine, especially in Gaza, cannot afford our silence. We are not brave – they are.</em></p>

<p><em>My heart is bleeding with pain from the trauma I am seeing unfold, as well as the generational trauma of my Palestinian blood. Seeing the aftermath of the airstrikes in Gaza, I mourn with all the mothers who have lost children and the children who cry alone, all the lost fathers, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunties, and friends who will never again walk this earth.</em></p>

<p><em>I mourn for the Israeli families that have been dealing with the pain and aftermath of October 7th. Regardless of the history of the land, I condemn the terrorist attacks on any civilians, anywhere.</em></p>

<p><em>Harming women and children and inflicting terror does not and should not do any good for the Free Palestine movement. I believe deep in my heart, that no child, no people anywhere, should be taken away from their family either temporarily or indefinitely. That goes for Israeli and Palestinian people alike.</em></p>

<p><em>It's important to understand the hardship of what it is to be Palestinian, in a world that sees us as nothing more than terrorists resisting peace. It is harmful, it is shameful, and it's categorically untrue.</em></p>

<p><em>My father was born in Nazareth in the year of the Nakba (the displacement of 750,000 Palestinians in 1948). Nine days after he was born, he, in his mother's arms, along with his family were expelled from their home of Palestine, becoming refugees, away from a place they once called home. My grandparents, never being allowed to return.</em></p>

<p><em>My family witnessed 75 years of violence against Palestinian people - most notably, brutal settler invasions which led to the destruction of entire communities, murder in cold blood and the forcible removal of families from their homes. The practice of settlements on Palestinian land still continues to this day. The pain of that is unimaginable.</em></p>

<p><em>We must all stand together in defending humanity and compassion - and demanding that our leaders do the same. All religions are peaceful – it is governments that are corrupt, and intertwining the two makes for the greatest sin of all. We are one, and God has created all equal. All bloodshed, tears, and bodies should be mourned with the same respect.</em></p>

<p><em>There is an urgent humanitarian crisis in Gaza that must be attended to. Families need access to water and food. Hospitals need fuel to power generators, tend to the wounded and keep people alive.</em></p>

<p><em>Wars have laws and they must be upheld, no matter what.</em></p>

<p><em>We need to keep pressure on our leaders, wherever we are, not to forget the urgent needs of the people of Gaza, and to ensure that innocent Palestinian civilians are not the forgotten casualties of this war.</em></p>

<p><em>I stand with humanity, knowing that peace and safety belong to us all."</em></p>
</blockquote>

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Renowned supermodel Bella Hadid has broken her silence on the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict, drawing on her Palestinian heritage from her father's side. Her statement comes amidst a growing wave of concern over the ongoing violence in the Middle Eastern region.

Renowned supermodel Bella Hadid has broken her silence on the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict, drawing on her Palestinian heritage from her father's side. Her statement comes amidst a growing wave of concern over the ongoing violence in the Middle Eastern region. Sharing a heartfelt and thought-provoking statement on her Instagram account, the supermodel condemned the bloodshed occurring on both sides of the conflict. In her words, "We are one, and God has created all equal. All bloodshed, tears, and bodies should be mourned with the same respect." Making this statement was not without its challenges, as Hadid candidly acknowledged that her family had recently been subjected to death threats due to their high-profile background. "I cannot be silenced any longer. Fear is not an option. The people and children of Palestine, especially in Gaza, cannot afford our silence," she asserted. Bella Hadid went on to shed light on the suffering endured by the Palestinian people over the years, citing her father's personal experience of being uprooted from his home. She emphasised the importance of recognising the hardships faced by Palestinians, who are often unfairly portrayed as terrorists resisting peace. "It is harmful, it is shameful, and it is categorically untrue," she wrote. "My family witnessed 75 years of violence against Palestinian people – most notably, brutal settler invasions which led to the destruction of entire communities, murder in cold blood, and the forcible removal of families from their homes. The practice of settlements on Palestinian land still continues to this day. The pain of that is unimaginable." In her statement, Bella also took a firm stance against the use of terrorism in any conflict and expressed her condolences to Israeli families affected by recent events. "I mourn for the Israeli families that have been dealing with the pain and aftermath of October 7th. Regardless of the history of the land, I condemn the terrorist attacks on any civilians, anywhere," she stated. The statement shows that Bella recognises the complexity and intricacy of the Israel-Hamas conflict and looks at the situation with empathy, desiring a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis. Also read: BIGBANG's G-Dragon finally breaks silence on alleged drug scandal: 'There's no truth to...' Read Bella Hadid's full statement here: "Forgive me for my silence. I have yet to find the ideal words for this deeply intricate and horrific past 2 weeks, weeks that have turned the world's attention back towards a situation that has been taking innocent lives and affecting families for decades. I have much to say, but for today, I will keep it short. I've been sent hundreds of death threats daily, my phone number has been leaked, and my family has felt to be in danger. But I can not be silenced any longer. Fear is not an option. The people and children of Palestine, especially in Gaza, cannot afford our silence. We are not brave – they are. My heart is bleeding with pain from the trauma I am seeing unfold, as well as the generational trauma of my Palestinian blood. Seeing the aftermath of the airstrikes in Gaza, I mourn with all the mothers who have lost children and the children who cry alone, all the lost fathers, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunties, and friends who will never again walk this earth. I mourn for the Israeli families that have been dealing with the pain and aftermath of October 7th. Regardless of the history of the land, I condemn the terrorist attacks on any civilians, anywhere. Harming women and children and inflicting terror does not and should not do any good for the Free Palestine movement. I believe deep in my heart, that no child, no people anywhere, should be taken away from their family either temporarily or indefinitely. That goes for Israeli and Palestinian people alike. It's important to understand the hardship of what it is to be Palestinian, in a world that sees us as nothing more than terrorists resisting peace. It is harmful, it is shameful, and it's categorically untrue. My father was born in Nazareth in the year of the Nakba (the displacement of 750,000 Palestinians in 1948). Nine days after he was born, he, in his mother's arms, along with his family were expelled from their home of Palestine, becoming refugees, away from a place they once called home. My grandparents, never being allowed to return. My family witnessed 75 years of violence against Palestinian people - most notably, brutal settler invasions which led to the destruction of entire communities, murder in cold blood and the forcible removal of families from their homes. The practice of settlements on Palestinian land still continues to this day. The pain of that is unimaginable. We must all stand together in defending humanity and compassion - and demanding that our leaders do the same. All religions are peaceful – it is governments that are corrupt, and intertwining the two makes for the greatest sin of all. We are one, and God has created all equal. All bloodshed, tears, and bodies should be mourned with the same respect. There is an urgent humanitarian crisis in Gaza that must be attended to. Families need access to water and food. Hospitals need fuel to power generators, tend to the wounded and keep people alive. Wars have laws and they must be upheld, no matter what. We need to keep pressure on our leaders, wherever we are, not to forget the urgent needs of the people of Gaza, and to ensure that innocent Palestinian civilians are not the forgotten casualties of this war. I stand with humanity, knowing that peace and safety belong to us all." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Bella Hadid breaks silence on Israel-Hamas' ongoing conflict: 'My heart is bleeding'

<p>Israel's credit outlook has been downgraded to negative by S&amp;P Global Ratings, a decision attributed to the ongoing conflict with Hamas.</p>

<p>According to a report by Bloomberg, S&amp;P's credit assessment affirmed Israel's rating at AA-, the fourth-highest level, but expressed concerns that the war could potentially have a broader and more significant impact on Israel's economy than initially expected.</p>

<p>This move follows similar actions by Moody's Investors Service and Fitch Ratings, which placed Israel's debt rating under review for a downgrade and its credit score on negative watch, respectively. Both agencies called the ongoing conflict a reason for concern.</p>

<p>Bloomberg quoted S&amp;P's analysts, Maxim Rybnikov and Karen Vartapetov, as stating, "The Israel-Hamas war could spread more widely or affect Israel's credit metrics more negatively than we expect." The agency's current assumption is that the conflict will remain primarily centered in Gaza and last no more than three to six months.</p>

<p>S&amp;P&nbsp;now anticipates a 5 per cent economic contraction in the fourth quarter, up from their previous projection three months ago. This contraction is attributed to security-related disruptions and reduced business activity. Moreover, the mobilisation of reservists, the suspension of foreign tourism, and a broader loss of economic confidence are expected to weigh on growth in the final months of 2023.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from Bloomberg)</em></p>

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Israel's credit outlook has been downgraded to negative by S&P Global Ratings, a decision attributed to the ongoing conflict with Hamas. According to a report by Bloomberg, S&P's credit assessment affirmed Israel's rating at AA-, the fourth-highest level, but expressed concerns that the war could potentially have a broader and more significant impact on Israel's economy than initially expected.

Israel's credit outlook has been downgraded to negative by S&P Global Ratings, a decision attributed to the ongoing conflict with Hamas. According to a report by Bloomberg, S&P's credit assessment affirmed Israel's rating at AA-, the fourth-highest level, but expressed concerns that the war could potentially have a broader and more significant impact on Israel's economy than initially expected. This move follows similar actions by Moody's Investors Service and Fitch Ratings, which placed Israel's debt rating under review for a downgrade and its credit score on negative watch, respectively. Both agencies called the ongoing conflict a reason for concern. Bloomberg quoted S&P's analysts, Maxim Rybnikov and Karen Vartapetov, as stating, "The Israel-Hamas war could spread more widely or affect Israel's credit metrics more negatively than we expect." The agency's current assumption is that the conflict will remain primarily centered in Gaza and last no more than three to six months. S&P now anticipates a 5 per cent economic contraction in the fourth quarter, up from their previous projection three months ago. This contraction is attributed to security-related disruptions and reduced business activity. Moreover, the mobilisation of reservists, the suspension of foreign tourism, and a broader loss of economic confidence are expected to weigh on growth in the final months of 2023. (With inputs from Bloomberg) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Israel-Hamas war: S&P downgrades Israel's credit outlook to negative

<p>The ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, has led to a significant decline in flight bookings to the West Asia. A Reuters report cited recent data compiled by travel analysis firm ForwardKeys, which revealed that the repercussions of this conflict are being felt far beyond Israel's borders, affecting countries like Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As the violence escalated, a wave of flight cancellations to Israel ensued, prompting several global carriers to cease operations to the country due to security concerns. This disruption also led to the cancellation of trips to Israel by tour operators and a rapid decline in hotel bookings. However, the instability caused by the conflict has extended its reach, resulting in a substantial decrease in travel across the region.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ticket purchases for flights to Egypt have seen a stark decline of 26 per cent year-on-year, while travel to Jordan plummeted by 49 per cent, and bookings to Lebanon dropped by a staggering 74 per cent. Reuters quoted Olivier Ponti, Vice President of Insights at ForwardKeys, as saying, "Such a drastic reduction in travel demand is entirely anticipated, given the scale of the conflict and the ongoing humanitarian crisis."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Several major airlines, including Lufthansa, Eurowings, and Swiss Air, have decided to suspend flights to Lebanon in mid-October, further exacerbating the decline in travel to the region.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Popular tourist destinations in the West Asia, such as Petra in Jordan and Egypt's Red Sea resorts, have long attracted visitors. These areas often feature as stops on packaged tours that also include travel to Israel. However, data from ForwardKeys indicates that ticket purchases for future trips to Israel experienced a dramatic 187 per cent drop between October 7 and October 19 when compared to the same period last year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Shai Weiss, the Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Atlantic Airways, told&nbsp;Bloomberg&nbsp;how the war has deterred travel not only to Israel but also to surrounding areas in the West Asia. He explained, "The major impact has been, of course, that people are not flying into Israel and they're not flying also to the area - into Jordan, into Egypt, into other locations."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Weiss noted that the price of jet fuel has considerably risen since the conflict began, adding to the financial strain on airlines. United Airlines Holdings Inc. also expressed concern over the war's impact, forecasting quarterly profits well below Wall Street's expectations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In an interview with Bloomberg, Weiss further indicated that the economic recovery in the travel industry lags behind that of the United States, saying, "The situation remains unpredictable."&nbsp;&nbsp;In contrast, Delta Air Lines Inc. CEO Ed Bastian expressed optimism, expecting a "good landing" for the US, suggesting that the recovery timeline varies among different regions.&nbsp;</p>

<p><i>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</i></p>

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The ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, has led to a significant decline in flight bookings to the West Asia. A Reuters report cited recent data compiled by travel analysis firm ForwardKeys, which revealed that the repercussions of this conflict are being felt far beyond Israel's borders, affecting countries like Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon.

The ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, has led to a significant decline in flight bookings to the West Asia. A Reuters report cited recent data compiled by travel analysis firm ForwardKeys, which revealed that the repercussions of this conflict are being felt far beyond Israel's borders, affecting countries like Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon. As the violence escalated, a wave of flight cancellations to Israel ensued, prompting several global carriers to cease operations to the country due to security concerns. This disruption also led to the cancellation of trips to Israel by tour operators and a rapid decline in hotel bookings. However, the instability caused by the conflict has extended its reach, resulting in a substantial decrease in travel across the region. Ticket purchases for flights to Egypt have seen a stark decline of 26 per cent year-on-year, while travel to Jordan plummeted by 49 per cent, and bookings to Lebanon dropped by a staggering 74 per cent. Reuters quoted Olivier Ponti, Vice President of Insights at ForwardKeys, as saying, "Such a drastic reduction in travel demand is entirely anticipated, given the scale of the conflict and the ongoing humanitarian crisis." Several major airlines, including Lufthansa, Eurowings, and Swiss Air, have decided to suspend flights to Lebanon in mid-October, further exacerbating the decline in travel to the region. Popular tourist destinations in the West Asia, such as Petra in Jordan and Egypt's Red Sea resorts, have long attracted visitors. These areas often feature as stops on packaged tours that also include travel to Israel. However, data from ForwardKeys indicates that ticket purchases for future trips to Israel experienced a dramatic 187 per cent drop between October 7 and October 19 when compared to the same period last year. Shai Weiss, the Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Atlantic Airways, told Bloomberg how the war has deterred travel not only to Israel but also to surrounding areas in the West Asia. He explained, "The major impact has been, of course, that people are not flying into Israel and they're not flying also to the area - into Jordan, into Egypt, into other locations." Weiss noted that the price of jet fuel has considerably risen since the conflict began, adding to the financial strain on airlines. United Airlines Holdings Inc. also expressed concern over the war's impact, forecasting quarterly profits well below Wall Street's expectations. In an interview with Bloomberg, Weiss further indicated that the economic recovery in the travel industry lags behind that of the United States, saying, "The situation remains unpredictable." In contrast, Delta Air Lines Inc. CEO Ed Bastian expressed optimism, expecting a "good landing" for the US, suggesting that the recovery timeline varies among different regions. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Regional travel dips as Israel-Hamas conflict impacts West Asia: Report  

<p>Reports are coming in that US aircraft carriers in the West Asian region are being targetted in drone attacks by Iran proxies. While so far it has managed to thwart these attacks, there's increasing worry that a major attack could drag the US further into the Israel-Hamas war, the same way the Pearl Harbour attack led America to join World War II.</p>

<p>Brigadier General Patrick Ryder, the Pentagon spokesman, told reporters on Oct 19 that USS Carney, a navy destroyer deployed to West Asia (Middle East) was targeted by drones and missiles in the northern Red Sea.</p>

<p>“We cannot say for certain what these missiles and drones were targeting, but they were launched from Yemen heading north along the Red Sea, potentially towards targets in Israel,” Ryder said, adding that he wasn’t sure whether the attacks targeted the US Navy ship.</p>

<p>He blamed the pro-Iranian Houthi rebels in Yemen for launching a flurry of missiles and drones.&nbsp;However, this was not an isolated incident.</p>

<h2><strong>US military under attack in Middle East</strong></h2>

<p>Over the past week, American troops stationed in other parts of the Middle East—Iraq and Syria—have come under attacks. &nbsp;There are about 2,500 US troops in Iraq.</p>

<p>Ain al-Asad airbase, which hosts US and other international forces in western&nbsp;Iraq, was targeted by drones and missiles on October 19 evening. Multiple blasts were reportedly heard inside the base.</p>

<p>The attack came after rockets hit another military base hosting US forces near Baghdad’s international airport on Thursday, Iraqi police said.</p>

<p>A day before on Wednesday, US forces in Iraq were targeted in two separate drone attacks, with one causing minor injuries to a small number of troops even though the US military managed to intercept the armed drone.</p>

<p>At the same time, a drone hit US forces in&nbsp;Syria, resulting in minor injuries, while another one was brought down.</p>

<p>The spate of attacks on US military in the Middle East comes amidst the&nbsp;<a name="_Hlk149076403">Israel-Hamas war </a>that has divided the Western nations and the Gulf.</p>

<h2><strong>Israel-Hamas war dividing the world </strong></h2>

<p>While the US-led West backs Israel’s right to self-defence as the latter scrambles to wipe out Hamas for the October 7 terror attack that left hundreds and thousands of Israelis dead, the Arab nations, on the other hand, have expressed concerns over the humanitarian issue in Gaza that has been spiralling as a consequence of war.</p>

<p>The Arab nations have strongly expressed reservations over what they see as US meddling in the Israel-Hamas conflict after Washington decided to send military advisors and ammunitions to aid Israel.</p>

<h2><strong>US sends THAAD, Patriot systems </strong></h2>

<p>In the wake of rising attacks on US troops, the Pentagon said that it was deploying a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and additional Patriot air defence missile system battalions to the Middle East.</p>

<p>In recent weeks, The United States has sent a significant amount of naval power to the Middle East in recent weeks, including two aircraft carriers, their support ships and about 2,000 Marines.</p>

<p>Apart from that, the Pentagon is also sending military advisers, including a Marine Corps general versed in urban warfare, to Israel to aid in its war planning.</p>

<p>One of the officers leading the assistance is Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James Glynn, who previously helped lead special operations forces against the Islamic State and served in Fallujah, Iraq.</p>

<h2><strong>US blames Iran’s proxies</strong></h2>

<p>The US believes that Iran-sponsored proxies have been targeting the US military in the Middle East after Washington sent its US Navy destroyer near Israel and promised them more military aid.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-air-force-drops-leaflets-in-gaza-seeking-information-on-hostages-650774">Israel air force drops leaflets in Gaza seeking information on hostages</a></p>

<p>At the UN Security Council held a quarterly open debate on the Middle East in New York on Tuesday (Oct 24), US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that Iran amid Israel's war with Hamas that if Tehran or its proxies “attack us”.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/where-is-your-son-pm-israeli-reservists-ask-as-yair-netanyahu-stays-back-in-us-650631">‘Where is your son PM?' Israeli reservists ask as Yair Netanyahu stays back in US</a></p>

<p>"The United States does not seek conflict with Iran. We do not want this war to widen. But if Iran or its proxies attack US personnel anywhere, make no mistake. We will defend our people -- we will defend our security -- swiftly and decisively," he said.</p>

<p>US officials have been on heightened alert for potential attacks on American and partner forces in the Middle East.</p>

<p>While Iranian proxies have periodically tried to attack US positions in Iraq and Syria, Washington officials are concerned that the groups may exploit the Israel-Hamas conflict could seize on the instability in the region to launch new attacks.</p>

<p>Hence, US’ decision to send weapons, especially the THAAD&nbsp; system, to Israel is believed to be part of a wider plan to bolster firepower in the region if Iran or its proxies intervene in the battle against Hamas and Hezbollah.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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Reports are coming in that US aircraft carriers in the West Asian region are being targetted in drone attacks by Iran proxies. While so far it has managed to thwart these attacks, there's increasing worry that a major attack could drag the US further into the Israel-Hamas war, the same way the Pearl Harbour attack led America to join World War II.

Reports are coming in that US aircraft carriers in the West Asian region are being targetted in drone attacks by Iran proxies. While so far it has managed to thwart these attacks, there's increasing worry that a major attack could drag the US further into the Israel-Hamas war, the same way the Pearl Harbour attack led America to join World War II. Brigadier General Patrick Ryder, the Pentagon spokesman, told reporters on Oct 19 that USS Carney, a navy destroyer deployed to West Asia (Middle East) was targeted by drones and missiles in the northern Red Sea. “We cannot say for certain what these missiles and drones were targeting, but they were launched from Yemen heading north along the Red Sea, potentially towards targets in Israel,” Ryder said, adding that he wasn’t sure whether the attacks targeted the US Navy ship. He blamed the pro-Iranian Houthi rebels in Yemen for launching a flurry of missiles and drones. However, this was not an isolated incident. US military under attack in Middle East Over the past week, American troops stationed in other parts of the Middle East—Iraq and Syria—have come under attacks. There are about 2,500 US troops in Iraq. Ain al-Asad airbase, which hosts US and other international forces in western Iraq, was targeted by drones and missiles on October 19 evening. Multiple blasts were reportedly heard inside the base. The attack came after rockets hit another military base hosting US forces near Baghdad’s international airport on Thursday, Iraqi police said. A day before on Wednesday, US forces in Iraq were targeted in two separate drone attacks, with one causing minor injuries to a small number of troops even though the US military managed to intercept the armed drone. At the same time, a drone hit US forces in Syria, resulting in minor injuries, while another one was brought down. The spate of attacks on US military in the Middle East comes amidst the Israel-Hamas war that has divided the Western nations and the Gulf. Israel-Hamas war dividing the world While the US-led West backs Israel’s right to self-defence as the latter scrambles to wipe out Hamas for the October 7 terror attack that left hundreds and thousands of Israelis dead, the Arab nations, on the other hand, have expressed concerns over the humanitarian issue in Gaza that has been spiralling as a consequence of war. The Arab nations have strongly expressed reservations over what they see as US meddling in the Israel-Hamas conflict after Washington decided to send military advisors and ammunitions to aid Israel. US sends THAAD, Patriot systems In the wake of rising attacks on US troops, the Pentagon said that it was deploying a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and additional Patriot air defence missile system battalions to the Middle East. In recent weeks, The United States has sent a significant amount of naval power to the Middle East in recent weeks, including two aircraft carriers, their support ships and about 2,000 Marines. Apart from that, the Pentagon is also sending military advisers, including a Marine Corps general versed in urban warfare, to Israel to aid in its war planning. One of the officers leading the assistance is Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James Glynn, who previously helped lead special operations forces against the Islamic State and served in Fallujah, Iraq. US blames Iran’s proxies The US believes that Iran-sponsored proxies have been targeting the US military in the Middle East after Washington sent its US Navy destroyer near Israel and promised them more military aid. Also read | Israel air force drops leaflets in Gaza seeking information on hostages At the UN Security Council held a quarterly open debate on the Middle East in New York on Tuesday (Oct 24), US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that Iran amid Israel's war with Hamas that if Tehran or its proxies “attack us”. Also read | ‘Where is your son PM?' Israeli reservists ask as Yair Netanyahu stays back in US "The United States does not seek conflict with Iran. We do not want this war to widen. But if Iran or its proxies attack US personnel anywhere, make no mistake. We will defend our people -- we will defend our security -- swiftly and decisively," he said. US officials have been on heightened alert for potential attacks on American and partner forces in the Middle East. While Iranian proxies have periodically tried to attack US positions in Iraq and Syria, Washington officials are concerned that the groups may exploit the Israel-Hamas conflict could seize on the instability in the region to launch new attacks. Hence, US’ decision to send weapons, especially the THAAD system, to Israel is believed to be part of a wider plan to bolster firepower in the region if Iran or its proxies intervene in the battle against Hamas and Hezbollah. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Explained | Will attacks on US military assets in West Asia turn Israel-Hamas conflict into regional war?

<p>Foes for centuries, Russia and its "dear friend" China have begun to find common ground with the Middle East countries that have voiced support for Palestine amid the Israel-Hamas war.</p>

<p>The counter-offensive by Israel has presented&nbsp;an opportunity for both Moscow and Beijing to come up as the champs of the developing world as Washington has fairly and squarely backed its ally Tel Aviv.</p>

<p>Though China has repeatedly called for restraint and a ceasefire, it has also strongly denounced Israel over its bombardment of the besieged Palestinian enclave.</p>

<p>"Israel's actions have gone beyond the scope of self-defence," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said earlier this week, calling on it to stop its "collective punishment" of Gaza residents, Chinese state media reported.</p>

<p>Russia, amid the conflict, has expressed sympathy for the Palestinians while condemning the United States, stating that the upsurge of violence and tensions between Israel and Hamas showed the failure of the United States' Middle-East policy.</p>

<p>Russian President Vladimir Putin also stated that Washington sought to monopolise the international efforts aimed at forging peace in the region, further condemning the US for not seeking compromises acceptable to both sides.</p>

<p>"I think that many people will agree with me that this is a vivid example of the failure of United States policy in the Middle East," Putin had told Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani last week.</p>

<p>"The US tried to monopolise the solution (of the crisis between Israel and Palestinians), but, unfortunately, was not concerned with finding compromises acceptable to both sides, but, on the contrary, promoted its own ideas about how it should be done and put both sides under pressure. That's both sides, at one or another," he said.</p>

<p>Both Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have strived to strengthen links to the global south, witnessing economic prospects and conceivably a way to negate the diplomatic influence of the United States and its allies. This strategy was on its full display earlier this week as China hosted a summit for Xi's Belt and Road Initiative, which has loaned hundreds of billions of dollars for infrastructure projects across the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia.</p>

<p>Putin attended and met Xi for three hours of talks that included "an in-depth exchange of views on the Palestinian-Israeli situation", China said.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-joe-biden-asks-congress-for-105-bln-security-package-includes-funds-for-ukraine-and-israel-649351">Biden asks Congress for $105 bln package, including funds for Ukraine, Israel</a></p>

<p>"China and Russia still see (the crisis) more in terms of the United States than in terms of either Palestine or Israel," said Jon Alterman, director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.</p>

<p>"If the United States can effectively rally the world, it's bad for them. If the US and its allies grow increasingly isolated, they see that as good for them."</p>

<h2><strong>China and Russia's support for Palestine</strong></h2>

<p>The way both Moscow and Beijing operate in the Middle East has a lot in common. Russia has been a staunch critic of the United States, however, China has mainly opted to bypass denouncing the US.</p>

<p>This year, China signalled its growing influence in the Middle East when it announced a deal on the restoration of ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran.</p>

<p>On the other hand, Russia too has been enhancing its relationship with Iran via its move to back Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and supplies of Iranian drones.</p>

<p>Both Moscow and Beijing have strongly voiced support for Palestinians and are critical of what they say is the stigmatisation of them by the United States.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"There's clearly a shared interest in emphasising the negative role of the US in the conflict," news agency Reuters quoted Jean-Loup Samaan, senior research fellow at the Middle East Institute of the National University of Singapore, as saying.</p>

<p>"And that fits within their broader narrative on the need to build an alternative world order to the US."</p>

<p>Earlier, Putin, accusing the West of not taking into consideration the fundamental interests of Palestinians, had stated that it was necessary to "implement the decisions of the UN Security Council on the creation of an independent sovereign Palestinian state."</p>

<p>Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also echoed the same sentiment saying that the creation of a Palestinian state was the "most reliable" solution for peace in Israel.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Creation of a Palestinian state that would live side by side with Israel.. is the most reliable path to solve (the conflict). We cannot agree with those who say that security can only be ensured through a fight with terrorism," he said.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Chinese media covered the Hamas assault and since then has been carrying reports containing images of Palestinians suffering, with some even citing Palestinian sources as saying Israel was responsible for the violence.</p>

<p>"None of the reality that shocked much of the world on October 7 is in Chinese news. Instead, the news features Israeli bombing of Gaza without explaining that the target is only Hamas infrastructure," Reuters quoted Carice Witte, director of the SIGNAL Group, a Sino-Israel relations think tank based in Tel Aviv as saying.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>

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Foes for centuries, Russia and its "dear friend" China have begun to find common ground with the Middle East countries that have voiced support for Palestine amid the Israel-Hamas war.

Foes for centuries, Russia and its "dear friend" China have begun to find common ground with the Middle East countries that have voiced support for Palestine amid the Israel-Hamas war. The counter-offensive by Israel has presented an opportunity for both Moscow and Beijing to come up as the champs of the developing world as Washington has fairly and squarely backed its ally Tel Aviv. Though China has repeatedly called for restraint and a ceasefire, it has also strongly denounced Israel over its bombardment of the besieged Palestinian enclave. "Israel's actions have gone beyond the scope of self-defence," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said earlier this week, calling on it to stop its "collective punishment" of Gaza residents, Chinese state media reported. Russia, amid the conflict, has expressed sympathy for the Palestinians while condemning the United States, stating that the upsurge of violence and tensions between Israel and Hamas showed the failure of the United States' Middle-East policy. Russian President Vladimir Putin also stated that Washington sought to monopolise the international efforts aimed at forging peace in the region, further condemning the US for not seeking compromises acceptable to both sides. "I think that many people will agree with me that this is a vivid example of the failure of United States policy in the Middle East," Putin had told Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani last week. "The US tried to monopolise the solution (of the crisis between Israel and Palestinians), but, unfortunately, was not concerned with finding compromises acceptable to both sides, but, on the contrary, promoted its own ideas about how it should be done and put both sides under pressure. That's both sides, at one or another," he said. Both Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have strived to strengthen links to the global south, witnessing economic prospects and conceivably a way to negate the diplomatic influence of the United States and its allies. This strategy was on its full display earlier this week as China hosted a summit for Xi's Belt and Road Initiative, which has loaned hundreds of billions of dollars for infrastructure projects across the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia. Putin attended and met Xi for three hours of talks that included "an in-depth exchange of views on the Palestinian-Israeli situation", China said. Also read: Biden asks Congress for $105 bln package, including funds for Ukraine, Israel "China and Russia still see (the crisis) more in terms of the United States than in terms of either Palestine or Israel," said Jon Alterman, director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. "If the United States can effectively rally the world, it's bad for them. If the US and its allies grow increasingly isolated, they see that as good for them." China and Russia's support for Palestine The way both Moscow and Beijing operate in the Middle East has a lot in common. Russia has been a staunch critic of the United States, however, China has mainly opted to bypass denouncing the US. This year, China signalled its growing influence in the Middle East when it announced a deal on the restoration of ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran. On the other hand, Russia too has been enhancing its relationship with Iran via its move to back Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and supplies of Iranian drones. Both Moscow and Beijing have strongly voiced support for Palestinians and are critical of what they say is the stigmatisation of them by the United States. "There's clearly a shared interest in emphasising the negative role of the US in the conflict," news agency Reuters quoted Jean-Loup Samaan, senior research fellow at the Middle East Institute of the National University of Singapore, as saying. "And that fits within their broader narrative on the need to build an alternative world order to the US." Earlier, Putin, accusing the West of not taking into consideration the fundamental interests of Palestinians, had stated that it was necessary to "implement the decisions of the UN Security Council on the creation of an independent sovereign Palestinian state." Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also echoed the same sentiment saying that the creation of a Palestinian state was the "most reliable" solution for peace in Israel. "Creation of a Palestinian state that would live side by side with Israel.. is the most reliable path to solve (the conflict). We cannot agree with those who say that security can only be ensured through a fight with terrorism," he said. Meanwhile, Chinese media covered the Hamas assault and since then has been carrying reports containing images of Palestinians suffering, with some even citing Palestinian sources as saying Israel was responsible for the violence. "None of the reality that shocked much of the world on October 7 is in Chinese news. Instead, the news features Israeli bombing of Gaza without explaining that the target is only Hamas infrastructure," Reuters quoted Carice Witte, director of the SIGNAL Group, a Sino-Israel relations think tank based in Tel Aviv as saying. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained | How Russia and China found common cause in conflict between Israel, Hamas

<p>At least 81 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops or settlers in the occupied West Bank since the beginning of the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, said the Palestinian health officials in Ramallah, on Friday (Oct 20).&nbsp;</p>

<p>The death toll following an arrest raid in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-war-at-least-7-palestinians-killed-across-west-bank-10-israeli-officers-injured-amid-clashes-648878">Nur Shams refugee camp</a> near the city of Tulkarem by Israeli troops, on Thursday also rose to 13, said the Palestinian officials in the West Bank.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Israeli authorities said that one border officer was killed and nine others were injured after intense clashes during the raid.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that’s troops have arrested over 580 wanted Palestinians across the Palestinian territory.</p>

<h2>Death toll rises to 13</h2>

<p>According to the Palestinian health ministry, over 13 people, including five children were killed after Israeli troops stormed Nur Shams camp. The Palestinian Authority said that Israel carried out a rare drone strike which killed at least 12 Palestinians.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The IDF said that it carried out an air strike which killed “a number of terrorists” in Nur Shams. It added, “Exchanges of fire with armed gunmen, which included explosive devices being thrown at Israeli security forces, took place.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Palestinian media outlets also reported gunmen shooting at the Israeli forces and setting off explosive devices in the area.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Palestinian health ministry said Israeli forces shot dead a 17-year-old in Dheisheh refugee camp and a 32-year-old in Budrus, west of Ramallah, during clashes earlier Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the Israeli military, people hurled “molotov cocktails and other objects” like burning tires which prompted its troops to open fire.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This comes amid unrest and protests across the West Bank since October 7 when Hamas attacked Israel and the latter has since retaliated with constant bombardment of Gaza. Palestinians across the West Bank have held rallies in solidarity with Gaza’s 2.4 million people.</p>

<h2><strong>More than 580 Palestinians arrested: IDF</strong></h2>

<p>The clashes also led to the death of one Israeli border police personnel who was identified by the police as Master sergeant Maxim Razinkov. He was said to be fatally wounded by an improvised explosive device hurled at the Border Police forces. At least nine other officers were lightly wounded, said the Israeli police.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The IDF said that they have arrested 584 wanted Palestinians across the West Bank, including over 375 who are said to be associated with Hamas. Around 47 alleged Hamas members were arrested overnight, said the Israeli military on Friday.</p>

<p>The IDF also arrested an 18-year-old Palestinian from Ramallah claiming that he had been staying in Israel illegally and was suspected of having stolen the vehicle with the intention of carrying out a ramming attack against Israeli forces at the West Bank’s Hizma checkpoint near Jerusalem.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><em><strong>Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.</strong></em></p>

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At least 81 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops or settlers in the occupied West Bank since the beginning of the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, said the Palestinian health officials in Ramallah, on Friday (Oct 20).

At least 81 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops or settlers in the occupied West Bank since the beginning of the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, said the Palestinian health officials in Ramallah, on Friday (Oct 20). The death toll following an arrest raid in the Nur Shams refugee camp near the city of Tulkarem by Israeli troops, on Thursday also rose to 13, said the Palestinian officials in the West Bank. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities said that one border officer was killed and nine others were injured after intense clashes during the raid. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that’s troops have arrested over 580 wanted Palestinians across the Palestinian territory. Death toll rises to 13 According to the Palestinian health ministry, over 13 people, including five children were killed after Israeli troops stormed Nur Shams camp. The Palestinian Authority said that Israel carried out a rare drone strike which killed at least 12 Palestinians. The IDF said that it carried out an air strike which killed “a number of terrorists” in Nur Shams. It added, “Exchanges of fire with armed gunmen, which included explosive devices being thrown at Israeli security forces, took place.” The Palestinian media outlets also reported gunmen shooting at the Israeli forces and setting off explosive devices in the area. The Palestinian health ministry said Israeli forces shot dead a 17-year-old in Dheisheh refugee camp and a 32-year-old in Budrus, west of Ramallah, during clashes earlier Thursday. According to the Israeli military, people hurled “molotov cocktails and other objects” like burning tires which prompted its troops to open fire. This comes amid unrest and protests across the West Bank since October 7 when Hamas attacked Israel and the latter has since retaliated with constant bombardment of Gaza. Palestinians across the West Bank have held rallies in solidarity with Gaza’s 2.4 million people. More than 580 Palestinians arrested: IDF The clashes also led to the death of one Israeli border police personnel who was identified by the police as Master sergeant Maxim Razinkov. He was said to be fatally wounded by an improvised explosive device hurled at the Border Police forces. At least nine other officers were lightly wounded, said the Israeli police. The IDF said that they have arrested 584 wanted Palestinians across the West Bank, including over 375 who are said to be associated with Hamas. Around 47 alleged Hamas members were arrested overnight, said the Israeli military on Friday. The IDF also arrested an 18-year-old Palestinian from Ramallah claiming that he had been staying in Israel illegally and was suspected of having stolen the vehicle with the intention of carrying out a ramming attack against Israeli forces at the West Bank’s Hizma checkpoint near Jerusalem. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Israel-Hamas war: Over 80 Palestinians in West Bank killed by Israeli troops, settlers, claims health ministry

<p>After days of speculation, Bundesliga club Bayern Munich on Friday (Oct 20) announced that defender&nbsp;Noussair Mazraoui would not be suspended for making pro-Palestine comments over the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bayern in a statement said they had "held a&nbsp;detailed and clarifying conversation" with the player, concerning his Instagram posts which led to "irritation and criticism".&nbsp;Bayern Chief Executive Jan-Christian Dreesen said the Moroccan player had assured that he rejected 'terror and war'.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Mazraoui has credibly assured us that as a peace-loving person he resolutely rejects terror and war and he never meant to cause any irritation with his posts.&nbsp;FC Bayern condemns Hamas' attack on Israel," said&nbsp;Dreesen.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The club added that it "stands by Germany's Jewish community and by Israel's side; nothing justifies the murder of children and families".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bayern also quoted Mazaroui as saying:&nbsp;"I condemn all terrorism and terrorist organisations."</p>

<h2><strong>El Ghazi and&nbsp;Atal suspended&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>While&nbsp;Mazaroui escaped without any suspension, some of his compatriots have had not the same luck. On Wednesday (Oct 18), another Bundesliga club&nbsp;FSV Mainz 05, suspended&nbsp;their newly signed player Anwar El Ghazi for his pro-Palestinian social media posts.</p>

<p>Mainz issued a statement wherein it said Anwar had taken a position that was unacceptable to the club.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“The decision comes as a result of a since-deleted social media post from the 28-year-old that appeared on Sunday evening. In the post, El Ghazi took a position on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East that was deemed unacceptable by the club," read the statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Similarly,&nbsp;Algerian footballer Youcef Atal, playing for Ligue 1 club Nice, was suspended for an anti-Jewish message on social media.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Given the nature of the publication shared [by Atal], and its seriousness, the club has taken the decision to take immediate disciplinary action against the player, prior to any action that may be taken by sporting and legal authorities,” the Ligue 1 club said in a statement.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-palestine-war-taxi-driver-from-jerusalem-speaks-to-wion-world-news-648112"><strong>Watch | Israel-Palestine war: Taxi driver from Jerusalem speaks to WION | World News</strong></a></p>

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<h2><strong>Salah issues statement</strong></h2>

<p>On Thursday (Oct 19), Liverpool star Mo Salah, arguably the biggest football face in the Arab world, issued a video statement where he implored world leaders to bring an end to the conflict.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It is not always easy to speak in a time like this. There has been too much violence and too much heartbreak and brutality," Salah said in a video posted to his 62.7 million followers on Instagram.</p>

<p>"The escalations in recent weeks is unbearable to witness. All lives are sacred and must be protected. The massacres need to stop, families are being torn apart."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/egyptian-football-star-mohamed-salah-calls-for-end-of-massacres-amid-israel-hamas-conflict-648635"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah calls for end to 'massacres' amid Israel-Hamas conflict</strong></a></p>

<p>More than 1,500 Israelis have died after&nbsp;Hamas - a terror outfit operating from the Gaza Strip - launched an ambush attack on Israel earlier this month. As a retaliatory move, Israel has been bombing specific terror locations in the Gaza Strip to eradicate Hamas out of existence. However, more than 2,750 Palestinians have lost their lives as collateral damage, according to the claims made by the&nbsp;health ministry in Gaza, controlled by Hamas.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>


After days of speculation, Bundesliga club Bayern Munich on Friday (Oct 20) announced that defender Noussair Mazraoui would not be suspended for making pro-Palestine comments over the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

After days of speculation, Bundesliga club Bayern Munich on Friday (Oct 20) announced that defender Noussair Mazraoui would not be suspended for making pro-Palestine comments over the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Bayern in a statement said they had "held a detailed and clarifying conversation" with the player, concerning his Instagram posts which led to "irritation and criticism". Bayern Chief Executive Jan-Christian Dreesen said the Moroccan player had assured that he rejected 'terror and war'. "Mazraoui has credibly assured us that as a peace-loving person he resolutely rejects terror and war and he never meant to cause any irritation with his posts. FC Bayern condemns Hamas' attack on Israel," said Dreesen. The club added that it "stands by Germany's Jewish community and by Israel's side; nothing justifies the murder of children and families". Bayern also quoted Mazaroui as saying: "I condemn all terrorism and terrorist organisations." El Ghazi and Atal suspended While Mazaroui escaped without any suspension, some of his compatriots have had not the same luck. On Wednesday (Oct 18), another Bundesliga club FSV Mainz 05, suspended their newly signed player Anwar El Ghazi for his pro-Palestinian social media posts. Mainz issued a statement wherein it said Anwar had taken a position that was unacceptable to the club. “The decision comes as a result of a since-deleted social media post from the 28-year-old that appeared on Sunday evening. In the post, El Ghazi took a position on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East that was deemed unacceptable by the club," read the statement. Similarly, Algerian footballer Youcef Atal, playing for Ligue 1 club Nice, was suspended for an anti-Jewish message on social media. “Given the nature of the publication shared [by Atal], and its seriousness, the club has taken the decision to take immediate disciplinary action against the player, prior to any action that may be taken by sporting and legal authorities,” the Ligue 1 club said in a statement. Watch | Israel-Palestine war: Taxi driver from Jerusalem speaks to WION | World News × Salah issues statement On Thursday (Oct 19), Liverpool star Mo Salah, arguably the biggest football face in the Arab world, issued a video statement where he implored world leaders to bring an end to the conflict. "It is not always easy to speak in a time like this. There has been too much violence and too much heartbreak and brutality," Salah said in a video posted to his 62.7 million followers on Instagram. "The escalations in recent weeks is unbearable to witness. All lives are sacred and must be protected. The massacres need to stop, families are being torn apart." Also read | Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah calls for end to 'massacres' amid Israel-Hamas conflict More than 1,500 Israelis have died after Hamas - a terror outfit operating from the Gaza Strip - launched an ambush attack on Israel earlier this month. As a retaliatory move, Israel has been bombing specific terror locations in the Gaza Strip to eradicate Hamas out of existence. However, more than 2,750 Palestinians have lost their lives as collateral damage, according to the claims made by the health ministry in Gaza, controlled by Hamas. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Football: Bayern player Mazraoui escapes suspension over pro-Palestine posts

<p>Liverpool and Egypt football star Mohamed Salah called for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza on Wednesday as he pleaded for an end to "massacres" in the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.</p>

<p>Gazans have been facing dire shortages as the territory was effectively sealed off in the wake of the October 7 attacks by Hamas militants on Israeli communities and military posts that claimed 1,400 lives.</p>

<p>On Tuesday, a deadly rocket strike hit a Gaza hospital that Hamas blamed on Israel.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-captain-rohit-sharma-issued-with-multiple-traffic-challans-for-over-speeding-before-odi-world-cup-clash-648522">India captain Rohit Sharma issued with multiple traffic fines for over-speeding before ODI World Cup clash</a></p>

<p>However, Israel denied responsibility, claiming the strike was caused by an errant rocket fired by Palestinian militants.</p>

<p>A Champions League and Premier League winner with Liverpool, Egypt captain Salah, 31, is one of the most popular athletes in the Arab world.</p>

<p>"It is not always easy to speak in a time like this. There has been too much violence and too much heartbreak and brutality," Salah said in a video posted to his 62.7 million followers on Instagram.</p>

<p>"The escalations in recent weeks is unbearable to witness. All lives are sacred and must be protected. The massacres need to stop, families are being torn apart."</p>

<p>After a visit by US President Joe Biden to Tel Aviv on Wednesday, Israel said it had agreed to his request to allow aid into the besieged Gaza via Egypt due to mounting concern about dwindling supplies and warnings of a humanitarian catastrophe.</p>

<p>"What is clear now is that humanitarian aid to Gaza must be allowed immediately. The people there are in terrible conditions," Salah added.</p>

<p>"The scenes at the hospital last night were horrifying. The people of Gaza need food, water and medical supplies urgently.</p>

<p>"I am calling on world leaders to come together to prevent further slaughter of innocent souls - humanity must prevail."</p>

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Liverpool and Egypt football star Mohamed Salah called for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza on Wednesday as he pleaded for an end to "massacres" in the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Liverpool and Egypt football star Mohamed Salah called for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza on Wednesday as he pleaded for an end to "massacres" in the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas. Gazans have been facing dire shortages as the territory was effectively sealed off in the wake of the October 7 attacks by Hamas militants on Israeli communities and military posts that claimed 1,400 lives. On Tuesday, a deadly rocket strike hit a Gaza hospital that Hamas blamed on Israel. Also Read: India captain Rohit Sharma issued with multiple traffic fines for over-speeding before ODI World Cup clash However, Israel denied responsibility, claiming the strike was caused by an errant rocket fired by Palestinian militants. A Champions League and Premier League winner with Liverpool, Egypt captain Salah, 31, is one of the most popular athletes in the Arab world. "It is not always easy to speak in a time like this. There has been too much violence and too much heartbreak and brutality," Salah said in a video posted to his 62.7 million followers on Instagram. "The escalations in recent weeks is unbearable to witness. All lives are sacred and must be protected. The massacres need to stop, families are being torn apart." After a visit by US President Joe Biden to Tel Aviv on Wednesday, Israel said it had agreed to his request to allow aid into the besieged Gaza via Egypt due to mounting concern about dwindling supplies and warnings of a humanitarian catastrophe. "What is clear now is that humanitarian aid to Gaza must be allowed immediately. The people there are in terrible conditions," Salah added. "The scenes at the hospital last night were horrifying. The people of Gaza need food, water and medical supplies urgently. "I am calling on world leaders to come together to prevent further slaughter of innocent souls - humanity must prevail." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah calls for end to 'massacres' amid Israel-Hamas conflict

<p>In a tit-for-tat violence, where Hamas attacked Israel and then Israel took recourse to ‘reprisal attacks’, much is lost in the ‘fog of war’. The debate (slanted) in the Western press is ‘Israel’s right to defend itself’ and ‘proportionality’. This is not to deny any nation-state its legitimate right of/for defending itself but to put matters into perspective: What constitutes ‘the right to self-defence'? Does it have boundaries or limits? Who determines that? What is proportionality (in war)? What are its ‘legitimate’ parameters? And, again, who determined it? These are not and should not be mere ‘catchwords’ or ‘buzzwords’ that can be bandied about cavalierly. How these are defined and employed in practice pertains to the ‘pity of war’- something the Middle East may be on the cusp of. Against all norms and canons of international law, Israel, after Hamas attacks, is indulging in an organised orgy of violence. And it is getting away with it. Why?</p>

<p>The answer is multidimensional but one major prong of it is the West’s collective guilt over the Holocaust that caused immense suffering, death and depredation to European Jews. In a ‘never again’ formulation, by crafting the tenets of Zionism – that sought to create a Jewish homeland in historic Palestine, Israel was established in 1948. Israel also crafted a self-identity for itself that suggested it being a ‘western outpost’,‘ a citadel of civilisation’ in a sea of ‘Arab despotism’. The Arabs, especially Palestinians, in this schema were denigrated as uncivilised barbarians and a regressive despotic race - &nbsp;an echo of which the world is witnessing in the likes of Ben Shapiro who leave no stone unturned to dehumanise Palestinians. The explicit and implied aim of Shapiro is to ‘manufacture consent’ and complicity in the killing, maiming and dispossession of Palestinians. All this may be rationalised as the rhetorical flourishes and ‘bull shit’ based on self-righteousness and dismissed. But, nay, not so easy. This discourse is as insidious as its end game. But what is this endgame and who enables it?</p>

<p>The latter question first. Rewind a week or more to the attacks on Israel which took the country by surprise. An enraged Israel post these attacks had made up its mind: It wanted to destroy the Hamas. But, the country needed political cover for this- something that was ably provided by Western political leaders- Joseph Biden, Lloyd Austin, Ursula Van Meyer of the EU, Keir Starmer of the British Labor Party and, Rishi Sunak and other wannabes. How was this cover deployed and maintained? By drawing an equivalence between ISIS, Al-Qaeda and Hamas - something that is etched in the collective consciousness of the Western publics. Ah, yes to prove themselves right and validate their quest, it was alleged Hamas had murdered (decapitated) 40 babies. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-supports-israels-report-on-gaza-hospital-strike-condemns-hamas-648337">Gaza hospital strike 'done by other team', says Biden during Israel trip</a></strong></p>

<p>Enabled and emboldened by this, Israel embarked on carpet bombing of Gaza. Ostensible premise: Root out Hamas. This cruel, horrific bombing, withholding of food, water and other essentials meshes into Israel’s endgame. What is that? Key elements of this deliberate, coldly calculated pogrom are: instrumentalise bombing campaigns to harass, harry and kill Palestinians. Orchestrate their movement towards the Egyptian border and create a refugee crisis for Arab states, invade Gaza, finish off Hamas, include the West Bank into the pogrom – essentially and basically ethnically cleanse Palestine. The follow-up appears to be in the nature of creating a rump group of Palestinians- say Bedouins or collaborators or those who cannot leave and forge ‘peace’ with them. Lo and Behold, Israel triumphs and ‘solves’ the Palestinian conflict. The world looks on and cheers.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jordan-and-egypt-refuse-to-accept-palestinian-refugees-as-israel-continues-retaliatory-strikes-648436">Jordan and Egypt refuse to accept Palestinian refugees as Israel continues retaliatory strikes</a></strong></p>

<p>But this approach is fundamentally wrong, politically insidious and morally odious. It amounts to being complicit in the disappearance of an entire peoples. It also has geo-political and security implications: the Middle East becomes a fraught flashpoint on the cusp of war that will have global implications and it reduces drastically the global security for both states and people. Regarding the latter, there have already been four victims: a 6-year-old Palestinian child, a teacher in France and two Swedes in Belgium. Because Israel’s odious actions polarise the world, its constituent peoples and sets them against each other. There’s every likelihood of more attacks vigilante violence and lone wolf attacks. The world then has become suddenly a very dangerous place for everyone.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Israel-Hamas war: Protests erupt after attack on Gaza Hospital</strong></p>

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<p>Can this be remedied while ‘too much water has flowed under the bridge’, but ‘a stitch in time saves nine’? There still may be hope. For this to be galvanised, Western political leadership must take the initiative. Their (especially the United States’) foreign policies and the media must not be forever held hostage to elite capture. This is the broad outline. In the realm of immediacy, Israel must be, should be restrained. Only the West can do it. It then shares and has a moral responsibility to create and craft peace. If it does, the region, the west and the world will be better for it!</p>

<p><strong>(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us<strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>


In a tit-for-tat violence, where Hamas attacked Israel and then Israel took recourse to ‘reprisal attacks’, much is lost in the ‘fog of war’. The debate (slanted) in the Western press is ‘Israel’s right to defend itself’ and ‘proportionality’.

In a tit-for-tat violence, where Hamas attacked Israel and then Israel took recourse to ‘reprisal attacks’, much is lost in the ‘fog of war’. The debate (slanted) in the Western press is ‘Israel’s right to defend itself’ and ‘proportionality’. This is not to deny any nation-state its legitimate right of/for defending itself but to put matters into perspective: What constitutes ‘the right to self-defence'? Does it have boundaries or limits? Who determines that? What is proportionality (in war)? What are its ‘legitimate’ parameters? And, again, who determined it? These are not and should not be mere ‘catchwords’ or ‘buzzwords’ that can be bandied about cavalierly. How these are defined and employed in practice pertains to the ‘pity of war’- something the Middle East may be on the cusp of. Against all norms and canons of international law, Israel, after Hamas attacks, is indulging in an organised orgy of violence. And it is getting away with it. Why? The answer is multidimensional but one major prong of it is the West’s collective guilt over the Holocaust that caused immense suffering, death and depredation to European Jews. In a ‘never again’ formulation, by crafting the tenets of Zionism – that sought to create a Jewish homeland in historic Palestine, Israel was established in 1948. Israel also crafted a self-identity for itself that suggested it being a ‘western outpost’,‘ a citadel of civilisation’ in a sea of ‘Arab despotism’. The Arabs, especially Palestinians, in this schema were denigrated as uncivilised barbarians and a regressive despotic race - an echo of which the world is witnessing in the likes of Ben Shapiro who leave no stone unturned to dehumanise Palestinians. The explicit and implied aim of Shapiro is to ‘manufacture consent’ and complicity in the killing, maiming and dispossession of Palestinians. All this may be rationalised as the rhetorical flourishes and ‘bull shit’ based on self-righteousness and dismissed. But, nay, not so easy. This discourse is as insidious as its end game. But what is this endgame and who enables it? The latter question first. Rewind a week or more to the attacks on Israel which took the country by surprise. An enraged Israel post these attacks had made up its mind: It wanted to destroy the Hamas. But, the country needed political cover for this- something that was ably provided by Western political leaders- Joseph Biden, Lloyd Austin, Ursula Van Meyer of the EU, Keir Starmer of the British Labor Party and, Rishi Sunak and other wannabes. How was this cover deployed and maintained? By drawing an equivalence between ISIS, Al-Qaeda and Hamas - something that is etched in the collective consciousness of the Western publics. Ah, yes to prove themselves right and validate their quest, it was alleged Hamas had murdered (decapitated) 40 babies. Also Read | Gaza hospital strike 'done by other team', says Biden during Israel trip Enabled and emboldened by this, Israel embarked on carpet bombing of Gaza. Ostensible premise: Root out Hamas. This cruel, horrific bombing, withholding of food, water and other essentials meshes into Israel’s endgame. What is that? Key elements of this deliberate, coldly calculated pogrom are: instrumentalise bombing campaigns to harass, harry and kill Palestinians. Orchestrate their movement towards the Egyptian border and create a refugee crisis for Arab states, invade Gaza, finish off Hamas, include the West Bank into the pogrom – essentially and basically ethnically cleanse Palestine. The follow-up appears to be in the nature of creating a rump group of Palestinians- say Bedouins or collaborators or those who cannot leave and forge ‘peace’ with them. Lo and Behold, Israel triumphs and ‘solves’ the Palestinian conflict. The world looks on and cheers. Also Read | Jordan and Egypt refuse to accept Palestinian refugees as Israel continues retaliatory strikes But this approach is fundamentally wrong, politically insidious and morally odious. It amounts to being complicit in the disappearance of an entire peoples. It also has geo-political and security implications: the Middle East becomes a fraught flashpoint on the cusp of war that will have global implications and it reduces drastically the global security for both states and people. Regarding the latter, there have already been four victims: a 6-year-old Palestinian child, a teacher in France and two Swedes in Belgium. Because Israel’s odious actions polarise the world, its constituent peoples and sets them against each other. There’s every likelihood of more attacks vigilante violence and lone wolf attacks. The world then has become suddenly a very dangerous place for everyone. Watch | Israel-Hamas war: Protests erupt after attack on Gaza Hospital × Can this be remedied while ‘too much water has flowed under the bridge’, but ‘a stitch in time saves nine’? There still may be hope. For this to be galvanised, Western political leadership must take the initiative. Their (especially the United States’) foreign policies and the media must not be forever held hostage to elite capture. This is the broad outline. In the realm of immediacy, Israel must be, should be restrained. Only the West can do it. It then shares and has a moral responsibility to create and craft peace. If it does, the region, the west and the world will be better for it! (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

'The pity of war’: Why Israel must be stopped

<p>Amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, actor Riz Ahmed has spoken out. In an emotional plea, the British actor urged to stop the violence.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the message posted on his social media handle, Ahmed wrote, ''As storytellers we put ourselves in other people’s shoes and ask audiences to go on that journey with us. The reason this works is because underneath our differences, we feel the same fear, joy, grief, and hope.”</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-hollywood-writers-slam-wga-for-not-issuing-statement-on-israel-hamas-conflict-647426">Hollywood writers slam WGA for not issuing statement on Israel-Hamas conflict</a></p>

<p>Riz further wrote that there are no two sides in the war, but only one side and that is ''humanity.''<br />
<br />
“We are told there are two sides to what is happening in Israel and Palestine. But in my heart, I know there is only one — the side of our humanity,” the Oscar-nominated actor wrote.</p>

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<p>“What happened in Israel last week was horrific and wrong. The pain and fear so many are feeling is deep and real. What’s happening in Gaza now, and has been happening in Palestine under the Occupation for decades, is horrific and wrong. The depth and reality of this suffering cannot be ignored.”</p>

<p>In retaliation to the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas' shocking attack, Israel has launched a full-fledged war, which has reportedly killed thousands of Palestinians. Speaking on Israel's counter-attack and the dire situation in Gaza, Ahmed said, “If we look only in one direction, we will go even deeper into darkness. But that is exactly what is happening right now.”&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/fauda-actor-rona-lee-shimon-condemns-hamas-attack-says-will-do-everything-for-israel-647608">Fauda actor Rona-Lee Shimon condemns Hamas' attack, says 'will do everything' for Israel</a></p>

<p>He added, “We are being asked to look away while the civilians of Gaza, half of them children, are running out of time. If we are on the side of humanity we must urgently speak up to try and avert the loss of innocent life. This means calling for an end to the indiscriminate bombing of Gaza’s civilians and vital infrastructure, the denial of food, water and electricity, the forced displacement of people from their homes. These are morally indefensible war crimes.”</p>

<p>Since Hamas' surprise attack on Israel, and the situation continues to be tense on both sides of the border. As the war continues, hundreds of people have lost their lives, and the horrific photos and videos of innocent Israeli and Palestinian people continue to emerge online.&nbsp;</p>

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Amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, actor Riz Ahmed has spoken out. In an emotional plea, the British actor urged to stop the violence. In the message posted on his social media handle, Ahmed wrote, ''As storytellers we put ourselves in other people’s shoes and ask audiences to go on that journey with us.

Amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, actor Riz Ahmed has spoken out. In an emotional plea, the British actor urged to stop the violence. In the message posted on his social media handle, Ahmed wrote, ''As storytellers we put ourselves in other people’s shoes and ask audiences to go on that journey with us. The reason this works is because underneath our differences, we feel the same fear, joy, grief, and hope.” Hollywood writers slam WGA for not issuing statement on Israel-Hamas conflict Riz further wrote that there are no two sides in the war, but only one side and that is ''humanity.'' “We are told there are two sides to what is happening in Israel and Palestine. But in my heart, I know there is only one — the side of our humanity,” the Oscar-nominated actor wrote. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Riz Ahmed (@rizahmed) × “What happened in Israel last week was horrific and wrong. The pain and fear so many are feeling is deep and real. What’s happening in Gaza now, and has been happening in Palestine under the Occupation for decades, is horrific and wrong. The depth and reality of this suffering cannot be ignored.” In retaliation to the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas' shocking attack, Israel has launched a full-fledged war, which has reportedly killed thousands of Palestinians. Speaking on Israel's counter-attack and the dire situation in Gaza, Ahmed said, “If we look only in one direction, we will go even deeper into darkness. But that is exactly what is happening right now.” Fauda actor Rona-Lee Shimon condemns Hamas' attack, says 'will do everything' for Israel He added, “We are being asked to look away while the civilians of Gaza, half of them children, are running out of time. If we are on the side of humanity we must urgently speak up to try and avert the loss of innocent life. This means calling for an end to the indiscriminate bombing of Gaza’s civilians and vital infrastructure, the denial of food, water and electricity, the forced displacement of people from their homes. These are morally indefensible war crimes.” Since Hamas' surprise attack on Israel, and the situation continues to be tense on both sides of the border. As the war continues, hundreds of people have lost their lives, and the horrific photos and videos of innocent Israeli and Palestinian people continue to emerge online. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Riz Ahmed reacts to Israel-Hamas conflict, calls to end ‘indiscriminate bombing of Gaza’s civilians’

<p>The US military has readied 2,000 troops for their potential deployment to the Middle East should the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalates.</p>

<p>Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said the deployment would allow the United States “to respond more quickly” to the crisis, even as the White House clarified that the US forces would not serve in combat roles.</p>

<p>These troops, selected from across the US armed services and currently stationed across Europe, will be tasked with missions like advising and medical support, the Wall Street Journal reported.</p>

<h2><strong>Troops not for combat&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>National Security Council spokesman John Kirby asserted that deploying troops “is really about sending a signal of deterrence”.</p>

<p>“We don’t want to see this conflict escalate and widen,” Kirby told CNN. “There are no plans or intentions to put US boots on the ground in combat in Israel.”</p>

<h2><strong>Israel-Hamas war: US President Joe Biden to meet Palestine leader</strong></h2>

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<h2><strong>Biden to begin his Middle East trip</strong></h2>

<p>The development comes at a time when Joe Biden is expected to begin his trip to the Middle East on Tuesday (Oct 17) evening to meet leaders of Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Palestine in a bid to de-escalate the situation in the Gaza Strip.</p>

<p>On Wednesday, Biden will meet Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv for talks. The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, has already made two trips to Israel since the Hamas attack on 7 October.</p>

<p>Later, Biden is expected to fly to Amman in Jordan for talks about accelerating humanitarian assistance to Gaza, where he will meet Jordan’s King Abdullah, the Egyptian president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-war-family-on-gaza-border-killed-in-hamas-attack-found-dead-hugging-each-other-647813">Israel-Hamas war: A family attacked on Gaza border was found dead hugging each other</a></p>

<p>According to Reuters, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said: “He’ll make it clear that we want to continue working with all our partners in the region, including Israel, to get humanitarian assistance in and provide some kind of safe passage for civilians to get out.”</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-to-revoke-ratification-of-comprehensive-nuclear-test-ban-treaty-647867">Russia to revoke ratification of Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty</a></p>

<p>So far, more than 1,400 Israelis, including civilians and soldiers, have lost their lives in the unprecedented assault launched by the Hamas terror group on October 7, while at least 3,000 people have died in the retaliatory strikes by Israel.</p>

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The US military has readied 2,000 troops for their potential deployment to the Middle East should the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalates. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said the deployment would allow the United States “to respond more quickly” to the crisis, even as the White House clarified that the US forces would not serve in combat roles.

The US military has readied 2,000 troops for their potential deployment to the Middle East should the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalates. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said the deployment would allow the United States “to respond more quickly” to the crisis, even as the White House clarified that the US forces would not serve in combat roles. These troops, selected from across the US armed services and currently stationed across Europe, will be tasked with missions like advising and medical support, the Wall Street Journal reported. Troops not for combat National Security Council spokesman John Kirby asserted that deploying troops “is really about sending a signal of deterrence”. “We don’t want to see this conflict escalate and widen,” Kirby told CNN. “There are no plans or intentions to put US boots on the ground in combat in Israel.” Israel-Hamas war: US President Joe Biden to meet Palestine leader Biden to begin his Middle East trip The development comes at a time when Joe Biden is expected to begin his trip to the Middle East on Tuesday (Oct 17) evening to meet leaders of Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Palestine in a bid to de-escalate the situation in the Gaza Strip. On Wednesday, Biden will meet Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv for talks. The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, has already made two trips to Israel since the Hamas attack on 7 October. Later, Biden is expected to fly to Amman in Jordan for talks about accelerating humanitarian assistance to Gaza, where he will meet Jordan’s King Abdullah, the Egyptian president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas. Also read | Israel-Hamas war: A family attacked on Gaza border was found dead hugging each other According to Reuters, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said: “He’ll make it clear that we want to continue working with all our partners in the region, including Israel, to get humanitarian assistance in and provide some kind of safe passage for civilians to get out.” Also read | Russia to revoke ratification of Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty So far, more than 1,400 Israelis, including civilians and soldiers, have lost their lives in the unprecedented assault launched by the Hamas terror group on October 7, while at least 3,000 people have died in the retaliatory strikes by Israel. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Israel-Hamas war: US military readies 2,000 troops for potential Middle East deployment as war escalates

<p>France international Jean-Clair Todibo on Monday (Oct 16) apologised for laughing during a minute's silence in memory of the victims of the Israel-Hamas conflict and a murdered French teacher before a Euro 2024 qualifier last week.</p>

<p>"I had a nervous laugh in relation to this minute of silence but in no case did I make fun of the current situation," the 23-year-old Nice defender told journalists.</p>

<p>Cameras caught Todibo laughing during the tribute, which took before France's 2-1 win over the Netherlands in Amsterdam last week, to the victims of the conflict between Hamas and Israel.</p>

<p>The minute's silence also remembered a teacher killed last week in the northern French city of Arras in what the government called an Islamist terror attack.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-palestine-war-hamas-commanders-are-training-teenagers-for-battle-647597"><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Israel-Palestine war: Hamas commanders are training teenagers for battle</strong></a></p>

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<p>Todibo, who is in the France team for Tuesday's friendly match against Scotland in Lille, said he had never intended to offend.</p>

<p>"I wanted to express myself today in relation to the extent of the situation and the interpretation of the situation which is quite crazy," he said before France's press conference in Lille.</p>

<p>"The context was unusual, we were among rival fans who had made certain jokes and I had this nervous laugh that came out. I wanted to apologise to all the people who I could have offended, that's the least I can do. Let there be no mistake about that."</p>

<p>"I'm hurt because it taints the education that my mother gave me," he continued.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Some said that I laughed during this minute of silence because I was making fun of the death of a teacher, you should know that my mother has worked in National Education for 20 years and I have enormous respect for these people.</p>

<p>"This could have happened to my mother. It bothers me because it reflects an image which is not mine.</p>

<p>"I think I'm a boy with a very good education and with respect for people."</p>

<p>Before Todibo's apology, the national ethics council of the French Football Federation had sent a letter to the player to ask him to explain himself, reserving the right to refer the matter to the FFF disciplinary committee.</p>

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France international Jean-Clair Todibo on Monday (Oct 16) apologised for laughing during a minute's silence in memory of the victims of the Israel-Hamas conflict and a murdered French teacher before a Euro 2024 qualifier last week.

France international Jean-Clair Todibo on Monday (Oct 16) apologised for laughing during a minute's silence in memory of the victims of the Israel-Hamas conflict and a murdered French teacher before a Euro 2024 qualifier last week. "I had a nervous laugh in relation to this minute of silence but in no case did I make fun of the current situation," the 23-year-old Nice defender told journalists. Cameras caught Todibo laughing during the tribute, which took before France's 2-1 win over the Netherlands in Amsterdam last week, to the victims of the conflict between Hamas and Israel. The minute's silence also remembered a teacher killed last week in the northern French city of Arras in what the government called an Islamist terror attack. Watch | Israel-Palestine war: Hamas commanders are training teenagers for battle × Todibo, who is in the France team for Tuesday's friendly match against Scotland in Lille, said he had never intended to offend. "I wanted to express myself today in relation to the extent of the situation and the interpretation of the situation which is quite crazy," he said before France's press conference in Lille. "The context was unusual, we were among rival fans who had made certain jokes and I had this nervous laugh that came out. I wanted to apologise to all the people who I could have offended, that's the least I can do. Let there be no mistake about that." "I'm hurt because it taints the education that my mother gave me," he continued. "Some said that I laughed during this minute of silence because I was making fun of the death of a teacher, you should know that my mother has worked in National Education for 20 years and I have enormous respect for these people. "This could have happened to my mother. It bothers me because it reflects an image which is not mine. "I think I'm a boy with a very good education and with respect for people." Before Todibo's apology, the national ethics council of the French Football Federation had sent a letter to the player to ask him to explain himself, reserving the right to refer the matter to the FFF disciplinary committee. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

French footballer apologises for nervous laugh during minute's silence for Israel-Hamas conflict victims

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Israel-Hamas conflict has rocked the world with its sudden eruption and lasting geopolitical consequences. Beyond the headlines, financial markets find themselves at the crossroads of uncertainty. In this quest for exploring the market outlook, we dissect JPMorgan's data-driven analysis, shedding light on the intricate dance between this regional upheaval and the global economy.</p>

<p><b>Understanding the conflict's evolution</b></p>

<p>To comprehend the Israel-Hamas crisis, it's crucial to grasp its fluid, ever-evolving nature. The conflict's geopolitical web stretches far beyond the two primary parties involved. The attack's repercussions are multifaceted, disrupting U.S-brokered negotiations around Saudi-Israel relations, intensifying tensions between Israeli forces and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants at the Lebanon border, and triggering questions about Iran's possible involvement.</p>

<p>JPMorgan's assessment delves into the potential outcomes of the Israel-Hamas conflict through two pivotal scenarios.</p>

<p><b>Scenario 1: If the conflict remains contained</b></p>

<p>In this scenario, neither Israel nor Hamas holds significant sway in the global oil market. As it currently stands, the conflict exerts minimal influence on oil production or supply. Market sentiment aligns with this assessment, as evidenced by Brent crude prices, which have risen by just over 5%, still well below their summer peaks. What's crucial is the stability in the global oil supply and demand balance, a far cry from the strained conditions during Russia's invasion of Ukraine, where demand outstripped supply.</p>

<p>JPMorgan's insights emphasise a pivotal point – today's markets are more resilient and better equipped to handle moderate disruptions. For example, a stricter U.S. enforcement of sanctions on Iranian oil, responsible for about 4% of global supply, could be absorbed, even amid U.S.-Iran tensions. This underscores the diversified nature of the present global oil supply.</p>

<p><b>Scenario 2: If the conflict escalates</b></p>

<p>With escalation comes magnified risks. Drawing historical parallels, particularly to the 1973 Yom Kippur War when Arab OPEC countries imposed an oil embargo, leading to an over 300% surge in oil prices, high inflation, an economic recession, and a prolonged stock market slump, raises legitimate concerns.</p>

<p>JPMorgan issues a stark warning – although no direct evidence of similar actions exists today, a broader conflict could disrupt critical shipping routes, such as the Strait of Hormuz, responsible for about 20% of global oil consumption. Such a disruption would pose formidable challenges.</p>

<p>This analysis unveils a potential silver lining: other oil-producing nations may step in to alleviate the impact. The United States, rapidly expanding as a major oil supplier, could play a pivotal role, though insufficient to stabilise prices entirely. Encouragingly, the U.S. now exhibits reduced energy intensity compared to the 1970s, requiring significantly less oil to generate economic output.</p>

<p><b>Insights and outlook</b></p>

<p>This deep dive into JPMorgan's insights underscores that the Israel-Hamas conflict's shadow looms large, casting uncertainty over the world of finance. The markets, however, remain resilient and adaptable, capable of withstanding turbulence. In the face of uncertainty, history teaches us that equity markets often recover swiftly from geopolitical conflicts, provided they do not result in a global supply shock.</p>


The Israel-Hamas conflict has rocked the world with its sudden eruption and lasting geopolitical consequences. Beyond the headlines, financial markets find themselves at the crossroads of uncertainty.

The Israel-Hamas conflict has rocked the world with its sudden eruption and lasting geopolitical consequences. Beyond the headlines, financial markets find themselves at the crossroads of uncertainty. In this quest for exploring the market outlook, we dissect JPMorgan's data-driven analysis, shedding light on the intricate dance between this regional upheaval and the global economy. Understanding the conflict's evolution To comprehend the Israel-Hamas crisis, it's crucial to grasp its fluid, ever-evolving nature. The conflict's geopolitical web stretches far beyond the two primary parties involved. The attack's repercussions are multifaceted, disrupting U.S-brokered negotiations around Saudi-Israel relations, intensifying tensions between Israeli forces and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants at the Lebanon border, and triggering questions about Iran's possible involvement. JPMorgan's assessment delves into the potential outcomes of the Israel-Hamas conflict through two pivotal scenarios. Scenario 1: If the conflict remains contained In this scenario, neither Israel nor Hamas holds significant sway in the global oil market. As it currently stands, the conflict exerts minimal influence on oil production or supply. Market sentiment aligns with this assessment, as evidenced by Brent crude prices, which have risen by just over 5%, still well below their summer peaks. What's crucial is the stability in the global oil supply and demand balance, a far cry from the strained conditions during Russia's invasion of Ukraine, where demand outstripped supply. JPMorgan's insights emphasise a pivotal point – today's markets are more resilient and better equipped to handle moderate disruptions. For example, a stricter U.S. enforcement of sanctions on Iranian oil, responsible for about 4% of global supply, could be absorbed, even amid U.S.-Iran tensions. This underscores the diversified nature of the present global oil supply. Scenario 2: If the conflict escalates With escalation comes magnified risks. Drawing historical parallels, particularly to the 1973 Yom Kippur War when Arab OPEC countries imposed an oil embargo, leading to an over 300% surge in oil prices, high inflation, an economic recession, and a prolonged stock market slump, raises legitimate concerns. JPMorgan issues a stark warning – although no direct evidence of similar actions exists today, a broader conflict could disrupt critical shipping routes, such as the Strait of Hormuz, responsible for about 20% of global oil consumption. Such a disruption would pose formidable challenges. This analysis unveils a potential silver lining: other oil-producing nations may step in to alleviate the impact. The United States, rapidly expanding as a major oil supplier, could play a pivotal role, though insufficient to stabilise prices entirely. Encouragingly, the U.S. now exhibits reduced energy intensity compared to the 1970s, requiring significantly less oil to generate economic output. Insights and outlook This deep dive into JPMorgan's insights underscores that the Israel-Hamas conflict's shadow looms large, casting uncertainty over the world of finance. The markets, however, remain resilient and adaptable, capable of withstanding turbulence. In the face of uncertainty, history teaches us that equity markets often recover swiftly from geopolitical conflicts, provided they do not result in a global supply shock.

Navigating turbulence: Israel-Hamas war and its financial impact

<p>A heartwarming video which purportedly shows a Palestinian journalist playing with a child amid Israeli airstrikes on Gaza is making rounds on social media and has since garnered millions of views. The video surfaced as the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas rages on with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/soul-shattering-images-from-israel-and-palestine-show-chilling-reality-of-war-644814">soul-shattering visuals</a> emerging from Israel and Gaza.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Watch the video here:<br />
<br />
<em>Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos, videos and information shared on social media.</em></strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Palestinian journalist plays with a little baby boy who survived an lsraeli airstrike, Gaza. <a href="https://t.co/SaQpZd70yH">pic.twitter.com/SaQpZd70yH</a></p>
— TIMES OF GAZA (@Timesofgaza) <a href="https://twitter.com/Timesofgaza/status/1712517531292877163?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<h2><br />
<strong>Situation in Gaza</strong></h2>

<p>Hamas launched a surprise attack on Saturday (Oct 7) which led to the death of 1,300 Israelis, mainly citizens and wounded thousands of others, while the Palestinian militant group also captured hundreds of people from southern Israel.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gazans-must-not-delay-evacuation-before-expected-offensive-starts-israel-646851"><strong>Gazans must not delay evacuation before expected offensive starts: Israel</strong></a><br />
<br />
Meanwhile, in Gaza, Israeli strikes have killed at least 324 people in the past 24 hours alone, including 126 children, claimed the Hamas-controlled health ministry, on Saturday. The total death toll has risen to 2,215, including 724 children.</p>

<p>The Israeli military dropped pamphlets across northern Gaza, on Friday (Oct 13) warning the densely populated region’s 1.1 million people to evacuate and move towards the south.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A report by Al Jazeera citing the ministry of health in Gaza said at least 28 medical staff have been killed and 15 hospitals have been damaged by Israeli shelling and air raids.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/middle-east/wion-exclusive-israeli-survivor-recounts-terror-at-music-festival-646688">'There were THOUSANDS...': Israeli survivor recounts terror at music festival to WION</a></strong></p>

<p>According to the UN’s humanitarian agency OCHA, more than 1,300 buildings and 5,540 “housing units” in the Gaza Strip have been destroyed. Additionally, around 3,750 more homes were so badly damaged they were uninhabitable, said the UN agency.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Israel accused of ‘war crimes’</strong></h2>

<p>In a letter addressed to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh on Saturday (Oct 14) accused Israel of committing war crimes and preventing humanitarian aid from entering the blockaded enclave.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/true-humanitarian-crisis-gazans-walk-30-km-south-many-sheltering-at-al-shifa-hospital-reluctant-to-move-646463">Gaza student speaks to WION: People walking 30km to flee Israel stikes, many camping at hospital</a></strong></p>

<p>“Israeli atrocities amount to war crimes,” said the letter posted on the Palestinian group’s website, according to news agency AFP.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
<br />
<em><strong>Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.</strong></em></p>

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A heartwarming video which purportedly shows a Palestinian journalist playing with a child amid Israeli airstrikes on Gaza is making rounds on social media and has since garnered millions of views.

A heartwarming video which purportedly shows a Palestinian journalist playing with a child amid Israeli airstrikes on Gaza is making rounds on social media and has since garnered millions of views. The video surfaced as the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas rages on with soul-shattering visuals emerging from Israel and Gaza. Watch the video here: Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos, videos and information shared on social media. Palestinian journalist plays with a little baby boy who survived an lsraeli airstrike, Gaza. pic.twitter.com/SaQpZd70yH — TIMES OF GAZA (@Timesofgaza) October 12, 2023 × Situation in Gaza Hamas launched a surprise attack on Saturday (Oct 7) which led to the death of 1,300 Israelis, mainly citizens and wounded thousands of others, while the Palestinian militant group also captured hundreds of people from southern Israel. ALSO READ | Gazans must not delay evacuation before expected offensive starts: Israel Meanwhile, in Gaza, Israeli strikes have killed at least 324 people in the past 24 hours alone, including 126 children, claimed the Hamas-controlled health ministry, on Saturday. The total death toll has risen to 2,215, including 724 children. The Israeli military dropped pamphlets across northern Gaza, on Friday (Oct 13) warning the densely populated region’s 1.1 million people to evacuate and move towards the south. A report by Al Jazeera citing the ministry of health in Gaza said at least 28 medical staff have been killed and 15 hospitals have been damaged by Israeli shelling and air raids. ALSO READ | 'There were THOUSANDS...': Israeli survivor recounts terror at music festival to WION According to the UN’s humanitarian agency OCHA, more than 1,300 buildings and 5,540 “housing units” in the Gaza Strip have been destroyed. Additionally, around 3,750 more homes were so badly damaged they were uninhabitable, said the UN agency. Israel accused of ‘war crimes’ In a letter addressed to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh on Saturday (Oct 14) accused Israel of committing war crimes and preventing humanitarian aid from entering the blockaded enclave. ALSO READ | Gaza student speaks to WION: People walking 30km to flee Israel stikes, many camping at hospital “Israeli atrocities amount to war crimes,” said the letter posted on the Palestinian group’s website, according to news agency AFP. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Watch | Heartwarming video shows Palestinian journalist playing with child amid Israeli airstrikes on Gaza

<p>As the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate, the issue of Israel and Palestine has gained significant attention. While the conflict has prompted statements of support from some celebrities, many artists, actors, and athletes have chosen to remain silent.</p>

<p>Commenting on the same, Kehlani took to her Instagram stories on Friday&nbsp;to express her solidarity with Palestine, writing, "Free Palestine till it's backwards." She also shared a video on her Instagram, addressing her fellow celebrities for their silence on the matter quickly.</p>

<p>In her video message, Kehlani said, "To my peers and people that are in the spaces I'm in, what the f**k is wrong with y'all? You're being silent for the sake of money and business like that amounts to what the f**k is going on. There's an insane amount of unchecked privilege on literal f**king display, and it is gut-wrenching. It is disgusting."</p>

<p>In another post, Kehlani emphasised the global significance of the conflict, noting, "It's the way there isn't actually much of anything more important going on in humanity than this right now. This is an everybody issue. If you're just swiping through stories and expressing mere 'thoughts and prayers,' ask yourself why you aren't enraged. infuriated. I hope you feel ridiculous reading this."</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/eric-roth-set-to-script-netflixs-limited-series-on-john-f-kennedy-646763">Eric Roth set to script Netflix's limited series on John F. Kennedy</a></strong></p>

<p>The artist concluded by underscoring her unwavering support for Palestine, stating, "I've only ever deleted posts when someone close points out something potentially not actually aligning with what they know I mean or feel, not because s**t's changin up. It's free Palestine till it's backwards."</p>

<p>As the Israel-Hamas war entered its eighth day on Saturday, at least 3,200 have died on both sides since Hamas launched an unprecedented surprise attack on Israelis on 7 October.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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As the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate, the issue of Israel and Palestine has gained significant attention. While the conflict has prompted statements of support from some celebrities, many artists, actors, and athletes have chosen to remain silent.

As the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate, the issue of Israel and Palestine has gained significant attention. While the conflict has prompted statements of support from some celebrities, many artists, actors, and athletes have chosen to remain silent. Commenting on the same, Kehlani took to her Instagram stories on Friday to express her solidarity with Palestine, writing, "Free Palestine till it's backwards." She also shared a video on her Instagram, addressing her fellow celebrities for their silence on the matter quickly. In her video message, Kehlani said, "To my peers and people that are in the spaces I'm in, what the f**k is wrong with y'all? You're being silent for the sake of money and business like that amounts to what the f**k is going on. There's an insane amount of unchecked privilege on literal f**king display, and it is gut-wrenching. It is disgusting." In another post, Kehlani emphasised the global significance of the conflict, noting, "It's the way there isn't actually much of anything more important going on in humanity than this right now. This is an everybody issue. If you're just swiping through stories and expressing mere 'thoughts and prayers,' ask yourself why you aren't enraged. infuriated. I hope you feel ridiculous reading this." Also read: Eric Roth set to script Netflix's limited series on John F. Kennedy The artist concluded by underscoring her unwavering support for Palestine, stating, "I've only ever deleted posts when someone close points out something potentially not actually aligning with what they know I mean or feel, not because s**t's changin up. It's free Palestine till it's backwards." As the Israel-Hamas war entered its eighth day on Saturday, at least 3,200 have died on both sides since Hamas launched an unprecedented surprise attack on Israelis on 7 October. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Singer Kehlani supports Palestine amid Israel-Hamas conflict; calls out other celebs for remaining silent