When I walk into the emergency ward of al-Shifa Hospital, I feel like I am back in October 2023, when the shocking number of wounded and dead brought in would overwhelm us every day. I see daily dozens of children, elderly, women and men rushed into the hospital with horrific injuries; many would be missing a limb or an eye.
According to Gaza's health ministry, more than 63,000 people have been killed in the territory the majority of them civilians with the true toll likely far higher. UN-backed experts have confirmed parts of Gaza, much of which has been reduced to rubble, are now in a man-made famine. In response, a growing number of academic bodies are now distancing themselves from Israeli institutions.
RTÉ put out a statement on Thursday (11 September) warning it might take this action saying, "Ireland's participation would be unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza." The statement referred to a meeting of the General Assembly of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) that took place in July. It said a number of members had "raised concerns" about Israel taking part given the ongoing situation in Gaza.
'Despite operating in Israel's system of apartheid, and therefore benefiting from it, the vast majority of Israeli film production & distribution companies, sales agents, cinemas and other film institutions have never endorsed the full, internationally-recognized rights of the Palestinian people,' the website's FAQ page states.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, the most ambitious and largest maritime mission to try to reach Gaza to date, set sail from various ports at the end of August. It comprises nearly 1,000 participants, including the Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, the former mayor of the Spanish city Barcelona Ada Colau, and the Irish actor Liam Cunningham. The flotilla, which is defined as a fleet of ships under one command, was warmly received during a stopover in Tunisia on Sunday.
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
In light of the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, and in response to the violence perpetrated by Israel in violation of international law, given its international obligations, including the duty to prevent any risk of genocide, Belgium had to take strong decisions to increase pressure on the Israeli government and Hamas terrorists. This is not about sanctioning the Israeli people but about ensuring that their government respects international and humanitarian law and taking action to try to change the situation on the ground.
In an overcrowded clinic in central Gaza's Nuseirat refugee camp, Samar Abu Ajwah clutched her frail newborn as he burst into weak sobs. Eyad has been diagnosed as malnourished, weighing only 1.9kg (4.2lb). He needs milk, and we are appealing for help from people who can afford it because we cannot, Abu Ajwah, who also suffers from malnutrition caused by Israel's punishing blockade of humanitarian aid, told Al Jazeera.
The Palestinian girl is one of tens of thousands of children facing malnutrition in Gaza as Israel's man-made famine deepens with the Israeli military stepping up its assault on Gaza City. Mai's mother, Nadia Abu Arar, says her child was once lively and joyous, but she is now fighting for her life after drastically losing weight. The doctors told me that she isn't suffering from any disease or from any past condition.
