United News of Bangladesh

Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif was killed along with four colleagues when Israeli forces targeted a tent sheltering journalists in Gaza City. The attack, carried out late Sunday outside the main gate of al-Shifa Hospital, claimed seven lives in total. Among the dead were fellow Al Jazeera correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh and camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa. Before his death, al-Sharif, a prominent 28-year-old Arabic-language reporter known for his extensive coverage of northern Gaza, posted on X about heavy, concentrated Israeli bombardment — or “fire belts” — hitting the city’s eastern and southern areas. In his final video, explosions thundered in the background as orange flashes lit up the night sky. In a message written on April 6 to be released in the event of his death, al-Sharif reflected on the suffering he had witnessed, saying he had “lived the pain in all its details” and “tasted grief and loss repeatedly,” but had never wavered in his commitment to tell the truth. He expressed sorrow over leaving behind his wife, Bayan, and missing the chance to watch his son Salah and daughter Sham grow up. Israel accuses 6 Al Jazeera journalists of being Palestinian militants Al Jazeera Media Network condemned the killings as a “blatant and premeditated attack on press freedom,” describing them as part of the wider devastation caused by Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza, which it said has brought “slaughter of civilians, forced starvation, and the obliteration of entire communities.” The network accused Israel of trying to silence reporting that exposes its actions and urged the international community to act to stop the “deliberate targeting of journalists.” Hani Mahmoud, an Al Jazeera English correspondent who was nearby when the strike occurred, said reporting on al-Sharif’s death was the hardest task he had faced in nearly two years of war. He said the journalists were targeted because of their coverage of starvation, famine, and malnutrition in Gaza. Israel’s military confirmed it had intentionally targeted al-Sharif, accusing him of leading a Hamas cell and facilitating rocket attacks — claims it said were backed by documents. However, Muhammed Shehada of the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said there was “zero evidence” linking him to any militant activity, noting his daily work was on camera. Israel raids and shuts down Al Jazeera's bureau in Ramallah in the West Bank Last month, the UN’s special rapporteur on freedom of expression, Irene Khan, warned of growing evidence that journalists in Gaza were being killed on the basis of unsubstantiated allegations of Hamas ties. Al Jazeera has accused Israel of fabricating evidence and running a “campaign of incitement” against its reporters, while the Committee to Protect Journalists voiced concern over an Israeli “smear campaign” targeting al-Sharif. Rights groups say Israel has routinely labelled Palestinian journalists in Gaza as Hamas operatives in an effort to undermine their reporting. Since the war began in October 2023, more than 200 journalists and media workers — including several from Al Jazeera and their family members — have been killed in Israeli attacks. Source: Al Jazeera

The nation is observing a Day of Mourning today (October 21, 2023) for the Palestinians killed in recent Israeli attacks.All government, semi-government, autonomous and private institutions and Bangladesh missions abroad are keeping the national flag at half-mast in observance of the mourning day.Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made the announcement on Thursday while addressing a programme arranged in Sarak Bhaban in Dhaka’s Tejgaon. Resolving Palestine crisis depends on ‘united efforts’ by Muslim Ummah: PM More than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed in the war — mostly civilians slain during the Hamas incursion while more than 4,100 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry run by Hamas, according to AP reports. Stop Israel-Palestine war, save women and children: PM Hasina urges world leaders

Denouncing the recent Israeli attacks, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday told Parliament that Bangladesh is always with the Palestinian people and will continue to extend all sorts of assistance to them. "We’re always with Palestinian people. We did extend all sorts of assistance to them in the past, and are doing so today and will surely do that in the future," Hasina said. The Prime Minister said this when she took part in the discussion on a condolence motion in the House. Also read: Hasina a household name in Palestine: Envoy Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury moved the condolence motion in the House in the beginning of the Budget Session of the 11th Parliament, aiming to express profound grief at the death of two sitting MPs Abdul Matin Khasru and Aslamul Haque, one former minister, 11 ex-MPs, some noted dignitaries and those who lost lives to Coronavirus both at home and abroad, and in two recent waterway accidents in the country, and the latest Israelis attacks on Palestine and the cyclone Yaas. The Prime Minister strongly condemned the cruel attacks carried out by Israel. "What happened in Palestine is extremely inhumane. Children were crying and roaming around there, losing their parents. It can't be tolerated," she said. It is truly sad that the young children were injured and subjected to torture while they lost their parents, Hasina said adding that Israel carried out the attacks on Palestine. Also read: Bangladesh urges UN to take decisive action against Israel’s violation of Palestinian rights Coming down heavily on international organisations, Hasina said those who always talk about humanity they are now silent. The Prime Minister sought the salvation of departed souls of those who were killed in the Israeli attacks.