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Rs 15.00 | Vol XIV No 98 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
Sunday, 8 October, 2023 I 21 Rabi ul Awwal, 1445
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AT LEAST 200 ISRAELIS REPORTEDLY KILLED, 1,100 WOUNDED WHILE MORE THAN 1,600 INJURED IN GAZA
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HAMAS FIRES MORE THAN 5,000 ROCKETS WITH DOZENS OF FIGHTERS INFILTRATED SOUTHERN ISRAELI AREAS THROUGH AIR, LAND, AND SEA ROUTES
pakistan calls for immediate ceasefire in israel-palestine conflict
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GAZA/JERUSALEM AGENCIES
T least 230 people lost their lives, and another 1,610 wounded in Palestinian enclave of Gaza as Israeli forces retaliated following a deadly multi-pronged attack by Hamas forces into Israeli territory on Saturday. This alarming surge in casualties on Saturday came in the wake of an audacious and large-scale attack launched by the Palestinian group governing the Gaza Strip. This marked the most substantial offensive against Israel in years, as Hamas fighters infiltrated southern Israeli areas. The attack followed a barrage of thousands of rockets fired from within the besieged Gaza territory. At least 40 Israelis were fatally shot as Hamas resistance fighters executed an unprecedented multi-front assault on Israel at daybreak. The attack involved the launching of thousands of rockets, with dozens of Hamas fighters infiltrating the heavily fortified Israeli border through air, land, and sea routes. The attack caught the country off-guard on a major holiday. In response to the attack, Israel’s military conducted air raids on Gaza
later on Saturday. The Israeli military released a statement, saying, “Dozens of [Israeli military] fighter jets are currently striking a number of targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organisation in the Gaza Strip.” Meanwhile, Mohammed Deif, a senior Hamas military commander, announced earlier that the rocket fire marked the commencement of “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.” He called on Palestinians worldwide to join the fight against the Israeli occupation. “We’ve decided to say enough is enough,” Deif declared, urging all Palestinians to stand up to Israel. In an audio message, he proclaimed, “This is the day of the greatest battle to end the last occupation on Earth.” Israel said the group had declared war as its army confirmed fighting with Hamas fighters in several Israeli towns and military bases near Gaza and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to retaliate. “Our enemy will pay a price the type of which it has never known,” he said. “We are in a war and we will win it.” At least 40 Israelis were killed in the attack so far with more than 250 wounded, Israel’s ambulance service said, but added that the toll was expected to rise. The Israeli military said it had
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Office has issued a statement expressing deep concern over the recent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Palestinians in the Middle East. The statement, released on Saturday, underscores the urgent need for a ceasefire and a return to peaceful negotiations. “We are closely monitoring the unfolding situation in the Middle East and the eruption of hostilities between Israel and Palestinians. We are concerned about the human cost of the escalating situation,” the statement read. Pakistan’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict has been consistent, advocating for a two-state solution as the key to enduring peace in the region. The foreign office emphasised the importance of a “just, comprehensive, and lasting solution to the Palestinian question anchored in international law and in line with relevant United Nations and OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) resolutions.” ‘ME violence underscores urgent need to address ‘Palestine Question’ Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Saturday said that he was heartbroken by the escalating violence in the Middle East which underscored the urgent need for addressing ‘the Palestine Question’. In a post on X, the prime minister said “We urge restraint and protection of civilians. Enduring peace in the Middle East lies in a two-state solution with a viable, contiguous, sovereign State of Palestine, founded on pre-1967 borders, with Al Quds Al-Sharif at its heart.” Pakistan’s position is that a viable, sovereign, and contiguous State of Palestine should be established on the basis of pre-1967 borders, with Al Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem) as its capital. This stance aligns with the international community’s efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the long-standing conflict. STAFF REPORT
launched air strikes into Gaza, where witnesses reported hearing heavy explosions, with at least two dead. Israeli media reported gunbattles between bands of Palestinian fighters and security forces in towns in southern Israel. Israel’s police chief said there were “21 active scenes” in southern Israel, indicating the extent of the attack. Saturday’s incident marked an unprecedented infiltration by Hamas fighters into Israel from Gaza, and was the most serious escalation since Israel and Hamas fought a 10-day war in 2021. Israeli media reported gunbattles between bands of Palestinian fighters and Israeli security forces in towns in southern Israel. In Gaza, people rushed to buy supplies in anticipation of days of conflict ahead. Hamas military commander Mohammad Deif announced the start of the
operation in a broadcast on Hamas media, calling on Palestinians everywhere to fight. “This is the day of the greatest battle to end the last occupation on earth,” he said, adding that 5,000 rockets had been launched. The Lebanese group Hezbollah said the operation was a “decisive response to Israel’s continued occupation and a message to those seeking normalisation with Israel”. An adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei congratulated Palestinian fighters for the attack. The Israeli military said its forces were operating inside Gaza but gave no details. Israeli Defence Minister Gallant said Hamas had “launched a war against the State of Israel”. Israeli “troops are fighting against the enemy at every location”, he said.
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UN agencies ‘ready’ to support Pakistan in registration, managing Afghan refugees ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) “stand ready” to provide support in registering and managing Afghan nationals, the agencies said on Saturday. The statement comes amidst the government’s crackdown on illegal immigrants residing across the country. Earlier this week, the government gave an ultimatum to all undocumented immigrants, including Afghan nationals, to leave Pakistan by October 31, or else risk imprisonment and deportation to their respective countries. The decision was taken in an apex committee meeting headed by Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and attended by Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, among others. The committee had decided that movement across the border would be subject to passports and visas, while electronic Afghan identity cards (or e-tazkiras) would only be accepted until Oct 31. After the passage of the deadline, the authorities will kick-start an operation targeting illegal properties and businesses owned by immigrants or those being run in collaboration with Pakistani nationals. The move had drawn a response from Afghan authorities, with Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid terming it “unacceptable” while urging authorities to revisit the policy. In a joint statement today, both UN agencies stated they had a “longstanding and strong collaboration” with Pakistan and stood ready to “provide support in developing a comprehensive and sustainable mechanism to register and manage Afghan nationals, including those who may be in need of international protection”. It added that the UNHCR and IOM said they were appealing to Pakistan to “continue its protection of all vulnerable Afghans who have sought safety in the country and could be at imminent risk if forced to return”. The UN agencies urged all countries to “suspend forcible returns of Afghan nationals and ensure any possible returns to the country take place in a safe, dignified and voluntary manner”. They highlighted that Afghanistan was going through a “severe humanitarian crisis with several human rights challenges, particularly for women and girls”. “Such plans would have serious implications for all who have been forced to leave the country and may face serious protection risks upon return,” the aid organisations noted. They also acknowledged the government’s “sovereign prerogative over domestic policies, its need to manage populations on its territory, and its obligations to ensure public safety and security”. Appreciating “Pakistan’s generous hospitality towards Afghan nationals for over four decades, despite challenges”, the UN agencies repeated the “call for all returns to be voluntary, safe and dignified — without any pressure, to ensure protection for those seeking safety”.
320 dead, hundreds wounded in two 6.3 magnitude quakes in Afghanistan ISLAMABAD
MIAN ABRAR
At least 320 were reported dead and another 1,000 wounded in Afghanistan earthquake, according to disaster management authority spokesman. Two 6.3 magnitude earthquakes hit western Afghanistan on Saturday, the country’s national disaster authority told media. The body of child taken out from the rubble of a collapsed house in today’s devastating earthquake causing casualties and financial losses in Herat and Badghis provinces of Afghanistan. The United Nations gave a preliminary figure of 320 dead, but later said the figure was still being verified. Local authorities
gave an estimate of 100 people killed and 500 injured, according to the same update from the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Mohammad Abdullah Jan said four villages in the Zenda Jan district in Herat province bore the brunt of the quakes and aftershocks. Dozens of houses have been damaged. The United States Geological Survey reported the 6.3 magnitude tremblors. It said the epicenter was 40 kilometers (24.8 miles) northwest of Herat city. There was an aftershock with a 5.5 magnitude. A map on the USGS website indicates seven earthquakes in the area. At least five powerful earthquakes struck the city around noon, Herat city resident Abdul Shakor
Samadi said. “All people are out of their homes,” Samadi said. “Houses, offices and shops are all empty and there are fears of more earthquakes. My family and I were inside our home, I felt the quake.” His family began shouting and ran outside, afraid to return indoors. The World Health Organization in Afghanistan said it dispatched 12 ambulance cars to Zenda Jan to evacuate casualties to hospitals. “As deaths & casualties from the earthquake continue to be reported, teams are in hospitals assisting treatment of wounded & assessing additional needs,” the U.N. agency said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “WHOsupported ambulances are transporting those affected, most of them women and children.”