Middle East updates: ‘No end to hell’ in northern Gaza, UN official says

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7 months ago

October 9, 2024

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Vast swathes of Gaza have been reduced to rubble as Israel’s offensive continues. UNRWA has criticized Israeli evacuation orders ahead of further military operations.

US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to hold talks of Iran attack retaliation Dortmund police end a pro-Palestinian protest camp ahead of a visit by activist Greta ThunbergUK Foreign Minister David Lammy calls for deescalation ahead of his visit to the Middle East

Here are the latest developments regarding the Israel-Lebanon escalation, Gaza and the wider Middle East region on Wednesday, October 9.

Situation deteriorating in northern Gaza, says UNRWA chief

The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees said on Wednesday that the situation is dire in northern Gaza with at least 400,000 people are trapped in the region.

UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini said on social media platform X that Israel’s evacuation orders “forcing people to flee again are again, especially from Jabalia Camp.”

Jabalia, in northern Gaza, is the largest refugee camp for Palestinians in Gaza.

Lazzarini said many are refusing to leave, knowing there is no safe place in Gaza.

In his post, he added that UNRWA shelters and services are closing, some for the first time since the war began. This is impacting a polio vaccination campaign for children and also contributing to rising food shortages, he said.

https://x.com/UNLazzarini/status/1843892602757669067?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1843892602757669067%7Ctwgr%5Eefce0b47f566b8a41b99875fb0ebe825535a0002%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dw.com%2Fen%2Fmiddle-east-updates-no-end-to-hell-in-northern-gaza-un-official-says%2Flive-70439721

Meanwhile, Israel pressed on with raids on the Jabalia refugee camp on the fifth day.

According to Palestinian officials in the Hamas-run Health Ministry, at least 18 people were killed in overnight military strikes on Gaza.

German journalist held in Lebanon after Nasrallah’s assassination

German war reporter and the deputy editor of the daily Bild, Paul Ronzheimer, was held for questioning in Beirut a day after Israel’s killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Ronzheimer and the newspaper said.

Suspected Lebanese military intelligence operatives detained Ronzheimer and his team from their hotel, interrogating them while handcuffed and blindfolded, according to the Bild report.

Ronzheimer was released later that evening after the German Embassy intervened.

The journalist remained in Lebanon covering the aftermath of the airstrike that killed Nasrallah and its fallout.

Bild released details about his detention only after he left Lebanon.

https://x.com/ronzheimer/status/1843891405221179686?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1843891405221179686%7Ctwgr%5Eefce0b47f566b8a41b99875fb0ebe825535a0002%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dw.com%2Fen%2Fmiddle-east-updates-no-end-to-hell-in-northern-gaza-un-official-says%2Flive-70439721

Biden to hold conversation with Netanyahu over Iran retaliation

US President Joe Biden will hold a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel’s reaction to the Iranian rocket attack which took place on October 1, US outlet Axios reported.

The two leaders will talk for the first time after two tense months, Axios reported, citing three unnamed US officials.

The call aims to “try and shape the limitations of the Israeli retaliation.” Officials told Axios the Israeli response was expected to be significant.

Netanyahu wants to keep Biden in the loop once a decision on the Israeli response is made.

Biden and Netanyahu are also expected to discuss Israel’s military operations in Gaza and Lebanon.

On Tuesday, the Pentagon announced a scheduled visit by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was postponed, with Israeli media reporting that Netanyahu had wanted to speak to Biden first.

German police dissolve pro-Palestine camp ahead of Thunberg visit

Police in the western German city of Dortmund have dismantled a pro-Palestinian protest camp. The news came after Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg said she would visit on Tuesday.

According to Dortmund police, the decision was taken due to concerns that Thunberg was “potentially violent.” There is concern that Thunberg’s participation in the demonstration could have resulted in more people attending it than originally permitted.

The camp, which had been in place for months, was dismantled peacefully, with seven protesters present, police said. Thunberg did not show up.

This comes after a pro-Palestinian protest in Berlin saw bottles being thrown at police and journalists being attacked, with Thunberg being present at the protest.

In recent months, Thunberg has repeatedly expressed her solidarity with the Palestinians and accused Israel of genocide.

UK’s Lammy to press for deescalation during Middle East visit

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he will “press for an end to the cycle of violence” during his upcoming visit to the Middle East.

Lammy will hold talks with leaders in Bahrain and Jordan, as well as meeting UK soldiers currently stationed in the region.

“I am pleased to be back in the region to meet with our key partners in Bahrain and Jordan,” Lammy said ahead of his trip.

“We must not waver at this critical period to achieve cease-fires in Gazaand Lebanon, to get more desperately needed aid into Gaza, and secure the release of all hostages.”

Since his previous visit in mid-August, tensions in the region have escalated significantly, with Israel’s ground offensive against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon being underway and Iranshooting missiles at Israelfor the second time in the past six months earlier in October.

Man arrested for alleged trafficking of girl into prostitution in Bauchi

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6 hours ago

April 26, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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The Bauchi State Police Command has apprehended a 26-year-old man, Johnson John, from Gwallameji, for allegedly trafficking a 19-year-old woman, Cecelia Cosmos, into prostitution.

The incident unfolded on April 12, 2025, when John lured Cecelia with promises of a job opportunity in Lagos State.

Cecelia’s mother, Rhoda Cosmos, filed a report with the ‘E’ Police Divisional Headquarters on April 19, 2025, after learning of her daughter’s disappearance.

The investigation revealed that Cecelia was handed over to a woman known only as “Mama,” who trafficked her to Burkina Faso for sexual exploitation.

Following the report, Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, instructed immediate action. John was arrested and confessed to his role in the crime.

The investigation is ongoing, and the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further proceedings. The suspects are expected to face charges in court after the investigation is complete.

Mysterious Kano ditch of death “swallows” boys amid fear of supernatural forces

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9 hours ago

April 26, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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Panic and fear have gripped residents of Musukwani area in Jakara, Kano Municipal Local Government Area, following the mysterious disappearance of two young boys believed to have gone missing inside a large, deep ditch in the neighborhood.

The alarming incident has raised fresh concerns, with locals linking the location to possible supernatural forces due to repeated strange occurrences in the area.

Eyewitnesses say the latest case happened on Monday, April 21, 2025, when one of the boys reportedly removed his clothes and wallet — which contained money — and handed them over to some people nearby before entering the ditch.

“We were sitting here when the boy came, took off his clothes, including his wallet with money, and asked us to keep them for him. He said he was going into the ditch to check something, as they usually store things like rods inside. He never came back. Even after nightfall, we closed our shops and went home. The next morning, there was still no sign of him. His belongings are still with us,” Abdul Basit Yusha’u Safiyanu told Ekwutosblog.

This is not an isolated incident. Just a few days earlier, another boy named Dan Sani also entered the same ditch with a friend and was never seen again. His disappearance remains unresolved.

Musa Hamza, a community leader and maternal uncle of (Dan Sani) one of the missing boys, expressed deep concern and frustration.

“He’s my nephew, about 12 years old. He and his friend came to the ditch. He told his friend to wait while he went in. When the friend noticed he wasn’t coming back, he ran home to tell us. We searched everywhere — even the mortuary — but nothing. All we have now are rumors and fear. Even the fire service officers who entered the ditch struggled to get back out,” he lamented.

Efforts to rescue the boys were made by the Kano State Fire Service. According to the commission’s spokesperson, Saminu Yusuf Abdullahi, the service received a distress call at exactly 3:55 p.m. on April 21.

“In response to a call from one Hamisu Wakili, our team rushed to the site in Jakara, but unfortunately, we could not find the missing individuals, and had to call off the operation,” he confirmed in a phone interview with Ekwutosblog.

Residents, however, believe the ditch may have more than meets the eye. Some, like Sadam Saraki, linked the area to paranormal activity, claiming it has long been known as a hub for spiritual and mysterious happenings.

Now, the people of Jakara are calling on the Kano State Government and emergency agencies to urgently investigate and take action before more lives are lost.

“People are scared. We can’t sleep with both eyes closed anymore,” one resident said.

The fate of the missing boys remains unknown, as the community anxiously awaits answers.

FBI allegedly arrests US judge over obstruction of detention of illegal migrant

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9 hours ago

April 26, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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The Federal Bureau of Intelligence, FBI, has arrested a Wisconsin judge for allegedly hiding an illegal immigrant in her jury room to stop the peerson from being arrested by ICE.

Fox News reports that Judge Hannah Dugan of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court was arrested and charged with obstruction of an official proceeding on Friday.

The development comes after evidence came to light that she shielded the migrant from ICE agents, the report said, citing federal law enforcement sources.

Federal agents from ICE, FBI, CBP and DEA were said to have attempted to arrest the undocumented male following his scheduled criminal court appearance on April 18.

According to the report, federal law enforcement officials claim that Judge Dugan willfully redirected agents and officers to the chief judge’s office so the illegal immigrant could leave the courtroom and evade arrest.

Judge Dugan will likely have her initial appearance in federal court in Milwaukee sometime on Friday.

Dugan had disputed the accuracy of local reports earlier this week which claimed she had shielded the illegal migrant from ICE.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Dugan responded to the accusations in its publication on Tuesday, writing: “Nearly every fact regarding the ‘tips’ in your email is inaccurate.”