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World Cup 2023: Will India exorcise the ghosts of 2019 against their tormentor, or will New Zealand reach their 3rd final in a row

OpIndia Staff
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World Cup 2023: Will India exorcise the ghosts of 2019 against their tormentor, or will New Zealand reach their 3rd final in a row

On Wednesday, 15th November, India is facing New Zealand in yet another ODI World Cup semifinal. Last time it happened, in the most recent edition of the tournament in 2019, it ended in tears for not just the Indian fans, but also the coolest cricketer to ever play for India, MS Dhoni. In what turned out to be Dhoni’s swansong, he fell short by inches as Martin Guptill’s freakish direct hit ended Indian hopes of lifting the World Cup.

The two sides meet again at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai with India looking to exorcise those ghosts from July 2019 while New Zealand aim to create history of their own. Only once before has a side reached 5 World Cup semifinals in a row, England from 1975-1992 (they didn’t win any of those tournaments), and New Zealand is set to match them (they also have not won any World Cup during this run). New Zealand are also trying to reach their 3rd final in a row, matching the great West Indies team’s run from 1975-1983. Australia, as with all records World Cup, are on top with 4 consecutive World Cup final appearances from 1996-2007.

The two teams had a very different run to the semifinals. While India blew all before them spectacularly to end up with 9 wins out of 9, including the win over New Zealand, their semifinal opponent had a bit of a roller-coaster ride. New Zealand started the tournament in fine fashion winning their first 4 games easily, but then the defeat against India derailed their campaign a little bit. New Zealand went on to lose an iconic game against arch-rivals Australia, then lost comfortably to South Africa, and then a rain affected game against Pakistan was also lost. All that left New Zealand with a must win game against Sri Lanka in the last game which they eventually won comfortably, and coupled with Pakistan’s loss to England, they eventually made it to the semifinals comfortably.

The two teams have changed significantly since that semifinal clash in 2019 even though several stalwarts remain from that fateful encounter. Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Surya Kumar Yadav, Mohammed Siraj etc were all not part of the sides that clashed in Manchester over 4 years ago.

In this World Cup, India has looked unstoppable with every player from Number 1 to 11 looking in extremely good form. Their batsmen are scoring for fun while their bowlers have been unplayable. Twice in the tournament, against Sri Lanka and South Africa, Indian bowlers have knocked over the opposition on a 2 digit scores. So their confidence is sky high and they are the clear favourites to make their way through to the final.

For New Zealand, as always, there have been decent contributions from everyone here and there, though Latham’s form in the middle order may be a bit of a concern. However, they have had one standout performer this World Cup, and it is the Indian origin player Rachin Ravindra.

Rachin has been a revelation at the top of the order for New Zealand, and is only behind Virat Kohli and Quinton de Kock in the run scoring charts for the tournament. He also has picked up 5 wickets in the tournament while keeping things fairly quiet in the middle overs, making him the most valuable player in this tournament.

Whether India manages to reverse the result of the 2019 semifinal and keep this juggernaut going on, or will New Zealand once again shatter Indian hearts, either way, this promises to be a mouthwatering semifinal.

About 60 per cent of Muslim Americans believe Hamas was justified in its attack on Israel: Survey

OpIndia Staff
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About 60 per cent of Muslim Americans believe Hamas was justified in its attack on Israel: Survey

Earlier in October 2023, a Cygnal survey unveiled the perspectives among Muslim Americans on the Israel-Hamas conflict. The poll, conducted from 16th October to 18th October, sampled 2020 respondents, revealing nuanced opinions. According to this survey, 60% of Muslim Americans opined that Hamas was justified in its attack on Israel.

In the aftermath of a terrorist attack executed by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, pro-Palestinian protests erupted in several cities in the USA. Subsequently, this survey was conducted only to reveal shocking insights.

Survey results revealed that 60% of Muslim Americans believe Hamas was justified in its attacks on Israel. This sentiment, found in the survey, aligns with the Islamic Ummah concept, emphasising global support for fellow Muslims. Notably, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib echoes this sentiment, characterising Hamas’ actions as “resistance” against what she terms the “apartheid state” of Israel. The survey indicates higher favorability among Muslim Americans towards Islamic leaders, including Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, compared to President Joe Biden.

Interestingly, only 31.9% of Muslim Americans hold a favourable view of President Biden, while 44% support Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. The survey suggests a nuanced shift in political affiliations among Muslim Americans post-Hamas attacks, with a general preference for the Democratic Party (31.1%) over the Republican Party (25.2%).

The survey explores attitudes toward Israel’s right to self-defence, with 68.8% affirming it. Meanwhile, 69% acknowledge the legitimate grievances of Palestinians in Gaza. In terms of policy recommendations, 46.8% of Muslim Americans suggest an invasion of Gaza to remove Hamas leadership, while 75.8% advocate for negotiations between Israel and Hamas for the release of hostages.

Conducted by Cygnal, the survey was aimed at capturing diverse opinions within the Muslim-American community. It provides valuable insights into their stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict and the broader geopolitical landscape. The survey’s accuracy is emphasised by its sampling of 2020 respondents with a 2.18% (+/-) margin of error.

It is notable that Israel attacked Gaza in retaliation to the terrorist attack by Hamas on 7th October 2023. After the war started, there were multiple incidents of pro-Gaza and pro-Palestine demonstrations in the USA.

Justin Trudeau gets a public scolding from Israel PM Netanyahu for his statement asking Israel to restrain the counteroffensive in Gaza

OpIndia Staff
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Justin Trudeau gets a public scolding from Israel PM Netanyahu for his statement asking Israel to restrain the counteroffensive in Gaza

On Wednesday (15th November), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over his statement that Israel must stop “this killing of women, of children, of babies” in Gaza. PM Netanyahu said that it is the Palestinian terror outfit Hamas and not Israel that should be held accountable for “targeting civilians while hiding behind civilians. “

Reminding his Canadian counterpart of the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel that left over 1300 Israeli civlians dead, Netanyahu said that Hamas perpetrated the worst horror on Jews since the Holocaust. He added that while Israel is making all possible efforts to avoid harming the Gazan civilians, Hamas terrorists are preventing the civilians from leaving the conflict zone and are using them as human shields.

Taking to X, the Israeli Prime Minister wrote, “@JustinTrudeau It is not Israel that is deliberately targeting civilians but Hamas that beheaded, burned and massacred civilians in the worst horrors perpetrated on Jews since the Holocaust. While Israel is doing everything to keep civilians out of harm’s way, Hamas is doing everything to keep them in harm’s way. Israel provides civilians in Gaza humanitarian corridors and safe zones, Hamas prevents them from leaving at gunpoint. It is Hamas not Israel that should be held accountable for committing a double war crime – targeting civilians while hiding behind civilians. The forces of civilization must back Israel in defeating Hamas’s barbarism.

This comes after the Canadian Prime Minister during a press meeting on Tuesday called on Israel to “exercise maximum restraint” while fighting against Hamas terrorists in Gaza, saying that “the world is watching.”

“The human tragedy unfolding in Gaza is heart-wrenching…especially the sufferings we see in and around the Al-Shifa Hospital. I have been clear that the price of justice cannot be the continued suffering of all Palestinian civilians. Even wars have rules. All innocent life is equal in worth, Israeli and Palestinian. I urge the government of Israel to exercise maximum restraint. The world is watching, on TV, on social media – we’re hearing the testimonies of doctors, family members, survivors, kids who have lost their parents,” Trudeau said.

Justin Trudeau’s statement pertaining to the Al-Shifa Hospital bombing adds to the insinuation that it was Israel which attacked the hospital even though the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) has stated that the missile that struck the Al-Shifa Hospital was a misfire by a Palestinian terror outfit and not Israel. It is pertinent to note that Al-Shifa Hospital has been the headquarters for Hamas terrorists for many years.

The Canadian Prime Minister’s statement against Israel appears to be rooted in the country’s internal vote-bank politics, as the Liberal Party leader visited a mosque in Toronto last month only to be booed and confronted regarding his stance on the Israel-Hamas war. The shift in position from supporting Israel’s right to defend itself under international law to blaming it for the Al-Shifa Hospital attack and accusing it of making “all Palestinians pay the price for justice” appears to be a ‘corrective action’ in response to criticism from Canadian Muslims.

The desperate move is certainly not surprising as Trudeau, according to a September poll witnessed a sharp decline in his popularity with the conservating leader Pierre Poiliverre gaining the ground. From blaming India for the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar even at the cost of straining ties with a crucial partner like India to now throwing shade on Israel, Trudeau’s moves appear nothing more than desperate attempts at appeasing religious and ideological groups ahead of the elections in the country.

‘Our Plight is one’: Pro-Palestine demonstration held by Kerala group calls for eradication of ‘Zionism and Hindutva’, ‘Azadi by any means’. Read details

Pragya Bakshi Sharma
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‘Our Plight is one’: Pro-Palestine demonstration held by Kerala group calls for eradication of ‘Zionism and Hindutva’, ‘Azadi by any means’. Read details

Demonstrations were held by the so-called “The Solidarity Movement” (TSM) in at least eleven cities to display “solidarity with Palestine” in view of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. OpIndia exposed the group which came into existence on Instagram only last month perhaps after Israel declared war on Hamas following the 7th October terrorist attack by Hamas Jihadis on unsuspecting Israeli citizens, killing over 1,400 and injuring several thousand.

The organiser of TSM has used anti-Hindu and anti-Israel language in her posts, is a declared leftist and has justified Hamas in her stories and posts on Instagram. The pattern displayed by TSM, its founder Pooja Pradeep and those promoting the demonstrations that happened on 14th November extensively were similar to that of the left-liberal Islamists we have seen in several of these protests which demonise Hindus and whitewash the crimes by Islamists.

That the agenda behind their demonstrations was clearly anti-India, anti-Hindu and anti-Israel was proven from some of the messages displayed. One of the many messages on a placard from the demonstration in Kochi reads, “From Kashmir to Palestine end to occupation”. Another placard from one of the demonstrations read, “From Kashmir to the Western Sahara, to Palestine, our fight is one, and our freedom is inevitable.”

Essentially, when the Kerala group says that “our fight is one”, they are alluding to the “fight of all Muslims” and the Ummah. Ummah states that all Muslims across the world essentially form one nation and a common brotherhood.

Screenshot of a story shared by The Solidarity Movement from one of the demonstrations
Screenshot of a story shared by The Solidarity Movement from the demonstration in Kochi

One of the participants from Ernakulam named Ashfaque took to Instagram to share an image of a placard in Malayalam in his story. The text he wrote on the same goes as follows, “People’s resistance till Zionism drown in Red Sea and Hindutva drown in Arabian Sea.” Part of his story further calls for resistance saying that there are different ways of resistance. “Ultimate aim is Azadi, by any means necessary,” the story on Ashfaque’s Instagram reads.

Screenshot of a story shared by a demonstrator calling for eradication of Zionism and Hindutva and demanding “Azadi by any means necessary”.

While these narratives were predicted by OpIndia, a bizarre statement was released by TSM on Instagram about the outcome of the demonstrations. TSM held India responsible and accountable for the situation in Gaza. “Despite the people of the country showing their unwavering solidarity with the Palestinians, India abstained from voting for the ceasefire in the UN. However, in a later UN resolution, India voted to recognise Israel’s occupation there,” the statement read.

Statement released by The Solidarity Movement on Instagram

TSM used the Indian Constitution to say “any support for the indiscriminate massacre of civilians (which includes the bombing of hospitals, ambulances, Red Cross aid trucks carrying medical supplies, churches, mosques, journalists, UN schools, refugee camps, bakeries, and formally declared “safe zones”), is a violation of international law, as well as India’s constitutional responsibility under Article 51 to “promote international peace and security” and to “foster respect for international law”.

Hilariously, citing the Directive Principles of State Policy, TSM claims that it demands “immediate attention of the government of India, and swift, impactful measures”.

While India has supported Israel’s right to self defence after ghastly terror attacks against it by Hamas and condemned all forms of terrorism, India has also unequivocally supported the two-nation solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict and peaceful resolution of conflict. India also condemned the loss of civilian lives in the process of Israel’s retaliation against Hamas. These steps taken by India is consonance with the Directive Principles of State Policy. In fact, Article 51 acts as a guiding principle of India’s foreign policy and does not require it to get directly involved in international wars, which TSM seems to want India to do.

Statement released by The Solidarity Movement on Instagram

Days before the 14th November demonstration, TSM shared the details of the event explaining point by point the process that is to be followed. This included reading a communal prayer along with the names of the deceased in Gaza, a list that was released by the Gaza Health Ministry, which is run largely by Hamas.

Punjab: Gau Rakshaks capture truck carrying 10 tons of cow meat, Police arrest Sultan, Altaf, Gulshan, Hajid, and others

OpIndia Staff
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Punjab: Gau Rakshaks capture truck carrying 10 tons of cow meat, Police arrest Sultan, Altaf, Gulshan, Hajid, and others

On 12th November, Gau Rakshak Dal in Ludhiana intercepted a truck carrying 10 tons of beef. As per reports, the truck was travelling from Delhi to Jammu. The police were informed about the truck, and the apprehended accused were handed over to Ludhiana Police Commissionerate’s Kangnawal Police Station officials for further investigation.

The truck, originating from Al Kaif Foods Enterprises (Delhi), was intercepted by the Gau Raksha Dal on the New Delhi-Jammu National Highway in Dhandari Kalan, Ludhiana. The driver managed to escape, but the Gau Rakshaks captured his associates.

OpIndia accessed the copy of the FIR registered on the complaint of Nikseen Singh. It is registered against unnamed driver of the truck, Al Kaif Foods Enterprises (Delhi), Noor Enterprises Uttar Pradesh, Sultan from UP, Taaj Wali Sultan, Altaf Ahmed Jadhinu, Gulshan, Hajid Dilshad from Patiala and Kaka Saleem from Malerkotla under Sections 295(A), 153(A) and 429 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Sections 3 and 8 of The Punjab Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act.

Speaking to OpIndia, Nikseen Kumar, chairman of Gau Raksha Dal in Punjab, said, “We received information about the truck four days ago. However, we were not sure on which date they would come and which route they would take. Hence, our activists were stationed at all possible routes to intercept the truck.”

Nikseen said when the truck did not cross Punjab till Diwali, they thought it would travel post-holidays. However, on the morning of 12th November, they received information from a source stationed near the Ambala toll that the truck crossed. The activists immediately took positions and started looking for the truck.

They found the truck parked on the side of the highway. He said, “These beef smugglers know about us and what our vehicles look like. While we look for these criminals, they often escape because of the information they have about us. The driver managed to escape that day, but we apprehended his associates.”

Nikseen further said that the Gau Raksha Dal apprehended at least four trucks of the same company in the past. He said, “The previous consignment of beef managed to escape.” He alleged the last consignment was taken in a large ambulance.

While looking for the truck, they also informed all police stations falling in the route. Nikseen added that initially, police were reluctant to file the FIR. However, after talking to the senior officials, an FIR was filed.

Gau Raksha Dal activist who led the team, Satish Kumar, told Dainik Bhaskar that when police did not reach the location where the truck was parked, they had to call DGP Arpit Shukla and Ludhiana Police Commissioner Mandeep Singh Sidhu.

Commissioner Sidhu directed the officials at Kanganwal Police Station to take immediate action, after which the FIR was registered.

Nikseen said they were waiting for the court’s permission for the proper burial of the carcasses as per Hindu rituals. He said, “It is important for us to do proper burial of the deceased cows. We sought permission from the court, and once we get the permission, it will be done according to the Hindu rituals.”

Cow slaughter is prohibited in most of the states in India. Slaughtering cows and transporting their meat is a punishable offence under different state laws. The ‘beef’ officially produced and sold in India is buffalo meat because cows are sacred in Hindu, Jain, and Sikh religions. Gau Rakshaks often play a vital role in capturing the criminal elements involved in beef smuggling. Gau Rakshaks, who take an oath to save the revered cows, are painted by the left-liberals as criminals and vigilantes. However, the theft and smuggling of cows not only hurts the religious sentiments of most Indians but also damages the rural economy because the cows are often stolen from poor farmers causing them great financial loss.

‘My tongue slipped’: Pakistani cricketer Abdul Razzaq issues lame apology for his derogatory comment on Aishwarya and her child

OpIndia Staff
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‘My tongue slipped’: Pakistani cricketer Abdul Razzaq issues lame apology for his derogatory comment on Aishwarya and her child

Former Pakistan cricketer Abdul Razzaq on Tuesday (14th November) apologized for making sexist and derogatory remarks about Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai. He made the remarks earlier this week at a public panel with fellow former cricketers Umar Gul and Shahid Afridi, who both cheered and laughed at Razzaq’s vile remarks.

Razzaq posted an apology video on Twitter (X) and said, “I am very ashamed of yesterday and I realize I said very bad words. I apologize to everyone, please forgive me.” He also added in his statement that he wanted to use a different analogy but took Aishwarya Rai’s name because his ‘tongue slipped’. Meanwhile, he said that he had no intentions to hurt anyone’s sentiments.

Razzaq criticized the current Pakistan cricket team and questioned the players’ intentions and piety during the panel discussion last week. He could be heard saying in Urdu, “If your thinking is that you marry Aishwarya Rai and expect a pious and virtuous child to be born, then that can never happen.”

A video of his comments about Aishwarya was widely shared online and drew criticism. Following the uproar, former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi went on television and condemned Razzaq’s remarks. He also claimed that he was ‘unaware’ of what was said, despite viral videos showing him laughing at Razzaq’s words. “It was a bad joke, and such jokes should not be made. I would urge Razzaq to issue and apology,” he said on Samaa TV.

Former Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Yousaf also slammed his compatriot’s remarks, tweeting, “I hope he will be ashamed of what he said and apologize.” Shoaib Akhtar also commented on the remarks made by Razzak and said that ‘no woman should be disrespected like this,’ and he also chastised Gul and Afridi for supporting Razzaq.

HD Kumaraswamy booked for ‘stealing power’ for Diwali lights: HDK explains himself as Congress puts ‘electricity thief’ poster outside JDS office

OpIndia Staff
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HD Kumaraswamy booked for ‘stealing power’ for Diwali lights: HDK explains himself as Congress puts ‘electricity thief’ poster outside JDS office

In an embarrassment to the former Karnataka Chief Minister, an FIR has been registered against HD Kumaraswamy on charges of electricity theft since he had connected the Diwali lights of his residence from an electricity pole. 

The FIR was registered based on the complaint filed by Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) officials at BESCOM Vigilance Jayanagar Police Station. 

The Congress had alleged that HD Kumaraswamy had illegally connected the Diwali lights of his JP Nagar residence from an electric pole. The Congress had posted about this along with a video and photo. 

After the video went viral on social media, BESCOM officials visited the former Chief Minister’s residence and conducted an inspection. In his defence, Kumaraswamy claimed that a private decorator was asked to decorate his house with electric lights for Diwali and they had connected it from a nearby pole and tested it. He was away from his residence when the incident took place, he said. 

“A private decorator was asked to decorate my house with electric lights for Diwali. After decorating the house with electric lights, they connected electricity from a nearby pole and tested it,” Kumaraswamy said in a post on ‘X’. 

“This matter came to my attention when I came back home last night. I immediately removed it and connected the electricity from the meter board of the house. This is the reality. There is nothing hidden in this,” he added. 

The former Chief Minister said that he is sorry for the incident and is willing to pay the fine. 

“I am sorry for this indiscretion. Let the BESCOM officials come and inspect and issue a notice. I will pay the fine,” he said. 

Accusing the Karnataka Congress of highlighting this issue just to get publicity, he said, “This is what @INCKarnataka is doing to get publicity. I am concerned about the petty mentality of that party. I have not embezzled any state property.” 

Posters of “Electricity Thief” put up outside JD(S) office, removed by police

Bengaluru Police on Tuesday night removed the posters stating ‘Electricity Thief’ that were put up outside the JD(S) Head Office in Bengaluru. 

The posters appeared after an FIR was registered against JD(S) leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on charges of electricity theft since he had connected the Diwali lights of his residence from an electricity pole. 

The Janata Dal-Secular and the Congress have been at odds with one another ever since the former joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Kumaraswamy had recently claimed that the Congress’ “guarantees” have failed in Karnataka to which the Congress responded by saying the former Chief Minister has started wearing “RSS knickers.”

(With inputs from agencies)

‘Ye konsa nasha pee kar baat kar raha hai’: Harbhajan Singh slams former Pakistani captain Inzamam ul Haq over conversion to Islam claim

OpIndia Staff
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‘Ye konsa nasha pee kar baat kar raha hai’: Harbhajan Singh slams former Pakistani captain Inzamam ul Haq over conversion to Islam claim

On Tuesday (14th November) former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh slammed former Pakistani cricketer Inzamam Ul Haq over an old video of the latter claiming that Harbhajan Singh was influenced by the ‘teachings’ of controversial Maulana Tariq Jameel and close to converting to Islam.

Taking to X, Harbhajan Singh denied the story and asserted that he is proud of his national and religious identity. “Yeh kon sa nasha pee kar baat kar raha hai? I am a proud Indian and proud Sikh..yeh Bakwaas log kuch bi bakte hai (what drug has he consumed before talking…these rubbish people talk any nonsense),” he wrote.

In the viral video, Inzamam-ul-Haq said that Harbhajan Singh was one of the Indian cricketers who used to attend the sermons of Maulana Tariq Jameel, who is known for performing namaz with the Pakistan cricket team. The former Pakistani said that during a tour he invited Irfan Pathan, Zaheer Khan, and Mohammad Kaif to join the prayer sessions and that Harbhajan also attended the preaching. Inzamam went on to claim that the former Indian spinner was deeply impressed by the preaching of Tariq Jameel and had shown intent to convert to Islam.

“We had a room where we had prayers. Maulana Tariq Jameel would come by in the evening and lead us in namaz. After a few days, Irfan Pathan, Mohammad Kaif, and Zaheer Khan joined. “Four other Indian cricketers sat there watching us. Harbhajan, who was unaware that Tariq Jameel was a maulana, said ‘I am impressed with this man and my heart wants to follow his words’ but I stop because of you, as your lifestyle is not that way,” Inzamam claimed to assert that Muslim themselves are not following the path of Quran which somehow prevents non-Muslims from converting to Islam.

Notably, the old video in question had gone viral online in September last year too. However, the video has resurfaced on social media with people calling out the Pakistani cricketers for trying to convert non-Muslims to Islam instead of focusing on the game of cricket. It is pertinent to note that the Pakistani team’s dressing room has always been a fertile ground for conversion Jihad. Once Inzamam Ul Haq had narrated how he and another former Pakistani cricketer Yousaf Yohana had given “deen ki dawat” (invitation to accept Islam) to legendary West Indies cricketer Brian Lara. A detailed OpIndia report on Pakistani cricketers’ involvement in attempting to convert non-Muslim players to Islam as well as their hatred for Kafirs especially Hindus can be read here.

Uddhav Sena MP Sanjay Raut shares shocking post justifying Hitler’s Holocaust against Jews, deletes it later: What happened

OpIndia Staff
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Uddhav Sena MP Sanjay Raut shares shocking post justifying Hitler’s Holocaust against Jews, deletes it later: What happened

On 14th November, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut shared a post from his X handle justifying Hitler’s holocaust against Jews. He shared a post by an X handle ‘Article19 India’ wherein a video of premature babies was shared. It was claimed that the Israeli armed forces cut off the power to the incubator of these babies. Sanjay Raut said in his post that Jews were killed by Hitler for such actions.

Sanjay Raut wrote, “Why did Hitler hate the Jewish community so much? Is this understandable now?”

Screengrab of Sanjay Raut’s X post

Earlier, Article 19 India wrote in its post, “Premature babies are screaming in Al-Shifa hospital. the power to the incubator in which they were kept has been cut off by Israel. Armed forces have surrounded the hospital from all sides. No food items, milk, or water are allowed inside the hospital.” The post also contained a video claiming that it is from the Al Shifa hospital.

Sanjay Raut implied in his post that Hitler killed Jews in the holocaust because they committed such actions. He justified Hitler’s killing of Jews in the holocaust during the Second World War. The ethnic cleansing claimed the lives of more than 60 lakh Jews wherein they were killed by locking in a gas chamber. He later deleted the tweet.

It is pertinent to note that 39 babies have not died at the Al Shifa hospital, however, it is being reported that they are at risk due to lack of oxygen and electricity. IDF had also offered to provide oxygen and aid to Shifa Hospital in order to ensure that the babies were safely evacuated. “The IDF remains committed to upholding its moral and professional responsibilities to distinguish between civilians and Hamas terrorists,” the military spokesperson said. “The IDF is willing to work with any reliable mediating party to ensure the transfer of the incubators.”

In a phone call released by the IDF, an officer from the Coordination and Liaison Administration (CLA) to Gaza, speaking with the Director General of Al-Shifa Hospital, can be heard offering the incubators as well as helping evacuate children and patients from the facility.

“We are ready to provide you with any assistance you wish to evacuate children and patients. We are ready to provide you with any assistance. We’ll even provide you with an incubator,” the officer said.

IDF releases additional footage from Gaza’s Rantisi Hospital where Israeli hostages were held, confirms death of captured soldier shown in Hamas video

OpIndia Staff
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IDF releases additional footage from Gaza’s Rantisi Hospital where Israeli hostages were held, confirms death of captured soldier shown in Hamas video

On 14th November (Tuesday), the Israel Defense Forces released additional footage from the raid of a hospital in Gaza that was being used by Hamas for their terror activities. According to the IDF, this Hospital was the place where Hamas terrorists held Israeli hostages. The additional footage shows the moment when the Israeli Navy’s elite Shayetet 13 commando unit and the 401st Armored Brigade raided Gaza City’s Rantisi children’s hospital. 

During their raid, the Israeli troops found a cache of weapons and a room that the IDF believes was used by Hamas to hold Israeli hostages.

Earlier on 13th November, the IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari gave a press conference in English. The IDF spokesperson presented evidence that the Islamic terror outfit Hamas used the Al Rantisi Hospital in Gaza as a terror base. In a 6-minute-long video, Hagari informed that Hamas terrorists stored weapons at the hospital premises and kept Israeli civilians as hostages for some time. 

In the video, Hagari also walked through an underground tunnel which according to him connected the residence of a senior Hamas terrorist with the Rantisi Hospital from beneath. He highlighted that the building was close to the hospital and it was not far off from UN-affiliated buildings.  

Apart from the 6-minute video, the post read, “EXCLUSIVE RAW FOOTAGE: Watch IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari walk through one of Hamas’ subterranean terrorist tunnels—only to exit in Gaza’s Rantisi hospital on the other side. Inside these tunnels, Hamas terrorists hide, operate, and hold Israeli hostages against their will.” 

IDF confirms the death of a captive female soldier who was shown in a Hamas video

Additionally, on 14th November (Tuesday), the IDF confirmed the death of Cpl. Noa Marciano (19). She was captured by the Hamas terror group on 7th October.

Marciano was part of the Combat Intelligence Collection Corps 414th unit and was serving on the Nahal Oz IDF base when it was overrun by Hamas terrorists during the 7th October onslaught on southern Israel. She lived in Modiin and was the oldest of three siblings.

Several terror groups in Gaza have been holding around 240 people hostage since 7th October. On several occasions, Hamas has made unsubstantiated claims that some hostages have been killed by Israeli airstrikes on Gaza.

Since the Hamas terror attack, four hostages namely Judith and Natalie Ra’anan, Yocheved Lifshitz, and Nurit Cooper have been released by Hamas while one captive, Ori Megidish, was rescued by IDF troops.

On Monday evening (13th November), Hamas published a propaganda video of Marciano. In the video, she was seen speaking to the camera four days after being taken hostage and she identified herself and recited the names of her parents and her hometown. The propaganda video which Israel calls are part of psychological terror,  then showed her dead body. Subsequently, the military said it sent representatives to the Marciano family home to inform them of the video.

(Israeli soldier Cpl. Noa Marciano (IDF) killed in Hamas captivity, Image Source – Times of Israel)

Later, today, on Tuesday (14th November), the IDF said that it now recognises Marciano as a “fallen soldier held captive by a terror group.” The IDF added that “Hamas continues to use psychological terror and behaves inhumanely, through videos and photos of hostages, as it has done in the past.”

Despite Hamas’s propaganda video claiming to show her dead body, Channel 12 news reported that the IDF said it made its declaration about Marciano’s death based on intelligence information, and not based on the Hamas video.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military has been reiterating that it is “using all means, both intelligence and operational, to bring the hostages home.” 

Amid reports of a potential hostage deal, Israel’s War cabinet minister Benny Gantz asserted that even if Israel pauses fighting as part of a potential hostage deal, it will continue pursuing its war to dislodge Hamas’s control over the Gaza Strip. He made this assertion while visiting military leadership in Israel’s north. 

He said, “Even if a ceasefire is required in order to return hostages, there will be no stopping the war. We continue until our goals are achieved.”

Notably, Israel’s stated goals include uprooting Hamas’s political and military control over the Strip, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a post-Hamas Gaza must be demilitarised and de-radicalised.

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