On Sunday, (8th October) ambassador Mohannad Aklouk, Palestine’s Permanent Representative to the Arab League, said that they have submitted a memorandum requesting the immediate convening of an emergency meeting of the Arab League’s Council of Foreign Ministers.
According to a report by the Palestinian news agency WAFA, the objective of this meeting is to explore strategies for garnering political support, both in the Arab and international arenas, to secure international protection for the Palestinian population.
Mohannad Aklouk told WAFA that this meeting is due to the “brutal and ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people, including the escalation of the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by thousands of settlers”.
A similar request was made by another country Morocco. Morocco called for an emergency Arab League meeting at the ministerial level to discuss what it called “the deteriorating situation in the besieged Gaza Strip”.
Israel retaliated after Hamas terrorists launched an attack
On October 7th, Hamas terrorists launched thousands of rockets and deployed dozens of terrorists into Israeli cities near the Gaza Strip in an unprecedented terror attack during a major Jewish holiday, killing hundreds. Now reports have emerged that around 400 have died and over 1600 people were wounded in Gaza in Israel’s retaliatory action.
Following the nightfall on Saturday, Israel’s retaliatory bombings under Operation Iron Sword in Gaza intensified. This comes after Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israel from Gaza, attacking towns and kibbutzim near the Gaza Strip, killing over 300 people, many of whom were civilians, injuring over 1,788, and reportedly kidnapping hundreds.
Thousands of missiles were fired from Gaza attacking the south of Israel and places as far distant as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in an unprecedented offensive that caught Israel off guard as it observed the Jewish festival of Simchat Torah.
Hamas military commander Muhammad Al-Deif called the operation “Al-Aqsa Flood” and said that the assault on Israel was a response to attacks on women, the desecration of the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem and the ongoing siege of Gaza.
On 8th October, an Egyptian policeman opened fire at the Israeli tourists in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria. The incident took place at the Pompey’s Pillar site. Egyptian Interior Ministry said that at least two Israeli tourists and one Egyptian were killed in the attack. The death toll may rise.
BREAKING: Egyptian policeman shot and killed two Israeli tourists in Alexandria
Extra News quoted an unnamed security official saying that one more person was injured in the attack. The security agencies have detained the suspect police official. Soon after the attack, the area was cordoned off.
Videos of the incident went viral on social media in which two bodies could be seen lying on the ground. A few people at the site were seen helping an injured person, while a woman was heard screaming for help. The attack on Israeli tourists came at a time when Israel was seeing unprecedented attacks from Palestine.
Reportedly, after Israel retaliated to the terrorist attack by Hamas and used air power at Hamas locations in Palestine, Lebanon also attacked Israel. Israel has started to increase security on the Syria border as well.
Israel-Palestine war
On 7th October, terrorist organisation Hamas launched a massive rocket barrage and ground, air, and sea attack against Israel. In retaliation, Israeli forces launched Operation Swords of Iron and initiated air strikes on Hamas locations in Palestine. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s response to the Hamas incursion will “exact a huge price” on the terrorist group.
On Saturday (7th October), two minor girls committed suicide by consuming poison in the Pratapgarh district of Rajasthan after being raped and subsequently harassed by four of their classmates. The police have registered a case against the accused youths including a minor and arrested them.
It is notable that the police are yet to ascertain whether the girls were raped or not. Meanwhile, the bodies of the victims have been sent to a district hospital for postmortem examination.
According to the complaint submitted by the victim’s father on 6th October, the class 12 student girls were living at a rented house in the Pipalkhunt village when one of their classmates sexually abused them with the help of three of his accomplices. The girls told their family members about the crime.
Following this, the accused called the girls to the school on Wednesday to ‘settle’ the matter. The accused, on the other hand, allegedly misbehaved with the girls and thrashed them when they met and grabbed their phones when the victims attempted to inform their family members. Later, when they managed to reach their home the girls told the family about the incident. On Saturday morning, the two sisters were found near a drainage in semi semi-conscious state and vomiting.
Subsequently, the girls were rushed to Ghantali Hospital where the doctors considering the serious condition of the victims referred them to Pratapgarh district hospital. The victims, however, were declared brought dead there.
“We have detained the three accused, including a minor,” Pratapgarh Superintendent of Police (SP) Amit Budaniya said. SP Budaniya added that in the initial investigation, it was found that the charges of intimidation and molestation were true. However, the rape allegation is yet to be ascertained.”
“We are interrogating the accused persons. But no sound evidence for the rape allegation was found so far. The fact would be ascertained once the autopsy report comes out,” SP Amit Budaniya continued.
The case against the four accused was registered under Indian penal code (IPC) sections 341 (wrongfully restricting any person), 354 (assaulting women), 354-B (outraging woman’s modesty, using criminal force on her), 334 (voluntarily causing hurt on grave and sudden provocation), and 376 (rape).
Speaking to ANI, S Parimala, IG Police, Banswara informed that the case is being probed by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). “We received info in Ghantali police station that two minor girls have consumed poison. The girls who consumed poison were referred to a hospital where they were declared dead. Their relatives reported that these two minor girls were studying in Peepal Khoont and alleged that they were harassed by a minor boy, and two of his friends, who have been detained. A special investigation team has been constituted to probe the incident.”
#WATCH | Rajasthan: S Parimala, IG Police, Banswara said, "We received info in Ghantali PS that two minor girls have consumed poison. The girls who consumed poison were referred to a hospital where they were declared dead. Their relatives reported that these two minor girls were… pic.twitter.com/1FWTFeGtJO
In reaction to the incident, BJP leader and Rajasthan assembly LoP Rajendra Rathore blamed the state’s “jungle raj” on the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government. Rathore remarked in a post on X that the current occurrence is a disgrace to humanity.
कांग्रेस के जंगलराज में महिलाओं और बेटियों पर अत्याचार चरम पर है। प्रतापगढ़ जिले के पीपलखूंट में छेड़खानी से परेशान 2 स्कूली छात्राओं द्वारा आत्महत्या किए जाने की घटना मानवता को शर्मसार करने वाली है। यह घटना प्रदेश की लचर-कानून व्यवस्था पर भी सवालिया निशान है। गृह विभाग के मुखिया… pic.twitter.com/MG1NZMD9fy
“Atrocities against women and daughters are at their peak under the jungle raj of Congress. The incident of suicide by two schoolgirls troubled by teasing in Pipalkhunt of Pratapgarh district is shameful to humanity. This incident is also a question mark on the poor law and order system of the state. This is not the first case under the rule of Ashok Gehlot ji who has failed as the head of the Home Department,” Rathore posted.
With numerous incidents of crimes against women surfacing from the state, the issue of women’s safety in Rajasthan has become a serious concern. Earlier last month, a tribal woman was paraded naked by her husband in Pratapgarh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also highlighted the issue of women’s safety during his recent rallies in the state.
Hours after Hamas terrorists attacked Israel on Saturday (7th October), some Indian politicians extended their support to Palestine.
Lok Sabha MP and President of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), Asaduddin Owaisi, did not utter a word against the terrorist attack in Israel but came out in support of Palentine claiming Israel has occupied Palestinian territory.
He wrote, “Praying that peace prevails in the occupied territories of Palestine.”
Praying that peace prevails in the occupied territories of #Palestine
CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury urged UN to “ensure” withdrawal of all Israeli “illegal” settlements. He wrote, “Condemn these attacks & counter attacks. UN must enforce a stop to this. UN must ensure the legitimate rights of the Palestinians, withdrawal of all Israeli illegal settlements & occupation of Palestinian lands & implement the 2 Nation State solution.”
Condemn these attacks & counter attacks. UN must enforce a stop to this. UN must ensure the legitimate rights of the Palestinians, withdrawal of all Israeli illegal settlements & occupation of Palestinian lands & implement the 2 Nation State solution.
In a follow-up post on X (formerly Twitter), Yechury claimed the retaliation for the Hamas terrorist attack was the “expansion of Jewish settlements on Palestinian lands” and called for its end.
Israeli aggression unleashed by the most right wing Netanyahu government against the Palestinians has claimed the lives of 248 including 40 children, so far this year. The expansion of Jewish settlements on Palestinian lands must end & UN 2 State solution enforced. pic.twitter.com/pKg1KSF2Az
Delhi Riots accused Sharjeel Usmani claimed Indians came out in support of Israel only because they oppose anything and everything that Muslims in India support. He wrote, “Unsurprising that Indian Hindu right wing is cheering for Israel as their entire existence is defined by opposition to what or who Muslims in India support.” He added, “With Palestine”.
Unsurprising that Indian Hindu right wing is cheering for Israel as their entire existence is defined by opposition to what or who Muslims in India support.
A similar line was followed by Caravan’s political editor Hartosh Singh Bal who wrote, “Our rightwing reacts to the tragedy unfolding in Israel and the gaza with glee. For them, the deaths don’t count, all they see is another made-up pretext to target Indian Muslims. A continuing saga of those in power beating down on those who have none.”
our rightwing reacts to the tragedy unfolding in israel and the gaza with glee. for them the deaths don't count, all they see is another made up pretext to target indian muslims. a continuing saga of those in power beating down on those who have none.
Journalist Samiullah Khan wrote, “Indian Muslims unconditionally stand with Palestinian fighters who are bravely protecting their homeland from Israeli monsters! Anyone who stands with Israel is supporting terrorism and inviting illegal occupation to its own land, Israel is totally illegal and unjust occupation!”
Indian Muslims unconditionally stands with palestinian fighters who are bravely protecting their homeland from israeli monsters!
anyone who stands with israel is supporting terrorism and inviting illegal occupation to its own land, Israel is totally illegal & Unjust occupation! pic.twitter.com/4s93AiXTbB
A dubious journalist, who often poses as a Muslim activist, Ali Sohrab, wrote, “Palestinians know what technology Israel has, but there is no other way except resistance, they know that they may have to pay a heavy price for this, but there is no price for anyone’s dignity and respect, no price for a dignified existence.” (Translated using Google Translate)
फिलिस्तीनियों को मालूम है कि इजरायल के पास क्या टेक्नोलॉजी है, लेकिन प्रतिरोध के इलावा कोई रास्ता नहीं, उन्हें मालूम हैं कि इसके लिए भारी कीमत चुकानी पड़ सकती है, लेकिन किसी की गरिमा और सम्मान की कोई कीमत नहीं है, गरिमापूर्ण अस्तित्व की कोई कीमत नहीं है।pic.twitter.com/FLKokZdgMG
He further spread fake news that the German woman whose dead body was paraded by the Hamas terrorists was a man. (OpIndia has blurred the image because of its graphic nature.)
Source: X
The founder of the dubious organisation that gives shelter to illegal Rohingya immigrants Miles2Smile, Aasif Mujtaba, claimed “resistance is not terrorism” and propagated that Palestinians are subjected to daily humiliation. Calling Israel a “terror nation”, he wrote, “There is just a terror nation who forcefully occupied another territory and subjects them to daily humiliation & brutal killings.”
In almost the past decade, a total of 5590 Palestinians were murdered as against 251 Israeli deaths. A majority of the deceased includes children & old aged Palestinians. So, there is no two sides to this conflict. There is just a terror nation who forcefully occupied another… pic.twitter.com/eYTmKbQ78J
Fake news peddler Md Adif Khan published several posts on X favouring Palestine. In one of the posts he wrote, “Pray for innocent people and victims of brutal occupation in Palestine.”
Chief spokesperson of Peace Party Shadab Chauhan said, “Praying from Almighty Allah that peace prevails in the occupied territories of #Palestine”.
Praying from Almighty Allah that peace prevails in the occupied territories of #Palestine
— Shadab Chauhan شاداب چوہان (@shadab_chouhan1) October 7, 2023
While Swara Bhaskar did not post anything on X, she came out in support of Palestine on Instagram. In a story, she wrote, “If you have not felt shock and horror at Israel’s unending atrocities on Palestinians, the forcible occupation of Palestinian homes, the forced evictions, the bigotry and violence of settler Israelis, the murder of Palestinian children and teenagers, the decades-long blockaid and bombing of Gaza and civilians in Gaza, including bombing of schools and hospitals.. (not to mention the aparthied and occupation) then I am afraid your should and horror at Hamas’s attacks on Israel seem a bit hypocritical.” (sic)
Source: Instagram
Our coverage of the Israel-Palestine war can be checked here.
On 8th October (Sunday), the Taliban spokesperson informed that more than 2,000 people had died in multiple earthquakes that hit the earthquake-prone mountainous country, Afghanistan. These successive earthquakes are one of the deadliest tremors in years leaving more than 9,000 injured.
I learned with great sadness about the tragic consequences of the earthquake that struck the western provinces (Herat, Farah, and Badghis) of Afghanistan. I am donating all of my #CWC23 match fees to help the affected people. Soon, we will be launching a fundraising campaign to… pic.twitter.com/dHAO1IGQlq
Speaking to Reuters, Mullah Janan Sayeeq, spokesman for the Ministry of Disasters, stated that 2,053 people were dead, 9,240 injured and 1,329 houses were damaged or destroyed in these tremors.
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Information and Culture, Abdul Wahid Rayan stated that the death toll in Herat has surged. He added that approximately six villages lie in ruins and hundreds of civilians are feared to be trapped underneath the debris.
"Devastating news from Zindajan and Ghorian districts in Herat. 12 villages completely destroyed, with children being the majority of victims. Our hearts go out to the affected families. Praying for the safety of the 1,500 still unaccounted for. #Herat#Afghanistan… pic.twitter.com/MRFSFyGkXR
Videos circulating on social media show people gathered in the streets by hundreds both outside their residences and workplaces within Herat city.
#Afghanistan has just been hit by a devastating earthquake, second one in two months, killing and injuring hundreds of people.
Our thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones and homes across the Western region. pic.twitter.com/zi9gsx2dSC
— World Food Programme in Afghanistan (@WFP_Afghanistan) October 8, 2023
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quakes hit 35 km (20 miles) northwest of the city of Herat, and out of them, the magnitude of one earthquake was registered around 6.3 shocked Aghanistan’s Herat on 7th October (Saturday). According to its website, seven earthquakes have been recorded so far.
Additionally, the USGS also detected two significant 6.3 magnitude earthquakes with one 33 kilometres (20.5 miles) north-northeast of Zindah Jan, and another 29 kilometres (18 miles) north-northeast of Zindah Jan, approximately 43 kilometres (26 miles) west of Herat city. The seismic activity has raised concerns among local residents and prompted further monitoring by geological experts.
A Herat health department official, who identified himself as Dr Danish, told Reuters that more than 200 dead had been brought to different hospitals and the majority of them were women and children. He stated that bodies had been taken to several places – military bases, and hospitals.
Afghanistan is prone to frequent earthquakes, particularly within the Hindu Kush mountain range. These seismic events are a result of the convergence of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates in this area. In June 2022, a strong earthquake rocked the mountainous eastern region of Afghanistan, resulting in the loss of over 1,000 lives and causing injuries to approximately 1,500 people.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett demonstrated his solidarity with Israeli soldiers by personally joining them on the front lines during a tense war-like situation. This situation arose following a surprise multi-front attack by Hamas terrorists from the Gaza Strip on Saturday (7th October). As he arrived for his reserve duty, the former prime minister was observed warmly greeting frontline troops.
Naftali Bennett, who held Israel’s prime ministerial office from June 2021 to June 2022, was seen wearing an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) military uniform. This development followed the IDF’s announcement of a significant reserve mobilisation in response to the assault that began on Saturday morning. Another video showed the former Israeli PM shaking hands with IDF soldiers.
Former prime minister Naftali Bennett has shown up for reserve duty. That’s leadership by example. pic.twitter.com/vpFcfPgKLF
The former PM Naftali Bennett said this is one of the hardest days in Israel’s history and his family is currently in a shelter as sirens wail. He said, “This is one of the hardest days in Israel’s history, and it’s very tough for all Israelis to see this invasion of southern Israel by Hamas terrorists. These terrorists are explicitly targeting women, children, and girls. It’s time to eradicate Hamas.”
Israeli opposition leader offers unity government
Meanwhile, following the extensive attack by Hamas terrorists on Saturday that left over 300 people dead and around 1800 injured, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid offered for a national unity government “to conduct the difficult, complex and protracted campaign.” Lapid’s declaration came after he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at 5:15 p.m. on Saturday (7th October) to receive a security briefing.
Yair Lapid said, “The State of Israel is at war. It will not be an easy war and it will not be a short war. It has strategic consequences the likes of which we have not seen for many, many years. There is a great risk that it will turn into a multi-front war.”
The opposition leader emphasised that the formation of an emergency unity government would convey a powerful message to Israel’s adversaries and the international community: that Israel is firmly united in support of the IDF and the security establishment.
Yair Lapid said, “Netanyahu knows that with the extreme and dysfunctional composition of the current Cabinet, it is impossible to wage war. The State of Israel needs to be led by a professional, experienced and responsible political echelon. I have no doubt that former Defence Minister Benny Gantz [the head of the National Unity political alliance] will also join such a government.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a meeting with Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid and National Unity Party leader Benny Gantz. A unity government can be the same in format as the Levi Eshkol government then-opposition leader Menachem Begin joined before the Six-Day War in 1967.
Israel retaliated after Hamas terrorists launched an attack
On October 7th, Hamas terrorists launched thousands of rockets and deployed dozens of terrorists into Israeli cities near the Gaza Strip in an unprecedented terror attack during a major Jewish holiday, killing hundreds. Now reports have emerged that around 232 have died and over 1600 people were wounded in Gaza in Israel’s retaliatory action.
Following the nightfall on Saturday, Israel’s retaliatory bombings under Operation Iron Sword in Gaza intensified. This comes after Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israel from Gaza, attacking towns and kibbutzim near the Gaza Strip, killing over 256 people, many of whom were civilians, injuring over 1,788, and reportedly kidnapping hundreds.
Thousands of missiles were fired from Gaza attacking the south of Israel and places as far distant as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in an unprecedented offensive that caught Israel off guard as it observed the Jewish festival of Simchat Torah.
Hamas military commander Muhammad Al-Deif called the operation “Al-Aqsa Flood” and said that the assault on Israel was a response to attacks on women, the desecration of the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem and the ongoing siege of Gaza.
Following the massive terror and on-ground assault on Israel, the streets of Sderot and several border towns of the Jewish-majority nation witnessed blood-curdling scenes on 7th October. Among one such disturbing visual was the naked and battered dead body of an unidentified woman who was being paraded by the Hamas terrorists in a pickup truck.
The terrorists could be heard shouting the Islamic slogan ‘Allah Hu Akbar’ in these gruesome videos of the incident. In some videos that surfaced on social media, a murderous crowd of Hamas terrorists could be seen surrounding the vehicle, chanting slogans and spitting on the woman’s body.
?‼️ O corpo da mulher morta por terroristas palestinos que foi visto neste vídeo é de Shani Louk, de 30 anos, era uma cidadã alemã que visitava Israel para participar do festival de música pela paz realizado perto da fronteira de Gaza. #Israel#Gazapic.twitter.com/zwqDFsKJOM
As per the Australian media, Hamas initially claimed that the lifeless body was of a female Israeli soldier. However, it has now been ascertained that the woman being paraded in that video was a German tourist named Shani Louk. Apparently, the tattoo on one of the legs of the woman in that video helped in her identification.
Adi Louk confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that the woman seen in the video was her sister, Shani Louk, a German citizen, and a tattoo artist, reported the New York Post.
As per media reports, her cousin Tom Weintraub Louk stated that her family tried calling Shani when they discovered that Hamas had crossed over from the Gaza Strip. However, at that point, they didn’t yet see the video of her.
She added, “We knew she was in the party. She didn’t answer.” The Washington Post further reported her saying that Shani’s legs were unnaturally laid out in the back of the truck. Her parents watched the video to confirm it was their daughter.
Louk said, “We recognized her by the tattoos, and she has long dreadlocks.” However, her whereabouts and whether she is dead or alive are yet to be confirmed by official channels, the family still has not given up hope.
Louk told the Washington Post, “We have some kind of hope. Hamas is responsible for her and the others.”
According to Shani’s first cousin, Shani Louk reportedly went missing after Hamas terrorists took control of an open-air festival on Saturday morning.
Australian media quoted her cousin saying, “It is definitely Shani. She was at a music festival for peace. This is a nightmare for our family.” As per reports, Shani had attended the music festival which was the first site of attack by Hamas terrorists. On Saturday morning Hamas attacked a dance party near Kibbutz Urim and other Israeli communities, unconfirmed videos of such music festivals have surfaced online in which Hamas terrorists can be seen in backdrop paragliding.
The music festival that doesn't last on good tunes.
The viral video girls Noa (abducted on a bike) and Shani Louk (German nat'al paraded naked in a truck) and others were attacked here.
In a video posted by Visegrad 24 on X, Shani Louk’s mother too confirmed her daughter’s identity and appealed to people for more information regarding her whereabouts.
The mother of Shani Louk, the woman whose body was seen on video in the back of a pick-up truck driven by Palestinian terrorists to Gaza, released a statement earlier today.
She confirmed she had seen her daughter on the video & asked the public for help with more information pic.twitter.com/LDcPsjGHP8
La madre de Shani Louk, la mujer de 30 años y q estaba en un festival de música en el sur de Israel, cuyo cuerpo fue visto en un video en la parte trasera de una camioneta conducida por terroristas de Hamás a Gaza, confirmó que había visto a su hija en el video y pidió ayuda al… pic.twitter.com/vnTt7bjUKu
According to CNN citing German news outlet Bild, in a video message, Shani’s mother Ricarda said, “This morning my daughter, Shani Nicole Louk, a German citizen, was kidnapped with a group of tourists in southern Israel by Palestinian Hamas.”
She added, “We were sent a video in which I could clearly see our daughter unconscious in the car with the Palestinians and them driving around the Gaza Strip. I ask you to send us any help or any news. Thank you very much.”
Shani Louk LOVED to travel, little did she know that attending a peace festival in Israel would be her last day on this earth.
Hamas terrorists raped her, broke her limbs, killed her, and displayed her naked dead body on the back of a pick up truck as they yelled "God is great".… pic.twitter.com/Z774Iiw2eI
According to a social media account that belongs to her, Shani Louk is a tattoo artist and hair stylist. The tattoo seen on the legs of the dead body matches with the tattoos seen on her legs in the photos posted by her on Instagram.
Apart from the German tourist Shani Louk, Hamas has also captured other foreigners including 17 Nepali citizens. Seven of them have reportedly suffered injuries in these terror attacks.
So far, around 300 people have been killed in Israel in the Hamas attack, while the number of injured rose to over 1,800. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Health Ministry said 232 people were killed and 1,790 were injured in Gaza in the retaliatory action by Israeli forces. Israel has launched a massive military action titled ‘Operation Swords of Iron’ against Hamas in Gaza Strip, in response to the surprise rocker and ground attack by Hamas titled ‘Al-Aqsa flood’.
As Israel continues retaliatory air raids into Hamas hideouts in the Gaza Strip after the rocket attacks and ground assault by Hamas terrorists left over 300 dead and more than 1,000 injured in Israel, hackers targeted the website of Jerusalem Post with multiple cyberattacks, the country’s leading and best-selling English newspaper.
As a result of the cyberattack, the website of Jerusalem Post has crashed and it is not accessible now. A visit to the URL of the site shows a 403 error, which means access to the servers of the site has been forbidden.
Jerusalem Post confirmed on X that it has come under a cyberattack, causing its site to crash. “The Jerusalem Post has been targeted by multiple cyberattacks this morning causing our site to crash,” the Israeli daily posted on X.
The Jerusalem Post has been targeted by multiple cyberattacks this morning causing our site to crash.
We'll be back soon and will continue to be the top source of information on Operation Swords of Iron and the murderous attacks by Hamas. pic.twitter.com/6S2GOl6Wma
The English daily added in the tweet, “We’ll be back soon and will continue to be the top source of information on Operation Swords of Iron and the murderous attacks by Hamas.”
The cyberattacks came on the heels of the Hamas group launching a massive rocket barrage and ground, air, and sea offensive against Israel on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the death toll in the Hamas terror attack has crossed 300, while the number of injured rose to over 1,800. A day after the attack began, Israeli security forces are still struggling to clear terrorist cells hidden within devastated Israeli localities in the southern region. Many civilians are still holed up in their homes, hiding in fear of terrorists roaming the areas searching for victims.
Hamas had also taken a number of people hostage, but Israeli forces have rescued most of them. Army and police forces neutralised terrorists and rescued their captives after hours-long standoffs in Sderot, Ofakim and Kibbutz Be’eri.
An undetermined number of terrorists were captured or killed by security forces and others, while some managed to sneak back into Gaza with hostages, including women, children, and senior citizens, according to reports.
Israel has launched “Operation Swords of Iron,” striking a number of suspected Hamas hideouts in the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s response to the Hamas incursion will “exact a huge price” on the terrorist group.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Health Ministry said 232 people were killed and 1,790 were injured in Gaza in the retaliatory action by Israeli forces.
During the Ganpati Visarjan procession at Manjusar in Vadodara, a Muslim mob pelted stones at Hindu procession. Many people were injured in the attack and the idol of Lord Ganesha was also damaged. Both parties lodged complaints with the police after the stone pelting. During their operation, the police detained a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker from Savli, Nilesh Parmar, and later sent him to Ahmedabad Central Jail under the Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act (PASA). Hindu organisations and locals opposed the action, calling it unfair. In the meantime, OpIndia contacted Nilesh Parmar’s family and tried to know their side.
Nilesh Parmar, an RSS volunteer, hails from the village of Gothada in Savli taluka. This village predominantly consists of Muslim residents, with the village sarpanch also being of the Muslim faith. We spoke to his mother, Madhuben Thakorbhai Parmar. Throughout our discussion, Madhuben’s voice exhibited a sense of distress, clearly affected by the recent turn of events involving her son. Throughout our interaction, Madhuben consistently asserted that Nilesh was entirely innocent. She claimed that Nilesh was present at a different location on the day of the incident in question. She said that Nilesh had actually gone out to attend a social gathering.
Nilesh Parmar was not present at the spot: Nilesh’s mother
When OpIndia spoke to Nilesh’s mother Madhuben, she said at the very beginning of the conversation that her 26-year-old son was not guilty in any way. He is an RSS volunteer and always raises his voice for the country, religion and society leading from the front.
Madhuben said, “Our village is Muslim majority and the sarpanch is also a Muslim. There are frequent clashes between Hindus and Muslims in the village and taluka. In such a situation, Nilesh has become a known face among Hindus due to his service work at a young age. Seeing this, the local political leaders started feeling jealous. That’s why he is often being targeted in this way.”
Nilesh’s mother further said, “This is not the first time that my son’s name has been linked to a crime without any reason. Even before this, Nilesh’s name has been wrongly linked in various complaints many times. His name is not mentioned in the primary complaint, then later his name is added to the statements of the accused due to political pressure.”
When we talked about the incident in Manjusar, she said, “Sangeetaben Sanjaybhai Parmar of our family died on the same day and at the same time as the incident in Manjusar. So our entire family, including Nilesh, was engaged in a post-death ritual here. Nilesh was not present at the spot where the commotion took place. His name has been wrongly added to the statement by the police under political pressure.”
My son was, is, and will be in RSS: Nilesh’s Mother
While talking further, Madhuben became emotional remembering her son. She told OpIndia that her son was falsely implicated. She demanded justice for her son. We asked her about her son’s affiliation with RSS. She said, “My son was involved with RSS since childhood, is now in RSS and will continue to be so. While working in the RSS, he has been doing many service works for the local people which he is proud of.”
Frequent harassment by Muslim sarpanch in Muslim-dominated village
OpIndia also spoke to Nilesh’s cousin Kewal Parmar. He also said that his brother had been falsely implicated. Kewal said, “Earlier in 2021, Nilesh had organised a street march of RSS in Gothada village. Even then, it was opposed by the local Muslims and the Muslim sarpanch who said that the RSS yatra should not be taken out in our village. At that time too, Nilesh was harassed a lot.”
Kewal further said, “Nilesh was gradually becoming popular among the local Hindu community and Hindu youths for his service work. In a Muslim-dominated area like Savli, he expanded the scope of the RSS work. Due to this, there were many attempts to implicate him in a false case repeatedly.”
Finally, he said that no matter what happens, he will not give up and will continue to fight on every judicial path to get justice for his brother Nilesh Parmar.
‘An investigation is underway to find out if Nilesh was involved in the Manjusar incident’: PSI, Savli
Earlier, OpIndia had also spoken to the local Savli police station about the incident. The local police confirmed the arrest of Nilesh Parmar. At the same time, PSI Anirudh Kamaliya clarified, “An investigation is currently underway to find out whether Nilesh Parmar was involved in the Manjusar incident. However, Nilesh Parmar has been sent to Sabarmati jail under PASA after his name cropped up in complaints against both sides and his name cropped up in more than three similar offences.”
Muslims pelted stones at Ganesh Visarjan Yatra
On Thursday (28th September), there was an incident of stone pelting during Ganesh Visarjan at Manjusar in Savli taluka of Vadodara. In this incident, some Hindus were injured and the idol of Lord Ganesha was also broken. In this case, the police have registered an FIR against 18 people and the mob of the remaining 30 unidentified people and further investigation is underway. On the other hand, it has been learned through reports that 5 accused of stone-pelting have also been arrested.
वडोदरा के मुंजसर मैं गणेश विसर्जन पर कल किए गए पथराव की तस्वीरें आयी सामने.
The incident took place in Manjusar village of Savli. Videos of this incident have also surfaced on social media. In these videos, it is seen that miscreants wearing face masks threw stones from the roofs of the houses. Islamic posters were also put up in the building from where the stones were thrown. It is learnt that the stone pelters are currently absconding and efforts are on to trace them.
A case of rape under the pretext of marriage has come to light in the Damoh district of Madhya Pradesh. A 20-year-old Hindu girl has accused a man named Shahnawaz Khan of pressurising her to convert to Islam for marriage. She also charged him with forcing a physical relationship with her. The victim has undergone a medical examination and the police have registered a First Information Report. Now, further investigation is underway.
The love jihad episode started one and a half years ago when the pair came closer to each other and meetings between them increased. Both of them fell in love gradually and their bond grew deeper. She revealed that afterwards the perpetrator used to call her to hotel and had sexual relations with her.
Now, when the girl asked him to tie the knot with her, he told her that he would only do that if she embraced Islam. He then refused to marry her and even threatened to kill her, based on the allegations.
The girl informed her father about her ordeal after being tired of the harassment and intimidation. She went to the police station on 5th October along with her sister to lodge a complaint. She charged that the authorities didn’t pay heed to her and kept her sitting for seven hours while making different excuses.
She voiced that the culprit has an affluent background and the cops are trying to reach a compromise. She expressed that after spending a considerable amount of time waiting at the police station, the officers launched an FIR and a medical examination was performed on her.
According to Vijay Singh Rajput, the in-charge of the Kotwali police station, a case against the individual has been submitted under numerous sections, including sections 376 (rape), 376(2)(n) (repeated sexual assault on the same person), 366 (abduction of a woman), and 506 (criminal intimidation) as a result of the accusations. He proclaimed that it was vital to verify the complainant’s grave charges before proceeding forward which required some time. The accused is absconding but he assured that the cops would be able to apprehend him soon.
