Al Mayadeen – August 7, 2024
Day 306 of Gaza genocide: 39,677 Palestinians killed, 91,645 injured
The Israeli occupation forces continue with their relentless onslaught against civilians in Gaza as they continue to massacre dozens of people.
On day 306 of the genocide in Gaza, the toll of casualties has risen to 39,677 Palestinians killed and 91,645 injured by the Israeli occupation amid the IOF's brutal onslaught, according to the daily report published by the Health Ministry in Gaza on Wednesday.
"Israel" committed two massacres over the past 24 hours, killing 24 Palestinians and injuring 110 others.
While some were transported to partially functioning hospitals, many victims remain trapped beneath the rubble with rescue crews being unable to reach them.
Gaza Civil Defense's capacity to handle Israeli bombardment is exhausted
In a related context, Gaza's Civil Defense announced earlier on August 4 that it is now unable to deal with the Israeli bombardment due to deteriorating equipment, pointing out that its personnel are working with the minimum available resources.
It also stressed that the Israeli occupation disregards any conventions or norms in its war on Gaza, adding that the continued targeting of schools housing thousands of displaced people is further evidence of this.
The Civil Defense noted that most of the injuries arriving at hospitals are children and women, putting the percentage of children casualties at 80%.
On its part, the Gaza Government Media Office reported at the time that 172 shelters for displaced people have been targeted by the Israeli occupation forces since the beginning of the aggression on Gaza on October 7, 2023.
The Media Office noted that approximately 1,040 Palestinians have been killed inside schools since the onset of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip.
Yahya Sinwar's long road from Israeli prisons to Hamas leadership
Yahya Sinwar, a long-time and key member of Hamas, succeeded the recently assassinated Ismail Haniyeh as the Palestinian resistance group's new political bureau chief Tuesday.
The selection of Sinwar, 61, reflects his history with the group. He has served as the resistance group’s top official in Gaza for two consecutive terms, the first starting in 2017 and the second in 2021.
Commenting on the significance of Sinwar's selection as the head of the political bureau, the group’s executive body, Palestinian writer and political analyst Ibrahim al-Madhoun said: "There is no doubt that choosing Sinwar for this position is a challenge to the Israeli occupation and indicates that the man remains effective, strong and in control of the field" in Gaza despite the ongoing Israeli war for nearly 10 months.
"Sinwar’s appointment was natural internally, as he was effectively Haniyeh's deputy, being the head of Hamas in Gaza,” he added.
Al-Madhoun said it is expected that Sinwar will soon issue a statement, possibly in writing, announcing his appointment as the head of Hamas’s political bureau.
Early life
Yahya Ibrahim Hassan Sinwar was born in 1962 in the Khan Younis refugee camp in southern Gaza. His family originally hails from the city of al-Majdal in southern Israel, from which they were forcibly displaced in 1948.
He joined the Muslim Brotherhood at a young age and studied at the Islamic University of Gaza, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Arabic. During his university years, he led the "Islamic Bloc,” the student wing of the Muslim Brotherhood.
In 1985, Sinwar founded the security apparatus for the Muslim Brotherhood, known then as "Al-Majd.” This organization focused on resisting the Israeli occupation in Gaza and combating Palestinian collaborators.
Sinwar's student activism helped him gain the experience that later enabled him to take on leadership roles in Hamas after its founding in 1987.
Imprisonment
In 1982, the Israeli army first arrested Sinwar and released him after a few days, only to arrest him again later that year, sentencing him to six months in prison for "participating in security activities against Israel.”
On Jan. 20, 1988, Israel rearrested him and sentenced him to four life terms plus 30 years for "founding the Al-Majd security apparatus and participating in the establishment of Hamas’s first military wing, known as the Palestinian Mujahideen.”
Sinwar spent 23 years in Israeli prisons before being released as part of a prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and Israel in 2011 known as the "Shalit Deal.”
Under the deal signed on Oct. 11, 2011, Israel released 1,027 Palestinian detainees in exchange for the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit by Hamas.
Leading Hamas in Gaza
After his release in 2011, Sinwar participated in Hamas' internal elections in 2012, winning a seat on the political bureau and taking responsibility for supervising the group's military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades.
In September 2015, the U.S. added Sinwar to its list of "international terrorists.” Israeli security services have also listed Sinwar as a top target for assassination in Gaza, according to Israeli media.
Israel, flouting a U.N. Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, has faced international condemnation amid its continued brutal offensive on Gaza since an attack last October by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas.
More than 39,600 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 91,600 injured, according to local health authorities.
Almost 10 months into the Israeli war, vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.
Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which ordered it to immediately halt its military operation in Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.
Not enough Iron Domes in world to fend off Hezbollah arsenal: Politico
Politico underlines that the Israeli occupation forces would not be able to take on Hezbollah's arsenal as it does not have sufficient air defense systems.
The Israeli occupation is grappling with a critical shortage of munitions, casting doubt on its ability to repel a major anticipated attack from Iran and Hezbollah amid concerns about whether neighboring Arab nations would offer the same level of support for the Israeli occupation as before, Politico reported on Tuesday.
The concerns arose in light of the Israeli occupation's latest acts of aggression, wherein it assassinated Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Iran, and Hezbollah senior commander Fouad Shokor in Beirut, Lebanon. Tehran warned the Arab nations that came to the Israeli occupation's aid last time—when Iran launched an extensive attack involving 300 missiles and drones— not to stand in its way this time around.
Jonathan Lord, director of the Middle East security program at the Center for a New American Security, highlighted the regional discontent. "There's a certain degree of fatigue and to some degree, I would imagine a resentment that we're in this situation right now off the backs of the assassinations of Shokor and Haniyeh," he stated.
With Hezbollah poised to avenge Shokor's death, it is expected to employ its strategic reserves of precision-guided missiles, targeting southern regions of the occupied Palestinian territories.
Simply not enough Iron Domes
Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, emphasized the strain on the Israeli occupation's defenses. He noted that Iran and its "proxies" could "overwhelm a particular defense system at a particular place and a particular time," given the current depletion of the Israeli Iron Dome interceptors.
"It's inventory capacity of Iron Domes. There's not enough Iron Domes in the world to deal with 100,000 rockets, and that's not the fault of Iron Dome or any other system. It's just basic arithmetic," Karako explained.
Lord predicted that despite their frustration, Arab leaders might reluctantly join the effort to counter Hezbollah and Iran. "Logic would prevail that they need to step up and continue to do their part to essentially nerf this attack as best as possible."
The US anticipates support from its Arab allies, but a former US diplomat cautioned that any lack of support could be attributed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's policies.
"It's a question of shared frustration with a conflict in which neither side, neither Hamas nor Netanyahu, is proving amenable to compromise," the diplomat said. "You see [Secretary of State Antony Blinken] and [President Joe Biden] constantly trying to pour water on this fire for a while, but then it flames up again, and in many instances, it's Netanyahu lighting the match."
Netanyahu seeking to escalate
This falls in line with what John Sawers, former head of the British Secret Intelligence Service MI6 and UK ambassador to the UN, said in the Financial Times earlier in the week. Sawers considered that "Israel's" assassination of the head of Hamas' Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Shokor in Beirut revealed Netanyahu's priorities and strategy.
The Israeli Prime Minister "is prepared to escalate tensions in the region rather than seeking to calm them," he pointed out.
Sawer said that Haniyeh's assassination also proves that Netanyahu is not interested in a ceasefire in Gaza and a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas, adding that the release of Israeli captives held in the Gaza Strip "doesn’t feature prominently in his strategy" as he has turned down numerous deals supported by his own security officials.
In a related context, Bloomberg discussed the threats facing "Israel" and its air defense systems as it prepares for the possibility of new aerial attacks from Iran, Hezbollah, and Yemen.
Bloomberg said that "Israel’s" billion-dollar air defense systems are being tested, especially as Hezbollah and the Yemeni Armed Forces have intensified their use of kamikaze drones, "which have proven more effective at evading Israel’s high-tech defenses than missiles and rockets."
The report mentioned that Iran is believed to possess a substantial stockpile of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as inexpensive drones, which it used in mid-April in its retaliation against the Israeli aggression that targeted its consulate in Damascus.
Regarding Hezbollah, Bloomberg emphasized that the Lebanese group is believed to have an arsenal of over 150,000 missiles, including long-range and precision-guided ones.
According to Israeli assessments, these missiles could potentially reach deep into "Israel", targeting major cities and strategic assets such as military bases, airports, power grids, and hospitals.
Jerusalem Post – August 6, 2024
Pakistan announces intention to supply arms to Iran at OIC meeting - report
By MAARIVAUGUST
Several Arab sources reported Tuesday that if the conflict between Iran and Israel escalates, Pakistan plans to supply Iran with Shaheen-III medium-range ballistic missiles.
An emergency meeting of the foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), requested by Iran and Pakistan, took place yesterday in Saudi Arabia, with Iran examining its response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
The meeting in the coastal city of Jeddah included discussions on "the crimes of the Israeli occupation" and "the assassination of Haniyeh," said the Saudi OIC representative. The Iranian Foreign Ministry in Tehran said that Iran requested the meeting alongside Pakistan.
The OIC, representing 57 Islamic countries, sees itself as the voice of the Muslim world. Unlike the smaller Arab League, it also includes influential non-Arab countries, including Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey.
American officials said that since the weekend, they have observed Iran moving missile launchers and conducting military exercises as part of Tehran's preparations for an attack aimed at Israel in the coming days, according to a report published Tuesday in The Wall Street Journal.
Furthermore, according to the report, US officials still don't know what the attack might look like or the exact timeframe. An Iranian source is also quoted saying that the attack might occur "immediately," meaning within the next 48 hours.
Russia supporting Iran
Meanwhile, The New York Times reported that two Iranian sources, one of them a member of the Revolutionary Guards, indicated that Moscow has begun supplying Iran with advanced radar and air defense equipment
linken added that Washington is "engaging in intense diplomacy, almost around the clock," to help de-escalate tensions and the escalation in the Middle East amid concerns that Iran is preparing a retaliatory attack against Israel.
https://m.jpost.com/middle-east/article-813485
Bangladesh at the crossroads: What's next after Hasina's dramatic exit?
As the interim government works to fill a power vacuum, the country's future hinges on political stability, economic recovery, and avoiding further violence.
Hannan Hussain
The future of Bangladesh is now in the spotlight.
After weeks of clashes between student protesters and police forces, Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin has dissolved parliament and laid the groundwork for a new interim government.
Sheikh Hasina, who ruled Bangladesh for almost 20 years, resigned and fled the country after protestsﾠover civil service job quotas turned increasingly violent.
At least 300 people have been killed and thousands injured since the protests erupted in mid-July. Hasina's resignation was announced by Bangladesh's army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, who held talks with major political parties and called for calm.
"I request you all to be a little patient, give us some time and together we will be able to solve all the problems. Please don't go back to the path of violence, and please return to nonviolent and peaceful ways," Zaman said on Monday.
It is now clear that economic and political stability are major considerations for Bangladesh.ﾠWell over a third of the country's population falls within the youth bracket and is neither employed nor engaged in formal education.
Public sector job quotas added to these economic frustrations, and became a major trigger for weeks-long protests against Hasina and her administration.
In response to student protesters' demands, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been appointed head of the interim government, suggesting that the military is open to civilian rule in the country.
Now with a sudden end to Hasina's decades-old rule, what comes next for Bangladesh?
Filling the power vacuum
Bangladesh's interim government faces the uphill task of filling Hasina's power vacuum. Efforts are underwayﾠto promote dialogue among major opposition parties, but increased coordination with civil society members will be a decisive factor in sustaining the government.
Consider the strength of Bangladesh's civil disobedience campaign and popular protests. Student demonstrations over special government job quotas transformedﾠinto a massive non-cooperation movement, making it critical to address underlying grievances to prevent protracted unrest.
This includes an endﾠto political armed groups that have attacked demonstrators, and swift accountability for scores of protesters killed in recent violence.
Though the military hasﾠpledged justice under the interim system, significant questions surround the leadership structure of the interim setup – who will run it and what is the long-term plan to ensure a peaceful transition of power?
On top of these questions, a transition towards elections could prove necessary. After all, Bangladesh's protests mirroredﾠa deeper public frustration towards Hasina's rule, which included limited space for dissent and oppositionﾠboycotts of elections.
Today, that frustration forms a common link between Bangladesh's main political opposition and civil society representatives. Both are working in tandem with the country's militaryﾠto promote conditions for nonviolence and peace.
Since the interim government is focused on preventing further bloodshed, its explicit support for elections could play a decisive role in quelling unrest and upholding public will.
Reason for optimism
After witnessing the worst political violenceﾠin decades, there are some signs that stability can be established.
Protesters have limited incentive to resist the ongoing interim arrangement, given significant public support for the militaryﾠand its status as a neutral actor in times of conflict.
Look to 2008, when the military stepped in to break political deadlock and steer the country towards elections. Thus, its rapport with main opposition leaders and civil society members at present could play an important role in
Near-term stability is also necessary to avoid economic costs. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hasina oversaw aﾠ7 percent annual growth rate for a decade, but a violent end to her rule has put the onus on much-needed rebuilding.
Curfews and internet shutdowns in recent weeks have reportedlyﾠhurt Bangladesh'sﾠ$455 billion economy, and the interim government will find it difficult to shore up foreign exchange reserves amid any resurgence of violence.
All this underlines the merits of multi-stakeholder negotiations over Bangladesh's interim setup. For instance, talks have so far drawn representationﾠfrom civil society members, and their engagement could potentially strengthen public ownership of the provisional government, and any post-crisis roadmap it agrees upon.
Impact on politics
Hasina's departure could have important repercussions for Bangladesh's domestic politics as well.
For years, political competition between her Awami League party and the Bangladesh Nationalist party (BNP)ﾠserved as the dominant theme of domestic politics.
But political mobilisation was largely constrained by Hasina's dominant rule, and her abilityﾠto maintain powerﾠwithout relying on the opposition.
Some of those dynamics could change hereon. In a unanimous decision, Bangladesh's President Mohammed Shahabuddinﾠordered the release on Monday of Khaleda Zia from jail, chairperson of BNP and Hasina's political archrival.
The decision wasn't simply a prerogative from the top. It was the result of Shahabuddin's meeting with several opposition parties, the army chief and other stakeholders.
Therefore, the timing of Zia's release reflects a broader understanding to engage major opposition parties that felt alienated for years, or deprived of a level playing field.
This includes the conservative Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) party, which was theﾠtarget of the nationwide crackdown against protestors in the lead-up to Hasina's departure.
Now, it is working together with other opposition parties to prevent a return to violence and inform Bangladesh's future.
Ultimately, the unexpected end to Hasina's decades-old rule has left a huge power vacuum in Bangladesh. Some 171 million people will be waiting to see how major political forces fill this void, create conditions for stability, and prevent violence from spreading any further.
Hannan Hussain is an international affairs specialist and author. He was a Fulbright Scholar of international security at the University of Maryland, and has consulted for the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy in Washington. Hussain's work has been published by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, and the Express Tribune (partner of the International New York Times).
Pakistan: Let the Nation be Free of Criminals
by Dr Mahboob A Khawaja
Looking Beyond the Obvious Political lens
The current Pakistani ruling elite (few Generals and Sharif-Zardari Families), have no credibility of any kind and are well known conspirators, extornists, thugs, killers and indicted criminals who should be tried in a court of law. Evil has its own power and institutions and consequently every inch of Pakistani socio-economic, intellectual and political life is infested with corruption, exploitation and irreversible moral decadence. The masses are the net victims of neo-colonial conspiracies to degenerate the nation by Five military coups since its inception in August,1947. The country after 77 years of so called national freedom is devoid of basic notion of freedom to exercise its rights for political change. The Generals and their accomplice few landlord families are the crux of problems across the besieged nation floating without a legitimate system of political governance or authentic public institutions of law and order and accountability. Emerging political chaos, corruption and dishonesty to national interests is the new normal. History is a learning tool and medium but not to the neo-colonial agents dragging the nation to an uncertain future and lost sense of national identity and freedom. Progressive nations are built by educated thinkers, people of new ideas and ideals belonging to new generations of informed and honest people. Deprivation of the new generation is a systematic process to keep the old bags and corrupt families in power with the alignment of few Generals. Pakistan has lost more than 50 years of time and opportunities for a new beginning and nation-building. How do you cure evil when people cannot think of evil as a monster of history to disrupt and destroy the hope for a systematic political change. Could Pakistan survive for another decade under the authoritarianism and governance of few indicted criminals?
Imran Khan is a Hope for Political Change
Pakistan is no exception wherever military generals bring coups, they destroy the ideological, moral and intellectual foundation of the nation. Pakistan had more than Five coups stabbing its body and political foundation. The Generals and their accomplice viewed Imran Khan (Teherk-Insaf Pakistan – “Justice Party”), as a threat to their survival and wanted to eliminate him by all means – fair or foul. The arrest and illegal imprisonment of Imran Khan unfolds an unwarranted and fraudulent scheme of things orchestrated by Sharif brothers and a few Generals to have arranged fraudulent national elections in Feb 2024, and betray the nation. Some of the Generals view the new generation of educated and intelligent Pakistanis as a challenge to their authoritarianism and could drive the country to self-destruction. Imran Khan, a sportsman, well known personality worldwide appeared to carry a moral and intellectual profile unseen in previous leaders. His PTI party alleges American intervention in the political coup against him and removal from office. Strangely enough, often Imran Khan spoke of political changes but he lacked the capacity to dismantle the neocolonial systems of corruption and intrigues across the board. Few of the Generals and Sharif brothers feared the return of Imran Khan to power if fair elections were held, he could hold them responsible for corruption, looting of the treasury and egoistic political belligerency. If Imran Khan was conscientious and had reasoned advisory, he could have called an early election to undo the political conspiracy. Khan sounded more truthful and man of moral and intellectual integrity to assume the new generation leadership and be part of urgently needed domestic harmony and future-making.
To Foster Political Change, Nation Needs New Generation of Educated and Proactive People, Not Sharifs and Not Few Generals
The dramatic political changes happening in Bangladesh and the removal of PM Sheik Hasina brings optimism to Pakistani masses striving for political change. Symbolic structure of Sheikh Mujib is dismantled at Dhakka as the masses in Pakistan could force to make Sharif brothers, Zardari and a few Generals to flee the country. Criminals always fear accountability and voices of reason and masses to question them. Pakistan is being stabbed by vengeful intrigues of political power and insanity of the few. Progressive nations produce and bring the best and intelligent ones to the role of leadership and responsibility. Rationally arguable was the coming of PM Imran Khan – a hope for the future crushed by political intrigues, conspiracies of the few Generals and Sharif brothers- the indicted criminals. Something evocative and hauntingly familiar about the current imagery of failed political governance emerging across Pakistan.
We, the People of Pakistanlost half of our country (East Pakistan), and India occupied Kashmir by force and we continued to lose more in socioeconomic and political domains because of the dishonesty and failed leadership of Bhuttos, Sharifs and the Generals. These thugs stole billions and billions to buy palaces in the UK, France, Dubai and elsewhere in Europe. Please see more by this author, “British Colonialism and How India and Pakistan Lost National Freedom.”https://www.globalresearch.ca/british-colonialism-how-india-pakistan-lost-freedom/5765810and https://ms-my.facebook.com/Uncommon-Thought-Journal-161860380533165/photos/4916004181785404/and “Pakistan, Planned Political Chaos: Imran Khan a Victim of Hope for the Future”, Global Research: 11/06/2022.
Few Generals made Pakistan a Dead-Ended Culture of Thinking but the Neo-Colonial Elite are Wrong
If Bangladesh students and masses could oust the politically corrupt Sheik Hasina, surely Pakistani masses could do much better to drive the monsters out and bring a democratic political change. At the edge of reason, cynicism about politicians and few Generals is endemic and it exposes the imagery of a dead-ended culture of moral, political and intellectual landscape. Those occupying the political powerhouse view Pakistan as their own property not a trust and play with its destiny. They consider themselves above the law and reject any criticism against corrupt governance. Pakistan lost its natural capacity for change, progress and nation-building under the military dictators and continuous martial laws. Nations cease to exist when educated people of new generations who could have replaced the old and redundant guards leave the country and never return to build the nation.You may find ideas and ideals in“How to Change Political Culture of Corruption and Rebuild the Future?” 2/16/2019: Pressenza, NY. (https://www.pressenza.com/2019/02/pakistan-how-to-change-political-culture-of-corruption-and-rebuild-the-future/).
Truth telling is maligned and persecuted by the ruling neocolonial elite. The British changed the sub-continent in 90 years, but Pakistan after 77 years has no viable system of political governance. The Five Generals under the current Chief of the Army Staff, the Chief Justice Qazi Esa, Raja, the Election Commissioner must be tried for their crimes – holding fraudulent elections and deceiving the nation of its legitimate rights to foster political change. Otherwise, Pakistan and its freedom could be lost forever.Please see more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/17/senior-pakistan-official-admits-election-rigging-as-protests-grip-country“Pakistan: What Next after the Rigged National Elections?
https://countercurrents.org/2024/02/pakistan-what-next-after-the-rigged-national-elections/
The phony Five Pakistani Generals have no credibility or respect of the nation. There is nothing to celebrate Pakistan’s 77 independence day after the fraudulent national elections depriving the PTI and its leadership to form the next legitimate government. The Bangladesh masses discard the military and corrupt Awami League Party of Sheik Hasina and suggest Dr. Mohammad Yunus – a Nobel Laureate to form the interim Government. There are many educated Pakistanis of global moral and intellectual integrity to plan political change and meanwhile prepare and govern the country for a legitimate national election in a few months. The Chief of the Staff, General Assem Munir and Five conspiratorial Generals must see the mirror and realize what went wrong with their thinking, professionalism and honesty as they took oath to serve the nation. They all betrayed the nation and must be punished. Pakistan is fast becoming a trajectory of crime riddle political culture and it signals not just decadence but a downfall of the nation.
Dr. Mahboob A. Khawaja specializes in international affairs-global security, peace and conflict resolution with keen interests in Islamic-Western comparative cultures and civilizations, and author of several publications including the latest: One Humanity and the Remaking of Global Peace, Security and Conflict Resolution. Lambert Academic Publications, Germany, 12/2019.
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