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No Cease-Fire Until Hamas Is Destroyed, Israel Reiterates

Farrukh H. Saif
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No Cease-Fire Until Hamas Is Destroyed, Israel Reiterates

Israeli spokesperson has reiterated that there will be no cease-fire until Hamas is destroyed. An Israeli government’s spokesperson, Eylon Levy while responding to a question regarding a temporary cease-fire has sternly turned down all chances of a temporary cease-fire.

Elyon was asked by an international news outlet if Israel would agree to a ceasefire at some stage. He said this would not happen, not until Hamas was destroyed, further adding that a cease-fire was in place until October 7, when Hamas attacked southern Israel. Hamas “broke the ceasefire” when it “murdered 1,400 people and retreated back to the Gaza Strip”, Elyon said.

“We will not consider any ceasefire no matter how temporary, without the return of our hostages,” he said. This statement comes amidst calls for a temporary cease-fire from the international community. “There was a ceasefire on 6 October. Hamas broke it. It brutally murdered 1,400 people and then retreated back to the Gaza Strip. A ceasefire would literally let Hamas get away with murder. It would leave it free to do it again.”

Elyon Levy went on to clarify that Israel would not opt for a cease-fire until it has achieved its “war goals of destroying Hamas so it can never again hurt our people and never again perpetrate what it did on 7 October”. The Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, on Sunday, demanded the return of all the hostages being held by Hamas since October 7, rejecting calls for a temporary cease-fire. “There will be no ceasefire without the return of the hostages. This should be completely removed from the lexicon,” Netanyahu said. “We say this to our friends and to our enemies. We will simply continue until we defeat them. We have no alternative,” he stated.

The IDF has penetrated deep into Gaza, surrounding Gaza City while engaging Hamas militants in a close urban combat. The Israeli military has used a combination of ground troops together with the airforce and navy to pound Hamas in Gaza. The IDF has deepened its incursions into the Gaza Strip, aiming to annihilate Hamas command and control systems and infrastructure.

Gaza’s Largest Medical Hospital Likely To Turn Into A “Mass Grave” As Electricity Runs Out

Farrukh H. Saif
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Gaza’s Largest Medical Hospital Likely To Turn Into A “Mass Grave” As Electricity Runs Out

Al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza Strip’s largest medical facility faces the danger of turning into a “mass grave” as electricity runs out. The power supply is almost diminished, which means that all the hospitals will not be able to work throughout the besieged enclave.

Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sittah said on Thursday, November 2, that the Gaza Strip’s largest medical facility will be turned into a mass grave as it will no longer be able to work due to a power outage. On the other hand, the aid agencies are raising concerns that all the medical facilities across the besieged city will come to a standstill unless fuel is delivered to keep power lines running. Medics are already reeling as they struggle to treat severely injured people in large numbers.

“Unless there’s electricity, this hospital will turn into a mass grave. It’s as simple as that. if we cannot keep the ventilators running. If we can’t take our critically wounded patients back to the operating room, then there’s nothing for this place other than to come and die,” Dr. Abu-Sittah told CNN. Further remarking about the ongoing crisis, he said that his hospital is currently running on a single generator, as they had to switch the other generator off due to a shortage of fuel. This means that potentially patients can not be operated due to power outage as there will be no light. “This meant that parts of the hospital had to go without light tonight,” Dr. Abu-Sittah said.

Amidst the Israeli Military’s announcement that Gaza City has been besieged, Dr. Abu-Sittah said that he is determined not to leave his hospital. “I have no plans to leave the hospital or to leave my patients. My day involves operating from 8 o’clock in the morning till very late at night. These surgeries are done out of necessity, not out of some kind of luxury. And so if I’m not there, literally there’s nobody else there to do it,” he said.

The Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu, on the other hand, had rejected the US’ plea for a temporary cease-fire. “We won’t stop until victory,” he said. On November 3, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Prime Minister Netanyahu to urge protection for civilians in the fighting with Hamas.

Mass Deportation Of Undocumented Afghans From Pakistan Sparks Concerns

Farrukh H. Saif
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Mass Deportation Of Undocumented Afghans From Pakistan Sparks Concerns

Pakistan voluntarily. Masses of Afghans have left Pakistan already, as the Pakistani government announced that stern action will be taken against illegal refugees in Pakistan. About 60,000 Afghans have crossed the border, the Taliban government in Afghanistan maintains. Pakistan shares a border with Afghanistan which makes it the easiest destination. Since the 1979 Soviet invasion up till the return of the Taliban regime; masses have crossed the border making their way into Pakistan seeking a better life.

In the face of mounting pressure, thousands of Afghans in Pakistan have made their way back to Afghanistan in the last two months. The returnees expressed fear as they headed back to the Taliban rule, while others complained they had nothing to return to.

The Pakistan government says that in the last two months around 200,000 Afghan nationals have already left Pakistan ahead of the 1 November deadline. The government also says that the primary wave of deportations will target those without proper documentation – emphasizing that the move is only aimed at those who are in Pakistan illegally. Pakistan has been home to over four million Afghan migrants and refugees, about 1.7 million are undocumented, the Pakistan government claims.

Seeing the gravity of the matter and the consequences the deportations may have on the returnees, Human rights groups including Amnesty International and others have strongly criticized Pakistan’s deportation policy. Amnesty International claims that owing to the delays in the registration process, tens and thousands of new arrivals were unable to get themselves documented in Pakistan. Pakistan’s government was urged to rescind its decision, by Amnesty International stating that Afghan women and girls who return to Afghanistan at this point in time, in particular, would be put in “grave danger.”

The UNHCR has also expressed concern that certain groups of returnees including minorities, journalists, and women, could be put at risk. However, the UNHCR says they have received assurances from Pakistan government officials that these groups will not be forced to return.

Nonetheless, in the face of intense criticism, Pakistan’s government has lunged forward with its plans. Last week, Pakistan’s interior minister announced plans to open nationwide centers to help process detainees before deportation, further saying that the elderly, children, and women would be treated with extra care.

Israel Pushes Deeper Into Gaza, Freeing Hamas Captive

Farrukh H. Saif
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Israel Pushes Deeper Into Gaza, Freeing Hamas Captive

One IDF soldier was freed from the captivity of Hamas, as Israel continues a large ground offensive in the north and east of Gaza City. Israel has declared a new phase in the war, as the IDF forces push deeper into Gaza. The Israeli tanks and other armored vehicles rage through the Gaza City’s streets and roads.

The Israeli Premier has turned down calls for a cease-fire, also rejecting calls for a cease-fire to facilitate the release of Hamas captives. “Calls for a cease-fire are calls for Israel to surrender to Hamas,” he told a news conference. “That will not happen.” Welcoming the freed IDF soldier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this “achievement” by Israel’s security forces “illustrates our commitment to free all the hostages.”

Israel’s military, while giving details of the IDF soldier captured during Hamas’ inhumane onslaught on October 7 said this was the first captive rescued since weekslong war began. Military officials provided few details but said in a statement that the freed IDF soldier Pvt. Ori Megidish, 19, was “doing well” and had met with her family.

It is believed that Hamas and other militant groups are holding some 240 captives, including men, women, and children captured on October 7. PM Netanyahu has been facing increasing pressure to secure the release of the Hamas captives even as Israel is bent on crushing Hamas and ending its 16-year rule over the territory.

In a bid to get its captives free, Hamas has thus far released four hostages and has said it would let the others go in return for thousands of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, including many implicated in deadly attacks on Israelis. Israel on the other hand has sternly dismissed the offer, and PM Netanyahu said the ground invasion “creates the possibility” of getting the hostages out, adding that Hamas will “only do it under pressure.”

Israeli Troops Launch Brief Raid Into Gaza Strip Targeting Hamas Hideouts

Farrukh H. Saif
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Israeli Troops Launch Brief Raid Into Gaza Strip Targeting Hamas Hideouts

Israeli troops have launched a brief raid into the Gaza Strip to attack Hamas hideouts. The Israeli army radio describes a ‘relatively large’ ground incursion backed by infantry, tanks, and other vehicles. The military has confirmed the raid, saying the operation is a preparation for the next stage of combat. IDF additionally, publicized that after the raid Israeli soldiers had left the Gaza Strip and returned to Israel.

The Israeli army stated that the operation was “preparation for the next stages of combat” and that “the soldiers have since exited the area and returned to Israeli territory”. A local radio, on the other hand, reported that the raid was a “relatively large” ground incursion, indicating that it was the biggest swoop since Israel started deploying its armed forces ahead of the looming full-scale invasion.

Since the eruption of the deadly conflict on October 7, the Israel Defence Forces have made several incursions in order to investigate Hamas locations and gather information about Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, the Israeli jets continued to target terrorist hideouts in Gaza in preparation for the long-threatened ground incursion.

Since October 7, Israel has been pounding Gaza, after the Hamas militants launched a sortie killing 1,400 people in Israel, mostly civilians, and kidnapping 222 others. Hamas-run Palestinian health ministry claims that, as a result of Israeli bombardment more than 6,500 Palestinians have been killed. The death toll is expected to rise in case of a ground incursion.

However, there are doubts concerning the facts and figures aired by the Hamas-run Palestinian media and health ministry. US President Joe Biden remarking about the Palestinian credibility has said, “I have no notion that the Palestinians are telling the truth about how many people are killed. I’m sure innocents have been killed, and it’s a price of waging war,” he said. “But I have no confidence in the number that the Palestinians are using.”

The Israeli Premier, Benjamin Netanyahu said, Israel was “raining down hellfire” and that the ground offensive was being prepared. “I cannot say when, how or how many, nor all the elements that we are taking into account, of which most are not known to the public,” he added.

Murderer Of A Pakistani Christian Woman Over Marriage Refusal Receives Life Imprisonment

Farrukh H. Saif
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Murderer Of A Pakistani Christian Woman Over Marriage Refusal Receives Life Imprisonment

Man who killed a Pakistani Christian woman Sonia Allah Rakha has been awarded lifetime imprisonment sentence by a court. On November 2020, the victim 24-years-old at that time was gunned down by Muhammad Shehzad on Islamabad Highway while she was on her way to work.

In a landmark verdict, the Islamabad Sessions court judge Azam Khan handed down a 25-years imprisonment to Muhammad Shehzad.

During the case hearing, Judge Azam Khan, lauded the police for conducting thorough investigations into the case leaving no speck of doubt. Muhamamd Shehzad named as primary perpetrator while his suspected three accomplices were acquitted from the case. Family members of Sonia hail the court ruling saying that the decision has brought relief to the family members. Sonia’s father Allah Rakha stated that his daughter was not killed for doing anything wrong; instead she was killed for refusing marriage proposal of a Muslim man. He said that she was being coerced by the culprit to renounce her faith and marry him. Sonia had declined to renounce her faith and marry Shehzad.

It had ben revealed by the family members that Sonia had informed her mother about Shehzad’s marriage proposal and that she had declined. In an attempt to persuade Sonia to marry him, Shehzad had also sent his mother to Sonia’s house with a formal marriage proposal. Sonia’s mother respectfully turned down the proposal clarifying that the difference in religious backgrounds of both families will be unacceptable for communities and relatives of both families. The refusal, purportedly angered Shehzad leading him to gun down Sonia.


“She had been killed not for any wrongdoing but simply for refusing to marry a Muslim man,” Allah Rakha told a Pakistani news outlet. Over the past three years the family had to face a row of challenges viz emotional and financial.

Hamas-Israel War Death Count Crosses 3,000 Collectively For Both Sides, Reports Of People Burnt Alive By Hamas

Farrukh H. Saif
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Hamas-Israel War Death Count Crosses 3,000 Collectively For Both Sides, Reports Of People Burnt Alive By Hamas

Fourth day into the Israel-Hamas war, and the death count already soars pass 3,000. War intensifies amid rockets being fired from Lebanon in the north as well. Israel says areas near Gaza border have been recaptured from the clutches of Hamas militants. Israel claims to have found dead bodies of at least 1500 militants in southern towns near the Palestinian enclave.

Israeli warplanes continued to hammer Gaza strip targeting militants. An Israeli military official confirmed that the death toll from Hamas’ surprise attack over the weekend has now risen above 1,000. Brig Gen Dan Goldfus announced during a briefing on Tuesday, October 10 that the death toll in Israel alone has passed 1,000 while Israeli retaliatory offensive has claimed 830 lives on the other side and caused widespread destruction in Gaza.

On October 7, Saturday in the early morning hours militants infiltrated southern Israel using paragliders. They indiscriminately targeted the Israeli civilians and military alike. Several including men, women and children were taken hostages. The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel’s military campaign following Saturday’s onslaught was only the start of a sustained war to obliterate Hamas and “change the Middle East”. Rockets were fired at the Israeli city of Ashkelon after Hamas’s armed wing warned residents to leave the city. Meanwhile, an Israeli army chief said that babies were among those killed in a “massacre” at a kibbutz.

The UN said that nearly 2,00,000 people or almost tenth of the population in Gaza have fled their homes since the broke. Due to the blockade, the civilians in Gaza will face shortages of water and electricity.
Additionally an Israeli minister Nir Barkat told an international news outlet that Israel will “wipe out” Hamas after children were burnt alive, beheaded and shot in the head. He further said that the Israeli offensive will continue until there was a “clear white flag” and there was a “more moderate” replacement for Hamas to govenr the Gaza strip. “Just now, we have heard of 40 young boys, some of them were burnt alive, some were beheaded, some were shot in the head,” the minister said.

“The whole country is united to take Hamas out of this world, to take them out. All the militants, all the infrastructure, the people supporting Hamas. We will wipe them out. We’re coming in to kill the militants, and any civilians [should] move aside. If you do not move aside and you’re giving cover to the Hamas militants, you’re risking your life. We do not want to hurt innocent people,” Nir Barkat said.

Israel At War As Dozens Die In Hamas Attacks

Farrukh H. Saif
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Israel At War As Dozens Die In Hamas Attacks

Israel taken by surprise as Hamas militants launch a relentless attack in the south. Thousands of rockets were fired, while militant gunmen targeted civilians killing dozens and taking some captive.


In what is now the biggest assault in decades, at least 70 people have been killed by the militants. The paramedics said that apart from the casualties, hundreds of Israelis had been injured. Israel’s military, on the other hand also confirmed that the Palestinian militants had taken hostages, but did not confirm the number.

Israeli forces retaliated, and the fighting continues inside Israel. Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that he had order “an extensive mobilisation of reserves” and that they would “return fire of a magnitude that the enemy has not known”. Going on to say, PM Netanyahu avowed that “The enemy will pay an unprecedented price.” Meanwhile the Israeli air force struck multiple targets in the coastal enclave which is under Hamas control since 2007.


The assault apparently caught Israeli forces off-guard owing to the fact that Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah was being observed through the country. Dozens of Hamas militants sneaked into Israel on paragliders by land and from the sea. Thousands of rockets were fired in to Israel. “We’re fighting in certain locations around the Gaza Strip, in the Erez crossing, in Nahal Oz . . . also in the Re’im camp, which is [Israel’s Gaza] division headquarters,” Richard Hecht, a spokesman for Israel’s military said.

Warning sirens were set off by the rockets fired from Gaza across the southern and central Israel. Missiles targeted cities including Tel Aviv and Be’ersheva. Missile strikes destroyed buildings in southern city of Ashkelon while thud of interceptions was heard as far as Jerusalem. The Israeli military forces closed roads around Gaza and said that the south was being flooded with reinforcements in a bid to regain control of the situation.

Relief Goods From KPK Government Dispatched For Jaranwala Incident Affectees

Farrukh H. Saif
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Relief Goods From KPK Government Dispatched For Jaranwala Incident Affectees

The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had dispatched relief goods for the affectees of the Jaranwala arson. Along with a relief goods a high level delegation was sent to express solidarity with the victims. Jaranwala arson made national and international headlines in August when hundreds of houses of Christian residents, about 24 churches were desecrated, vandalized and torched.

On Monday, September 25 the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government as a gesture of solidarity with the homeless and destitute victims of heinous incident sent a delegation and relief goods. The delegation was led by Chief Khateeb KP Maulana Tayyab Qureshi. Bishop Sarfaraz Peter would hand over the relief goods to the affectees. Maulana Tayyab Qureshi stated that the purpose of sending relief goods to the affectees was to promote inter-faith harmony and express solidarity with the affected families. The delegation included minority leaders along with officers of Religious and Minority Affairs Department.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government dispatched 12 trucks loaded with relief supplies to the site providing assstance to the affected population. Dr Asad Ali, Secretary of Religious Affairs, announced that the relief goods dispatched include foam mattresses, blankets, emergency searchlights, and kitchen sets. More over, the aid package comprises first-aid kits, health hygiene kits, buckets, and mosquito nets are among other essential items. These items would be distributed among 600 families.

“We are mobilising all available resources to promote religious harmony,” Dr. Asad Ali said. He emphasized on the KPK government’s commitment to fostering interfaith unity and support for all communities in times of need. Dr Asad further explained that the KP Department of Religious Affairs stands in solidarity with the vicitms of Jaranwala incident. He said that the KPK government is committed and is actively working to provide equal rights to the minority communities in the KPK province. He said that various religious ceremonies and programmes for minority communities are organized at the government level.

The affectees of the incident are still reeling from the horrid turn of events on August 16, 2023 when a mob of hundreds of enraged extremists ransacked houses of Christians leaving nothing behind. The houses were torched reducing them to nothing. The vandals did not spare the churches; setting about 25 local churches on fire after desecrating them.


Apparently, alleged accusations of blasphemy sparked the incident. On Wednesday August 16, two local Christian brothers were charged with blasphemy for allegedly desecrating the Quran. The story was disseminated through loudspeakers in mosques and provoking videos were posted on social media inciting Muslims for vengeance. Local Christians had by then fled, anticipating an attack. The properties were left vacant and wide open for the vandals to ransack and set on fire.

Faisalabad: Priest Allegedly Tortured Intimidated To Forswear His “Assault” Narrative

Farrukh H. Saif
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Faisalabad: Priest Allegedly Tortured Intimidated To Forswear His “Assault” Narrative

According to a social media video showing Pastor Eleazar Sidhu also known as Pastor Vicky sobbing stating that he was coerced to renounce his statement that he was shot by a bearded man on Sunday, September 3, 2023. As the events unfold, on September 13, Pastor Vicky was terminated by the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan.

In keeping with details on September 3, Pastor Eleazar Sidhu sustained injuries from two gunshots in the incident. He reported the incident to the police on September 4, stating that he was shot by a “bearded person” while he was returning after Sunday prayers on September 3 from a nearby village in the evening.

Days after the incident a social video birthed a wave of controversy when Pastor Eleazar Sidhu allegedly confessed to police that he shot himself in the right arm. Emphatically, a video on the social video showed his confession, where Pastor Sindhu also admitted to planning this act without any fear, duress or pressure. The assault was termed as fake shooting incident by the police. Pastor Sindhu could be seen making the confession in front of a police officer, saying: “I did it because of stress. I wanted police protection. I threw the pistol in a canal.” The video shows the police officer replying: “Mr. Pastor you are a brother. We came when you complained. The doctor has stated that you harmed yourself.”

In response to Pastor Eleazar Sidhu’s alleged statement that he shot himself; the church reacted sternly. Reverend Pastor Altaf Khan, whilst stating on behalf of the board of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan maintained that Pastor Eleazar Sidhu stated that he shot and wounded his right hand on September 3.

Previously, on August 28, 2023 Pastor Sindhu lodged a police complaint that on August 26, graffiti appeared on his church walls. Islamic slogans were allegedly painted on the walls of his church by a hardliner religio-political party. The party was also nominated in six other police complaints inked to Jaranwala arson on August 16, 2023. Consequently, the police removed the graffiti from the church’s walls.

Pastor Ghazala Shafique who is a Pakistani Christian activist recorded a video of Pastor Eleazar Sindhu at his house. Pastor Sindhu stated that he was tortured and pressurized to renounce his initial statement. He detailed that he was illegally detained by the police. During detention, police did not give him anything to eat or drink. Pastor Eleazar is diabetic and he was not offered food or water to drink, he passed out due to low sugar level. “They did not give me water for 24 hours,” he said.

Pastor Eleazar stated that three policemen have been stationed inside his house. He complained that policemen are disturbing his family’s privacy. He said that he did not commit any crime, he can not understand why he is being tortured. He said that he was forced to state that he painted the slogans on his church walls. Four other Christians are in police custody. He stated that he did not shoot himself, while other Christians detained are being forced to false statements.

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