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Gaza Hospital Director Says 179 Buried In ‘Mass Grave’ In Compound
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The director of Gaza’s biggest hospital said Tuesday that 179 people, including babies and patients who died in the intensive care unit, had been buried in a “mass grave” at the complex.
“We were forced to bury them in a mass grave,” said Al-Shifa hospital director Mohammad Abu Salmiyah, adding that seven babies and 29 intensive care patients were among those buried after the hospital’s fuel supplies ran out.
Tanks were massed near the gates of Gaza’s main hospital where Palestinians were trapped in dire conditions as US President Joe Biden pressed Israel to protect the complex.
After days of heavy air strikes around Gaza City’s Al-Shifa hospital, witnesses said tanks and armoured vehicles were metres (yards) from the besieged facility, which has become a focal point of the five-week-old war.
The United Nations believes that thousands, and perhaps more than 10,000 people — patients, staff and displaced civilians — may be inside and unable to escape because of fierce fighting nearby.
Amid reports of premature babies dying for lack of electricity and patients facing gunfire, a surgeon working for Doctors Without Borders said the situation inside the hospital had become “very bad”.
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An injured man reacts by the bodies (not pictured) of Palestinians killed in clashes with Israeli forces during an operation in Tulkarm, at the Thabet hospital morgue in the same city in the occupied West Bank early on November 14, 2023. (Photo by Jaafar ASHTIYEH / AFP)
“We don’t have electricity. There’s no water in the hospital. There’s no food,” said the doctor, who was not named by his organisation. “It is inhuman.”
Israel accuses Hamas fighters of using tunnels under the hospital as a command “node”, effectively engaging the sick and injured as human shields. It is a charge that Hamas denies.
Israel says it is not targeting the hospital, but has vowed to destroy Hamas in response to the attacks of October 7, which killed an estimated 1,200 people, mostly civilians and resulted in 240 hostages being taken back to Gaza.
The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza says Israel’s assault has already killed 11,240 people, also mostly civilians, including thousands of children.
Israel says 46 of its troops have been killed in fighting in Gaza.
Biden called on Israel to use “less intrusive action relative to the hospital”, some of his most pointed comments on Israeli operations to date. “The hospital must be protected,” he told reporters.
Israeli military spokesman Peter Lerner insisted Al-Shifa was “central in Hamas’s command and control capabilities”, but said troops were currently “stand-offish”.
“The idea is to try to evacuate the people, evacuate as many as possible,” he said.
Underscoring the role that global public opinion is playing in the war, both sides have repeatedly given vastly different accounts of events.
Lerner put the number of people inside the hospital at “a few hundred”, while the Hamas government’s deputy health minister Youssef Abu Rish, who is present in the hospital, said about 20,000 displaced people had sought refuge there.
‘Window Of Legitimacy
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People mourn as they stand behind a metal fence near the bodies of victims who were killed in Israeli bombardment before their burial, outside the morgue at Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on November 14, 2023 amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP)
Hamas’s brutal attacks of October 7 and Israel’s massive response have sparked protests around the world, with hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets in the Middle East, Europe and beyond.
Israel’s supporters insist it must protect citizens after the worst attack in the country’s 75-year history — an attack that brought painful echoes of past pogroms against the Jewish people.
But Israel’s critics point to the toll of a blockade and near-relentless bombing campaign on long-suffering civilians in Gaza.
International aid agencies speak of hundreds of thousands of people displaced and a rolling humanitarian catastrophe.
Israel’s top diplomat admitted Monday that his nation has “two or three weeks until international pressure really steps up.”
Quoted by his spokesman, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen added that Israel is working to “broaden the window of legitimacy, and the fighting will carry on for as long as necessary.”
Truce Talks
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Israeli forces keep watch near a checkpoint as Palestinians demonstrate in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on November 10, 2023, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP)
In the face of mounting pressure, Israel has agreed to daily pauses in military operations around specified humanitarian “corridors” to allow Gazans to flee fighting.
Israeli leaders have so far insisted there will be no broader ceasefire before hostages are released.
But Qatar is mediating talks on a possible deal to free the hostages.
Abu Obeida, a spokesman for Hamas’s military wing, said Monday that a possible deal would involve the release 100 Israeli hostages in return for 200 Palestinian children and 75 women held in Israeli prisons.
“We informed the mediators we could release the hostages if we obtained five days of truce… and passage of aid to all of our people throughout the Gaza Strip, but the enemy is procrastinating,” Abu Obeida said in an audio statement.
Biden said he was “somewhat hopeful” the Qatar-mediated talks could lead to a deal.
As security officials and diplomats continued negotiations, Hamas released a video of a young woman who was said to be an Israeli soldier held in Gaza.
The Israeli army later confirmed the identity of the woman.
“Our hearts go out to the Marciano family, whose daughter, Noa, was brutally kidnapped by the Hamas terrorist organisation,” the army said in a statement.
Fear Of Violence Spreading
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A girl stands through the entrance of a tent among others pitched by Palestinians taking shelter from Israeli bombardment around Nasser Hospital, in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on November 14, 2023 amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP)
Army spokesman Daniel Hagari said troops “found signs that indicate that Hamas held hostages” in the basement of Al-Rantisi children’s hospital, showing footage of a baby bottle and a rope near a chair.
In the video he showed neatly arranged assault rifles, grenades and what Hagari said were “vests with explosives”.
The war in Gaza has also spurred violence on other fronts.
In the northern West Bank, five Palestinians were killed in clashes around the city of Tulkarem, the director of a local hospital told AFP on Tuesday.
After repeated strikes on US forces in the Middle East, the United States launched air attacks that killed at least eight pro-Iran fighters in eastern Syria, a Britain-based monitoring group said.
On Monday, Israel used fighter jets to strike what it said were “operational command centres” belonging to Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah inside Lebanon.
News
Ibadan North Bye-Election Aspirant, ‘Socrates’, Bags NANS Southwest Award
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The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone-D (Southwest), the umbrella body representing students across Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti States, has conferred an Award of Honour on one of its former leaders and a frontline aspirant in the forthcoming Ibadan North Federal Constituency bye-election, Hon. Monsuru Akintunde Adeyemo, popularly known as Socrates.
The prestigious recognition was bestowed during the NANS Zone-D inauguration ceremony held on Monday, February 10, 2025, at the FUOYE Part-time Centre, Federal University of Oye-Ekiti, Ayegbaju, Ekiti State.
While presenting the award, Com. Owolewa Taiwo, NANS Zone-D Coordinator, lauded Adeyemo for his selfless leadership and unwavering commitment to the association and Nigerian students. He described him as a pro-people thinker who served meritoriously and empowered many.
“Our amiable leader, Sir! Indeed, we’re proud of you, and we want to say thank you for all you’ve done for Nigerian students and humanity in general,” Owolewa said.
“On behalf of myself, the executives, leaders here present, and the entire Nigerian students in Yoruba land, I present this Award of Honour to you, Sir, Hon. Monsuru Akintunde Adeyemo (Socrates), in recognition of your invaluable contributions and meritorious service to NANS Southwest (Zone D).
“You’re being honoured with much appreciation and gratitude. May you continually flourish. Congratulations!”
In his appreciation and solidarity message, the politician, Adeyemo who was represented by the immediate past NANS/JCC Chairman in Oyo State and the current NANS Zone-D Contact and Mobilisation Secretary, Comrade Ridwan Ademola Adegoke (Pa Solution), thanked the association for recognising his contributions to students and humanity.
Describing the honour as a challenge to do more, he reaffirmed his commitment to serving the people.
“Indeed, I dearly use this medium to appreciate the current leadership of NANS Zone-D, capaciously led by our own valued brother and esteemed comrade, Owolewa Taiwo. Thank you for this wonderful meritorious ‘Award of Honour’ that was bestowed on me in recognition of my invaluable contributions and meritorious service to NANS Southwest (Zone D) as a leader and former coordinator of the zone.
“I remain pro-people, and I promise to do more.
“I’m humbled by your encomiums and acts of honour. Of course, this award is a testament to my selfless service to the people, and it is dedicated to all my fellow constituents of Ibadan North Federal Constituency and all my supporters at home and in the diaspora. Thank you all.”
Adeyemo, a renowned pan-African activist and communication professional, has been a pillar of support for student activism and youth empowerment, making him a celebrated figure in the Nigerian student movement.
News
Afenifere Chieftain, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Passes Away at 96
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Elder statesman and Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, has passed away. The renowned nationalist died peacefully on Friday morning at his residence in Lekki, Lagos, at the age of 96.
His family confirmed the development in a statement, expressing gratitude for a life dedicated to the service of God, the nation, and humanity.
“With a heart full of gratitude for a selfless life spent in the service of God, the nation, and humanity, we announce the passing on of our beloved patriarch, Chief Samuel Ayodele Adebanjo,” the statement read.
“The foremost nationalist, elder statesman, distinguished lawyer, very distinct politician, apostle of true federalism, former organising secretary of the Action Group, and national leader of Afenifere is survived by his 94-year-old wife, Chief Christy Ayo-Adebanjo, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
“We will forever cherish his commitment to fighting for truth, equity, and justice. His belief and struggle for a truly independent and progressive Nigeria was total, and this he fought for until he breathed his last.”
The family noted that consultations are ongoing with Pa Adebanjo’s associates, political allies, and various interest groups to plan a befitting funeral. Details of the burial arrangements will be announced in due course.
Meanwhile, a condolence register has been opened at his Lagos residence (8, Ayo Adebanjo Close, Lekki Phase 1) and his country home in Isanya Ogbo, near Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
Pa Adebanjo was a towering figure in Nigeria’s political history, known for his unwavering advocacy for true federalism, democracy, and justice. His passing marks the end of an era in Yoruba and Nigerian politics.
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Ex-Nation Bureau Chief, Oladele, Emerges Chairman as South West Online Publishers Get New Leadership
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The South West Guild of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) has elected a new executive team to steer the affairs of the association.
At a meeting held on Thursday at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, members elected former South West Bureau Chief of The Nation newspaper, Pastor Bisi Oladele, as Chairman. Also elected was a former Deputy Editor of Nigerian Tribune, Dapo Falade, who emerged as Vice Chairman.
Taiwo Oluwadamilare was appointed Secretary, while Joseph Okuwofu, a former correspondent of The Nation, was named Assistant Secretary. Others elected include Mrs. Oluwatoyin Malik as Treasurer, Temi Aboderin as Financial Secretary, and Remi Oladoye, who retained his position as Public Relations Officer (PRO).
The electoral process was coordinated by veteran journalist, Tunde Busari, a former Assistant Editor of Nigerian Tribune and ex-chairman of the Tribune Chapel of NUJ.
Busari urged the newly elected executive to justify the confidence reposed in them and work diligently to promote the association’s mission.
The outgoing Chairman of SWEGOP, Olayinka Agboola, assured the new leadership of his unwavering support, emphasising his commitment to offering guidance and collaboration whenever needed.
In his acceptance speech, Oladele expressed gratitude to members for their trust and pledged to uphold the integrity and growth of SWEGOP.
“We understand the challenges ahead, but with the support of our members and the outgoing executive, we are confident in achieving our goals. Thank you for entrusting us with this responsibility,” he stated.
He commended Agboola for his remarkable leadership over the past nine years, particularly in expanding SWEGOP’s membership and strengthening the guild.
Oladele further announced that the guild’s membership structure would be restructured, with fresh registration and new rules of engagement for members.
He called for unity, cooperation, and collective effort to advance the association’s objectives.
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