save palestine – I Stand With Palestine

‘March for Gaza’ rally in Dhaka, more than a million joined

ISWP Editor — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 23:46:46 +0000

Dhaka, April 12, 2025 — In a powerful display of solidarity with the Palestinian people, hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshis gathered at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka for the “March for Gaza” rally. The demonstration, organized by the Palestine Solidarity Movement Bangladesh, aimed to protest against Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip and to call for justice and international intervention.

Unprecedented Turnout

Organizers reported that more than one million people participated in the rally, making it one of the largest pro-Palestine demonstrations in the country’s history. Participants from various walks of life, including students, political activists, and members of civil society, joined the march, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans such as “Free Palestine” and “Stop the Israeli aggression.” Arab News

Symbolic Protests and Demands

The rally featured symbolic acts, including carrying bundles representing dead bodies to condemn Israel’s actions in Gaza. Protesters also displayed images of U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing them of supporting Israeli policies. AP News

The Palestine Solidarity Movement Bangladesh presented several demands during the rally:

Justice at the international court over the alleged massacre and ongoing attacks by Israeli forces in Gaza.
The interim government to terminate all contracts involving Israeli institutions.
A nationwide boycott of products made by companies associated with Israel.

The rally received backing from various political parties and organizations, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Islamist groups and other civil society organizations also expressed their solidarity with the cause. AP News

Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation with a population of approximately 170 million, has no diplomatic relations with Israel and officially supports an independent Palestinian state. AP News

Nationwide Impact

While the main rally took place in Dhaka, similar demonstrations were reported in other parts of the country, indicating widespread public support for the Palestinian cause. AP News

The “March for Gaza” rally underscores Bangladesh’s strong stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict and reflects the nation’s commitment to advocating for the rights of the Palestinian people.

Salah al-Bardawil, senior Hamas official killed in Israeli airstrike

ISWP Editor — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 07:56:42 +0000

In the early hours of Sunday, an Israeli airstrike on Khan Yunis killed Salah al-Bardawil, a senior Hamas official, along with his wife and child. The attack is part of ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza, marking the sixth consecutive day of strikes since the collapse of the ceasefire agreement.

According to reports, at least 34 Palestinians lost their lives in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Saturday. Since Tuesday, more than 600 Palestinians have been killed as Israel intensifies its military campaign.

Eyewitness accounts describe a devastating night, with Israeli forces targeting residential buildings filled with civilians. In the latest wave of attacks, 23 Palestinians were killed in Rafah and Khan Yunis in southern Gaza. The central areas of the strip remain under constant bombardment, with Israeli drones and fighter jets flying at low altitudes, dropping flares and striking targets.

There is growing concern that Israeli forces may attempt to seize full control of the Netzarim Corridor, a strategic route linking northern and southern Gaza. Reports indicate that Israeli troops have already taken control of parts of Salah al-Din Road, raising fears of further territorial division.

As the conflict intensifies, civil defense teams are struggling to rescue civilians trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings. The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, with escalating violence leaving many in Gaza in a state of fear and uncertainty.

News source- Al Jazeera

Airstrike on Gaza launched using advanced Jets and Drones

ISWP Editor — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 05:31:09 +0000

Israel launched a large-scale airstrike on Gaza on Tuesday, using more than 100 aircraft and drones. The attacks targeted key areas across the strip, including Jabalia in the north, Khan Younis and Nuseirat in the center, and Rafah in the south. Gaza was already one of the most densely populated areas in the world, with 5,500 people per square kilometer before the war. However, repeated bombings have forced people to flee their homes, packing so-called “humanitarian areas” with many times that number.

The heavy use of powerful bombs in crowded neighborhoods has led to a high number of civilian casualties. With no safe places to shelter, many people are trapped as attacks continue. On Tuesday morning, Rafah was under fire from three sides, with Israeli naval vessels and tanks attacking the city. The Israeli army has also ordered evacuations from areas near Khan Younis and Beit Hanoun after shelling them with artillery and tank fire.

Satellite images show a growing Israeli military presence around Rafah, with tanks and armored vehicles preparing for a possible ground invasion. The situation has sparked international concern, with humanitarian groups warning of a worsening crisis. Calls for a ceasefire continue, but Israel remains focused on its military objectives, leaving the future of Gaza uncertain.

News source- Al Jazeera

Israeli aid blockade shuts down Gaza’s community kitchens

ISWP Editor — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 21:43:24 +0000

For months, the people of Gaza have endured an unrelenting siege, facing cold, hunger, and constant bombing. With border crossings sealed, the flow of food has slowed to a trickle, leaving markets nearly empty and essential goods unaffordable. Now, the very community kitchens that once served as a lifeline for thousands are running out of options, forced to shut down due to extreme shortages.

These kitchens, which have been a crucial source of daily meals for displaced families, are now unable to function. There is no food, no gas, no wood—nothing left to keep them running. Starvation is no longer a slow threat; it is an immediate crisis affecting men, women, and children alike.

“I used to rely on this kitchen to feed my family,” said one resident. “Now, even they are struggling. My children are crying from hunger, and I have nothing to give them. I can’t afford to buy food—there is simply no way to survive.”

The border closures have done more than block food; they have blocked survival. As each day passes, the siege tightens, leaving Gaza’s most vulnerable without the basic means to sustain life. The people are not asking for luxury, only the right to eat, to nourish their children, and to live another day.

But as the kitchens close and supplies run out, even that right is slipping away.

Image source- Al Jazeera

Lifesaving dialysis resumes after 15 months in Gaza

ISWP Editor — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 23:10:43 +0000

In the war-torn region of Gaza, 11-year-old Nasim Mahra fights for survival as he undergoes dialysis treatment. Nasim, who suffered kidney failure three years ago, requires dialysis three times a week. However, due to the destruction of hospitals in Israeli airstrikes, he has missed several crucial sessions. His mother, Nad Mahra, has been desperately searching for facilities to treat her son while their family endures repeated displacement.

“As hospitals went out of operation, we were forced to run from one area to another, hoping to find a facility offering dialysis,” Nad said. Her husband carried their son throughout their search until he was detained by the Israeli military, leaving Nasim stranded. Fortunately, kind strangers returned him to his mother.

The Rantisi Hospital, the only facility offering pediatric dialysis in Gaza, has been severely impacted by the ongoing conflict. Previously equipped with 14 dialysis machines, it now functions with only six. Its capacity has dropped dramatically, now serving just 13 patients—less than a third of what it once could accommodate. The Israeli military’s attacks have forced many child patients to flee south, seeking care at Al-Aqsa Hospital. Sessions have been cut from three to two per week, and their duration shortened, leading to fatal consequences for many children.

Dialysis is essential for removing excess fluids and toxins from the blood when kidneys fail. Patients need clean water and a balanced diet, yet the war has made these necessities unattainable for many displaced families. Power outages have crippled water desalination plants, leaving vulnerable patients at risk of infections from contaminated water.

Even before the war, obtaining dialysis in Gaza was a challenge. Now, with the healthcare system collapsing, hundreds of children who rely on regular treatment are struggling to survive in dire conditions.

News source- Al Jazeera

Al Shifa hospital: Palestinians search for buried bodies

ISWP Editor — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 20:02:22 +0000

Palestinian families are gathering at Al-Shifa Hospital, searching for the remains of their loved ones. Teams from the Civil Defense Agency and the Health Ministry work to recover bodies buried in makeshift graves. Once Gaza’s largest and most vital medical facility, Al-Shifa was devastated during an Israeli siege in April last year, leaving hundreds dead.

Israeli forces claim that Hamas used Al-Shifa as a command center, but no concrete evidence has been provided to support this assertion. Meanwhile, Palestinians in Gaza are facing dire conditions as Israel’s total blockade enters its 12th day. No food, fuel, medicine, or humanitarian aid has been allowed into the enclave since the breakdown of the ceasefire, with Qatar now mediating talks in an attempt to restore it.

On the ground, the scenes at Al-Shifa are heart-wrenching. The hospital’s parking lot, once filled with cars, has turned into a burial site due to the intensity of the bombings. Families, unsure where their loved ones were laid to rest, are searching the site, hoping for closure. “I just want to find my son,” said one grieving mother. “He was taken to this hospital, and then we lost everything. I don’t even know where to look.”

The destruction of Al-Shifa Hospital also led to the deaths of many medical personnel. Survivors recall how a lack of oxygen and medical supplies resulted in the deaths of critically injured patients.

With the humanitarian crisis worsening, the tragedy at Al-Shifa is a grim reminder of the ongoing suffering in Gaza. Families continue to dig through the ruins, seeking closure while struggling to survive under siege.

News source- Al Jazeera

The horrible tactic of using starvation as an unfailing weapon

ISWP Editor — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 02:20:25 +0000

Israel’s decision to stop allowing goods and supplies into Gaza after 42 days has sparked global outrage. Starvation, often used as a weapon of war, is becoming a critical issue in Gaza as scientific studies reveal alarming health consequences. A recent study highlights significant weight loss in the northern Gaza Strip, with more than 98% of participants reporting weight loss, averaging 18 kg due to severe hunger. Many people are resorting to unsafe food sources, such as animal feed, leading to poisoning, disease, and long-term health damage.

Israel had previously allowed over 40,000 trucks to deliver more than half a million tons of food to Gaza, providing over 3,000 calories per person. Despite this, the humanitarian situation remains dire. By January 2024, 1.1 million people in Gaza were suffering from “catastrophic food insecurity” (IPC Phase 5), the final stage before famine. This crisis has been exacerbated by the longstanding blockade, which has hindered resources and imports for over 18 years.

The conflict has also devastated Gaza’s infrastructure. Food stores have been bombed, farmers killed, and those trying to provide food for the population have been targeted. One particularly tragic event was the “Flower Massacre,” where survivors risked their lives in the hopes of saving their children from starvation.

International condemnation is growing, with several nations and human rights organizations accusing Israel of violating international law by using starvation as a weapon of war. The question now is whether the global community will take action to hold those responsible accountable for these atrocities.

News source- Al Jazeera