United News of Bangladesh

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Tuesday urged the world to act to prevent the total collapse of critical life-saving support in Gaza, where Israeli strikes continue to kill civilians, including in shelters and health facilities. “As the complete blockade of assistance essential for survival enters its ninth week, there must be concerted international efforts to stop this humanitarian catastrophe from reaching a new unseen level,” Türk said. Since 2 March, Israel has prevented the entry of food, fuel and other life-saving assistance to Gaza. Bakeries have now stopped working as flour and fuel have run out, and the remaining stocks of food are being rapidly depleted. “Any use of starvation of the civilian population as a method of war constitutes a war crime, and so do all forms of collective punishment,” the High Commissioner warned. A reported Israeli plan to declare Rafah governorate as a new “humanitarian zone” would require Palestinians to move there to receive food and humanitarian aid. “Such a plan will almost certainly mean large parts of Gaza and those who cannot easily move, including people with disabilities, those who are sick or injured, and women supporting entire families, will be forced to go without food,” Türk said. Israel continues to strike locations in Gaza where Palestinian civilians are sheltering.  Between 18 March and 27 April, the UN Human Rights Office recorded 259 attacks on residential buildings and 99 on tents of internally displaced people (IDP). Most of the attacks resulted in fatalities, including of women and children. Among the strikes on IDP tents, 40 reportedly took place in Al-Mawasi area, where the Israeli army repeatedly directed civilians to seek refuge. “These incidents reflect the pattern we have seen during this escalation, of attacks that raise grave concerns of violations of the principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions. Each of these incidents must be fully investigated. Intentionally directing attacks against civilians not taking a direct part in hostilities would constitute a war crime,” Türk stressed. There are also serious concerns of additional violations as the Israeli army continues to attack health facilities. On 22 and 24 April, the army reportedly struck the Martyr Mohammad Al Durrah Children’s Hospital, putting it completely out of service. Israel committing ‘Livestreamed Genocide’ in Gaza: Amnesty Meanwhile, Israeli forces have continued to target civilian objects indispensable to the survival of the population. On 21 and 22 April, they conducted apparently coordinated attacks in three governorates, destroying 36 heavy machines, including excavators, water trucks and sewer suction tanks. These were used for relief operations, such as removing debris, distributing water and repairing sanitation systems. “Such destruction significantly hinders access to water, degrades public health, and obstructs both the delivery of humanitarian aid and conduct of rescue operations, including retrieving the injured and the dead from under the rubble and clearing debris to allow the ambulances to get to the victims,” the High Commissioner said. Türk reiterated that the cumulative impact of Israeli forces’ conduct in Gaza raises serious concerns that Israel appears to be inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza conditions of life increasingly incompatible with their continued existence as a group in Gaza. “Third States have clear obligations under international law to ensure that such conduct stops immediately, and they must act accordingly,” Türk said. “They also must search for and bring to justice all perpetrators of crimes under international law, by whomever committed.”

The United Nations' highest court is set to hear from 40 countries Monday on what actions Israel must take to ensure humanitarian aid reaches Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. The case stems from a 2023 U.N. General Assembly request asking the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to assess Israel’s legal obligations after it barred the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, Gaza’s main aid lifeline, from operating. The United States, Israel’s closest ally, opposed the move. More than a month ago, Israel again cut off all aid to Gaza’s over 2 million residents. Israel disputes claims of shortages, insisting it has the right to block aid, saying Hamas diverts it for its own use. The ICJ, based in The Hague, has been asked for a non-binding advisory opinion — a legally significant but unenforceable judgment — which could take months. What is the International Court of Justice?Created after World War II, the ICJ is a U.N. body tasked with settling disputes between nations. Certain U.N. organizations, like the General Assembly, can request legal opinions from its 15 judges. All 193 U.N. member states belong to the ICJ, though not all recognize its authority in every case. Last year, the ICJ delivered a historic rebuke of Israel’s control over Palestinian territories, declaring it illegal and urging an end to the occupation. The court found Israel had no claim to sovereignty in those areas, violated laws against seizing territory by force, and obstructed Palestinian self-determination. Two decades earlier, the ICJ ruled Israel’s construction of a barrier between Israel and the West Bank violated international law, rejecting Israel’s security arguments. While Israel has avoided participating in past oral hearings, it has submitted written statements. What is the genocide case against Israel?South Africa brought a separate case last year, accusing Israel of genocide over its actions following Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack, which killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and resulted in 251 abductions. In response, Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 51,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. The devastation has left much of Gaza in ruins and millions displaced. Israel denies South Africa’s allegations, accusing it of offering political cover for Hamas. South Africa also asked the ICJ to impose emergency measures to protect Gaza’s civilians. The court has since issued several orders instructing Israel to prevent deaths, destruction, and acts of genocide — though final rulings will take years. ‘March for Gaza’ demonstrates Bangladesh’s continued support for Palestine: Home Adviser How is the ICJ different from the International Criminal Court?Unlike the ICJ, which handles legal disputes between nations, the International Criminal Court (ICC), established in 2002, prosecutes individuals for grave crimes like genocide and war crimes. In November, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas' military chief Mohammed Deif, accusing them of crimes against humanity tied to the Gaza conflict. The court found reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu and Gallant used “starvation as a method of warfare” and deliberately targeted civilians — accusations Israel denies. The ICC’s move marked the first time a sitting leader of a major U.S. ally faced such charges, triggering fierce backlash from Israel’s supporters, including the United States. Israel and the U.S. are not ICC members, but Palestine is — and in 2021, judges ruled that crimes on Palestinian territory fall within the court’s jurisdiction.

The World Food Program says its food stocks in the Gaza Strip have run out under Israel’s nearly 8-week-old blockade, ending a main source of sustenance for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in the territory. The WFP said in a statement that it delivered the last of its stocks to charity kitchens that it supports around Gaza. It said those kitchens are expected to run out of food in the coming days, reports AP. Some 80% of Gaza’s population of more than 2 million relies primarily on charity kitchens for food, because other sources have shut down under Israel’s blockade, according to the UN. The WFP has been supporting 47 kitchens that distribute 644,000 hot meals a day, said WFP spokesperson Abeer Etefa. At least 39 people killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza, Palestinians say It was not immediately clear how many kitchens would still be operating in Gaza if those shut down. But Etefa said the WFP-backed kitchens are the major ones in Gaza. Israel cut off entry of all food, fuel, medicine and other supplies to Gaza on March 2 and then resumed its bombardment and ground offensives two weeks later, shattering a two-month ceasefire with Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said again Saturday that Israel has “no choice” but to continue fighting in Gaza and will not end the war before destroying Hamas, freeing the hostages and ensuring that the territory won’t present a threat to Israel. The prime minister also repeated his vow to make sure Iran never gets a nuclear weapon. Netanyahu is under growing pressure at home not only from families of hostages and their supporters but also from reservist and retired Israeli soldiers who question the continuation of the war after Israel shattered a ceasefire last month. In his statement, he claimed that Hamas has rejected Israel’s latest proposal to free half the hostages for a continued ceasefire. The prime minister spoke after Israeli strikes killed more than 90 people in 48 hours, Gaza’s Health Ministry said Saturday. Israeli troops have been increasing their attacks to pressure Hamas to release the hostages and disarm. Children and women were among the 15 people killed overnight, according to hospital staff. At least 11 dead were in the southern city of Khan Younis, several of them in a tent in the Muwasi area where hundreds of thousands of displaced people stay, hospital workers said. Israel has designated it as a humanitarian zone. Mourners cradled and kissed the faces of the dead. A man stroked a child's forehead with his finger before body bags were closed. Israeli strikes on Gaza kill more than 90 people in the last 48hrs “Omar is gone ... I wish it was me," one brother cried out. Four other people were killed in strikes in Rafah city, including a mother and her daughter, according to the European Hospital, where the bodies were taken. Later on Saturday, an Israeli airstrike on a group of civilians west of Nuseirat in central Gaza killed one person, according to Al-Awda Hospital. Israel's military in a statement said it killed more than 40 militants over the weekend. Separately, the military said a soldier was killed Saturday in northern Gaza and confirmed it was the first soldier death since Israel resumed the war on March 18. Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, said it ambushed Israeli forces operating east of Gaza City’s al-Tuffah neighborhood. Israel has vowed to intensify attacks across Gaza and occupy indefinitely large “security zones” inside the small coastal strip of over 2 million people. Hamas wants Israeli forces to withdraw from the territory. Israel also has blockaded Gaza for the past six weeks, again barring the entry of food and other goods. This week, aid groups raised the alarm, saying thousands of children have become malnourished and most people are barely eating one meal a day as stocks dwindle, according to the United Nations. The head of the World Health Organization’s eastern Mediterranean office, Dr. Hanan Balkhy, on Friday urged the new U.S. ambassador in Israel, Mike Huckabee, to push the country to lift Gaza's blockade so medicines and other aid can enter. “I would wish for him to go in and see the situation firsthand,” she said. The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. Most of the hostages have been released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Hamas currently holds 59 hostages, 24 of them believed to be alive. Israeli airstrikes kill at Least 25 in Gaza; new U.S. Ambassador Huckabee makes first appearance Israel’s offensive has since killed over 51,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. The war has destroyed vast parts of Gaza and most of its food production capabilities. Around 90% of the population is displaced, with hundreds of thousands of people living in tent camps and bombed-out buildings. Frustration has been growing on both sides, with rare public protests against Hamas in Gaza and continued weekly rallies in Israel pressing the government to reach a deal to bring all hostages home. Thousands of Israelis joined protests Saturday night pressing for a deal. “Do what you should have done a long time ago. Bring them all back now! And in one deal. And if this means to stop the war, then stop the war,” former hostage Omer Shem Tov told a rally in Tel Aviv.

Israeli strikes in Gaza have killed more than 90 people in the last 48 hours, Gaza’s Health Ministry said Saturday, as Israeli troops ramp up attacks to pressure Hamas to release its hostages and disarm. The dead include 15 people who were killed overnight, among them women and children, some of who were sheltering in a designated humanitarian zone, according to hospital staff. At least 11 people were killed in the southern city of Khan Younis, several of them in a tent in the Mwasi area where hundreds of thousands of displaced people are living, hospital worker said. Israel has designated it as a humanitarian zone. Four other people were killed in separate strikes in Rafah city, including a mother and her daughter, according to the European Hospital, where the bodies were brought. Israel has vowed to intensify attacks across Gaza and occupy large “security zones” inside the strip. For six weeks Israel also has blockaded Gaza, barring the entry of food and other goods. This week, aid groups raised alarm saying that thousands of children have become malnourished, and most people are barely eating one meal a day as stocks dwindle, according to the United Nations. On Friday, Dr. Hanan Balkhy, the head of the World Health Organization’s eastern Mediterranean office, urged the new US ambassador in Israel, Mike Huckabee, to push the country to lift Gaza’s blockade so medicines and other aid can enter the strip. Israeli strikes kill at least 17 in Gaza “I would wish for him to go in and see the situation firsthand,” she said. In his first appearance as ambassador on Friday, Huckabee visited the Western Wall, the holiest Jewish prayer site in Jerusalem’s Old City. He inserted a prayer into the wall, which he said was handwritten by US President Donald Trump. Huckabee said every effort was being made to bring home the remaining hostages held by Hamas. The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. Most of the hostages have since been released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.

President of the Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) and former Ambassador M Humayun Kabir on Saturday said that lasting peace in Gaza cannot be achieved through the unity of the Muslim world alone. He emphasised that genuine and sustained efforts from the international community and the United Nations are indispensable. Speaking as the chief guest at a shadow parliament debate competition, Ambassador Humayun highlighted the critical role of the UN, which he said is widely recognised as the legitimate authority for maintaining international peace and security. At least 45 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza: Civil Defense The event was presided over by Debate for Democracy Chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron. "We need to have joint efforts engaging the international community, UN, and the Muslim world. Without the international community's support, only the Muslim world's unity is not enough," said the former diplomat, noting that what is happening in Gaza is inhumane, barbaric and extremely cruel. Over 50,000 people have been killed since October 2023, nearly a third of whom are children, according to the Ministry of Health. Israeli airstrikes kill at Least 25 in Gaza; new U.S. Ambassador Huckabee makes first appearance Since the resumption of hostilities on 18 March, more than 1,500 people have been killed, according to local authorities. According to the United Nations, at least 409 aid workers, most of whom were UNRWA staff, the main provider of humanitarian aid in Gaza, have been killed since October 2023. Ambassador Humayun said the people of Bangladesh and the government have always stood by the oppressed people of Palestine and continue to support their just cause. At the beginning of the debate, a minute of silence was observed in memory of those killed in the barbaric attack on Palestinians. In his speech, Chowdhury Kiron said Palestine is in a deep crisis today, and Gaza is swimming in blood. "No one - women, children, doctors, human rights activists, journalists - is spared from the Israeli genocide. Gaza has been turned into a city. There is no food, no water, no electricity, no medicine, no treatment in the death city of Gaza. The people buried under the rubble are desperate to survive," he said, adding that Gaza has been turned into a mass grave of Palestinians.  

Ilias Kanchan, chairman of Nirapad Sarak Chai (NISCHA), on Thursday urged the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and other influential global bodies to take effective measures to end Israel’s ongoing aggression on Gaza. He made the call while addressing a protest rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club, organised under the banner of ‘Protest Rally and Demonstration against Israeli Aggression and Genocide in Gaza and Rafah,”which started from NISCHA’s central office. “To stop this brutality by Israel, we all need to unite and raise our voices. If the OIC had taken a firm stance, Israel wouldn't have dared to carry out such atrocities. If the UN had fulfilled its responsibilities and taken effective actions, Israel wouldn’t have been uncontrolled,” Kanchan said. He condemned the atrocities against women and children in Gaza, saying, “Over 50,000 people including innocent children and our Palestinian brothers and sisters, have been killed. More than 100,000 have been injured. The condition of the bereaved and injured families is heart-wrenching and unbearable.” “That’s why we have taken to the streets—to protest and raise our voice. We don’t know how far this protest will go, but as human beings and as Muslims, we want to send our message to the global community,” he added. Addressing the ongoing boycott campaign of Israeli products, Kanchan said, “The call to boycott Israeli goods is a logical one. But no one should misuse this cause for personal gain. Those who are looting in the name of boycott are not aligned with our cause, and we cannot support that.” “We want to protest peacefully and resolve everything through peaceful means,” he said.  

International cinema has long engaged with the deeply complex realities of Palestine. Over decades, filmmakers have chronicled the Palestine-Israel backdrop with striking honesty and resilience. These cinematic narratives have earned critical acclaim and prestigious awards across global platforms. Let’s explore ten of the greatest films ever made on Palestine that continue to echo far beyond the screen. Top 10 Award-winning Palestinian Movies & Documentaries . No Other Land / 2024 / IMDb: 8.3 / Rotten Tomatoes: 100% (Audience) Created by a Palestinian-Israeli activist collective, the film documents a community’s resistance in the occupied West Bank (2019–2023). It confronts forced displacement after their land was declared an Israeli "firing zone." The documentary boasts Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, and Rachel Szor as its writers and directors in their directorial debut. Read more: Farewell to ACP Pradyuman: Tribute to Sony TV Crime Drama CID's Legendary Character This Yabayay Media and Antipode Films Production won Best Documentary Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards. Full Movie Link:https://www.bilibili.tv/en/video/4794982676436992?bstar_from=bstar-web.homepage.recommend.all Farha / 2021 / IMDb: 8.0 / Rotten Tomatoes: 87% (Audience) Directed and written by Darin J. Sallam, this historical drama film features Karam Taher in the titular role. The supporting cast includes Ashraf Barhom and Ali Suliman. Set during the 1948 Nakba, the film portrays a young Palestinian girl's coming-of-age. The screenplay was inspired by a real-life story of a girl named Radieh, which director Sallam heard in her childhood. Read more: Top 10 Netflix English Originals Releasing in May 2025 The produced credit goes to Deema Azar, William Johansson Kalen, and Ayah Jardaneh. Celebrated for its powerful storytelling, “Farha” seized the top youth feature title at the 2022 Asia Pacific Screen Awards. Instant Movie Stream: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8xmpas 5 Broken Cameras / 2011 / IMDb: 7.9 / Rotten Tomatoes: 88% (Audience) Capturing grassroots protests in Bil'in, this documentary unfolds through Emad Burnat’s lens, a Palestinian farmer who began filming in 2005; Israeli filmmaker Guy Davidi joined in 2009. The story revolves around the destruction of Burnat’s five cameras, tracing a family’s life across five years of unrest. This film’s award journey spans Sundance, the Golden Apricot in Yerevan, and a coveted International Emmy win. The crowning moment came with its Best Documentary nomination at the 2013 Oscars. Read more: April 2025 K-Drama Lineup: Top 10 Binge-worthy Premieres Direct Watch Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcTN3g-b0iA Omar / 2013 / IMDb: 7.5 / Rotten Tomatoes: 84% (Audience) Produced by David Gerson, Hany Abu-Assad, and Waleed Zuaiter, this drama film thrives with the writing and directing of Hany Abu-Assad. The plot centres on a young Palestinian fighter coerced into becoming an informant. He was being manipulated into admitting guilt following an Israeli soldier’s death. Adam Bakri embodies the title character, supported by Waleed Zuaiter and Leem Lubany. Read more: Pakistani Dramas Taking Over 2025: 10 Top Picks for Your Watchlist “Omar” took home accolades from Cannes and the Asia Pacific Screen Awards. Earning a spot among the 86th Oscar nominees for Best Foreign Language Film was its proudest distinction. Streaming Access: https://ww4.fmovies.co/film/omar-10224/ Paradise Now / 2005 / IMDb: 7.4 / Rotten Tomatoes: 87% (Audience) Bankrolled by Bero Beyer, this psychological drama flourishes under the direction of Hany Abu-Assad, who co-wrote it with Pierre Hodgson and Beyer. This intense drama traces the final hours of two childhood friends recruited for a suicide mission in Tel Aviv. Read more: April 2025 Hindi Films Lineup: Top 10 Most Hyped Bollywood Releases Kais Nashef, Ali Suliman, Lubna Azabal, and Hiam Abbass portray the main characters. The movie’s highest recognition arrived with a Golden Globe Award win and an Oscar nomination for the Best Foreign Language Film. Full Access Here: https://www.lookmovie2.to/movies/play/1689756712-paradise-now-2005

Gaza’s Ministry of Health says at least 60,000 children are now “at risk of serious health complications due to malnutrition” as Israel maintains a blockade on humanitarian aid, cutting off essential food and medical supplies since March 2. The warning came on Wednesday, a day after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres rejected a new Israeli proposal for overseeing aid deliveries, stating it would risk “further controlling and callously limiting aid down to the last calorie and grain of flour.” According to the Health Ministry, the lack of proper food and clean water is worsening health conditions, and the continuing ban on child vaccinations — including for polio — is deepening the crisis. With border crossings sealed, aid agencies have been unable to bring in life-saving supplies for over a month. The UN reports that 21 nutrition centres in Gaza have been forced to shut down, disrupting care for roughly 350 children already suffering from severe malnutrition. The World Food Programme (WFP) previously warned that intensified Israeli military operations have severely disrupted food aid efforts, putting hundreds of thousands at risk of hunger and malnutrition. “WFP and partners from the food security sector have been unable to bring new food supplies into Gaza for more than three weeks,” the agency said, adding that current stockpiles would only last up to two weeks. For over 18 months, Israel has repeatedly used food and humanitarian aid as a form of pressure on the Palestinian population during its military campaign, which the Health Ministry says has killed more than 50,000 people. ‘Throwing a stone is not terrorism’: Rights group slams killing of Palestinian-American teen Last week, COGAT — the Israeli military body overseeing civilian matters in occupied Palestinian territories — met with UN and international aid officials, proposing “a structured monitoring and aid entry mechanism” for Gaza. It claimed Hamas was diverting aid, though Jonathan Whittall, a senior UN official for Gaza and the occupied West Bank, said there was no evidence to support that claim. Meanwhile, Israel has also halted the flow of water from the Mekorot company to Gaza, cutting off about 70% of the enclave’s water supply. Hosni Mehanna, spokesperson for Gaza municipality, said the main pipeline in eastern Gaza City’s Shujayea neighbourhood has been affected amid ongoing Israeli assaults. “The reasons behind the interruption remain unclear, but we are coordinating with international organisations to inspect whether the pipeline was damaged due to the heavy Israeli bombardment in the area,” Mehanna said. “Regardless of the cause, the consequences are dire. If the flow of water from Mekorot is not restored soon, Gaza will face a full-blown water crisis,” he added. Source: Al Jazeera

At least 57 people have been killed and 137 others injured in Gaza over the past 24 hours, according to the latest update from Gaza’s Government Media Office. Since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18, the number of fatalities has climbed to 1,391, with 3,434 reported injuries. The total casualties since October 7, 2023, have now reached 50,752 deaths and 115,475 injuries, reports Al Jazeera. Israel bombs tent housing journalists in Gaza; kills 2 ,wounds 7