United News of Bangladesh

A Palestinian family divided between Israel and Gaza has reunited after nearly two years of war, displacement and personal tragedy. Mais al-Gharam, 23, had not seen her seven younger siblings since leaving Gaza for Israel shortly before the war began. During the conflict, an Israeli airstrike destroyed the family's home in central Gaza, killing her parents and one of her brothers. Earlier this month, Mais waited outside Israel's Kerem Shalom crossing, searching the crowd for her surviving siblings as they emerged from Gaza. "We never stopped being a family," she said. "But every day I wondered whether I would see them again." After years of legal efforts, Mais was finally able to bring her brothers and sisters, aged 8 to 22, to Israel. The siblings reunited at the border crossing and then travelled together to Nazareth, where relatives welcomed them with hugs and home-cooked meals. The reunion brought both relief and grief. Although the family was together again, they were also mourning the loss of their parents and younger brother. Their grandfather, Faraj al-Gharam, described the moment as "coming back from the grave." The family's story began in 2002 when Murad al-Gharam, a resident of Gaza, met Amal Karim, a Palestinian citizen of Israel from Nazareth, while working in Israel on a temporary permit. After marrying, the couple moved permanently to Gaza, where they raised eight children in Nuseirat refugee camp. Life changed dramatically after the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and led to Israel's military campaign in Gaza. Mais had already returned to Nazareth, where she married and found work. Her seven siblings, who were born in Gaza, were eligible to apply for Israeli citizenship through their mother, but their father was not. The family initially decided to remain together in Gaza rather than leave without him. As fighting intensified, they were displaced multiple times before returning to their home in Nuseirat. On July 10, 2024, an airstrike struck the house, killing Murad, Amal and their 11-year-old son, Maisara. The surviving children were injured but managed to reach Al Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, where doctors confirmed the deaths of their parents and brother. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the strike. After the attack, the older siblings took responsibility for caring for the younger children. They cooked, cleaned, collected firewood for heat and water, and even opened a small bakery to earn money while receiving support from relatives in Nazareth. Meanwhile, Mais worked with Israeli rights group HaMoked to secure permits, legal guardianship papers and citizenship applications for her siblings. According to HaMoked, the Israeli Interior Ministry initially rejected the request because the children's mother had died. The family was later required to undergo DNA testing to prove their relationship to Mais before the applications were approved. Nearly two years after the airstrike, the siblings crossed into Israel on July 8 and travelled to Nazareth. After arriving, they spoke not about politics but about ordinary plans for the future, including going back to school, seeing doctors and spending time with relatives. "Family is the most important thing," said Jwaher, one of the siblings.

Israel has been rapidly constructing a large earthen barrier inside the Gaza Strip, according to satellite images, reinforcing its control over more than half of the territory and raising concerns that the temporary military line could become a more permanent boundary. Satellite imagery reviewed by The Associated Press shows that more than 23 kilometres of the barrier have been built in recent months through areas where Palestinian communities were demolished. The structure stretches across much of Gaza, which is about 40 kilometres long and home to more than two million people. The Israeli military confirmed it has built a physical barrier along the so-called "yellow line" — the area where its forces withdrew under the ceasefire agreement reached with Hamas in October. The line was intended to be a temporary military boundary until a broader Israeli withdrawal could take place. However, with the ceasefire process stalled, many Palestinians fear the barrier could eventually become a permanent border dividing the enclave. The Israeli military said it has also established a security zone along the line equipped with surveillance and other technology. It said the barrier is intended to prevent infiltration and protect Israeli troops and nearby Israeli communities but declined to say how far the construction will extend. Construction progressing rapidlySatellite images indicate the barrier is expanding quickly. In southern Gaza, one section of the earthworks grew from about 500 metres to roughly 2.4 kilometres between July 1 and July 15, cutting across the area between the Israeli-controlled ruins of Rafah and the Muwasi area, where many displaced Palestinians are living in tent camps. The longest continuous section of the barrier now stretches nearly 17 kilometres from Khan Younis toward Gaza City. Construction on that section began in February and has continued steadily, with more than one kilometre added between late June and early July. Smaller, disconnected sections have also been built near the heavily damaged town of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza. Large areas under Israeli controlMost of Gaza's population is now concentrated west of the yellow line, where many people are living in overcrowded tent camps and relying on humanitarian aid. Satellite images show that on the Israeli-controlled side of the line, many towns, including much of Rafah, have been flattened by bulldozers and explosives. Roads, military bases and other infrastructure have been built in their place. Israel says it is destroying Hamas infrastructure as part of its military operations. The exact route of the yellow line has never been clearly defined. The Israeli military said it is working to mark the boundary more clearly to reduce accidental crossings. Israeli forces have repeatedly opened fire on Palestinians approaching or crossing the area. The military says it targets people suspected of posing a threat, although reports indicate that civilians, including children, have also been killed near the line. Ceasefire remains stalledAccording to Palestinian health officials, more than 1,100 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli military operations since the ceasefire began, most in airstrikes and drone attacks. During the same period, militant attacks have killed five Israeli soldiers. On Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City killed a couple and their four children, aged between 6 and 13, according to Shifa Hospital. The Israeli military said it had targeted Hamas militants operating in the area. The ceasefire agreement calls for Israel to eventually withdraw its forces to the edges of Gaza, where an international security force would take over. However, implementation has stalled amid continued disagreements between Israel and Hamas. Israel says Hamas has failed to disarm, while Hamas accuses Israel of violating the ceasefire. The war began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Since then, Israel's military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 73,000 people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which says women and children account for about half of the fatalities.

More than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip since a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect last October, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry said on Wednesday that 1,005 people have been killed in Israeli military operations since the truce began, amid continued airstrikes, shelling and gunfire in various parts of the enclave. The latest casualties followed a series of Israeli drone strikes over recent days targeting towns, refugee camps in central Gaza and areas of Gaza City. In the latest incident, an Israeli strike in Khan Younis in southern Gaza killed two Palestinians and injured six others, according to health officials at Nasser Hospital. The Israeli military confirmed carrying out the strike, saying it targeted a “terrorist,” but provided no further details. Relatives of the victims told hospital authorities that the attack hit a group of people near the beach in the Mawasi tent camp, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians are sheltering. Israel has maintained that it continues to conduct operations against Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza and has expanded the territory under its control inside the enclave. In a separate statement, the Israeli military said it had killed two militants belonging to Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement in strikes carried out over the weekend. Meanwhile, Gaza’s Health Ministry said on Sunday that the overall death toll from the Israel-Hamas war, which began in October 2023, has surpassed 73,000. The ministry does not distinguish between civilian and combatant casualties, though its records are generally regarded by international organizations as credible and are maintained by medical professionals.

A planned International Stabilization Force for Gaza, once announced with strong optimism by the United States, is now facing major uncertainty as promised troop contributions fail to materialize. The 20,000-member force was unveiled in February at the first meeting of former US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace. A US general assigned to lead the mission had said it would help bring long-term peace and stability after the devastating Israel–Hamas war. However, three months later, the force has yet to take shape, as none of the five countries that initially pledged troops have sent meaningful contributions. Efforts to support a fragile ceasefire have also slowed. Hamas has refused to disarm, while Israel has expanded its control in parts of Gaza and continued military strikes, which it says are aimed at militants but have also caused civilian casualties. The recent conflict involving Iran has further complicated the situation, making it politically difficult for Arab and Muslim countries to openly cooperate with the US and Israel. Rising global energy prices have also added economic pressure on potential contributors. Indonesia puts largest troop pledge on hold Indonesia, which had pledged the largest contribution of around 8,000 troops, has suspended its plan indefinitely. Around 1,000 troops were expected to be deployed in April, followed by more in June. Indonesia’s decision has been seen as a major setback for the initiative. Other pledged contributors include Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania. Indonesian officials said the suspension was due to unclear implementation plans and a lack of progress from Washington. They also pointed to rising tensions in the Middle East as a major concern. Officials in Jakarta said shifting regional dynamics and the ongoing US–Iran conflict had slowed down the entire peace initiative, leaving both the Board of Peace and the stabilization force effectively on hold. Public and political concerns in Indonesia Analysts say domestic opinion in Indonesia may also have influenced the decision. The war in Gaza and wider Middle East tensions remain unpopular among the Indonesian public, and rising prices linked to global instability have added to economic concerns. Experts also noted that many Indonesians are skeptical about whether the peace plan can truly improve conditions in Gaza. Indonesia has previously lost peacekeepers in Lebanon during clashes involving Israel and Hezbollah, which has further reduced public support for overseas military deployments. Disagreements over ceasefire progress US officials linked to the Board of Peace say the main obstacle to progress is Hamas’s refusal to disarm. They argue that the stabilization force cannot begin operations until the second phase of the ceasefire is agreed, which would include Hamas laying down weapons and Israel gradually withdrawing from parts of Gaza. Israeli forces currently control about 60% of the territory. Officials supporting the plan say armed groups must be removed before reconstruction can begin, warning that stability is impossible while militias remain active. Hamas blames Israel for delays Hamas, however, says Israel has repeatedly violated the ceasefire and is responsible for delays in implementing the agreement. The group also accuses US officials of taking Israel’s side. Local health authorities say more than 880 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began, although Israel says its strikes were in response to violations of the truce. According to mediators, Hamas is also demanding Israeli withdrawal from areas captured after the ceasefire began. Egypt has been acting as a key broker in the negotiations. Several countries that pledged troops have reportedly said they will not deploy forces unless there is clear agreement on Hamas disarmament. Limited commitments so far Some countries have only offered limited support. Kazakhstan says it will focus on humanitarian assistance, including medical teams. Albania has said its involvement remains under discussion, while Kosovo has indicated it is in the final stages of preparation to send a small number of troops. Morocco has not provided further details. So far, no participating country has confirmed that troops are on the ground. Future still uncertain Despite the setbacks, some analysts believe Indonesia could still reconsider its position in the future, depending on diplomatic progress. Observers say Indonesia’s leadership may still want to maintain strong ties with the United States while balancing domestic concerns and regional tensions.

Israel said on Wednesday that it had killed the newly appointed head of Hamas’ military wing in an airstrike in Gaza City, less than two weeks after his predecessor was also killed. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and the military said Tuesday’s airstrikes targeted Mohammed Odeh, who they claim was killed in the operation. Relatives of a man named Mohammed Odeh confirmed he died in the strike but did not verify whether he held a senior Hamas military position. Hamas has not issued any statement on the incident. Katz described him as “one of the masterminds” behind the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel and said this was the fourth time Israel had eliminated the head of Hamas’ armed wing since that assault. The previous commander, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, was reportedly killed on May 16. At least three people were killed and 12 others injured in the strike, which took place on the eve of Eid al-Adha, a major Islamic holiday. In a post on X, Katz vowed continued action against those involved in the October 7 attacks, saying they would be “eliminated everywhere” and that Hamas would not retain any governing or military control. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also reiterated that Israel would continue targeting anyone linked to the 2023 Hamas attack, as he prepares for upcoming elections. The strike came at a difficult time for Gaza residents, as Muslims marked Eid al-Adha under ongoing conflict and displacement. Many families in the territory are living in tents or temporary shelters after widespread destruction, with humanitarian conditions worsening. Eyewitnesses in Khan Younis and Gaza City said Eid celebrations were minimal, with widespread grief overshadowing the holiday. “This is not Eid… we’re dead,” said one displaced resident, describing the heavy toll of the ongoing war. Another displaced woman said the joy of Eid had disappeared due to the loss of loved ones, adding that the celebration now feels empty for many families. A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, agreed last October, remains fragile. Despite it, Israeli strikes have continued, with Palestinian health authorities reporting hundreds of deaths since it began. Israel says its operations respond to Hamas violations or threats. The war began after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that killed about 1,200 people in Israel and saw 251 others taken hostage. Gaza’s health ministry says more than 72,700 Palestinians have since been killed, though it does not separate civilians from fighters.

The Gaza Health Ministry said hospitals across the territory received 13 bodies, including one person who died from earlier injuries, and 57 wounded individuals over the past 24 hours, according to a report published by the official Palestinian news agency Wafa. Since the ceasefire began on October 11 last year, the death toll from Israeli attacks has reached 870, while the number of injured has risen to 2,543, the ministry added. During the same period, 771 bodies have also been recovered. Israel begins fresh strikes on Lebanon after ceasefire extension Medical officials said several victims are still trapped under rubble and on roads, as ambulance and rescue teams continue to face challenges in reaching affected areas. Officials further reported that one Palestinian died in a building collapse, bringing the total number of fatalities from building collapses to 30. With inputs from Al Jazeera.

Activists attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip by sea said Israeli forces intercepted their flotilla overnight while it was sailing near the Greek island of Crete, detaining crew members. The group said the boats were stopped hundreds of miles from Gaza in international waters. The Global Sumud Flotilla had set off earlier this month from Barcelona, with organisers saying more than 70 boats and about 1,000 people from different countries were involved. Additional vessels were expected to join as it moved across the Mediterranean. In a statement, the activists described the interception as a serious escalation, alleging civilians were detained far from the conflict zone. Israel’s Foreign Ministry said around 175 activists from more than 20 boats were being taken to Israel. According to tracking data shared by organisers, 22 boats had been stopped west of Crete, while several others were still heading east as of Thursday morning. Israel, along with Egypt, has maintained a blockade on Gaza since Hamas took control of the territory in 2007. Israel says the restrictions are necessary to stop weapons from reaching Hamas, while critics argue they have worsened humanitarian conditions for Palestinians. Turkey condemned the action, calling it a violation of international law and humanitarian principles. Turkish officials said the incident was discussed between the country’s foreign minister and his Spanish counterpart. Activists in Greece announced plans to stage a protest in Athens, claiming the interception took place within an area where Greece is responsible for search and rescue operations, and accusing authorities of failing to respond. Although a fragile ceasefire has reduced large-scale fighting in Gaza, violence has continued. Gaza’s Health Ministry says more than 790 people have been killed since the truce began, and over 72,000 Palestinians have died since the war started following the Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas-led militants on Israel that killed around 1,200 people. Around 2 million people in Gaza are still facing severe shortages of food and medicine, with limited aid entering through a single Israeli-controlled crossing. Organisers said the flotilla aimed to draw global attention to the humanitarian situation in Gaza, especially as international focus shifts to other conflicts. A similar attempt last year also failed after Israeli forces intercepted or turned back participating vessels. Some activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, were detained and later deported, with claims of mistreatment that Israel denied.

Representatives from more than 60 countries gathered in Brussels on Monday for talks with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohamed Mustafa on restoring stability, security and lasting peace in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank, as global focus remains on tensions in Iran and Lebanon. Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot, who is co-hosting the meeting with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, said the ongoing violence in the West Bank and the widespread destruction in Gaza are making a two-state solution increasingly difficult. He said Belgium, along with many European and Arab countries, still sees the two-state solution as the only practical way to achieve lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians, and to ensure regional stability. The European Union, a bloc of 27 nations, remains the largest donor to the Palestinian Authority, led by President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank. While the EU has not joined the peace framework initiated by US President Donald Trump, it continues to support a multilateral approach through the United Nations and international law, and is keen to maintain a role in Middle East diplomacy. Anger across Europe over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has led many EU leaders to criticise Israel’s military actions and increase pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Following the recent removal of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a close ally of Netanyahu, the bloc may now have enough support to consider tougher steps, including targeted sanctions on Israeli settlers or reviewing ties with Israel. Palestinians in the West Bank say Israel has tightened control over the territory amid the Iran conflict, with a rise in settler violence and stricter movement restrictions imposed by the military on security grounds. Speaking at the conference, Mustafa called for unified governance in Gaza under one authority, stressing the need for a single security system coordinated with international partners. He also urged the gradual disarmament of all armed groups and called for a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

Hamas has been steadily reasserting control over the Gaza Strip in the months following a ceasefire with Israel, despite suffering heavy losses during the war, according to residents, traders and activists in the territory. The ceasefire, brokered under a US-backed initiative last October, brought an end to nearly two years of fighting that devastated Gaza Strip. Much of Gaza’s infrastructure was destroyed, large parts of the population were displaced, and more than 72,000 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks, according to Gaza’s health authorities. Since the fighting subsided, local residents say Hamas has gradually restored its authority over security, taxation and basic government services. Police and internal security forces have returned to the streets, resuming patrols, controlling markets and pursuing those accused of collaboration or dissent. “Hamas has regained control over more than 90 percent of the areas where it operates,” said Gaza-based activist Mohammed Diab. He said residents are once again required to deal with Hamas-run institutions for identity documents, health services and legal matters, as the group moves to reassert influence over courts and the judiciary. Traders in markets across Gaza described a renewed enforcement of municipal fees and taxes. Several said Hamas authorities were aggressively collecting rent and levies at a time when livelihoods remain shattered. “They come every day with the same demands and threats,” said one displaced stallholder in Gaza City, speaking on condition of anonymity. “They say if we do not pay, they will throw us and our goods into the street. We cannot afford these payments.” With the easing of restrictions after the ceasefire, food and basic goods have begun flowing more freely into Gaza. However, traders with licences to import goods from Israel say Hamas has reinstated strict controls over taxation, with levies varying by type and quantity of merchandise. One importer said taxes could start from tens of thousands of shekels, adding that force or intimidation was used against those who refused to comply. Activists allege that payments are made in cash to avoid tracking and that Hamas has rebuilt a database of traders operating in the enclave. Responding to the allegations, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said Gaza was in a state of emergency and that “exceptional measures” were sometimes necessary. He argued that actions taken against traders were administrative and aimed at preventing profiteering, denying that they were linked to Hamas as a movement. Gaza has been governed by Hamas since 2007, and analysts say revenue collection is central to the group’s ability to pay salaries and maintain influence. The Israel Defense Forces have accused Hamas of using the ceasefire period to regroup and rebuild its military capacity. Israeli officials say attacks on their forces have continued since the truce began, while Gaza’s health authorities report hundreds of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes during the same period. The next phase of the US peace initiative for Gaza, led by President Donald Trump, hinges on the full disarmament of Hamas and the transfer of civilian authority to a Palestinian technocratic body. Negotiators are still grappling with how such disarmament would be implemented and verified. Hamas has said it is prepared to hand over governance to a new technocratic council, but critics and local activists say there is little evidence the group is ready to relinquish real power. Recent appointments to government positions and the visible presence of Hamas officials at key crossings and evacuation points have fuelled doubts about its intentions. As international plans for Gaza’s reconstruction move forward without Hamas’s formal involvement, analysts say the struggle for control is shifting from territory to people. After years of war over land and security, the contest for Gaza’s population — a key source of authority and revenue — appears to be entering a decisive phase.   With inputs from BBC

The U.N. Security Council will hold a high-level session on Wednesday to discuss the Gaza ceasefire agreement and Israel’s moves to tighten control in the West Bank, ahead of world leaders traveling to Washington for the first meeting of President Donald Trump’s proposed Board of Peace on the future of the Palestinian territories. The council meeting in New York had initially been set for Thursday but was brought forward after Trump scheduled the board’s gathering for the same day, which would have complicated travel for diplomats wishing to attend both events. The change highlights concerns about possible overlapping and competing agendas between the United Nations’ most powerful body and Trump’s new initiative, which aims to mediate global conflicts and has drawn unease in some countries. Palestinian U.N. Ambassador Riyad Mansour said he hopes the international community will “stop Israel and end their illegal effort against annexation,” whether discussions occur in Washington or New York. Foreign ministers from the United Kingdom, Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Indonesia, among others, are expected to join the monthly Middle East meeting of the 15-member council. Many Arab and Islamic nations had requested that Gaza and Israel’s controversial settlement expansion in the West Bank be discussed before some of them travel to Washington. Trump’s Board of Peace was originally envisioned as a small group overseeing his 20-point plan for Gaza’s future. However, his broader ambition to use the body as a mediator for conflicts worldwide has prompted skepticism among key allies. More than 20 countries have accepted invitations so far, but close U.S. partners including France and Germany have yet to join and have instead reaffirmed their support for the United Nations, which is undergoing reforms and facing funding cuts. U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz rejected concerns about the board’s makeup, telling conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt that relevant countries such as Qatar and Egypt — both in contact with Hamas leadership — have accepted invitations and are aligned with Washington. The council session comes a day after nearly all its 15 members, except the United States, along with dozens of diplomats, joined Mansour in issuing a statement on behalf of 80 countries and several organizations condemning Israel’s recent steps in the West Bank. The statement called for an immediate reversal and stressed strong opposition to any form of annexation. Israel is moving ahead with a controversial land regulation process that would deepen its authority in the occupied territory. Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen described the policy as amounting to “de facto sovereignty” that would block the creation of a Palestinian state. Palestinians, Arab states and human rights groups say the moves amount to illegal annexation of land where about 3.4 million Palestinians live and hope to form a future state. The meeting will also review the U.S.-brokered ceasefire that began on Oct. 10 after more than two years of war between Israel and Hamas. The United Kingdom, which holds the council presidency, said briefings will be delivered by U.N. political chief Rosemary DiCarlo, along with Israeli and Palestinian civil society representatives — the first such participation since the Oct. 7 attacks. Some parts of the ceasefire have progressed, including Hamas freeing all hostages it held and an increase in humanitarian aid entering Gaza, though the United Nations says assistance levels remain inadequate. A new technocratic committee has also been formed to manage Gaza’s daily governance. However, major challenges remain, including deploying an international security force, disarming Hamas and rebuilding Gaza. Trump said Board of Peace members have pledged $5 billion for reconstruction and will contribute thousands of personnel for stabilization and policing forces, though he provided no specifics. Indonesia’s military has indicated up to 8,000 troops could be ready by late June for a possible humanitarian and peace mission deployment to Gaza.