casualties

Palestinians seek refuge ahead of Rafah offensive

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Palestinians seek refuge ahead of Rafah offensive

Israeli forces are closing in on Rafah, a city in southern Gaza, where thousands of Hamas fighters are holed up. More than a million people are sheltering in the city, prompting warnings of a humanitarian catastrophe. Israel seized the main border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, cutting off aid. Residents have been ordered to leave as an assault is anticipated. Tens of thousands have fled the city, turning neighborhoods into ghost towns.

Boeing lands in Istanbul without front landing gear, no casualties [VIDEO]

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Boeing lands in Istanbul without front landing gear, no casualties [VIDEO]

A FedEx Airlines cargo plane landed at Istanbul Airport without its front landing gear deployed, following guidance from the control tower, but managed to stay on the runway. There were no casualties and the runway was temporarily closed after the incident.

Jordan’s King Abdullah presses Biden to avert Israel offensive in Rafah

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Jordan’s King Abdullah presses Biden to avert Israel offensive in Rafah

Jordan’s King Abdullah warned U.S. President Joe Biden that an Israeli offensive in Rafah could lead to a new massacre of Palestinian civilians and urged urgent international action. Israel carried out airstrikes in Rafah, prompting concerns about a regional conflict. Biden pressed Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu not to proceed with a large-scale military offensive in Rafah without a plan to protect civilians. The leaders discussed the need for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas. Jordan and other Arab states have been critical of Israel’s actions and have been calling for a ceasefire.

Israel strikes Gaza city of Rafah after evacuation order

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Israel strikes Gaza city of Rafah after evacuation order

Israel conducted airstrikes in Rafah after instructing Palestinians to evacuate parts of the city where over a million war-displaced people are sheltering. Ceasefire talks in Cairo are stalling, and Hamas warns that any Israeli operation in Rafah could jeopardize the truce negotiations. The evacuation order has sparked fears of a full-blown assault, with Hamas declaring readiness to defend Palestinians in Rafah. The UN and aid agencies have expressed concern over the humanitarian consequences of the evacuation. Israel has been threatening to launch incursions in Rafah, citing the presence of Hamas fighters and hostages. The US has urged Israel to pursue a hostage deal to avoid a military operation in Rafah.

Four civilians killed in Israeli strike on Lebanon border

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Four civilians killed in Israeli strike on Lebanon border

An Israeli airstrike killed four members of a family in a house in a border village in southern Lebanon. Meiss al Jabal has suffered damage in exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah since the start of the war in Gaza last October. Hezbollah retaliated by firing rockets at an Israeli town. Both sides have not engaged in all-out war, with casualties reported on both sides. Hamas militants from Gaza conducted a cross-border raid that resulted in many casualties, with thousands of Palestinians killed and wounded in Israel’s response.

Ending Gaza war would keep Hamas in power, Netanyahu says

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Ending Gaza war would keep Hamas in power, Netanyahu says

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Hamas demands to end the Gaza war in exchange for freeing hostages, stating that it would keep Hamas in power and pose a threat to Israel. Israel is willing to pause fighting to secure the release of over 130 hostages held by Hamas. Netanyahu expressed concern that if Hamas remained in power, they would continue carrying out massacres, rapes, and kidnappings. Hamas leaders in Cairo maintained their demand for an agreement to end the war in Gaza. The war began after Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, resulting in casualties and hostages. Israel’s military offensive has led to the deaths of over 34,600 Palestinians and caused a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

UN official rings alarm over Rafah attack, saying it could result in ‘slaughter’

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UN official rings alarm over Rafah attack, saying it could result in ‘slaughter’

An Israeli incursion in Rafah would endanger the lives of hundreds of thousands of Gazans and severely impact humanitarian operations in the enclave. Israel has warned of an operation against Hamas in Rafah, where displaced people are living in shelters. The U.N. humanitarian office expressed concerns about a potential civilian slaughter and disruption of aid operations, including medical clinics and food distribution. The World Health Organization has prepared a contingency plan, but it may not prevent a significant increase in casualties. Additionally, there are worries that an incursion could close the Rafah crossing, hindering the import of medical supplies.

Magnitude 6.0 quake strikes Philippines, aftershocks and damage expected

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Magnitude 6.0 quake strikes Philippines, aftershocks and damage expected

A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck off the island province of Leyte in central Philippines on Friday. The quake was recorded at a magnitude of 5.9 by the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), with a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles). There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties from the offshore quake. The Philippines is located in the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” known for volcanic activity and earthquakes. People panicked and rushed outside buildings when the earthquake hit, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

Israel intensifies strikes on Gaza’s Rafah ahead of threatened invasion

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Israel intensifies strikes on Gaza’s Rafah ahead of threatened invasion

Israel has increased airstrikes on Rafah, killing at least six Palestinians, as part of their ongoing conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces are preparing for an all-out assault on Hamas holdouts in Rafah, despite warnings from allies about potential mass casualties. Residents are fleeing the area, seeking safety in nearby locations, but many are uncertain about where to go. The conflict has resulted in significant civilian casualties and displacement, with the war now in its seventh month. Israel has vowed to eradicate Hamas, with the conflict showing no signs of abating.

On This Day: U.S. and Soviet armies met in German city of Torgau as WWII drew to a close

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On This Day: U.S. and Soviet armies met in German city of Torgau as WWII drew to a close

April 25 has seen a variety of significant events throughout history. In 1915, Australian and New Zealand troops landed at Gallipoli during World War One, resulting in thousands of casualties. In 1945, the U.S. and Soviet armies met in Torgau as World War Two ended in Europe. Other events on this date include Princess Diana meeting Pope John Paul II in 1985, the death of Ginger Rogers in 1995, and the arrest of former Philippine president Joseph Estrada in 2001. Additionally, in 2005, a train derailment in Japan resulted in the deaths of 107 people, marking the country’s worst rail accident in over 40 years. In 2007, Mexico City legalized abortion, and a funeral was held for former Russian President Boris Yeltsin in Moscow. Finally, in 2015, a powerful earthquake struck Nepal, resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives.