Palestinian Report: 165 Killed Since Early 2022 in Gaza, West Bank

A protester attempts to reach a camera during clashes following the funeral of seven-year-old Palestinian boy Rayyan Suleiman, who according to his father has died of heart failure while being chased by Israeli soldiers, east of Bethlehem, Israeli-occupied West Bank September 30, 2022. REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma
A protester attempts to reach a camera during clashes following the funeral of seven-year-old Palestinian boy Rayyan Suleiman, who according to his father has died of heart failure while being chased by Israeli soldiers, east of Bethlehem, Israeli-occupied West Bank September 30, 2022. REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma
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Palestinian Report: 165 Killed Since Early 2022 in Gaza, West Bank

A protester attempts to reach a camera during clashes following the funeral of seven-year-old Palestinian boy Rayyan Suleiman, who according to his father has died of heart failure while being chased by Israeli soldiers, east of Bethlehem, Israeli-occupied West Bank September 30, 2022. REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma
A protester attempts to reach a camera during clashes following the funeral of seven-year-old Palestinian boy Rayyan Suleiman, who according to his father has died of heart failure while being chased by Israeli soldiers, east of Bethlehem, Israeli-occupied West Bank September 30, 2022. REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma

Since the beginning of 2022, 165 Palestinians have killed in Gaza and the West Bank, a Palestinian report said on Sunday.

The National Grouping of Palestinian Martyrs’ Families said that among the fatalities, there are 88 Palestinians killed only in the past three months of this year.

The group said 113 Palestinians were killed by Israeli army gunfire in the West Bank, including Jerusalem and that the majority of fatalities were documented in Jenin Governorate, with 45 deaths.

According to the report published by the German news agency, 52 Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip during the latest round of military tension between the Islamic Jihad movement and Israel, in early August.

It said that the last three months recorded more deaths compared with the first six months of 2022, which recorded a 66 percent increase compared with the same period last year.

The number of child deaths topped 34, representing 21 percent of fatalities. In addition, the report documented the killing of 14 women.

It said that in seven years, the death toll of Palestinians reached 1,127, including 229 children and 71 women, representing 26 percent of the overall fatalities.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry accused Israel of insisting to raise tension to serve its colonial interests and to avoid implementing peace.

In a press statement, the ministry said Israel “disregards all international and regional demands and calls to stop its escalation and attacks on Palestinian citizens.”



Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)

Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain sparked controversy when he revealed that 50,000 Pakistanis have gone missing in Iraq over the years.

He urged the Baghdad government to immediately launch a probe into how the Pakistanis entered Iraq to visit religious sites during the month of Muharram, he was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Ummat newspaper.

Islamabad is investigating how people have traveled outside Pakistan through illegal means, he remarked.

The permanent committee for religious affairs and interfaith harmony has since proposed new policies for trips to holy sites in foreign countries, including Iraq.

In Iraq, the minister’s comments drew mockery and condemnation on social media and sparked renewed debate over illegal workers in the country.

Politician Mishaan al-Juburi urged the government to make a statement over Hussain’s comments, warning that they may impact security and the labor force.

Hussain’s comments coincided with Iraqi police announcing the arrest of six Pakistanis in Baghdad on charges of theft.

Previously, military intelligence also announced the arrest of a nine-member Pakistani kidnapping and extortion gang in Baghdad. The gang had kidnapped foreigners for ransom.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Ahmed al-Asadi expressed his concern and condemnation over the increasing number of illegal workers in Iraq.

He said his ministry will investigate the disappearance of the Pakistanis.

He confirmed that several tourists, including Pakistanis, have flocked to Iraq in recent days, and many have taken up employment without the necessary legal permits.

He warned that this phenomenon is negatively impacting the national economy.

The ministry will not be lenient in taking the necessary legal measures against the violators, he vowed.

Iraq welcomes all tourists, whether they are here on a religious visit or otherwise, but they must respect local laws and regulations, declared Asadi.

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala.