Gaza’s most prominent Islamic scholar, Professor Salman al-Dayah, has issued a powerful fatwa condemning Hamas’s 7 October attack on Israel. This rare critique, presented in a detailed six-page document, argues that the attack violated Islamic principles governing jihad by failing to consider the potential for excessive civilian casualties and widespread destruction. Dr Dayah, a respected religious authority in Gaza, emphasizes the importance of protecting non-combatants and avoiding actions that would provoke a disproportionate response from the enemy. He stresses that the attack’s devastating consequences directly contradict Islamic teachings and demonstrate a failure by Hamas to uphold its obligations to the Palestinian people.
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The Irish government has passed a non-binding motion acknowledging that “genocide is being perpetrated before our eyes by Israel in Gaza,” and will intervene in South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for genocide by the end of the year. This intervention will be based on a strict interpretation of the Genocide Convention, which Ireland believes will ensure the highest level of protection for civilians caught in armed conflict. While the Irish government has expressed concern about the conduct of both Israel and Hamas, it will not impose unilateral sanctions on Israel, instead relying on EU and UN Security Council sanctions. The government also asserted that Ireland does not export military goods to Israel and has strict regulations in place for dual-use item exports and overflights of sovereign airspace.
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Israeli forces have declared their intention to prevent the return of Palestinian residents to northern Gaza following a systematic evacuation. This action, which has been criticized by international humanitarian law experts as a potential war crime, has been justified by Israel as necessary to combat regrouped Hamas cells. While Israel denies forcing evacuations, residents have described dire conditions and a desperate flight south. Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon continues, marked by a deadly Israeli airstrike on a residential building in Barja and retaliatory rocket fire by Hezbollah targeting Israel.
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The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has stated that it is systematically removing Palestinians from northern Gaza and they will not be allowed to return. The IDF claims there are no civilians left in the north and that humanitarian aid will only be allowed to enter the south. This action has been condemned by international humanitarian law experts as a war crime, specifically forcible transfer and using food as a weapon. Residents in northern Gaza have described the conditions as the worst of the war, with many fleeing to the south without food or resources. Meanwhile, Israel’s war with Hezbollah continues, with an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon killing at least 30 people, many of whom were women and children. Hezbollah has vowed to continue fighting and has declared that no part of Israel is off-limits.
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Donald Trump won Dearborn and Hamtramck, two cities with high Arab American populations, likely due to anger within these communities over the Biden administration’s handling of the conflict in Gaza and support for Israel. Trump campaigned heavily in these cities, focusing on economic issues and promising to bring peace to the Middle East. While Trump saw substantial gains in both cities compared to 2020, Harris still won Hamtramck, a city with a high percentage of immigrants. This election underscores the influence of foreign policy and economic concerns on Arab American and Muslim voters in the United States.
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Hamas has officially acknowledged the death of Muhammad Deif, a figure regarded as almost mythical within the organization, killed during a July airstrike in Gaza. This admission carries heavy implications, not just for Hamas but for the entire geopolitical landscape in the region. The man who survived countless assassination attempts, whose name was whispered with a kind of reverence, is gone. What does this mean for Hamas moving forward? For me, it signals a potential point of no return for the organization.
Deif was seen as a legendary figure, much like a modern Robin Hood, in the eyes of many within Hamas.… Continue reading
The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit released a video clip of the interrogation of a staffer from the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Gaza. The details of the interrogation are yet to be disclosed.
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Israel’s recent move to drop leaflets over Gaza showing the deceased Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar has sparked mixed reactions among the residents and observers. The message on the leaflet, echoing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s sentiments, stated that “Hamas will no longer rule Gaza”. The strategy behind this action seems to be aimed at demoralizing Hamas fighters and potentially encouraging them to surrender and release hostages.
The imagery of showing Sinwar’s body on the leaflets is a bold and unconventional tactic. It serves not only as a message of defiance but also as a psychological warfare technique. By displaying the reality of Sinwar’s demise, Israel may be attempting to shatter the myth of his heroism perpetuated by Hamas supporters.… Continue reading
The news of FM Katz confirming Sinwar’s death is a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. As a teacher from Jabaliya expressed, there is a sense of relief that this could potentially bring an end to the war. Sinwar’s death opens up the possibility for the immediate release of hostages and could lead to a new reality in Gaza free from Hamas and Iranian control, as Katz suggested.
The sentiments expressed by individuals, such as hoping that Sinwar rots in hell, reflect the deep-seated emotions surrounding this issue. As Clarence Darrow once said, there can be a sense of satisfaction in the death of certain individuals, particularly those responsible for immense destruction and suffering.… Continue reading
The news of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar’s death has sent shockwaves through the Middle East, with reactions ranging from relief to celebration. As I read about his demise, I couldn’t help but reflect on the intricate web of violence and suffering that has plagued the region for decades. Sinwar, also known as the “butcher of khan yunis,” was a figure shrouded in controversy, with a notorious reputation for brutality towards both Israelis and Palestinians.
It’s crucial to acknowledge the complex nature of Sinwar’s legacy. While some view his death as a step towards peace, others see it as a mere blip in the ongoing conflict.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood