ICYMI

Our roundup of stories you may have missed.

Massacre at Al-Aqsa and siege in northern Gaza

Images of Israeli strikes on Al-Aqsa hospital show burned tents and bodies of people seeking refuge at the hospital compound. In northern Gaza, Israeli forces have also returned to Jabalia refugee camp and imposed a siege. According to the UN and World Food Programme, no food or aid has entered the north of the Gaza strip since 1 October, putting the population again at risk of famine and disease. Until this day, Israel’s genocidal war has killed more than 42,200 people according to local health authorities. 

Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon

In the Lebanese capital Beirut, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 22 people on 11 October. The relentless attacks on Lebanon have killed many and displaced thousands of civilians from their homes across the country. In the south of Lebanon Israel attacked UN headquarters injuring two peacekeepers. On Sunday, a Hezbollah drone attack evaded the air defense system and damaged an Israeli army base killing 6 people.

USA and Germany make plans for weapon deliveries to Israel

While Israel continues the assault on Gaza and Lebanon, its Western allies Germany and the USA promise to send more weapons to the Israeli military. Following a missile attack on a town in northern Israel by Hezbollah, the pentagon vows to provide improved anti-missile systems. Germany chancellor Olaf Scholz plans to pick up arms and weapons exports to Israel after a drop in deliveries earlier this year.

German AfD politician accused of exploitative labour practices in Belarus 

The AfD far-right party member Jörg Dornau was accused of using Belarusian political prisoners as a source for cheap labour. Dornau owns an onion and vegetable plantation in the west of Belarus. According to the news agency Reform.news, he made a deal with local authorities to employ prisoners, including many political prisoners in opposition to President Alexander Lukashenko’s governance, on his workforce. So far, there have been no consequences and Jörg Dornau’s agricultural business continues to operate in Belarus.

Indigenous Day of Resistance 

12 October was Indigenous Day of Resistance. The date marks the anniversary of Columbus’ landing in the Americas in 1492 and with it the beginning of colonial violence enacted against the indigenous populations. Across South and Central America – known as Abya Yala among indigenous populations – protestors demanded justice and an end to the violence and discrimination they still experience as a continuation of colonialism.

Report of violent EU border pushbacks in Croatia

No Name Kitchen has accused Croatian police of violence along the nation’s border. No Name Kitchen is a grassroots organisation dedicated to aiding refugees and making their passage across the Balkans and the Mediterranean safer. They published “Burned Borders” an investigative report documenting illegal and violent tactics used by the Croatian police against people on the move. Evidence was gathered of people’s belongings being stolen and burned by authorities before being pushed back into Bosnia. Despite several testimonies from aid workers and journalists, Croatian authorities have denied the allegations.

115 people killed in a gang attack in Haiti

On 3 October the Gran Grif gang attacked civilians in a town in Artibone, the central region of Haiti. 115 people were killed and 6200 people fled the area out of fear of further violence. Survivors blamed the government inaction as plans for the attack had been shared on social media beforehand. According to the U.N., the Gran Grif gang has around 100 members and has been responsible for murders and kidnappings for nearly a decade. This attack comes in the midst of the gang violence capturing the entire island of Haiti since earlier this year.

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Photos by Matt Hrkac