Online Safety Bill and Anti-Terror Bill: law making to end democracy and fundamental rights

 

Illustration: Barry Downard

Lawyers warn of death knell for internet, freedom of expression by online safety bill

23 October 2023 Daily Mirror LK

·The petitioners warned that the Bill provides very little online safety but is drafted to stop people from expressing ideas and views on the internet and social media

·They showed how the Bill allows a five-member Commission to take down within 24 hours any post that they consider to be a false statement and warned that allowing five people who are not even part of the judiciary to decide on what is true or false is a very dangerous precedent that is aimed at drastically controlling millions of online users from sharing their ideas and views

·According to the Bill, the refusal to take down a post could result in a jail term imposed by a Magistrate not only on the individual but also on the service provider

·If the Bill goes through, Sri Lanka could lose Google, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp and even essential services such as Google search, Google Maps and G-mail

·The Bill has disregarded that many of the services used by millions of Sri Lankans are provided by international companies based outside of Sri Lanka who would rather stop the service and leave Sri Lanka rather than being subjected to the risks of this kind of high-handed governmental actions

·The lawyers warned that the Bill presented by the Minister of Public Security will be the death knell not only of freedom of expression but also of all businesses that operate on or use online services. They warned that this will give a very bad impression to the country struggling to attract foreign investors

The Bar Association, media institutions, advocacy groups, and more than 40 other petitioners challenged the Online Safety Bill in a two-day hearing before the Supreme Court judges Priyantha Jayawardhene, Achala Wengappuli, and Shiran Gunarathne last week.

The petitioners warned that the Bill provides very little online safety but is drafted to stop people from expressing ideas and views on the internet and social media. They showed how the Bill allows a five member Commission to take down within 24 hours any post that they consider to be a false statement and warned that allowing five people who are not even part of the judiciary to decide on what is true or false is a very dangerous precedent that is aimed at drastically controlling millions of online users from sharing their ideas and views.

This, they said, appears to be a reaction to political dissent that was part of the “Aragalaya”. They cited the example of how the ICCPR Act is abused under the guise of religious harmony, to harass people without managing to obtain a single conviction. Those provisions are repeated in the Bill taking out judicial oversight. Some said that having got rid of criminal defamation in 2003 bringing this Bill now is regressive.

According to the Bill, the refusal to take down a post could result in a jail term imposed by a Magistrate not only on the individual but also on the service provider. The Bill has disregarded that many of the services used by millions of Sri Lankans are provided by international companies based outside of Sri Lanka who would rather stop the service and leave Sri Lanka rather than being subjected to the risks of this kind of high-handed governmental actions that are contrary to internationally recognized standards that will not only drive up their compliance costs but would make compliance impractical.

If the Bill goes through Sri Lanka could lose Google, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp and even essential services such as Google search, Google Maps and G-mail. Some others bemoaned that the Bill has chosen to ignore that this kind of control has not worked elsewhere but highlighted to a danger of these being replaced by other companies that do not have privacy and safety precautions built in allowing anybody to eavesdrop and spy on people’s conversations. In the past there have been rumours of attempts to replace these current services like WhatsApp with other technologies that are hackable and allows clandestine monitoring. There are certain countries that have banned or driven out social media companies that have strict guidelines on freedom of expression to be replaced by service providers with a reputation notorious for not respecting privacy.

Viraj Dayarathne, Additional Solicitor General presented a large number of amendments at the commencement of the hearing which he said would be introduced at the Committee Stage. Many objected to this position saying that this is an attempt to by-pass the Supreme Court from making a determination. If the Bill is going to be drastically changed at the Committee Stage the proper course of action is to withdraw this Bill and present a fresh Bill with the changes so that the people would have a chance to challenge the Bill. Some said that the proposed amendments do not reduce the dangers that this Bill poses.

The lawyers warned that the Bill presented by the Minister of Public Security will be the death knell not only of freedom of expression but also of all businesses that operate on or use online services. They warned that this will give a very bad impression to the country struggling to attract foreign investors. Citing several key provisions in the Constitution as being violated, it was the common contention of the petitioners that the Bill has to be approved at a referendum if the government still wants to persist going down this route.

In the meantime, there were several social media posts by several individuals refuting that they were involved in the drafting of the Bill. Attempts by this paper to ascertain the names of those who in fact drafted this Bill was not successful.

Online Safety Bill and Anti-Terror Bill: law making to end democracy and fundamental rights

Monday, 23 October 2023 Daily FT

The proposed laws are a clear indication that the Government fears that its indifference to the grave hardships of the people in this economic crisis will not be tolerated, and will be resisted

 A group of 125 civil society leaders and 37 organisations and collectives has issued the following statement on the draconian Online Safety Bill and the Anti-Terror Bill alleging both will put an end to democracy and fundamental rights. They called upon the Government to withdraw both bills and engage in a public conversation with qualified persons and citizens on public policy. They also called upon the Members of Parliament to vote against these two bills. Following are excerpts of their 

The Government has included two Bills titled ‘The Online Safety Act’ (OSA) and the ‘Anti-Terror Act’ (ATA) in the Parliamentary Order Paper dated 3 October. Both Bills have sweeping provisions to seriously curtail and even violate the freedoms of expression, free speech, right to information, assembly and association. Both present fatal threats to democracy and fundamental rights in this country.

The OSA proposes to create an ‘Online Safety Commission’ appointed by the President and dismissed at his will and pleasure, which is given sweeping powers to determine if a statement is a ‘false statement’ and take measures to ‘prohibit’ it from circulation. The Commission has powers to issue directives to persons and online service providers to remove or block content, sites and locations. If its directives are not complied with, penal sanctions including prison sentences and fines can be imposed. The OSA will embed a culture of state harassment of online journalists and activists, artists, scholars, writers, trade unions, civil society organisations, including women’s groups, human rights defenders, professional organisations, and any citizen who dares to criticise Government and disagree with its policies and governance. 

Not only the Fundamental Rights of speech, expression and access to information, but the right to claim them through the connected rights of freedom of protest and association will be curtailed and destroyed by the State. The inevitable self-censorship of citizens and communities that can follow, will embed authoritarian and dictatorial governance that has no respect for the sovereignty of the Sri Lankan people that is a foundational value in our Constitution. The lack of accountability and corruption in governance that we see today will become a permanent aspect of governance. The impact on the life of a Sri Lankan citizen and another generation will be far reaching and hard to reverse. This will complete Sri Lanka’s transformation into a complete Orwellian State where what the ‘truth’ is will be determined and imposed exclusively by the State.

The ATA will be a reinvention of the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), which it claims to repeal. Under the ATA the definition of what comprises ‘terrorism’ is so vast and vague that any act can become an act of terror if the State deems it so. Any protest or strike can become an act of terror. Any instance of free speech can be deemed as inciting ‘terrorism’. Any organisation can be proscribed as a ‘terrorist’ association. Any publication can be deemed a ‘terrorist’ publication. Anyone associated with ‘terrorist’ suspects, by virtue of association and knowledge, can be punished. Detentions will be made through executive orders and the military has been given powers to arrest and detain, powers which it did not have even under the PTA. The ATA will create a permanent state of emergency where Sri Lanka will effectively become a military state functioning under the exclusive dictate of the Executive. 

Repealing the PTA has been a promise made to the nation and the global community of nations represented at the United Nations. What this bill does however is to increase the power of the State to repress citizens and deny the constitutionally guaranteed Fundamental Rights of the People. 

The proposed laws are a clear indication that the Government fears that its indifference to the grave hardships of the people in this economic crisis will not be tolerated, and will be resisted. The citizens of this country were not responsible for this manmade crisis. Instead of taking the responsibility for the crisis, the Government is making use of debt restructuring to make laws that encourage governance that is not accountable to the people and tries to legalise misuse of State power. Under the guise of domestic debt restructuring savings of the working people are being stolen. Under the guise of labour law reforms proposals are being pushed to bring an end to the right to unionise and exploit women’s labour. 

Women’s groups and activists have made an important contribution to ensuring that our laws and policies on women’s work conform to international ILO and other standards, and our Constitution. The proposed labour laws target women disproportionately, and will eliminate all these gains, embedding and encouraging exploitation of their labour. Even criticism of the transformation will be prevented by these repressive laws. 

We are still suffering the impact of repressive laws of the past, enacted in the name of national defence, stability, economic growth and development. What Government needs to do, is to learn from the past and engage in enlightened law making. That agenda must repeal repressive laws and respond to embedded corruption, foster national unity and equitable economic growth that benefits all citizens in our plural society. The Government’s intention in passing laws that violate the basic values of democratic governance in our Constitution, shows that they want to change course, and establish a political dictatorship. The pretext is debt restructuring and economic recovery from bankruptcy.

We as women’s groups and other civil society groups and concerned citizens call upon the Government to withdraw ALL these Bills from Parliament. Government must engage in a process of consultative law making that we saw when the Right to Information Bill was passed. That law has received praise for strengthening accountable governance in local and international reviews of governance in our country. MPs, whether or not they are unelected by the people, and come to Parliament from a national list, take an oath of office that must respect the responsibilities of office under the basic law of our country the Constitution. According to the Preamble to that document, their duty is: 

“to humbly acknowledge (their) obligation to ratify the immutable republican principle of representative democracy, assuring to all people Freedom Equality Justice Fundamental Human Rights and the Independence of the judiciary”. (PREAMBLE Constitution 1978)

We call upon the Government to withdraw all these bills, and engage in a public conversation with qualified persons and citizens on public policy in these important areas. We call upon all Members of Parliament to fulfil the above stated Constitutional mandate and vote against these repressive laws.

Individual signatories:

 1. A.C. Fathima Husna (Attorney at Law)

2. A. Rose (Community Activist)

3. Aakiya Aman (Entrepreneur)

4. Ambika Satkunanathan (former Human Rights Commissioner) 

5. Ameena Hussein (Writer)

6. Anberiya Haniffa (Director, Muslim Women’s Research and Action Forum, Development Consultant) 

7. Aneesa Firthous (Women’s rights Activist)

8. Annie Kurien (Director Centre for Social Concern)

9. Anuratha Rajaretnam (Coordinator Suriya)

10. Ashila Dandeniya (Labour Rights Activist)

11. Balarasa Ratneswary (Women’s Rights Activist)

12. Balasingam Sukitha (Women’s Rights Activist)

13. Bisliya Bhutto (former Local Authority Member)

14. Chamila Thushari (Women’s Labour Rights Activist)

15. Chandani Herath (Chairperson Sunila Women and Children Development Foundation)

16. Chriten jeyaseelan Augustalima (Social Media Activist – Mannar)

17. Deepika Udagama (Professor of Law University of Peradeniya Former Chairperson Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka)

18. Dr. Tush Wickramanayaka (Child Rights Activist) 

19. Dr. Chulani Kodikara (Polity Editorial Collective, Former Member of National Committee on Women 

20. Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy (Fellow International Centre for Ethnic Studies)

21. Dr. Ramani Jayasundera (Board Member Centre for Women’s Research)

22. Dr. Selvi Thiruchandran (Former Member RTI Commission and Executive Director Women’s Education and Research Centre)

23. Dr. Sepali Kottegoda (Director Programmes and Research, Women and Media Collective) 

24. Dr. Thiloma Munasinghe (Public Health Consultant)

25. Dr. Thiyagaraja Waradas (Human Rights Activist)

26. Duleep de Chickera (former Bishop, Anglican Church of SL)

27. Ermiza Tegal (Attorney at Law)

28. Faizun Zakeriya (Co-Founder and Director, Muslim Women’s Research and Action Forum) 

29. Fathima Ilma (Former Local Authority Member)

30. Geethika Dharmasinghe (Senior Lecturer University of Colombo)

31. Geoffrey Alagaratnam (PC Former President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka)

32. Hamthun Jumana (Women’s Rights Activist Mullaitheevu) 

33. J.R.A. Dorin (Community Activist) 

34. Janakie Seneviratne (Women’s Rights Activist)

35. Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala (Women’s Rights Activist)

36. Jegatheeswaran Thayalini (Women’s Rights Activist) 

37. Jegatheeswaran Varayalini (Women’s Rights Activist)

38. Jezima Ismail (Educationist, Former member Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Co-founder Muslim Women’s Research and Action Forum)

39. Justice Rohini Marasinge (Former Chairperson Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka) 

40. Juwairiya Mohideen (Women’s Rights Activist)

41. K. Nihal Ahamed (Social Activist – Ampara)

42. K. Yogeshwary (General Secretary Working Women Front – Katugastota)

43. Kanaka Abeygunawardana (Independent Consultant)

44. Kanthaiyah Kalaivani (Political Activist)

45. Karuppaiya Saththiyaseelan (Women’s Rights Activist)

46. Kathirkamanathan Hemalarha (Women’s Rights Activist)

47. Kiruthika Thurairajah (Independent Consultant)

48. Kunaraja Ajitha (Women’s Rights Activist)

49. Laxman Rajani (Social Worker)

50. M.Y. Minnathul Suheera (Attorney at Law)

51. M. Noorul Ismiya (Community Mobiliser)

52. Mahaluxmy Kurushanthan (Human Rights Defender – Mannar) 

53. Mahendiran Nirmalathevi (Women’s Rights Activist)

54. Maithreyi Rajasingam (Director – Vilithu)

55. Manjula Krishnamoorthy (Former Local Authority Member)

56. Mansoor Mafahira (Social Mobiliser – Mannar)

57. Marisa de Silva (Social Media and Community Activist)

58. Mohamed Majeed Jansila (Women’s Rights Activist – Mullaitheevu)

59. Mujeeba Mujeeb (Former Local Authority Member)

60. Nabeela Iqbal (Sisterhood Initiative)

61. Nadaraja Sumathy (CSO Activist – Ampara)

62. Nadhiha Abbas (Attorney at Law)

63. Nalini Rathnarajah (Women Human Rights Defender)

64. Nelum Gunesekera (Consultant – Gender and Social Inclusion)

65. Nirmalan Arththigan (Women’s Rights Activist)

66. P. Renukathevi (Program manager ESDF – Batticaloa) 

67. Padma Pushpakanthi (Social Activist)

68. Padmini Weerasuriya (Executive Director)

69. Prema Gamage (Gender and Development Consultant)

70. Priyanthi Fernando (Former Executive Director Centre for Poverty Analysis Sri Lanka and International Women’s Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific)

71. Prof. Gameela Samarasinghe (University of Colombo)

72. Prof. Harendra de Silva (Emeritus Professor of Paediatrics University of Colombo and Former Chairperson National Child Protection)    

73. Prof. Savithri Goonesekere (Emeritus Professor of Law, Former Vice Chancellor University of Colombo)

74. Prof. Camena Gunaratne (Open University) 

75. Rajabdeen Rasika (Women’s Rights Activist Mullaitheevu)

76. Rajany Rajeshwary (Feminist – Jaffna)

77. Ramani Mutthetuwegama (Attorney at Law)

78. Ranitha Gnanarajah (Attorney at Law)

79. Ravinthiran Kounthini (Women’s Rights Activist)

80. Rev. Dr. Jayasiri T. Peiris Former General Secretary of the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka and Former Principal, Theological College of Lanka)

81. Rev. S.D.P. Selvan 

82. Rifa Mohamed Musthafa (Social Activist – Ampara)

83. Rifsana Fiqry (Entrepreneur) 

84. Rizani Hamin (Women’s Rights Activist)

85. S. Janeeta (Social Activist – Ampara)

86. Safana Gul Begum (Attorney at Law)

87. Sakuntala Kadirgamar (Executive Director, Law and Society Trust)

88. Saliya Peries (PC Former President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka)

89. Sarala Emanuel (Independent Researcher) 

90. Saratha Thevi (Psychosocial Counsellor)

91. Saththiyaseelan Niththis (Women’s Rights Activist) 

92. Selvanathan Tharsan (Women’s Rights Activist)

93. Selvarasa Jeyantha (Women’s Rights Activist – Mannar) 

94. Selvarasa Thileepan (Women’s Rights Activist)

95. Shafinaz Hassendeen (Retired International Labour Organisation Official, Director, Muslim Women’s Research and Action Forum)

96. Shareefa Ameer (Entrepreneur)

97. Shiranee Mills (Executive Director, Women’s Education and Research Centre)

98. Shireen Samarasuriya (Director, Voice of Women)

99. Shreen Saroor (Human Rights Activist)

100. Shyama Salgado (Retired Official International Labour Organisation) 

101. Shyamala Gomez (Women’s Rights Activist)

102. Shyamala Sivagurunathan (Independent Consultant)

103. Shydha Zaara (Scoal Activist)

104. Sirany Thevakumar (Women Human Rights Defender)

105. Sithravel Ethayarani (Women’s Rights Activist)

106. Sitraleka Maunaguru (Independent Feminist Researcher – Batticaloa) 

107. Siva Mariyarosalin (Women’s Rights Activist)

108. Sri Easwaray (Women’s Rights Activist)

109. Sri Kopika (Women’s Rights Activist)

110. Sulochana Peiris (Independent Writer and Documentary Maker)

111. Sumika Perera (Director, Women’s Resource Centre, Kurunegala) 

112. Suntharalingam Saththiya (Women’s Rights Activist)

113. Suntharampillai Suganthi (Women’s Rights Activist)

114. Surendran Thamilini (Women’s Rights Activist – Mannar) 

115. Suresh Jayawardhane (Freelance Consultant and CSO Activist)

116. Swasthika Arulingham (President Commercial Industrial Workers’ Union)

117. Thadchanamoorthy Navajothy (Women Human Rights Defender – Batticaloa)

118. Tharanga de Silva (Women and Media Collective) 

119. Vanie Simon (Women’s Rights Activist)

120. Vibooshi Balakrishnan (Human Rights Activist)

121. Vijayatheva Sasikala (Former Municipal Council Member – Batticaloa)

122. Vijitha Ehamparanathan (Women’s Rights Activist – Trincomalee)

123. Vipulan Shamini (Women’s Rights Activist)

124. Vivekananth Sinthuka (Women’s Rights Activist)

125. Y. Rinoza (Social Activist – Ampara)

Organisations and Collectives:

1. Affected Women’s Forum 

2. Alliance for Minorities 

3. Ampara District Alliance for Land Right (ADALR)

4. Cantre for Women’s Research 

5. Centre for Equality and Justice 

6. Centre for Social Concerns

7. Community Welfare Fund Sri Lanka

8. Dabindu Collective

9. Forum of Women Human Rights Defenders, Eastern Province 

10. Human Elevation Organization (HEO)

11. Law and Society Trust 

12. Liberation Movement 

13. Malarum Mottukal Collective – Mannar

14. Mannar Women’s Development Federation

15. Muslim Women’s Development Trust 

16. Muslim Women’s Research and Action Forum

17. Network of Women in local politics, Eastern Province

18. Network of Women with disabilities, Batticaloa district 

19. Puttalam District Women’s Self Employment Reconciliation Forum 

20. Rainbow Pillars for Creativity (Batticaloa)

21. Rural Development Foundation

22. Savisthri National Women’s Movement

23. Sri Vimukthi Fisher Women’s Organisation (Negombo)

24. Stand Up Movement Lanka

25. Suriya Women’s Development Centre 

26. Vallamai-Movement for Social Change 

27. VILUTHU

28. Voice of Women 

29. Women Actions for Independent Development – WOMEN AID 

30. Women and Media Collective 

31. Women Development innovators 

32. Women’s Action for Social Justice 

33. Women’s Centre Sri Lanka 

34. Women’s Action Network 

35. Women’s Education and Research Centre

36. Women’s Resource Centre, Kurunegala

37. Working Women’s Front

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இஸ்ரேல் போர் எதிர்ப்பு கழகக் கண்டன முழக்கங்கள்

 * இலங்கைக்கு... ஈழம்! இஸ்ரேலுக்கு… பாலஸ்தீனம்! பாலஸ்தீன விடுதலை யுத்தத்தை ஆதரிப்போம்!

* அமெரிக்க நேட்டோவே! அதன் வேட்டை நாயான இஸ்ரேல் அரசே! பாலஸ்தீனத்தின் மீதான ஆக்கிரமிப்பு யுத்தத்தை உடனே நிறுத்து! மேற்கு கரை, காஸாவில் இருந்து வெளியேறு!

* பாலஸ்தீன பகுதிகளில் இஸ்ரேலின் யூதமயமாக்கல், இராணுவமயமாக்கலை எதிர்ப்போம்!

* ஜியோனிச இன-மதவெறிப் பாசிசம் பாலஸ்தீனத்திற்கு மட்டுமல்ல யூத உழைக்கும் மக்களுக்கும் எதிரானதே! யூத-பாலஸ்தீன உழைக்கும் மக்களின் ஒற்றுமைக்காக போராடுவோம்!!

* கார்ப்பரேட் நலன்களுக்கான ஜியோனிச, இந்துத்துவ பாசிசக் கூட்டை முறியடிப்போம்! இனப் படுகொலைக்கு ஆதரவு தரும் மோடி ஆட்சியை தூக்கியெறிவோம்!

* அமெரிக்க-நேட்டோ, ரசிய-சீன ஏகாதிபத்திய முகாம்களின் செல்வாக்கு மண்டலங்களுக்கான யுத்தகளமாக மத்திய கிழக்கை மாற்ற அனுமதியோம்!

* ஓஸ்லோ ஒப்பந்தம் – இருதேசக் கொள்கை மூலம் பாசிச இஸ்ரேல் - இன ஒடுக்குமுறை அரசுக்கு துணைபோகும் ரஷ்ய-சீன கார்ப்பரேட் நலன்களை எதிர்ப்போம்!

* உலகத் தொழிலாளர்களே! ஒடுக்கப்பட்ட தேசங்களே! பாலஸ்தீன விடுதலைக்கு ஆதரவாக கிளர்ந்தெழுவோம்! பாசிச இஸ்ரேல் அரசை மத்தியதரைக் கடலில் தூக்கியெறிவோம்!

மக்கள் ஜனநாயக இளைஞர் கழகம், தமிழ்நாடு

'' I urge Israel right of defence ''-Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby

 

Archbishop of Canterbury statement on Israel and Gaza

13/10/2023 Statement by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Welby:

‘Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee’ (Psalm 122) 

Our grief and shock only grows greater as more devastating news and images emerge from the abhorrent terrorist attacks in Israel. The agonising suffering endured by those who were targeted and their families can scarcely be imagined. Our hearts are broken open by the grief of Israelis and our Jewish brothers and sisters around the world, for whom this trauma and loss stands in the dark and terrible shadow of the worst days of their history. 

I beg that those who have been taken hostage are set free into safety, that they and their loved ones might be released from the horror of their captivity. The anger felt by the people of Israel at the cruelty they have experienced is entirely justified. Many around the world share in that anger. 

But in the face of a ground offensive in Gaza, I plead that the sins of Hamas are not borne by the citizens of Gaza, who themselves have faced such suffering over many decades. The price of evil cannot be paid by the innocent. Civilians cannot bear the costs of terrorists. International humanitarian law recognises that, for the sake of everyone’s humanity, some acts can never be permissible in the chaos of warfare. I pray that Israel does everything it can to limit the harm caused to innocent civilians. 

Over two million civilians in Gaza, half of them children, are facing a catastrophe. A humanitarian corridor and convoy are needed as rapidly as possible, as set out in the Geneva Conventions. I pray particularly for the Anglican-run Ahli Arab Hospital and all those caring for the injured, who need medical supplies and generator fuel. 

I join with the US Secretary of State and others in urging the Israeli government to exercise their right of defence with the wisdom that might break the cycles of violence under which generations have struggled. Amidst the chaos and confusion of war, and as much as is possible, I join the calls for Israel's military response to be proportional and to discriminate between civilians and Hamas. 

Pray for the people of Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. Pray for the future of the Holy Land. Pray for those who will weep, and fear, and die tonight. 

Lord God, we pray, by your great mercy, defend your children from all perils and dangers of this night.  

If you are able, please support the JMECA appeal for the Ahli Arab Hospital to continue providing life-saving medical care: www.jmeca.org.uk/get-involved/donate/current-appeals-0/al-ahli-hospital-gaza-appeal

Archbishop of Canterbury appeals for end to bloodshed after Gaza hospital blast

18/10/2023

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has called for an end to the bloodshed in Israel and Gaza after the explosion at Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza yesterday. 

Urging restraint on apportioning blame until the facts are clear, the Archbishop said the strike at the hospital “violates the sanctity and dignity of human life”.

The Archbishop added: “It is unconscionable that aid is being prevented from reaching children and adults who are not combatants in this war. It is indefensible that hospitals, schools and refugee camps are being struck. It is an outrage that hostages are being held by Hamas.”

“The bloodshed, slaughter and suffering of innocent people on all sides must stop.”

“What we know for certain is that this violence will not secure for the people of the Holy Land the future they deserve,” he said.   

Read the Archbishop’s statement in full below:

Today I join my Anglican brothers and sisters in Gaza, Israel and the West Bank in their profound mourning after the atrocious attack on the Anglican-run Al Ahli Hospital yesterday, which follows so closely on from an attack on the same hospital on Friday evening. This is a hospital I have visited, and whose staff I have prayed with.

ENB Poster

This atrocity violates the sanctity and dignity of human life. It is a violation of humanitarian law, which is clear that hospitals, doctors and patients must be protected. For this reason, it’s essential that we exercise restraint in apportioning responsibility before all the facts are clear.

The evil and heinous terror attacks by Hamas on people in Israel were crimes against God and humanity. Israel has a legitimate right and duty to defend itself, and to pursue a proportionate and discriminate response to establish its security. The rules of war are there to safeguard civilians and the value of every human life. They must be upheld to the highest degree possible amidst the chaos of conflict, otherwise the cycle of violence will continue for generations to come.

Israel’s bombing campaign on the heavily populated Gaza Strip is causing massive civilian casualties and suffering. The people of Gaza are running out of water, food, medical supplies and places of refuge. Families in Israel and around the world still wait for news of their loved ones. It is unconscionable that aid is being prevented from reaching children and adults who are not combatants in this war. It is indefensible that hospitals, schools and refugee camps are being struck. It is an outrage that hostages are being held by Hamas. The bloodshed, slaughter and suffering of innocent people on all sides must stop.

The fundamental question is this: what kind of society can be envisaged both for a secure Israeli state and a secure neighbouring Palestinian state. That path is not clear, but it must be imagined – and that imagining must start again now. What we know for certain is that this violence will not secure for the people of the Holy Land the future they deserve.

I appeal again for hostages to be released and for civilians to be protected. I join the international call for all parties to grant immediate, safe humanitarian access into Gaza to prevent further loss of life. I pray again for the peace of Jerusalem, in solidarity with the Church in the Holy Land. I grieve with Israelis and Palestinians still mourning and in fear.

In the name of Jesus Christ, I urge a different path – one that spares innocent lives and pursues justice, security and lasting peace for all.

☝

Who bombed Gaza Hospital?

Question the world still asks: ‘Who bombed Gaza hospital?’

Sunday Times lk 22-10-23

‘Eye for an eye’ makes Israel-Hamas both blind to the full horror of war

Israel showed on Tuesday it had lost none of its Judaist zeal to claim an eye for an eye in revenge for Hamas’ first strike against Israeli civilians on their day of fast following the nightfall end to the Jewish religious celebration of Sukkot on October 6. 

The conflict kicked off on October 7 when hundreds of armed Hamas fighters crossed a border security fence and indiscriminately mowed down Israeli civilians and soldiers taken by surprise.

More than 1,400 people have been killed in the attack, including children. A further 203 have been taken hostage by Hamas.

The Israeli retaliation to quench its revenge thirst came in the early hours of Tuesday morn.

It was expected but none could have foreseen or dreamt the chosen target. But it was, perhaps, most exquisitely apt in Israeli eyes. Both Hamas and the Israelis subscribed to the ancient ‘eye for an eye’ principle of Talion.

Out of all the soft targets in the Gaza Strip, the choice of a civilian hospital, al-Ahli Arab, to bomb to wreak revenge for Hamas massacre of Israeli civilians may have seemed, in Israeli eyes, the best way to convey the message home that would make Hamas understand its clear import in no uncertain terms.

But to the world that awoke with shock on Tuesday morn, it was perfectly clear that the exchange of missiles by the two warring factions had left them both completely blind. In the wake of the Hamas attack, the tide of world sympathy had drifted at first towards Tel Aviv but with the horror of the hospital bombing, it soon turned to one of outrage. Sympathies now surged and raced to flood the Gaza Strip.

The attack on the al-Ahli Arab Hospital sparked immediate international condemnation, as news outlets and social media became filled with images of burning rooms and heavy stretchers.

Though the United States has said an analysis of “overhead imagery, intercepts and open source information” showed that Israel was not behind the attack, it had also said that the US would continue to collect evidence. With the investigation in progress and no final decision reached wasn’t it a trifle too hasty for Biden to have rushed to judgment and assumed divine omniscience to pinpoint the blame to one side alone?

Full text of Xi Jinping's keynote speech at 3rd BRF-2023

 

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the opening ceremony of the third Belt and Road Forum
for International Cooperation and delivers a keynote speech at the Great Hall of the People
in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

(BRF2023) Full text of Xi Jinping's keynote speech at 3rd Belt and Road Forum for Int'l Cooperation

Source: Xinhua Editor: huaxia 2023-10-18

Building an Open, Inclusive and Interconnected World For Common Development

Keynote Speech by H.E. Xi Jinping

President of the People's Republic of China

At the Opening Ceremony of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation

October 18, 2023

 

Your Excellencies Heads of State and Government,

Heads of International Organizations,

Representatives of Various Countries,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

Today, we are meeting here for the opening ceremony of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF). On behalf of the Chinese government and Chinese people and in my own name, I wish to extend a very warm welcome to you all!

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) I proposed. The BRI, drawing inspiration from the ancient Silk Road and focusing on enhancing connectivity, aims to enhance policy, infrastructure, trade, financial and people-to-people connectivity, inject new impetus into the global economy, create new opportunities for global development, and build a new platform for international economic cooperation.

Over these 10 years, we have stayed committed to this founding mission. Thanks to our joint efforts, Belt and Road international cooperation has gotten off the ground, grown rapidly and produced fruitful outcomes.

Belt and Road cooperation has extended from the Eurasian continent to Africa and Latin America. More than 150 countries and over 30 international organizations have signed Belt and Road cooperation documents. We have held two sessions of the BRF before, and have established over 20 specialized multilateral cooperation platforms under the BRI.

Belt and Road cooperation has progressed from "sketching the outline" to "filling in the details," and blueprints have been turned into real projects. A large number of signature projects and "small yet smart" people-centered programs have been launched.

Belt and Road cooperation has expanded from physical connectivity to institutional connectivity. Important guiding principles for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation have been laid down, which include the principle of "planning together, building together, and benefiting together," the philosophy of open, green and clean cooperation, and the goal of pursuing high-standard, people-centered and sustainable cooperation.

Over these 10 years, we have endeavored to build a global network of connectivity consisting of economic corridors, international transportation routes and information highway as well as railways, roads, airports, ports, pipelines and power grids. Covering the land, the ocean, the sky and the Internet, this network has boosted the flow of goods, capital, technologies and human resources among countries involved and injected fresh vitality into the millennia-old Silk Road in the new era.

Trains speeding along rail tracks, automobiles running on roads, flights connecting different countries, cargo ships breaking waves, and e-commerce bringing so much convenience to people -- they have all become symbols of international trade in the new era, just like camel caravans and the sailing ships were for the past age.

Hydro, wind and solar energy based power plants, oil and gas pipelines, and the increasingly smart and interconnected power transmission networks are removing the development bottleneck caused by energy shortage and fulfilling the dream of developing countries to achieve green and low-carbon development. These energy projects have become the oasis and lighthouse for sustainable development in the new era.

Brand new airports and harbors, smooth roads, and newly built industrial parks for business cooperation have created new economic corridors and new growth drivers, and have become the trading routes and staging posts of the new era.

Rich and colorful cultural years, art festivals, expos and exhibitions, Luban Workshops, people-to-people exchange programs like the Silk Road Community Building Initiative and the Brightness Action program, and deepening exchanges between non-governmental organizations, think tanks, media organizations, and the youth -- all these flourishing activities have composed a symphony of friendship in the new era.

When COVID-19 struck, the Belt and Road became a life-saving road. China provided more than 10 billion masks and 2.3 billion doses of vaccines to other countries and jointly produced vaccines with over 20 countries, making a special contribution to BRI partners' efforts in fighting COVID-19. And China also received valuable support from more than 70 countries when it was hit hard by the pandemic.

Belt and Road cooperation is based on the principle of "planning together, building together, and benefiting together." It transcends differences between civilizations, cultures, social systems, and stages of development. It has opened up a new path for exchanges among countries, and established a new framework for international cooperation. Indeed, the BRI represents humanity's joint pursuit of development for all.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

Our achievements in the past decade are truly remarkable, and there is so much we can draw from them.

We have learned that humankind is a community with a shared future. China can only do well when the world is doing well. When China does well, the world will get even better. Through Belt and Road cooperation, China is opening its door even wider to the world, with its inland regions turning from "fullbacks" into "forwards," and coastal regions scaling new heights in their opening-up. China's market has become even more closely integrated with the global market. China has become a main trading partner of more than 140 countries and territories and a primary source of investment for more countries. Both Chinese investment overseas and foreign investment in China have boosted friendship, cooperation, confidence and hope.

We have learned that win-win cooperation is the sure way to success in launching major initiatives that benefit all. When countries embrace cooperation and act in concert, a deep chasm can be turned into a thoroughfare, land-locked countries can become land-linked, and a place of underdevelopment can be transformed into a land of prosperity. Countries taking the lead in economic development should give a hand to their partners who are yet to catch up. We should all treat each other as friends and partners, respect and support each other, and help each other succeed. As the saying goes, when you give roses to others, their fragrance lingers on your hand. In other words, helping others is also helping oneself. Viewing others' development as a threat or taking economic interdependence as a risk will not make one's own life better or speed up one's development.

We have learned that the Silk Road spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit is the most important source of strength for Belt and Road cooperation. I once said that the pioneers of the ancient silk routes won their place in history not as conquerors with warships, guns, horses or swords. Rather, they are remembered as friendly emissaries leading camel caravans and sailing ships loaded with goods. Belt and Road cooperation is based on the belief that flame runs high when everyone adds wood to the fire and that mutual support can get us far. Such cooperation seeks to deliver a good life not only to people of just one country, but to people in other countries as well. It promotes connectivity, mutual benefit, common development, cooperation and win-win outcomes. Ideological confrontation, geopolitical rivalry and bloc politics are not a choice for us. What we stand against are unilateral sanctions, economic coercion and decoupling and supply chain disruption.

What has been achieved in the past 10 years demonstrates that Belt and Road cooperation is on the right side of history. It represents the advancing of our times, and it is the right path forward. We need to remain clear-eyed and undisturbed in a volatile world, and we need to be keenly aware of our responsibility for history, for the people and for the world. We should jointly address various global risks and challenges, and deliver a bright future of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit for future generations.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

Changes of the world, of our times, and of historical significance are unfolding like never before. China is endeavoring to build itself into a stronger country and rejuvenate the Chinese nation on all fronts by pursuing Chinese modernization. The modernization we are pursuing is not for China alone, but for all developing countries through our joint efforts. Global modernization should be pursued to enhance peaceful development and mutually beneficial cooperation and bring prosperity to all. On our way forward, we will encounter both headwinds and tailwinds. We need to stay focused on our goal, take results-oriented actions, persevere, and keep moving forward until our goal is met. China will work with all parties involved to deepen Belt and Road partnerships of cooperation, usher this cooperation into a new stage of high-quality development, and make relentless efforts to achieve modernization for all countries.

Now, I wish to announce eight major steps China will take to support our joint pursuit of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

Xi announces eight major steps,
to advance modernization of all countries

First, building a multidimensional Belt and Road connectivity network. China will speed up high-quality development of the China-Europe Railway Express, participate in the trans-Caspian international transportation corridor, host the China-Europe Railway Express Cooperation Forum, and make joint efforts to build a new logistics corridor across the Eurasian continent linked by direct railway and road transportation. We will vigorously integrate ports, shipping and trading services under the "Silk Road Maritime," and accelerate the building of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor and the Air Silk Road.

Second, supporting an open world economy. China will establish pilot zones for Silk Road e-commerce cooperation, enter into free trade agreements and investment protection treaties with more countries. We will remove all restrictions on foreign investment access in the manufacturing sector. In light of international high-standard economic and trade rules, we will further advance high-standard opening up in cross-border service trade and investment, expand market access for digital and other products, and deepen reform in areas including the state-owned enterprises, digital economy, intellectual property and government procurement. China will hold the Global Digital Trade Expo annually. In the next five years (2024-2028), China's total trade in goods and services is expected to exceed USD 32 trillion and USD 5 trillion respectively.

Third, carrying out practical cooperation. China will promote both signature projects and "small yet smart" livelihood programs. The China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China will each set up a RMB 350 billion financing window. An additional RMB 80 billion will be injected into the Silk Road Fund. Together, they will support BRI projects on the basis of market and business operation. Cooperation agreements worth USD 97.2 billion have been concluded at the CEO Conference held during this Forum. China will carry out 1,000 small-scale livelihood assistance projects, and enhance vocational education cooperation through Luban Workshops and other initiatives. We will also step up joint efforts to ensure the safety of BRI projects and personnel.

Fourth, promoting green development. China will continue to deepen cooperation in areas such as green infrastructure, green energy and green transportation, and step up support for the BRI International Green Development Coalition. China will continue to hold the BRI Green Innovation Conference, and establish dialogue and exchange mechanisms for the solar industry and a network of experts on green and low-carbon development. China will implement the Green Investment Principles for the Belt and Road, and provide 100,000 training opportunities for partner countries by 2030.

Fifth, advancing scientific and technological innovation. China will continue to implement the Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan, hold the first Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange, increase the number of joint laboratories built with other parties to 100 in the next five years, and support young scientists from other countries to work on short-term programs in China. At this Forum, China will put forward the Global Initiative for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance. We stand ready to increase exchanges and dialogue with other countries and jointly promote the sound, orderly and secure AI development in the world.

Sixth, supporting people-to-people exchanges. China will host the Liangzhu Forum to enhance dialogue on civilizations with BRI partner countries. In addition to the Silk Road International League of Theaters, the Silk Road International Arts Festival, the International Alliance of Museums of the Silk Road, the Silk Road International Alliance of Art Museums, and the Silk Road International Library Alliance that have been set up, China has also launched the International Tourism Alliance of Silk Road Cities. And we will continue with the Chinese government scholarship Silk Road Program.

Seventh, promoting integrity-based Belt and Road cooperation. Together with its cooperation partners, China will release the Achievements and Prospects of Belt and Road Integrity Building and the High-Level Principles on Belt and Road Integrity Building, and establish the Integrity and Compliance Evaluation System for Companies Involved in Belt and Road Cooperation. We will also work with international organizations to carry out research and training on promoting integrity in Belt and Road cooperation.

Eighth, strengthening institutional building for international Belt and Road cooperation. China will work with its BRI partner countries to strengthen the building of multilateral cooperation platforms covering energy, taxation, finance, green development, disaster reduction, anti-corruption, think tank, media, culture and other fields. China will continue to host the BRF and establish a secretariat for the Forum.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

The past decade has been a journey of dedicated cooperation and fruitful outcomes. Belt and Road cooperation was proposed by China, but its benefits and opportunities are for the world to share. Let us meet the expectations of the people, assume responsibilities entrusted on us by history, closely follow the trend of the times, and press ahead with energy and enterprise. Let us deepen Belt and Road international cooperation, and bring Belt and Road cooperation to a new stage of higher-quality and higher-level development. Let us advance modernization of all countries, build an open, inclusive and interconnected world for common development, and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind.

I wish the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation a full success!

Thank you.

☝

What Could Have Triggered Gaza's Deadly Hospital Blast?

 What Could Have Triggered Gaza's Deadly Hospital Blast?

Sputnik International

The fatal explosion at a Gaza hospital occurred as the armed conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, continues to rage with no sign of abating.

The Israeli and Palestinian authorities have blamed each other over the huge blast at the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, which reportedly killed at least 500 people.

காசாவின் கொடிய மருத்துவமனை குண்டுவெடிப்பைத் தூண்டியது எது?

செவ்வாயன்று காசா பகுதியில் உள்ள அல்-அஹ்லி பாப்டிஸ்ட் மருத்துவமனையில் குறைந்தது 500 பேரைக் கொன்றதாகக் கூறப்படும் மிகப்பெரிய குண்டுவெடிப்பு தொடர்பாக இஸ்ரேலிய மற்றும் பாலஸ்தீனிய அதிகாரிகள் ஒருவருக்கொருவர் குற்றம் சாட்டினர்.

பாலஸ்தீனியர்கள் என்ன சொல்கிறார்கள்?

பாலஸ்தீனிய குடிமைத் தற்காப்பு செய்தித் தொடர்பாளர் மஹ்மூத் பாசல், காசா மருத்துவமனை வெடிப்பு, 2008 ஆம் ஆண்டிலிருந்து தொடர்ந்த தாக்குதல்களில்  "இஸ்ரேலின் மிக மோசமான வான்வழித் தாக்குதல்" என்று கூறினார்.

`இது இஸ்ரேலிய விமானப்படையின் வான்வழித் தாக்குதல்` என்ற பாலஸ்தீனத்தின் நிலைப்பாட்டை, குண்டுவெடிப்பால் காசா மருத்துவமனையை உலுக்கிய வீடியோ,  ஆதரிக்கிறது என ரஷ்ய இராணுவ நிபுணர் அலெக்ஸி லியோன்கோவ் ஸ்புட்னிக் இடம் கூறினார்.

தாக்குதலின் போது "அமெரிக்கத் தயாரிப்பான  GBU [Guided Bomb Unit]-31 JDAM [Joint Direct Attack Munition] வெடிகுண்டு பயன்படுத்தப்பட்டிருக்கலாம்" என்று அவர் பரிந்துரைத்தார்.

அவரைப் பொறுத்தவரை, இந்த முடிவு வெடிக்கும் சக்தி மற்றும் வீழ்ந்த எறிபொருளின் சிறப்பியல்பு ஒலியை அடிப்படையாகக் கொண்டது, இது வீடியோவில் கேட்கப்படுகிறது.

இஸ்ரேல் என்ன கூறுகிறது?

காசா மருத்துவமனையில் நடந்த பயங்கர வெடிப்பு பாலஸ்தீனிய இஸ்லாமிய ஜிஹாத் தீவிரவாதிகள் ஏவிய ராக்கெட் திசை தவறி மருத்துவமனை மீது வீழ்ந்ததால் ஏற்பட்டது என்பதை நிரூபிக்கும் ஒரு காட்சியை இஸ்ரேல் பாதுகாப்புப் படை வெளியிட்டுள்ளது. 

இஸ்ரேலிய இராணுவம், தனது  ஆயுதங்கள் பயன்படுத்தப்பட்டிருந்தால், அது ஒரு பரந்த தாள் குழியை விட்டுச்செல்லும் என்றும், இவ் வீடியோவில் காணுகிறவாறான எரிந்த வாகன நிறுத்துமிடம், மற்றும் துண்டாக்கப்பட்ட கூரைகள் அல்ல என்று வலியுறுத்தியது.

இதனை மறுத்து, வான் குண்டுகள் கட்டிடங்களைத் தாக்காதபோது மட்டுமே பொதுவாக பள்ளங்கள் ஏற்படுகின்றன என்று சிவ்கோவ் வலியுறுத்தினார். "அத்தகைய வெடிகுண்டு மருத்துவமனையைத் தாக்கும் போது, ​​அதன் கட்டிடம் இடிந்து விழும், அங்கே ஒரு பள்ளம் இருக்க முடியாது" என்று நிபுணர் அழுத்திக் கூறினார்.

மேலும் சிவ்கோவ், இஸ்லாமிய ஜிஹாதின் ராக்கெட் பற்றிய இஸ்ரேலின் வாதத்தை கேள்விக்குள்ளாக்குகின்றார்.காசா மருத்துவமனை குண்டுவெடிப்பின் விளைவாக கொல்லப்பட்டவர்களின் எண்ணிக்கையைக் கருத்தில் கொண்டால், அத்தகைய ஏவுகணை அதிநவீனமானதாக இருந்திருக்க வேண்டும் என்றும், அடிக்கோடிட்டுக் காட்டினார்.

"அத்தகைய பெரிய ஏவுகணையை ஏவுவதற்கான ஏவுதளம்( launcher), ஏவுகணையின் அளவின் அடிப்படையில் பொருத்தமானதாக பெரிதாக இருக்க வேண்டும்.  அமெரிக்க மற்றும் இஸ்ரேலிய உளவு அமைப்புகளால் விண்வெளி உள்ளிட்டு கட்டுப்படுத்தப்படும் காசா பகுதியில் இதுபோன்ற ஏவுகணையை மறைப்பது சாத்தியமற்றது" என்று நிபுணர் சுட்டிக்காட்டினார்.

அமெரிக்காவின் நிலை என்ன?

இதற்கிடையில், செவ்வாய் கிழமை நடந்த சோகத்தில் இஸ்ரேலுக்கு தொடர்பு இருப்பதாக தாம் நம்பவில்லை என்று அமெரிக்க அதிபர் ஜோ பிடன் தெளிவுபடுத்தியுள்ளார்.

"நான் பார்த்தவற்றின் அடிப்படையில், இதைச் செய்தது  இதர குழு, நீங்கள்  அல்ல" என அவர் நெத்தனியாகுவின் முகத்துக்கு நேரே கூறினார்.

(ஸ்புட்னிக் செய்தியின் முக்கிய குறிப்புகளின் சுருக்கம்: தமிழ் மொழி மாற்றம் சுபாகிள்)

What Do Palestinians Say?

Palestinian Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Basal called the Gaza hospital explosion "Israel's deadliest airstrike” since 2008.

He was echoed by the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, who condemned the hospital attack as a "horrendous massacre” and a "crime against humanity." The Ministry urged the international community to interfere so as to make Israel "end its destructive war in the Gaza Strip and stop ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people."

A video of the Gaza hospital being rocked by the blast supports Palestine’s stance that the Israeli Air Force launched an airstrike on the facility, Russian military expert Alexey Leonkov told Sputnik.

He suggested that “the US-made GBU [Guided Bomb Unit]-31 JDAM [Joint Direct Attack Munition] bomb was probably used” during the attack. According to him, this conclusion is based on the explosive power and the characteristic sound of a falling projectile, which can be heard on the video.

Leonkov was echoed by Konstantin Sivkov, corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Rocket and Artillery Sciences, Doctor of Military Sciences, who said in an interview with Sputnik that “it may well be” the GBU-31 JDAM bomb that could be mistakenly dropped from an Israeli warplane.

The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) GBU-31

“There could be a failure in the control system, which determined the location incorrectly,” the expert added.

He spoke as a US news network cited a deputy health minister in the Gaza Strip as claiming that the IDF had already conducted an airstrike on the Gaza hospital a few days ago, and notified its head that the shelling was a warning. According to the news network, the IDF slammed the hospital for failing to evacuate people after the airstrike.

What Does Israel Claim?

The Israel Defense Forces have released a footage that they claim proves that the deadly explosion at the Gaza hospital was caused by a failed rocket launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group rather than an IDF ordnance. Islamic Jihad, along with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, are blacklisted by Israel as terrorist organizations.

The Israeli military insisted that if its ordnance was used, it would have left a crater and not a burning parking lot and shrapnel-pocked roofs, something that the footage purportedly shows.

"There is no direct outside hit. There is damage in the parking lot, maybe other things, but it is not from a direct [hit] from the outside,” IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari told reporters.

His claims were questioned by Sivkov, who stressed that craters typically occur when aerial bombs don’t hit buildings. “And when such a bomb hits a hospital, its building collapses and there can't be a crater there,” the expert underlined.

Continuing to doubt Israel’s version about Islamic Jihad’s misfired rocket, Sivkov underscored that such a missile should have been a sophisticated one, given the number of people that have been killed as a result of the Gaza hospital blast.

“The launcher for such a sizable missile should appropriate in terms of its size. It is impossible to hide such launcher in the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by the US and Israeli intelligence systems, including space ones,” the expert pointed out.

He said that “it is impossible to say whether it was a missile or an aerial bomb” because there is “no relevant data”. At the same time, Sivkov recalled that Israel does have state-of-the-art missiles, which is not the case with the Palestinian militant groups.

“I don't see a Hamas trace there. They cannot make the missile that could cause such damage,” the expert asserted, not ruling out that Israel could deliberately fire a missile on the Gaza hospital “resolve the problem of destroying Hamas militants who may be deployed there.”

Hagari, in turn, also argued that the IDF had intercepted what he described as "terrorists talking about rockets misfiring".

According to Hagari, one of the alleged Palestinian militants says, "I'm telling you, this is the first time that we see a missile like this falling and so that's why we are saying it belongs to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.”

After another person allegedly replies, "What? It's from us?," the first person man says, "They are saying shrapnel from the missile is local shrapnel and not like Israeli shrapnel." The authenticity of the audio has not been independently verified.

What is US' Position?

US President Joe Biden has meanwhile made it clear that he doesn’t believe in Israel being involved in the Tuesday tragedy.

“Based on what I have seen, it was done by the other team, not you. But there’s a lot of people out there who are not sure. So we’ve got to overcome a lot of things,” POTUS told Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shortly after the US president arrived in Israel earlier on Wednesday.

Biden added that “he’s deeply saddened and outraged by the incident,” pledging that the US “will continue to support Israel.” He also failed to provide evidence for his allegations that the Gaza hospital blast might have been caused by Palestinian militants’ failed rocket launch.

Commenting on Biden’s remarks, Sivkov said that “there are only two teams – Hamas and Israel.” If one proceeds from the assumption that neither Hamas nor Israel are responsible, it will be safe to assume that the US could launch a strike on the Gaza hospital, because “there is no one else” who could be involved, according to the expert.

What Does Russia Say?

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called the Gaza hospital explosion a tragedy and a humanitarian catastrophe, while expressing expectation that it could be a signal of the necessity to end the conflict.

"As regards the hospital [attack], the tragedy that happened there is horrific. Hundreds of dead and injured are, of course, a catastrophe. [It happened] in one place, the place of humanitarian nature. That's why I expect this to be a signal that the conflict should be ended as soon as possible. Anyway, it is necessary to initiate some contacts and talks," Putin told reporters after talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing on Wednesday.

The Russian president added that he had an impression that the main regional players in the Middle East did not want the Palestine-Israel conflict to deepen and escalate into a broader standoff.

“It is necessary to seek the unity of the Palestinian people,” the Russian president said, adding, however, that it should be the matter of Palestinians themselves. According to the Russian head of state, Moscow has always been in favor of the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin said on Wednesday that the UN Security Council is working on a common reaction to the deadly strike on the al-Ahli hospital in Gaza.

"We are currently coordinating the reaction of the international community in the UN Security Council to the events happening in Gaza … Today, there will be the fiercest debates and some decisions will be taken, probably belated," Vershinin added.

Referring to the Gaza hospital blast, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, for her part, told Sputnik that Moscow classifies this as “an act of a crime, [and] an act of dehumanization." She emphasized that Israel must provide satellite images to prove that its army is not involved in the Gaza hospital attack.

“Provide satellite images […] that would indicate the entire geography of the flights, with all the details that were available at that moment. I think this could be a serious and important step to justify yourselves,” Zakharova said, referring to Israeli authorities.

The escalation of the situation in the Middle East has gone far beyond the region, the Russian diplomat added, calling it "a global humanitarian disaster on a global scale."

When asked whether Israel would provide the above-mentioned images, Syvkov for his part remained downbeat about the move, recalling that Israel has never done such things before.

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