Connect with us

Published

on

Gaza’s hospitals have been a flashpoint of fighting, claims and counterclaims.

Tens of thousands of people sought shelter in medical facilities after being driven from their homes by the risk of airstrikes.

But many have fled elsewhere as hospitals ran out of fuel and power and the fighting circled closer.

Al Shifa, the largest hospital in Gaza, is now surrounded by Israeli troops as gunfire and explosions rage around it.

The hospital’s last generator ran out of fuel at the weekend, leading to the deaths of at least 32 patients, including three babies, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.

Al Quds hospital is also now also closed to new patients. The Red Cross tried to evacuate about 6,000 people from the hospital but said its convoy had to turn back because of shelling and fighting.

Hospitals have protected status in wartime – but there are caveats to when this applies.

Here Sky News looks at what the rules are, and what both sides are saying.

Follow Israel-Gaza latest: Communications in Gaza could fail in two days

What are the rules on the protection of hospitals?

The International Criminal Court’s Rome Statute states it is a war crime for combatants to “intentionally direct attacks against… hospitals and places where the sick and wounded are collected, provided they are not military objectives”.

Under international humanitarian law (IHL) hospitals have protected status during war.

This means they cannot be attacked or otherwise prevented from performing their medical functions, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

However, hospitals can lose those protections if they are used in a way that is harmful to the enemy – this includes being used to hide fighters or store weapons, the ICRC said.

But this does not give the other party free licence to attack, ICRC legal officer Cordula Droege said.

A warning must be given – first to stop the misuse of the hospital and then to allow evacuation of staff and patients if the misuse continues.

Any attack must be proportionate, Ms Droege added. If harm to civilians from an attack is disproportionate to the military objective, it is illegal under international law.

Also, using hospitals for military purposes is a violation of international humanitarian law, according to Amnesty International.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

What status do hospitals have in war? Sky military analyst Sean Bell explains

What does Israel say?

Israel claims Hamas uses hospitals for military purposes – but has not provided verified visual evidence of this.

It says Hamas has built a vast underground command complex centre below al Shifa hospital, connected by tunnels.

Israel also claims hundreds of Hamas fighters sought shelter at al Shifa after the 7 October attack.

The IDF released footage on Monday of a children’s hospital that its forces entered over the weekend, showing weapons it said it found inside, as well as rooms in the basement where it believes Hamas was holding hostages.

“Hamas uses hospitals as an instrument of war,” said Israel’s chief military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari from a room at the Rantisi Children’s Hospital where explosive vests, grenades and RPGs were displayed on the floor.

Israel also accuses Hamas of using ambulances to carry fighters, using this as justification for a strike on an ambulance convoy that officials in the Hamas-run health ministry said killed and injured scores of people.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Ambulance convoy hit by airstrike

What does Hamas say?

Both Hamas and al Shifa hospital staff deny Israeli allegations militants are operating a command centre from within its grounds.

Ghazi Hamad, a senior Hamas official, rejected the Israeli claims about al Shifa as “false and misleading propaganda”.

“The occupying forces have no evidence to prove it,” he said. “We have never used civilians as human shields because it goes against our religion, morality and principles.”

In a statement on its Telegram channel, Hamas said the video of Rantisi hospital showed “fabricated scenes that misled public opinion”, adding that it was a “failed attempt” by Israel to justify the targeting of hospitals.

At al Shifa, spokesperson for the health ministry Ashraf al Qidra said Israeli snipers and drones were firing into the hospital, making it impossible for medics and patients to move around.

Israel said the east side of the hospital was a safe passage for people to leave al Shifa, but people who tried to leave said Israeli forces had fired at evacuees and that it was too dangerous to move the most vulnerable patients.

The World Health Organisation said there was “no safe passage out of the hospital”.

Goudhat Samy al Madhoun, a healthcare worker, told the AP news agency that about 50 people left on Monday and were fired at several times, wounding one man who had to be left behind.

Read more:
Gaza surgeon gives harrowing account of child amputation
Palestinians stream onto Gaza highway as Israeli forces strike near hospitals

This photo released by Dr. Marawan Abu Saada shows prematurely born Palestinian babies in Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. Gaza's Shifa Hospital has become the focus of a days-long stalemate in Israel's war against Hamas.(Dr. Marawan Abu Saada via AP)
Image:
Premature babies share a bed at Shifa hospital. Pic: Dr Marawan Abu Saada via AP

What has the international response been?

The international NGO Human Rights Watch has called for the attacks on “medical facilities, personnel, and transport” to be investigated as war crimes.

Israel’s claims about Hamas activity in hospitals are contested, Human Rights Watch said.

“Human Rights Watch has not been able to corroborate them, nor seen any information that would justify attacks on Gaza hospitals,” it said.

It added that Israel’s general evacuation warning to hospitals in northern Gaza was “not an effective warning” because it did not account for the safety needs of patients and medical staff.

The 27 European Union nations have jointly condemned Hamas for what they described as the use of hospitals and civilians as “human shields”.

US president Joe Biden said hospitals “must be protected” as he called for “less intrusive action” in relation to hospitals.

Insecurity Insight collects data on attacks on healthcare in Israel and Gaza. Its data – which it notes is not complete – from 7 October to 5 November records 219 incidents of violence against or obstruction of access to healthcare facilities in Gaza and 10 in Israel.

Continue Reading

World

Cargo plane slides off runway in Hong Kong killing two people

Published

on

By

Cargo plane slides off runway in Hong Kong killing two people

A cargo plane has skidded off the runway into the sea while landing at Hong Kong International Airport, killing two people on the ground.

Images taken after the crash which happened around 3.50am (8.50pm UK time) showed a Boeing 747 cargo aircraft partially submerged in water near the airport’s sea wall.

The AirACT plane, travelling from Dubai, could be seen with escape slides deployed and the nose and tail sections separated. Four crew on board survived.

The nose and tail sections separated after the crash. Pic: Reuters
Image:
The nose and tail sections separated after the crash. Pic: Reuters

Escape slides were deployed and all four crew survived. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Escape slides were deployed and all four crew survived. Pic: Reuters

Rescue teams circle the partially submerged green tail of the aircraft. Pic: AP
Image:
Rescue teams circle the partially submerged green tail of the aircraft. Pic: AP

Two security staff were killed when the aircraft struck their vehicle, shunting it into the sea, said Steven Yiu, executive director of airport operations at Airport Authority Hong Kong.

At a news conference, he told reporters about the rescue operation.

“Four aircraft crew on board were quickly rescued by Fire Service Department [which] also rescued two security staff from the sea.

“One was certified dead at the hospital and the other certified dead at the scene.

More on Hong Kong

“We are deeply saddened and extend our deepest condolence. We will provide the family with all necessary support and assistance.”

Steven Yiu from Airport Authority Hong Kong told reporters two security staff have been killed. Pic: AP
Image:
Steven Yiu from Airport Authority Hong Kong told reporters two security staff have been killed. Pic: AP

Mr Yiu showed a map of the northern runway and the crash site. Pic: AP
Image:
Mr Yiu showed a map of the northern runway and the crash site. Pic: AP

He explained that the security vehicle was patrolling the north runway along a road that was outside the runway fence when it was struck.

The northern runway at the world’s busiest cargo airport is closed while the south and central runways are continuing to operate.

“According to information we have at that moment, weather and the runway condition were safe and met all conditions for runway operation. An investigation is continuing.” Mr Yiu added.

Emirates said in a statement that flight EK9788 sustained damage on landing in Hong Kong on Monday and was a Boeing 747 cargo aircraft wet-leased from and operated by ACT Airlines.

“Crew are confirmed to be safe and there was no cargo onboard,” the airline said.

Read more from Sky News:
Eight ‘priceless’ objects stolen in Louvre heist
Gaza ceasefire ‘resumes’ after killings
Tel Aviv derby cancelled after ‘violent riots’

Man Ka-chai, chief accident and safety investigator for Hong Kong’s Air Accident Investigation Authority, confirmed air
traffic control had directed the flight to land at the north runway, but added: “We didn’t receive any message requesting
help from the pilot.”

ACT Airlines is a Turkish carrier that provides extra cargo capacity to major airlines. It did not respond immediately to a request for comment outside normal business hours.

Flight tracking service FlightRadar24 said the aircraft involved in the accident was 32 years old and had served as a passenger plane before being converted into a freighter.

Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department said in a statement that the aircraft had “deviated from the north runway after landing and ditched into the sea”.

Airport Authority Hong Kong said the northern runway would reopen after safety inspections were complete.

Continue Reading

World

Tel Aviv football derby cancelled after ‘violent riots’, as club describes ‘brutal police violence’

Published

on

By

Tel Aviv football derby cancelled after 'violent riots', as club describes 'brutal police violence'

A football derby in Tel Aviv between Hapoel and Maccabi has been cancelled after “violent riots”, according to Israeli police.

Nine people were arrested on Sunday night at Bloomfield Stadium, a venue shared by both clubs. Hapoel were the home team for the game.

A statement from Israeli police said the game was called off “following disturbances and violent riots” in which 13 civilians and three officers were injured by pyrotechnic devices.

“These are very serious incidents that posed a real danger to the lives of police officers and civilians,” the statement added.

But Hapoel Tel Aviv Football Club released a statement with a very different perspective on policing at the match.

“From the preliminary discussions prior to the match, it appears that the police were preparing for war rather than a sporting event,” a spokesperson said.

Outside the stadium, mounted police attempt to control crowds. Pic: Israeli police
Image:
Outside the stadium, mounted police attempt to control crowds. Pic: Israeli police

Footage released by Israeli police shows a flare or firework landing near officers. Pic: Israeli police
Image:
Footage released by Israeli police shows a flare or firework landing near officers. Pic: Israeli police

They added: “Most of the injuries from the event were caused by brutal police violence at the end of the game, as a direct result of the scandalous decision to cancel the event.

“Everyone saw the disturbing videos of children being trampled by horses and police officers indiscriminately beating fans.”

Israeli police have not yet responded to the allegations from Hapoel.

A Maccabi statement read: “Following the police’s decision, it was determined that the Tel Aviv derby will not take place tonight.”

Footage shared by the police shows projectiles and flares being thrown on to the pitch, as well as unrest outside the stadium and arrests being made.

What looked like smoke canisters were seized by officers. Pic: Israeli police
Image:
What looked like smoke canisters were seized by officers. Pic: Israeli police

Maccabi ban criticised

On Thursday, Maccabi supporters were told they are not allowed to attend November’s Europa League game against Aston Villa in Birmingham next month after a decision by Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG).

The group – made up of local stakeholders, including representatives from the council, police and event organisers – said the decision was due to a high risk of violence based on “current intelligence and previous incidents”.

Ed Miliband told Sky’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips that ministers are “working with the relevant authorities” to secure additional resources and ensure fans of both teams can attend next month’s European clash.

He insisted Aston in Birmingham cannot become a “no-go area” for Jews.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Aston ‘can’t be no-go area for Jews’

The energy secretary also said that he “profoundly” disagrees with the “approach” taken by a local MP who started a petition calling for fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv to be banned from the Aston Villa game.

The petition states: “Their arrival in Aston – a diverse and predominantly Muslim community – poses a real risk of tensions within the community and disorder.”

Mr Miliband pushed back on that point. He said the “vast majority of Muslim people in this country would disassociate themselves” from suggestions that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans could not come to Aston Villa because it was a predominantly Muslim area.

His Tory counterpart, Claire Coutinho, was also highly critical of the petition, telling Phillips: “I think politicians need to have the courage to name some of the problems that this country is facing. And one of those problems is political Islam.”

Read more from Sky News:
Maccabi ban could be reversed
Why are Maccabi Tel Aviv fans banned?
Analysis: Ban raises serious questions

Petition reaction ‘false and inflammatory’

The independent MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, Ayoub Khan, criticised those comments.

“I utterly reject the false and inflammatory characterisations… regarding my recent petition,” he said in a statement.

“The petition I launched reflected genuine and widespread concern from my constituents about public safety and community cohesion. It did not call for anyone to be ‘banned because they are Jewish’ nor did it single out any faith or ethnicity.

“To distort this into an issue of religion or antisemitism is deeply irresponsible and frankly dangerous. I have consistently condemned all forms of hatred – including antisemitism and Islamophobia – and I will continue to do so.”

The government is expecting West Midlands Police to set out early next week what they would need to police the game safely with both sets of fans present.

Continue Reading

World

‘Race against time’ as police try to recover ‘priceless’ jewels from Louvre – as authorities reveal details of daring raid

Published

on

By

'Race against time' as police try to recover 'priceless' jewels from Louvre - as authorities reveal details of daring raid

Police face “a race against time” to recover “priceless” objects stolen by thieves in a daring heist at the Louvre museum in Paris, Sky News has been told.

The world-famous museum was forced to close on Sunday after thieves accessed a gallery containing the French Crown Jewels at around 9.30am local time.

Art detective Arthur Brand said the heist is “the theft of the decade” – adding in order to recover the “priceless” items, police will need to find the culprits in just one week.

“These crown jewels are so famous, you just cannot sell them,” Mr Brand told Sky News. “The only thing they can do is melt the silver and gold down, dismantle the diamonds, try to cut them. That’s the way they will probably disappear forever.”

He continued: “They [the police] have a week. If they catch the thieves, the stuff might still be there. If it takes longer, the loot is probably gone and dismantled. It’s a race against time.”

Eight “priceless” objects stolen have been named by the French culture ministry. A ninth item was stolen but recovered at the scene, the Paris prosecutor said.

The French culture ministry said the items stolen were:

• Tiara from the set of Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense

• Necklace from the sapphire set of Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense

• Earring, from the pair belonging to the sapphire set of Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense

The tiara (top), necklace (middle) and one earring were taken from the Queen Marie Amelie sapphire set. Pic: Louvre
Image:
The tiara (top), necklace (middle) and one earring were taken from the Queen Marie Amelie sapphire set. Pic: Louvre

• Emerald necklace from the Empress Marie Louise set

• Pair of emerald earrings from the Empress Marie Louise set

Empress Marie Louise's emerald necklace and earrings. Pic: Louvre
Image:
Empress Marie Louise’s emerald necklace and earrings. Pic: Louvre


• Brooch known as the “reliquary brooch”

• Tiara of Empress Eugenie

• Large corsage bow brooch of Empress Eugenie.

The Empress Eugenie tiara. Pic: Louvre
Image:
The Empress Eugenie tiara. Pic: Louvre

The Empress Eugenie brooch contains 2,438 diamonds. Pic: Louvre
Image:
The Empress Eugenie brooch contains 2,438 diamonds. Pic: Louvre

French publication Le Parisien previously reported that the object recovered at the museum was the crown of Napoleon III’s wife, Empress Eugenie, and it was broken.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Louvre heist: What we know so far?

Authorities revealed details of the raid after the museum, which is the world’s most popular and draws up to 30,000 visitors a day, said on X that it was closing for “exceptional reasons”.

Police working by a basket lift used by thieves at the Louvre museum in Paris. Pic: AP
Image:
Police working by a basket lift used by thieves at the Louvre museum in Paris. Pic: AP

The world famous museum attracts tens of thousands of people every day. File pic: AP
Image:
The world famous museum attracts tens of thousands of people every day. File pic: AP

Culture minister Rachida Dati said footage of the operation showed the thieves “don’t target people, they enter calmly in four minutes, smash display cases, take their loot, and leave”.

“No violence, very professional,” she told TF1.

How the robbery unfolded

French interior minister Laurent Nunez said the “major robbery” involved intruders entering the museum via a basket lift using a platform mounted on a lorry.

It is not clear if they brought any or all of the equipment they used with them, as construction work is taking place along the River Seine side of the sprawling building, where the break-in occurred.

Mr Nunez said: “They broke a window and went towards several display cases where they stole jewellery. These are jewels that have genuine heritage value and are, in fact, priceless.”

The ceiling of the Apollo Gallery in the Louvre. Pic: Shutterstock
Image:
The ceiling of the Apollo Gallery in the Louvre. Pic: Shutterstock

The interior ministry said the criminals fled on two motorbikes. No injuries have been reported.

The number of robbers has not been confirmed but Mr Nunez told France Inter that three or four thieves got into the museum.

The gang was well prepared and had scouted the venue, Mr Nunez said, adding they cut window panes “with a disc cutter” before escaping “on a TMAX”, a type of Yamaha maxi-scooter.

Forensic work is now under way and a detailed list of the stolen items is being compiled following the break-in, which took place between 9.30 and 9.40am (8.30-8.40am UK time).

Once in, they made for the Galerie d’Apollon (Apollo Gallery), home to a selection of the French Crown Jewels, the interior ministry said.

French daily newspaper Le Parisien, citing police, said the suspects wore hoods and were carrying “small chainsaws”.

The robbers reportedly escaped with nine pieces of jewellery, including a necklace, a brooch and a tiara from the Napoleon and French Sovereigns display cases, the newspaper reported.

Two suspects were inside while a third stayed outside, Le Parisien said.

Suspects reportedly used this window to get in. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Suspects reportedly used this window to get in. Pic: Reuters

French President Emmanuel Macron said in a post on X: “We will recover the works and the perpetrators will be brought to justice.

“Everything is being done, everywhere, to achieve this,” he added.

What is in the Galerie d’Appollon?

The Galerie d’Appollon is an enormous room on the upper floor of the Petite Galerie, which houses the French Crown Jewels as well as the royal collection of hardstone vessels, paintings, tapestries and medallions, the museum’s website said.

Rebuilt by Louis XIV after a fire, it is home to three historical diamonds – the Regent, one of the most famous diamonds in the world, the Sancy and the Hortensia.

At 140 carats, the Regent is exceptional in terms of size, weight and purity and when it was found in India in 1698, it was the largest known diamond at the time.

Social media users posted pictures and videos from in and outside the building, with one showing people leaving in “total panic”.

The museum sits next to the River Seine. Pic: Reuters
Image:
The museum sits next to the River Seine. Pic: Reuters

One person on X who said they were there reported a confused-sounding scene of police “running” near the museum’s famous pyramid “and trying to enter… from glass side doors but they were locked and they could not enter”.

“Everyone inside was running and banging on glass doors to get out, but could not open. Police and military police arrived,” they added.

History of Louvre break-ins

This is not the first time thieves have targeted the museum.

In 1911, the Mona Lisa, now protected by bulletproof glass, vanished from its frame, stolen by a former worker who hid inside the museum and walked out with the painting under his coat.

Read more on Sky News:
Investigation into latest Andrew claims
Rock bassist dies at 48
Socialite Goldsmith dies

It was recovered two years later in Florence – an episode that helped make Leonardo da Vinci’s portrait the world’s best-known artwork.

In 1983, two Renaissance-era pieces of armour were stolen – and were only recovered in 2021, nearly four decades later.

The museum’s collection also bears the legacy of Napoleonic-era looting, containing 33,000 works of art, including antiquities, sculptures and paintings.

In addition to the Mona Lisa, its star attractions feature the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.

Continue Reading

Trending