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Humanitarian Aid on Trial in Greece

  File photo: Migrants from Afghanistan is towed by rescuers of the Refugee Rescue NGO, on the island of Lesbos, Greece. Twenty-four humanitarian aid workers have gone on trial in Greece, facing felony charges of migrant smuggling, money laundering, and membership in a criminal organization . The case, unfolding on the island of Lesbos, targets former volunteers of the now-defunct NGO Emergency Response Centre International (ERCI) , which operated search-and-rescue missions between 2016 and 2018. Among the defendants are Sarah Mardini , a Syrian refugee and professional swimmer whose story inspired the Netflix film The Swimmers , and Seán Binder , a German-Irish rescue diver. Both were arrested in 2018 for their involvement in helping migrants and refugees arriving by sea from Turkey. If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison . Greek prosecutors allege that the group facilitated illegal entry into the country by monitoring coastguard communications and relaying ...

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Tragic Toll: 274 Palestinians Killed in Israeli Raid to Rescue Hostages

 

In a devastating operation, at least 274 Palestinians, including dozens of children, lost their lives during an Israeli raid that successfully rescued four hostages held by Hamas. The complex daytime operation unfolded deep in central Gaza, where Israeli forces faced heavy fire. The toll of this rescue mission underscores the immense cost of conflict in the region, adding to the already soaring casualties from the 8-month-old war ignited by Hamas’ earlier attack. The situation remains fraught, with scores of hostages believed to be held in densely populated areas or within Hamas’ intricate tunnel network, making rescues perilous and complex.

The tragic scenes at Gaza hospitals reveal the chaos and carnage. Overwhelmed medical facilities were already grappling with treating the wounded from days of intense Israeli strikes. Children, burnt and in shock, screamed for their parents. Amidst this horror, a special forces officer was killed during the operation, emphasizing the risks faced by those involved.

This grim incident serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and the urgent need for peace in the region. Our hearts go out to the families affected by this tragedy, and we hope for a future where such devastating operations are no longer necessary.

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