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Tragedy on Libya’s Coast as Migrant Bodies Wash Ashore

  FILE PHOTO: Migrants aboard an overcrowded boat are approached by the crew of the migrant search and rescue ship Sea-Watch 5, operated by the German NGO Sea-Watch, during a rescue operation in the Search and Rescue (SAR) zone in the central Mediterranean, off Libya. At least five migrants, including two women, were found washed ashore in the coastal town of Qasr al-Akhyar, east of Libya’s capital, Tripoli. Local police reported that the bodies were discovered along the Emhamid Al-Sharif shore, a location where residents first spotted them and alerted authorities.  According to police investigator Hassan Al-Ghawil, a child’s body had also briefly washed ashore but was pulled back into the sea by strong waves, prompting the coast guard to continue searching the area. All of the recovered individuals were described as dark‑skinned, underscoring the ongoing dangers faced by migrants attempting perilous Mediterranean crossings.  The incident highlights the persistent huma...

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Gaza Residents Return Home as Ceasefire Holds: A New Dawn in Northern Gaza

 

In a significant development, tens of thousands of Palestinians began streaming back to northern Gaza on Monday, January 27, 2025, following a breakthrough in hostage negotiations between Hamas and Israel. The ceasefire agreement, mediated by Qatari officials, has paved the way for the return of displaced residents to their homes.

The breakthrough came after Hamas agreed to release three Israeli hostages, including civilian Arbel Yehud, and Israeli forces began withdrawing from key corridors in Gaza. The first crossing point in central Gaza opened at 7:00 a.m. (0500 GMT), allowing residents to start their journey north. Another crossing opened three hours later, permitting vehicles to pass.

Residents, some carrying infants and bundles of belongings, walked along the coastal road by the Mediterranean Sea shore. "It's like I was born again and we were victorious again," said Umm Mohammed Ali, a Palestinian mother, as she joined the miles-long throng.

The return of displaced Gazans marks a moment of hope amid the prolonged conflict. "My heart is beating, I thought I would never come back," said Osama, a 50-year-old public servant and father of five, as he arrived in Gaza City. "Whether the ceasefire succeeds or not, we will never leave Gaza City and the north again," he added.

The ceasefire agreement also includes staggered releases of hostages over six weeks, with around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners expected to be freed in exchange. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, but the recent developments have brought a surge of aid into the war-torn region.

As families reunite and rebuild their lives, the hope for lasting peace and stability in Gaza grows stronger.


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