Anas Al-Sharif’s last message from Gaza to the world

This is Anas Al-Sharif’s last message, last well, if you may say.

He prepared in case he was killed by the Israeli army after long months, days and hours of threats.

It was shared on his official social media account shortly after his assassination, along with 6 men, including 4 crew members from journalists, cameramen and their driver, in a direct targeting of their tent at Al-Shifaa Hospital early Monday morning.

The Israeli Occupation Forces did some as they are gearing up for a complete re-occupation of Gaza.

The names of those who were killed in this massacre were: Al-Jazeera reporters Anas Al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh, cameramen Ibrahim Zaher and Moamen Aliwa as well as their driver Mohammed Noufal. 

This is the whole Al-Jazeera Crew in North Gaza.

Among the other victims photographer, Mohamed El-Khaledi.

Either way, the coverage continues inshallah, as Al-Sharif said.

For 670 days, Anas Al-Sharif became that young voice of Gaza echoing in millions of houses in the Arab world and beyond. I got many emotions to the level that I feel that I can’t write anything now, but the least thing I can I share his last message.

This is its official translation into English:

“This is my will and my final message. If these words reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice. First, peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings.

Allah knows I gave every effort and all my strength to be a support and a voice for my people, ever since I opened my eyes to life in the alleys and streets of the Jabalia refugee camp. My hope was that Allah would extend my life so I could return with my family and loved ones to our original town of occupied Asqalan (Al-Majdal).

But Allah’s will came first, and His decree is final. I have lived through pain in all its details, tasted suffering and loss many times, yet I never once hesitated to convey the truth as it is, without distortion or falsification—so that Allah may bear witness against those who stayed silent, those who accepted our killing, those who choked our breath, and whose hearts were unmoved by the scattered remains of our children and women, doing nothing to stop the massacre that our people have faced for more than a year and a half.

I entrust you with Palestine—the jewel in the crown of the Muslim world, the heartbeat of every free person in this world. I entrust you with its people, with its wronged and innocent children who never had the time to dream or live in safety and peace.

Their pure bodies were crushed under thousands of tons of Israeli bombs and missiles, torn apart and scattered across the walls. I urge you not to let chains silence you, nor borders restrain you.

Be bridges toward the liberation of the land and its people, until the sun of dignity and freedom rises over our stolen homeland.

I entrust you to take care of my family. I entrust you with my beloved daughter Sham, the light of my eyes, whom I never got the chance to watch grow up as I had dreamed.

I entrust you with my dear son Salah, whom I had wished to support and accompany throughout life until he grew strong enough to carry my burden and continue the mission. I entrust you with my beloved mother, whose blessed prayers brought me to where I am, whose supplications were my fortress and whose light guided my path.

I pray that Allah grants her strength and rewards her on my behalf with the best of rewards. I also entrust you with my lifelong companion, my beloved wife, Umm Salah (Bayan), from whom the war separated me from for many long days and months.

Yet she remained faithful to our bond, steadfast as the trunk of an olive tree that does not bend—patient, trusting in Allah, and carrying the responsibility in my absence with all her strength and faith. I urge you to stand by them, to be their support after Allah Almighty.

If I die, I die steadfast upon my principles. I testify before Allah that I am content with His decree, certain of meeting Him, and assured that what is with Allah is better and everlasting.

O Allah, accept me among the martyrs, forgive my past and future sins, and make my blood a light that illuminates the path of freedom for my people and my family.

Forgive me if I have fallen short, and pray for me with mercy, for I kept my promise and never changed or betrayed it.

Do not forget Gaza… And do not forget me in your sincere prayers for forgiveness and acceptance.

Anas Jamal Al-Sharif 

06.04.2025”

Here is the Grand Imam’s Deleted Urgent Global Action Call to Save Gaza "Updated"

On Tuesday, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb issued a global call on social media to save Gaza from what he described as a genocidal famine imposed by Israel.

Just a few hours after its release, the statement was deleted from both social media and Egyptian news websites—sparking public outrage and fueling speculation as to why Al-Azhar would retract such a powerful declaration. Rumours have been circulating ever since.

By Wednesday, Al-Azhar issued a follow-up statement explaining that the original call was withdrawn out of concern it might be used as a pretext to stall or obstruct the progress of ongoing truce negotiations.

According to Mada Masr, the decision to pull the statement came at the request of Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Atty, who is currently touring West Africa.

I honestly don’t know whether it was Al-Azhar, the Grand Imam himself, the Foreign Minister, or someone else who made the final decision—but I do know there was no need to delete it. If anything, the retraction caused more damage. Now, social media is flooded with rumours that Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb has been placed under arrest.

I think that’s not true. I expect he’ll appear within hours—either at an Al-Azhar event, in a meeting with visiting VIP, or leading the presidential Friday prayers in New Alamein.

Honestly, I wish they had left it up. At this point, removing it didn’t change anything—except making things worse.

Now, here’s the statement translated into English. I was among the very few who managed to save a copy before it disappeared.

Watch this now: Once BBC's Living in Gaza War Zone

Before it pulled Gaza Doctors Under Attack under pressure from the Israeli lobby in the UK, the BBC had already withdrawn this documentary — despite having commissioned it — also due to pressure from the same lobby.

“Gaza: Living in a War Zone” was the name of the documentary, and it was released in February 2025.

The documentary follows the lives of four young people navigating the war in Gaza: 13-year-old Abdullah Al-Yazouri, 11-year-old Zakaria, 10-year-old Renad, and 24-year-old Rana, a new mother.

Watch the documentary

Watch this now: Gaza Doctors Under Attack away from BBC “Arabic Translation included”

Watch the documentary that the BBC pulled under pressure from the Israeli lobby in the UK—despite having originally commissioned it.

The film, Gaza: Doctors Under Attack, is produced by the award-winning Basement Films. 

BBC claimed it could not air the documentary until the investigation into it concludes — the film Gaza: Living in a War Zone, which it had aired back in February, before removing it from its website and app because it gave a voice to a boy who is the son of a Hamas official.

After the BBC dropped it, Basement Films released the documentary via Channel 4 and Zeteo.

 British football legend and former BBC sports presenter Gary Lineker said that the BBC should “hold its head in shame” over its failure to show a documentary about the plight of medics in Gaza after watching the documentary.

Linker lost his job over alleged antisemitic accusations as he continues to support Gaza and Palestinians publicly demanding that Israel receive the same treatment as Russia is receiving in the sports world. 

You can watch the documentary for free on Channel 4 if you are in the UK and have a valid UK postcode.

It is also available on Zeteo for subscribers.

A version with AI-generated Arabic subtitles is also available, and the film has been shared on Twitter and X, where it can be viewed freely.

Scenes from FIFA CWC 2025 : Handala and Ultras Ahlaway are here to stay

If you're looking for a brief escape from the region's heavy news cycle, especially if you're a football fan, this one's for you.

Two weeks ago, the FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) kicked off in the United States — the country that famously refers to the world’s most popular sport as "soccer."

As expected — mashallah — Egypt’s Al-Ahly SC proudly qualified for the tournament once again. This marks the club’s ninth appearance in the CWC, making Al-Ahly the most qualified team in the tournament’s history outside of Europe and South America. 

Cairo’s Red Castle continues to make its mark on the global stage.

Sadly, Al-Ahly’s 2025 campaign came to an end after a dramatic draw with Portugal’s FC Porto at New Jersey’s iconic MetLife Stadium. Despite the electric atmosphere and a performance that fans will remember for years, the draw wasn’t enough to push them through to the next round. 

As Egyptians and Al-Ahly fans, we’ve exited the tournament — but some images and scenes from this edition of the FIFA Club World Cup will stay with me forever.

One of them is Palestinian striker Wessam Abou Ali, making history in a way that transcends sport. In the unforgettable match against FC Porto, Abou Ali scored three goals — a true football “hat trick.” It was his night, and his name is now etched in the record books.

He became the first Palestinian player ever to score a hat-trick in a global tournament of this scale — a milestone not just for himself, but for Palestinian football. And to mark this powerful moment, Abou Ali celebrated in the spirit of Handala, the symbol of Palestinian resilience.

He was rightly named Man of the Match. It was well earned.

FIFA typically highlights and celebrates players who score historic firsts — especially hat tricks — in their official social media channels. But strangely, Wessam Abou Ali has received no such recognition from FIFA, and no official explanation has been offered.

From Cairo to Tehran: Al-Azhar’s Grand Imam Breaks the Silence, Slams Israeli War on Iran

Al-Azhar Mosque held its first Friday prayer on 7 Ramadan 361 AH, corresponding to 21 June 972 CE, marking its effective inauguration as a mosque of public worship.

There is no better moment than this anniversary to share an important message from Al-Azhar’s current Grand Imam, Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb, delivered in Arabic, Farsi, and English.

On Friday, El-Tayeb issued a trilingual statement condemning Israel’s ongoing war against Iran and denouncing the international community’s silence, which he described as complicity.

I strongly condemn the ongoing aggression by the occupying entity against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the systematic attacks and continued recklessness committed by this usurping aggressor and its backers, acts that risk dragging the region to the brink of explosion and…

— أحمد الطيب (@alimamaltayeb) June 20, 2025

Watch This : Tucker Carlson wipes the floor with Ted Cruz

I never imagined I’d write this headline.

From the episode, Tucker Carlson Vs Ted Cruz

Not in my wildest thoughts did I ever expect to consider Tucker Carlson one of the saner voices in the United States today. However, if you have time, I recommend watching his two-hour interview with Senator Ted Cruz.

Senator Ted Cruz demands regime change in Iran. He’s not interested in the details.

(0:00) Why Does Cruz Want Regime Change in Iran?
(6:28) Is the US Currently Acting in Its Own Best Interest?
(7:49) Was Regime Change in Syria Beneficial to the US?
(12:31) Was the Iraq War a… pic.twitter.com/iIdENogQ2T

— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) June 18, 2025

The very fact that Tucker Carlson is now among the few outspoken, sane voices opposing the war on Iran says a lot about the dire state of the U.S. mainstream media.

That Carlson is doing the work western liberal media should be doing—asking the hard questions—only underscores how badly that media has failed.

Between Two Lions: Watching the Middle East Burn in the Name of God

It feels like the invasion of Iraq all over again.
Donald Trump is pushing the United States toward a confrontation—this time with Iran—following nearly a week of Israel’s failure to compel Tehran into submission to Benjamin Netanyahu’s demands.

 In just a few days, the narrative has shifted from halting Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons program to escalating tensions on a much broader scale.
It’s worth noting, just as in the lead-up to the Iraq War, that the IAEA has no evidence of a systematic Iranian effort to develop nuclear weapons.

It’s déjà vu—once again, God’s foreign policy is being invoked in the Middle East.

  This post was originally planned to focus on how Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu uses religious rhetoric to influence both Israeli society and the broader Jewish community—an approach amplified when U.S. President Donald Trump shared a message he received from the U.S. ambassador to Israel, former pastor Mike Huckabee.

That SMS is like something from G.W. Bush Jr's divine orders to invade Iraq. For the second time in less than 50 years, the Middle East is being dragged into the hell of neo-crusades.

It is Friday 13th : War Erupts Between Israel and Iran; Egypt First to Be Affected “Updated”

Friday, 13th June 2025 will be another unforgettable date in the Middle East.

In an unprecedented escalation, Israel launched a massive, coordinated operation under the name “Rising Lion” to strike deep into Iranian territory, targeting nuclear facilities and assassinating high-ranking military officials, mostly inside civilian areas.

The attacks caused widespread destruction in Tehran and other cities, reportedly killing over 400 people, mostly civilians, including children.

The operation, seemingly aimed at weakening the regime and sparking internal dissent, backfired as angry protests erupted not against the government, but in support of retaliation and accelerating Iran's nuclear ambitions, aka build nuclear bombs ASAP.

Friday evening, Iran launched a massive retaliatory strike—firing around 100–150 ballistic missiles (plus drones)—across at least two waves toward central Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Despite Israel’s air defenses that include US air defenses, the Iranian missiles breached and struck urban and military sites; one reportedly hit the IDF’s headquarters area in Tel Aviv, causing structural damage and injuring dozens—reports estimate 22–40 people hurt, with one civilian confirmed dead.

The barrage, code-named “True Promise” by the Iranian government, marked the first direct ballistic retaliation against Israel.

The scale and intensity of the strike mark a dangerous turning point. What the Iranians feared for 30 years has happened.

In other words, war broke out directly between Israel and Iran.

In some historical coincidence, it is Friday the 13^th, and it is June.

The Odyssey of the Madleen: The Fragility of Power and the Bravery of Twelve

The Madleen, a ship carrying 12 aid workers on a mission to break the Israeli siege on Gaza, has become an odyssey of both hope and defiance.

Early Monday, UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese reported that she was in live contact with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s Madleen crew when the ship was approached by five Israeli speedboats circling the vessel in international waters.

The ship’s captain instructed the team to remain calm and seated, with their passports and life jackets readily available. Albanese, who was simultaneously tweeting updates, heard the crew informing Israeli soldiers that they were carrying humanitarian aid and intended to reach Gaza peacefully. At that point, the Israeli boats were circling but had not yet intervened.

Albanese, an Italian lawyer and human rights advocate, confirmed that she was still online with the team and recording events in real-time.

Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila also spoke out about the escalating situation while on board the vessel on his Instagram account.

According to military observers, the Madleen was then reportedly attacked by Shayetet 13—Israel’s elite naval commandos, the same unit responsible for the deadly raid on the Gaza flotilla in 2010.

Moments later, the speedboats briefly withdrew. Then came the drones.

At 12:40 a.m. UK time, Albanese reported that Israeli drones were releasing white paint onto the deck of the Madleen, marking a chilling new phase of the confrontation.

By 12:51 a.m. UK time, the crew of the Madleen remained in good spirits, though they had taken cover due to two Israeli quadcopters hovering overhead.

Malcolm X at 100 : When Malcolm visited Gaza

On this day, May 19, a hundred years ago, Malcolm Little was born in Nebraska.
He would later become known as Malcolm X, and eventually as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz — a pioneering Black African American Muslim activist who emerged as a global icon in the struggle for human rights and justice.

On the occasion of his 100th birthday, I believe it’s the right moment to revisit the op-ed he wrote for The Egyptian Gazette following his visit to Gaza in September 1964, just months before his assassination in February 1965. 

The article, titled “Zionist Logic,” remains a powerful reflection of his evolving worldview.

I will be sharing it with you.
I only wish The Egyptian Gazette’s remarkable archives were available online.

Zionist Logic

By Malcolm X

The Zionist armies that now occupy Palestine claim their ancient Jewish prophets predicted that in the "last days of this world" their own God would raise them up a "messiah" who would lead them to their promised land, and they would set up their own "divine" government in this newly-gained land, this "divine" government would enable them to "rule all other nations with a rod of iron."

If the Israeli Zionists believe their present occupation of Arab Palestine is the fulfillment of predictions made by their Jewish prophets, then they also religiously believe that Israel must fulfill its "divine" mission to rule all other nations with a rod of irons, which only means a different form of iron-like rule, more firmly entrenched even, than that of the former European Colonial Powers.

These Israeli Zionists religiously believe their Jewish God has chosen them to replace the outdated European colonialism with a new form of colonialism, so well disguised that it will enable them to deceive the African masses into submitting willingly to their "divine" authority and guidance, without the African masses being aware that they are still colonized.

Camouflage

The Israeli Zionists are convinced they have successfully camouflaged their new kind of colonialism. Their colonialism appears to be more "benevolent," more "philanthropic," a system with which they rule simply by getting their potential victims to accept their friendly offers of economic "aid," and other tempting gifts, that they dangle in front of the newly-independent African nations, whose economies are experiencing great difficulties. During the 19th century, when the masses here in Africa were largely illiterate it was easy for European imperialists to rule them with "force and fear," but in this present era of enlightenment the African masses are awakening, and it is impossible to hold them in check now with the antiquated methods of the 19th century.

The imperialists, therefore, have been compelled to devise new methods. Since they can no longer force or frighten the masses into submission, they must devise modern methods that will enable them to maneuver the African masses into willing submission.

The modern 20th century weapon of neo-imperialism is "dollarism." The Zionists have mastered the science of dollarism: the ability to come posing as a friend and benefactor, bearing gifts and all other forms of economic aid and offers of technical assistance. Thus, the power and influence of Zionist Israel in many of the newly "independent" African nations has fast-become even more unshakeable than that of the 18th century European colonialists...and this new kind of Zionist colonialism differs only in form and method, but never in motive or objective.

At the close of the 19th century when European imperialists wisely foresaw that the awakening masses of Africa would not submit to their old method of ruling through force and fears, these ever-scheming imperialists had to create a "new weapon," and to find a "new base" for that weapon.

Hind Ragab would have turned 7 today if it were not for this man

Hind Ragab Would Have Turned Seven today.

Hind Ragab would have turned seven years old on 3 May.

Instead, she, her cousins, uncle, aunt, and the two Palestinian Red Crescent medics Yusuf Zeino and Ahmed Al Madhoun, who tried to save her, were killed by the Israeli army on a cold January day — in what amounted to a series of war crimes.

Hind’s weak and scared voice while she pleaded for the Palestinian Red Crescent operators to come and take her home shook many to the core, including me.

Earlier this year, in February, Hind’s voice was echoed through the UN Security Council thanks to Ambassador Riyad Mansour 

: Hind Rajab, her screams and appeals before she was killed by Israel, echoing through the Security Council: pic.twitter.com/PYcfJC2gkr

— State of Palestine (@Palestine_UN) February 25, 2025

Hind lived only five years on this Earth, but her name has become a symbol of justice, a name that will haunt war criminals worldwide — thanks to the Hind Ragab Foundation.

Based in Brussels, the Hind Ragab Foundation (HRF) was founded and launched in September 2024 by a group of lawyers and human rights advocates as a branch of the 30 March Movement. It is chaired by Lebanese lawyer and activist Dyab Abou Jahjah.

The foundation’s mission is to actively pursue legal action against those responsible for atrocities and war crimes — including perpetrators, accomplices, and inciters of violence against Palestinians, especially in Gaza.

Gaza War : This is what Hossam Shabat said in his last messages to the world

The Israeli occupation army killed in Gaza on Monday two journalists, 29-year-old Mohamed Mansour and 23-year-old Hossam Shabat.

Late Mansour and Shabat

29-year-old Mansour was a correspondent for Palestine Today TV channel and Japan’s Asahi Shimbun Daily.

Mohamed Mansour was killed in an Israeli missile attack at his house early Monday.

The Israeli army killed Shabat shortly after he mourned his colleague Mansour. Shabat was an Al-Jazeera Mubshar reporter in North Gaza.

Once again Mahmoud Darwish’s “In Gaza, a martyr mourns a martyr” manifests in front of our eyes.

It was not the first time. Shabat mourned his other colleagues who were killed in the past months in North Gaza.

Gaza War: What the Palestinians say on Mother’s Day 2025 in Gaza “March Edition” {Warning: Graphic}

We are back to the war in Gaza and for the second year in a row, Gaza celebrates Mother’s Day in war.

The Arab World celebrates Mother’s Day on 21 March thanks to the Mustafa and Aly Amin brothers.

For the second year in a row, Palestinian mothers and children in Gaza celebrate it under the Israeli shelling as the Israeli government broke the ceasefire “it broke it since day one” and resumed the war.

We are back to see those scenes where a mother mourns her only child or her children or a child mourns his or her child.

Mother and Child by Palestinian renowned artist Silman Mansour 

Those videos were filmed in Gaza in the past five days.

From Khan Younes, a mother woke up to find out that her children and husband were killed in an Israeli airstrike. They were already sleeping without Suhoor.

Babies of Gaza: Mostafa, son of Halima has a family and is recovering

Do you remember that baby from Al-Shifa Hospital’s premature babies in Gaza who lost his eye and his mom and arrived in Egypt alone to receive treatment?

Yes, it is him, and he is a cute little boy who was lucky to find his family after all.

Mostafa Qadoura in Gaza before evacuation and in Cairo after evacuation

His name is Mostafa Qadoura , the son of Halima Abd Rabou.

Babies of Gaza: Mostafa, son of Halima has a family and is recovering amazingly and happily.

When Mostafa Qadoura was just a week old, an Israeli airstrike on his home in northern Gaza’s Jabaliya in October 2013 launched him and his crib into the air.

Shrapnel pierced his right eye, damaging it beyond repair. Baby Mostafa was later found in his crib, meters away from the ruins of his home.

The strike killed his 4-year-old brother, Ayes, and severely injured his 22-year-old mother, Halima.

Mostafa was rushed to Al-Shifa Hospital’s neonatal unit but faced further medical challenges when the hospital itself came under shelling. Meanwhile, Halima was at another hospital in northern Gaza, where doctors were forced to amputate her leg. She also suffered life-altering injuries to her neck, chest, and eyes.

After being discharged, Halima moved into a large family home in Jabaliya. But tragedy struck again. As her son was being evacuated across borders to safety, an Israeli airstrike killed Halima, her 6-year-old son, Bassam, and 50 other family members on November 22, 2023.

The fate of Mostafa’s father remains unknown. Officially listed as missing, it is unclear whether his body has been recovered.

For a time, the remaining members of Mostafa’s family believed he had also perished—until his uncle stumbled upon a local news report mentioning an orphaned baby he suspected was Mostafa.

The Israel-Gaza ceasefire agreement: Let’s pray it works

A few hours ago, it was announced officially in Qatar’s Doha that after Egyptian Qatari American mediation efforts, Palestinian factions led by Hamas group and Israel signed a ceasefire agreement for a prisoner exchange and the establishment of sustainable calm, paving the way for a permanent ceasefire.

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza, Qatar's PM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani announced. pic.twitter.com/Xm5uZXbUAu

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) January 15, 2025

The agreement will take effect on Sunday 19 January 2025 at 12.15 PM.

The agreement consists of three phases to de-escalate the situation and restore stability.

Phase One (Duration: 42 Days):

1. Ceasefire: Both parties commit to a complete cessation of hostilities.
2. Israeli Forces' Withdrawal and Redeployment: Israeli forces will withdraw from densely populated areas and reposition outside these zones.
3. Prisoner and Detainee Exchange: The parties will exchange prisoners and detainees, as well as the remains of deceased individuals.
4. Return of Internally Displaced Persons: Internally displaced residents of Gaza will be allowed to return to their homes.
5. Medical Evacuations: Facilitate the exit of patients and injured individuals for treatment.

Rafah crossing will start working starting on Thursday and by working here, we mean to fix on the Palestinian side as the Israeli army completely destroyed the Palestinian side of Rafah crossing.

Additionally, the first phase includes the intensification of humanitarian aid delivery across the Gaza Strip, ensuring safe and effective distribution on a large scale. 

Egyptian Chronicles’ Movers and Shakers of 2024 "Updated"

Welcome to the 2024 edition of Egyptian Chronicles' Movers and Shakers!

It’s that time of year again for our annual post.

Here is my list of those I believe to be the movers and shakers of 2024 in Egypt, the Arab world, and beyond.

This is not a list of the "top" individuals but rather those who left an impact for better or worse. The good, the bad, and the ugly all make an appearance. The naughty and the goody-goody are here too.

I didn’t publish the 2023 edition due to the war in Gaza—a decision I now regret.

But now, let’s dive into my top picks for the Movers and Shakers of 2024.

Regional shakers and movers

• The Palestinian people in Gaza:

Does this need any explanation? The most resilient people in the world are facing genocide while steadfastly refusing to leave their land. Many are unaware that Palestinians could storm the Egyptian border and seek refuge in Sinai under international law, which obligates Egypt to receive them. Yet, the Palestinians of Gaza choose to remain because they know Gaza is their last frontier.

Palestinian man Ismail Al-Khlout reads the Quran as he waits to break his fast in
Ramadan "March" while sitting on the rubble of his house. Mahmoud Isssa for Reuters

The people of Gaza understand that crossing the border means never returning. Israeli plans to recolonize Gaza are not a secret; Israeli officials openly discuss them. Their relentless efforts to make Gaza uninhabitable are underway, but the Palestinian people of Gaza remain their greatest obstacle. They are the true resistance, keeping the hope of Palestine alive. Yet, one cannot help but wonder how much longer they can endure this ongoing genocide.

Some countless faces and names embody the resilience and spirit of the Palestinian people in Gaza. Among them is Hajj Khaled Nabhan, who became an icon of perseverance after losing his beloved granddaughter Reem in October 2023. Despite his grief, he continued to care for his elderly mother and support the injured and displaced in Gaza. Tragically, Hajj Nabhan was killed in November.

Khaled Nabhan and his granddaughter Reem are now together

Others, like food blogger-turned-chef Hamada Shaqoura and Mrs. Shahinaz, inspire hope through their efforts amidst the destruction. They remind us of the enduring humanity and strength of Gaza’s people.

As of October 7, 2023, the ongoing Israeli war has claimed the lives of 45,658 individuals and left 108,583 injured. Additionally, 80% of the Gaza Strip is now under Israeli evacuation orders, further compounding the humanitarian crisis.

Christmas 2024 Palestine edition: Baby Jesus is still in the rubble

No words better capture the spirit of Christmas in Palestine this year than those of Rev. Munther Isaac of the Christmas Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, who said in his sermon earlier this week, “Christ is still under the rubble in Gaza.”

Christmas celebrations are canceled in the city of Jesus Christ's birth for the second year in a row.

On Friday in Bethlehem, in the occupied West Bank, Reverend Munther Isaac of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church delivered a sermon titled "Christ is still in the rubble.” pic.twitter.com/EJLs3jGack

— Democracy Now! (@democracynow) December 23, 2024

Last year Isaac said his famous words “Baby Jesus is under the rubble” and this year he repeats it to the world but there is no use.

This year , 2024 the Christmas Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bethlehem kept its 2023 Christmas Nativity Scene's Baby Jesus in th rubble.

Baby Jesus in rubble nativity scene 

Watch This: War Crimes are Instagrammed and Tiktoked in Gaza

Please watch this very important documentary “Investigating War Crimes in Gaza” produced by Al-Jazeera International about Israeli soldiers and officers in Gaza who share on social media their war crimes and misconduct openly to the world.

This documentary is more evidence of why the International Criminal Court “ICC” had to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant for war crimes in Gaza.

The film explores a trove of over 2,500 social media accounts of Israeli soldiers. It also exposes the complicity of Western governments specifically the British Government – in particular, the use of RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus as a base for British surveillance flights over Gaza.

Netanyahu and Gallant to The Hague: A Small, Belated Step Toward Justice

And the International Criminal Court has done it.

It issued arrest warrants for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024 in Palestine’s Gaza.

The Irish Times' Front page was the best

The ICC also issued a similar arrest warrant for Mohamed El-Deif, the commander of Al-Kassam, the military arm of Hamas in Gaza.

It is a historical move by all measures.

This is the first time the ICC has targeted high-ranking Israeli officials, including a sitting Prime Minister.