Ready to release 50 hostages in Gaza: Hamas
Gaza, Nov 14: Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, has said that it has informed mediators of its readiness to release 50 women and children hostages held in Gaza in exchange for a five-day ceasefire. Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson for Al-Qassam Brigades, said in a message on its Telegram channel on Monday that “Qatari mediators have made efforts to release Israeli detainees in exchange for releasing 200 Palestinian children and 75 women”, Xinhua news agency reported. He stressed that the cease-fire should ensure a halt to hostilities and allow aid entry to people in the enclave. He emphasised that the continued Israeli ground, naval, and aerial aggression threatens the lives of the detainees held by them and by other armed Palestinian factions in Gaza. (IANS)
Migrant boat overturns near Yemen, dozens missing
Sanaa, Nov 14: Dozens of migrants went missing and are feared dead after an overcrowded boat overturned near Yemen’s coast, a government official has confirmed. The official told Xinhua news agency late on Monday that the boat carrying approximately 75 migrants overturned near the coastal city of Mocha on Sunday. He clarified that all the passengers were predominantly migrants from countries in the Horn of Africa seeking asylum in Yemen. He said that strong winds are believed to have caused the boat to overturn. While 26 survivors managed to swim ashore and were rescued by the Yemeni coastguard troops, at least 49 other passengers remained missing, according to the official. Yemeni authorities, including the coastguard units, have engaged in search and rescue efforts. IANS)
Anti-Pakistan sentiments fuelled in Afghanistan: Pak Minister
Islamabad, Nov 13: Amid the Pakistan government’s crackdown to drive out all illegal migrants from the country, “anti-Pakistan sentiments” are being incited among Afghans in the neighbouring country, Pak Senator Shehzad Saleem said while addressing the upper house of parliament on Monday, media reports said. The Pak government last month decided to deport all the undocumented foreigners living in the country in light of a surge in terrorism in Pakistan. More than 280,000 Afghan nationals have left Pakistan since the new policy was announced, according to the United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees (UNHCR). However, the senators demanded the repatriation of Afghans in a respectful manner during a Senate meeting today. Saleem said that there has been a history of misunderstanding and mistrust between Islamabad and Kabul. He said that the country witnessed a spike in terrorist activities and authorities decided to send the illegal migrants back to their country to deal with the situation, Geo News reported. “An autonomous state is responsible for ensuring the safety of life and property of its citizens,” the senator said. He, however, added that Pakistan has to play a role in regional affairs and promote political dialogue with Afghanistan. Senator Ishaq Dar said the refugees and migrants leaving Pakistan have the right to take their properties with them. (IANS)