ISLAMABAD, NOV 21 /DNA/ – Further strengthening its international collaboration, the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) has concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS), Malaysia. The virtual ceremony, held simultaneously at the High Commission of Pakistan in Kuala Lumpur and Islamabad, marked a pivotal moment in the deepening ties between the two premier institutions.

His Excellency Syed Ahsan Raza Shah, High Commissioner of Pakistan to Malaysia, expressed his great privilege in hosting the ceremony, emphasizing the strong cultural and research connections discussed during recent meetings between the two countries. Dr. Maszlee bin Malik, Chairman of IAIS and former Malaysian Minister of Education, was warmly welcomed as a visionary scholar and key collaborator in fostering intellectual exchanges. The ceremony was attended by Director General ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, and His Excellency Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, High Commissioner of Malaysia to Pakistan, among other distinguished guests.

High Commissioner Mazlan highlighted the long-standing ties between Malaysia and Pakistan, encompassing areas such as defence, economy, and education. He added that the signing of the ISSI-IAIS MoU was a testament to the shared commitment to enhance institutional collaboration, a goal reaffirmed during bilateral political consultations in March 2023. The MoU is expected to pave the way for deeper engagement, understanding, and collaboration in research and cultural domains.

In his address on the occasion, DG ISSI Amb. Sohail Mahmood highlighted the historic Pakistan-Malaysia ties, shared faith and common values, growing bilateral economic collaboration, and convergence of views on key regional and international issues. He also underscored the tradition of Pakistan and Malaysia always espousing the causes of the Muslim Ummah. Besides, he added, Malaysia was a crucial partner in the context of Pakistan’s ‘Vision East Asia’ policy and its desire for an elevated partnership with ASEAN. He expressed the confidence that the MoU would serve as a catalyst for intellectual exchanges, reinforcing better understanding and cooperation on bilateral, regional and international issues.

High Commissioner Mazlan congratulated both institutes and highlighted the robust economic ties, with bilateral trade reaching new heights. He emphasized the immense potential for further collaboration, especially in areas such as education and cultural exchanges.

Dr. Maszlee bin Malik echoed the sentiment, envisioning the MoU as a starting point for future joint events, research activities, and conferences that would strengthen the bonds between Malaysia and Pakistan.

DG ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood thanked the two High Commissioners and all other contributors and emphasized the crucial importance of the MoU in reinforcing people-to-people links, research collaborations, and educational exchanges. He extended a cordial invitation to Dr. Maszlee bin Malik to visit Pakistan at the earliest opportunity.

The ceremony concluded with expressions of gratitude and optimism for the future, symbolizing another milestone in the enduring friendship and cooperation between Malaysia and Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD, NOV 21: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday declared illegal the law ministry’s August 29 notification for the jail trial of PTI chief Imran Khan in “judicial lockup” in the cipher case.

The verdict, which was reserved earlier in the day, was issued on an intra-court appeal filed by Imran against a single-member bench’s decision approving the ex-premier’s jail trial in the cipher case.

It must be noted that on August 29, the IHC had suspended the PTI chief’s sentence in the Toshakhana case, but a special court established under the Official Secrets Act had directed jail authorities to keep Imran in “judicial lockup” in the cipher case.

A notification issued by the law ministry the same day had stated that the Law and Justice Division had “no objection” to Imran’s trial in the cipher case being held at Attock jail. In September, Imran was shifted to Adiala jail.

In the verdict, an IHC division bench, comprising Justice Mian­gul Hassan Aur­angzeb and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz, declared Imran’s intra-court appeal maintainable.

The short order said that the notification issued by the law ministry on August 29 for Imran’s jail trial was declared to be “without lawful authority and no legal effect for want of an order by the appropriate government and fulfillment of requirements provided in Section 352 of the CrPC as well as Rule 3 in Part-A of Chapter-1 in Volume-III of the Rules and Orders of the Lahore High Court.”

Further, the order said that the “designation of the Special Court (Anti-Terrorism-I) Islamabad, to try cases reported under the Official Secrets Act, 1923 through notification dated 27.06.2023 issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice is valid and lawful.”

The order said that there was no provision in the Code of Criminal Procedure which compelled the magistrate to hold court in a usual courtroom.

“In exceptional circumstances and where it is conducive to justice, a trial can be conducted in jail in a manner that fulfills the requirements of an open trial or a trial in-camera provided it is in accordance with the procedure provided by law,” it said.

Further, notifications issued by the law ministry regarding Imran’s jail trial on September 12, September 25, October 3, October 13 were declared to be “without lawful authority and no legal effect”.

Moreover, notifications issued by the law ministry on November 13 and November 15 after decisions taken by the cabinet were “declared to be of no legal consequence”. The court said that the November 15 notification “cannot be given retrospective effect”.

The order said, “Consequently, the proceedings with effect from August 29 and the trial conducted […] in jail premises in a manner that cannot be termed as an open trial stand vitiated,” the order said.

The cipher case pertains to a diplomatic document that the Federal Investigation Agency’s charge sheet alleges was never returned by Imran. The PTI has long held that the document contained a threat from the United States to oust Imran as prime minister.

The former premier and his aide Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who is also behind bars, were indicted in the case on Oct 23. Both have pleaded not guilty.

The IHC has endorsed Imran’s indictment, disposing of his plea against the same, but had also instructed the special court judge to ensure a “fair trial”. Last week, the court halted trial court proceedings against the PTI chief while hearing his intra-court appeal.

During the previous hearing, the IHC sought the appointment record of the judge conducting the jail trial in the case. The court had also ordered the registrar to present the letter written by Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain to the IHC administration for permission to conduct the ex-PM’s trial in jail.

The hearing
During today’s hearing, Imran’s lawyer Advocate Salman Akram Raja started presenting his arguments. Citing high court rules, he said a judge’s permission was mandatory for a jail trial.

“The judge then informs relevant ministry via the high court or district magistrate or commissioner’s office,” he argued.

Here, Justice Aurangzeb inquired what the judge should do foremost for a jail trial. In his response, Raja said the judge had to list reasons for the same with a “clear mind”.

However, the lawyer continued, the reasons for Imran’s jail trial were not conveyed in the Aug 29 documents. “Even if we accept that the trial was initiated by a judge, the process that followed was incomplete,” Raja argued.

Raja highlighted that the federal cabinet is empowered to approve jail trials but in this scenario, no such decision was taken until mid-November. “The federal cabinet’s approval only came when the intra-court appeal was under way,” he revealed.

Raja contended that a judicial order pertaining to the same had also not been issued yet. “The judicial order of a jail trial gives us the chance to present our stance,” the lawyer added and urged the court to declare the jail trial unlawful.

Meanwhile, Justice Aurangzeb asked if the federal cabinet’s decision was taken to fulfil legal requirements. “How can the cabinet approve something that was never sought,” the PTI counsel responded.

He said the special court judge never mentioned the previous proceedings in the case. Whereas, in the notification issued by the government, nothing similar to what the judge said was written, Raja added.

“As per Article 352, the November notification is not applicable to previous hearings,” he contended.

At that, Justice Aurangzeb asked if the lawyer was saying that the government’s order on jail trial was issued merely to fulfil legal obligations.

No, Raja replied, adding that the cabinet’s approval came without a judicial order.

The judge then said that the IHC registrar had informed the court that the process of appointing the judge was initiated by the Islamabad High Court. “We were also told that the special court judge informed the IHC before commencing the jail trial,” Justice Aurangzeb revealed.

Raja, while concluding his arguments, then contended that all the notifications pertaining to the jail trial were illegal. “If you want to conduct a jail trial, you will have to adopt a legal procedure and provide solid reasons for it,” he added.

Subsequently, Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan came to the rostrum. He said a jail trial wasn’t for ordinary people to attend but at the same time highlighted that Imran’s family members were allowed to attend the proceedings.

He recalled that Imran was in prison at the time of arrest and therefore a physical remand was not taken. “If the things that exist in the law are not taking place, then you say that justice is not being served,” the AGP said and highlighted that charges were framed against the accused in front of him as per the law.

The hearing is held at a big hall in Adiala Jail, Awan further said, adding that the jail trial against Imran was being conducted due to security reasons.

After the AGP concluded his arguments, the bench reserved the verdict with Justice Aurangzeb saying that the court would first issue a short order and then a detailed one at a later time.

ISLAMABAD, NOV 21 (DNA) — Chairperson Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib has urged BISP employees to serve needy and poor people of society with utmost dedication and empathy so that BISP may be portrayed as one of the premier organizations of the country.

While addressing a gathering of BISP staff at Jamia Islamia Haq Town in Okara, Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib stressed the need to encourage donations for the welfare of the needy, reinforcing the program’s commitment to transparency and social responsibility. BISP employees from Okara, Pakpatan and Sahiwal participated in the gathering.

Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib said that the database of BISP’s National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER) is authentic and transparent, under which 9.3 million needy families are granted financial assistance every three month.

Dr. Amjad Saqib emphasized the profound significance of mosques as essential centers of governance. “Mosques not only serve as places of worship but also play an important role as an influential entities in promoting ethical values and fostering social cohesion”, he stated.

Later in the day, Dr. Amjad Saqib also visited the BISP office in Okara. He urged BISP staff to provide facilities to elderly needy women. He directed the staff to ensure cleanliness in BISP offices, envisioning them as models of efficiency and service delivery.

Dr. Amjad Saqib has called upon BISP staff for immediate action and redressal of complaints about deduction from the stipends of deserving women. “Transparency should be ensued in disbursement of payment during upcoming Kafaalat Tranche”, he added. — DNA

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Tuesday reserved the verdict on the intra-court appeal filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan against the jail trial in the cipher case.

A division bench comprising Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Saman Riffat Imtiaz reserved the verdict on the plea which will be announced at around 5:30pm today. 

Justice Aurangzeb, during the hearing, said that a short order on the appeal will be announced today, adding that the detailed order will be issued later. 

In a hearing on November 14, the high court suspended Khan’s jail trial in the cipher case. The PTI chairman is currently in Adiala jail after he was indicted by the special court Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain. 

The IHC’s order came after the caretaker federal cabinet approved the jail trial of Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the case. 

Previously, the deposed prime minister — who was ousted from office following a no-confidence motion in April last year — had moved IHC against the jail trial which was rejected by the court’s single bench on October 16.

IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq’s single-member bench ruled that there was no apparent malice behind conducting Khan’s jail trial in the cipher case. The court also directed him to approach the trial court if reservations persist.

Later, Khan filed an intra-court appeal against the single bench’s decision.

Today’s hearing

At the outset of the hearing, Khan’s lawyer Salman Akram Raja presented his arguments, saying that there is a proper procedure that needs to be followed for a jail trial. 

Raja told the court that for a jail trial, the court should issue an order with proper reasoning. “Following [the order], the second stage involves the approval of the federal government on the chief commissioner’s request,” he stated. 

He added that the government has to inform the high court after approval from the cabinet. 

“The cabinet has to approve the order, however, in this case, the cabinet hadn’t given any approval before November 12,” said Raja.

Raja further said that the judge should pass a judicial order that also includes the finding, highlighting that there hasn’t been any order like this yet.

“This is the basic illegality in this case,” he said.

Khan’s counsel told the court that the judge had written the letter to the law ministry on November 8, however, it can not considered a judicial order. 

He further said that he believes the first request for a jail trial comes from the prosecution. 

“The judge, in his letter, wrote that the jail trial should be approved to avoid future complications. Despite the approval from the cabinet, the notification will not be applied retrospectively,” he added. 

Raja contended that the judge talked about the future and not the past in the letter, which was sent by the chief commissioner to the home ministry and then to the law ministry. 

Advocate Raja said that a summary was then sent to the cabinet. “The summary which was prepared on November 10 did not include the previous jail trial,” he argued. 

Khan’s counsel said that the cabinet approved the trial and a notification was issued. “However, the judge did not ask for the approval retrospectively. How can the cabinet give its approval to something the [judge] hadn’t requested for,” he asked. 

“Do you believe the November 13 order fulfils the legal requirements?” questioned Justice Aurangzeb. 

At this, Raja said that he did not believe it was legal as the cabinet gave its approval without a judicial order. 

The bench adjourned further hearing till Tuesday (today).

What is ciphergate?

The controversy emerged on March 27, 2022, when Imran Khan — less than a month before his ouster in April 2022 — while addressing a public rally waved a letter before the crowd, claiming that it was a cipher from a foreign nation that had conspired with his political rivals to have PTI government overthrown.

He did not reveal the contents of the letter nor did he mention the name of the nation it came from. But a few days later, he accused the United States of conspiring against him and alleged that Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Affairs Donald Lu had sought his removal.

The cipher was about former Pakistan ambassador to the US Majeed’s meeting with Lu.

The former prime minister, claiming that he was reading contents from the cipher, said that “all will be forgiven for Pakistan if Imran Khan is removed from power”.

Then on March 31, the National Security Committee (NSC) took up the matter and decided to issue a “strong demarche” to the US for its “blatant interference in the internal affairs of Pakistan”.

Later, after his removal, then-prime minister Shehbaz Sharif convened a meeting of the NSC, which came to the conclusion that it had found no evidence of a foreign conspiracy in the cable.

In the two audio leaks that took the internet by storm and shocked the public after these events, the former prime minister, then-federal minister Asad Umar, and then-principle secretary Azam Khan could allegedly be heard discussing the US cipher and how to use it to their advantage.

On September 30, the federal cabinet took notice of the matter and constituted a committee to probe the contents of the audio leaks.

In October, the cabinet gave the green signal to initiate action against the former prime minister and handed over the case to the FIA.

Once FIA was given the task to probe the matter, it summoned Imran, Asad Umar, and other leaders of the party, but the PTI chief challenged the summons and secured a stay order from the court.

In July 2023, the Lahore High Court (LHC) recalled the stay order against the call-up notice to Imran by the FIA and a formal trial was commenced.

In August, Khan and Qureshi were booked under the Official Secrets Act 1923 in the cipher case after the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) invoked Section 5 of the said law.

Khan and Qureshi have been indicted by the special court and are currently incarcerated in Adiala jail in the cipher case.

Islamabad, NOV 21 /DNA/ – The 37th AGM and Conference of the Pakistan Society of Development Economists (PSDE), hosted by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), in collaboration with Bahaduddin Zakariya University, Multan, began at the Jinnah Auditorium of the BZU.

In the inaugural session of the Conference, Dr Nadeem Ul Haque, Vice-Chancellor of PIDE and President of the PSDE emphasized the significant contributions of Mahbub ul Haq to PIDE. He also highlighted PIDE & PSDE’s role in asking pertinent questions and engaging in impactful research exploring the country’s wide-ranging socio-economic issues.

Dr. Nadeem stressed the need for a paradigm shift in thinking and the importance of asking critical questions. He said that the economic system in Pakistan is on a “life support system.” Dr. Nadeem said that there is an immediate to explore challenges such as exchange rates, unemployment, and the aid-debt trap. The PIDE Vice-Chancellor stressed the need for investment. He said that in Pakistan no one is concerned with investment, while everyone’s primary concern is poverty. Thus, the focus should be shifted to investment and finding ways to increase it. Regarding the economic and development plans in Pakistan, he pointed out the irony of having too many plans yet too little development.

Dr Nadeem further pointed out that the solution to our economic quagmire is not getting more debt. He criticized the overreliance on loans, particularly from institutions like the IMF, and likened going to the IMF repeatedly to going to the emergency ward. He said that Pakistan was in the perpetual cycle of aid-debt traps involving IMF, donors, consultants, and Transparency International. Dr Nadeem also questioned the effectiveness of raising taxes and the lack of challenges to consultants in the development process.

In the secretary’s report, Dr Iftikhar Ahmad, Secretary of the PSDE, reiterated PIDE’s desire to initiate and collaborate on further research with researchers in South Punjab. He said that in this year’s conference, two panel discussions are focusing on South Punjab, featuring panellists from academia and regional centers. He highlighted the need for inclusivity by bringing students from all around Punjab to the discussions, which PIDE has been doing for over 4 years now.

The first panel discussion of the Conference was on “Foreign Aid: Boon or Bane?” The discussion was moderated by Shahid Mahmood, Research Fellow at PIDE, Asad Hayauddin, Former Secretary of the Economic Affairs Division, Tobias Haque, Lead Country Economist for Pakistan at the World Bank, and Naveed Aziz, Senior Governance Advisor to the FCDO.

The moderator said that since 1950, Pakistan has received over USD 200 billion in foreign aid. A significant chunk of the foreign aid has been in the form of loans. Also, a large amount of aid has been “tied aid.” He said that the donor agencies influence major policy decisions. However, there is a dearth of cost-benefit analysis of the projects. Despite continued aid programs and projects, the human development indicators of the country remain abysmal. During the last two decades, net resource transfer from Pakistan has turned negative, with repayments amounting to over USD 80 billion. He said that the majority of the debt and aid accumulated during this period was for the balance of payment support.

Asad Hayauddin remarked that the Pakistani government continues to lack direction. Consequently, we turn to the donors to help set our development direction. Pakistan’s strategy for long has been external resource mobilization for short-term gains. He said that India and Bangladesh have also turned to the IMF, but they stuck to the plan to reverse the crises. Pakistan, on the other hand, deviates from the agreed-upon path after gaining some sense of stability following support from the IMF and other donor agencies. He said that over 60% of the aid and loan provided by the US to Pakistan since the 1960s has been for budgetary support with no direct impact on the general public of the country.

Tobias Haque said that there are numerous examples where countries came to the donors with a homegrown development plan and sought development agencies’ financial and technical assistance. On the other hand, in Pakistan is that there exists no indigenous development plan. Thus, Pakistan needs to develop a crisp indigenous development plan and then seek donors’ assistance. In such a case, the donors will have very little wiggle room to deny assistance on Pakistan’s terms. He further emphasized that unproductive utilization of aid can have disastrous impacts on the country’s macroeconomic balances. He said that the country’s governance issues coupled with the lack of institutional capacity are major bottlenecks that need immediate redressal.

Naveed Aziz said that aid utilization has not necessarily been entirely negative in Pakistan, and aid dependence in some areas has come down as well. For example, Pakistan was the largest recipient of Official Development Assistance, which has now come down from 15% to 1%. Currently, the major issue faced by Pakistan is that the government is not an efficient user of money. He stressed that there exists an indigenous poverty of thought in the country.

All panelists agreed that Pakistan needs to develop a long-term development plan with a clear indication of what support it requires from external sources and to what extent. Pakistan’s debt utilization stands as a major issue that has to be immediately improved. Pakistan needs to realize that aid is not the solution to problems, instead, it is just a tool to facilitate the implementation of development plans and achieving the set goals. 

The cohosts of PSDE’s 37th Annual Conference, organized by PIDE, include the World Bank Group, UNICEF, RASTA, the Bank of Punjab, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, Saudi Pak Agricultural and Industrial Investment Company, and BZU School of Economics.

Rawalpindi, NOV 21 /DNA/ – General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS) visited Corps Level Collective Training exercise of Strike Corps.

The exercise is aimed at validating offensive operational concepts. He witnessed an impressive display of complex maneuvers undertaken, led by Armoured formation equipped with state of the art VT-4 tanks.

COAS met the troops particpating in the exercise and commended their verve, operational efficiency and professionalism.

Army Chief highlighted the importance of combat readiness and mental agility to respond to multi-spectral threat paradigm. He dilated upon the significance of achieving synergy among various arms in view of rapidly changing threat environment. He also appreciated the proficiency gained in night operations.

COAS reiterated that only realistic, mission-oriented training in peacetime can guarantee excellence on the battlefield should the need arise.

Earlier on arrival, COAS was received by Commander Mangla Corps.

GAZA: At least 12 more people were reported to have been killed in Israeli strikes since Monday morning after Israeli forces surrounded Indonesian Hospital in Gaza – the fourth hospital to come under Israeli forces’ attack since October 7.

Quoting a journalist based in Gaza, Ismail Al Ghoul, Al Jazeera reported that Israeli forces were shooting whoever was trying to leave the hospital, adding that “the situation in the hospital is catastrophic”.

The journalist further told Al Jazeera that the hospital was full of people; sheltering more than 6,000, including staff and patients.

“It has been difficult to transfer patients from northern Gaza because Israeli forces are targeting anyone that approaches the area,” the journalist informed.

In more updates from the Indonesian Hospital, Munner al-Bursh, General Manager of the Health Ministry in Gaza, told Al Jazeera that, “Israeli forces are continuing to attack the hospital.” He said the attack started in the middle of the night and “targeted the surgical department, wounding the doctors working there and killing 12 civilians who were taking refuge”.

Al-Bursh said the Israeli forces “then targeted people who were leaving the hospital by shooting them near the hospital. Their bodies are still lying on the ground and nobody has been able to bury them”.

According to Al-Jazeera, the al-Kuwait UN school was burned down by the Israeli forces, adding that there were no reports so far of the death toll of the people sheltering in the school.

“In addition to around 700 patients and 5,000 refugees before the attack, there were 10,000 people in the shelter centres around the hospital,” Al Jazeera reported.

Palestinian medics transport injured youths to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir Balah in the central Gaza Strip. PHOTO: AFP

Palestinian medics transport injured youths to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir Balah in the central Gaza Strip. PHOTO: AFP

“We are using a small power generator that is run by vegetable oil, manufactured by some creative individuals, who sacrificed some of their food supply to run the generator,” the hospital’s general manager said.

Al Jazeera’s Anas al-Sharif described the scenes inside Indonesian Hospital as “chaotic”.

The reporter went around different floors of the hospital to report that “there is an overwhelming state of panic among patients”.

He said the hospital was now “besieged” by Israeli forces, and anyone moving outside was a target.

Jabalia refugee camp strikes

Israeli troops were “expanding” their operation in the Gaza Strip Monday, as Qatari mediators said they were inching closer to a deal to free some of the 240 hostages held by Hamas militants, AFP reported.

The Palestinian health authority says the death toll from Israel’s aerial bombardment and ground operations in Gaza has reached 13,000, thousands of them children.

Israel has warned residents of Gaza’s largest refugee camp Jabalia and a nearby coastal camp to evacuate, as the military said Sunday it was “expanding its operational activities in additional neighbourhoods… of the Gaza Strip.”

After intense bombardment, an AFP journalist in Gaza saw columns of smoke rising from Jabalia on Sunday.

A health official said more than 80 people were killed in twin strikes on Jabalia , including on a UN school sheltering displaced people.

Social media videos verified by AFP showed bodies covered in blood and dust on the floor of a building, where mattresses had been wedged under school tables.

Israel’s military has claimed Jabalia is among the areas of focus as they “target terrorists and strike Hamas infrastructure”.

Without mentioning the strikes, the Israeli army said “an incident in the Jabalia region” was under review.

UN rights chief Volker Turk on Sunday condemned the purported strike on the school as “horrifying”, adding that “the horrendous events of the past 48 hours in Gaza beggar belief.”

On Monday, Palestinian news agency Wafa said the Indonesian hospital near Jabalia had also come under shelling.

‘Stop humanitarian disaster’

Six weeks into the war, Israel is facing intense international pressure to justify its bloody toll.
Israel officials have warned a “window of legitimacy” for the war to rout Hamas may be closing.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday called for urgent action to stop the “humanitarian disaster” unfolding in Gaza.

“The situation in Gaza affects all countries around the world, questioning the human sense of right and wrong and humanity’s bottom line,” Wang told visiting diplomats from Arab and Muslim-majority nations.

Al-Shifa Hospital

Israel on Sunday presented what it claimed was evidence Hamas fighters used Gaza’s largest hospital, Al-Shifa, to hide foreign hostages and to mask underground tunnels.

The Israeli military released what was claimed to be CCTV footage from October 7 of two male hostages from Nepal and Thailand being brought into the hospital.

“We have not yet located both of these hostages,” army spokesman Daniel Hagari told reporters.
One clip showed a man in shorts and a pale blue shirt being dragged into an entrance hall by five men, at least three of whom were armed.

In a second clip, an injured man in underwear is wheeled in on a gurney by armed men as several others wearing blue hospital scrubs look on. AFP could not immediately verify the footage.

Israel also accused the Palestinian resistance group of executing a 19-year-old Israeli soldier Noa Marciano at Al-Shifa and presented images of what it claimed was a 55-metre-long underground tunnel under the hospital.

Israel has repeatedly claimed that Al-Shifa doubles as a base for Palestinian fighters, a charge Hamas and hospital administrators deny.

The World Health Organization has called the hospital a “death zone”. Over the weekend, hundreds of people fled Al-Shifa hospital on foot as loud explosions were heard around the complex.

Columns of sick and injured were seen leaving with displaced people, doctors and nurses. At least 15 bodies, some in advanced stages of decomposition, were strewn along the route, an AFP journalist said.

The WHO on Sunday said it evacuated thirty-one premature babies from the facility.

Al-Shifa head of surgery Marwan Abu Sada told AFP that Israeli troops were still in the hospital and it was surrounded by tanks.

“I heard at least two explosions since this morning,” he said Sunday.

A Palestinian woman walks on building rubble following an Israeli strike in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. PHOTO: AFP

A Palestinian woman walks on building rubble following an Israeli strike in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. PHOTO: AFP

Other doctors said the troops were going from building to building and detonated explosives on the ground floors and hospital basements searching for Hamas tunnels.

The bodies of two female hostages were recovered in Gaza this week, the Israeli military claimed. Four abductees have so far been released by Hamas and a fifth rescued by troops.

On Sunday, Qatari mediators said they were inching closer to a deal to free some of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

Qatar’s prime minister said efforts to bring hostages “safely back to their homes” in return for a temporary ceasefire was now within reach, raising hopes that Israeli, Nepali, American or other captives could soon be free.

“I’m now more confident that we are close enough to reach a deal,” said Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, adding that only “minor” practical details remained unresolved.

The hostages include infants, teens and pensioners. Their fate has racked not just their families but the Israeli public at large.

US deputy national security adviser Jon Finer told US media that negotiators were “closer than we have been in quite some time” to securing a deal.

But he added: “The mantra that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed really does apply.”
In London, the teary father of missing 9-year-old Emily Hand begged for her to be brought home.

“There’s just a big, big hole in all our hearts that won’t be filled until she comes home again,” he told AFP.