The English website of the Islamic magazine - Al-Mujtama.
A leading source of global Islamic and Arabic news, views and information for more than 50 years.
Under the influence of the present digital age, controlling the use of screens for children has become one of the most valued aspects of parenting. Overindulgence in screens is harmful to and negatively influences a child's physical health, cognitive development, and even social growth. Let's go through these seven useful strategies that can help to regain control over your children's screen time:
1. Model Healthy Screen Habits
Children often learn by imitation. By modeling good screen use, you show him/her how to behave appropriately. Your screen time should be limited at times when you are interacting with your family, having meals together, and at bedtime. You can read or play outside or engage in other hobbies to model that there are interesting and enjoyable things to do aside from your screen (1).
2. Establish Screen-Free Areas and Times
Designate specific areas in your home as no screen zones, for instance, the dining room and bedrooms. Establish a screen-free timetable for periods, for example, during meals, at family times, and an hour before going to bed. In this way, children will know that screens are not at the core of life(2).
3. Set clear rules and consistent limits concerning screen use.
Establish clear rules for screen use, including time limits and types of acceptable content. Remember, consistency counts—follow the rules yourself, too. Make use of tools like parental controls to set limits and monitor screen time (3).
4. Encourage Alternative Activities
Give your child various other enjoyable, off-screen activities that will be of interest to him or her. Some children love playing outdoors, playing sports, doing crafts, reading, or playing board games. Where there are several other entertaining options, there is less need to turn to the screen to entertain themselves (1).
5. Use Screens as a Privilege, Not a Right
Position screen time as a reward that kids only receive through good behavior, doing chores, or finishing homework. This helps the child to see screen time as something valuable and makes sure that other responsibilities and activities come first over screen time.
6. Be Involved in Their Screen Time
Co-view and co-play with your children so that screen time becomes a shared experience between the two of you. Discuss with them the content that they are consuming, with the likelihood of positively challenging them. This way, you are able to monitor what they are watching and deepen your connection with them.
7. Allow for Boredom
Children also need to be bored because boredom fosters creativity and problem-solving. Just leave your kid to be bored and create solutions independently, without seeking solace behind a screen's blue light. Encourage your children to find ways to entertain themselves without relying on digital devices.
Implement these, and you are setting your child on a good relationship with screens since their times on digital devices will be well balanced and for a good purpose. So, it is not to discard but, rather, manage the use in a very appropriate manner to make sure that the children achieve their total well-being.
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(1) How and why, you should limit screen time for kids - Children's Health. https://www.childrens.com/health-wellness/screen-time-guidelines.
(2) Limit Screen Time and Get Your Kids (and the Whole Family) Moving. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/getting-active/limit-screen-time-and-get-your-kids-and-the-whole-family-moving.
(3) Screen Time and Children - AACAP. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-And-Watching-TV-054.aspx.
(4) Screen Time for Kids: Recommendations and Guidelines - Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/screen-time-for-kids.
Since 1967, the West Bank and Jerusalem have witnessed a series of settlement waves that constituted radical transformations in the geographical and political situation of the region. Despite the heavy defeat suffered by the Arab countries during that period, it did not lead to the comprehensive displacement of Palestinians as happened in the Nakba of 1948.
After occupying these lands, the Zionist occupation began implementing expansionist strategies aimed at reducing the Palestinian population density and consolidating its control by building new settlements and expanding existing ones.
These waves range between attempts to expand the settlement area by building new settlements and strengthening control over the lands through policies aimed at changing the demographic and geographical reality.
The settlement has gone through several stages, each of which reflects different government policies and specific strategic goals, the most prominent of which are:
It began immediately after the occupation, as the occupation government aimed to consolidate control over the Palestinian territories and avoid managing the affairs of Palestinian citizens. This stage was characterized by caution in building settlements and attention to basic infrastructure.
The number of settlements established during this period amounted to about 34 settlements. The occupation also demolished the Palestinian Moroccan neighborhood, which was adjacent to the Buraq Wall, and turned it into a Jewish settlement neighborhood in the Old City. These steps were aimed at consolidating the occupation's control over the eastern part of the Holy City.
With the rise of the right to power in the Zionist entity in 1977, extremist forces rushed to build settlements on the ground for ideological, security, political and economic motives. This period witnessed the establishment of dozens of new settlements and the raising of slogans calling for the deportation of the Palestinians.
98 new settlements were built in the West Bank during that period, most of which was established at the initiative of the ruling right-wing Likud Party and the extremist religious Zionist movement "Gush Emunim", which was active in settlement activities.
It came in light of the political settlement process that began in the nineties, as the Zionist right sought to obstruct reaching final solutions for fear of handing over Palestinian lands and establishing an independent Palestinian state. This period was characterized by the acceleration of settlement construction to confront any progress in the negotiations.
It aimed to comprehensively Judaize Area (C), which is the area subject to security and administrative occupation according to the Oslo Accords, which constitutes 60% of the area of the West Bank. It also sought to achieve geographical continuity between some distant settlements or between settlement blocs and to expand control over strategic peaks and heights in the West Bank. This wave worked to bring about radical changes in geography and demographics, supporting the settlement project in the West Bank.
The Zionists called them "illegal settlement outposts", a misleading name that aims to downplay the importance and size of this settlement attack, which may be the largest among the waves of settlement in the West Bank.
It emerged after the failure of the settlement process and the outbreak of the Second Palestinian Intifada in 2000, as the Zionist leadership believed that the time was right to impose control over as much of the West Bank as possible, so the settlement was greatly expanded and the Palestinian lands were divided into isolated cantons.
This wave was launched under the right's control of the seats of government in the occupying state, as it was initiated by the Prime Minister of the occupation, Ariel Sharon, who assumed leadership between 2001 and 2006, then he was succeeded by Ehud Olmert (2006-2009), and after him Benjamin Netanyahu (2009-2021), all of whom were symbols of the extremist Zionist right that sought to Judaize the West Bank.
These successive waves embody how the occupation sought to change the geographical and political reality in the West Bank and Jerusalem, which greatly affected the lives of Palestinians and complicated the Arab Israeli conflict.
100 Martyrs and Wounded in a day…Occupation Army Ground Forces Commander Resigns.
Operation "Al-Aqsa Flood" entered its 333rd day, while the Zionist occupation forces continue to commit a war of genocide in the Gaza Strip, through launching dozens of airstrikes, artillery shelling, and bloody massacres against civilians.
26 martyrs in Gaza since dawn today
26 people were martyred as a result of the occupation raids on various areas in the Gaza Strip since dawn today, Tuesday, according to what Al Jazeera reported from medical sources.
100 martyrs and wounded in a day
The "Israeli" occupation forces committed 3 new massacres against Palestinian families in the Gaza Strip, resulting in dozens of martyrs and wounded.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health said in the statistical report today, Tuesday: The hospitals in the Strip dealt with 100 martyrs and wounded during the past 24 hours, explaining that 33 citizens were martyred and 67 others were wounded.
The Ministry of Health reported that the death toll from the aggression on the Gaza Strip has risen to 40,819 martyrs, in addition to 94,291 wounded with varying injuries, since October 7, 2023.
30 martyrs in the ongoing occupation aggression on the West Bank
The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that the ongoing "Israeli" aggression on the West Bank since last Wednesday has resulted in the martyrdom of 30 Palestinians, including 6 children, in addition to the injury of 130 people by the occupation's fire.
Occupation continues its aggression on Jenin for the seventh day
The occupation army continues its aggression on the city of Jenin and its camp today, Tuesday, for the seventh consecutive day.
The aggression on Jenin and its camp, since last Wednesday, has resulted in the martyrdom of 18 citizens, the injury and arrest of dozens, in addition to the widespread destruction of citizens' property, public and private facilities, and infrastructure, including water and electricity networks.
Resignation of the Commander of the Ground Forces
Hebrew media reported on Tuesday that the Commander of the Ground Forces of the Occupation Army, Major General Tamir Yadai, resigned from his position.
The Times of Israel newspaper said, according to what was reported by the Al Jazeera Net website: that Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Defense Minister Yoav Galant agreed to Yadai's request.
The occupation army stated that Yadai will be on temporary leave at the present time, and will later submit his candidacy for important positions in the army.
Yadi has held the position of Commander of the Ground Forces for the past three years, and it is expected that Yadai will leave his position in the coming weeks once a replacement officer is found, and it was not immediately clear who will replace him.
Hebrew newspaper: "Israel" began to classify the West Bank as a second front
The newspaper "Israel Today" said on Tuesday: "Israel" has begun to classify the West Bank as a combat zone and the second most important front directly after the Gaza Strip.
The newspaper reported that recent events have led to a major political shift in Israel's approach to the West Bank, after it had been classified since the beginning of the war as a secondary arena, but the recent attacks have convinced senior officials that this position is no longer sustainable.
It continued: The Israeli army forces are now operating according to a new approach, as they view the West Bank as the second most important front, right after Gaza.
Smotrich: $68 billion is the cost of the war in 2025
Al Jazeera's correspondent reported that Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich presented his plan for the 2025 budget, in which the cost of the war is estimated at more than $68 billion.
Smotrich said that the war increased the deficit, adding that the decisions he made were correct and kept the economy going, according to his expression.
Britain suspends arms exports to "Israel" and Netanyahu attacks
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced that London will suspend 30 arms export licenses to "Israel" out of 350, including equipment used in the current war on the Gaza Strip, while "Israeli" officials expressed their opposition to this decision, according to the "Al Jazeera Net" website.
The "Anadolu" agency quoted Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi calling on the countries of the world to impose a complete ban on arms exports to the occupying state, describing the United Kingdom's decision to suspend some of its licenses in this regard as "correct".
For his part, the Prime Minister of the Zionist occupation, Benjamin Netanyahu, attacked the British government's decision, and wrote via his account on the English-language "X" platform, today, Tuesday, according to the "Quds Press" agency: "Israel" will win this war with or without British weapons.
Netanyahu described the British decision as "shameful", indicating that instead of standing with "Israel", the misleading decision taken by Britain will only encourage Hamas, he claimed.
Gamal Khattab
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Islamophobia
The irrational dread or antagonism towards Islam and its followers is what is known as Islamophobia’ and it continues to be a growing problem globally. It is important to recognize that significant impacts of Islamophobia are based on ill-founded beliefs of history, political language, and media images. To effectively tackle such an issue, promote unity, and create acceptance among different communities, one must understand where Islamophobia originates from. In this paper we examine the history that shaped it, why it happens, its effects on individuals and society at large; as well as countermeasures through education awareness programs and community participation aiming at overcoming it.
Historical Origins
Islamophobia has its roots in the initial interaction of Islamic and Christian civilizations. The expansion of the Islamic empire into Europe and the subsequent Crusades in the medieval period fueled animosity and distrust. Many Christian writers and theologians labeled it as a religion based on heresy or violence, which would remain valid for several centuries later (1).
The expulsion of Muslims and Jews from the Iberian Peninsula in 1492 marked the culmination of the Reconquista in Spain and further entrenched anti-Muslim sentiments. The statutes of "Limpieza de sangre" or purity of blood used during the Spanish Inquisition were still discriminatory against every person with even an iota of Muslim or Jewish ancestry, even after they became Christians (1).
Colonialism and Orientalism
The age of European colonialism gave new dimensions to Islamophobia. Each European power in the world, in its pursuit of dominance, portrayed Muslim societies as backward and uncivilized and thus justified their colonial rule and exploitation. Said has criticized this portrayal by Orientalist scholars and writers as serving to reinforce Western superiority and control over the "Orient" (1).
Colonial administrators and missionaries often represented Islam as an impediment to development and progress. Such a representation carried well into the 20th century and informed Western views about states that had a Muslim majority.
The Modern Era: Cold War and Beyond
New forms of Islamophobia appeared most particularly in the geopolitical rivalry framework during the Cold War era. It was particularly after the Iranian Revolution in 1979 and the hostage crisis at the American Embassy in Tehran. Ayatollah Khomeini and the Islamic Republic of Iran became symbols in the Western imagination of a global Islamic threat (2).
The Soviet-Afghan War further complicated Western perceptions of Islam, as the US and its allies supported Afghan mujahideen fighters against the Soviet Union, thus fueling fears of Islamic militancy. Eventually, the rise of the Taliban and the presence of foreign fighters in Afghanistan contributed to the perception of Islam as violent and extremist by nature (2).
Post-9/11 and the War on Terror
The events on September 11, 2001, marked a turning point in the history of Islamophobia. Anti-Muslim attitudes started to appear in droves both in the United States and worldwide, consequent to the attack by al-Qaeda. The succeeding "War on Terror" perpetuated these views even further, with Muslims often stereotyped as possible terrorists or people who sincerely sympathize with terrorists (3).
The USA PATRIOT Act and the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security initiated increased surveillance and profiling of Muslim communities. The invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the prolonged war in Afghanistan further established any connection of Islam with violence and terror. c) Islamophobia within the Media
Media has majorly played a role in shaping the public perception of Islam and Muslims. It is sensationalist upon coverage after terrorist attacks and extremist groups, mostly snuffing out positive stories that relate to Muslim communities. This leads to disproportionate representation, contributing to stereotype perpetuation and prejudices.
It is not contained to the fringes, as it has seeped into the mainstream of political discourse. Anti-Muslim sentiment has been used by many politicians and public figures as one way to advance their causes and garner their support. The normalization of Islamophobia comes with serious ramifications for both individual Muslims and collective Muslim communities.
Islamophobia in Europe
In recent times, Islamophobia has risen very strongly in Europe. The influx of refugees from Muslim-majority countries, and terrorist attacks, coupled with facing economic challenges, all combined to fuel anti-Muslim sentiment. Far-right political parties and movements took advantage of prevalent fears to advance restrictive immigration policies and cultural assimilation.
Laws in some European countries have targeted aspects of Muslim life like the use of headscarves and minarets. This is being done under the guise of preserving secularism and national identity but in actuality is far from such a noble end as is shown by the perception of many of these actions as being discriminatory.
Islamophobia and Racism
Islamophobia is inextricably linked with racism. It frequently manifests itself through attacks on people according to their perceived ethnicity, appearance, or cultural behavior. This crossing between religious and racial discrimination has brought the understanding to some scholars that Islamophobia needs to be contextualized as a form of cultural racism.
Islamophobia has a deep impact on Muslims, relating to educational or work opportunities and even to social services. It creates an environment of fear and exclusion that may result in severe mental health problems or social isolation. 4
Combating Islamophobia
The struggle against Islamophobia must reach its roots and manifestations. Education and awareness raise the level of stereotype challenge and further understanding. Interfaith dialogues, and community engagement initiatives, may serve to foster positive relations between Muslims and non-Muslims.
Policy measures also play a very important role herein. Anti-discrimination laws should be enacted and applied by governments to protect religious minorities. Media organizations have to make an effort for balanced, accurate reporting about Muslim communities. Political leaders should condemn Islamophobia and create inclusive policies.
Addressing the impacts of Islamophobia at both the personal and societal levels mean understanding its roots. We will continue to study its genesis, both historically and in the modern day, and analyze areas where it converges with issues of racism for the furtherance of much-needed strategies to combat this prejudice in our world. Only collective action can help create a more inclusive, just world for all.
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Sources
(1) Islamophobia | Meaning, History, & Portrayal of Muslims. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Islamophobia.
(2) The Roots of American Islamophobia | American Experience | PBS. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/taken-hostage-roots-american-islamophobia/.
(3) American Islamophobia: Understanding the Roots and Rise of Fear. https://www.zinnedproject.org/materials/american-islamophobia.
(4) Islamophobia | Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Religion. https://oxfordre.com/religion/religion/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199340378.001.0001/acrefore-9780199340378-e-685.
The "Israeli" occupation continues for the 332nd consecutive day the "genocide" war on the Gaza Strip, committing the most heinous massacres and slaughters against our people, leaving behind tens of thousands of martyrs, wounded and missing.
Massacres and slaughters
The Ministry of Health announced that the death toll from the Israeli aggression has risen to 40,786 martyrs and 94,224 wounded since October 7.
The occupation continued its bombing and destruction of several scattered areas in the Strip.
In Gaza City and the northern Gaza Strip, 4 martyrs were killed and others were wounded in a Zionist raid that targeted a house in the Al-Bureij camp in the central Gaza Strip.
Saqallah family
The occupation aircraft bombed the house of the Saqallah family next to the Al-Istijaba Mosque in the Al-Sabra neighborhood in the south of Gaza City, coinciding with the bombing of residential buildings around Street 8.
Two martyrs were killed and others were wounded when the occupation bombed a residential apartment for the "Al-Araj" family at the Abdul Aal intersection on Al-Jalaa Street.
Two martyrs were killed and others were injured when the occupation forces bombed the Hamada family home on Al-Jalaa Street in Gaza City.
A raid on the Nuseirat camp
In the central governorate, the occupation forces' aircraft launched a raid on the Nuseirat camp, and a number of citizens were injured when the occupation forces targeted an apartment in "Tower 8" of the Ain Jalut towers.
Quadcopter Bombs Tents
A citizen was killed and others were injured when a "Quadcopter" warplane fired on the tents of the displaced west of Nuseirat. Press sources reported that the sound of violent explosions was heard this morning east of Nuseirat camp.
Bombing Abasan al-Kabira
In Khan Yunis, the occupation forces' aircraft bombed an area in the town of Abasan al-Kabira east of Khan Yunis city, and the Zionist vehicles opened fire towards the east of the town of Khuza'a. In Rafah, the occupation forces blew up residential buildings northwest of Rafah city, in conjunction with continuous artillery shelling of several scattered areas.
The Israeli war of extermination on the Gaza Strip entered its 331st day on Sunday. The Israeli occupation army expanded its ground and air attacks on various areas in the Strip. Israeli warplanes launched a series of raids on various areas, including the vicinity of the university college south of Gaza City, Salah al-Din Street, and al-Maghazi camp. The raids were concentrated on the city of Rafah and Safad School, which houses displaced people in the al-Zeitoun neighborhood south of Gaza City, while tanks continued to blow up homes to force their residents to flee.
Five massacres
The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced that the Israeli occupation army committed five massacres against Palestinian families in the Gaza Strip within 48 hours, resulting in the martyrdom of 47 Palestinians and the injury of 94 others in intensive raids targeting the north and south of the Gaza Strip.
40,738 martyrs and 94,154 wounded
The Ministry of Health confirmed that the death toll from the Israeli war of extermination on the Gaza Strip has risen to 40,738 martyrs and 94,154 wounded since October 7.
The Ministry of Health explained in its statistical report that a number of victims are still under the rubble and on the roads, and ambulance and civil defense crews cannot reach them.
The artillery shelling targeted the al-Shakoush area in Mawasi Rafah, and the al-Zawaida area in the center of the Strip, while gunboats bombed areas in the west of Gaza City, which led to the deaths of dozens of Palestinians and the injury of others.
27 Palestinians Martyrs
Medical sources in the Gaza Strip said that 27 Palestinians were martyred as a result of Israeli raids on various areas in the Gaza Strip since Sunday morning.
In the afternoon hours, the occupation army raided for the second time the Safed School, which houses displaced people in the middle of the Zeitoun neighborhood in Gaza City.
This comes as 6 Palestinians were also killed and 6 others were injured, most of them seriously, as a result of an "Israeli" bombing that targeted a gathering of Palestinians at the Education Roundabout north of Gaza City.
Bombing Houses
Before that, three Palestinians were killed and others were injured as a result of the "Israeli" occupation bombing of a house in the Toba area in the Jabalia camp north of Gaza City.
East of Gaza City, the occupation warplanes bombed a house in the Tuffah neighborhood, which led to the martyrdom and injury of a number of Palestinians. The occupation raids also targeted a residential area around the Al-Durrah Hospital in the Tuffah neighborhood, coinciding with violent raids targeting Gaza City.
While 4 Palestinians, including a girl, were killed and others were injured, as the occupation bombed several areas in Gaza City and its center in the Bureij camp.
Local sources reported that the occupation warplanes bombed two houses belonging to the Miftah and Bulbul families in the vicinity of the municipal park west of Gaza City, which led to the death of a girl and another person and the injury of 6 others. In targeting a group of Palestinians in the Shuja'iyya neighborhood east of Gaza, which led to the death of one person and the injury of others.
The Israeli occupation forces continued today, Saturday, August 31, on the 330th day of the war of extermination against the people of the Gaza Strip, and 41 Palestinians were martyred since dawn today in a series of raids targeting various areas of the Strip, as part of the 330th day of the ongoing war.
Medical sources reported the martyrdom of 4 Palestinians and the injury of others in two raids targeting two houses south of Gaza City, and in the town of Jabalia north of the Strip.
Bombing Zeitoun Neighborhood
The Israeli army artillery also bombed the Zeitoun neighborhood with a barrage of shells, while helicopters fired machine guns intensively at the neighborhood since dawn today.
Israeli drones targeted a residential building in the Zeitoun neighborhood southeast of Gaza, which led to its complete destruction.
Bloody night
As for the Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip, residents lived a bloody night that began after midnight on Friday and dawn today, Saturday, where 17 Palestinians were martyred in raids targeting several houses.
Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat reported the arrival of 9 martyrs and 10 injuries, including serious cases, as a result of targeting the Abu Yousef family home west of the camp.
The hospital also added that 4 martyrs and a number of injuries arrived as a result of targeting another home for the Hamad family in Camp 1 in Nuseirat.
West of Nuseirat
Civil defense teams announced that they were able to extinguish a fire and retrieve four martyrs as a result of artillery shelling by the occupation that targeted a villa on Al-Bahr Street 1 west of Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip this morning.
Targeting Civilians
In another raid on a home for the Zaqout family in the Al-Hasayna area west of Nuseirat camp, 4 Palestinians were martyred, according to what medical sources reported.
In the city of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, the Palestinian Civil Defense confirmed the martyrdom of 4 Palestinians and the injury of others as a result of targeting the home of the Al-Assar family south of the city.
5 Martyrs from one Family
Civil defense teams also retrieved 5 martyrs from the Abu Bakr family and 15 injuries as a result of targeting a home in the Jort Al-Lut area in Khan Yunis.
This comes within the framework of the war of extermination that has entered its 11th month, and has resulted in the martyrdom and injury of more than 134 thousand Palestinians, most of whom are children and women, in addition to more than 10 thousand missing persons, and the destruction of about 70% of the urban and infrastructure of the Strip.
Since dawn on Friday, August 30, 16 Palestinians, including a child, have been killed in a series of airstrikes launched by the Israeli occupation forces on various areas in the Gaza Strip since the early hours of the morning. These airstrikes coincided with a partial withdrawal of the occupation forces from the Khan Yunis area after a 22-day military operation, causing widespread destruction to the infrastructure and residential buildings.
Intensive airstrikes
The residents of the Gaza Strip woke up to the sound of intensive airstrikes targeting various areas of the Strip. In eastern Khan Yunis, the occupation aircraft targeted the home of the Abu Daqqa family in the town of Abasan al-Kabira, which led to the martyrdom of three Palestinians and the serious injury of others, who were transferred by ambulance crews to Nasser Hospital.
Targeting Citizens Houses
In the town of al-Fakhari, east of Khan Yunis, an Israeli warplane targeted another house, resulting in seven injuries, who were transferred to Nasser Hospital for treatment. Khan Yunis witnessed a partial withdrawal of the "Israeli" forces, after a military operation that lasted 22 days, which left widespread destruction. Palestinian sources reported that ambulance crews recovered the bodies of 9 martyrs from the neighborhoods and streets from which the forces withdrew east of the city, especially from the Al-Mahta neighborhood and Street 5.
Destroying hundreds of houses
According to local sources and eyewitnesses, the withdrawal of the "Israeli" army revealed the extent of the destruction left by the military operations, as hundreds of residential buildings were destroyed, and significant damage was inflicted on the city's infrastructure.
Mawasi area
The occupation also withdrew from areas east of Deir al-Balah, leaving widespread destruction to the infrastructure and residential buildings, after a military operation that lasted for days, in which thousands of Palestinians were displaced to the Mawasi area, which is crowded with displaced people.
Killing Children
In the northern Gaza Strip, specifically in the Jabalia camp, two Palestinians, one of whom was a child, were martyred as a result of a violent shelling that targeted a residential apartment near the Al-Hawja intersection.
Shelling Al-Zeitoun Neighborhood
Red Crescent paramedics transferred several injuries, some of them critical, to Al-Awda Hospital in the Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip, after an "Israeli" bombardment targeted a house belonging to the Al-Qassas family northeast of the camp. The "Israeli" artillery also shelled the eastern and southern areas of the Al-Zeitoun neighborhood southeast of Gaza City, and the western areas of the city such as Al-Rimal, Tal Al-Hawa and the outskirts of the Al-Shati camp, in addition to the Al-Sabra neighborhood and the western areas of the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.
The Israeli occupation forces continue to commit the crime of genocide in the Gaza Strip, for the 328th consecutive day, by launching dozens of airstrikes and artillery shelling, while committing massacres against civilians, amidst a catastrophic humanitarian situation resulting from the siege and the displacement of more than 95% of the population.
Aircraft and Artillery Raids
Correspondents reported that the occupation aircraft and artillery continued their raids and violent shelling - today, Thursday - on various parts of the Gaza Strip, targeting homes, displaced persons' gatherings and streets, causing dozens of martyrs and wounded.
The occupation forces continue their ground invasion of large neighborhoods in Rafah, since May 7, and several axes from Khan Yunis, Gaza and Deir al-Balah, amidst air and artillery shelling and committing horrific massacres.
Martyrs in Abasan al-Kabira
Five citizens were martyred and others were injured this afternoon, as a result of the occupation shelling a tent for displaced persons in Abasan al-Kabira, east of Khan Yunis.
This afternoon, the occupation forces bombed a gathering of displaced persons northwest of Khan Younis near Asdaa prison, which led to the martyrdom of some people and the injury of others. Red Crescent crews are dealing with the incident.
A Palestinian died of his wounds after the occupation bombed the prayer hall of the Tabeen School about two weeks ago in the Daraj neighborhood east of Gaza City.
Seven citizens were martyred when the occupation bombed a tuk-tuk near the Amer Project east of Rafah and were transferred to the European Gaza Hospital.
Targeting Civilians
Media sources reported that the occupation forces targeted four young men from the Abu Hadayed family in the Amer Project, and their relatives went to rescue them. While they were leaving with them on a tuk-tuk, the occupation forces targeted them with a new missile near the European Junction, which raised the number of martyrs to seven.
Bombing Bani Suhaila
The Ministry of Health announced that the Israeli occupation committed four massacres against families in the Gaza Strip, with 68 martyrs and 77 injuries arriving at hospitals during the past 24 hours.
The ministry confirmed in its daily statement that the death toll from the Israeli aggression has risen to 40,602 martyrs and 93,855 injuries since October 7.
Under the Rubble
It said: A number of victims are still under the rubble and on the roads, and ambulance and civil defense crews cannot reach them.
Eight martyrs, including a girl, were killed and four others were injured after the occupation aircraft bombed a house west of Gaza City at dawn today, causing a fire in the house.
Medical Services
Medical services said: Our crews were able to retrieve two martyrs and four injuries from targeting a house near the Amal Hotel, and the crews are still at the scene and the civil defense is trying to control the fire that broke out in the house of the Jarada and Abdo families.
Ambulance and civil defense crews retrieved two girls at dawn today, Thursday, after the occupation forces targeted a house in Nuseirat, while they retrieved the body of a woman after the occupation bombed a house in Deir al-Balah.
Air Raids
Occupation aircraft bombed a house in the al-Sawarah area west of Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip.
The Israeli occupation artillery shelled northwest of Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip.
Heavy Fire towards Street 5
Local sources reported that the occupation forces opened heavy fire towards Street 5 in the center of Khan Yunis towards the western areas. Civil defense crews in Gaza recovered 4 martyrs following an Israeli bombardment that targeted the Aribi area north of Rafah city.
The surplus included KD 1.5 billion achieved in April, marking a 21.9% increase of KD 270 million compared to a surplus of KD 1.23 billion in April 2023.
The latest data from the Central Statistical Administration revealed that Kuwait recorded a trade surplus of KD 4.7 billion in the first four months of this year, a slight decrease of 3.4% (KD 167.4 million) compared to a surplus of KD 4.87 billion during the same period in 2023. According to Al Anba newspaper, the surplus included KD 1.5 billion achieved in April, marking a 21.9% increase (KD 270 million) compared to a surplus of KD 1.23 billion in April 2023.
According to the Central Statistical Administration data, the volume of trade exchange in Kuwait from January to the end of April amounted to approximately KD 12.13 billion, reflecting a 4% decrease of KD 504.9 million compared to KD 12.63 billion during the same period in 2023. In April 2024, the trade exchange volume reached about KD 3.22 billion, marking a 5.2% increase of KD 159 million compared to KD 3.06 billion in April 2023.
Kuwait imported goods worth KD 3.7 billion in the first four months of this year
Kuwait imported goods worth about KD 3.7 billion during the first four months of this year, a 4.3% decrease of KD 168.75 million compared to KD 3.88 billion for the same period in 2023. In April alone, imports totaled approximately KD 860.87 million, a 6.1% decrease of KD 55.52 million compared to KD 916.4 million in April 2023.
In April 2024, the value of imported cars was around KD 125.06 million, down from KD 174.96 million in April 2023. Imports of pearls, precious stones, and metals amounted to about KD 60.15 million in April 2024, up from KD 41.8 million in the same month of 2023.
Kuwait imported medicines worth approximately KD 52.23 million in April 2024, compared to KD 49.85 million in April 2023.
In April 2024, Kuwait imported perfumes, cosmetics, and beauty products worth around KD 14.7 million, compared to KD 23.53 million in April 2023.
The top five countries from which Kuwait imported goods in April 2024 are as follows:
Value of Kuwait’s exports
The value of Kuwait’s exports during the first four months of 2024 amounted to approximately KD 8.4 billion, a decrease of 3.8%, or KD 336.22 million, compared to KD 8.75 billion in the same period of 2023. However, Kuwait’s exports increased by 10% in April 2024, reaching KD 2.36 billion, up from KD 2.15 billion in April 2023.
Kuwait’s oil exports and its derivatives during the first four months of 2024 totaled about KD 7.75 billion, compared to KD 8.15 billion in the same period of 2023.
In April 2024, Kuwait exported mineral fuels, mineral oils, and their distillation products worth approximately KD 2.19 billion, up from KD 2.02 billion in April 2023. Chemical products exported in April 2024 were valued at KD 40 million, compared to KD 30.6 million in April 2023. Exports of pearls, precious stones, and precious metals were valued at KD 11.34 million in April 2024, slightly down from KD 11.6 million in April 2023.