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Israel accuses Hamas of breaching truce

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Hamas has been accused of breaching the Gaza ceasefire agreement after returning partial remains of a previously recovered hostage instead of the body of another deceased captive, as required under the terms of the deal with Israel.

According to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, Hamas handed over what it claimed was the 16th of 28 hostage bodies agreed to be returned under the US-brokered ceasefire that began on October 10. However, Israeli forensic analysis confirmed that the remains belonged to Ofir Tzarfati, whose body had already been recovered from Gaza about two years ago.

Netanyahu’s office condemned the move as a “clear violation of the agreement” and said the prime minister would meet with security chiefs to determine Israel’s response. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum also urged the government to act decisively, saying Hamas “continues to deceive the United States and mediators while dishonouring our loved ones.”

Israel’s far-right ministers called for harsh retaliation. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Hamas’s actions proved the group was “still standing,” adding, “It is time to break its legs once and for all.” Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich similarly accused Hamas of “repeated and ongoing violations” and demanded that Israel re-arrest all militants released under the hostage deal.

In response, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem denied the accusations, saying the group did not know the exact locations of all missing bodies because Israel’s bombardment had rendered many areas unrecognisable. “We are determined to hand over the bodies of the Israeli captives as soon as possible,” he said.

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Hamas has already returned all 20 living hostages as stipulated in the ceasefire agreement.

The October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel left 1,221 people dead, mostly civilians, and 251 taken hostage. Since then, Israel’s military operations in Gaza have killed more than 68,000 people, according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry, which the United Nations regards as generally reliable. Despite the truce, 94 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the ceasefire began.

The family of Ofir Tzarfati confirmed that new remains belonging to him were returned to Israel on Monday night, the third time his body has been disturbed since his initial burial. “This is the third time we have been forced to open Ofir’s grave and rebury our son,” the family said. “The circle supposedly closed back in December 2023, but it never truly closes.”

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Defence Headquarters Social Media Account Hacked

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The official social media page of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), 𝕏 to be precise, has been attacked by suspected hackers.

Naija News reports that the DHQ confirmed the development in a statement made public on Saturday, August 15, by the Director of Defence Information, Maj. General Samaila Uba.

He said the body has hence treated the incident as a cybersecurity matter, with technical measures activated to secure the account.

“The Defence Headquarters wishes to inform members of the public, the media and all stakeholders that it has detected an attempted unauthorised compromise of its official X (formerly Twitter) account.

“The incident is currently being treated as a cybersecurity matter, and appropriate technical measures have been activated to secure the account and prevent further unauthorised access,” the statement noted.

The DHQ urged members of the public to disregard any publication from the account at the moment while ensuring that efforts were ongoing to fully restore control of the official account.

“The Defence Headquarters assures the public that efforts are ongoing to fully restore control of the official account.

“Consequently, members of the public are advised to disregard any suspicious, unauthorised or misleading content that may be posted from the account during this period,” he said.

Uba stressed the DHQ’s committment to maintaining high standards of information security and ensuring that Nigerians continued to receive accurate, timely and credible information on the activities and operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

“We appreciate the understanding and vigilance of the public and will provide further updates as necessary,” he said.

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He further urged Nigerians to henceforth check its verified accounts on other platforms, including Facebook under the name “Defence Headquarters Nigeria,” Instagram at @defenceheadquarters and its WhatsApp Channel, Defence Headquarters Nigeria for reliable information.

Source: naijanews.com

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Seven workers killed, 19 rescued in India tunnel accident

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At least seven workers were killed and 13 injured following a landslide that sent water and debris gushing into a tunnel under construction in north India, officials said Friday.

The incident occurred late Thursday in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, where workers were constructing a tunnel for a state-run hydropower project.

At least three workers are still missing, while 19 were rescued from the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation site, the State Disaster Management Authority said in a statement.

Videos shared by local authorities showed rescue workers equipped with head-mounted torches using makeshift rafts to reach the flooded section of the tunnel.

Uttarakhand has been battered by heavy monsoon rains in recent days.

Accidents on large construction sites are common in India, but ecologists say excessive development projects have led to more disasters in the fragile Himalayan areas.

Last month, 20 people working in a tunnel for another state-run hydroelectric project were killed in the remote northeastern state of Sikkim.

In 2023, 41 workers were rescued after being trapped for 17 days inside a tunnel that collapsed in Uttarakhand.

Hundreds of people have been killed in floods and landslides across the country since the start of the annual monsoon season in June.

Experts say climate change, coupled with poorly planned development, is increasing the frequency, severity, and impact of the disasters.

AFP

Source: punchng.com

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RATTAWU honours DSS DG for strategic intelligence, national security

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The Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union has honoured the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Mr Oluwatosin Ajayi, with the ‘Golden Era Pillar of Critical and Strategic Intelligence for National Development Award’, as part of activities marking its 50th anniversary

RATTAWU conferred the award on Ajayi on Thursday at his office, when the National President of the group, Emeka Kalu, led members to a media/security-critical engagement and strategic partnership meeting for national development in Abuja.

Kalu praised the appointment of Ajayi in 2024 by President Bola Tinubu, describing it as putting “a round peg in a round hole.”

He added that the award was an initiative of the union designed to recognise individuals and institutions that had made outstanding contributions to national development, security, democracy, culture and the growth of Nigeria.

He said, “Your appointment by Mr President demonstrates the importance of placing capable Nigerians with integrity and professional competence in strategic positions of national responsibility.

“The role of the DSS in protecting Nigeria’s national interests, gathering critical intelligence and supporting national security cannot be overemphasised.

“Particularly now that this country is confronted with complex security and emerging technological challenges, appointments like yours are the best ever done by Mr President.

“That is why this union decided to honour you with the Golden Era Pillar of Critical and Strategic Intelligence for National Development Award.”

Responding, the DSS Director-General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, expressed appreciation to the leadership of RATTAWU for the honour.

Ajayi described the recognition as a significant gesture that would further encourage him and the service to remain committed to their responsibilities to the nation.

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Source: punchng.com

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