Israel continued

Israeli air strikes on northern Gaza will be intensified, according to an official statement. Palestinian media has reported that at least 11 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza. In addition to the strikes in the north, Israel has also continued with air strikes on southern Gaza. The United States has committed to providing more aid to Palestinians who are facing shortages of food, water, medicines, and fuel. Overnight raids on Gaza resulted in the death of at least 55 people and the destruction of more than 30 homes, as reported by the Hamas government. Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari has urged Gazans to move southward for their own safety, stating that attacks will continue in the area of Gaza City and will be increased. The Gaza Health Ministry has reported that Israeli air and missile strikes have killed at least 4,385 Palestinians. The reopening of the humanitarian corridor from Egypt into Gaza remains uncertain. The first humanitarian aid convoy since the start of the war has arrived through the Rafah border crossing, bringing life-saving supplies that will be received by the Palestinian Red Crescent. However, the United Nations has stated that the volume of goods that entered is only equivalent to about 4% of the daily average of imports into Gaza prior to the hostilities, and is far from meeting the needs of the 2.3 million people living in the enclave. US President Joe Biden has expressed his support for the aid and has pledged to work with all parties to ensure more assistance enters Gaza through the Rafah border crossing.

Increased number of gardaí resigning over conditions, says GRA

According to the Garda Representative Association (GRA), there has been a significant increase in the number of gardaí resigning from their positions due to various factors such as low morale, bullying, unfair treatment, and work-related stress. This year alone, 106 gardaí have left the organization, which is similar to the figure for the entire previous year and more than double the number in 2017.

The GRA's findings are based on interviews conducted with 40 gardaí who left the organization last year. These interviews revealed that policing in An Garda Síochána is characterized by a troubling work culture where bullying, mental stress, burnout, and a sense of vulnerability are prevalent. The interviewed gardaí expressed feelings of being undervalued and overworked, and described morale within the organization as being low.

Of those surveyed, 70% stated that they resigned due to unfair treatment and bullying by management, 37.5% cited stress and burnout as the reason for their resignation, 32.5% mentioned the lack of resources or a toxic work environment, and 27.5% felt vulnerable and lacked support.

Garda Headquarters acknowledged the issues raised and stated that they are addressing the matters within their control. However, they also highlighted that the resignation rate represents only 1% of the garda workforce.

Tara Mc Manus, the author of the report, hopes that it will bring attention to the current working conditions of gardaí and prompt necessary actions to address these concerns. Brendan O’ Connor, the President of the GRA, expressed surprise at the findings and emphasized the importance of garda management taking heed of the research's alarm bells and warnings.

Unless these issues are properly addressed, the GRA warns that the trend of garda resignations and early retirements will continue.

Northern Gazans have been advised by Israel's military to relocate to the southern part of the Gaza strip to avoid being associated with a terrorist organization. Palestinians have reported receiving renewed warnings through leaflets and mobile phone audio messages, both bearing the name and logo of the Israel Defence Forces. The leaflets emphasized the potential danger faced by residents who choose to remain in the north, stating that they could be seen as accomplices to terrorism.

Israel's military has expressed concern over Hezbollah's increasing attacks on Israel, warning that it could lead to a wider conflict and draw Lebanon into war. The militant group is aligned with Hamas, and the Israel Defence Forces spokesperson, Jonathan Conricus, accused Hezbollah of dangerously escalating the situation. He emphasized that Hezbollah's actions risked jeopardizing Lebanese prosperity and sovereignty for the sake of terrorists in Gaza. Recent exchanges of fire have resulted in casualties on both sides, with Hezbollah fighters and a member of Islamic Jihad in Lebanon being killed, Israeli troops injured, and Thai farm workers wounded. The Israeli army continues to monitor the situation closely.