News Reading Practice #62

   News Reading Practice #62

(100 Day Challenge)

CALL FOR PROBE GROWS AS GAZA 'MASSACRE' SPARKS OUTRAGE

Israel's attack on a crowd of Palestinians killed 112 and injured more than 750; China, France, Italy and Germany slam the strike; U.S. looking into two competing versions' of the incident, says Biden 

Agence France-Presse
GAZA STRIP 

World leaders on Friday called for an investigation and a ceasefire nearly five months into the Gaza war, a day after dozens of desperate Palestinians were killed rushing an aid convoy. 

Israeli troops opened fire as Palestinian civilians scrambled for food aid during a chaotic incident on Thursday. An Israeli source acknowledged troops had opened fire on the crowd, believing it "posed a threat". 

Gaza's Health Ministry called it a "massacre" and said 112 people were killed and more than 750 others wounded. 

The fatalities helped push the total number of Palestinian war dead in Gaza to 30,228. 

"The Israeli Army must fully investigate how the mass panic and shooting could have happened," German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said.

'Independent probe'
Her French counterpart Stephane Sejourne said "there will have to be an independent probe to determine what happened", and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani urged Israel "to protect the people in Gaza and to rigorously ascertain facts and responsibilities". 

"China is shocked by this incident and strongly condemns it," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said. 

U.S. President Joe Biden said Washington was checking "two competing versions" of the incident.

Agonising wait: People sit next to the body of a Palestinian killed in the Israeli bombardment on Deir al-Balah on Friday. AFP

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MASSACRE: The deliberate killing of many people, especially civilians or unarmed individuals. (കൂട്ടക്കൊല)

OUTRAGE: Causes anger or indignation among people. (രോഷം ആളിക്കത്തുക)

SLAM: Strongly criticize or condemn.

COMPETING VERSIONS: Different or conflicting explanations or accounts of an event. (വിമര്‍ശനം)

CEASEFIRE: A temporary suspension of fighting, typically in a conflict or war, to allow for negotiations or humanitarian aid. (വെടി നിറുത്തല്‍)

DESPERATE: Feeling or showing a sense of despair or urgency. (നിരാശാജനകമായ.)

AID CONVOY: A group of vehicles or ships carrying humanitarian assistance, such as food, medical supplies, or other essentials, to a distressed or needy area. (സഹായസംഘം.)

SCRAMBLE: Moved or acted quickly and hurriedly, often in a disorganized manner. (ദൃതികൂട്ടുക)

CHAOTIC: Characterized by confusion, disorder, or lack of organization. (ബഹളം നിറഞ്ഞ)

ACKNOWLEDGED: Admitted or recognized the truth or existence of something. (സമ്മതിച്ചു)

FATALITIES: Deaths resulting from an event or situation. (അപകടമരണം)

INVESTIGATE: Conduct a systematic examination or inquiry to uncover facts or gather evidence. (അന്വേഷിക്കുക)

COUNTERPART: A person or thing that corresponds to or has a similar function as another in a different place or situation. (എതിരാളി, സമാനവ്യക്തി)

DETERMINE: Ascertain or establish exactly, typically after a thorough investigation or examination. (നിര്‍ണ്ണയിക്കുക)

URGED: Strongly encouraged or pressed someone to do something. (ആവശ്യപ്പെടുക)

RIGOROUSLY: Thoroughly or meticulously, with strict attention to detail. (തീവ്രമായി)

ASCERTAIN: Find out for certain; make sure of. 

CONDEMNS: Expresses complete disapproval of something. (തിട്ടപ്പെടുത്തുക)

AGONISING: Causing extreme physical or mental pain or anguish. (വേദനാജനകമായ)

BOMBARDMENT: An intense and continuous attack, usually involving heavy artillery or airstrikes. (ബോംബുവര്‍ഷം)

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