Israeli Military Locates Bodies of Three Captives in Gaza Strip; Chinese-American Architect to Receive Posthumous Degree from University of Pennsylvania
In a recent development, the Israeli military announced the discovery of three Israeli captives' bodies in the Gaza Strip. According to a report by the German weekly magazine Der Spiegel on May 17, the Israeli military spokesman, Daniel Hazari, declared on the same day that the Israeli military had found the bodies of three Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip. The report revealed that the German-Israeli dual national, Shani Luk, who was announced dead last October, was one of the three bodies found by the Israeli military recently. The Israeli military confirmed that the other two bodies were of a 28-year-old woman, Amit Basika, and a 56-year-old man, Izzak Ghranitel. However, the Israeli military did not immediately reveal the location of the discovery. But, according to media reports, the bodies were found in a Hamas tunnel in the Gaza Strip. Shani Luk, 22, was abducted in October last year while attending a music festival in southern Israel.
18 May 2024
Her mother identified her in a video. The video showed Luk sitting in a pickup truck, surrounded by several men. Luk's family believed that she was still alive for some time. However, DNA analysis confirmed that the skull fragments belonged to Luk.
Her father said, "The soul that has been tortured knows that there is a void in our hearts somewhere in Gaza. Today, we received a definitive answer." The German Foreign Minister, Baerbock, expressed condolences to the families of the victims. In a social media post, the Green Party politician wrote, "I express my condolences to them and their families, who can now say goodbye."
Meanwhile, the Israeli military has been accused of launching airstrikes on a refugee camp in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, resulting in the death of at least 15 people and injuring 30 others. The attack on the Jabalia refugee camp in the Gaza Strip took place on May 18, according to a report by the Palestinian News Agency.
In another news story, hypernationalism and racism have been highlighted in the United States after the shooting of a black U.S. Air Force officer, Roger Foster, by police officers in Florida. The incident occurred on May 3 when the police arrived at Foster's residence after receiving a call for help. The police officers shot Foster multiple times, prompting protests and calls for justice by his family. According to reports, Foster was on a video call with a friend before the police arrived.
His friend stated that nothing unusual was observed during the call. Foster's family believes that the police mistook Foster's residence for another location, leading to the tragedy. The family's lawyer argued that Foster was legally armed and had picked up his weapon after hearing a knock on the door. The police officers did not order Foster to put down his weapon before opening fire, raising concerns about the police's handling of the situation. The police officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the state attorney's office are investigating the incident.
In a related development, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution on May 16, calling on President Biden to supply weapons to Israel. The move highlights the deep divisions within the U.S. over policy towards Israel. The resolution, which is unlikely to become law, was passed by a majority of Republicans who accused Biden of abandoning Israel in the face of widespread pro-Palestinian protests. In other news, the Chinese-American architect, Lin Huiyin, will be posthumously awarded an architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
Lin Huiyin, who was born in 1904, studied at the University of Pennsylvania's College of Fine Arts (which was later renamed the Weitzman School of Design) between 1924 and 1925. She was an outstanding student, excelling in several courses, but was denied a degree due to her gender. The University of Pennsylvania's Weitzman School of Design announced on its website that the renowned Chinese architect, Lin Huiyin, would be awarded an architecture degree posthumously. The school stated that it would grant her the degree during its graduation ceremony on May 18, 2024, and hold a special event to celebrate her achievements and contributions. The celebration would pay tribute to Lin Huiyin's extraordinary accomplishments, legacy, and global influence. A total of 23 Chinese students, including Lin Huiyin, studied architecture at the University of Pennsylvania between 1918 and 1941. Lin Huiyin was an accomplished architect and a pioneer in the field of architecture in China. Despite facing gender discrimination, she persevered and became one of the most influential architects in China's modern history. Her contributions to the field of architecture and her legacy continue to inspire architects and designers around the world. The University of Pennsylvania's decision to grant her a posthumous degree is a testament to her achievements and a recognition of the injustice she faced due to her gender.