World
‘Rockets flew by, we wallpapered’: Escapee on life in occupied Kherson
![‘Rockets flew by, we wallpapered’: Escapee on life in occupied Kherson ‘Rockets flew by, we wallpapered’: Escapee on life in occupied Kherson](https://static.euronews.com/articles/stories/06/92/33/34/1000x563_cmsv2_57a03bc5-6616-5f9c-bd9e-99d5d1fba181-6923334.jpg)
When Kyiv advised locals in Russian-occupied Kherson to flee as a result of it was planning a counter-offensive in southern Ukraine, Alyona wasted no time.
She rapidly packed her belongings, grabbed her four-year-old son and set off for the Ukrainian-controlled territory of Zaporizhzhia, greater than 200 kilometres away.
The escape was exhausting. Tons of of automobiles took the identical route, the tempo stop-start due to the 20 roadblocks forward of them. The queues have been such many individuals needed to sleep in automobiles or buses, and even in open fields alongside the street, she stated.
At many checkpoints, Ukrainians — particularly males — underwent filtration, the place Russian troops test automobiles, tattoos, and other people’s cell phone content material.
“We have been fortunate as they solely checked our trunk,” stated Alyona, talking to Euronews after it took her 4 days to securely attain Zaporizhzhia. “Now what I’ve is all my life in a suitcase. Crucial factor is that we’re alive.”
The 34-year-old, who spent 4 months dwelling underneath Russian occupation in Kherson, says there was a local weather of impunity and repression.
“As freely as I speak to you, I am unable to speak there,” she added.
“They turned Kherson into some sort of consuming place the place low cost alcohol, particularly beer introduced from Crimea, is offered.”
Many troopers wandered the streets drunk, inciting worry amongst locals, she claimed. “They behaved as in the event that they owned the place.”
‘The place ought to we go?’
Alyona advised Euronews her story at a refugee hub in Zaporizhzhia, the place tons of of Ukrainians from occupied territories are gathered.
Volunteers say as much as 1,400 displaced individuals arrive every day to be registered.
Wanting across the hub, you see confused-looking Ukrainians ready in a queue; for a lot of, it is a big leap into the unknown.
“Many go to stick with their family additional away,” stated one of many volunteers. “Or no less than they’ve a plan.”
For others, it’s harder: some go away house and don’t know the place to go subsequent. Such individuals have a tendency to remain in dormitories on the centre.
Elsewhere, youngsters play as volunteers distribute garments, foods and drinks.
Dmytro is a type of serving to out. He stated most of the internally displaced he is spoken to ask him questions comparable to: “What ought to we do subsequent? The place ought to we go?”
Zaporizhzhia, not from Vasylivka on the frontline, is a metropolis stressed. Air raid sirens are frequent and generally Russian missiles hit. Artillery shells are heard within the distance.
Regardless of this, it has reworked right into a shelter for the displaced — many automobiles have licence plates from the Donetsk and Kherson areas, areas of Ukraine which might be underneath complete or near-total Russian management.
“Nearly everyone appears like they’re free right here,” stated Dmytro.
As of June, there have been 191,000 displaced individuals in Zaporizhzhia, based on information from the regional authorities.
Increasingly more are arriving from Kherson.
‘Solely my little one gave me power’
They embody Kateryna, who advised Euronews life underneath occupation there was insufferable. The mother-of-two stated they didn’t know behave and would attempt to keep away from leaving the home unnecessarily.
The strain was such that they tried to distract themselves by renovating a part of their home, she stated.
“Are you able to think about: rockets are flying overhead, and we’re wallpapering,” she exclaims, referring to the stress her household was underneath.
She stated with provide traces disrupted Kherson was operating out of meals, medication and different items. What objects can be found got here primarily from Russian-occupied Crimea.
Ukrainians have been additionally heeding calls to evacuate town, Kateryna added, admitting that individuals have been leaving town en masse.
“Many fled town after the Bucha and Irpin bloodbath, because the worry the Russians would do the identical grew,” Alyona interjected.
“All of us understood that there could be no extra regular life,” she added. “Within the occupation, solely my little one gave me power.”
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World
Federal investigators start probe of bus crash in Mississippi that killed 7, injured dozens more
BOVINA, Miss. (AP) — Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board on Sunday were at the scene of a bus crash in Mississippi that killed seven people and injured dozens of others.
They plan to look at how well the tires were maintained, NTSB member Todd Inman said at a news conference late Saturday. The NTSB previously said the crash was caused by tire failure.
The 2018 Volvo bus was traveling westbound on Interstate 20 near Bovina in Warren County early Saturday morning when it left the roadway and overturned, according to the Mississippi Highway Patrol. No other vehicle was involved.
Six people aboard were pronounced dead at the scene and another died at a hospital, according to a highway patrol news release. Thirty-six people were taken by ambulance to hospitals.
The highway patrol did not immediately have an update on their conditions Sunday.
The dead included a 6-year-old boy and his 16-year-old sister, according to Warren County Coroner Doug Huskey. They were identified by their mother. Authorities were working to identify the other victims, he said.
The bus was traveling from Atlanta to Dallas with 41 passengers and two drivers, the highway patrol said.
Inman said the NTSB will also look at the carrier’s safety record and protections for bus occupants.
The bus was operated by Autobuses Regiomontanos. A woman who answered the phone at its Laredo, Texas, office said it was aware of the crash, but she didn’t answer questions or provide her name.
The transit company says it has 20 years of experience providing cross-border trips between 100 destinations in Mexico and the U.S. Its website promotes “a modern fleet of buses that receive daily maintenance,” and offers “trips with a special price for workers.”
World
American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 5 others 'brutally murdered' by Hamas right before rescue: IDF
![American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 5 others 'brutally murdered' by Hamas right before rescue: IDF American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 5 others 'brutally murdered' by Hamas right before rescue: IDF](https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/09/hersh.png)
Hamas terrorists killed six hostages Saturday, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, as Israel Defense Forces closed in for a rescue attempt in the tunnels deep below Gaza’s Rafah.
Goldberg-Polin’s family confirmed his death early Sunday. His body was one of six recovered on Saturday. The IDF revealed that Hamas killed the hostages, who had been held for nearly 11 months, just as they were on the brink of freedom.
“According to our initial assessment, they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them,” IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a statement.
Goldberg-Polin, 23, was abducted at a music festival in southern Israel during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack against the Jewish State. He lost part of his left arm to a grenade in the attack. His body was recovered Saturday in the tunnels under Rafah, along with Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Master Sergeant Ori Danino.
DEFENSE MINISTER SAYS ISRAEL MUST ‘WIDEN THE GOALS’ OF WAR TO RETURN RESIDENTS TO THE NORTH
Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin has been confirmed dead. (Israel’s Minister of Defense)
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said, “He who murders abductees – does not want a deal. We are in a difficult day. The heart of the entire nation was torn.”
“Along with all the citizens of Israel, I was shocked to the core by the terrible cold-blooded murder of six of our abductees.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he “embrace[s] their families with all my heart, and apologize[s] for failing to bring them home safely.”
A dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, Goldberg-Polin immigrated to Israel with his family in 2008 at the age of seven, according to a statement from his family. He leaves behind his parents, Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, and his two sisters.
Goldberg-Polin’s family and friends traveled the world demanding his release and met with world leaders, including officials in the Biden administration.
President Biden said he is “devastated and outraged” by the news of Goldberg-Polin’s death.
“It is as tragic as it is reprehensible,” he said. “Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.”
Vice President Harris, also the Democratic nominee for president, said her prayers are with Goldberg-Polin’s loved ones as they mourn his loss.
“Hamas is an evil terrorist organization,” Harris said. “With these murders, Hamas has even more American blood on its hands. I strongly condemn Hamas’ continued brutality, and so must the entire world. From its massacre of 1,200 people to sexual violence, taking of hostages, and these murders, Hamas’ depravity is evident and horrifying.”
ISRAEL KILLS PALESTINIAN COMMANDER MUHAMMAD JABER ‘ABU SHUJAA’ AS FIGHTING INTENSIFIES: IDF
![Hersh Goldberg-Polin](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/09/1200/675/polin.png?ve=1&tl=1)
Goldberg-Polin, 23, was abducted at a music festival in southern Israel during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. (IDF)
“The threat Hamas poses to the people of Israel — and American citizens in Israel — must be eliminated and Hamas cannot control Gaza,” she added. “The Palestinian people too have suffered under Hamas’ rule for nearly two decades.”
“A few hours ago, we informed the families that the bodies of their loved ones had been located by IDF troops in an underground tunnel in Rafah,” IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a statement. “According to our initial assessment, they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them.”
Fox News’ Yonat Friling contributed to this report.
World
Photos: Mass polio vaccination drive kicks off in Gaza amid Israeli strikes
![Photos: Mass polio vaccination drive kicks off in Gaza amid Israeli strikes Photos: Mass polio vaccination drive kicks off in Gaza amid Israeli strikes](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AFP__20240901__36F32UL__v1__Preview__PalestinianIsraelConflictHealth-1725178114.jpg?resize=1200%2C630)
Palestinian health authorities and United Nations agencies on Sunday began a vaccination drive against polio in the Gaza Strip, hoping to prevent an outbreak in the territory ravaged by nearly 11 months of Israeli bombardment.
Authorities plan to vaccinate children in central Gaza until Wednesday before moving to the more devastated northern and southern parts of the Strip, aiming to inoculate about 640,000 children. On Saturday, a few children were vaccinated before the formal start of the campaign.
“This is the first few hours of the first phase of a massive campaign, one of the most complex in the world,” said Juliette Touma, communications director of UNRWA, the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency.
“Today is test time for parties to the conflict to respect these area pauses to allow the UNRWA teams and other medical workers to reach children with these very precious two drops. It’s a race against time,” Touma told the Reuters news agency.
Israel and Hamas, which have so far failed to conclude a deal to end the war, said they would cooperate to allow the campaign to succeed.
The World Health Organization said on Thursday that Israel has agreed to limited pauses in its military operations to facilitate the campaign. There were initial reports of Israeli strikes in central Gaza early on Sunday, but it was not immediately known if anyone was killed or wounded.
Hospitals in Deir el-Balah and Nuseirat confirmed that the campaign had begun on Sunday. Israel said on Saturday that the vaccination programme would continue through September 9 and last eight hours a day.
The vaccinations will be held at some 160 sites across the territory, including medical centres and schools. Children below 10 years of age will receive two drops of oral polio vaccine in two rounds, the second to be administered four weeks after the first.
Gaza recently reported its first polio case in 25 years – a 10-month-old boy, now paralysed in the leg. The WHO says the presence of a paralysis case indicates there could be hundreds more who have been infected but are not showing symptoms.
Most affected children do not experience symptoms and those who do usually recover in a week or so, the UN health agency said. There is no cure for polio, it can only be prevented. When polio causes paralysis, it is usually permanent. The disease can be fatal if the paralysis affects breathing muscles.
The vaccination campaign faces a host of challenges, from ongoing war to devastated roads and hospitals shut down by the war. About 90 percent of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million people have been displaced within the besieged territory, with hundreds of thousands crammed into squalid tent camps.
Health officials have expressed alarm about disease outbreaks as rubbish piles up and the bombing of critical infrastructure has sent putrid water flowing through the streets. Widespread hunger has left people even more vulnerable to illness.
“We escaped death with our children and fled from place to place for the sake of our children, and now we have these diseases,” said Wafaa Obaid, who brought her three children to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah for vaccination.
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