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Sudan: War crimes and crimes against humanity taking place, International Criminal Court believes

Sudan: War crimes and crimes against humanity taking place, International Criminal Court believes

Yahoo11-07-2025
The International Criminal Court (ICC) believes war crimes and crimes against humanity are taking place in Sudan, where civil war has raged for more than two years.
The tribunal's deputy prosecutor has told the UN Security Council that the humanitarian crisis and depth of suffering in the country's western Darfur region "has reached an intolerable state".
Nazhat Shameem Khan said: "People are being deprived of water and food.
"Rape and sexual violence are being weaponised. Abductions for ransom or to bolster the ranks of armed groups have become common practice."
"And yet we should not be under any illusion," she told the UN's most powerful body. "Things can still get worse."
The war in began in April 2023, when long-simmering tensions between the Sudanese army and paramilitary forces broke out in the capital, Khartoum.
The conflict soon spread to other regions, including Darfur, and some 40,000 people have been killed and almost 13 million displaced, according to UN agencies.
Ms Khan said the ICC has been closely tracking the dire situation in North Darfur in recent weeks.
The region's capital, El Fasher, has been besieged by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and affiliated groups.
The RSF, which controls the capitals of all other states in Darfur, has also attacked famine-hit Zamzam and other camps for displaced Sudanese in North Darfur.
Ms Khan said: "On the basis of our independent investigations, the position of our office is clear, we have reasonable grounds to believe that war crimes and crimes against humanity have been and are continuing to be committed in Darfur."
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The conclusion is based on documentary, testimonial and digital evidence collected by ICC investigations over the last six months and over 7,000 items of evidence collected to date, she added.
Ms Khan emphasised that the ICC considers the situation in Darfur "of the utmost importance" and said it will not be deterred until justice is delivered to the perpetrators.
Darfur became synonymous with genocide and war crimes two decades ago, particularly by the notorious Janjaweed Arab militias. Up to 300,000 people were killed and 2.7 million were driven out of their homes.
Ms Khan said those now "inflicting unimaginable atrocities on [Darfur's] population" should know Janjaweed leader Ali Kushayb is currently on trial and the ICC hopes it will be the first of many.
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Trump approves $50 million in federal funding for Michigan ice storm recovery
Trump approves $50 million in federal funding for Michigan ice storm recovery

CBS News

time38 minutes ago

  • CBS News

Trump approves $50 million in federal funding for Michigan ice storm recovery

President Trump has approved $50 million in federal funds for Michigan to support repairs and recovery from the March ice storm in northern Michigan. Mr. Trump announced the funding on Tuesday on his Truth Social page. "I just spoke with Governor Gretchen Whitmer to let her know I am approving $50 Million Dollars for the wonderful State of Michigan for Public Assistance to help them recover from the terrible Winter Storms they endured. It was my Honor to do so," Mr. Trump said in a post. "Great news for Northern Michigan!" Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall said in response to the federal funding approval. The March 28-30 ice storm caused so much damage to trees, roads, utility poles and infrastructure that the State of Michigan quickly listed several counties in a state emergency declaration. Some schools did not have classes for two weeks. The state officials' pitch for federal help included at least one in-person meeting among Hall, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Mr. Trump on the matter. "I'm glad to have received word from President Trump committing federal funds to help Northern Michigan communities impacted by the historic ice storm damage earlier this year. We have more details to gather, but I'm grateful for this response to my requests of the White House," Whitmer said on a social media post Tuesday. "This has been one of our top priorities at the Capitol, and President Trump was very concerned when Gov. Whitmer and I spoke to him about the terrible damage at the White House this spring," Hall added. "People up there are struggling, and our northern communities are running out of emergency resources. When we need help, President Trump delivers. This is a very important lifeline and one more big help for Michigan in a year full of big wins working together." Hall pointed to the Michigan announcement in a series of social media posts from the White House's Rapid Response 47 team. That series of announcements from the White House also included approvals of federal funding for: A page for announcements and resources has been set up on the Federal Emergency Management Agency page under the title "Michigan Severe Winter Storm." The State of Michigan has compiled its announcements and resources on the 2025 Northern Michigan ice storm page.

Gaza aid crisis: Why Gazans are dying of hunger or being killed by Israel on a near daily basis
Gaza aid crisis: Why Gazans are dying of hunger or being killed by Israel on a near daily basis

CNN

time38 minutes ago

  • CNN

Gaza aid crisis: Why Gazans are dying of hunger or being killed by Israel on a near daily basis

Twenty-one months into Israel's war in Gaza, the enclave is gripped by escalating scenes of death and hunger, with some killed while trying to reach aid, others dying of starvation and growing condemnation of Israel's conduct even among many of its closest allies. The United Nations says more than a thousand people have been killed by Israeli forces while seeking food since late May, when a controversial new Israel- and US-backed aid group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, began operating. Of those, hundreds have died near GHF sites, according to the UN. The GHF was created to replace the UN's aid role in Gaza and has been widely criticized for failing to improve conditions. All 2.1 million people in Gaza are now food insecure. On Tuesday, Gaza's health ministry said 900,000 children are going hungry, and 70,000 already show signs of malnutrition. But how did it come to this? Before the war, Gaza was already one of the most isolated and densely populated places on earth, with around two million people packed into an area of 140 square miles. Israel has maintained tight control over the territory through a yearslong land, air and sea blockade, with severe restrictions on the movement of goods and people. More than half of its residents were food insecure and under the poverty line, according to the UN. Between 500 and 600 truckloads of aid entered Gaza daily before the conflict. That number has since plummeted to an average of just 28 trucks per day, a group of humanitarian organizations said Wednesday. It's unclear if the figure includes trucks used in GHF's operations. Following Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack, which left 1,200 people dead and more than 250 taken hostage, Israel ordered a 'complete siege' of Gaza, halting the supply of electricity, food, water and fuel. A humanitarian crisis swiftly unfolded, as trapped residents faced both hunger and a devastating Israeli military campaign in response. Human rights groups have repeatedly criticized Israel's use of food as a 'weapon of war' and accused it of imposing 'collective punishment.' Following international pressure, the first trucks carrying aid entered Gaza in late October. A temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began on November 24, 2023, slightly increasing aid flow. But the truce collapsed a week later. Aid deliveries subsequently dwindled again, and stringent Israeli inspections further delayed shipments. Israeli authorities said screening was necessary to prevent Hamas from diverting supplies but humanitarian officials accused Israel of deliberately throttling aid. Further compounding the crisis was the Israeli campaign against the UN and its aid delivery system, which Israel said was ineffective and allowed aid to fall Hamas' hands. The UN denies this. Among the agencies targeted was the UN's Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which Israel accused of having staff involved in the October 7 attack. A UN investigation found that nine of UNWRA's 13,000 Gaza-based employees 'may have' participated and no longer worked at the agency. In January this year, Israel banned UNRWA from operating in Gaza, cutting off viral services like food, health care and education to hundreds of thousands of people. As Israel's campaign leveled much of Gaza, displacing most of its residents and weakening Hamas' grip on the territory, lawlessness began to spread. Looting became a new hurdle for UN trucks, and casualties mounted at aid delivery points. Israel has repeatedly blamed Hamas and armed gangs for the chaos. The UN warned just weeks into the war that civil order was beginning to collapse, with desperate Palestinians taking flour and hygiene supplies from warehouses. By November 2024, the UN again raised the alarm, saying the capacity to deliver aid was 'completely gone.' In 'one of the worst' looting incident, over 100 trucks were lost, it said. Drivers were forced to unload trucks at gunpoint, aid workers were injured, and vehicles were damaged extensively. As Hamas' grip on Gaza waned and the territory's police force was hollowed out, gangs emerged to steal aid and resell it. Israel has also armed local militias to counter Hamas – a controversial move that opposition politicians have warned will endanger Israeli national security. The arming of militias appears to be the closest that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come to empowering any form of alternate rule in the strip. Since the start of the war, the Israeli leader has refused to lay out a plan for Gaza's governance once the conflict ends. On January 19, another temporary ceasefire was reached. Aid resumed, but remained well short of what was needed. Israel reinstated a total blockade of Gaza on March 2 after the truce expired. Two weeks later, it resumed fighting, with officials saying the goal was to force Hamas to accept new ceasefire terms and release hostages. By July, the World Food Programme (WFP) assessed that a quarter of Gaza's population was facing famine-like conditions. At least 80 children have died of malnutrition since the conflict began, the Palestinian health ministry says. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), most of these occurred after the March blockade. In May, GHF, the controversial new Israeli- and American-backed organization, announced it would begin delivering with Israel's approval. Just days before GHF began operating, its director Jake Wood resigned, saying it was impossible to do his work 'while also strictly adhering to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.' The foundation was created to replace the UN's role in Gaza, while complying with Israeli demands that the aid not reach Hamas. The GHF said it would coordinate with the Israeli military, but that security would be provided by private military contractors. The UN has refused to participate, saying the GHF model violates some basic humanitarian principles. Critics have noted that there are only a small number of GHF distribution sites, in southern and central Gaza – far fewer than hundreds under the UN's previous model. This has forced massive crowds to gather at limited locations. The GHF has defended its system, saying it is a 'secure model (that) blocks the looting.' But soon after it began operating on May 27, the plan turned deadly as those seeking aid increasingly came under fire near GHF aid sites. Palestinian officials and witnesses have said Israeli troops are responsible for most of the deaths. The Israeli military acknowledged firing warning shots toward crowds in some instances, but denied responsibility for other incidents. And the deaths aren't limited to the vicinity of GHF aid sites. On Sunday, Israeli forces killed dozens waiting for aid in northern Gaza, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Israel said troops fired warning shots after sensing an 'immediate threat' The ministry of health recorded 10 deaths due to famine and malnutrition in 24 hours from Tuesday, bringing the total of Palestinians who died of starvation to 111. On Wednesday, 111 international humanitarian organizations called on Israel to end its blockade and agree to a ceasefire, warning that supplies in the enclave are now 'totally depleted' and that humanitarian groups are 'witnessing their own colleagues and partners waste away before their eyes.' An Israeli official said at a press briefing on Wednesday that they expect more aid to enter the enclave in the future. 'We would like to see more and more trucks entering Gaza and distributing the aid as long as Hamas is not involved,' the official said. 'As we see for now, Hamas has an interest: First, to put pressure on the State of Israel through the international community in order to (have) an effect in the (ceasefire) negotiation process; and second, to collapse the new mechanism that we have established that is making sure that they are not involved in the aid delivery inside Gaza.' International pressure continues to mount on Israel, including from the United States. And on Monday, the foreign ministers of 25 Western nations slammed Israel for 'drip feeding' aid into the Gaza Strip. Israel's foreign ministry said it 'rejects' the statement, calling it 'disconnected from reality.' CNN's Tim Lister, Mostafa Salem, Catherine Nicholls, Oren Liebermann, Eugenia Yosef, Dana Karni, Mike Schwartz, Mick Krever, Eugenia Yosef and Jeremy Diamond contributed reporting.

EMERGENCY PRESS CONFERENCE ON GAZA CRISIS, Doctors Call On Trump To End The Starvation And Killing Fields In Gaza
EMERGENCY PRESS CONFERENCE ON GAZA CRISIS, Doctors Call On Trump To End The Starvation And Killing Fields In Gaza

Associated Press

time2 hours ago

  • Associated Press

EMERGENCY PRESS CONFERENCE ON GAZA CRISIS, Doctors Call On Trump To End The Starvation And Killing Fields In Gaza

Doctors Against Genocide call on Trump to demand shutdown of Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid distribution deathtraps 'Hundreds of thousands in Gaza face death from forced starvation within hours or days on our watch. President Trump can end this with one phone call, just as President Reagan did.'— Dr. Nidal Jboor WASHINGTON, DC, DC, UNITED STATES, July 23, 2025 / / -- Contact: Dr. Nidal Jboor, co-founder, Doctors Against Genocide, 313-354-1400; Dr. Karameh Kuemmerle, co-founder, Doctors Against Genocide, 617-818-5239; [email protected] Who: Medical professionals with Doctors Against Genocide; Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI); former diplomats, veterans and more. Where: House Triangle, The US Capitol. When: Thursday, July 24, 10am. Doctors, nurses and other medical professionals representing the global coalition of healthcare workers, Doctors Against Genocide (DAG), alongside Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and other allies, will hold an emergency press conference at the House Triangle on Capitol Hill at 10am on Thursday, July 24. The speakers will call on US President Donald Trump to end the starvation and slaughter in Gaza. They will also demand the removal of the US-Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which has turned the distribution of aid into target practice for the Israeli military. After the press conference, members of DAG will protest in front of the Egyptian Embassy at 11am, the Israeli Embassy at 12pm, and in Lafayette Park in front of the White House from 12pm-2pm. DAG speakers will be available for additional interviews at each of these locations. 'The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is not aid, it's a U.S.-funded slaughterhouse,' said Dr. Nidal Jboor, a DAG co-founder and Michigan-based internal medicine specialist. 'Hundreds of thousands in Gaza face death from forced starvation within hours or days on our watch. President Trump can end this with one phone call, just as President Reagan did.' Israel's intense bombardment of Beirut, Lebanon in August 1982 ceased 20 minutes after Reagan placed a call to then Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, urging him to halt the attacks. 'The US can and must shut down these killing zones, flood Gaza with real aid, and stop the genocide now,' Jboor said. Doctors Against Genocide will call on the White House to end the starvation, replace the US-Israeli GHF with neutral aid distribution organizations, and block Israeli plans to drive the surviving Palestinian population into concentration camps. As many as 3,000 trucks laden with life-saving aid are stranded at the border, blocked by Israel from entering Gaza. 'Palestinians in Gaza including our own medical colleagues are collapsing from extreme hunger and catastrophic war injuries,' said Dr. Karemeh Kuemmerle, a DAG co-founder and pediatric neurologist in Boston. 'More than one thousand civilians have been killed while trying to access food since late May,' Kuemmerle said. 'Without immediate access to food, medicine, and rehabilitation, lives will continue to be lost. This genocide is reaching unimaginable and unprecedented levels of cruelty and depravity. We are living in an age of no humanity.' Doctors Against Genocide has seen members of their own profession abducted, imprisoned, tortured and assassinated. They hear daily from fellow doctors in Gaza who are now fighting starvation themselves, even passing out on the floors of their hospitals but who are still trying to help their patients. 'Our doctors in Gaza are calling to us, 'the world must move today before it is too late,'' Jboor said. 'It's time for President Trump to fulfill his mandate as the 'peace president' and end the Gaza genocide now.' ### Dr. Nidal Jboor Doctors Against Genocide +1 313-354-1400 email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook YouTube X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.

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