Palestine envoy breaks down in UNSC over Gaza horror; ‘Flames & hunger devouring our children…'
Palestine's Permanent Representative to the UN Riyad Mansour couldn't hold back his tears as he narrated the ordeal of Palestinians in Gaza during a UNSC meeting on May 28. Member states as well as UN officials spoke about and highlighted the deteriorating situation in Gaza, citing starvation, displacement and trauma among civilians. Mansour detailed the ordeal of Palestinians since Israel renewed its war in March, giving estimates of the number of children injured or killed in two months. Watch his full speech here.
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The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Will there be a lasting ceasefire in Gaza?
The story so far: More than 19 months since the Gaza war began, with only two brief ceasefires in between, Israel and Hamas are inching closer to agreeing on another truce — this time under the direct mediation of the U.S. In recent weeks, Israel has come under increasing international pressure, with even its close allies in the West, including Germany, and the U.K., intensifying their criticism of the war. Under pressure, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government said last week that it would accept a ceasefire proposal presented by Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy for the Middle East (West Asia). Meanwhile, the UN has warned that all 2.3 million Palestinians of Gaza are facing a severe hunger crisis. Where does the war stand now? When Israel launched its war on Gaza, following Hamas's October 7, 2023 cross-border attack, killing nearly 1,200 people, it had two primary objectives — dismantle Hamas and secure the release of hostages (Hamas had taken at least 250 hostages on October 7). Since then, the war has devastated the entire Gaza strip, a tiny, densely populated enclave sandwiched between Israel and the Mediterranean Sea. According to Gaza's health authorities, more than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli attacks since October 7, with over 1,23,000 wounded. The entire population of Gaza has been displaced. Yet, Hamas has maintained its grip on Gaza's population, and continued to resist Israeli forces. As of now, at least 58 hostages remain in Hamas's captivity (20 of them are believed to be dead). Israel's strategy of ramping up military pressure on Hamas by attacking Palestinians indiscriminately and thereby forcing the group to release hostages has not worked so far. On the two previous occasions when Hamas released hostages, it did so as part of ceasefire agreements. This leaves Israel in a difficult position. It is facing increasing global criticism over the war, and has failed to achieve its two main objectives: the elimination of Hamas and the release of the hostages. Why are Israel's allies angry? In January, Israel and Hamas had agreed to a three-phase ceasefire. In the first phase, which was successfully implemented, Hamas released hostages and Israel freed Palestinian prisoners. The second phase was to see an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, leading to a permanent end to the war. But Israel wanted to extend the first phase of the ceasefire to get more hostages in return for prisoner release. When Hamas rejected the extension, Israel resumed its bombing campaign. Since then, Israel has launched a broader offensive and massive bombings in Gaza, pushing the enclave's already displaced people to the southern coastal stretches. Simultaneously, Israel has stopped aid delivery to Gaza, plunging the enclave into an acute hunger crisis. According to the UN Children's Fund, since the end of the ceasefire on March 18, '1,309 children have reportedly been killed and 3,738 injured' in Gaza. Since October 2023, more than 50,000 children have been killed or injured, said the agency. Israel has remained defiant. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said he wanted Gaza to be 'completely destroyed' and its people should be moved to a 'humanitarian zone' in the south from where they should flee the territory to other countries. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has repeatedly warned the government against letting aid into Gaza. It was against this backdrop of Israel's indiscriminate attacks, Israeli Ministers' genocidal statements and Palestinians' mounting suffering that Western countries expressed rare public criticisms against Israel. The U.K., France and Canada issued a joint statement, 'strongly opposing' the expansion of Israel's offensive in Gaza, and asked the Jewish country to halt settlements in the West Bank. Friedric Merz, Germany's new Chancellor, said Israel's attacks 'are no longer justified'. Even Mr. Trump raised concerns about Gaza's hunger crisis. What is the U.S.'s stand? The Biden administration had occasionally expressed concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, but consistently supported Israel's war, both militarily and diplomatically. The Trump administration lifted even Biden era restrictions on arms supplies to Israel, and has been careful not to attack Israel over the conflict. But signs of differences have emerged between Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Trump over West Asia. This week, Mr. Trump confirmed reports that he had warned Mr. Netanyahu against carrying out attacks against Iran's nuclear facilities. Mr. Trump launched direct talks with Iran, seeking a deal to resolve the nuclear crisis (which in part has been worsened by his 2018 decision, during his first term, to unilaterally withdraw the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear deal). In early May, he abruptly ended the U.S. military campaign against Houthis — a sworn Israeli enemy and Iranian ally — by striking a deal with the Yemeni militants through Omani mediation. Although the Houthis continue to attack Israel, the deal with Mr. Trump remains intact. Mr. Trump's team also held direct talks with Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist entity, and concluded a deal for the release of an Israeli-American hostage. Mr. Witkoff, President's Trump's key mediator, has been actively parleying with multiple regional players, including Israel, Egypt, Qatar and Hamas, to push for a ceasefire. What is the Witkoff proposal? The Witkoff plan calls for a 60-day ceasefire. 'President Trump guarantees Israel's adherence to the ceasefire during the agreed-upon period,' says the draft document. As per the plan, 10 Israeli live hostages and 18 deceased hostages are to be released on days 1 and 7. In exchange for the release of the 10 Israeli live hostages, Israel will release 125 'life sentence' prisoners and 1,111 Gazan detainees who were detained after October 7, 2023. In exchange for the release of the remains of 18 hostages, Israel will release 180 deceased Gazans. Aid will be sent to Gaza immediately, and will be distributed through agreed upon channels, including the UN and Red Crescent. Israel will cease all its offensive military activities, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would be redeployed in Gaza's south and north within seven days. On day one of the ceasefire, Israel and Hamas will begin negotiations for a permanent ceasefire. Will there be lasting peace? The Witkoff proposal leaves out the most critical issue — the question of Gaza's future. Israel demands a total surrender of Hamas, while Hamas insists on a complete IDF withdrawal from Gaza. If Israel agrees to withdraw, Hamas would retain its presence and influence in the territory — an outcome that could cost Prime Minister Netanyahu the support of his far-right coalition partners. If Israel refuses to withdraw, Hamas may decline to release the remaining hostages and the war could continue. So the prospects for peace in Gaza remain bleak.
India Today
2 hours ago
- India Today
Hamas seeks changes in Gaza ceasefire proposal, US envoy calls it ‘unacceptable'
Hamas is seeking amendments to the latest US ceasefire proposal for Gaza, a senior official told The Associated Press on Saturday, as hungry Palestinians stopped and emptied dozens of aid trucks. The Hamas official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks, told news agency AP that the proposed amendments focus on 'US guarantees, the timing of hostage release, the delivery of aid, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.' advertisementA separate Hamas statement called for a permanent ceasefire, a comprehensive Israeli withdrawal, and an assured flow of humanitarian aid. The group said it would release 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 others in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners. Of the 250 hostages taken during Hamas' October 7 attack, 58 remain alive in Gaza, while Israel believes 35 are Calls Response 'Unacceptable' However, US envoy Steve Witkoff called Hamas' response 'totally unacceptable.' He outlined on social media that the US proposal includes a 60-day ceasefire, the release of half the living hostages, and the return of half of those who have died. Witkoff urged Hamas to accept the framework as a starting point for negotiations, which could begin as soon as next officials have approved the ceasefire plan, and former U.S. President Donald Trump said negotiators are 'nearing a deal' after nearly 20 months of want the bloodshed to stop,' said Motasim, a resident of the Al-Bureij refugee camp. 'I swear to God, we are tired.'Desperation And Aid Crisis In GazaAs hunger grows, Palestinians in Gaza stopped and emptied 77 UN aid trucks, mostly carrying flour, before the supplies could reach their destinations, the UN World Food Program said. A witness in Khan Younis reported thousands of civilians offloading the aid at a makeshift WFP warned of a severe famine threat and said it has over 140,000 metric tons of food, enough to feed Gaza for two months, ready to enter the territory, but insecurity and restrictions prevent safe delivery. 'We need to flood communities with food to calm anxieties and rebuild trust that more is coming,' the WFP three-month blockade by Israel has pushed more than 2 million people to the brink of starvation. Although Israel has allowed some aid trucks recently, aid organizations say it remains insufficient. According to Israel's coordination body, COGAT, 579 trucks entered last week compared to 600 per day during the previous Watch
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Business Standard
4 hours ago
- Business Standard
North Korea gaining military edge as Russia seeks war-time supplies
North Korea has been rapidly unveiling new weapons, including AI-guided attack drones, upgraded tanks with electronic warfare features, a new naval destroyer armed with supersonic cruise missiles, and an improved air-defence system. It has also showcased air-to-air missiles and new drone technology. In the past, international sanctions, natural disasters, and the Covid-19 pandemic were thought to have left the North Korea's ageing Soviet-era military incapable of modernisation. But Kim Jong-un found a solution by turning to Russia, which needed weapons and manpower as it continues its military operation in Ukraine, according to a report by The New York Times. Reviving an old alliance As Russia's war in Ukraine dragged on and its resources thinned, North Korea stepped in with large supplies of artillery shells and troops. In return, Russia restarted a Cold War-era treaty of defence and cooperation with North Korea. According to South Korean officials and analysts quoted in the NYT report, this deal has provided North Korea with fuel, food, military materials and technologies to upgrade its forces. They warn that this growing military cooperation could destabilise the Korean Peninsula. New weapons, new opportunities Following the collapse of the Soviet Union and North Korea's economy, the country focused on nuclear weapons while its conventional military remained outdated. In contrast, South Korea, backed by the US and its 28,500 troops, maintained a strong military edge. However, analysts say Russia's need for weapons and manpower has brought about a major shift. North Korea's weapons industry has been revitalised, with Kim now gaining battlefield insights and modern warfare experience. 'North Korea appears to be entering a strategic golden age,' Yang Uk, Seoul's Asan Institute for Policy Studies, told NYT. Support for Russia in Ukraine Russia has also benefited. Though kept secret at first, Russian military officials later confirmed that North Korean troops helped Russian forces push back Ukrainians in the Kursk region. South Korean intelligence believes around 15,000 North Korean troops have entered Russia. North Korea has supplied millions of artillery shells and missiles. The two countries are also working together to develop drones. The cooperation has strengthened Vladimir Putin's position in both the Ukraine conflict and international diplomacy. In September 2023, Kim visited Russia's Far East, where he toured a space launch centre, aircraft factory, and military bases. South Korean analysts believe he made a 'bucket list' of technologies he wanted. The relationship deepened when Kim invited Putin to Pyongyang last June. Soon after, North Korean troops reportedly began flowing into Russia. Testing troops in real battles Dmitri Kuznets, an analyst with Meduza, said North Korean troops helped retake two villages in the Kursk region. However, the exact scale of their involvement remains debated, according to him. Valery Shiryaev, a Russian military analyst, wrote on Telegram that real battlefield experience was important for Kim. 'All of them are getting an incredible experience now and will come back as real veterans,' he said. 'There are no such people in the South Korean Army, which undoubtedly fills Kim Jong-un with pride.' Analysts have observed aircraft and ships carrying military technology from Russia to North Korea. Kim has increased visits to weapons factories and overseen several weapons tests. In March, he watched the launch of an anti-aircraft missile system, suggesting Russian help in updating the North's air defences. He also viewed AI-powered attack drones. Experts say that just improving drone capabilities would help reduce the conventional weapons gap with South Korea. New naval power In April, Kim and his daughter Kim Ju-ae attended the launch of North Korea's first naval destroyer, the "Choe Hyon". He later observed its missile tests. One of the missiles resembled Russia's nuclear-capable 3M22 Zircon cruise missile. Kim also confirmed that a nuclear-powered submarine was being developed. In early May, Kim visited a tank factory and announced that outdated armoured vehicles were being replaced. He later praised a fourfold increase in artillery shell production — an important export to Russia. He also observed a MiG-29 fighter jet firing an air-to-air missile, a stark contrast from the days when the North could barely fly due to fuel and spare part shortages. According to Lee Sung-joon, a South Korean military spokesperson, many of North Korea's new weapons indicate direct Russian assistance. Evading sanctions through Russia The UN has banned arms trade with North Korea. However, cooperation with Russia has helped Pyongyang bypass sanctions and get the technology it needs, according to a report from the Institute for National Security Strategy. Nevertheless, there is doubt over how much sensitive technology Russia is willing to share. North Korea has repeatedly failed to launch military satellites. A nuclear-powered submarine would require a compact reactor — something Moscow may hesitate to provide. 'It's the most dangerous weapon North Korea has unveiled so far,' said Hong Min of the Korea Institute for National Unification. Even if Russia never gives that final piece of technology, the possibility alone gives Kim more leverage. North Korean state media has already shown part of what it claimed was a nuclear submarine under construction.
