Hamas accuses Israel of lacing aid flour with narcotics
Shafaq News – Middle East
On Friday, Hamas's authorities in Gaza announced that narcotic pills were found hidden in flour distributed by the US-Israeli funded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
Describing the incident as a 'heinous crime' targeting civilians and social stability, the Media Office in Gaza revealed in a statement that several Oxycodone pills — a powerful opioid — were discovered inside flour bags provided by what it called the 'so-called American-Israeli aid centers.'
The statement expressed deep concern and condemnation over the situation, warning that some of the pills may have been intentionally ground or dissolved into the flour.
'Four testimonies have so far been documented from citizens who allegedly found the pills in their food aid packages,' the statement clarified, holding Israel 'fully responsible' for what it described as a deliberate attempt to promote drug addiction and undermine Palestinian society as 'a part of a broader campaign of social destruction and genocide.'
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has not yet responded to the allegations.
Earlier, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) organization called for the immediate dismantling of the Foundation, warning that the system has caused over 500 deaths and thousands of injuries in the past month.
MSF accused Israeli authorities and their partners of 'turning humanitarian aid into a tool of degradation and violence,' forcing starving Palestinians to risk their lives for minimal supplies.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq's Gen Z: Caught between a digital future and fragile realities
Shafaq News/ Iraq's Generation Z grew up online—but not in peace. Born between 1997 and 2012, this generation—often called Zoomers or digital natives—is the first to come of age in a world shaped by the internet, smartphones, and social media. Globally, this has given Gen Z unique tools to adapt and innovate. But in Iraq, their digital fluency collides with a reality shaped by war, political dysfunction, economic hardship, and institutional stagnation. A Generation Born Into Disruption Gen Z worldwide is known for its diversity, comfort with technology, and progressive values. Yet in Iraq, these traits must adapt to a dramatically different environment—one marked by decades of instability, limited civic space, and underdeveloped infrastructure. Dr. Ahmed Al-Dhahabi, a psychology professor at the University of Baghdad, told Shafaq News that Iraq's Gen Z exhibits 'traits of digital innovation and global awareness, but also high levels of anxiety due to socioeconomic uncertainty and generational disconnect.' By late 2024, over 36% of Iraqis aged 18 to 35—most of whom fall within Gen Z—were unemployed, according to data from the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Recent graduates have been hit hardest. This structural mismatch between education and labor market demand is pushing many young Iraqis to pursue self-employment, digital entrepreneurship, or even emigration. Mental Health: A Silent Crisis In Iraq, as in much of the region, Gen Z faces mounting mental health challenges. UNICEF's 2021 State of the World's Children report revealed that over 37% of youth in MENA countries reported symptoms of anxiety or depression. These numbers may be even higher in Iraq, where stigma and lack of mental health infrastructure often mask the true scale of the problem. Dr. Mohammed Hareeb, a specialist in educational psychology, notes that 'the fast pace of digital transformation combined with traditional social structures has created a mental strain not faced by older generations.' These patterns echo global findings. A 2023 McKinsey & Company study found that Gen Z is the most emotionally burdened generation, with one in two reporting persistent stress. In Iraq, the pressures are even more acute due to conflict, restricted social freedoms, and increasing surveillance of online activity. The internet may be a refuge, but it is no substitute for institutional support. The Digital Divide and Cultural Drift As Iraqi Gen Z becomes increasingly global in its language, aesthetics, and aspirations, it clashes with a local culture that remains largely conservative and slow to change. This dissonance has created a noticeable intergenerational gap. Dr. Hassan Hamdan, a psychologist and social researcher, tells Shafaq News that 'Gen Z in Iraq internalizes all tools of technology and globalization into their personality. Their immersion in virtual reality has deeply reshaped their mental frameworks, communication styles, and ways of dealing with others and the world around them.' He adds that the cultural nutrients shaping this generation are entirely different from those of previous generations. 'Social interaction has shifted away from tribal or familial roots and toward global digital networks.' While every society has its own cultural context, Hamdan emphasizes that Iraqi Gen Z has absorbed external values while using social media to challenge domestic traditions. 'This generation often distances itself from Iraqi values and adopts global ideas in their place,' he says. This transformation, however, comes at a cost. 'Gen Z is more flexible than earlier generations, but this same flexibility has also created problems,' Hamdan explains. 'Their disconnect from older generations has disrupted parenting styles and undermined shared social understanding.' A Desire for Independence—and Escape Many Iraqi Gen Zers express a desire to emigrate—not just in search of work, but to find freedom, self-expression, and personal growth. Saja Saddam, born in 2006, says one of her main challenges is the generational gap between her and her older siblings. 'There's a significant difference in the way we think,' she tells Shafaq News. 'It often makes it hard to relate to them.' Saja has been financially independent since the age of ten. Today, she runs an online clothing business and has graduated from a music studies institute—a reflection of Gen Z's entrepreneurial and artistic tendencies. Meanwhile, Mohammed Al-Zubaidi, born in 2010, reflects a different slice of the same generation. 'My world revolves around PlayStation and Xbox. I don't enjoy interacting with people in public places like playgrounds,' he says. 'I think about emigrating. There are ideas I can't pursue in Iraq, and I see migration as the best way to improve my life.' Enter Generation Alpha: The Next Digital Natives As Iraq begins to grapple with the transformation of Gen Z, Generation Alpha—those born from 2013 onward—is already growing up with deeper exposure to AI, gamified learning, and fully immersive digital platforms. Globally, UNESCO expects Alphas to be the most formally educated and technologically embedded generation in history. In Iraq, Gen Alpha is beginning to interact with tools like virtual learning environments, smart devices, and AI-driven content. Yet without immediate investment in education, mental health, and civic inclusion, experts warn that this generation risks inheriting the same frustrations—and possibly worse—from their Gen Z predecessors. Dr. Al-Dhahabi cautions, 'If we fail to redesign education, mental health services, and economic inclusion, Generation Alpha may inherit frustration—not progress.'
Shafaq News
11 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Malnutrition kills 66 children in Gaza
Shafaq News – Gaza At least 66 children have died from malnutrition in Gaza, with restrictions on aid deliveries continuing, the Health Ministry in the enclave reported on Saturday. Access to food, clean water and medical supplies remains severely limited across the territory, where thousands of children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Humanitarian workers have also warned that, without immediate intervention, the death toll among children is likely to rise further, emphasizing the urgency of reopening border crossings to prevent additional loss of life. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, Israeli operations have killed at least 55,999 Palestinians, mostly women and children, since October 2023. As the humanitarian crisis worsens, an Egyptian source informed Russia Today that preparations are underway for a US-backed meeting in Doha aimed at securing a long-term ceasefire. The upcoming talks, involving Egyptian and Qatari mediators, are expected to center on a comprehensive proposal that includes a cessation of hostilities, the release of hostages, and the entry of humanitarian aid, with a focus on reconstruction efforts. Mediators have also urged Washington to press Israel for at least a two-week pause in military operations to enable formal negotiations to begin. Earlier this week
Shafaq News
a day ago
- Shafaq News
Hamas accuses Israel of lacing aid flour with narcotics
Shafaq News – Middle East On Friday, Hamas's authorities in Gaza announced that narcotic pills were found hidden in flour distributed by the US-Israeli funded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Describing the incident as a 'heinous crime' targeting civilians and social stability, the Media Office in Gaza revealed in a statement that several Oxycodone pills — a powerful opioid — were discovered inside flour bags provided by what it called the 'so-called American-Israeli aid centers.' The statement expressed deep concern and condemnation over the situation, warning that some of the pills may have been intentionally ground or dissolved into the flour. 'Four testimonies have so far been documented from citizens who allegedly found the pills in their food aid packages,' the statement clarified, holding Israel 'fully responsible' for what it described as a deliberate attempt to promote drug addiction and undermine Palestinian society as 'a part of a broader campaign of social destruction and genocide.' The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has not yet responded to the allegations. Earlier, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) organization called for the immediate dismantling of the Foundation, warning that the system has caused over 500 deaths and thousands of injuries in the past month. MSF accused Israeli authorities and their partners of 'turning humanitarian aid into a tool of degradation and violence,' forcing starving Palestinians to risk their lives for minimal supplies.
