'Israeli' Foreign Minister defends Gaza aid policy
'Israeli' Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar claimed that growing international pressure on Tel Aviv, particularly threats of sanctions by some European countries, would only complicate the political and security landscape.
Sa'ar argued that such tactics "will not serve stability," describing punitive measures as "unconstructive."
He also defended Israeli Occupation's new system for distributing humanitarian aid in Gaza, saying it was designed to prevent Hamas from benefiting, despite mounting global criticism of the occupation's role in managing the humanitarian crisis.
Earlier, Amnesty International urged the global community to reject Israeli Occupatuon's aid distribution plan, accusing Tel Aviv of using it as a tool for control and punishment in Gaza.
Amnesty called for immediate international action to stop what it described as a genocide against Palestinians.
The organization emphasized that the international community has allowed the humanitarian catastrophe and genocide in Gaza to continue for too long. It stated that the use of starvation as a weapon is a war crime that must end immediately.
Amnesty added that, as an occupying power, Israeli Occupation is obligated under international law to ensure the supply of essential goods to the civilian population. It described the shooting of starving Palestinians near an aid distribution point in Rafah as a 'horrific incident' that requires an immediate and independent investigation.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Roya News
8 hours ago
- Roya News
"Israel" reveals shortage of over 10,000 soldiers
"Israel's" military acknowledged on Friday a significant manpower shortfall, with more than 10,000 soldiers currently missing from its ranks, roughly 6,000 of whom are needed for combat roles, as it continues a heightened offensive in Gaza. 'This is a genuine operational need, and that's why we're taking all necessary steps,' said army spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin during a televised press conference. His remarks came in response to questions surrounding the controversial issue of drafting ultra-Orthodox Jews into military service, a longstanding point of political and societal debate in the Israeli Occupation.
Roya News
12 hours ago
- Roya News
France opens genocide complicity investigations over Gaza aid blockade
French anti-terror authorities have opened two investigations into allegations of genocide-related crimes, following accusations that French-"Israeli" nationals participated in efforts to obstruct humanitarian aid destined for Gaza earlier this year. According to France's national anti-terror prosecutor's office (PNAT), the probes are centered on possible "complicity in genocide," "incitement to genocide," and "complicity in crimes against humanity" between January and May 2024. These mark the first known French criminal inquiries into potential violations of international law linked to the war in Gaza. The investigations were triggered by two separate legal complaints. One was filed in November by the Jewish French Union for Peace and a French-Palestinian victim, targeting individuals allegedly tied to hardline pro-"Israel" groups "Israel is forever" and "Tzav-9." The complaint claims they physically blocked trucks carrying humanitarian aid at "Israeli" border checkpoints. Lawyers representing the plaintiffs expressed relief at the decision to move forward with a probe. 'We are pleased that the events from January 2024 are now being scrutinized — a time when no one wanted to hear anything about genocide,' said attorneys Damia Taharraoui and Marion Lafouge. Sources close to the case said the incidents in question occurred at the Nitzana and Karam Abu Salem crossings, where demonstrators, including relatives of "Israeli" captives, reportedly forced aid trucks to turn back. A second complaint, filed by the group Lawyers for Justice in the Middle East (CAPJO), presented videos, photos, and public statements as evidence against the same individuals. In a separate case made public the same day, the grandmother of two French children killed in an "Israeli" airstrike in Gaza submitted a legal complaint to the Paris court, accusing "Israel" of genocide and murder. The strike reportedly took the lives of 6-year-old Janna and 9-year-old Abderrahim Abudaher on Oct. 24, 2023. 'We believe these children are dead as part of a deliberate organised policy targeting the whole of Gaza's population with a possible genocidal intent,' said the family's lawyer, Arie Alimi. The children's younger brother, Omar, was severely injured and remains in Gaza under the care of their mother. Although filed against unnamed parties, the grandmother's complaint directly accuses "Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his government, and the military. Notably, the children's mother, a French citizen, was convicted in absentia in 2019 for allegedly funding terrorism through donations to Hamas and Islamic Jihad members. While no court has officially labeled the conflict as genocide, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has repeatedly instructed the Israeli Occupation to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and to avoid actions that could amount to genocide. Despite this, UN agencies report that the entire population of Gaza remains at risk of famine. Tensions have further escalated over reports that Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) fired on Palestinians attempting to collect food from a US-backed aid distribution point, prompting backlash and leading several international NGOs and the UN to distance themselves from the operation. Concerns have been raised that the aid program is shaped to align with IOF goals. Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity. A similar case against Hamas commander Mohammed Deif was dropped in February after it was confirmed he had been killed.
Roya News
16 hours ago
- Roya News
Netanyahu confirms 'Israel' ‘activated' Palestinian clans against Hamas
'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly acknowledged on Thursday that 'Israel' has 'activated' certain Palestinian clans in Gaza that oppose Hamas, marking the first official confirmation of 'Israeli' support for armed Palestinian groups within the enclave. Netanyahu's comments, made via a social media video, did not specify the exact nature of the support or the specific roles these clans would play. He said the move was taken on the advice of 'security officials' to protect 'Israeli' soldiers and save lives. Who are the clans? The clans Netanyahu referred to are reportedly extended Palestinian families that exert influence over parts of Gaza and have, at times, clashed with Hamas. An 'Israeli' official stated that the intended group is the Popular Forces, led by Yasser Abu Shabab, a local clan leader in Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city. In recent weeks, Abu Shabab's group publicly declared its fighters were assisting in securing shipments to 'Israeli'-backed food distribution centers run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in Rafah. However, Palestinians and aid workers have accused the group of also attacking and looting aid convoys. Controversy, conflicting claims The Abu Shabab family itself has distanced from Yasser Abu Shabab, denouncing his ties with the 'Israeli' military and stating that he and his followers 'are no longer linked' to the family. The group's office told the Associated Press that their operations in 'Israeli'-controlled areas are for 'purely humanitarian' reasons, claiming their relationship with 'Israeli' forces is limited to communication aimed at ensuring aid delivery is not intercepted. 'We are not proxies for anyone,' the group said, denying receiving any military or logistical support. They claimed they only took 'the minimum amount of food and water necessary to secure their elements in the field,' dismissing accusations of looting as exaggerations and part of a smear campaign. Aid workers report violence and looting Aid workers and officials provide a different account. Nahed Sheheiber, head of Gaza's private transportation union supporting aid delivery, accused Abu Shabab's fighters of repeatedly attacking aid trucks on routes from the Kerem Shalom crossing, Gaza's main entry point for humanitarian shipments. 'Our trucks were attacked many times by the Abu Shabab gang, and the Israeli military did nothing,' Sheheiber said. 'The ones who looted aid are now the ones protecting it,' he added sarcastically. An aid worker, speaking anonymously, said attempts last year to negotiate with Abu Shabab and other influential families to stop looting were short-lived, with convoys soon targeted again. International humanitarian perspective Jonathan Whittall, head of the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the occupied Palestinian territories, confirmed on Thursday that criminal gangs, operating with 'Israeli' forces' tacit approval near the Kerem Shalom crossing, have systematically attacked and looted aid convoys. 'These gangs have by far been the biggest cause of aid loss in Gaza,' Whittall said.
