Quote of the Day: Aid Disarray Rends Gaza
SHIRA EFRON, from the research group Israel Policy Forum, on how recently deadly shootings highlight the risks of distributing aid.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNN
21 minutes ago
- CNN
US recalls negotiating team as prospects for a Gaza ceasefire dim and humanitarian situation gets worse
The Middle East Israel-Hamas warFacebookTweetLink Follow The United States is recalling its negotiating team from Doha, where talks on a ceasefire to end the war in Gaza have been taking place, with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff saying the latest response from Hamas 'clearly shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire.' Instead, the US 'will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza,' Witkoff said in a post on X, without providing details on the alternative options. The public response from the key US negotiator puts the future of the diplomatic efforts in doubt. It stands in stark contrast to hints of optimism about the prospect of a deal being reached that were voiced by sources even after Hamas' latest proposal. A lack of ceasefire also threatens to prolong the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, where scores of people are starving to death as Israel continues sharp restrictions on aid. Witkoff, who had traveled to Italy for consultations about the possible temporary truce, said that 'while the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith.' 'It is a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way,' he said Thursday. 'We are resolute in seeking an end to this conflict and a permanent peace in Gaza.' Israel also recalled its negotiating team from the Qatari capital following the Hamas response, though an Israeli source said that was not an indication of a crisis in the talks. Instead, the team was called back because decisions need to be made regarding the state of negotiations that cannot be made remotely, the source told CNN. A separate official with knowledge of the talks had characterized Hamas's response as 'positive.' While there were still gaps between the sides, the official said there is 'growing optimism that the gaps are narrowing and a deal can be reached.' However, the prospects for a deal now appear murkier with the role of the US now in doubt. The people of Gaza, meanwhile, cannot afford to wait for an agreement to be reached in order to allow more aid into the besieged enclave. Despite the death toll from man-made starvation rising daily and increasingly dire warnings from international organizations, there are still Israeli government-imposed restrictions on the flow of humanitarian aid. The US government had a dedicated official during the Biden administration working on issues of humanitarian aid access in Gaza, but no such official was appointed under the Trump administration. Rather than push for increased access to flood Gaza with aid, the Trump administration has hailed the role of the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, suggesting it is the only effective means for distributing aid and stopping alleged widespread theft by Hamas.
UPI
an hour ago
- UPI
U.N. warns Lebanon's at a "turning point," faces prolonged crisis risk
Emergency services and residents inspect the scene of an airstrike in the town of Nabatieh, southern Lebanon, on June 25. The United Nations has warned that war-torn Lebanon is at 'a turning point' and must undertake urgent and immediate recovery efforts. Photo by EPA BEIRUT, Lebanon, July 24 (UPI) -- The United Nations has warned that war-torn Lebanon is at "a turning point" and must undertake urgent and immediate recovery efforts to avoid prolonging its six-year multifaceted crisis that has been exacerbated by the recent Israel-Hezbollah war, according to a U.N. report released Thursday. The report, prepared by the United Nations Development Program and United Nations Economic and Social Council for for Western Asia, in collaboration with other U.N. agencies, highlighted the devastating impact of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict -- that began Oct. 8, 2023, and escalated in September 2024 -- by examining its effects on Lebanon's economy, infrastructure and society. More than 4,285 people, including 292 children and 861 women, have been killed and some 17,200 wounded as of Jan. 9. Since the Nov. 27 cease-fire agreement took effect on Feb. 18, an additional 200 people, including civilians and Hezbollah operatives, also have been killed. The war, moreover, displaced over 1.2 million people, damaged or destroyed nearly 64,000 buildings and disrupted education for hundreds of thousands of students, according to the U.N. report. It indicated that micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, which make up 90% of Lebanon's economy, were hit especially hard: 15% shut down permanently, 75% suspended operations during the war and nearly 30% lost their entire workforce. In the most heavily bombed areas, up to 70% of businesses were forced to close permanently. Moreover, about 500,000 students experienced severe educational disruptions during the war, with 69% of children out of school until the cease-fire. Child nutrition also reached critical levels, particularly in the eastern Baalbek-Hermel and Bekaa governorates, where more than 51% and 45% of children under the age of 2, respectively, suffered from severe food shortages. Some 1.6 million people are expected to face high levels of acute food insecurity, including 928,000 Lebanese citizens, the report warned. The proportion of Lebanese citizens living below the poverty line more than tripled between 2012 and 2022 -- rising to 33% from 11% -- and that the 2024 war, particularly in eastern and southern Lebanon, further exacerbated poverty. Moreover, the war significantly deepened Lebanon's labor market crisis. During the conflict, employment among private sector workers declined by 25%. In the areas most heavily affected by bombardments, 36% of workers lost their jobs, compared to 17% in regions less impacted. Even after the ceasefire, 14% of workers remained unemployed. The report explained that the economic impact has been profound, with Lebanon's economy contracting by 38% between 2019 and 2024, while the country's Human Development Index fell back to 2010 levels; marking a 14-year setback caused by the compounded effects of the crisis and war. Key sectors of the economy have been severely affected, including tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, trade and finance. The tourism sector has taken a significant hit, with its contribution to the economy in 2024 expected to have declined to just 5.5%. "Lebanon is at a turning point," said Blerta Aliko, the resident representative of the U.N. Development Program in Lebanon, emphasizing the need for Lebanon to shape "a nationally led recovery plan." Aliko said it was imperative that "state institutions are strong and well-equipped" to drive a sustainable and inclusive recovery process. The report indicated that a reform-driven recovery could help reverse the economic decline, with projections estimating GDP growth of 8.2% in 2026 and 7.1% in 2027. However, even with these necessary reforms, GDP would remain 8.4% below its pre-crisis 2017 peak of $51.2 billion. To sustain recovery, key sectors such as agriculture, construction, tourism and manufacturing must be prioritized, it said. It recommends the Lebanese government to focus on four key areas for its recovery: rebuilding and strengthening state institutions; revitalizing the economy and generating employment; restoring basic services and expanding social protection; and rehabilitating damaged environmental ecosystems. Tarik Alami, the economic and social council cluster leader on governance and prevention, said Lebanon continues to face a "polycrisis" that was made worse by the recent devastating war. "This critical juncture calls for the urgent and accelerated implementation of essential reforms; particularly within public administration, as well as across socio-economic and financial sectors," Alami said. He emphasized that "the root causes of recurring hostilities along Lebanon's southern border must be addressed decisively and sustainably," in full accordance with international law and relevant U.N. resolutions. The U.N. report noted that Lebanon's path to recovery requires urgent, coordinated action between the government, donors, U.N. agencies and non-governmental organizations, while substantial financing will be required from domestic resources, private sector investments, international development assistance and foreign direct investment. "Without immediate intervention, economic rebound will take longer, poverty will deepen, state institutions will further weaken and Lebanon's social stability will be at risk," it warned. Last March, the World Bank estimated that Lebanon would need $11 billion for its reconstruction and recovery needs after the Israel-Hezbollah war. However, any international or Arab financial support remains unlikely unless Lebanon implements the necessary reforms and fully disarms Hezbollah -a condition Israel has set as a prerequisite for halting its ongoing attacks on the country.
Washington Post
an hour ago
- Washington Post
Trump envoy Witkoff says US cutting short Gaza ceasefire talks, bringing home negotiating team
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff said Thursday the U.S. is cutting short Gaza ceasefire talks and bringing home its negotiating team from Qatar for consultations after the latest response from Hamas 'shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.' 'While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith,' Witkoff said. 'We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza.' He said it was 'a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way' and that the U.S. is 'resolute' in seeking an end to the conflict in Gaza. A breakthrough in talks on a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has eluded the Trump administration for months as conditions worsen in Gaza . The territory recently had its deadliest day yet for aid-seekers in over 21 months of war, with at least 85 Palestinians killed while trying to reach food Sunday. The sides have held weeks of talks in Qatar, reporting small signs of progress but no major breakthroughs. Officials have said a main sticking point is the redeployment of Israeli troops after any ceasefire takes place. Earlier Thursday, Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu's office recalled his country's negotiating team back to Israel in light of Hamas' response. In a brief statement, the prime minister's office expressed its appreciation for the efforts of Witkoff and mediators Qatar and Egypt, but it gave no further details. The deal under discussion is expected to include a 60-day ceasefire in which Hamas would release 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 others in phases in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Aid supplies would be ramped up and the two sides would hold negotiations on a lasting truce. The talks have been bogged down over competing demands for ending the war. Hamas says it will only release all hostages in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal and end to the war. Israel says it will not agree to end the war until Hamas gives up power and disarms, a condition the militant group rejects. The State Department said earlier in the week that Witkoff would be traveling to the Middle East for talks, but U.S. officials later said that Witkoff would instead travel to Europe. It was unclear if he was holding meetings there Thursday. ___ Associated Press writers Josef Federaman and Julia Frankel in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
