'How could anyone?…': Palestinian UN envoy breaks down in tears over deaths of Gazan children - The Economic Times Video
Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations Riyad Mansour delivered an emotional address to the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday (May 28), breaking down in tears as he described the "unbearable" suffering of Palestinian children amid the ongoing war in Gaza. Mansour cited the case of Dr. Alaa al-Najjar, a Palestinian doctor who lost nine of her 10 children after they arrived at the hospital where she worked, already dead and burned.
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The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
Gaza Humanitarian Foundation
Aid finally started flowing into Gaza last week, ending a three-month blockade by Israel. In charge of aid operations was the newly created Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a Swiss-based entity backed by the U.S and Israel. The GHF has started distributing aid in Gaza via four centralised distribution centres, and said it will open more hubs within a month. Aid will be delivered to the centres via armoured tanks operated by private subcontractors, who will also safeguard its operations. The BBC has noted the presence of Israeli soldiers near the distribution centres. The GHF aimed to reach one million people at the end of its first week of operations. Three of its sites are in the Rafah area in southern Gaza. A fourth camp is close to the Netzarim corridor in Central Gaza, controlled by the Israeli military. None of the sites are in the north, the region mainly targeted by Israel's strikes. Thousands have reportedly crossed Israeli military lines to access the aid sites. A GHF spokesperson said on May 30 that the Foundation had already distributed 2 million meals. However, only one site was reportedly active, and shut down after it ran out of supplies. Eyewitness accounts say aid packages have consisted of canned food, pasta, rice, cooking oil, biscuits and lentils. The GHF has said it will distribute meals with 1,750 calories- below the 2,100-calorie per day standard for meals used by UN agencies in emergency situations. A GHF document has reportedly promised to hand out water and hygiene kits at the sites as well. As per a New York Times report, the GHF resulted from 'private meetings of like-minded officials, military officers and businesspeople with close ties to the Israeli government'. Until his resignation last Sunday, it was run by Jake Wood, a U.S military veteran who also headed a relief group called Team Rubicon, and consists of a group of American security contractors, army veterans and aid workers. It is unclear who is now in charge, and funding streams remain vague, with the U.S and Israel both denying financial backing. An AP report noted that the GHF claims that an unnamed government in the EU has committed around $100 million. The GHF aims to sidestep the UN as the main provider of aid to the devastated region. Earlier, Mr. Wood said parallel aid from the UN would continue till eight GHF hubs are established, and that non-humanitarian aid would also be distributed by the UN network. UN agencies had been moving food, medicine and other supplies across Gaza since the war began in October 2023, operating 400 distribution sites for aid before they were blocked by Israel. About a week back, Israel opened up the border to allow a small inflow of supplies, indicating that the UN would be able to distribute the supplies till the GHF was up and running. The initial operations of the GHF were further complicated by Palestinian civilians overrunning the aid distribution centre after it opened on Tuesday, resulting in injuries and at least three deaths. Hunger on the rise Hunger and desperation are on the rise in Gaza. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a multi-partner initiative focused on analysing nutrition and improving food security, warned in March last year that Gaza was facing a famine. UN estimates say that almost 2 million Gazans are on the brink of starvation; the WHO warned that hunger in Gaza threatened to permanently stunt the growth and cognitive development of an entire generation of children. The GHF said in a statement it is apolitical and that it won't displace Palestinians. However, it has been condemned by the UN and other aid agencies, which say that the mechanism would allow Israel to use food as a weapon, and that it violates humanitarian principles. Palestinians have also alleged that the aid effort by the GHF was disorganised, and was hampered by a lack of communication. Misinformation also proliferated on social media about the aid sites, claiming that looting had taken place or that centres were shut down. Further criticisms emerged after videos showed Palestinians running away from the perimeter of one of the aid centres to escape a projectile thrown by the security contractors. The GHF said in a statement that its personnel had 'encountered a tense and potentially dangerous crowd that refused to disperse' and had used 'non-lethal deterrents' to 'prevent escalation and ensure the safety of civilians and staff'. Israel has mooted for an alternative aid distribution system to avoid what it claims is theft by Hamas from the existing aid networks. Aid convoys of the UN have previously been attacked by Israel. Some of these strikes have killed aid workers as well. Hamas, meanwhile, has denied looting allegations. The Hamas-run interior ministry has warned Palestinians to be cautious while dealing with the GHF. In mid-2024, the U.S. built a humanitarian pier off Gaza to enable aid access to the strip, but Palestinians suspected that it would be used for military purposes. Rights organisations pointed out that this was eyewash to obfuscate Israel preventing all land crossings, even for aid. At one point, aid supplies were air-dropped to the war-torn region, a solution considered both dehumanising and ineffective by rights organisations The UN Relief and Works Agency, the primary aid organisation working to help Palestinians, has been undermined and hobbled. It has been targeted by misinformation and faced a withdrawal of funds and a ban imposed by Israel's Parliament. A former UNRWA representative called the GHF initiative 'aid-washing', meant to mask the starvation of Palestinians.
NDTV
4 hours ago
- NDTV
World Milk Day 2025: Untold Benefits Of Milk We All Should Know
Each year on June 1, people around the world celebrate World Milk Day, a global initiative established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations to highlight the importance of milk in our daily diets and honour the contributions of the dairy sector to nutrition, livelihoods, and food security. India, as the world's largest milk producer, plays a vital role in this celebration. While most of us are familiar with the basic health benefits of milk- strong bones, good calcium content, and rich protein levels- there are many untold and lesser-known advantages that deserve attention. Milk: More Than Just a Calcium Booster Milk is a widely consumed superfood in Indian households. While buffalo milk is most commonly used, other types like cow, goat, and even camel milk are also part of many diets. Beyond drinking it plain, people enjoy milk in forms like curd, paneer, cheese, butter, flavoured milk, and ice cream. But did you know that milk's benefits go far beyond what meets the eye? Let's uncover five untold benefits of milk you may not know about, supported by expert insights from Rupali Datta, Consultant Nutritionist. Milk is full of various nutrients. Lesser-Known Benefits Of Milk 1. Natural Stress Reliever and Sleep Booster According to Dr. Rupali Datta, milk contains Tryptophan, an essential amino acid that promotes the production of melatonin, the sleep-regulating hormone. This helps improve sleep cycles, reduce fatigue, and keep us mentally and physically refreshed. "Milk not only helps us relax but also boosts serotonin levels, which improve mood and help reduce stress," she explains. 2. Supports Digestive Health and Reduces Acidity Drinking a glass of cold milk can help neutralise stomach acid and is an effective home remedy for acidity. It soothes the stomach lining and prevents discomfort after spicy meals. Those who aren't sensitive to cold can even enjoy a scoop of ice cream for similar relief. Also Read: What Is The Best Time To Drink Milk According To Ayurveda? 3. Hydrating and Nourishing Though it feels rich and creamy, milk is actually mostly water. The creamy texture comes from its combination of proteins, fats, vitamins, and carbohydrates. This makes milk both nourishing and hydrating, especially beneficial during warmer months or for those with increased fluid needs. 4. Aiding Fat Loss with Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) Milk and other dairy products contain Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), a naturally occurring fatty acid that may help reduce body fat and support lean muscle development. Some studies suggest that CLA can also aid in improving metabolic function when combined with regular exercise. 5. A Versatile Health Food If you're lactose-intolerant or exploring plant-based diets, soya milk offers a worthy alternative. Fortified soya milk contains fewer calories, less sugar, and lower saturated fat compared to traditional cow milk, making it ideal for those monitoring their weight or heart health. You can even boost nutrition by mixing soya powder into regular milk for added protein and fibre. How Much Milk is Enough? Rupali Datta recommends 500-600 ml of milk per day for an average adult. This amount helps meet daily calcium and protein needs, supports gut health, and reduces the risk of gastric issues. On this World Milk Day 2025, let's go beyond the basics and appreciate milk for its many hidden benefits. Whether you prefer it warm or cold, in your tea or as curd, milk continues to be a time-tested elixir of health. Its versatility and nutrient profile make it a daily dietary must-have, no matter your age or lifestyle. So raise a glass to milk today- and every day!
Indian Express
14 hours ago
- Indian Express
North Gaza's only operating hospital evacuated after Israeli order
The last hospital providing health services in the North Gaza governorate has ceased operations following an immediate evacuation order from the Israeli military, according to the facility's director. Dr. Mohammed Salha told the BBC that patients were evacuated from al-Awda hospital in Jabalia on Thursday evening after enduring 'two weeks of siege,' leaving the region without any functioning health facilities. There is now 'no health facility working in the north,' he said. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have not responded to requests for comment. Dr. Salha described the evacuation as a difficult decision, prompted by threats from Israeli forces to either enter and kill those inside or bomb the hospital. 'We were thinking of the lives of patients and our staff,' he said. The hospital endured intense shelling from tanks starting around noon local time. Despite initial resistance to evacuate due to the presence of critical patients, after seven hours of negotiations, the evacuation began. Patients were carried over 300 meters to ambulances, as surrounding roads were heavily damaged. Videos from hospital staff showed ambulances and vehicles departing the facility at sunset and travelling through Jabalia after dark. Patients were transferred to al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City. Dr. Salha noted plans to provide some services through a primary health centre in Gaza City and possibly establish another in a shelter. Israel continues its military operations in Gaza, with at least 72 people reported killed in strikes over the past 24 hours, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry. The hospital had been under siege multiple times and hit by strikes damaging vital facilities and supplies. UN agencies report that most primary healthcare centres in Gaza are partially or fully non-functional. Only 61 out of 158 primary healthcare centres and nine out of 27 UN Palestinian refugee agency health centres remain operational. The UN has condemned looting of medical aid at a field hospital in central Gaza. UN Secretary-General António Guterres's spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said armed individuals looted warehouses intended for malnourished children. UN humanitarian agencies warn that Gaza's 2.1 million residents face a 'critical risk' of famine due to the blockade restricting aid. Jens Laerke from the UN's OCHA agency described Gaza as 'the hungriest place on earth.' France's President Emmanuel Macron called for a tougher international stance if Israel does not increase aid flow soon. Israel rejected accusations of a humanitarian blockade, countering Macron's remarks on social media. (With inputs from from BBC)
