UN food agency says it has 2 weeks' worth of supplies in Gaza
GAZA: The UN food agency says it only has enough food supplies in the Gaza Strip to keep public kitchens and bakeries open for less than two weeks, after Israel halted the entry of food, fuel, medicine and other supplies.
The Israeli blockade over the weekend is aimed at pressuring Hamas to accept an alternative ceasefire arrangement six weeks into their fragile truce.
Israel allowed a surge of humanitarian aid during the first six weeks of the ceasefire. But the World Food Program said Wednesday that its stocks are low because it prioritized delivering food to the population. The UN agency also warned that its fuel stocks would only last for a few weeks.
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip welcomed Arab leaders' adoption of a plan to rebuild the territory without depopulating it.
'We are satisfied with these decisions and this summit,' said Atef Abu Zaher, from the southern city of Khan Younis. 'We are clinging to our land.'
The plan advanced at the Arab summit in Cairo on Tuesday is seen as an alternative to US President Donald Trump's proposal to resettle Gaza's roughly 2 million Palestinians in other countries and redevelop it as a beach destination.
Even as they welcomed the Arab plan, many Palestinians expressed doubts over whether it would be implemented.
'The important thing is that the Arab countries are serious,' said Yasser Abed. He expressed hope they would follow through on the plan, 'unlike the thousands of (other) decisions they have taken about our cause.'
WFP has enough food in Gaza to run kitchens for 2 weeks
The World Food Program says it only has enough food supplies in the Gaza Strip to keep public kitchens and bakeries open for less than two weeks.
Israel halted the entry of food, fuel, medicine and other supplies to the territory, home to some 2 million Palestinians, over the weekend to try and pressure Hamas to accept an alternative ceasefire arrangement six weeks into their fragile truce.
Israel allowed a surge of humanitarian aid during the first six weeks of the ceasefire. But the WFP said Wednesday that its stocks are low because it prioritized delivering food to the population. The UN agency also warned that its fuel stocks would only last for a few weeks.
Palestinians said prices spiked as people rushed to markets to stock up on supplies after Israel announced the tightening of its blockade. After more than 16 months of war, Gaza's population is entirely dependent on trucked-in food and other aid. Most are displaced from their homes, and many need shelter.
Israelis bid farewell to hostage Ohad Yahalomi
Israelis lined the streets for the funeral procession of hostage Ohad Yahalomi, the last of eight Israelis whose remains were returned during the first stage of the ceasefire with Hamas.
Yahalomi, who was 49 when he was kidnapped, was shot in the leg as he and his family were taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz. His wife and two daughters, one 10 and the other almost 2, escaped from militants attempting to take them into Gaza after running through fields for hours. Ohad and his oldest son, Eitan, then 12, were taken into Gaza but held separately. Eitan was released as part of a ceasefire in November 2023. Netanyahu's office said Yahalomi was killed in captivity without releasing more details.
Yahalomi worked for decades with Israel's Nature and Parks Authority, and dozens of park rangers from across the country created a convoy from central Israel to the cemetery in Kibbutz Nir Oz.
'We always felt safe and protected when you were by our side,' his wife, Bat-Sheva Yahalomi, eulogized him. 'We never imagined that the darkness would come in the shape of hundreds of terrorists full of hate and it will succeed to extinguish you strong and precious spirit.'
Israeli military's new chief of staff is sworn in
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu oversaw the swearing-in ceremony of the new military chief of staff, reiterating the determination to achieve 'total victory' against Hamas and other Iran-backed armed groups.
Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir will replace Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, who resigned in part over the army's failures during the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas' attack on southern Israel that ignited the war in Gaza.
'For many years, the IDF has fulfilled its missions. On October 7, the IDF failed,' Halevi said at the ceremony. He called on Israel to establish a state commission of inquiry to fully investigate the failures that led to the deadly attack.
The Israeli military and Shin Bet have recently released their own inquiries, but Halevi stressed a national commission that includes the political leadership is needed to 'get to the root of the problems and enable corrections.'
Israel demolished 181 Palestinian homes in annexed east Jerusalem
Ir Amim, an Israeli rights group, says Israel demolished a record number of Palestinian homes — 181 — in annexed east Jerusalem last year.
It said that more recently, Israel appears to have dropped a longstanding policy against demolishing homes during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began last weekend. It said a residential building and three apartments have been destroyed over the past week.
The Jerusalem municipality did not respond to a request for comment.
Israel captured east Jerusalem, along with the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians want all three for their future state.
Rights groups say discriminatory policies make it nearly impossible for Palestinians to expand or redevelop their neighborhoods in east Jerusalem, forcing many to build without permits. Israel also demolishes the family homes of Palestinians who carry out attacks.
Arab leaders approve a counterproposal to Trump's postwar Gaza plan
Arab leaders meeting in Cairo on Tuesday endorsed a counterproposal to US President Donald Trump's call for the Gaza Strip to be depopulated of Palestinians and transformed into a beach destination, even as the continuation of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire is uncertain.
Israel is again blocking food, fuel, medicine and other desperately needed supplies from entering Gaza to try to get Hamas to accept an alternative US proposal for the ceasefire and the release of hostages. The suspension of aid drew widespread criticism, with human rights groups saying that it violated Israel's obligations as an occupying power under international law.
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Do critics have the right to question the Gulf states' investments in thriving global economies? What truly drives these criticisms? The complex interplay of economic and political dynamics reveals a clear truth: such critiques often lack objective grounding, rooted instead in dubious political or ideological motives, tinged with envy and resentment toward the Gulf's remarkable achievements. Statistics and historical data confirm that, since their founding, Gulf states have pursued a balanced strategy for managing their wealth. They blend domestic development, generous foreign aid, and strategic investments in stable, advanced economies. This thoughtful approach has proven successful over decades, enabling Gulf states to preserve and grow their wealth for future generations while setting a global standard for generosity and support for those in need. An unbiased observer can see that critics who brand Gulf investments in robust global economies as 'plunder' or 'waste' often hail from corrupt authoritarian regimes, terror groups, or factions pushing extremist ideologies hostile to prosperity and stability. These detractors deliberately ignore the Gulf states' sovereign right to manage their wealth and investments in line with their national interests. History clearly documents the Gulf's generosity, with hundreds of billions of dollars in aid extended to Arab, Islamic, and developing countries over decades. For example, Saudi Arabia's aid from 1975 to 2024 totaledapproximately 498.54 billion riyals (132.94 billion USD). From 1976 to 1987, its international development aid reached 49 billion USD, second only to the United States. The United Arab Emirates, meanwhile, has consistently surpassed the United Nations' goal of allocating 0.7% of gross national income to official development assistance, reaching 1.17% in 2014. In several years, the UAE exceeded this target, earning acclaim in reports from the OECD's Development Assistance Committee as the top donor relative to its economy's size. The UAE's deep commitment to humanitarian and developmental responsibilities has been driven by a vision that sees fostering progress in developing countries as a foundation for global stability, not just a diplomatic gesture. When viewed with clarity and fairness, it is evident that Gulf states have never leveraged their aid to exert political pressure or meddle in the affairs of recipient countries. Their assistance springs from genuine humanitarian, moral, and religious values, setting it apart from the often conditional aid of some major powers, which is typically tied to political or economic agendas. The Gulf's decision to channel financial surpluses into strong global economies, notably the United States, is not impulsive but a carefully crafted strategy grounded in a deep understanding of global markets and the need for secure, profitable investments. The U.S. economy, accounting for over 40% of global investments, is a natural choice for countries with surplus funds aiming to maximize returns while minimizing risks. Its vast scale, relative stability, and diverse sectors offer a safe and dynamic investment, unlike the volatility of emerging or unstable markets. Gulf investments in the U.S. serve not only economic purposes but also strategic ones, safeguarding political and security interests. Given their geopolitical position and oil wealth, Gulf states face complex security and political challenges, requiring powerful allies to provide protection and support against regional threats. Investments in economies like the U.S. strengthen strategic partnerships, creating shared interests that bolster regional stability and security. Advanced economies attract Gulf investments due to their political and economic stability, robust legal frameworks, diverse opportunities, technological innovation, and ease of market entry and exit. Calling Gulf investments in thriving global economies 'plunder' is a misguided and misleading label, betraying a lack of understanding of global economic dynamics and international investment principles. Investment is a mutually beneficial exchange, not exploitation. Gulf states gain financial returns and strategic benefits, while host economies benefit from capital inflows that fund projects, create jobs, and fuel economic growth. Since their inception, Gulf states have embraced a governance model built on wisdom, transparency, and long-term planning. Recognizing the finite nature of oil wealth, they understood early on that over-reliance on it threatens future generations. Their strategy hinges on three pillars: domestic development, foreign aid, and global market investments. Openness and coexistence define Gulf societies, setting them apart from those under authoritarian regimes or extremist influence. These states have fostered inclusive, tolerant communities where diverse cultures, religions, and ethnicities thrive in mutual respect and cooperation. Millions of expatriates from around the world live and work in the Gulf with freedom and dignity, practicing their religious and cultural traditions without restriction or harassment. To be sure, Gulf investments in strong global economies come from a place of prudent wealth management and a forward-thinking vision to ensure a prosperous, sustainable future for generations to come. Critics who challenge these investments lack credible evidence or rigorous economic analysis, driven instead by questionable political and ideological motives, revealing envy and resentment toward the Gulf region's success in wisely stewarding its wealth and investments.
