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Syria: Success and struggle six months after Assad

Syria: Success and struggle six months after Assad

NHK19 hours ago

More than half a year has passed since Bashar al-Assad was ousted as Syrian leader. Sanctions are being lifted, foreign goods are trickling in, but challenges remain. NHK World's Kojima Mei explains.

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U.N. says most flour delivered in Gaza looted or taken by starving people
U.N. says most flour delivered in Gaza looted or taken by starving people

Japan Times

time12 minutes ago

  • Japan Times

U.N. says most flour delivered in Gaza looted or taken by starving people

The United Nations said on Monday that it has only been able to bring minimal flour into Gaza since Israel lifted an aid blockade three weeks ago and that it has mostly been looted by armed gangs or taken by starving Palestinians. The organization has transported 4,600 metric tons of wheat flour into Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing, the only entry point Israel allows it to use, Deputy U.N. spokesperson Fahan Haq told reporters. Haq said aid groups in Gaza estimate that between 8,000 and 10,000 tons of wheat flour were needed to give each family in Gaza a bag of flour and "ease the pressure on markets and reduce desperation." "Most of it was taken by desperate, starving people before the supplies reached their destinations. In some cases, the supplies were looted by armed gangs," Haq said. According to World Food Program guidelines, 4,600 tons of flour would provide roughly eight days' worth of bread for Gaza's 2 million residents, based on a standard daily ration of 300 grams per person. Haq called for Israel to let in far more aid via multiple crossings and routes. The U.N. has mostly delivered flour along with limited medical and nutrition items since Israel lifted the 11-week blockade in mid-May. Experts warn Gaza is at risk of famine, with the rate of young children suffering acute malnutrition nearly tripling. Israel and the United States want the U.N. to work through the controversial new Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, but the U.N. has refused, questioning its neutrality and accusing the distribution model of militarizing aid and forcing displacement. Israel and the United States have accused Hamas of stealing aid from the U.N.-led operations, which the militants deny. The GHF uses private U.S. security and logistics firms to operate. It began operations in Gaza on May 26 and said on Monday so far it has given out 11.4 million meals. Israel makes the U.N. offload aid on the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom crossing, where it then has to be picked by the U.N. and aid groups already in Gaza. The U.N. has accused Israel of regularly denying access requests.

Boat carrying Greta Thunberg and human rights group arrives in southern Israel
Boat carrying Greta Thunberg and human rights group arrives in southern Israel

NHK

time2 hours ago

  • NHK

Boat carrying Greta Thunberg and human rights group arrives in southern Israel

A boat carrying Swedish activist Greta Thunberg has arrived in southern Israel. Thunberg and a human rights group had been headed toward Gaza to deliver food and medicine, but were stopped by Israeli authorities on Monday. Israel's Foreign Ministry disclosed that night that the boat had docked at Ashdod Port. It said, "The passengers are currently undergoing medical examinations to ensure they are in good health." It released images showing Thunberg on a boat at the port flying the Israeli flag in the background. The ministry said, "Upon arrival, arrangements will be made for their return to their respective home countries." The operator of the boat Thunberg was on has criticized Israel's actions, saying, "We continue to demand the immediate release of all volunteers."

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