UN calls for investigation after incident in Rafah, Gaza
war world politics 33 minutes ago
The UN is calling for an investigation after a deadly incident near an aid centre in Rafah, southern Gaza. Correspondent Trent Murray spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
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RNZ News
9 hours ago
- RNZ News
Bodies of two Israeli-American hostages recovered from Gaza in joint military operation
By Eugenia Yosef , Lucas Lilieholm and Oren Liebermann , CNN A supporter of Israel holds an Israeli flag in front of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC, on 8 October. Photo: JULIA NIKHINSON / AFP The bodies of two Israeli-American hostages abducted by Hamas on 7 October were recovered from southern Gaza during a military operation, according to a statement from Israeli military and the Shin Bet security agency. Judy Weinstein-Haggai, age 70, and Gadi Haggai, age 72, were killed near their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz during the Hamas attack on southern Israel in 2023. "Together with all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I extend our deepest condolences to the dear families," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. The prime minister thanked the soldiers and commanders involved in the operation and vowed to return all remaining hostages held in Gaza. "We will not rest and we will not be silent until all our hostages - both the living and the fallen - are brought home," he said. A spokesperson for Kibbutz Nir Oz said the bodies of the two hostages had been returned to Israel overnight and would be laid to rest. The couple had four children and seven grandchildren. In a statement the Kibbutz remembered Gadi as "a sharp-minded man, a gifted wind instrument player since the age of three, deeply connected to the land, a chef and advocate of healthy vegan nutrition and sports." and Judy as "a poet, entrepreneur, creative spirit, and devoted advocate for peace and coexistence." A statement from the family, provided by the Nir Oz spokesperson expressed gratitude for the return of their missing loved ones. "We are grateful for the closure we have been granted and for the return of our loved ones for burial - they went out for a walk on that Black Saturday morning and never came back. In this emotional moment, we want to thank the IDF and security forces who carried out this complex rescue operation and have been fighting for us for over a year and a half, and to everyone who supported, struggled, prayed, and fought for us and for all the people of Israel," it said. The family also thanked the US administration, the Israeli government, and the FBI for their "tireless work and ongoing support." - CNN
RNZ News
13 hours ago
- RNZ News
Politicians across political spectrum open to investigating law changes after press secretary's 'disturbing' allegations
Photo: LinkedIn/Michael Forbes The minister who a government press secretary was working for when police investigated him over claims made by sex workers told reporters today that her feelings are irrelevant. Michael Forbes quit on Wednesday from his position of deputy chief press secretary to the Prime Minister, and has apologised after accusations he recorded audio of sessions with sex workers, had intrusive photos of women in public and footage of women shot through windows at night. Forbes was working for Social Development Minister Louise Upston in July last year when police investigated but did not pursue charges. He didn't disclose the investigation to the minister, or his employer Ministerial Services, and didn't raise it with the Prime Minister's office when he moved to work there in February. Upston told media on Thursday afternoon she's more concerned about the women affected by his actions, than her own feelings. She said questions should be directed to Forbes about why he didn't disclose the fact police were investigating him to his employer. "That's a matter for him to answer to, that is absolutely a matter for him to answer to - not me," Upston said. "It was on him, and he didn't disclose that information." Upston said she's had substantial conversations with her team and acknowledges there's been a range of emotions from those who worked with Forbes. Natonal Party Minister Louise Upston. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Senior Minister Judith Collins said she had never heard complaints about Forbes behaviour, and was shocked to hear the allegations against him. He worked for Collins when she was the National Party opposition leader. She said questions about whether he should have been more thoroughly vetted or whether he posed a security risk were not for her to answer. "I think it's a matter that's being dealt with now by Internal Affairs, DIA, and so I think I'll leave it at that - but yeah I was pretty shocked," Collins said. On Thursday morning, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told reporters he was open to looking at privacy laws after a call for a law change by the madam of the brothel at the centre of the accusations against Forbes. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said making audio recording illegal would be a significant change, and it's currently a well-settled law. "We can ask some questions about that but I wouldn't underestimate that that's a big change," he said. Goldsmith said no conversations about a change have started. New Zealand First's leader Winston Peters has not yet taken a position on whether privacy laws should change. While the madam of the Wellington brothel who confronted Forbes wants law changes to prevent people being recorded without their knowledge, Peters was not rushing to do so. "You've asked the right person and you're asking the right party, but I'm not in charge of the National Party," Peters said. "If you dissect the background of this, it may be this question would arise, but I don't know at this point in time because I haven't seen any information." ACT deputy leader Brooke van Velden said she's open to a conversation about privacy laws, but not right now. She said people at Parliament will still be grappling with the news, calling them "very shocking" and "quite disturbing" allegations. "I also want to ensure we give the women who have complained and made this known the respect that they deserve without muddying this with a law change conversation," van Velden said. She said her thoughts go out to the women who are affected by Forbes' actions, adding the women were "quite brave" for going public. She said she's had conversations with sex workers about the type of work they do, and the "dangerous elements" involved in that work which she called eye-opening. Van Velden had also had conversations with cabinet colleagues about how sex workers could be more safe, but it's not a priority at this stage. ACT deputy leader Brooke van Velden. Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson said, like all workers, sex workers deserved to feel safe in their workplace. She was supportive of changes to privacy laws. "In my time as a former prevention of violence minister, these sorts of issues around privacy and consent across public spheres as well, have long been a conversation from this sector and from advocates. So, I think that's something we should all look at," Davidson said. Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii Senior Labour MP Barbara Edmonds said Labour was open to law changes, but it needed to discuss it as a caucus. "I think there was a lot of surprises into the different elements of all these allegations. So, we need to have a good look at it, see what the reports and reviews come out with, and make a decision as a caucus as to where we need to see areas of the law be tightened," she said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
14 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
US vetoes UN demand for Gaza ceasefire
The United States has vetoed a draft United Nations Security Council resolution demanding an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza and unhindered aid access across the war-torn enclave. The other 14 countries on the council voted in favour of the draft on Wednesday as a humanitarian crisis grips the enclave of more than 2 million people, where famine looms and aid has only trickled in since Israel lifted an 11-week blockade last month. "The United States has been clear: We would not support any measure that fails to condemn Hamas and does not call for Hamas to disarm and leave Gaza," Acting US Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea told the council before the vote, arguing that it would also undermine US-led efforts to broker a ceasefire. Washington is Israel's biggest ally and arms supplier. The Security Council vote came as Israel pushes ahead with an offensive in Gaza after ending a two-month truce in March. Gaza health authorities said Israeli strikes killed 45 people on Wednesday, while Israel said a soldier died in fighting. Britain's UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward criticised the Israeli government's decisions to expand its military operations in Gaza and severely restrict humanitarian aid as "unjustifiable, disproportionate and counterproductive." Israel has rejected calls for an unconditional or permanent ceasefire, saying Hamas cannot stay in Gaza. Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon told the council members who voted in favour of the draft: "You chose appeasement and submission. You chose a road that does not lead to peace. Only to more terror." Hamas condemned the US veto, describing it as showing "the US administration's blind bias" towards Israel. The draft Security Council resolution had also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and others. RIVAL AID OPERATIONS The war in Gaza has raged since 2023 after Hamas militants killed 1200 people in Israel in an October 7 attack and took some 250 hostages back to the enclave, according to Israeli tallies. Many of those killed or captured were civilians. Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. They say civilians have borne the brunt of the attacks and that thousands more bodies have been lost under rubble. Under global pressure, Israel allowed limited UN-led deliveries to resume on May 19. A week later a controversial new aid distribution system was launched by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, backed by the US and Israel. Israel has long accused Hamas of stealing aid, which the group denies. Israel and the US are urging the UN to work through the GHF, which is using private US security and logistics companies to transport aid into Gaza for distribution at so-called secure distribution sites. "No one wants to see Palestinian civilians in Gaza go hungry or thirsty," Shea told the Security Council, adding that the draft resolution did not "acknowledge the disastrous shortcomings of the prior method of aid delivery." The UN and international aid groups have refused to work with the GHF because they say it is not neutral, militarizes aid and forces the displacement of Palestinians. No aid was distributed by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation on Wednesday as it pressed the Israeli military to boost civilian safety beyond the perimeter of its so-called secure distribution sites after a deadly incident on Tuesday. The GHF said it has asked the Israeli military to "guide foot traffic in a way that minimises confusion or escalation risks" near military positions, provide clearer civilian guidance and enhance training of soldiers on civilian safety. 'DELAYS AND DENIALS' The GHF posted on Facebook that "ongoing maintenance work" would delay the opening of its distribution sites on Thursday. It said on Tuesday that it has so far distributed more than seven million meals since it started operations. Despite US and Israeli criticism of the UN-led Gaza aid operation, a US ceasefire plan proposes the delivery of aid by the United Nations, the Red Crescent and other agreed channels. Israel has agreed to the ceasefire plan but Hamas is seeking changes that the US has rejected as "totally unacceptable." Ahead of the Security Council vote, UN aid chief Tom Fletcher again appealed for the UN and aid groups to be allowed to assist people in Gaza, stressing that they have a plan, supplies and experience. "Open the crossings – all of them. Let in lifesaving aid at scale, from all directions. Lift the restrictions on what and how much aid we can bring in. Ensure our convoys aren't held up by delays and denials," Fletcher said in a statement. The UN has long-blamed Israel and lawlessness in the enclave for hindering the delivery of aid into Gaza and its distribution throughout the war zone. "Enough of suffering of civilians. Enough of food being used as a weapon. Enough is enough is enough," Slovenia's UN Ambassador Samuel Zbogar told the Security Council. A similar humanitarian-focused draft resolution is now expected to be put to a vote in the 193-member UN General Assembly, where no countries have a veto power and it would likely pass, diplomats said. Danon warned: "Don't waste more of your time, because no resolution, no vote, no moral failure, will stand in our way."
