logo
Israel will not renew visa of top UN humanitarian official

Israel will not renew visa of top UN humanitarian official

The Hindu4 days ago
Israel has declined to renew the visa for Jonathan Whittall, the senior UN aid official for the occupied Palestinian territories, a UN spokesperson said on Friday (July 18, 2025), adding there were intensifying threats of reduced access to suffering civilians.
Eri Kaneko, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said visas for UN staff were recently renewed for shorter periods than usual and access requests to Gaza were denied for multiple agencies. Ms. Kaneko said permits for Palestinian staff to enter East Jerusalem were also withheld.
Gaza is in the midst of a devastating Israeli military assault following a deadly October 2023 attack by Palestinian Hamas militants. Israel has come under mounting criticism from the UN during its war in the Palestinian enclave, which has internally displaced Gaza's entire population and caused a hunger crisis.
"Last week, it was indicated to us that our current Head of Office, Jonathan Whittall, won't have his visa extended by Israeli authorities beyond August. This came immediately after remarks he made at a press briefing about starving people being killed while trying to reach food," Ms. Kaneko said.
Israel's mission to the UN did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Israel has previously dismissed UN criticism as being biased.
Context
The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered in October 2023 when Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, Israeli tallies show.
Gaza's Health Ministry says Israel's subsequent military assault has killed over 58,000 Palestinians. It has also prompted accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice and of war crimes at the International Criminal Court. Israel denies the accusations.
The UN rights office says it recorded nearly 900 killings within the past six weeks near aid distribution sites and aid convoys in Gaza.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Opinion: India Boosts Global Role With PM Modi's Foreign Visits
Opinion: India Boosts Global Role With PM Modi's Foreign Visits

News18

time43 minutes ago

  • News18

Opinion: India Boosts Global Role With PM Modi's Foreign Visits

Last Updated: India is seeking to transition from aid receiver to agenda setter in the Global South India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has just wrapped up a marathon visit to five countries in the last eight days. This has been his longest foreign visit in over a decade, covering Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia. In fact, as of July 2025, Modi has undertaken 90 international trips to 78 countries, including visits to the United States to attend the United Nations General Assembly since May 2014. In the first seven months of 2025, he has visited France and USA (February 10-14); Mauritius (March 11-12); Thailand and Sri Lanka (April 3-6); Saudi Arabia (April 22); Cyprus, Canada and Croatia (June 15-19) and now Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia (July 2-9). These foreign trips between 2014 and 2025 have certified him as India's most widely travelled Prime Minister by far. The latest international sojourn was aimed at firmly establishing India's footprint across the Global South. Modi attended the 17th BRICS Summit in Brasilia (Brazil), multiple bilateral engagements and received four national awards (27 overall since 2014). India's focus this time was on expanding her cooperation in critical minerals, energy and digital infrastructure. What did this trip in particular achieve? First and foremost, this eight-day trip was used by India to highlight the growing and menacing tentacles of terrorism, especially state-sponsored terrorism, without naming any specific nation, though it was clear as daylight that his sight was trained on a highly militarised and economically compromised Pakistan. Modi's message was clear and consistent – the international community must consciously abstain from politicising terrorism and avoid establishing an equation between victims of terror and sponsors of terrorism. 'India's stand is clear. Zero tolerance of terrorism and zero double standards on terrorism." The second takeaway was the expansion of cooperation in critical minerals. Several agreements were inked that reflected India's keen desire to explore and secure access through bilateral mechanisms to new critical mineral technologies in Africa and Latin America. There was a message in this strategic shift from India – that it was looking beyond China, its main bilateral partner and supplier in this sector, for alternatives. India's other underlying message to Beijing was this, that it is not entirely comfortable with China's move to weaponise minerals for self-benefit. Ghana and Namibia were two countries that India approached this time for possible bilateral cooperation in Diamonds, Manganese, Lithium and Rare Earths (Ghana), Uranium, Copper and Gold (Namibia). The third takeaway from this eight-day trip was India effectively cementing its leadership role of the Global South. Modi specifically highlighted the need for reform of global institutions like the UN, WTO, and the IMF, demanding that they be more representative of the multilateral character of the world community as well as a seat for India at the 'high table" of interaction. Finding common ground with some of these five countries who have risen from the ashes so to speak after experiencing the horrors of colonialism was another takeaway, besides reaffirming a commitment to take the BRICS agenda forward in spite of the US' bulldozing threats. India is seeking to tweak the Western dominance of the international order and dialogue to make it more representative. The fifth and final takeaway was energising the Indian Diaspora, which Modi sees as a key weapon driving India's foreign policy initiatives. The Prime Minister galvanised the Diaspora through announcements like grant of overseas citizenships to up to their sixth generation. The Global South refers to a grouping of developing and emerging countries—mostly located in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Oceania. They share similar developmental challenges and desire greater representation in global decision-making platforms. The grouping's key areas of focus are climate change, reduction of external debt burdens, ending monopolisation of strategic minerals like lithium and rare earths to enhance access to green energy tech, improve access to digital infrastructure, and reduce the AI and Fintech divide that exists between the North and South. UPCOMING DIPLOMACY Soon after returning from the five-nation tour, PM Modi is set to embark on a two-nation state visit to the United Kingdom (July 23–24) and the Maldives (July 25–26). The agenda includes deepening economic, defence, education, and technology cooperation with the UK, and reinforcing India's strategic footprint in the Indian Ocean Region through enhanced ties with the Maldives. The follow-up visit to the UK and the Maldives underscores continuity—from Atlantic outreach to consolidating relationships across the Oceanic and regional theatres. India is seeking to transition from aid receiver to agenda setter in the Global South. At the core of its outreach is strategic diplomacy, economic cooperation, and cultural leadership, besides positioning itself as a trusted partner in an increasingly multipolar world. Its outreach must not be seen as an indulgent joyride, but a well-calibrated and essential assertion of India's role as a rising power. India's global message is this – that it is no longer ready to be spoken for, that it will speak, and if necessary, act for itself and shape the narrative. Bilateral pacts in trade, energy, defence, healthcare, agriculture, digital infrastructure, minerals, green energy and space technologies signal India's altering strategic intent. Reshaping global perceptions and consolidating international support for its many initiatives gives New Delhi a unique vantage point to reflect, learn and act. view comments Location : Jammu and Kashmir, India, India First Published: July 23, 2025, 17:28 IST News opinion Opinion: India Boosts Global Role With PM Modi's Foreign Visits Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Israeli military says Gaza church was struck accidentally
Israeli military says Gaza church was struck accidentally

News18

timean hour ago

  • News18

Israeli military says Gaza church was struck accidentally

Agency: Last Updated: Jerusalem, Jul 23 (AP) Israeli military on Wednesday said a church in Gaza was struck accidentally. The Holy Family Church in Gaza City was struck last week by an Israeli shell, an attack that killed three, wounded 10 and damaged the church's compound. The military said an internal inquiry found the church was hit after an 'unintentional deviation of munitions." The strike drew condemnation from Pope Leo XIV and US President Donald Trump, and prompted statements of regret from Israel. Holy Family is the only Catholic church in Gaza. Top church leaders from the Holy Land visited the site a day after the incident and said they encountered a Gaza 'almost totally destroyed." (AP) NPK NPK Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Iran Gives Shock Reason For New MISSILE STRIKES On Israel As Bombs Explode At Home?
Iran Gives Shock Reason For New MISSILE STRIKES On Israel As Bombs Explode At Home?

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

Iran Gives Shock Reason For New MISSILE STRIKES On Israel As Bombs Explode At Home?

A wave of mysterious explosions and fires has hit Iran, sparking public suspicion. While officials publicly dismiss them as accidents, private reports suggest Tehran believes these are acts of sabotage by Israel, citing its history of covert operations and psychological warfare. Israeli officials decline to comment, but Mossad has vowed to continue operations against Tehran, even after a recent 12-day war that devastated Iran's military. Read More

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store