Latest news with #AhmedAl-Banna
The Advertiser
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Some flour reaches Gaza Strip as blockade eases
Flour and other aid has started reaching some of the Gaza Strip's most vulnerable areas after Israel let some trucks through, but nowhere near enough to make up for shortages caused by an 11-week blockade, Palestinian officials say. Many other trucks were still at the border and people were still waiting to receive food amid fears that desperate crowds would try to loot the vehicles when they arrived, the Palestinian Red Crescent warned. Israel said it allowed 100 trucks carrying baby food and medical equipment into the enclave on Wednesday, two days after announcing its first relaxation of the restrictions under mounting international pressure. "Flour arrived from the (United Nations) World Food Programme, and we immediately started working," baker Ahmed Al-Banna said as flatbreads passed by on a conveyor belt behind him at his base in Deir al-Balah on Thursday. Bakeries across the south of the enclave started ovens that had been shut for two months, he added. "God willing, bakeries in northern Gaza will soon resume work." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said late on Thursday that the construction of a "distribution zone" would be completed in the coming days with US companies distributing food in areas controlled by the Israeli military. "Ultimately, we intend to have large safe zones in the south of Gaza. The Palestinian population will move there for their own safety while we conduct combat in other zones, and receive humanitarian aid there without Hamas interference," he said in a video statement released by his office. Israel imposed the blockade on all supplies in March, saying Hamas was seizing deliveries for its fighters - a charge the group denies. The UN has said a quarter of the Gaza Strip's 2.3 million people are at risk of famine. The Palestinian health minister said 29 children and elderly people had died from starvation-related reasons in the enclave in recent days and many thousands more were at risk. Israel has repeatedly defended its controls on aid in the Gaza Strip, saying reports from aid groups of famine-like conditions were exaggerated and denying accusations of causing starvation. Bread distribution would start later on Thursday, Amjad al-Shawa, director of the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network in Gaza, told Reuters. He said just 90 trucks had got through. "During the ceasefire, 600 trucks used to enter every day, which means that the current quantity is a drop in the ocean, nothing," he said. Bakeries backed by the WFP would produce the bread and the agency's staff would hand it out - a more controlled system than previously when bakers sold it directly to the public at a low cost, he added. Palestinian Red Crescent President Younis al-Khatib said many trucks were still at the border at Karem Shalom and there was a risk of violence and looting when they arrived. "No civilian has received anything yet," he said. "It's very hard to hide the rush or the looting that will happen." On Wednesday night, boys and young men gathered after one vehicle arrived in the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis but kept back as men, some holding guns, watched over the unloading of sacks. The International Committee of the Red Cross said it had got one truck of medical supplies through to replenish its field hospital in Rafah but more was needed. "A trickle of trucks is woefully inadequate. Only the rapid, unimpeded and sustained flow of aid can begin to address the full scope of needs on the ground," the organisation said in a statement. Israel has stepped up its military operation in the Gaza Strip since early May, saying it is seeking to eliminate Hamas' military and governing capabilities and bring back remaining hostages seized in October 2023. Israel launched its campaign in the Gaza Strip in response to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 which killed 1200 people by Israeli tallies and resulted in 251 hostages being abducted. The campaign has since killed more than 53,600 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, and devastated the coastal strip, where aid groups say signs of severe malnutrition are widespread. Flour and other aid has started reaching some of the Gaza Strip's most vulnerable areas after Israel let some trucks through, but nowhere near enough to make up for shortages caused by an 11-week blockade, Palestinian officials say. Many other trucks were still at the border and people were still waiting to receive food amid fears that desperate crowds would try to loot the vehicles when they arrived, the Palestinian Red Crescent warned. Israel said it allowed 100 trucks carrying baby food and medical equipment into the enclave on Wednesday, two days after announcing its first relaxation of the restrictions under mounting international pressure. "Flour arrived from the (United Nations) World Food Programme, and we immediately started working," baker Ahmed Al-Banna said as flatbreads passed by on a conveyor belt behind him at his base in Deir al-Balah on Thursday. Bakeries across the south of the enclave started ovens that had been shut for two months, he added. "God willing, bakeries in northern Gaza will soon resume work." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said late on Thursday that the construction of a "distribution zone" would be completed in the coming days with US companies distributing food in areas controlled by the Israeli military. "Ultimately, we intend to have large safe zones in the south of Gaza. The Palestinian population will move there for their own safety while we conduct combat in other zones, and receive humanitarian aid there without Hamas interference," he said in a video statement released by his office. Israel imposed the blockade on all supplies in March, saying Hamas was seizing deliveries for its fighters - a charge the group denies. The UN has said a quarter of the Gaza Strip's 2.3 million people are at risk of famine. The Palestinian health minister said 29 children and elderly people had died from starvation-related reasons in the enclave in recent days and many thousands more were at risk. Israel has repeatedly defended its controls on aid in the Gaza Strip, saying reports from aid groups of famine-like conditions were exaggerated and denying accusations of causing starvation. Bread distribution would start later on Thursday, Amjad al-Shawa, director of the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network in Gaza, told Reuters. He said just 90 trucks had got through. "During the ceasefire, 600 trucks used to enter every day, which means that the current quantity is a drop in the ocean, nothing," he said. Bakeries backed by the WFP would produce the bread and the agency's staff would hand it out - a more controlled system than previously when bakers sold it directly to the public at a low cost, he added. Palestinian Red Crescent President Younis al-Khatib said many trucks were still at the border at Karem Shalom and there was a risk of violence and looting when they arrived. "No civilian has received anything yet," he said. "It's very hard to hide the rush or the looting that will happen." On Wednesday night, boys and young men gathered after one vehicle arrived in the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis but kept back as men, some holding guns, watched over the unloading of sacks. The International Committee of the Red Cross said it had got one truck of medical supplies through to replenish its field hospital in Rafah but more was needed. "A trickle of trucks is woefully inadequate. Only the rapid, unimpeded and sustained flow of aid can begin to address the full scope of needs on the ground," the organisation said in a statement. Israel has stepped up its military operation in the Gaza Strip since early May, saying it is seeking to eliminate Hamas' military and governing capabilities and bring back remaining hostages seized in October 2023. Israel launched its campaign in the Gaza Strip in response to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 which killed 1200 people by Israeli tallies and resulted in 251 hostages being abducted. The campaign has since killed more than 53,600 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, and devastated the coastal strip, where aid groups say signs of severe malnutrition are widespread. Flour and other aid has started reaching some of the Gaza Strip's most vulnerable areas after Israel let some trucks through, but nowhere near enough to make up for shortages caused by an 11-week blockade, Palestinian officials say. Many other trucks were still at the border and people were still waiting to receive food amid fears that desperate crowds would try to loot the vehicles when they arrived, the Palestinian Red Crescent warned. Israel said it allowed 100 trucks carrying baby food and medical equipment into the enclave on Wednesday, two days after announcing its first relaxation of the restrictions under mounting international pressure. "Flour arrived from the (United Nations) World Food Programme, and we immediately started working," baker Ahmed Al-Banna said as flatbreads passed by on a conveyor belt behind him at his base in Deir al-Balah on Thursday. Bakeries across the south of the enclave started ovens that had been shut for two months, he added. "God willing, bakeries in northern Gaza will soon resume work." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said late on Thursday that the construction of a "distribution zone" would be completed in the coming days with US companies distributing food in areas controlled by the Israeli military. "Ultimately, we intend to have large safe zones in the south of Gaza. The Palestinian population will move there for their own safety while we conduct combat in other zones, and receive humanitarian aid there without Hamas interference," he said in a video statement released by his office. Israel imposed the blockade on all supplies in March, saying Hamas was seizing deliveries for its fighters - a charge the group denies. The UN has said a quarter of the Gaza Strip's 2.3 million people are at risk of famine. The Palestinian health minister said 29 children and elderly people had died from starvation-related reasons in the enclave in recent days and many thousands more were at risk. Israel has repeatedly defended its controls on aid in the Gaza Strip, saying reports from aid groups of famine-like conditions were exaggerated and denying accusations of causing starvation. Bread distribution would start later on Thursday, Amjad al-Shawa, director of the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network in Gaza, told Reuters. He said just 90 trucks had got through. "During the ceasefire, 600 trucks used to enter every day, which means that the current quantity is a drop in the ocean, nothing," he said. Bakeries backed by the WFP would produce the bread and the agency's staff would hand it out - a more controlled system than previously when bakers sold it directly to the public at a low cost, he added. Palestinian Red Crescent President Younis al-Khatib said many trucks were still at the border at Karem Shalom and there was a risk of violence and looting when they arrived. "No civilian has received anything yet," he said. "It's very hard to hide the rush or the looting that will happen." On Wednesday night, boys and young men gathered after one vehicle arrived in the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis but kept back as men, some holding guns, watched over the unloading of sacks. The International Committee of the Red Cross said it had got one truck of medical supplies through to replenish its field hospital in Rafah but more was needed. "A trickle of trucks is woefully inadequate. Only the rapid, unimpeded and sustained flow of aid can begin to address the full scope of needs on the ground," the organisation said in a statement. Israel has stepped up its military operation in the Gaza Strip since early May, saying it is seeking to eliminate Hamas' military and governing capabilities and bring back remaining hostages seized in October 2023. Israel launched its campaign in the Gaza Strip in response to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 which killed 1200 people by Israeli tallies and resulted in 251 hostages being abducted. The campaign has since killed more than 53,600 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, and devastated the coastal strip, where aid groups say signs of severe malnutrition are widespread. Flour and other aid has started reaching some of the Gaza Strip's most vulnerable areas after Israel let some trucks through, but nowhere near enough to make up for shortages caused by an 11-week blockade, Palestinian officials say. Many other trucks were still at the border and people were still waiting to receive food amid fears that desperate crowds would try to loot the vehicles when they arrived, the Palestinian Red Crescent warned. Israel said it allowed 100 trucks carrying baby food and medical equipment into the enclave on Wednesday, two days after announcing its first relaxation of the restrictions under mounting international pressure. "Flour arrived from the (United Nations) World Food Programme, and we immediately started working," baker Ahmed Al-Banna said as flatbreads passed by on a conveyor belt behind him at his base in Deir al-Balah on Thursday. Bakeries across the south of the enclave started ovens that had been shut for two months, he added. "God willing, bakeries in northern Gaza will soon resume work." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said late on Thursday that the construction of a "distribution zone" would be completed in the coming days with US companies distributing food in areas controlled by the Israeli military. "Ultimately, we intend to have large safe zones in the south of Gaza. The Palestinian population will move there for their own safety while we conduct combat in other zones, and receive humanitarian aid there without Hamas interference," he said in a video statement released by his office. Israel imposed the blockade on all supplies in March, saying Hamas was seizing deliveries for its fighters - a charge the group denies. The UN has said a quarter of the Gaza Strip's 2.3 million people are at risk of famine. The Palestinian health minister said 29 children and elderly people had died from starvation-related reasons in the enclave in recent days and many thousands more were at risk. Israel has repeatedly defended its controls on aid in the Gaza Strip, saying reports from aid groups of famine-like conditions were exaggerated and denying accusations of causing starvation. Bread distribution would start later on Thursday, Amjad al-Shawa, director of the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network in Gaza, told Reuters. He said just 90 trucks had got through. "During the ceasefire, 600 trucks used to enter every day, which means that the current quantity is a drop in the ocean, nothing," he said. Bakeries backed by the WFP would produce the bread and the agency's staff would hand it out - a more controlled system than previously when bakers sold it directly to the public at a low cost, he added. Palestinian Red Crescent President Younis al-Khatib said many trucks were still at the border at Karem Shalom and there was a risk of violence and looting when they arrived. "No civilian has received anything yet," he said. "It's very hard to hide the rush or the looting that will happen." On Wednesday night, boys and young men gathered after one vehicle arrived in the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis but kept back as men, some holding guns, watched over the unloading of sacks. The International Committee of the Red Cross said it had got one truck of medical supplies through to replenish its field hospital in Rafah but more was needed. "A trickle of trucks is woefully inadequate. Only the rapid, unimpeded and sustained flow of aid can begin to address the full scope of needs on the ground," the organisation said in a statement. Israel has stepped up its military operation in the Gaza Strip since early May, saying it is seeking to eliminate Hamas' military and governing capabilities and bring back remaining hostages seized in October 2023. Israel launched its campaign in the Gaza Strip in response to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 which killed 1200 people by Israeli tallies and resulted in 251 hostages being abducted. The campaign has since killed more than 53,600 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, and devastated the coastal strip, where aid groups say signs of severe malnutrition are widespread.
West Australian
22-05-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Some flour reaches Gaza Strip as blockade eases
Flour and other aid has started reaching some of the Gaza Strip's most vulnerable areas after Israel let some trucks through, but nowhere near enough to make up for shortages caused by an 11-week blockade, Palestinian officials say. Many other trucks were still at the border and people were still waiting to receive food amid fears that desperate crowds would try to loot the vehicles when they arrived, the Palestinian Red Crescent warned. Israel said it allowed 100 trucks carrying baby food and medical equipment into the enclave on Wednesday, two days after announcing its first relaxation of the restrictions under mounting international pressure. "Flour arrived from the (United Nations) World Food Programme, and we immediately started working," baker Ahmed Al-Banna said as flatbreads passed by on a conveyor belt behind him at his base in Deir al-Balah on Thursday. Bakeries across the south of the enclave started ovens that had been shut for two months, he added. "God willing, bakeries in northern Gaza will soon resume work." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said late on Thursday that the construction of a "distribution zone" would be completed in the coming days with US companies distributing food in areas controlled by the Israeli military. "Ultimately, we intend to have large safe zones in the south of Gaza. The Palestinian population will move there for their own safety while we conduct combat in other zones, and receive humanitarian aid there without Hamas interference," he said in a video statement released by his office. Israel imposed the blockade on all supplies in March, saying Hamas was seizing deliveries for its fighters - a charge the group denies. The UN has said a quarter of the Gaza Strip's 2.3 million people are at risk of famine. The Palestinian health minister said 29 children and elderly people had died from starvation-related reasons in the enclave in recent days and many thousands more were at risk. Israel has repeatedly defended its controls on aid in the Gaza Strip, saying reports from aid groups of famine-like conditions were exaggerated and denying accusations of causing starvation. Bread distribution would start later on Thursday, Amjad al-Shawa, director of the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network in Gaza, told Reuters. He said just 90 trucks had got through. "During the ceasefire, 600 trucks used to enter every day, which means that the current quantity is a drop in the ocean, nothing," he said. Bakeries backed by the WFP would produce the bread and the agency's staff would hand it out - a more controlled system than previously when bakers sold it directly to the public at a low cost, he added. Palestinian Red Crescent President Younis al-Khatib said many trucks were still at the border at Karem Shalom and there was a risk of violence and looting when they arrived. "No civilian has received anything yet," he said. "It's very hard to hide the rush or the looting that will happen." On Wednesday night, boys and young men gathered after one vehicle arrived in the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis but kept back as men, some holding guns, watched over the unloading of sacks. The International Committee of the Red Cross said it had got one truck of medical supplies through to replenish its field hospital in Rafah but more was needed. "A trickle of trucks is woefully inadequate. Only the rapid, unimpeded and sustained flow of aid can begin to address the full scope of needs on the ground," the organisation said in a statement. Israel has stepped up its military operation in the Gaza Strip since early May, saying it is seeking to eliminate Hamas' military and governing capabilities and bring back remaining hostages seized in October 2023. Israel launched its campaign in the Gaza Strip in response to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 which killed 1200 people by Israeli tallies and resulted in 251 hostages being abducted. The campaign has since killed more than 53,600 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, and devastated the coastal strip, where aid groups say signs of severe malnutrition are widespread.
Perth Now
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Some flour reaches Gaza Strip as blockade eases
Flour and other aid has started reaching some of the Gaza Strip's most vulnerable areas after Israel let some trucks through, but nowhere near enough to make up for shortages caused by an 11-week blockade, Palestinian officials say. Many other trucks were still at the border and people were still waiting to receive food amid fears that desperate crowds would try to loot the vehicles when they arrived, the Palestinian Red Crescent warned. Israel said it allowed 100 trucks carrying baby food and medical equipment into the enclave on Wednesday, two days after announcing its first relaxation of the restrictions under mounting international pressure. "Flour arrived from the (United Nations) World Food Programme, and we immediately started working," baker Ahmed Al-Banna said as flatbreads passed by on a conveyor belt behind him at his base in Deir al-Balah on Thursday. Bakeries across the south of the enclave started ovens that had been shut for two months, he added. "God willing, bakeries in northern Gaza will soon resume work." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said late on Thursday that the construction of a "distribution zone" would be completed in the coming days with US companies distributing food in areas controlled by the Israeli military. "Ultimately, we intend to have large safe zones in the south of Gaza. The Palestinian population will move there for their own safety while we conduct combat in other zones, and receive humanitarian aid there without Hamas interference," he said in a video statement released by his office. As for the hostages, we'll do every effort to secure them. I'm ready for a temporary ceasefire to get more out but we demand, and you should demand, that all of our hostages be released and released immediately. And so should every civilized country demand this.»— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) May 22, 2025 Israel imposed the blockade on all supplies in March, saying Hamas was seizing deliveries for its fighters - a charge the group denies. The UN has said a quarter of the Gaza Strip's 2.3 million people are at risk of famine. The Palestinian health minister said 29 children and elderly people had died from starvation-related reasons in the enclave in recent days and many thousands more were at risk. Israel has repeatedly defended its controls on aid in the Gaza Strip, saying reports from aid groups of famine-like conditions were exaggerated and denying accusations of causing starvation. Bread distribution would start later on Thursday, Amjad al-Shawa, director of the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network in Gaza, told Reuters. He said just 90 trucks had got through. "During the ceasefire, 600 trucks used to enter every day, which means that the current quantity is a drop in the ocean, nothing," he said. Bakeries backed by the WFP would produce the bread and the agency's staff would hand it out - a more controlled system than previously when bakers sold it directly to the public at a low cost, he added. Palestinian Red Crescent President Younis al-Khatib said many trucks were still at the border at Karem Shalom and there was a risk of violence and looting when they arrived. "No civilian has received anything yet," he said. "It's very hard to hide the rush or the looting that will happen." On Wednesday night, boys and young men gathered after one vehicle arrived in the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis but kept back as men, some holding guns, watched over the unloading of sacks. The International Committee of the Red Cross said it had got one truck of medical supplies through to replenish its field hospital in Rafah but more was needed. "A trickle of trucks is woefully inadequate. Only the rapid, unimpeded and sustained flow of aid can begin to address the full scope of needs on the ground," the organisation said in a statement. Israel has stepped up its military operation in the Gaza Strip since early May, saying it is seeking to eliminate Hamas' military and governing capabilities and bring back remaining hostages seized in October 2023. Israel launched its campaign in the Gaza Strip in response to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 which killed 1200 people by Israeli tallies and resulted in 251 hostages being abducted. The campaign has since killed more than 53,600 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, and devastated the coastal strip, where aid groups say signs of severe malnutrition are widespread.
Roya News
22-05-2025
- Business
- Roya News
Southern Gaza bakeries reopen after limited flour delivery
Several bakeries supported by the World Food Programme (WFP) resumed operations on Thursday, May 22, 2025, in southern Gaza, following the entry of limited amounts of flour amid worsening famine caused by the ongoing "Israeli" war and strict blockade. Ahmed Al-Banna, the owner of one of the bakeries in southern Gaza, said, 'Flour entered Gaza on Wednesday evening, and we immediately began working due to the famine we are living through.' He explained that his bakery had been closed for more than two months due to a lack of flour caused by the blockade. Banna noted that only bakeries in the south of the Strip have resumed work, while those in northern Gaza remain closed due to the continued lack of flour. He did not specify the number of bakeries that had resumed operations. He added that bread distribution would take place through the World Food Programme (WFP). These bakeries had previously sold bread at symbolic prices not exceeding 2 shekels (JD 0.39) for a bundle weighing 2kg and containing around 23 to 24 medium-sized loaves, at a time when markets are suffering from severe shortages and soaring prices. The bakeries had also helped alleviate the humanitarian suffering of displaced people who lost their homes and belongings since the war began on Oct. 7, 2023, and have since fallen into poverty, according to data from the Palestinian Monetary Authority (PMA). During a field visit, a WFP representative present at one of the bakeries stated, 'The humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic. What we need is uninterrupted aid delivery, along with international support and advocacy to open the crossings and ensure food reaches those who need it most.' The UN official stressed that achieving this requires cooperation from the international community, civil institutions in Gaza, and both local and international NGOs. On April 6, the WFP announced the closure of all 25 bakeries it supports in Gaza due to the depletion of fuel and flour amid increasing Israeli restrictions and the prevention of humanitarian aid from entering. In a later statement, the organization said it had exhausted its last stockpile of food to support hot meal kitchens by April 25, further worsening the growing humanitarian crisis in the Strip. On Wednesday, the Gaza Government Media Office announced the entry of 87 aid trucks allocated to several international and local organizations—marking the first entry in 81 days since Israel's full closure of the crossings. In an earlier statement, the office said that the Gaza Strip requires at least 500 humanitarian, medical, and food aid trucks daily, in addition to 50 fuel trucks, as a minimum to save lives. This comes amid ongoing blockade policies and the starvation of nearly 2.4 million Palestinians since March 2, which has pushed Gaza into a famine stage that has already caused civilian deaths.
Daily Tribune
05-03-2025
- Health
- Daily Tribune
Muharraq Governor receives Community Commitment Leadership Award in appreciation of his efforts in supporting the elderly
Email : The Governor of Muharraq, Mr. Salman bin Isa bin Hindi Al-Manaei, along with the Deputy Governor, Brigadier General Jassim Mohammed Al-Ghatim, received the Community Leadership Commitment Award for 2025 today, in recognition of his outstanding efforts in promoting social responsibility and supporting the elderly. The award was presented by Mr. Ahmed Al-Banna, Chairman of the Bahrain Parents Care Association, who praised the Governor's ongoing commitment to enhancing social initiatives for senior citizens. In his remarks, the Governor emphasized that this achievement reflects Bahrain's progressive vision in the field of social services. He stressed the importance of collaborative efforts between various sectors to strengthen the values of social solidarity. He noted that this recognition is not only a tribute to his work but also to those dedicated to advancing community initiatives that reflect the core values of Bahraini society. He further highlighted that Bahrain has become a model for providing services that ensure a dignified life for the elderly and expressed his commitment to continuing these efforts in collaboration with relevant authorities. The Governor also commended the Bahrain Parents Care Association for its vital role in serving the community, particularly in providing care and support to the elderly, acknowledging their positive contributions to the growth and development of society. For his part, Mr. Ahmed Al-Banna praised the Governor's efforts in supporting social responsibility and his continuous backing of the Association's initiatives. He reiterated that the award serves as a recognition of the Governor's pioneering role in improving services for the elderly. Ms. Huda Al-Hamoud, the organizational director of the award, affirmed that the international award embodies a comprehensive vision to strengthen regional and local cooperation in the care of the elderly. She also highlighted the importance of partnerships with leadership figures and community organizations to achieve the Association's goals.
