Latest news with #Gaza-related
Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Politics
- Boston Globe
US vetoes UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate Gaza ceasefire
The U.S. vetoed the last resolution on Gaza in November, under the Biden administration, also because the ceasefire demand was not directly linked to the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. Similarly, the current resolution demands those taken by Hamas and other groups be released, but it does not make it a condition for a truce. President Donald Trump's administration has tried to ramp up its efforts to broker peace in Gaza after 20 months of war. However, Hamas has sought amendments to a U.S. proposal that special envoy Steve Witkoff has called 'totally unacceptable.' Advertisement The vote followed a decision by an Israeli and U.S.-backed foundation to pause food delivery at its three distribution sites in the Gaza Strip after health officials said dozens of Palestinians were killed in a series of shootings near the sites this week. Israel and the United States say they supported the establishment of the new aid system to prevent Hamas from stealing aid previously distributed by the U.N. Advertisement The United Nations has rejected the new system, saying it doesn't address Gaza's mounting hunger crisis, allows Israel to use aid as a weapon and doesn't comply with the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence. The U.N. says its distribution system throughout Gaza worked very well during the March ceasefire and is carefully monitored. The resolution demanded the restoration of all essential humanitarian services in line with humanitarian principles, international humanitarian law and U.N. Security Council resolutions. Israel's U.N. Mission said Ambassador Danny Danon, who will speak after the vote, will say the resolution undermines humanitarian relief efforts and ignores Hamas, which is still endangering civilians in Gaza. He also will say the resolution disregards the ceasefire negotiations that are already underway, the mission said. Gaza's roughly 2 million people are almost completely reliant on international aid because Israel's offensive has destroyed nearly all food production capabilities. Israel imposed a blockade on supplies into Gaza on March 2, and limited aid began to enter again late last month after pressure from allies and warnings of famine. 'The world is watching, day after day, horrifying scenes of Palestinians being shot, wounded or killed in Gaza while simply trying to eat,' U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said in a statement Wednesday. He called for a flood of aid to be let in and for the world body to be the one delivering it. The Security Council has voted on 14 Gaza-related resolutions and approved four since the war began. That is when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. Advertisement They are still holding 58 hostages, a third of them believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israel's military campaign has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. The ministry is led by medical professionals but reports to the Hamas-run government. Its toll is seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts, though Israel has challenged its numbers. AP writer Farnoush Amiri at the United Nations contributed to this report.
Nahar Net
3 days ago
- General
- Nahar Net
UN Security Council to vote on Gaza ceasefire resolution amid humanitarian crisis
The U.N. Security Council scheduled a vote Wednesday on a resolution which demands "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties." U.N. diplomats said the United States is likely to veto it. The resolution, drafted by the council's 10 elected members who serve two-year terms, reiterates its demand for the release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups following their Oct. 7, 2023 surprise attack in southern Israel. Calling the humanitarian situation in Gaza "catastrophic," the proposed resolution also demands "the immediate and unconditional lifting of all restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and its safe and unhindered distribution at scale, including by the U.N. and humanitarian partners." The vote, scheduled for late Wednesday afternoon, comes amid near-daily shootings following the establishment by an Israeli and U.S.-backed foundation of aid distribution points inside Israeli military zones, a system it says is designed to circumvent Hamas. The United Nations has rejected the new system, saying it doesn't address Gaza's mounting hunger crisis, allows Israel to use aid as a weapon, and doesn't comply with the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence. The draft resolution demands the restoration of all essential humanitarian services in line with those principles, international humanitarian law and U.N. Security Council resolutions. Several U.N. diplomats from different countries, speaking on condition of anonymity Tuesday because discussions have been private, said they expect the United States to veto the resolution. The U.S. Mission to the United Nations said it had no comment on the draft resolution at this time. Israel's U.N. Mission did not respond to a request for comment on the draft. Gaza's roughly 2 million people are almost completely reliant on international aid because Israel's offensive has destroyed nearly all of Gaza's food production capabilities. Israel imposed a blockade on supplies into Gaza on March 2, and limited aid began to enter again late last month after pressure from allies and warnings of famine. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Tuesday that the needs in Gaza are enormous and what's getting into Gaza from the U.N. "is still just a trickle." Since the complete blockade was partly lifted, he said, just over 620 truckloads have made it from Israel to the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom crossing, and only about 370 truckloads – mainly with flour, food and medical and nutrition items __ have gotten closer to people in need, with some looted including by armed gangs. "The unimpeded entry of humanitarian assistance at scale must be restored immediately," Dujarric said. "The U.N. must be allowed to work in safety and in security under conditions of full respect for humanitarian principles." Since Oct. 7, 2023, the Security Council has voted on 14 Gaza-related resolutions and approved four. The last resolution was also proposed by the 10 elected council members and also demanded "an immediate, unconditional and permanent cease-fire to be respected by all parties." Fourteen of the 15 council members voted in favor last Nov. 20, but the U.S. vetoed the resolution because it was not linked to the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 people hostage in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack into southern Israel that ignited the war. They are still holding 58 hostages, a third of them believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israel's military campaign has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. The ministry is led by medical professionals but reports to the Hamas-run government. Its toll is seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts, though Israel has challenged its numbers.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- General
- Business Standard
UNSC to vote on Gaza ceasefire resolution amid humanitarian crisis
The UN Security Council scheduled a vote Wednesday on a resolution which demands "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties." UN diplomats said the United States is likely to veto it. The resolution, drafted by the council's 10 elected members who serve two-year terms, reiterates its demand for the release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups following their October 7, 2023 surprise attack in southern Israel. Calling the humanitarian situation in Gaza "catastrophic," the proposed resolution also demands "the immediate and unconditional lifting of all restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and its safe and unhindered distribution at scale, including by the UN and humanitarian partners." The vote, scheduled for late Wednesday afternoon, comes amid near-daily shootings following the establishment by an Israeli and US-backed foundation of aid distribution points inside Israeli military zones, a system it says is designed to circumvent Hamas. The United Nations has rejected the new system, saying it doesn't address Gaza's mounting hunger crisis, allows Israel to use aid as a weapon, and doesn't comply with the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence. The draft resolution demands the restoration of all essential humanitarian services in line with those principles, international humanitarian law and UN Security Council resolutions. Several UN diplomats from different countries, speaking on condition of anonymity Tuesday because discussions have been private, said they expect the United States to veto the resolution. The US Mission to the United Nations said it had no comment on the draft resolution at this time. Israel's UN Mission did not respond to a request for comment on the draft. Gaza's roughly 2 million people are almost completely reliant on international aid because Israel's offensive has destroyed nearly all of Gaza's food production capabilities. Israel imposed a blockade on supplies into Gaza on March 2, and limited aid began to enter again late last month after pressure from allies and warnings of famine. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Tuesday that the needs in Gaza are enormous, and what's getting into Gaza from the UN "is still just a trickle." Since the complete blockade was partly lifted, he said, just over 620 truckloads have made it from Israel to the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom crossing, and only about 370 truckloads mainly with flour, food and medical and nutrition items have gotten closer to people in need, with some looted including by armed gangs. The unimpeded entry of humanitarian assistance at scale must be restored immediately," Dujarric said. The UN must be allowed to work in safety and in security under conditions of full respect for humanitarian principles." Since October 7, 2023, the Security Council has voted on 14 Gaza-related resolutions and approved four. The last resolution was also proposed by the 10 elected council members and also demanded "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire to be respected by all parties." Fourteen of the 15 council members voted in favour last November 20, but the US vetoed the resolution because it was not linked to the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 people hostage in the October 7, 2023, attack into southern Israel that ignited the war. They are still holding 58 hostages, a third of them believed to be alive after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israel's military campaign has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. The ministry is led by medical professionals but reports to the Hamas-run government. Its toll is seen as generally reliable by UN agencies and independent experts, though Israel has challenged its numbers.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
UN Security Council to vote on Gaza ceasefire resolution amid humanitarian crisis
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council scheduled a vote Wednesday on a resolution which demands 'an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties.' U.N. diplomats said the United States is likely to veto it. The resolution, drafted by the council's 10 elected members who serve two-year terms, reiterates its demand for the release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups following their Oct. 7, 2023 surprise attack in southern Israel. Calling the humanitarian situation in Gaza 'catastrophic,' the proposed resolution also demands 'the immediate and unconditional lifting of all restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and its safe and unhindered distribution at scale, including by the U.N. and humanitarian partners.' The vote, scheduled for late Wednesday afternoon, comes amid near-daily shootings following the establishment by an Israeli and U.S.-backed foundation of aid distribution points inside Israeli military zones, a system it says is designed to circumvent Hamas. The United Nations has rejected the new system, saying it doesn't address Gaza's mounting hunger crisis, allows Israel to use aid as a weapon, and doesn't comply with the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence. The draft resolution demands the restoration of all essential humanitarian services in line with those principles, international humanitarian law and U.N. Security Council resolutions. Several U.N. diplomats from different countries, speaking on condition of anonymity Tuesday because discussions have been private, said they expect the United States to veto the resolution. The U.S. Mission to the United Nations said it had no comment on the draft resolution at this time. Israel's U.N. Mission did not respond to a request for comment on the draft. Gaza's roughly 2 million people are almost completely reliant on international aid because Israel's offensive has destroyed nearly all of Gaza's food production capabilities. Israel imposed a blockade on supplies into Gaza on March 2, and limited aid began to enter again late last month after pressure from allies and warnings of famine. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Tuesday that the needs in Gaza are enormous and what's getting into Gaza from the U.N. 'is still just a trickle.' Since the complete blockade was partly lifted, he said, just over 620 truckloads have made it from Israel to the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom crossing, and only about 370 truckloads – mainly with flour, food and medical and nutrition items __ have gotten closer to people in need, with some looted including by armed gangs. 'The unimpeded entry of humanitarian assistance at scale must be restored immediately,' Dujarric said. 'The U.N. must be allowed to work in safety and in security under conditions of full respect for humanitarian principles.' Since Oct. 7, 2023, the Security Council has voted on 14 Gaza-related resolutions and approved four. The last resolution was also proposed by the 10 elected council members and also demanded 'an immediate, unconditional and permanent cease-fire to be respected by all parties.' Fourteen of the 15 council members voted in favor last Nov. 20, but the U.S. vetoed the resolution because it was not linked to the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 people hostage in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack into southern Israel that ignited the war. They are still holding 58 hostages, a third of them believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israel's military campaign has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. The ministry is led by medical professionals but reports to the Hamas-run government. Its toll is seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts, though Israel has challenged its numbers. ___
New York Post
15-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Felix Matos Rodriguez to remain CUNY chancellor despite anti-Israel violence
The controversial chancellor of CUNY will continue to run the largest public urban university in the US — despite criticism over anti-Israel protests that have plagued its campuses, including Brooklyn College, The Post has learned. CUNY's Board of Trustees recently conducted a job performance review of Felix Matos Rodriguez, who nabbed the gig in 2019, and gave him a thumbs up to continue overseeing 25 campuses and institutions, including 11 senior colleges, 7 community colleges, and 7 graduate, honors, and professional schools, sources said. 'He's staying,' CUNY Board chairman Bill Thompson told The Post. Advertisement Another CUNY official, referring to Matos Rodrugez's nickname, said, 'Felo has considerable support on the board. He's not going anywhere.' Sources said Matos Rodriguez received high marks for steering CUNY through the COVID-19 pandemic that preceded the heated Gaza-related campus demonstrations. 3 CUNY Chancellor Felix Matos Rodríguez will stay on to run the school. Advertisement The latest protest at Brooklyn College last Thursday saw anti-Israel student agitators brawl with cops after they set up a tent encampment — with one officer being forced to fire a Taser to subdue a violent protester. At least 14 people were taken into custody during the melee, the NYPD said. A bipartisan group of nine New York City and state lawmakers condemned the chancellor in a scathing letter following the violence, demanding that Brooklyn College take swift action. 'It is unacceptable but not surprising that almost two years after October 7th — after an investigation into CUNY and several public hearings — we are still grappling with disruptive and criminal behavior against Jewish students, encampments and masked agitators on campus,' the letter, obtained exclusively by The Post, read. Advertisement One of the signees, councilmember Inna Vernikov, went so far as to call on the chancellor to resign if he didn't sort out the chaos. 'There are only two ways to end the pro-terror anarchy that has infested our campuses: for the CUNY Chancellor to either step up or step down,' she told The Post on Sunday. In another frightening incident, anti-Israel criminals caused at least $3 million in damage and the need for costly extra security at taxpayer-funded City College's campus in Upper Manhattan during a violent protest there last year. 3 Councilwoman Inna Vernikov has been calling out CUNY to crack down on anti-Israel protesters. Stephen Yang Advertisement Matos Rodriguez — the first CUNY chancellor of Hispanic descent, who pulls in $670,000 a year — serves at the pleasure of the board, whose members are appointed by the governor and mayor. The confirmation of his job status comes after rumors swirled that he was stepping down. Matos Rodriguez, for his part, said he loves the job and wants to continue heading CUNY 'as long as I can.' 'I'm deeply committed to CUNY. Leading our students, faculty and staff is the honor of a lifetime, and I will continue to serve our incredible community for as long as I can,' Matos Rodriguez said in a statement to The Post. On Sunday, he also attended a Mother's Day celebration at Queens College to celebrate families of children with autism, and stayed for two hours, sources said — bucking any signs he was packing it in. 3 A series of anti-Israel protests have broken out on the campus as of late. Michael Nigro/Pacific Press/Shutterstock Meanwhile, in a reply to the letter from the lawmakers, Matos Rodriguez defended his response to the Brooklyn College protests. 'That is why on May 8, when protestors violated CUNY policies, Brooklyn College President Michelle Anderson followed our protocol and requested NYPD assistance on campus,' he said. Advertisement He also addressed what he called 'inaccuracies' in the lawmakers' letter. Brooklyn College closed the campus library only as a precautionary measure because the protest was nearby, he insisted — and final exams were not in session during the melee. He also vowed that the college is investigating the actions and conduct of all CUNY faculty, staff or students who may have violated CUNY policies or the law. Brooklyn College and CUNY have also provided additional security for the Jewish student group Hillel, the chancellor added. Advertisement 'We will continue to fight antisemitism anywhere we find it and to ensure that campuses across CUNY are safe, welcoming, and secure for all students,' he said. Still, reports of campus antisemitism are of such concern that Gov. Hochul ordered a review of Jew hatred at CUNY campuses in 2023. The analysis — released last September and overseen by former state chief judge Jonathan Lippman –concluded that CUNY needed a top-to-bottom overhaul to combat 'alarming'' antisemitism fanned by its own faculty and do-nothing higher-ups. Advertisement A native of Puerto Rico, Matos Rodriguez previously headed CUNY's Queens College and Hostos Community College, and had served as cabinet secretary for Puerto Rico's Department of Family Services. Matos Rodriguez is set to testify before the City Council on Thursday regarding the municipal budget for higher education.
