Latest news with #GazaHumanitarian
Sky News
6 days ago
- General
- Sky News
At least 30 people killed in Israeli attack near aid distribution site in Gaza - Hamas-linked media
At least 30 people have been killed in an Israeli attack near an aid distribution hub run by a US-backed organisation, according to a Palestinian news agency and Hamas-linked media. Israel has offered no immediate comment of the reported attack, which the Palestinian news agency WAFA says left more than 115 people injured. The reports emerged as a hospital run by the Red Cross said at least 21 people have been killed and another 175 have been wounded as they went to receive aid from the same foundation - which is backed by both Israel and the US. Eyewitnesses said the deaths came after Israel forces opened fire out a roundabout near the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation hub. However, Palestinian and Hamas-linked media has attributed the deaths it has reported on to an Israeli airstrike. It is not yet clear if eyewitnesses and Hamas-affiliated media are giving different accounts of the same incident. The area where the reported shooting took place is controlled by Israeli forces. Ibrahim Abu Saoud, an eyewitness, said Israeli forces opened fire at people moving toward the aid distribution centre. "There were many martyrs, including women," the 40-year-old man said. "We were about 300 meters (yards) away from the military." Abu Saoud said he saw many people with gunshot wounds, including a young man who he said had died at the scene. "We weren't able to help him," he said. Mohammed Abu Teaima, 33, said he saw Israeli forces open fire and kill his cousin and another woman as they were heading to the hub. He said his cousin was shot in his chest and died at the scene. Many others were wounded, including his brother-in-law, he said. "They opened heavy fire directly toward us," he said as he was waiting outside the Red Cross field hospital for word on his wounded relative. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation operates as part of a controversial aid system which Israel and the US claims is aimed at preventing Hamas from siphoning off assistance. Israel has not provided any evidence of systematic diversion, and the UN denies it has occurred. The foundation's distribution of aid has been marred by chaos, and multiple witnesses have said Israeli troops fired on crowds near the delivery sites. UN agencies and major aid groups have refused to work with the new system, saying it violates humanitarian principles because it allows Israel to control who receives aid and forces people to relocate to distribution sites, risking yet more mass displacement in the territory. Before Sunday, at least six people had been killed and more than 50 wounded, according to local health officials. 0:53 The foundation says the private security contractors guarding its sites did not fire on the crowds, while the Israeli military has acknowledged firing warning shots on previous occasions. The foundation did not immediately respond to a request for comment following the hospital's claims. In an earlier statement, it said it distributed 16 truckloads of aid early on Sunday "without incident". It dismissed what it referred to as "false reporting about deaths, mass injuries and chaos". Meanwhile, the UN's aid system has struggled to bring in aid after Israel slightly eased its total blockade of the territory last month. 3:29 Those groups say Israeli restrictions, the breakdown of law and order, and widespread looting make it extremely difficult to deliver aid to Gaza's roughly two million Palestinians. Experts have warned that the Palestinian territory is at risk of famine if more aid is not brought in. The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. They are still holding 58 hostages, around 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 over 54,000 people, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. The offensive has destroyed vast areas of the territory, displaced around 90% of its population and left people almost completely reliant on international aid.
Sky News
6 days ago
- General
- Sky News
At least 30 people killed in Israeli attack on aid distribution site in Gaza - Hamas-linked media
At least 30 people have been killed in an Israeli attack near an aid distribution hub run by a US-backed organisation, according to a Palestinian news agency and Hamas-linked media. Israel has offered no immediate comment of the reported attack, which the Palestinian news agency WAFA says left more than 115 people injured. The reports emerged as a hospital run by the Red Cross said at least 21 people have been killed and another 175 have been wounded as they went to receive aid from the same foundation - which is backed by both Israel and the US. Eyewitnesses said the deaths came after Israel forces opened fire out a roundabout near the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation hub. However, Palestinian and Hamas-linked media has attributed the deaths it has reported on to an Israeli airstrike. It is not yet clear if eyewitnesses and Hamas-affiliated media are giving different accounts of the same incident. The area where the reported shooting took place is controlled by Israeli forces. Ibrahim Abu Saoud, an eyewitness, said Israeli forces opened fire at people moving toward the aid distribution centre. "There were many martyrs, including women," the 40-year-old man said. "We were about 300 meters (yards) away from the military." Abu Saoud said he saw many people with gunshot wounds, including a young man who he said had died at the scene. "We weren't able to help him," he said. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation operates as part of a controversial aid system which Israel and the US claims is aimed at preventing Hamas from siphoning off assistance. Israel has not provided any evidence of systematic diversion, and the UN denies it has occurred. The foundation's distribution of aid has been marred by chaos, and multiple witnesses have said Israeli troops fired on crowds near the delivery sites. UN agencies and major aid groups have refused to work with the new system, saying it violates humanitarian principles because it allows Israel to control who receives aid and forces people to relocate to distribution sites, risking yet more mass displacement in the territory. Before Sunday, at least six people had been killed and more than 50 wounded, according to local health officials. The foundation says the private security contractors guarding its sites did not fire on the crowds, while the Israeli military has acknowledged firing warning shots on previous occasions. The foundation did not immediately respond to a request for comment following the hospital's claims. In an earlier statement, it said it distributed 16 truckloads of aid early on Sunday "without incident". It dismissed what it referred to as "false reporting about deaths, mass injuries and chaos". Please refresh the page for the full version.
Reuters
6 days ago
- General
- Reuters
Israeli strike on aid point kills 26 in Rafah, Hamas-affiliated media say
CAIRO, June 1 (Reuters) - An Israeli strike on an aid distribution point run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation killed at least 26 in Rafah, Palestinian and Hamas-affiliated media said on Sunday. There was no immediate comment from Israel on the reported strike.
The Independent
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
‘Key issues' including trade discussed in talks between Starmer and Swinney
Trade deals and the need to end conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza were on the agenda when Sir Keir Starmer held talks with Scotland's First Minister. The recently closed Grangemouth oil refinery in Scotland and the need for more investment in carbon capture technology were also on the agenda, a spokesperson for John Swinney said. The two men had discussions in London as senior figures from across the UK gathered for Friday's Council of Nations meeting. The body was established by the Prime Minister to bring together UK ministers with the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and English mayors. Ahead of the talks, Sir Keir had stressed recent trade deals struck by his Government with the US, India and the EU would help 'improve livelihoods' across the UK. A spokesperson for Mr Swinney confirmed afterwards that trade deals had been amongst the 'key issues' discussed in the talks. They said: 'The First Minister held talks with the Prime Minister where they discussed key issues, including tackling child poverty, migration and growing the economy – not least by investing in Grangemouth, carbon capture and Project Acorn. 'Discussions on international relations included trade deals, Ukraine and Gaza, including the need to end conflict and ensure humanitarian assistance.' Mr Swinney also had talks with the First Minister of Wales and the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland to 'discuss areas of common concern', the spokesperson added. Ahead of the Council of Nations meeting for the second time after its establishment, Sir Keir had stressed the 'long-term security' the trade deals could deliver. Scottish produce such as whisky, salmon and gin will all receive a boost from tariffs being slashed and trade barriers being cut, the UK Government has said. Meanwhile Welsh farmers will benefit from the elimination of India's lamb tariffs and the ability to export meat products to the EU. Northern Irish whiskey exports to India will benefit from tariffs halving from 150% to 75% before falling further to 40% over a decade. Sir Keir said: 'They will create opportunities for more seamless trade and attract inward investment to grow the economy, making a difference to people's lives. 'These changes will be felt everywhere, whether it's lower food prices at the checkout, more choice for consumers and higher living standards that will improve livelihoods.'
