Latest news with #GazaHumanitarianFund
The Print
a day ago
- Politics
- The Print
4 of Five Eyes & 24 other nations condemn Israel's actions in Gaza, call for it to stop
'It is horrifying that over 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid. The Israeli Government's denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable. Israel must comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law.' 'The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths. The Israeli government's aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity. We condemn the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food,' the statement signed Monday by the foreign ministers of 28 countries that include New Zealand, Australia and Canada. New Delhi: In a sign of the breaking Western consensus of strong support for Israel, the UK, along with France and 26 other countries primarily from Europe, has condemned Tel Aviv for 'drip feeding of aid' and the 'inhuman killing of civilians' in Gaza, and nudged it to 'comply' to its obligations under international law. Scores of Palestinians in the last few months have been killed by Israeli forces at aid sites of the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF) backed by Israel and the US to handle the delivery of food aid to Palestinians in Gaza from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Israel has often accused without proof that a large number of UNRWA workers were members of Hamas. The foreign ministers' statement called on the 'Israeli government to immediately lift restrictions on the flow of aid' as well as to 'enable the UN and humanitarian NGOs' to do their work unencumbered in the Gaza Strip. Over 20 months into the conflict, around 59,000 Palestinians have been killed, while the Gaza strip is estimated to house the most number of child amputees per capita in the world. The conflict began when Hamas launched a strike on Israel on 7 October, 2023, which left around 1,150 people dead, along with a further 250 taken hostage. A number of hostages remain with Hamas. The foreign ministers' statement points out that the best case scenario for the release of hostages arises through a 'negotiated ceasefire' to bring them home and end 'the agony' for the families of those captured. Amongst those calling for an end to the conflict in Gaza include four out of five members of the Five Eyes intelligence sharing group that includes Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Canada and the US. Furthermore two Quad members–Australia and Japan–have also signed on to the statement. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar. in a call Monday with his British counterpart David Lammy, rejected the pressure applied by the 28 countries, pointing out that 'international pressure must be on Hamas!' in a statement on X. In a statement, the Israeli Foreign Ministry added: 'Instead of agreeing to a ceasefire, Hamas is busy running a campaign to spread lies about Israel. At the same time, Hamas is deliberately acting to increase friction and harm to civilians who come to receive humanitarian aid.' Also Read: Modi raises 'great concern' over humanitarian crisis in Gaza in BRICS address 'Displacement a violation of int'l law' The foreign ministers' also took aim at recent proposals for the construction of a 'humanitarian city' floated by Israeli government members for the Gaza strip. 'Proposals to remove the Palestinian population into a 'humanitarian city' are completely unacceptable. Permanent forced displacement is a violation of international humanitarian law,' the statement said. The foreign ministers' added: 'We strongly oppose any steps towards territorial or demographic change in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The E1 settlement plan announced by Israel's Civil Administration, if implemented, would divide a Palestinian state in two, marking a flagrant breach of international law and critically undermining the two-state solution. Meanwhile, settlement building across the West Bank including East Jerusalem has accelerated while settler violence against Palestinians has soared. This must stop.' The statement comes after Israeli tanks entered the Gazan city of Deir al-Balah, where some of the hostages are believed to have been kept, according to Reuters. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), its staff residence and main warehouse in the city was attacked Monday by the Israeli military. (Edited by Tony Rai) Also Read: Trump says Israel has agreed to 60-day ceasefire on Gaza, urges Hamas to accept the deal
Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
73 Palestinians killed while waiting for humanitarian aid across Gaza, health ministry says
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — At least 73 people were killed while attempting to access aid at locations across Gaza on Sunday, the health ministry in the Palestinian territory said. The Israeli military said that soldiers had shot at a gathering of thousands of Palestinians in northern Gaza who posed a threat, and that it was aware of some casualties. But it said that the numbers being reported by teams in Gaza were far higher than the military's initial investigation found. The military added that it is attempting to facilitate the entry of aid, and blamed Hamas for fomenting chaos and endangering civilians. The largest toll, according to the Gaza ministry, was in the northern part of the territory, where at least 67 Palestinians were killed while trying to reach aid entering northern Gaza through the Zikim crossing with Israel, according to the ministry and local hospitals. More than 150 people were wounded, with some of them in critical condition, hospitals said. Seven Palestinians were also killed while sheltering in tents in Khan Younis, including a 5-year-old boy, according to the Kuwait Specialized Field Hospital, which received the casualties. It wasn't immediately clear whether they were killed by the Israeli army or armed gangs or both. But some witnesses said that the Israeli military shot at the crowd. The killings in northern Gaza didn't take place near aid distribution points associated with the Gaza Humanitarian Fund, or GHF, a U.S.- and Israel-backed group that hands out food packages to Palestinians. Witnesses and health workers say hundreds of people have been killed by Israeli fire while trying to access the group's distribution sites. Meanwhile, the Israeli military published new evacuation warnings for areas of central Gaza on Sunday, in one of the few areas where the military has rarely operated with ground troops. The evacuation cuts access between the city of Deir al-Balah and the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis in the narrow enclave. The announcement came as Israel and Hamas have been holding ceasefire talks in Qatar, but international mediators say there have been no breakthroughs. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly stressed that expanding Israel's military operations in Gaza will pressure Hamas to negotiate, but negotiations have been stalled for months. Earlier this month, the Israeli military said that it controlled more than 65% of the Gaza Strip. The area of Gaza under the evacuation order is where many international organizations attempting to distribute aid are located. The United Nations has been in contact with Israeli authorities to clarify whether U.N. facilities in southwestern Deir al-Balah are included in Sunday's evacuation order, according to a U.N. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak to the media. The official said that in previous instances, U.N. facilities were spared from evacuation orders. The evacuation announcement covers an area stretching from a previously evacuated area all the way to the coast and will severely hamper movement for aid groups and civilians in Gaza. Military spokesman Avichay Adraee warned that the military will attack 'with intensity' against fighters. He called for residents, including those sheltering in tents, to head to the Muwasi area, a desolate tent camp on Gaza's southern shore that the Israeli military has designated a humanitarian zone. Gaza's population of more than 2 million Palestinians are in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Hamas triggered the 21-month war when fighters stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 others hostage. Fifty remain, but fewer than half are thought to be alive. Israel's military offensive that followed has killed more than 58,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which doesn't say how many fighters are among the dead but says more than half of the dead have been women and children. The ministry is part of the Hamas government but the U.N. and other international organizations see it as the most reliable source of data on casualties. The Hostages Family Forum, a grassroots organization that represents many of the families of hostages, condemned the evacuation announcement and demanded that Netanyahu and the Israeli military explain what they hope to accomplish in the area of central Gaza, accusing Israel of operating without a clear war plan. 'Enough! The Israeli people overwhelmingly want an end to the fighting and a comprehensive agreement that will return all of the hostages,' the forum said. On Saturday night, during the weekly protest, tens of thousands of protesters marched in Tel Aviv to the branch of the U.S. Embassy, demonstrating for an end to the war. On Sunday morning, ambulances in front of three major hospitals in Gaza sounded their alarms simultaneously in an urgent appeal to shed light on the hunger crisis in the territory. The health ministry posted pictures on social media of doctors holding paper signs about malnourished children and lack of medication. Zaher al-Wahidi, one of the spokespeople at the health ministry, said that at least nine children under 5 years old have died of malnutrition as of Sunday since the Israel's imposed aid entry blockade in March. He explained that tracking the number of people dying of starvation is hard because some could be suffering from other medical conditions that could be worsened when compounded with severe hunger. In northern Gaza, Shifa Hospital director Abu Selmiyah said that the hospital recorded 79 people who died of malnutrition in the past month. Israeli bombardments continued to pound the Gaza Strip overnight. Large explosions in northern Gaza were visible from Israel as plumes of fire shot into the sky.
Global News
3 days ago
- Health
- Global News
Israeli troops shoot Palestinians at aid site, kill 67: Gaza health ministry
At least 73 people were killed while attempting to access aid at locations across Gaza on Sunday, the Hamas-run health ministry in the Palestinian territory said. The Israeli military said that soldiers had shot at a gathering of thousands of Palestinians in northern Gaza who posed a threat, and that it was aware of some casualties. But it said that the numbers being reported by teams in Gaza were far higher than the military's initial investigation found. The military added that it is attempting to facilitate the entry of aid, and blamed Hamas militants for fomenting chaos and endangering civilians. The largest toll, according to the Gaza health ministry and local hospitals, was in the northern part of the territory, where at least 67 Palestinians were killed while trying to reach aid entering northern Gaza through the Zikim crossing with Israel. Story continues below advertisement More than 150 people were wounded, with some of them in critical condition, hospitals said. Seven Palestinians were also killed while sheltering in tents in Khan Younis, including a five-year-old boy, according to the Kuwait Specialized Field Hospital, which received the casualties. It wasn't immediately clear whether they were killed by the Israeli army or armed gangs or both. But some witnesses said that the Israeli military shot at the crowd. The killings in northern Gaza didn't take place near aid distribution points associated with the Gaza Humanitarian Fund, or GHF, a U.S.- and Israel-backed group that hands out food packages to Palestinians. Witnesses and health workers say hundreds of people have been killed by Israeli fire while trying to access the group's distribution sites. Meanwhile, the Israeli military published new evacuation warnings for areas of central Gaza on Sunday, in one of the few areas where the military has rarely operated with ground troops. The evacuation cuts access between the city of Deir al-Balah and the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis in the narrow enclave. The announcement came as Israel and Hamas have been holding ceasefire talks in Qatar, but international mediators say there have been no breakthroughs. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly stressed that expanding Israel's military operations in Gaza will pressure Hamas to negotiate, but negotiations have been stalled for months. Story continues below advertisement Earlier this month, the Israeli military said that it controlled more than 65 per cent of the Gaza Strip. 1:20 'We want to eat': Palestinians in Gaza protest hunger crisis amid ongoing Israeli siege Cutting off access The area of Gaza under the evacuation order is where many international organizations attempting to distribute aid are located. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The United Nations has been in contact with Israeli authorities to clarify whether U.N. facilities in southwestern Deir al-Balah are included in Sunday's evacuation order, according to a U.N. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak to the media. Story continues below advertisement The official said that in previous instances, U.N. facilities were spared from evacuation orders. The evacuation announcement covers an area stretching from a previously evacuated area all the way to the coast and will severely hamper movement for aid groups and civilians in Gaza. Military spokesman Avichay Adraee warned that the military will attack 'with intensity' against militants. He called for residents, including those sheltering in tents, to head to the Muwasi area, a desolate tent camp on Gaza's southern shore that the Israeli military has designated a humanitarian zone. Gaza's population of more than two million Palestinians are in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. The latest conflict was triggered when Hamas militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 others hostage. Fifty remain, but fewer than half are thought to be alive. Israel's military offensive that followed has killed more than 58,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which doesn't say how many militants are among the dead but says more than half of the dead have been women and children. The ministry is part of the Hamas government but the U.N. and other international organizations see it as the most reliable source of data on casualties. The Hostages Family Forum, a grassroots organization that represents many of the families of hostages, condemned the evacuation announcement and demanded that Netanyahu and the Israeli military explain what they hope to accomplish in the area of central Gaza, accusing Israel of operating without a clear war plan. Story continues below advertisement 'Enough! The Israeli people overwhelmingly want an end to the fighting and a comprehensive agreement that will return all of the hostages,' the forum said. On Saturday night, during the weekly protest, tens of thousands of protesters marched in Tel Aviv to the branch of the U.S. Embassy, demonstrating for an end to the war. 5:16 U.S. defends Israel-backed aid group, denies responsibility for death of 20 Palestinians Humanitarian disaster grows On Sunday morning, ambulances in front of three major hospitals in Gaza sounded their alarms simultaneously in an urgent appeal to shed light on the hunger crisis in the territory. The health ministry posted pictures on social media of doctors holding paper signs about malnourished children and lack of medication. Story continues below advertisement Zaher al-Wahidi, one of the spokespeople at the health ministry, said that at least nine children under five years old have died of malnutrition as of Sunday since the Israel's imposed aid entry blockade in March. He explained that tracking the number of people dying of starvation is hard because some could be suffering from other medical conditions that could be worsened when compounded with severe hunger. In northern Gaza, Shifa Hospital director Abu Selmiyah said that the hospital recorded 79 people who died of malnutrition in the past month. Israeli bombardments continued to pound the Gaza Strip overnight. Large explosions in northern Gaza were visible from Israel as plumes of fire shot into the sky.
Mint
3 days ago
- Health
- Mint
73 Palestinians killed while trying to access aid in Gaza, witnesses claim Israeli military shot at crowd
Around 73 Palestinians were killed while trying to access humanitarian aid at different locations across Gaza on Sunday, reported news agency Associated Press. The maximum number of casualties were reported from northern Gaza, where at least 67 people were killed while entering the region through the Zikim crossing with Israel, the report said citing the health ministry in the Palestinian territory and local hospitals. It is not clear yet whether they were killed by the Israeli army or armed gangs or both. However, some witnesses claimed that the Israeli military shot at the crowd, said the report. According to health workers, hundreds of people have been killed by Israeli fire while trying to access the Gaza Humanitarian Fund's, or GHF, a US- and Israel-backed group, distribution sites. Over 150 people were also wounded in the attacks, with some of them in critical condition. Meanwhile, the Israeli military announced new evacuation warnings for areas of central Gaza on Sunday. The announcement came amid Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks in Qatar. The evacuation cuts access between the city of Deir al-Balah and the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis in the narrow enclave. The United Nations has asked Israel to clarify whether UN facilities in southwestern Deir al-Balah are included in Sunday's evacuation order, AP report said citing an unnamed UN official. The evacuation announcement covers an area stretching from a previously evacuated area all the way to the coast and will severely hamper movement for aid groups and civilians in Gaza. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee warned that the military will attack 'with intensity' against militants. He called for residents, including those sheltering in tents, to head to the Muwasi area, a desolate tent camp on Gaza's southern shore that the Israeli military has designated a humanitarian zone. Earlier this month, the Israeli military had declared that it controlled more than 65% of the Gaza Strip.
The Age
3 days ago
- Health
- The Age
73 Palestinians killed while waiting for humanitarian aid across Gaza, health ministry says
DEIR AL-BALAH: At least 73 people were killed while attempting to access aid at locations across Gaza on Sunday, the health ministry in the Palestinian territory said. The Israeli military said that soldiers had shot at a gathering of thousands of Palestinians in northern Gaza who posed a threat, and that it was aware of some casualties. But it said that the numbers being reported by teams in Gaza were far higher than the military's initial investigation found. The military added that it is attempting to facilitate the entry of aid, and blamed Hamas militants for fomenting chaos and endangering civilians. The largest toll, according to the Gaza ministry, was in the northern part of the territory, where at least 67 Palestinians were killed while trying to reach aid entering northern Gaza through the Zikim crossing with Israel, according to the ministry and local hospitals. More than 150 people were wounded, with some of them in critical condition, hospitals said. Seven Palestinians were also killed while sheltering in tents in Khan Younis, including a 5-year-old boy, according to the Kuwait Specialized Field Hospital, which received the casualties. It wasn't immediately clear whether they were killed by the Israeli army or armed gangs or both. But some witnesses said that the Israeli military shot at the crowd. The killings in northern Gaza didn't take place near aid distribution points associated with the Gaza Humanitarian Fund, or GHF, a US- and Israel-backed group that hands out food packages to Palestinians. Witnesses and health workers say hundreds of people have been killed by Israeli fire while trying to access the group's distribution sites. Meanwhile, the Israeli military published new evacuation warnings for areas of central Gaza on Sunday, in one of the few areas where the military has rarely operated with ground troops.
