Latest news with #HumanitarianAid
Free Malaysia Today
6 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Malaysia invites Myanmar conflict groups for dialogue in KL
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Asean leaders have continued to push for an extended ceasefire and the protection of all humanitarian aid workers. (EPA Images pic) SINGAPORE : Malaysia has taken the initiative to invite different groups in the Myanmar conflict for a dialogue in Kuala Lumpur in a bid to find a lasting solution to the ongoing crisis, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said today. He said the invitation was extended to the groups last month, Bernama reported. 'I've started (the talks) and I urge my counterparts to send their teams, officials and military intelligence personnel to continue to engage,' he said during a question-and-answer session following his special address at the Shangri-La Dialogue here. When asked about the possibility of elections in Myanmar, Anwar said the immediate priority is to ensure peace, security and the delivery of humanitarian aid. He noted that Asean leaders have continued to push for an extended ceasefire and the protection of all humanitarian aid workers. 'If the elections are fair and more inclusive and do not exclude parties, then, of course, we are ready to accept, although (the process) may not be perfect,' he added. Myanmar's State Administration Council announced in March that they will hold a general election either in December this year or January 2026 at the latest, according to international media reports.
Al Jazeera
2 days ago
- General
- Al Jazeera
Climate activist Greta Thunberg to join aid ship effort to break Gaza siege
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham will join the next sailing of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) as it attempts to break Israel's months-long blockade of Gaza. The 'Madleen' is due to disembark from Catania, Sicily, on Sunday with a cargo of humanitarian aid and several high-profile activists on board, including Thunberg, European Member of Parliament Rima Hassan and Palestinian-American lawyer Huwaida Arraf. Cunningham, an Irish actor best known for his role as Davos Seaworth in the hit HBO series, is a longtime advocate for Palestine and similar causes. The sailing marks the second attempt in as many months by the FFC, a coalition of humanitarian groups, to reach Gaza. A mission at the start of May was aborted after another FFC vessel, the 'Conscience', was attacked by two alleged drones while sailing in international waters off the coast of Malta. The FFC alleges that Israel was responsible for the attack, which severely damaged the front section of the ship. MEP Hassan said in a short video on social media that the trip by the 'Madleen' is a protest against Israel as much as an attempt to deliver much-needed aid to Gaza. 'The first [goal] being of course to reject the blockade of humanitarian aid, the ongoing genocide, the impunity enjoyed by the State of Israel and to raise global international awareness,' she said. 'This action is also in response to the attack that took place on May 2 against the previous ship that took place in international waters near Malta.' Israel partially lifted its nearly three-month blockade of Gaza last week, but since then has only allowed a tiny amount of assistance into the Palestinian territory, which the United States has warned is on the brink of famine. This week, thousands of Palestinians rushed to so-called aid distribution stations set up by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, leading to the deaths of at least three people and dozens of injuries in the chaos that ensued as desperate people tried to get food supplies. The UN and other humanitarian organisations are boycotting the US and Israeli-backed initiative, accusing Israel of attempting to consolidate and control aid distribution across Gaza in a further weaponisation of food and starvation. The World Health Organization has warned that Gaza is at risk of famine following months of prolonged food shortages amid Israel's punishing blockade, and that about a quarter of the population is in a 'catastrophic situation of hunger, acute malnutrition, starvation, illness and death'.
Asharq Al-Awsat
4 days ago
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia Underscores its Continued Efforts to Support Palestinian Cause
The Saudi government underlined on Tuesday its ongoing efforts with members of the international community to support the Palestinian cause, end the war on Gaza, allow the flow of humanitarian aid and cease the Israeli violations against international laws and norms. Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the cabinet meeting that was held in Jeddah. The ministers reviewed the latest regional and international developments and Saudi Arabia's contacts and meetings with world countries over the past week that are aimed at bolstering cooperation and coordination on global affairs. The cabinet was briefed on the Kingdom's preparations to organize the Hajj pilgrimage, which begins next week. The pilgrimage will be held according to the highest standards and greatest levels of coordination and integration between the relevant entities to allow the pilgrims to perform the holy rituals with ease. Saudi Arabia has dedicated mega development projects and infrastructure to serve pilgrims from across the globe. The cabinet expressed the Saudi leadership and people's honor in serving the visitors of the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah, in continuation of its pioneering role in the Islamic world. It asked God Almighty that the pilgrims perform their rituals safely and at ease. The cabinet reviewed Saudi Arabia's participation at the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council and Gulf-ASEAN-China meetings in Malaysia. The Kingdom stressed its support to international initiatives aimed at achieving sustainable development and regional stability and that will help build a prosperous future for the world. The cabinet also highlighted Saudi Arabia and Kuwait's new oil discovery in the Neutral Zone, saying it was a positive step that will bolster bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.
Asharq Al-Awsat
5 days ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Israeli Strikes Kill 52 in Gaza, Including 36 in a School-turned Shelter
Israeli strikes killed at least 52 people in the Gaza Strip on Monday, including 36 in a school-turned-shelter that was struck as people slept, igniting their belongings, according to local health officials. The military said it targeted militants operating from the school. Israel renewed its offensive in March after ending a ceasefire with Hamas. It has vowed to seize control of Gaza and keep fighting until Hamas is destroyed or disarmed, and until it returns the remaining 58 hostages, a third of them believed to be alive, from the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that ignited the war. Israel began allowing a trickle of humanitarian aid into Gaza last week after blocking all food, medicine, fuel or other goods from entering for 2 1/2 months. Aid groups have warned of famine and say the aid that has come in is nowhere near enough to meeting mounting needs. A new aid system supported by Israel and the United States but rejected by UN agencies and aid groups is expected to begin operations as soon as Monday, despite the resignation of the American leading the effort, who said it would not be able to operate independently. Israel says it plans to seize full control of Gaza and facilitate what it describes as the voluntary migration of its over 2 million population, a plan rejected by Palestinians and much of the international community. Israel's military campaign has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and internally displaced some 90% of its population. Many have fled multiple times. Rescuers recover charred remains The strike on the school in the Daraj neighborhood of Gaza City also wounded dozens of people, said Fahmy Awad, head of the ministry's emergency service. He said a father and his five children were among the dead. The Shifa and al-Ahli hospitals in Gaza City confirmed the overall toll. Awad said the school was hit three times while people slept, setting their belongings ablaze. Footage circulating online showed rescuers struggling to extinguish fires and recovering charred remains. The military said it targeted a militant command and control center inside the school that Hamas and Islamic Jihad used to gather intelligence for attacks. Israel blames civilian deaths on Hamas because it operates in residential areas. A separate strike on a home in Jabalya in northern Gaza killed 16 members of the same family, including five women and two children, according to Shifa Hospital, which received the bodies. The Palestinian Hamas meanwhile fired three projectiles from Gaza, two of which fell short within the territory and a third that was intercepted, according to the Israeli military. Plans to control aid hit another obstacle Israel plans to roll out a new aid distribution system run by a group known as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, made up of former humanitarian, government and military officials, that would set up distribution points guarded by private security firms. Israel accuses Hamas of siphoning off assistance, without providing evidence. The foundation said in a statement that it would begin delivering aid Monday and would reach a million Palestinians — around half of Gaza's population — by the end of the week. UN agencies and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with the planned US-backed system, saying it would force even more displacement, fail to meet local needs and violate humanitarian principles that prohibit a warring party from controlling humanitarian assistance. They also say there is no evidence of systematic diversion of aid by Hamas. Jake Wood, the American heading the foundation, unexpectedly resigned Sunday, saying it had become clear that the foundation would not be allowed to operate independently. It's not clear who is funding the group. The Hamas-led group killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251 people in the 2023 attack. More than half the hostages have been returned in ceasefire agreements or other deals, eight have been rescued, and Israeli forces have recovered the remains of dozens more. The offensive has destroyed vast areas of Gaza, rendering entire neighborhoods uninhabitable. Hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to shelter in schools and squalid tent camps for well over a year. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed around 54,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. It says more than half the dead are women and children but does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Israeli strikes kill 52 in Gaza, including 36 in a school-turned-shelter, medics say
An Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip is seen from southern Israel, Monday, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israeli strikes killed at least 52 people in the Gaza Strip on Monday, including 36 in a school-turned-shelter that was struck as people slept, setting their belongings ablaze, according to local health officials. The military said it targeted militants operating from the school. Israel renewed its offensive in March after ending a ceasefire with Hamas. It has vowed to seize control of Gaza and keep fighting until Hamas is destroyed or disarmed, and until it returns the remaining 58 hostages, a third of them believed to be alive, from the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that ignited the war. Israel began allowing a trickle of humanitarian aid into Gaza last week after blocking all food, medicine, fuel or other goods from entering for 2 1/2 months. Aid groups have warned of famine and say the aid that has come in is nowhere near enough to meeting mounting needs. A new aid system supported by Israel and the United States but rejected by UN agencies and aid groups is expected to begin operations as soon as Monday, despite the resignation of the American leading the effort, who said it would not be able to operate independently. Israel says it plans to seize full control of Gaza and facilitate what it describes as the voluntary migration of its over 2 million population, a plan rejected by Palestinians and much of the international community. Hamas warned Palestinians on Monday not to cooperate with the new aid system, saying it is aimed at furthering those objectives. Israel's military campaign has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and internally displaced some 90% of its population. Many have fled multiple times. Rescuers recover charred remains The strike on the school in the Daraj neighborhood of Gaza City also wounded dozens of people, said Fahmy Awad, head of the ministry's emergency service. He said a father and his five children were among the dead. The Shifa and al-Ahli hospitals in Gaza City confirmed the overall toll. Awad said the school was hit three times while people slept, setting fire to their belongings. Footage circulating online showed rescuers struggling to extinguish fires and recovering charred remains. The military said it targeted a militant command and control center inside the school that Hamas and Islamic Jihad used to gather intelligence for attacks. Israel blames civilian deaths on Hamas because it operates in residential areas. A separate strike on a home in Jabalya in northern Gaza killed 16 members of the same family, including five women and two children, according to Shifa Hospital, which received the bodies. Palestinian militants meanwhile fired three projectiles from Gaza, two of which fell short within the territory and a third that was intercepted, according to the Israeli military. Plans to control aid hit another obstacle Israel plans to roll out a new aid distribution system run by a group known as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, made up of former humanitarian, government and military officials, that would set up distribution points guarded by private security firms. Israel accuses Hamas of siphoning off assistance, without providing evidence. The foundation said in a statement that it would begin delivering aid Monday and would reach a million Palestinians — around half of Gaza's population — by the end of the week. UN agencies and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with the planned U.S.-backed system, saying it would force even more displacement, fail to meet local needs and violate humanitarian principles that prohibit a warring party from controlling humanitarian assistance. They also say there is no evidence of systematic diversion of aid by militants. Jake Wood, the American heading the foundation, unexpectedly resigned Sunday, saying it had become clear that the foundation would not be allowed to operate independently. It's not clear who is funding the group. Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251 people in the 2023 attack. More than half the hostages have been returned in ceasefire agreements or other deals, eight have been rescued, and Israeli forces have recovered the remains of dozens more. The offensive has destroyed vast areas of Gaza, rendering entire neighborhoods uninhabitable. Hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to shelter in schools and squalid tent camps for well over a year. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed around 54,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. It says more than half the dead are women and children but does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count. Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writer Tia Goldenberg in Tel Aviv, Israel, contributed. Wafaa Shurafa And Samy Magdy, The Associated Press
