Latest news with #InternationalHumanitarianLaw
Scoop
2 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Statement By MSF Secy-Gen, Christopher Lockyear, On The Dehumanising And Ineffective Plan To Militarise Aid In Gaza
Jerusalem, 30 May 2025 – The disastrous start of the food distribution coordinated by the newly created Gaza Humanitarian Foundation confirmed that the US-Israel plan to instrumentalise aid is ineffective. On 27 May, the first afternoon of distribution in Rafah, south Gaza, dozens of people were shot and injured as wholly insufficient amounts of basic lifesaving supplies were distributed amid chaos. Palestinians – deprived of food, water and medical aid for nearly three months - were penned in by fences as they waited to receive basic necessities for survival. This is a stark reminder of the dehumanising treatment imposed by Israeli authorities for more than 19 months. Through this dangerous and reckless approach, food is not being distributed where it's needed most but is instead directed only to areas where Israeli forces choose to amass civilians. This means the most vulnerable – especially the elderly and people with disabilities – have virtually no chance of accessing the food they desperately need. The claim that this unprincipled, failing mechanism is necessary to prevent the diversion of aid is false. Since the start of the war, MSF has directly treated patients when we have been able to bring supplies into Gaza. This initiative seems to be a cynical ploy to feign compliance with International Humanitarian Law. In practice, it uses aid as a tool to forcibly displace people as part of what appears to be a broader strategy to ethnically cleanse the Gaza Strip - and to justify the continuation of a war waged without limits. Meanwhile, the humanitarian system is being strangled by the restrictions imposed upon it. Israeli authorities have allowed a trickle of aid trucks into Gaza, only to obstruct them immediately after they cross the border, preventing life-saving assistance from reaching the people who need it most, including children and pregnant and lactating women. Forcing humanitarian organisations to move such inadequate amounts of aid, when the Israeli siege has created a situation of unbearable need and despair, is leading to lootings. This is the consequence of a society being pushed to the brink, its very fabric torn apart by relentless violence and deprivation. The outcome is more preventable deaths and injuries, and the impossibility of delivering aid in a way that respects people's dignity. This is part of a broader tactic to reinforce a one-sided narrative: the only way to deliver aid is to militarise it. Along with displacement orders and bombing campaigns that kill civilians, weaponising aid in this manner may constitute crimes against humanity. Only a lasting ceasefire and the immediate opening of Gaza's borders for humanitarian aid – including food, medical supplies, fuel and equipment – can ease this man-made catastrophe.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Ignore the Left-wing naysayers, Israel is winning this necessary war
The EU's foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, says 'Israeli strikes in Gaza go beyond what is necessary to fight Hamas'. Perhaps she should head to Jerusalem and give precise instructions to the IDF on what they should be doing to eliminate the Hamas terrorist regime – assuming that's what she actually wants. She can tell them how you kill terrorists entwined into the population, hiding in tunnels beneath schools, hospitals and houses, protected by the most comprehensively booby-trapped terrain in the history of warfare, all while minimising harm to civilians. Of course, like so many other blowhard Western politicians, she doesn't have a clue. Fortunately the IDF does and has been waging this hugely complex war for 19 months with a combination of fighting prowess and humanitarian restraint that no other army could match. That is the true picture that I have witnessed with my own eyes, unlike the vast array of armchair commentators and rabble-rousers with their lies and distortions intended to break Israel or signal their own non-existent virtues or both. And Israel has had unparalleled success. They have killed something like 20-25,000 Hamas terrorists, including many senior commanders. The latest of these is Mohammed Sinwar, Hamas's leader in Gaza, blown apart in an air strike earlier this month as he was skulking in a tunnel beneath a hospital in Khan Younis. His older brother Yahya, from whom he took over the reins of Hamas, met his maker last October. Shortly before that Mohammed Deif, Hamas's military commander, saw the same fate. The list goes on, and many more would have joined it had the IDF not been so determined to avoid killing the hostages and where possible to avoid harm to civilians in line with their scrupulously observed obligations under International Humanitarian Law. Those who have been dispatched have been replaced, though by less experienced and less able terrorists, but I'm not sure how long the list of applicants will be for the Sinwar brothers' uniquely hazardous job. Kallas also rejects Israel's latest efforts to get aid to Gazan civilians while preventing it from falling into the hands of Hamas. While she pontificates from her headquarters in Brussels with its lavish restaurants, Gazans have been enthusiastically queuing up in their thousands to collect food and even camping out overnight. But Kallas is in good company. Hamas also rejects this aid system and has been threatening Gazans against using it. Nor does the UN like it one little bit, despite the outrageously fake assertion last week that 14,000 babies would die of malnutrition in 48 hours. Hamas's position is understandable. It is focused on survival and pretty much its only source of funds now is from hijacking and selling aid at premium prices. But what about Kallas, the UN and even our own Government which also does not support this new initiative? It is hard to escape the conclusion, with the growing chorus of condemnations against Israel, that these people are terrified Jerusalem will win this war. That's the last thing they want as it would undermine any leverage they might have in pursuit of the holy grail of a 'two state solution'. Lacking insight, or terrified of being seen to have been wrong all along, they utterly fail to recognise that a two state solution is permanently interred after Hamas hammered the final nail into its coffin on October 7 2023. Unfortunately for the unholy alliance against its victory, Israel is going to prevail – and not just in Gaza. Prime minister Netanyahu launched a dazzling operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon last year that eliminated its overlord Hassan Nasrallah and took out much of its leadership by using explosive-laden pagers. Meanwhile the IDF shattered much of its military capability, especially the long-range missiles that existed to threaten Israel. Hezbollah is not finished but its potential to cause harm has been dramatically degraded. It will have difficulty rebuilding as it has lost the vital terrain of Assad's Syria, again as a direct result of Israeli action. Iran itself, the mastermind of the jihadist plan to suffocate Israel using region-wide terror proxies, was humiliated by its failure to damage Israel with hundreds of missiles and drones, not to mention an inability to protect Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh who was taken out right next to the president's official residence in Tehran. Even worse, the Islamic Republic is now badly exposed, following the Israeli Air Force's evisceration of its Russian-supplied air defences. The likes of Kallas and her faint-hearted fellow travellers have no power to stand in Israel's path, but their words and threatened actions certainly encourage Hamas. Apart from the hostages it holds, its only card is the vilification of Israel by the international community and the accompanying weaponisation of legal warfare. Hamas could end all the bloodshed and the deprivation overnight by laying down its arms and releasing the hostages. If the EU, the UN and those governments so eager to condemn the Jewish state actually wanted to achieve peace, they would support Israel in words and actions, and condemn Hamas at every turn. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
GMA Network
23-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
PH calls for immediate, unimpeded aid access to Gaza
The Philippines called Friday for a swift and unhampered delivery of humanitarian aid to war-torn Gaza following weeks of Israel-imposed blockade, which prompted serious concerns from the international community. "Humanitarian aid must reach the civilian population of Gaza – particularly the most vulnerable, including the sick, women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities – without discrimination and in accordance with international humanitarian law," a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said. Assistance to Gaza, the DFA said, must remain under the leadership of the United Nations, which earlier described the lack of immediate access to food and other basic necessities as having a "disastrous toll" on Palestinians. "Humanitarian response must be based on impartial needs assessments and guided by the principles of neutrality, humanity, and accountability," the DFA said as it called for a "full, safe, rapid, and unhindered" provision of assistance to the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip. Since March 2, food, medicine and fuel were restricted in Gaza. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said "basic amount of food" will be allowed into Gaza, but stated his country plans to take control of the territory. Britain, France and Canada criticized Israel for "denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population," calling it "unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law." The war in Gaza was triggered by Hamas' surprise assault that killed 1,200 Israelis and some Filipinos, in October 7. Israel's relentless offensives in retaliation to the Hamas attacks resulted to at least 53,000 deaths, mostly civilians, and displaced a huge number of the territory's 2.3 million residents. All parties, the DFA said, must support the UN in meeting its humanitarian mandate in Gaza. "Safeguarding the operational integrity, independence, and effectiveness of UN entities is essential to preserving the legitimacy and credibility of the UN system and its ability to respond meaningfully to humanitarian needs around the world," it said. The DFA said the Philippines continues to support a two-state solution, consistent with UN General Assembly Resolution 181 and other relevant UN resolutions. A two-state system is "the only viable path toward a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in the region," the DFA said.
The National
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Benjamin Netanyahu warns all of Gaza will be 'under Israel's control'
Speaking at a press conference in Jerusalem on Wednesday, the Israeli prime minister said Israeli forces have 'pounded' their enemy and have withstood 'incredible' amounts of pressure to stop the war. Netanyahu said he made the decision to begin the next stage of the war, named Operation Gideon's Chariots, which is Israel's latest ground offensive in Gaza, three days ago. READ MORE: Ian Murray is far too easily pleased with pathetic UK/EU trade deal He told journalists: 'At the end of this campaign, all of the territories of the Gaza Strip will be under Israel's security control.' Netanyahu said that those who are calling on Israel to stop the fighting before its goals are achieved are 'basically calling for keeping Hamas in control of Gaza'. He also described the US President Donald Trump's plan to ethnically cleanse the region by moving Palestinians to neighbouring countries and redevelop the territory for occupation as 'correct' and 'revolutionary'. Palestinians have rejected Trump's proposal to resettle much of their population elsewhere, viewing it as expulsion from their homeland after Israel's offensive left much of the territory uninhabitable. Human rights experts have also warned that implementing the plan would likely violate international law. The Israeli prime minister also said that his country has achieved 'a lot' in its 'clear and justified' goal of defeating Hamas, adding that their work 'isn't over yet'. Netanyahu's press conference follows a joint statement issued by Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer and Mark Carney – the leaders of France, the UK and Canada – threatening 'concrete actions' if Israel continues its renewed military push in Gaza on Monday. (Image: House of Commons/PA Wire) The joint statement said that the denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is 'unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law'. The UK, France, and Canada also said they may introduce 'targeted sanctions' in response to expanded settlements in the West Bank by the Israeli government. The statement said: 'The Israeli Government's denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law. We condemn the abhorrent language used recently by members of the Israeli Government, threatening that, in their despair at the destruction of Gaza, civilians will start to relocate. Permanent forced displacement is a breach of international humanitarian law. 'Israel suffered a heinous attack on October 7. We have always supported Israel's right to defend Israelis against terrorism. But this escalation is wholly disproportionate. 'We will not stand by while the Netanyahu government pursues these egregious actions. If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.'
Saudi Gazette
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
KSrelief chief urges stronger response to Middle East crises
Saudi Gazette report BRUSSELS — The Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, praised international recognition of Saudi Arabia's pivotal role in addressing humanitarian crises, particularly its efforts in lifting sanctions on Syria — actions that helped pave the way for improved humanitarian access and a positive response from the United States. Dr. Al-Rabeeah made the remarks on Wednesday during his participation in the European Humanitarian Forum 2025 in Brussels, speaking at a seminar titled 'Crises in the Middle East: The Challenge of Protecting Lives and Respecting International Humanitarian Law.' In his address, he expressed appreciation for the European Commission's focus on global humanitarian crises, especially in the Middle East, where conflicts have created immense suffering. He cited figures from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), noting that over 65 million people in the region currently need humanitarian assistance, with less than 30% of response plans funded. He emphasized that the Middle East faces one of the world's worst displacement crises, with more than 28 million people forcibly displaced. Al-Rabeeah pointed to countries such as Yemen, Syria, Sudan, Lebanon, and Palestine as the epicenters of escalating humanitarian emergencies fueled by violence and instability. 'These crises are robbing children of their futures and leading to the premature deaths of thousands,' he said, stressing the urgent global needs related to food security, water and sanitation, healthcare, shelter, and education. He also highlighted operational challenges, including threats to humanitarian workers, misinformation in needs assessments, and the destruction or looting of relief supplies. Al-Rabeeah reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's unwavering commitment to humanitarian principles, stating, 'Our mission is to extend help without discrimination, and to continue playing a leading role in promoting humanitarian action globally.'
