Latest news with #Israel-imposed
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
24-04-2025
- Politics
- The National
Piers Morgan stunned following journalist's Gaza genocide answer
Documentarian Abby Martin appeared on the talk show Piers Morgan Uncensored, which is hosted by the British journalist, where she said that the fact that people are debating whether Israel is committing genocidal acts shows that what they are doing is 'egregious enough' to make the case. In January, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to 'take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian aid,' and to report back on its compliance with the specific measures 'within one month.' However, Israel has continued to obstruct the provision of basic humanitarian aid from entering and being distributed within Gaza, along with continuing acts of collective punishment, which include the use of starvation. READ MORE: UK ministers to meet devolved governments over impact of Supreme Court's ruling Martin argued that the siege on Gaza along with the 'indiscriminate bombing' in densely populated areas is 'intended to destroy' Palestinians and amounts to genocidal acts. The short clip of the exchange begins with Morgan asking Martin: 'Do you believe that what's happened in Gaza constitutes genocide?' Martin replied: 'I do, and I think that the fact that this debate is raging on shows that what Israel is doing is egregious enough. 'The fact that people are actually having a debate on whether or not it is genocide, like you said, the International Court of Justice has agreed that there's a plausible case for genocide. 'I think that you just clearly articulated several factors that Israel is in fact carrying out. 'The mental bodily harm and caring about the conditions to destroy a group of people. What is happening in Gaza is Genocide summed up perfectly in 2 minutes while a stunned Piers Morgan sits in — BladeoftheSun (@BladeoftheS) April 23, 2025 She added: 'Clearly the complete siege on Gaza, the elimination or the prevention rather of water, food, electricity, the prevention of aid, widespread preventable illnesses, killing people. 'Now we see two million people on the brink of starvation. Clearly these are all intended to destroy a group of people. 'When you compound that with the indiscriminate bombing in the most densely populated places on Earth, I would absolutely constitute that as genocidal killing.' On Monday, aid workers described the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as the 'stuff of nightmares' as the Israel-imposed siege on the territory entered its eighth straight week. Oxfam said that around 70% of the Gaza Strip is under displacement orders or 'no go' zones, affecting more than 500,000 people, and pushing many into inhospitable, unsafe, and inaccessible areas. Clemence Lagouardat, Oxfam response lead in Gaza, said that it was hard to explain just how terrible things are in Gaza at the moment and that aid workers are witnessing scenes of carnage and despair every day. Oxfam and its partners have said they have not received a single aid truck, food parcel, hygiene kit, or any other essential equipment since the siege began. It added that supplies in Gaza are nearly exhausted, with only a few water tanks remaining in the city. Martin went on to continue: 'Piers now compound that with the fact that there's genocidal intent. 'This is usually one of the hardest things to prove in a case of genocide, not the case in Israel's genocide in Gaza. 'We have five pages just in the ICJ ruling that clearly lay out the explicit intent to carry out genocide, and I'll just point to two, the Israeli president, who said shortly after October 7th that no civilian in Gaza is innocent and that they should have overthrown Hamas and because they didn't, they are essentially worth killing. 'Then you have the defense minister shortly after October 7th that these are human animals and we need to act accordingly, as he announced the complete siege of Gaza. 'So, taking all that into account, I would absolutely constitute what is happening is genocide, and Israel needs to be held accountable and stopped immediately because it's the gravest crime against humanity that a state can commit.' After the short two-minute clip, Morgan is seen sitting visibly stunned following Martin's summary.
