Latest news with #Israel-occupied
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Mapping Israel's expanding air attacks across Syria
The Israeli military says it shelled targets in Syria in response to a pair of projectiles that fell in open areas in the Israel-occupied Golan Heights on Tuesday. Since December 10, 2024, just two days after the stunning collapse of more than 53 years of the al-Assad family, Israel has waged a campaign of aerial bombardment that has destroyed much of Syria's military infrastructure, including major airports, air defence facilities, fighter jets and other strategic infrastructure. Over the past six months, Israeli forces have launched more than 200 air, drone or artillery attacks across Syria, averaging an assault roughly every three to four days, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project (ACLED). The map below shows the ACLED-recorded Israeli attacks between December 8 and May 30. The bulk of the Israeli attacks have been concentrated in the southern Syrian governorates of Deraa, Damascus and Quneitra, which account for nearly 60 percent of all recorded Israeli attacks. Deraa was the most targeted governorate, with 57 recorded attacks, focusing on former regime military sites and suspected arms convoys. Damascus governorate, which hosts key military highways and logistics hubs, was attacked at least 49 times. Whereas Damascus city, the capital was attacked 18 times. Quneitra, adjacent to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, was attacked at least 25 times; many attacks were aimed at radar and surveillance infrastructure. In the immediate aftermath of al-Assad's ouster, Israeli troops advanced into the Syrian side of the Golan Heights, including areas within the United Nations-monitored demilitarised zone, violating the 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria. The incursion drew widespread international criticism. The UN, along with several Arab nations, condemned Israel's actions as breaches of international law and violations of Syria's sovereignty. Despite these condemnations, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said in February that Israeli forces would remain in the area indefinitely to 'protect Israeli citizens' and 'prevent hostile entities from gaining a foothold' near the border. Satellite imagery captured in February and analysed by Al Jazeera's Sanad verification unit showed six military bases were being constructed in the UN-supervised buffer zone on the border with Syria. Since taking power following the overthrow of al-Assad, President Ahmed al-Sharaa has consistently stated that his government seeks no conflict with Israel and will not permit Syria to be used by foreign actors to launch attacks. He has condemned Israel's continuing strikes on Syrian territory and its gradual expansion beyond the already-occupied Golan Heights. While Israel's air attacks on Syria have escalated in recent months, Israel has been attacking targets in Syria for years. ACLED data collected since January 2017 shows how Israeli attacks have been steadily increasing. The animated chart below shows the frequency of Israeli attacks from January 2017 to May 2025.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Unilever's Ben & Jerry's declares war in Gaza a 'genocide'
STORY: :: May 14, 2025 Ben & Jerry's independent board has branded the conflict in Gaza a genocide. :: Eisenhower Media Network Two weeks after its co-founder Ben Cohen was arrested for protesting the war in Gaza during a Senate hearing. The move has further escalated a bitter feud with its longtime corporate parent Unilever. :: Ben & Jerry's In a statement seen by Reuters, Ben & Jerry's said it 'believes in human rights and advocates for peace, and we join with those around the world who denounce the genocide in Gaza.' Unilever said these comments reflect the views of the independent social mission board of Ben & Jerry's… Adding that it calls for peace and relief in the region. Ben & Jerry's has been at odds with the packaged goods giant since at least 2021 when the ice cream label said it would stop selling its products in the Israel-occupied West Bank. The company also sued Unilever last year for allegedly attempting to silence it on Gaza - but Unilever asked a judge to dismiss the case. The multinational group said it's in the process of separating out its ice cream businesses to an independent company this summer. Ben & Jerry's has said its merger agreement with Unilever in 2000 gave its independent board "primary responsibility" to pursue the company's social mission. :: Ben & Jerry's The crux of the dispute between Ben & Jerry's and Unilever is how much leeway the board actually has. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
RTÉ News
7 days ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
Unilever's Ben & Jerry's calls war in Gaza a 'genocide'
The independent board of Ben & Jerry's said the conflict in Gaza is a genocide, escalating a bitter feud between the ice cream maker and its longtime London-based corporate parent Unilever. "Ben & Jerry's believes in human rights and advocates for peace, and we join with those around the world who denounce the genocide in Gaza," the board said in a statement viewed by Reuters. "We stand with all who raise their voices against genocide in Gaza - from petition-signers to street marchers to those risking arrest." Unilever and Ben & Jerry's have been at odds since at least 2021 when the Chubby Hubby ice cream maker said it would stop selling in the Israel-occupied West Bank. Ben & Jerry's sued its owner last year over its alleged attempts to silence it on Gaza and criticise US President Donald Trump. Its statement on Gaza is unusual for a major U.S. brand. A Unilever spokesperson said that the comments reflect the views of the independent social mission board of Ben & Jerry's, and they do not speak for anyone other than themselves. "We call for peace in the region and for relief for all those whose lives have been impacted," the spokesperson said. Unilever asked a US judge to dismiss Ben & Jerry's lawsuit. The company is also in the process of separating out its ice cream business, including Vermont-based Ben & Jerry's, to an independent company this summer. Ben & Jerry's has said its year 2000 merger agreement with Unilever gave its independent board "primary responsibility" to pursue the company's social mission. The crux of the dispute between Ben & Jerry's and Unilever is how much leeway the board actually has.
Straits Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Unilever's Ben & Jerry's calls war in Gaza a ‘genocide'
Ben & Jerry's sued Unilever in 2024 over its alleged attempts to silence it on Gaza and criticise US President Donald Trump. PHOTO: REUTERS NEW YORK - The independent board of Ben & Jerry's said the conflict in Gaza is a genocide, escalating a bitter feud between the ice cream maker and its longtime London-based corporate parent Unilever. 'Ben & Jerry's believes in human rights and advocates for peace, and we join with those around the world who denounce the genocide in Gaza,' the board said in a statement viewed by Reuters. 'We stand with all who raise their voices against genocide in Gaza - from petition-signers to street marchers to those risking arrest.' Unilever and Ben & Jerry's have been at odds since at least 2021 when the Chubby Hubby ice cream maker said it would stop selling in the Israel-occupied West Bank. Ben & Jerry's sued its owner in 2024 over its alleged attempts to silence it on Gaza and criticise US President Donald Trump. Its statement on Gaza is unusual for a major US brand. A Unilever spokesperson said that the comments reflect the views of the independent social mission board of Ben & Jerry's, and they do not speak for anyone other than themselves. 'We call for peace in the region and for relief for all those whose lives have been impacted,' the spokesperson said. Unilever asked a US judge to dismiss Ben & Jerry's lawsuit. The company is also in the process of separating out its ice cream business, including Vermont-based Ben & Jerry's, to an independent company this summer. Ben & Jerry's has said its year 2000 merger agreement with Unilever gave its independent board 'primary responsibility' to pursue the company's social mission. The crux of the dispute between Ben & Jerry's and Unilever is how much leeway the board actually has. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Associated Press
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Live updates: Aid groups collect some supplies that have entered Gaza
Aid groups have collected humanitarian aid carried by about 90 trucks, out of a total of nearly 200 that have entered Gaza since Israel began allowing limited goods in earlier this week, the United Nations said Thursday. Under international pressure, Israel stopped blocking all food, medicine, fuel and other material after nearly three months. However, many supplies have been sitting on the Gaza side of the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel. Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the U.N. Humanitarian agency OCHA, said Thursday the trucks that entered carried medicine, wheat flour and nutrition supplies. Aid groups faced significant challenges distributing the aid because of insecurity, the risk of looting and coordination issues with Israeli authorities, Laerke added. Also Thursday, international leaders were reacting to the shooting of two Israeli Embassy staff members in Washington, D.C., the previous day. The attack was seen by officials in Israel and the U.S. as the latest in a growing wave of antisemitism as Israel ramps up its offensive in the Gaza Strip. Here's the latest: Food insecurity and malnutrition are driving up pregnancy complications in Gaza, the UN says The United Nations Population Fund has documented 12% miscarriages and 10% premature births and low birth weight among Gaza's over 50,000 pregnant women. Nestor Owomuhangi, the UNFPA representative in the Palestinian territories, said only a ceasefire would allow aid groups to deliver lifesaving supplies and material into Gaza at scale and in a way that prevents further deterioration in malnutrition and starvation. During his visit to Gaza earlier this month, Owomunhangi said desperation was palpable, hunger and malnutrition visible everywhere. 'The worst has already arrived in Gaza.' After aid started trickling into Gaza Thursday, Owamunhangi said: 'By the time it gets to the weakest of the weakest, that will be days.' He said U.N. agencies are experienced and ready with supplies to reach the most vulnerable. 'A ceasefire would be the ultimate, not just permissions to bring in items.' ___ France summons Israel's ambassador to protest soldiers shooting near foreign diplomats in the West Bank Israel's ambassador to Paris was being summoned to the French Foreign Ministry on Thursday afternoon after Israeli soldiers fired warning shots at a delegation of diplomats the previous day. The diplomats, including one from France, came under fire Wednesday while visiting Jenin, a city in the Israel-occupied West Bank. The Israeli military said the visit had been approved but the soldiers fired warning shots when the delegation deviated from an approved route. French Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine said the shots put diplomats in danger and were 'unjustifiable and unacceptable.' The Israeli ambassador was summoned 'to explain himself about this extremely serious incident,' the French Foreign Ministry said. ___ Bakery in Gaza resumes operations for the first time in over a month The bakery, in the central Gaza Strip, was baking bread again Thursday after Israel eased its blockade to allow some aid into the Palestinian territory. Vladimir Jovcev of the U.N.'s World Food Program said it was 'definitely not enough, but we hope that the borders will remain open and we will be able to bring in more aid.' Israel imposed a blockade on all imports, including food, medicine and shelter, at the beginning of March, shortly before ending a ceasefire with Hamas. It announced an easing of the blockade this week and has allowed around 200 trucks to enter since Monday. But U.N. agencies say Israeli military restrictions and the breakdown of law and order in Gaza make it difficult to retrieve and distribute the aid. As a result, little of it has so far reached those in need. Around 600 trucks entered per day during the ceasefire. ___ Japan protests to Israel over West Bank warning shots Japan's Foreign Ministry says it has made 'a severe protest' to Israel over its military's firing of warning shots at a diplomatic delegation including Japanese diplomats that was visiting a refugee camp in the Israel-occupied West Bank on Wednesday. Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Takehiro Funakoshi summoned the Israeli Ambassador to Japan, Gilad Cohen, to request a full explanation and preventive measures. Fukakoshi told Gilad the incident was 'deeply regrettable and should not have happened.' Funakoshi also reiterated Japan's strong concern over Israel's attempted reoccupation of the Gaza Strip and the expansion of military operations, urging it to allow a full and immediate resumption of aid into Gaza, the foreign ministry said. Funakoshi also offered his condolences on the killing of two Israeli embassy staff in Washington, stating that 'terrorism is not tolerated anywhere in the world.' ___ France boosts security around Jewish sites The French government has instructed police and military officials to put 'visible and dissuasive' security in place around Jewish sites after the killing of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington D.C. The instructions were issued Thursday by Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau and published by his ministry. The minister said security should be reinforced around Jewish sites including synagogues, schools, shops, media and cultural events following Wednesday's shooting. ___ Macron reaches out to Israeli president after shootings French President Emmanuel Macron says he has reached out to his Israeli counterpart in the wake of the killings of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, in what the French leader called 'an anti-Semitic attack.' 'To President @Isaac_Herzog, I extended our thoughts to the families and loved ones of the victims,' Macron posted on X. ___ Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels fire two missiles at Israel The missiles were fired hours apart on Thursday, each time setting off nationwide air raid sirens. The Israeli military said it intercepted both missiles, and there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. An Associated Press reporter heard a loud explosion in central Israel that might have been caused by an interceptor. Israeli police said they were searching the Jerusalem area for debris. The Houthis have launched repeated missile attacks targeting Israel as well as international shipping in the Red Sea, portraying it as a response to Israel's offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Most of the targeted ships had no relation to Israel or the conflict. The United States halted a punishing bombing campaign against the Houthis earlier this month, saying the rebels had pledged to stop attacking ships. That agreement did not include attacks on Israel. ___ France, EU condemn shooting outside Jewish museum in Washington France's foreign minister says the killing of two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday 'is an abhorrent act of antisemitic barbarity.' In a post in English on X, the minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, said: 'Nothing can justify such violence. My thoughts go to their loved ones, their colleagues, and the State of Israel.' The European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said: 'There is and should be no place in our societies for hatred, extremism, or antisemitism.'
