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The Independent
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Cindy McCain refutes Israel's claim that Hamas is stealing aid: ‘These people are desperate'
Cindy McCain has refuted claims from Israeli government officials insisting that Hamas was responsible for looting aid trucks allowed over the border into Gaza by the Israeli military. McCain, wife of the late senator John McCain, heads up the United Nations World Food Programme. In this role, the widow of one of the loudest neoconservative hawks in Washington, D.C. now finds herself advocating for more than 2 million people facing extensive food shortages in Gaza. Since the start of Israel 's war in Gaza, McCain has been a steadfast voice pushing for the Israeli government to allow more aid into the beleaguered strip — and for its allies to pressure it to do so. During her appearance on CBS's Face the Nation on Sunday, McCain shot down claims that Hamas was disrupting the aid distribution process. Israeli forces killed six armed individuals affiliated with Hamas near an aid distribution point at the Kerem Shalom crossing point on Friday. Hamas officials said the individuals were guarding against looters; Israeli officials claimed the opposite. McCain told Margaret Brennan that her agency's staffers on the ground in Gaza had seen no evidence of an effort by Hamas to loot aid trucks. 'Have you seen evidence that it is Hamas stealing the food?' Brennan asked. 'No,' McCain replied. 'Not at all. Not in this round.' "Listen, these people are desperate, and they see a World Food Programme truck coming in, and they run for it," McCain continued. "This doesn't have anything to do with Hamas or any kind of organized crime, or anything." McCain said her organization would continue to work to get food and fresh water to Gaza in whatever capacity it was allowed to do so. 'This is a catastrophe,' she said. The few trucks that have been let inside Gaza are 'a drop in the bucket as to what's needed,' according to McCain. 'Right now, we have 500,000 people inside of Gaza that are extremely food insecure, and could be on the verge of famine if we don't help bring them back from that,' McCain said. Israeli officials are reportedly considering a plan that would mandate a shift of non-food aid to international groups like the United Nations while food aid would be solely distributed in the Gaza Strip by a newly founded group backed by the United States. A spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces told Reuters that 'Hamas constantly calls the looters 'guards' or protectors' to mask the fact that they're disturbing the aid process.' Aid trucks returned to Gaza last Monday after Israel eased a blockade preventing 100 percent of aid from entering Gaza that had been in place for months. Trucks continue to enter at a significantly lower rate than what UN experts and other organizations say is needed to avert widespread famine, though numbers differ between the Israeli government and aid groups regarding how many trucks are getting in, which some argue is evidence that most are being hijacked. McCain appeared to argue on Sunday that the remaining trucks are not being hijacked but merely swarmed by desperate people before they can reach their intended destinations. 'Having been in a food riot myself some years ago, I understand the desperation,' she said. Trucks regaining access to Gaza last Monday did so on the same day that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed that his government had plans to 'take control of all' of Gaza following the latest round of airstrikes. 'The fighting is intense, and we are making progress. We will take control of all the territory of the strip,' Netanyahu said in a video posted to his Telegram channel. 'We will not give up. But in order to succeed, we must act in a way that cannot be stopped.'
Free Malaysia Today
25-05-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
UN says around 90 truckloads of aid ‘dispatched' into Gaza
A truck loaded with humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip makes its way to the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Israel. (AP pic) NEW YORK : The UN confirmed Wednesday that it had collected and begun dispatching around 90 truckloads of aid into Gaza, marking the first aid arrival in the besieged Palestinian territory since early March. Three days after Israel announced it would allow in limited aid, the United Nations on Wednesday 'collected around 90 truckloads of goods from the Kerem Shalom crossing and dispatched them into Gaza,' Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres, said in a statement. Israel had previously announced the entry of the UN humanitarian trucks – loaded with flour, baby food, medical supplies and other provisions – but none of the supplies had left the loading zone at the Kerem Shalom crossing, where they must be reloaded onto other trucks in the Gaza Strip. Dujarric had said earlier Wednesday this was due to Israeli authorities only allowing UN teams 'to go through one area that was highly congested, that we felt was insecure and where we felt looting was highly likely to take place, given the prolonged deprivation in Gaza.' Nevertheless, he expressed hope that the first trucks will be able to bring the goods to UN warehouses before being distributed to the Gaza population, which is under severe threat of famine. UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said Monday that the trucks allowed in were 'a drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed.' During the 42-day ceasefire at the beginning of the year, 4,000 aid trucks entered Gaza each week, according to the UN. Prior to the war, which began in retaliation to Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on Oct 7, 2023, about 500 trucks of humanitarian aid entered Gaza on a daily basis.
Free Malaysia Today
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Israeli strikes killed Gaza aid protectors, say Hamas
Many trucks have been held up at the Kerem Shalom crossing. (AP pic) CAIRO : Israeli airstrikes killed at least six Palestinians guarding aid trucks against looters, Hamas officials said on Friday, underlining the problems hindering supplies from reaching hungry people in Gaza following Israel's 11-week-long blockade. The Israeli military said 107 trucks carrying flour and other foodstuffs as well as medical supplies entered the Gaza Strip from the Kerem Shalom crossing point on Thursday. But, getting the supplies to people sheltering in tents and other makeshift accommodation has been fitful. So far, an umbrella network of Palestinian aid groups said, 119 aid trucks have entered Gaza since Israel eased its blockade on Monday in the face of an international outcry. But, distribution has been hampered by looting by groups of men, some of them armed, near the city of Khan Younis, the network said. 'They stole food meant for children and families suffering from severe hunger,' the network said in a statement, which also condemned Israeli airstrikes on security teams protecting the trucks. A Hamas official said six members of a security team tasked with guarding the shipments were killed. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. The aid groups network also said the amount of aid coming into Gaza was still inadequate and only included a narrow range of supplies. It said Israel's agreement to allow trucks to enter the war-shattered enclave was a 'deceptive manoeuvre' to avoid international pressure calling for the lifting of the blockade. 'Desperation' The UN world food programme said 15 trucks carrying flour to WFP-supported bakeries had been looted. 'Hunger, desperation and anxiety over whether more food aid is coming is contributing to rising insecurity,' WFP said in a statement, calling on Israel to get far greater volumes of food into Gaza faster, more consistently and safely. 'As WFP has said previously, two million people are facing extreme hunger and famine without immediate action,' it added. So far, Israel says it has allowed around 300 trucks to enter Gaza, a fraction of the number that aid groups say would be needed to relieve hunger among the population. But, many of the trucks have been held up at the Kerem Shalom crossing and not yet reached people in need, and there has been mounting international pressure to get supplies in more quickly. A German government spokesperson said the aid was 'far too little, too late and too slow,' adding that delivery of supplies had to be increased significantly. The Israeli military said it had conducted more strikes in Gaza overnight, hitting 75 targets, including weapons storage facilities and rocket launchers. Palestinian medical services said at least 25 people had been killed in the strikes. Israel imposed its blockade on Gaza in early March, accusing Hamas of stealing aid intended for civilians, shortly before breaking a two-month-old ceasefire after the two sides deadlocked on terms for extending it. Hamas has rejected the accusation and says many of its own fighters have been killed protecting the trucks from looters. Israel launched an air and ground war in Gaza after Hamas militants' cross-border attack on Oct 7, 2023, which killed some 1,200 people by Israeli tallies and saw 251 hostages abducted into Gaza. The Israeli campaign has since killed more than 53,600 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, and devastated the coastal strip. Aid groups say signs of severe malnutrition are widespread.
Forbes
23-05-2025
- Health
- Forbes
UNICEF Delivers For Children As Situation Deteriorates In Gaza
Intensified military operations in Gaza are magnifying the danger for children already suffering from multiple displacements and deprivation. UNICEF remains on the ground, doing what it can to protect and care for children and their families. In an urgent update, Jean Gough, UNICEF Representative to the State of Palestine, shares the latest. On May 22, 2025, Fares Nassar, 8 months old, receives treatment at Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat camp after an airstrike targeted the Al-Hasayneh School, housing displaced Palestinians. After 19 months of war and an 11-week blockade on the delivery of all food, medicines and other urgently needed supplies, the situation for children in Gaza is growing more dire every day. Late on May 21, UNICEF and other UN agencies retrieved about 90 truckloads of nutrition supplies, medicines and wheat flour that had been cleared for entry at the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Gaza. Every aid truck counts, but this is nowhere near enough: more than 500 trucks are required daily to meet families' most basic needs. UNICEF continues to call for the lifting of the blockade, unimpeded humanitarian access and the delivery of essential supplies and services at scale. 'Intensified military operations have forced thousands of families to flee for safety, particularly in the north. Many have lost their homes, family members and access to basic services.' Meanwhile, hundreds have been killed in attacks in recent weeks. As bombardment increases, there is nowhere safe for children to go. In the past two months, more than 950 children have reportedly been killed in strikes across the Gaza Strip. Jean Gough, UNICEF Representative to the State of Palestine, sounded the alarm in an update to colleagues on May 19. "I wanted to share with you an urgent update since we have witnessed the situation in Gaza rapidly deteriorate in the past 48 hours," Gough wrote. "Intensified military operations have forced thousands of families to flee for safety, particularly from the north. Many have lost their homes, family members and access to basic services." On the evening of May 21, 2025, 508 pallets with lifesaving nutrition supplies reached the UNICEF warehouse in Central Gaza. These supplies of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) and lipid-based nutritional supplements (LNS) are now being prepared for onward distribution to thousands of children in need. UNICEF has the equivalent of more than 1,000 truckloads of supplies standing ready to deliver once they are cleared for entry. With vital support from donor partners, UNICEF remains operational on the ground in Gaza delivering services, despite very low stock levels and extremely challenging conditions. Almost 120 international and national UNICEF staff are active in Gaza, risking their lives to care for children who did not start this war, but are paying the highest price. Many health and nutrition centers have been damaged or evacuated; those that remain open are overwhelmed. Of the 234 nutrition centers across Gaza, 144 are still operational, but stocks of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) for children and ready-to-use complementary food (RUCF) for babies are almost gone. "Currently we have enough RUTF for less than two months with the existing caseload of children, but the caseload is increasing daily," Gough wrote. Approximately one month of RUCF stock remains, with prioritization for the most vulnerable caseload. Services provided include malnutrition screening, therapeutic feeding, micronutrient supplementation and caregiver counseling. Mobile outreach teams are also being used to reach displaced populations in accessible areas. Related: What Is Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food? More than 9,000 children have been treated for malnutrition in the Gaza Strip so far this year. Food security experts including UNICEF warned in a recent Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report that nearly 71,000 children under age 5 are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition in the months ahead: 14,000 of these children are likely to suffer from severe acute malnutrition (SAM), which can be fatal if left untreated. 'Children are already dying from malnutrition and there are more babies in Gaza now who will be in mortal danger if they don't get fast access to the nutrition supplies needed to save their lives,' UNICEF spokesperson Tess Ingram told the Guardian on May 22. Related: Children in Gaza at Critical Risk of Famine On May 12, 2025, more than two months after the start of a total blockade preventing the entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza, UNICEF teams visit key markets in southern Khan Younis to evaluate essential commodity supply, which is very limited. In recent days, Gough reports, UNICEF's emergency response in Gaza has included support across all sectors: Immunization: 29 social mobilizers and 3 supervisors were deployed to support the continuation of routine immunization where feasible. Vaccines were delivered to Gaza City last week to sustain services in functioning facilities. Neonatal care: UNICEF supported the upgrade of Al-Sahaba and Al-Rantisi hospitals in the north to NICU Level 2 Plus, expanding their ability to manage critical neonatal cases. UNICEF is reprinting 100 updated NICU manuals and preparing training in CPAP management and infection control in collaboration with hospital management. Water, sanitation and hygiene: Despite widespread access restrictions, fuel shortages and security risks, UNICEF continues to support emergency WASH services across Gaza, helping local authorities to sustain critical WASH infrastructure and facilitating water trucking. Solid waste management operations in Khan Younis continue, although volumes collected are approximately half of normal capacity due to safety concerns affecting municipal workers. The central dumping site remains open and accessible, allowing trucks to offload waste. A Palestinian child looks at the rubble inside a classroom at a UNRWA school sheltering displaced people after it was directly hit during an airstrike on Nuseirat camp. Humanitarian cash transfers: Over the past week, UNICEF has provided multipurpose cash assistance in the amount of approximately $270 to more than 7,100 people, including 3,910 children. In the coming days, UNICEF aims to expand its response by reaching over 1,000 children with SAM, combining cash assistance with a dedicated nutrition cash top-up of approximately $143 to help families cover essential nutritional needs. This support will be delivered alongside planned assistance for thousands of families displaced in northern Gaza due to the ongoing escalation. Education: Until May 15, approximately 50,000 children from Kindergarten to Grade 12 were attending UNICEF-supported learning centers three days per week, but this is expected to be impacted in the coming days due to the worsening security situation. Centers had been operating across the Gaza Strip using semi-permanent structures and high-performance tents. Education supplies continue to be distributed or improvised and learning activities are ongoing where possible. Evacuation and safety protocols are in place at all learning centers. UNICEF is currently hiring Health, Safety and Security Officers and distributing First Aid Kits with WHO support for the various education partners. On May 22, 2025, Ayman Abu Hujair, 5, receives treatment at Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat camp after an air strike targeted the Al-Hasayneh School housing displaced Palestinians. Child protection: UNICEF continues to deliver emergency child protection services directly and through partners. At this critical time for children in Gaza, UNICEF is focusing on preventing family separation, family tracing and reunification when children do get separated, case management for the most vulnerable children and mental health and psychosocial support, particularly for those impacted by violence in recent days. In addition, urgent cases are being referred for emergency cash assistance. Support is prioritized for unaccompanied and separated children, child survivors of violence including gender-based violence, and those injured or disabled by the conflict. Help UNICEF save more lives. Please donate now. Right now, the lives of the most vulnerable children hang in the balance as conflicts and crises jeopardize the care and protection that they deserve. Dependable, uninterrupted and effective foreign aid is critical to the well-being of millions of children. Please contact your members of Congress and urge them to support ongoing U.S. investments in foreign assistance.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
UN says no aid yet distributed in Gaza due to insecure access
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -No humanitarian aid has yet been distributed in the Gaza Strip, the United Nations said on Wednesday, two days after Israel lifted an 11-week blockade and began allowing limited deliveries into the enclave through the Kerem Shalom crossing. "So far ... none of the supplies have been able to leave the Kerem Shalom loading area," said U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, adding that it was because Israeli authorities had only allowed access within Gaza "that we felt was insecure" and where looting was likely due to the prolonged deprivation.
