Latest news with #MAP
Maroc
20 hours ago
- Business
- Maroc
HM King Mohammed VI Has Made Morocco A Leading Nation in Africa
His Majesty King Mohammed VI has led Morocco's democratic and economic development with wisdom, making the Kingdom "a leading country" on the African continent, according to Lord Henry Bellingham, former UK Foreign Office Minister for Africa. "It is fitting to pay tribute to His Majesty King Mohammed VI and his leadership, which has enabled Morocco to achieve remarkable democratic progress and emerge as a leading country across Africa," he stated in an interview with MAP on the occasion of the celebration of the Throne Day. Lord Bellingham highlighted the promising evolution of UK-Morocco relations, bolstered in particular by the close ties between His Majesty King Mohammed VI and His Majesty King Charles III. "In terms of trade, many opportunities have opened up between the UK and Morocco. This is largely due to the path laid out by HM King Mohammed VI," he added, noting that the two Kingdoms share many common features, including privileged relations with the world's major economies. Numerous sectors are open to strategic high-level partnership between the two nations, Lord Bellingham continued, underscoring the significance of the decision by Rabat and London to strengthen their bilateral ties. He also emphasized the cultural dimension of UK-Morocco relations, which adds further depth to the historic bonds that date back over 800 years. The former minister welcomed the recent decision by the United Kingdom to support the autonomy plan presented by Morocco to definitively resolve the regional conflict surrounding its territorial integrity. Support for the autonomy plan "is both an important and decisive decision," said Lord Bellingham, who also served as Minister of State at the Foreign Office responsible for Asia-Pacific. By viewing the autonomy plan as "the most credible, viable, and pragmatic basis" for resolving the Sahara issue, the UK is aligning itself with key allies that support Morocco's territorial integrity, including the United States, France, and Spain, he affirmed. "It is equally important to recall that several African countries have opened consulates in the cities of Laâyoune and Dakhla," Lord Bellingham observed. In his opinion, the opponents of Morocco's territorial integrity must face the facts and recognize the geopolitical shift in favor of the recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara. Lord Bellingham, a member of the UK House of Lords, also praised the Atlantic Initiative launched by His Majesty the King, which aims to offer Sahel countries access to the Atlantic Ocean. This initiative will undoubtedly contribute to peace and stability in the region while paving the way for economic development and improved livelihoods, he said. Morocco launched the initiative, which, according to the British politician, is especially vital at a time when the world is witnessing alarming instability in the Sahel. He added that if any country exemplifies a stable democracy with modern institutions and a highly respected Monarchy, it is Morocco. "Morocco's efforts and initiatives for stability and economic development in the region further strengthen the Kingdom's credibility to lead change in the Sahel and across the region," Lord Bellingham concluded. MAP: 22 July 2025
Egypt Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Israeli tanks roll into Gazan city of Deir al-Balah for first time since war began
CNN — Israeli tanks on Monday rolled into a part of central Gaza that has not previously seen ground operations in the 21-month war, according to Israeli media, aid agencies and witnesses. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declined to comment on its operations. However, Israel Army Radio said the operation had begun. It said the IDF's Golani Brigade had 'begun a ground maneuver in the southern Deir al-Balah area,' which had been preceded by aerial and artillery strikes last night. Army Radio said that 'at this stage, the maneuver involves only one brigade, and it is expected to continue for several weeks.' On Sunday, the Israeli military ordered Palestinians to evacuate an area of nearly 6 square kilometers (2.3 square miles) and dropped thousands of leaflets in Deir al-Balah. The IDF Arabic language spokesperson said the military 'continues to operate with great force to destroy the enemy's capabilities and terrorist infrastructure in the area. It is expanding its activities in this area, operating in areas where it has not operated before.' Israeli media has reported that the IDF has been reluctant in the past to carry out ground operations in Deir al-Balah for fear of further endangering surviving hostages, who may be held there. The Hostages Families Forum said Monday that it was alarmed by reports the assault had begun and demanded the government explain why 'the offensive in the Deir al-Balah area does not put the hostages at serious risk.' The NGO Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), which has staff in the Deir al-Balah area, said Israeli forces had launched 'a ground and air assault' Monday. MAP's Communications Officer in Gaza, Mai Elawawda, said the situation was 'extremely critical.' 'Shelling is taking place all around our office, and military vehicles are just 400 meters away from our colleagues and their families,' Elawawda said. CNN spoke with people leaving the area Monday, against a background of explosions and artillery fire. Several said there had been intense fire and airstrikes overnight. 'We were surprised to see the tanks coming towards us directly. There was no prior warning,' said Umm Ali al-Qayed, who added that she had left a tent without any belongings. 'I am a mother of four martyrs and I have been displaced three times,' she added. Mohammed Abu Amous, who was also leaving, told CNN: 'They told us to leave. All night the artillery and strikes are falling on top of us.' Against a backdrop of persistent explosions, Attef Abu Mousa pointed to a tarpaulin sheet he was carrying. 'This tent I have put up and down 13 times. Tonight was very difficult.' Abdallah Awar said his family had left with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. 'Starvation, famine, killing, and displacement, and children dying in front of our own eyes, enough is enough,' he said. 'We ask the world to help us, we ask Hamas to stop this farce.' The United Nations said the evacuation order had 'dealt yet another devastating blow to the already fragile lifelines keeping people alive across the Gaza Strip.' The UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Monday that an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 people were in the area at the time, many of whom were already in displacement sites. The newly-designated area for evacuation includes several humanitarian warehouses, medical facilities and critical water facilities, OCHA said, warning that 'any damage to this infrastructure will have life-threatening consequences.' With this latest order, 'the area of Gaza under displacement orders or within Israeli-militarized zones has risen to 87.8 per cent, leaving 2.1 million civilians squeezed into a fragmented 12 per cent of the Strip, where essential services have collapsed,' OCHA added. 'It will limit the ability of the UN and our partners to move safely and effectively within Gaza, choking humanitarian access when it is needed most,' the UN body said. The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the agency's staff residence and main warehouse in Deir al-Balah was attacked, and that two staff members and two family members were detained. All but one of the staff members were later released, he posted to X, demanding the release of the detained staff member. He added that WHO staff and family members were forced to evacuate on foot to Al-Mawasi 'amid active conflict.' The latest evacuation order in Deir al-Balah, he said, affected several WHO premises impacting the agency's ability to operate in Gaza. 'WHO's main warehouse located in Deir al Balah is within the evacuation zone, and was damaged yesterday when an attack caused explosions and a fire inside,' the director-general said. 'With the main warehouse nonfunctional and the majority of medical supplies in Gaza depleted, WHO is severely constrained in adequately supporting hospitals, emergency medical teams and health partners, already critically short on medicines, fuel, and equipment.' CNN has reached out to the IDF for comment on WHO's remarks. This story has been updated with additional developments.
Time Magazine
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time Magazine
Israel Launches New Gaza Offensive After Dozens Killed Seeking Aid
Israel launched a new ground and air offensive in central Gaza on Monday, pushing into Deir Al Balah with tanks and continued airstrikes following heavy bombardments overnight. The escalation comes amid growing international alarm over mounting civilian casualties after dozens of Palestinians seeking aid were killed Sunday in one of the deadliest incidents since Israel introduced a new humanitarian delivery system in late May. The Israeli army had previously refrained from escalating military operations in Deir Al Balah due to some of the remaining Israeli hostages being help captive in the area, Israeli sources told Reuters. The Israeli military issued evacuation orders on Sunday to the city's residents, urging them to move south to the town of Al Mawasi on the coast. 'The Defense Army continues to operate with great force to destroy the enemy's capabilities and terrorist infrastructure in the area, as it expands its activities,' IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee said. Families of Israeli hostages criticize offensive Families of the some 50 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza said they were 'shocked' by news of the latest offensive. 'The people of Israel will not forgive anyone who knowingly endangered the hostages—both the living and the deceased,' they said in a statement released by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. 'No one will be able to claim they didn't know what was at stake.' It added that the Israeli government has not provided any clear explanation as to how 'the offensive in the Deir Al Balah area does not put the hostages at serious risk.' The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that Sunday's displacement orders were 'yet another devastating blow to the already fragile lifelines keeping people alive across the Gaza Strip.' Initial estimates indicate that between 50,000 and 80,000 people were in the area at the time the order was issued, including some 30,000 people sheltering in 57 displacement sites,' it said in a statement on Sunday night. OCHA says that with the latest displacement order over 87% of Gaza is now under such orders, or under the control of the Israeli military. '[Sunday] was a horrible night but we made it through,' resident Oday Basheer, who helps run a kitchen in Deir Al Balah, told TIME. Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) called the situation 'extremely critical.' 'Shelling is taking place all around our office, and military vehicles are just 400 metres away from our colleagues and their families, who endured a harrowing night after relocating there,' MAP Communications Officer Mai Elawawda said in a statement. Dozens killed at aid centers The military escalation comes after at least 73 Palestinians were killed on Sunday while trying to collect aid, according to Gaza health officials. At least 67 were killed waiting for aid from a U.N. convoy in northern Gaza and a further six people killed in Khan Younis in the south. Gaza health officials said that Sunday's deaths in northern Gaza occurred near the Zikim border crossing point, where a 25-truck World Food Programme (WFP) convoy entered the strip. The U.N.-run WFP says that after the convoy entered, it was surrounded by people seeking aid. As the convoy approached, the surrounding crowd came under fire from Israeli tanks, snipers and other gunfire, WFP said. 'This terrible incident underscores the increasingly dangerous conditions under which humanitarian operations are forced to be conducted in Gaza,' WFP said, adding that hunger has reached 'new levels of desperation', with 90,000 women and children in urgent need of treatment. TIME has reached out to a IDF spokesperson for comment. The U.N. reported last week that at least 700 Palestinians had been killed collecting aid in or around Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid centers, with an additional 200 killed at other distribution hubs in the Gaza strip. Under the new distribution system, GHF is now the sole supplier of new aid entering the strip, with some United Nations facilities still able to distribute some stockpiled supplies. Many of the previous deadly incidents in Gaza near aid hubs have occured at those run by GHF. It acknowledged such an incident for the first time last week when at least 20 Palestinians were killed in Khan Younis. GHF accused 'armed agitators' for causing the deadly incident, which the Gaza Health Ministry called false in response. United Kingdom, Canada, and France accuse Israel of 'drip feeding' aid United Kingdom, Canada, and France, on Monday were among 26 countries to issue a joint statement accusing Israel of the 'drip feeding of aid' in Gaza. 'The Israeli Government's denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable. Israel must comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law,' the statement read. 'We condemn the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food. It is horrifying that over 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid.' The statement reiterated calls for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and the return of all remaining hostages still held captive in the enclave. Israel's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Oren Marmorstein has called the joint statement 'disconnected from reality.' 'All statements and all claims should be directed at the only party responsible for the lack of a deal for the release of hostages and a ceasefire: Hamas,' he posted on X. Gaza's Ministry of Health said on Monday that the death toll in the enclave had reached over 59,000 since the start of the Israel-Hamas War in October 2023. In the absence of independent monitoring on the ground, the ministry is the primary source for casualty data relied upon by humanitarian groups, journalists, and international bodies. Its figures do not differentiate between civilians and combatants. The war was triggered after the Hamas terror attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing over 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages.
ITV News
2 days ago
- Politics
- ITV News
UK joins call for 'immediate' end to war in Gaza, as IDF launches offensive on Deir al-Balah
The UK government and 25 others have called for an "immediate" end to the war in Gaza, as the IDF has launched an assault on Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. The joint statement, released by the Foreign Office, condemns the "horrifying" killing of Palestinians seeking aid, and brands Israeli government's aid strategy in Gaza as "dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity." It comes as the IDF ordered the evacuation of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, with charities in the city reporting Israeli military vehicles on the ground. The statement was signed by the Foreign Secretary David Lammy and foreign ministers of other 24 nations including Canada, Australia and France, and the EU Commissioner for Equality. They condemn the "drip feeding of aid" and the "inhumane" killing of civilians, including children, while searching for water and food. It continues: "It is horrifying that over 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid. "The Israeli Government's denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable. Israel must comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law. "The hostages cruelly held captive by Hamas since 7 October 2023 continue to suffer terribly. We condemn their continued detention and call for their immediate and unconditional release. A negotiated ceasefire offers the best hope of bringing them home and ending the agony of their families. "We call on the Israeli government to immediately lift restrictions on the flow of aid and to urgently enable the UN and humanitarian NGOs to do their life-saving work safely and effectively." Meanwhile, the IDF has ordered Palestinians to evacuate Deir al-Balah in central Gaza and move south towards Al-Mawasi. Deir al-Balah had previously been considered one of the less hard-hit parts of the territory, and had been a key hub for humanitarian efforts. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), a spokesman for the IDF said the army continued to operate with "great force" and was expanding its operations into "an area it has not operated in before." A spokesperson for charity Medical Aid for Palestine (MAP) has described the situation in Deir al-Balah as "extremely critical." They added: "Shelling is taking place all around our office, and military vehicles are just 400 metres away from our colleagues and their families, who endured a harrowing night after relocating there. "Everyone is now evacuating, with most unsure where to go next. One colleague shared that the area is filled with shelling and quadcopter strikes, and there's growing fear about both staying and attempting to leave.' Smoke was seen rising over the Gaza Strip on Monday as Israel widened evacuation orders. On Sunday, Medical Aid for Palestinians confirmed the IDF's evacuation order area included humanitarian and primary healthcare sites it operated. It said the forced displacement orders do not allow for the transport medial equipment or supplies. Steve Cutts, MAP's Interim CEO, said: 'This latest forced displacement order is yet another attack on humanitarian operations and a deliberate attempt to sever the last remaining threads of Gaza's health and aid system. 'MAP now has to suspend critical services we have been providing to the Palestinian population, including a primary health clinic that serves hundreds of civilians every day. "With Israel's systematic targeting of health and aid workers, no one is safe. Not only are we prevented from carrying out our lifesaving work to support Palestinians, we are also unable to protect our own teams." As talks for a ceasefire continue, the death toll in Gaza has reached more than 59,000 people, according to the Gaza health ministry.
Sky News
2 days ago
- Health
- Sky News
Israel launches ground assault on central Gazan city, says charity
Medical aid has been suspended to a city in central Gaza due to an Israeli ground assault there, a charity has said. Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) said in a statement the Israeli military had launched a ground invasion of the city of Deir al-Balah this morning. It said that thousands of displaced people are living in this area, including MAP staff, and the latest orders by Israel "directly endanger vital humanitarian and primary healthcare sites". It said the "forced displacement orders do not allow for the transport of lifesaving medical equipment or supplies" and this was "further obstructing efforts to provide emergency assistance". Steve Cutts, MAP's interim CEO, said: "This latest forced displacement order is yet another attack on humanitarian operations and a deliberate attempt to sever the last remaining threads of Gaza's health and aid system. "MAP now has to suspend critical services we have been providing to the Palestinian population, including a primary health clinic that serves hundreds of civilians every day. With Israel's systematic targeting of health and aid workers, no one is safe. "Not only are we prevented from carrying out our lifesaving work to support Palestinians, we are also unable to protect our own teams." Please refresh the page for the latest version.
