Latest news with #MedicalAidforPalestinians
Egypt Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Gaza airdrops a 'distraction' from Israel's aid blockade, charity boss says
We've been reporting Saturday on the UK's vow to support aid airdrop efforts in Gaza. Israel's decision to let foreign countries drop supplies into the besieged Palestinian territory is also facing mounting criticism – the process has previously been seen as costly and unsafe. These airdrops are expected to take place 'in the coming days' according to an Israeli security official. 'Airdrops are not a solution to starvation in Gaza; they're a distraction,' Steve Cutts, interim CEO of UK-based charity Medical Aid for Palestinians said in a statement Friday. 'Palestinians in Gaza are starving not because of a lack of available food, but because Israel is deliberately blocking it,' Cutts said. 'Dropping aid from the sky cannot meet the colossal needs of 2.3 million people or replace the safe, coordinated aid delivery that only open land crossings can provide.' Juliette Touma, the director of communications for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), says airdropping aid into Gaza is both costly and dangerous. Israel has banned UNRWA from operating in Gaza after accusing it of having staff involved in the October 7 attack. 'In general, in humanitarian settings, airdrops are used as a last resort. They are very, very expensive and can be quite dangerous,' Touma previously told CNN, adding that 'in the context of Gaza, we know that airdrops were not very helpful and in some cases there were fatalities.' The last airdrops into Gaza took place in October 2024 and were condemned at the time for being dangerous and not meeting Gazans' needs. In March 2024, CNN reported at least five people were killed when airdropped aid packages fell on them.
Daily Mirror
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Most Brits want UK supplies for Israeli warplanes to be halted over Gaza war
Most Brits want UK-made spare part supplies being shipped to Israel for their F35 warplanes to be stopped because of Israel's involvement in deadly airstrikes on Palestinians in Gaza Most Brits believe the government should not approve the supply of spare parts for Israeli F-35 jets because of the Gaza war. Polling shows 55% are against supplies for the F-35, according to Save the Children, Christian Aid, Oxfam and Medical Aid for Palestinians, who commissioned the survey. The YouGov study reveals 69% of Labour voters as well as 64% of Liberal Democrat voters say the UK should stop supplies. More than a third - 38% - of Tory supporters who voted conservative in the last election believe the supplies should end. And one in three Reform UK (34%) and 83% of Greens voters also support halting these exports to Israel. The High Court ruled on June 30 that the decision lies with the government and not the courts.. Judges decided it was a decision for ministers accountable to Parliament and the public. The High Court acknowledged UK arms are at risk of being used in violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza. Save the Children says lethal F-35 fighter jets are being used in attacks on Gaza where it is believed more than 57,000 Palestinians have been killed. That includes 17,000 children. Now, with the responsibility lying with the government Save the Children, Christian Aid, Oxfam and Medical Aid for Palestinians want the UK to stop being an ally to further killings in Gaza. Save the Children stated: 'The message from voters is clear: the British public does not support the continued export of UK-made F-35 fighter jet parts to the Government of Israel.' Alison Griffin, Director of Campaigns at Save the Children UK, said: "The UK Government's stance on Gaza is not just contradictory — it's morally indefensible. 'Ministers say they want an end to the war, yet they continue to license the export of parts for F-35 fighter jets used to bomb densely populated areas. 'You cannot call for peace while fuelling war. Children in Gaza are being killed and live in unthinkable conditions. This is not a distant tragedy — this is the reality right now, and it is happening with the UK's support. Gaza is the most dangerous place in the world to be a child. "We are calling on the government to act. Listen to the public. End the hypocrisy. Stop arming the Government of Israel and help end this horror for innocent children and their families." Save the Children has been in Gaza since 1953 and has a permanent presence there where it delivers lifesaving health, nutrition, and protection support. Rohan Talbot, Director of Advocacy and Campaigns at Medical Aid for Palestinians, said: 'The British public have spoken: they do not want the UK arming Israel. 'Yet the government continues to supply parts for F-35 fighter jets that are being used to destroy Gaza's health system, and to drop the bombs that are tearing through shelters, families, and the bodies of Palestinians every day. 'The public wants this to stop. So do we. The UK must end all arms transfers to Israel – immediately – and finally cease being an ally to Israel's atrocities.' Polling was commissioned by Save the Children and conducted by YouGov. The total sample size was 2,338 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between July 1 - 2, 2025. Respondents were asked whether they think the UK government should or should not continue to license the export of parts for F-35 fighter jets to the Government of Israel. Israeli airstrikes killed at least 40 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, including ten members of a family sheltering in a tent, hospital officials said on Wednesday. The strikes came as US President Donald Trump pushed for a ceasefire that might end the war and free dozens of Israeli hostages. Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the second time in two days at the White House on Tuesday evening, but there was no sign of a breakthrough. Netanyahu has vowed to continue the 21-month war until Hamas is destroyed, while the militant group has said it will only release the remaining hostages in return for a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Middle East Eye
02-07-2025
- Health
- Middle East Eye
At least 67 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks, including Indonesian hospital director
At least 67 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since dawn- 11 of whom were killed while waiting for humanitarian aid - Al Jazeera reported on Tuesday, citing hospital sources. The victims include the director of the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza, Marwan al-Sultan. Al-Sultan was killed along with his wife and children in an Israeli attack on a residential building southwest of Gaza City. Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) said in May that 1,400 healthcare workers had been killed and that that Israel systematicall targets medical staff. A Channel Four documentary tonight called. Gaza Doctors Under Attack, investigates Israeli attacks on hospitals, doctors, and medical staff.
North Wales Chronicle
01-07-2025
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
Anglesey woman, 67, has head shave for Palestine medical aid
Deborah Varney, 67, from Benllech, braved the shave at The Shed in Benllech at 2pm on Tuesday, June 24. So far, £1,600 has been raised, and people can still donate to her cause by visiting her GoFundMe page: This money is being donated to Medical Aid for Palestinians, which works for the health and dignity of Palestinians living under occupation and as refugees. It provides immediate medical aid to those in need in Palestine, while also developing capacity and skills to ensure the long-term development of the Palestinian healthcare system. Deborah said: 'The deed is done - I'm feeling happy to be a 'baldie of Benllech' again for such a good cause. 'The fundraiser is still open for more donations. 'I can't stand by while thousands die of injuries or starvation. This cause means so much to me. I've been so incensed by it all that I thought: 'The hair's got to come off!'' In 2022, Deborah raised roughly £2,000 by having her head shaved for British-Ukrainian Aid, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine earlier that year. She also took part in the March for Palestine to the Labour Party conference in Llandudno on Saturday (June 28).
Metro
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Azealia Banks cancels UK festivals with claims she was pressured to 'support Pal
Azealia Banks has announced that she will no longer be performing Boomtown of Maiden Voyage after 'dealing with threats' from organisers. The controversial American rapper, 34, took to social media to claim that she was being forced to say she supports Palestine or be cut from the lineup, a claim the promoters deny. Taking to X, the 212 singer told her fans: 'So guys, I am cancelling Boomtown and Maiden Voyage. 'The promoters have been stressing me out for weeks trying to force me to say free Palestine and threatening to cut me from the bill because I won't say free Palestine and I'm not dealing with the threats and I'm not putting on a f***ing hijab. She added: 'I would much rather drop them and not associate with anything that has cheap group think bull***t attached to it. 'If they want to allow some no-name dj's to bully them into desecrating the nature of this music ecosystem and make ME the issue – whilst there being absolutely no ethical consumption under capitalism. Then that's fine. She clarified her stance in a following tweet that read: 'And no, I'm not saying f**k actual Palestine. But f**k your dumb a** slogans and performative bulls**t. Y'all wanna make a stance so bad but stand for absolutely nothing.' She continued to share various messages to her fans on social media, taking aim at organisers and performative Palestine supporters. Boomtown confirmed in a statement to Metro that they have not, and would not, dictate the beliefs of performers. 'Following her post on X in the early hours of this morning, we can confirm that Azealia Banks has withdrawn from the lineup and will no longer be performing at Boomtown Festival. 'For clarity, Boomtown does not and will never dictate the personal views and beliefs of performers,' a spokesperson said. The festival announced in January 2024 that it would be fundraising for Medical Aid for Palestinians, and an optional donation was put on all ticket purchases. The festival is set to take place from August 6 to August 10 at the Matterly Estate, Hampshire. Maiden Voyage Festival will take place on August 9 in Burgess Park, London. The change in lineup comes just weeks after Banks took to social media to claim that she was a Zionist. 'It should all be Israel. Palestine cannot support itself without help from other countries so the people should just leave or become naturalised Israelis,' she shared on X. 'Palestine is not a country. The area is called JUDEA for a reason.' The star has become known for her controversial comments, and throughout her career has been accused of homophobia, transphobia and xenophobia towards a variety of different nationalities. Notably, the star has shared a number of rants on X and Instagram, taking aim at various celebrities including Zayn Malik, Skai Jackson, and Kanye West. More Trending In 2016, she filed a police report against Russell Crowe after falling out during a hotel suite party. She also found herself at the centre of controversy in 2021 when she posted a video on Instagram of her exhuming the remains and collecting the bones of her dead cat, Lucifer. Metro has reached out to Maiden Voyage Festival for comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Michael Cera reveals relatable reason he 'turned down' Harry Potter role MORE: Diddy's explicit 'freak-off' texts revealed as sex trafficking charges are updated MORE: Brad Pitt says he's 'missed the window' to have a gay experience
