Latest news with #Shamdasani
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
UN: One killed and dozens injured in chaotic Gaza aid operation
One person was killed and 47 were injured during a controversial relief operation in the south of the Gaza Strip, according to the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Office. Israeli troops had fired shots during Tuesday's relief operation organized by the newly established Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), according to information available to the UN agency, its spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told dpa on Wednesday. Israeli media and eyewitness reports spoke of chaotic scenes at the GHF distribution centre, which is reported to have been stormed and looted. The Israeli military said that its troops had fired warning shots outside the centre. Shamdasani said the UN office was attempting to verify the reports it had received from sources on site and ascertain further details. She added that the number of injured had not been finalized and could change. There was no indication that the US guards working for the GHF had opened fire, Shamdasani said. Israeli media reported initially that US guards had fired warning shots. Palestinian rescue workers later reported that three people had been killed and dozens injured by shots fired by Israeli troops. Foreign media are prevented by the Israeli authorities from entering the Gaza Strip. The Israeli government intends to make the GHF responsible for aid distribution in the Gaza Strip, while UN organizations have rejected cooperation with the foundation. UN aid workers believe that the limited number of initially planned GHF distribution points will force people in the region to undertake long and hazardous trips through conflict zones to access the aid.
Saudi Gazette
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
More than 400 killed by rebels in Sudan says UN
LONDON — More than 400 people have been killed in recent attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan's Darfur region, says the UN citing "credible sources". Last week, the RSF launched an intense ground and aerial assault on refugee camps surrounding the city of El-Fasher in an attempt to seize the last state capital in Darfur held by their rival, the Sudanese army. The two warring sides have been locked in a bloody power struggle since April 2023. This has created the world's largest humanitarian crisis and forced millions to flee their homes. The UN said it had verified 148 killings between Thursday and Saturday, but warned the toll was much higher. UN spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told the BBC their verification process was still ongoing and their number didn't include Sunday's violence. "Credible sources have reported more than 400 killed," said Ms Shamdasani. At least nine humanitarian aid workers were among those killed, the UN said. The refugee camps that surround El-Fasher - Zamzam and Abu Shouk - provide temporary homes to more than 700,000 people, many of whom are facing famine-like conditions. In a statement released on Saturday, the RSF said it was not responsible for attacks on civilians and that scenes of killing in Zamzam were staged to discredit its forces. The following day, the group said it had completed a "successful liberation" of the camp from Sudan's army. The RSF accused the army of using Zamzam as "a military barracks, and innocent civilians as human shields". El-Fasher is the last major town in Darfur under army control and has been under siege by the RSF for a year. Sudan's brutal civil war will enter its third year on Tuesday. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk called on all parties involved to "renew their resolve to take meaningful steps towards resolving the conflict". Ahead of a conference on Tuesday in London to mark the conflict's two-year anniversary, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced a £120m food and aid package for Sudan. He said Sudan's stability is "vital for our national security". The UK will co-host the talks alongside the African Union and European Union. — BBC
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
More than 400 killed by rebels in Sudan says UN
More than 400 people have been killed in recent attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan's Darfur region, says the UN citing "credible sources". Last week, the RSF launched an intense ground and aerial assault on refugee camps surrounding the city of El-Fasher in an attempt to seize the last state capital in Darfur held by their rival, the Sudanese army. The two warring sides have been locked in a bloody power struggle since April 2023. This has created the world's largest humanitarian crisis and forced millions to flee their homes. The UN said it had verified 148 killings between Thursday and Saturday, but warned the toll was much higher. UN spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told the BBC their verification process was still ongoing and their number didn't include Sunday's violence. "Credible sources have reported more than 400 killed," said Ms Shamdasani. At least nine humanitarian aid workers were among those killed, the UN said. The refugee camps that surround El-Fasher - Zamzam and Abu Shouk - provide temporary homes to more than 700,000 people, many of whom are facing famine-like conditions. In a statement released on Saturday, the RSF said it was not responsible for attacks on civilians and that scenes of killing in Zamzam were staged to discredit its forces. The following day, the group said it had completed a "successful liberation" of the camp from Sudan's army. The RSF accused the army of using Zamzam as "a military barracks, and innocent civilians as human shields". El-Fasher is the last major town in Darfur under army control and has been under siege by the RSF for a year. Sudan's brutal civil war will enter its third year on Tuesday. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk called on all parties involved to "renew their resolve to take meaningful steps towards resolving the conflict". Ahead of a conference on Tuesday in London to mark the conflict's two-year anniversary, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced a £120m food and aid package for Sudan. He said Sudan's stability is "vital for our national security". The UK will co-host the talks alongside the African Union and European Union. The children living between starvation and death Famine looms in Sudan as civil war survivors tell of killings and rapes Thousands flee fresh ethnic killings in Sudan Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
More than 400 killed by rebels in Sudan says UN
More than 400 people have been killed in recent attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan's Darfur region, says the UN citing "credible sources". Last week, the RSF launched an intense ground and aerial assault on refugee camps surrounding the city of El-Fasher in an attempt to seize the last state capital in Darfur held by their rival, the Sudanese army. The two warring sides have been locked in a bloody power struggle since April 2023. This has created the world's largest humanitarian crisis and forced millions to flee their homes. The UN said it had verified 148 killings between Thursday and Saturday, but warned the toll was much higher. UN spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told the BBC their verification process was still ongoing and their number didn't include Sunday's violence. "Credible sources have reported more than 400 killed," said Ms Shamdasani. At least nine humanitarian aid workers were among those killed, the UN said. The refugee camps that surround El-Fasher - Zamzam and Abu Shouk - provide temporary homes to more than 700,000 people, many of whom are facing famine-like conditions. In a statement released on Saturday, the RSF said it was not responsible for attacks on civilians and that scenes of killing in Zamzam were staged to discredit its forces. The following day, the group said it had completed a "successful liberation" of the camp from Sudan's army. The RSF accused the army of using Zamzam as "a military barracks, and innocent civilians as human shields". El-Fasher is the last major town in Darfur under army control and has been under siege by the RSF for a year. Sudan's brutal civil war will enter its third year on Tuesday. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk called on all parties involved to "renew their resolve to take meaningful steps towards resolving the conflict". Ahead of a conference on Tuesday in London to mark the conflict's two-year anniversary, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced a £120m food and aid package for Sudan. He said Sudan's stability is "vital for our national security". The UK will co-host the talks alongside the African Union and European Union. The children living between starvation and death Famine looms in Sudan as civil war survivors tell of killings and rapes Thousands flee fresh ethnic killings in Sudan Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
Sharjah 24
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Sharjah 24
UN: Forcible displacement in Gaza violates Geneva Convention
Grave breach of international law At a press conference in Geneva, Shamdasani emphasised that the permanent displacement of civilians in occupied territories constitutes a forcible transfer — a serious violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention and a potential crime against humanity under the Rome Statute. No safe areas amid ongoing strikes She also pointed out that Israeli military operations continue across Gaza, leaving civilians with no safe refuge. Targeting civilians is a war crime Shamdasani stressed that intentionally targeting civilians not directly involved in hostilities amounts to a war crime. Alarming living conditions in Gaza In a separate statement, she voiced deep concern that the conditions imposed on Palestinians in Gaza may become incompatible with their survival as a group, raising further humanitarian and legal alarm.
