Latest news with #StephanieTremblay
SBS Australia
5 days ago
- Health
- SBS Australia
UN Secretary-General says worsening Gaza situation is a moral stain on the entire world
The United Nations is warning that conditions now in Gaza are catastrophic, and will get even worse quickly. UN spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay says food shortages and malnutrition are pushing Gaza's most vulnerable beyond the edge. 'Hunger and malnutrition increase the risk of illnesses that weaken the immune system, especially among women, children, older people and those with disabilities and chronic diseases. The consequences can turn deadly fast. ... Just yesterday, the local health authorities announced that two more people died from starvation. In the meantime, the trickle of supplies that are making it into Gaza are nowhere near adequate to address the immense needs." Only five out of 15 planned humanitarian missions were completed this week due to access denials or obstructions. The UN says it is ready to act, but claims it is being blocked at almost every turn. "If Israel opens the crossings, lets fuel and equipment in, and allows humanitarian staff to operate safely, we will accelerate the delivery of food aid, health services, clean water and waste management, nutrition supplies and shelter materials. Ensuring that these elements are in place will be critical to scaling-up assistance in the event of a ceasefire. However, right now, various constraints imposed by the Israeli authorities on aid delivery continue to hamper our ability to respond." Israel continues to deny it's responsible for what the World Health organisation claims is a man-made famine in Gaza. Meanwhile, an Israeli airstrike has hit a school sheltering displaced families in Gaza City. At least five people were killed. Witnesses, including this man, Mohammed Abu Odeh, describe a scene of blood, rubble and body parts. 'We were sitting in God's protection, getting ready for prayer. Suddenly, there was a targeting of the school. We rushed quickly toward the classroom (the targeted place was a classroom, a room). We found body parts scattered all over the ground - adults, children, women, and kids. No one here was left without being targeted and martyred." Another man in the area, Mohammed Jendya says Gazans are being asked to endure too much. 'We endured starvation. Now we have to endure rockets? We can't even get flour, and they're dropping missiles on us. It's injustice.' In soup kitchen lines, mothers hold out empty pots. One woman, Umm Mohammed, says she has no lentils, no rice, not even bread to give her children. At a shelter nearby, Samah Matar watches over her two sons, both with cerebral palsy. Four-year-old Ameer weighs just 7.4 kilograms. His older brother, Youssef, has lost nearly a third of his body weight since the war began. Ms Matar says she can't provide for them. 'The two boys have cerebral palsy. I can't even find milk or nappies for them because of the high rise in prices in Gaza, which led to malnourishment in both children. I am also a breastfeeding mother, I have a son who is 10-month-old suffering from malnourishment. The weight of the children is very low, their bones are protruding, I can't provide them with milk or nappies, not even bread, sugar to make them some tea, I cannot provide it for them.' U-N Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has made some of his most forceful comments yet on the situation in Gaza. 'From the beginning, I have repeatedly condemned the horrific 7 October terror attacks by Hamas. But nothing can justify the explosion of death and destruction since. The scale and scope is beyond anything we have seen in recent times. I cannot explain the level of indifference and inaction we see by too many in the international community. The lack of compassion. The lack of truth. The lack of humanity. ... Children speak of wanting to go to heaven, because, at least, they say, there is food there. We hold video calls with our own humanitarians who are starving before our eyes." He is demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and unimpeded humanitarian access. He says the UN stands ready to scale up operations, if only given the chance. 'Our plans are ready, and they are finalised. we know what works – and we know what does not. ... We need action. An immediate and permanent ceasefire. The immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access. At the same time, we need urgent, concrete, and irreversible steps towards a two-state solution.' Despite those calls, the path to peace appears to have grown narrower. Both Israel and the United States have pulled out of ceasefire negotiations in Qatar. US President Donald Trump citing what he calls Hamas' unwillingness to make a deal. 'Hamas didn't want to make a deal. I think they want to die. And it got to a point where you have to finish the job... They're going to be hunted down.' Mr Trump says Hamas forfeited its leverage by refusing to release the last hostages. He's also defended US humanitarian contributions. "We contributed $60 million to food and supplies and everything else. We hope the money gets there because, you know, that money gets taken, the food gets taken. We're going to do more, but we gave a lot of money. We gave a majority of the money, and the sad part is that no other country other than us gives anything." Mr Trump's claim is disputed by multiple aid organisations and donor states, who say the bottleneck is not money, but access. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed President Trump's tone, stating Israel is considering what he says are alternative options to both retrieve hostages and defeat Hamas, signalling a likely intensification of the military campaign. But Mr Guterres says this matter goes well beyond a military or ancient ideological battle. "This is not just a humanitarian crisis. It is a moral crisis that challenges the global conscience. ... But words don't feed hungry children.'
Malaysiakini
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
UN: Israeli strikes displace over 737k in Gaza since March
The United Nations (UN) said yesterday that more than 737,000 people have been displaced in the Gaza Strip since an escalation of Israeli attacks in March, underscoring the scale of the humanitarian crisis facing the population, Anadolu Ajansi reported. Citing the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay reported at a news conference that "between July 8 and 15, more than 11,500 people were newly displaced"....
Days of Palestine
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Days of Palestine
UN: Over 737,000 Displaced in Gaza Since March
DaysofPal – The United Nations said Thursday that more than 737,000 people have been displaced in Gaza since the latest wave of Israeli attacks began in March, highlighting the worsening humanitarian crisis across the Strip. Quoting figures from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay told reporters that over 11,500 people were newly displaced between July 8 and July 15. 'This brings the total number of displaced since March 18 to more than 737,000 — about 35% of Gaza's population,' she said. 'And over the past 21 months, nearly everyone in Gaza has been displaced — most of them multiple times.' Tremblay noted that Israeli airstrikes in the past 24 hours hit locations sheltering displaced civilians, resulting in casualties and further exacerbating the situation. While humanitarian needs continue to soar, she said that only minimal aid is making it into Gaza. She welcomed the first delivery of benzene in over 135 days as 'a small but significant step,' given its importance for operating ambulances and essential services — but stressed that 'it's not enough.' Tremblay also addressed an Israeli airstrike on Gaza's Holy Family Church, condemning the attack on a house of worship that had been serving as a shelter. UN Secretary-General António Guterres, she said, 'strongly condemns today's reports of an Israeli strike on the Holy Family Church in Gaza, a place of worship and a sanctuary for civilians.' 'Attacks on religious sites are unacceptable,' she added. 'People seeking refuge must be protected — not targeted.' She once again reiterated the UN's call for an immediate ceasefire and for all parties to respect civilian life and allow unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza. In response to a question from Anadolu about reports that Israel has transferred administrative control of the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron to a settler council, Tremblay said the UN had not reviewed the report but emphasized: 'We always call for the protection of all religious sites.' Earlier this week, Israeli media reported that Tel Aviv had removed the Hebron municipality's authority over the mosque — also known as the Tomb of the Patriarchs — and handed it to a settler-run body. The mosque, sacred to both Muslims and Jews, has long been a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The recent move marks the most significant change to its status since 1994, when the site was divided under the recommendations of the Shamgar Commission, following the massacre of 29 Palestinian worshippers by extremist settler Baruch Goldstein. Currently, 63% of the site is allocated to Jewish worshippers and 37% to Muslims. The mosque lies in Hebron's Old City, in an area under full Israeli military control, where around 400 settlers live under the protection of 1,500 Israeli soldiers. Shortlink for this post:
Malaysiakini
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
UN: Israeli strikes displace over 737k in Gaza since March
The United Nations (UN) said yesterday that more than 737,000 people have been displaced in the Gaza Strip since an escalation of Israeli attacks in March, underscoring the scale of the humanitarian crisis facing the population, Anadolu Ajansi reported. Citing the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay reported at a news conference that "between July 8 and 15, more than 11,500 people were newly displaced"....
Scoop
17-07-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Violence Spurs Displacement In Syria, Israeli Forces Cross The Blue Line In Lebanon, Mall Fire Kills Dozens In Iraq
17 July 2025 As of Thursday, nearly 2,000 families have been displaced from violence-affected areas in Sweida governate and are currently sheltering in a dozen collective sites. Many are unable to return home due to damage, looting or destruction of their homes. The health systems in Sweida and neighbouring Dar'a governorate remain under critical strain, operating without power and facing severe supply shortages. Reports also suggest that at least two doctors were killed in the recent clashes, and some armed groups have occupied health facilities, putting patients and staff at risk. Mobilisation amid constrained access The UN and its partners are mobilising humanitarian assistance as security allows and working with authorities to facilitate access. The World Health Organization (WHO) has dispatched 35 trauma and emergency surgery kits for 1,750 interventions, but many remain undelivered because of constrained access. 'We urge all parties to protect people caught up in the violence, including by allowing them to move freely to seek safety and medical assistance,' said Associate Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Stephanie Tremblay at Thursday's daily press briefing in New York. She also stressed that security forces must respect applicable international law, norms and standards throughout their operations. Lebanon: UN peacekeepers observe unauthorised Israeli activities Ms. Tremblay also reported that peacekeepers at the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) continue to observe Israeli military activities in its area of operations. On 16 July, Israeli soldiers crossed north of the Blue Line to conduct military exercises. UNIFIL peacekeepers have also heard several explosions, including one on 17 July near the Mission Headquarters in Naqoura. The 'blue helmets' have additionally discovered unauthorized weapons and ammunition caches at one site, rocket launchers, rocket-propelled grenades, mortar rounds and ammunition boxes. Commitment to Lebanon In response to recent observations the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, and UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major General Diodato Abagnara, met with the Lebanese Army's South Litani Sector Commander Brigadier General Nicolas Tabet in Tyre on 17 July. 'Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert and General Abagnara underlined our commitment to supporting the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701, including strengthening State authority and helping restore stability in southern Lebanon,' Ms. Tremblay said. As part of UNIFIL's support, peacekeepers trained with Lebanese Armed Forces personnel in Tyre on 16 July, enhancing the operational competency of the Lebanese Army personnel. Fire in Iraqi shopping mall The United Nations has expressed condolences to the families of the victims of a tragic fire in the eastern Iraqi city of Kut on Wednesday. According to news reports, the fire tore through the shopping centre – which opened only a week ago – leaving at least 61 people dead. 'We express our strong solidarity with the people of Wasit Governorate in this profound loss,' Ms. Tremblay said. She also emphasised that the UN and its partners are ready to provide humanitarian assistance to help mitigate the tragedy's impact.
