Latest news with #ThomasPigott
Roya News
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Roya News
US greenlights $30M for controversial Gaza aid group
The US State Department announced Thursday it will provide USD 30 million in funding to a newly established food distribution network in Gaza. The initiative, known as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), has been promoted by 'Israel' and is largely operated by American contractors, but has drawn sharp criticism from humanitarian groups and the UN. At a press briefing, State Department spokesman Thomas Pigott praised the group, calling it 'absolutely incredible and should be commended and supported.' He urged other countries to contribute financially to the foundation, despite objections raised by numerous aid organizations over its methods and the violence reported around its distribution points. The GHF began distributing food in southern Gaza late last month, establishing only a limited number of sites. Most are located near 'Israeli' military positions, a fact that aid groups say creates dangerous conditions for civilians seeking food and undermines humanitarian neutrality. Pigott declined to say whether the US funding had already been disbursed or if the foundation would expand to serve more of Gaza's population. However, he emphasized that the new system aligned with 'President Trump's call to deliver aid in a way where it can't be looted by Hamas,' and described the foundation's model as one of 'creative solutions.' Violence has been a constant near these distribution sites, with hundreds reportedly killed in the past month as desperate civilians have crowded around aid convoys. Witnesses say Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have opened fire near the centers, though the IOF claims it only fired warning shots when soldiers felt threatened. The Gaza health ministry has attributed many deaths to these incidents. The GHF has denied responsibility, suggesting that some reports were misattributed or fueled by 'Hamas propaganda.' It has also accused Hamas of threatening aid workers and spreading misinformation. Meanwhile, international human rights groups remain skeptical. In a joint statement released Tuesday, 15 organizations criticized the foundation's 'militarized model' and close cooperation with 'Israeli' authorities, saying it violates the humanitarian principles of impartiality, neutrality, and independence. Despite these concerns, John Acree, the foundation's interim executive director, welcomed the US pledge. 'Americans deeply care about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and want to see real action,' he said. 'Now is the time for unity and collaboration.' However, many say the new initiative falls far short of meeting the enormous humanitarian need in Gaza. Nearly two million Palestinians live in the enclave, where 'Israel's' blockade, imposed after the aggression began in October 2023, drastically reduced the flow of food and medicine. From March to May, aid was almost entirely cut off. While 'Israel' insists Hamas has looted aid, the UN disputes that it happens systematically and argues that the real issue is the obstruction of supply lines. The UN warned Thursday that most families in Gaza are surviving on a single meager meal a day, with adults regularly skipping food so children and the elderly can eat. Even as other organizations resume work, including World Central Kitchen (WCK), which restarted operations after a May suspension, the UN says aid access is still woefully inadequate.
New York Times
15 hours ago
- Business
- New York Times
U.S. Approves $30 Million for Contentious New Gaza Aid Group
The State Department said on Thursday that it had approved $30 million in funding for a fledgling aid distribution system in Gaza backed by Israel and run mostly by American contractors, which has seen deadly violence erupt near its sites. Thomas Pigott, a State Department spokesman, said at a news briefing that the new group running the food distribution centers, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, was 'absolutely incredible and should be commended and supported.' He called on other countries to follow suit and contribute funding to the group, which has been criticized by the United Nations and many humanitarian organizations. While the United States has been supportive of the foundation's efforts and has backed the distribution system diplomatically, this appears to be its first public announcement of financial aid for the group. Mr. Pigott declined to say whether the U.S. funding had already been distributed. Humanitarian groups have been raising alarms since before the project's operations began late last month. There are only a few distribution sites, most in southern Gaza, and Israeli soldiers are stationed nearby. Aid groups say that situation displaces residents, exposes them to danger and militarizes humanitarian assistance. Deadly violence has erupted frequently near the sites as large numbers of people have approached them seeking food. The Gaza health ministry said on Wednesday that hundreds had been killed near the distribution points in the past month. Witnesses have repeatedly reported that Israeli troops opened fire near the new aid hubs. The Israeli military has said that it fired 'warning shots' when people approached soldiers threateningly. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
The Wire
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Wire
‘No Radiation Leak or Release From Any Nuclear Facility in Pakistan': International Atomic Energy Agency
Security The Wire Staff 2 minutes ago Earlier, the Indian Air Force has said that India has not hit any target in Pakistan's Kirana Hills, which is reportedly a spot with nuclear installations. Representative image: Nuclear power plant. Photo: Wikimedia Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Donate now New Delhi: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said that there has been 'no radiation leak' from any nuclear facility in Pakistan following the escalation of conflict with India. 'We are aware of the reports you are referring to. Based on information available to the IAEA, there has been no radiation leak or release from any nuclear facility in Pakistan,' an IAEA spokesperson has told The Indian Express in response to a query by the newspaper. Earlier, the Indian Air Force has said that India has not hit any target in Pakistan's Kirana Hills, which is reportedly a spot with nuclear installations. IAEA, the Vienna-based nuclear watchdog also runs an incident and emergency centre, which is the focal point for coordination of international assistance while responding to radiation incidents and emergencies. Earlier, Air Marshal A.K. Bharti had said on May 12 that the Indian Air Force had not hit Kirana Hills, in answer to a question on speculation on social media that India had struck the site housing Pakistan's nuclear infrastructure during the four-day military standoff last week. 'Thank you for telling us that Kirana Hills houses some nuclear installations. We did not know about it. We have not hit Kirana Hills. I did not brief in my briefing yesterday,' he said. A day later, at a US State Department press briefing in Washington DC on May 13, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Thomas Pigott, was also asked a question on the subject of an alleged radiation leaks. 'I have nothing to preview on that at this time,' Pigott had said. Security 'Inverted the Meaning, Invented an Issue': Ashoka Professor on Women's Panel's Reaction to Army Post View More
India.com
15-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Radiation leaking from nuclear bombs in tunnels inside Kirana Hills in Pakistan? IAEA makes big claim
Radiation leaking from nuclear bombs in tunnels inside Kirana Hills in Pakistan? IAEA makes big claim Operation Sindoor: It was being speculated that amid the confrontation with Pakistan, the Indian Air Force has also carried out an airstrike on Pakistan's Kirana Hills, which has damaged the nuclear facility allegedly present there and nuclear radiation is coming out. Even after days of Operation Sindoor, there was this ongoing heated discussion in the mainstream media and social media about leakage of is nuclear radiation from the tunnels inside the Kirana Hills of Pakistan where nuclear weapons are allegedly kept. Killing all the rumours, now the International Atomic Energy Agency i.e. IAEA has clarified that no radiation has leaked from any nuclear facility in Pakistan. According to the report of The Indian Express, this information has been given to it by the IAEA as a reply. In fact, speculations were being made that during the confrontation with Pakistan, the Indian Air Force had also carried out an airstrike on Pakistan's Kirana Hills, which allegedly damaged the nuclear facility present there and nuclear radiation was coming out. However, the Indian Air Force had also clearly said that it had not carried out any attack on Kirana Hills. What is IAEA? Notably, IAEA is called the nuclear watchdog and an intergovernmental organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and prevent its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. It was established in 1957 under the United Nations (UN) as the world's 'atoms for peace' organization. What did the IAEA say? Responding to a question, an IAEA spokesperson said, 'We are aware of the reports you refer to. Based on the information available to the IAEA, there has been no nuclear radiation or leakage from any nuclear facility in Pakistan,' The Indian Express reported. Let us tell you that on May 13, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Thomas Pigott was also asked a question on this subject at the US State Department's press conference in Washington DC. The question was, 'Has the US sent a team to Islamabad or Pakistan after reports of nuclear radiation leaks at some secure Pakistani sites?' On this question, Pigott said: 'At this time I have nothing to preview.' On Monday, DG Air Operations Air Marshal AK Bharti had said that India has not attacked any target in Pakistan's Kirana Hills.
Indian Express
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
IAEA: No radiation leak or release from any nuclear facility in Pakistan
The global nuclear watchdog, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has said that there has been 'no radiation leak' from any nuclear facility in Pakistan after the escalated military engagement with India. The Vienna-based global nuclear watchdog's reply, to a query from The Indian Express, ties in with the earlier response by the Indian Air Force that India has not hit any target in Pakistan's Kirana Hills, which is reported to house some nuclear installations. 'We are aware of the reports you are referring to. Based on information available to the IAEA, there has been no radiation leak or release from any nuclear facility in Pakistan,' an IAEA spokesperson told The Indian Express on Tuesday in response to a query on whether any nuclear incident or spill has been brought to the notice of the IAEA's Incident and Emergency Centre. Established in 2005, the IAEA's Incident and Emergency Centre is the focal point for coordination of international assistance in emergency preparedness and response to radiation incidents and emergencies — regardless of their cause or severity. Incidentally, at a US State Department press briefing in Washington DC on May 13, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Thomas Pigott, too, was asked a specific question on this subject. 'Has (the) US sent a team to Islamabad or Pakistan following reports that there have been leaks of nuclear radiation in some of the secure Pakistani sites?' To this question at the briefing, Pigott said: 'I have nothing to preview on that at this time.' On Monday, Air Marshal A K Bharti, DG Air Operations, had said that India has not hit any target in Pakistan's Kirana Hills. In response to a specific question at a press briefing, Air Marshal Bharti said, 'Thank you for telling us that Kirana Hills houses some nuclear installations. We did not know about it. We have not hit Kirana Hills. I did not brief in my briefing yesterday.' When asked about the speculation on 'nuclear war' by US President Donald Trump, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said Monday: 'The military action was entirely in the conventional domain. There were some reports that Pakistan's National Command Authority will meet on 10 May. But this was later denied by them. Pakistan FM has himself denied the nuclear angle on record.' 'As you know, India has a firm stance that it will not give in to nuclear blackmail or allow cross-border terrorism to be conducted invoking it. In conversations with various countries, we also cautioned that their subscribing to such scenarios could hurt them in their own region,' he said. The Mushaf air base in Sargodha was targeted by India during Operation Sindoor. Sargodha, one of Pakistan's biggest air bases, is near Kirana Hills. The Sargodha air base is also said to be strategically important given that it is used by F-16 fighter jets. Director-General of Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry had told a media briefing in Rawalpindi on May 10 that India had carried out airstrikes on three Pakistan Air Force (PAF) bases: Nur Khan, Murid, and Shorkot. The Express Tribune subsequently quoted an ISPR statement of May 14 to say that drones were detected 'over multiple Pakistani cities, including Rawalpindi, Gujrat, Attock, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Nankana, Ghotki and Karachi's Malir district'. As is customary, on January 1, 2025, too, India and Pakistan had exchanged, through diplomatic channels, the list of 'nuclear installations and facilities', covered under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installation and Facilities between the two countries. This Agreement, which was signed on December 31, 1988, and entered into force on January 27, 1991, provides that India and Pakistan inform each other of the nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under this Agreement on January 1 of every calendar year. This was the 34th consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries, the first one having taken place on January 1, 1992.
