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The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Will there be a lasting ceasefire in Gaza?
The story so far: More than 19 months since the Gaza war began, with only two brief ceasefires in between, Israel and Hamas are inching closer to agreeing on another truce — this time under the direct mediation of the U.S. In recent weeks, Israel has come under increasing international pressure, with even its close allies in the West, including Germany, and the U.K., intensifying their criticism of the war. Under pressure, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government said last week that it would accept a ceasefire proposal presented by Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy for the Middle East (West Asia). Meanwhile, the UN has warned that all 2.3 million Palestinians of Gaza are facing a severe hunger crisis. Where does the war stand now? When Israel launched its war on Gaza, following Hamas's October 7, 2023 cross-border attack, killing nearly 1,200 people, it had two primary objectives — dismantle Hamas and secure the release of hostages (Hamas had taken at least 250 hostages on October 7). Since then, the war has devastated the entire Gaza strip, a tiny, densely populated enclave sandwiched between Israel and the Mediterranean Sea. According to Gaza's health authorities, more than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli attacks since October 7, with over 1,23,000 wounded. The entire population of Gaza has been displaced. Yet, Hamas has maintained its grip on Gaza's population, and continued to resist Israeli forces. As of now, at least 58 hostages remain in Hamas's captivity (20 of them are believed to be dead). Israel's strategy of ramping up military pressure on Hamas by attacking Palestinians indiscriminately and thereby forcing the group to release hostages has not worked so far. On the two previous occasions when Hamas released hostages, it did so as part of ceasefire agreements. This leaves Israel in a difficult position. It is facing increasing global criticism over the war, and has failed to achieve its two main objectives: the elimination of Hamas and the release of the hostages. Why are Israel's allies angry? In January, Israel and Hamas had agreed to a three-phase ceasefire. In the first phase, which was successfully implemented, Hamas released hostages and Israel freed Palestinian prisoners. The second phase was to see an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, leading to a permanent end to the war. But Israel wanted to extend the first phase of the ceasefire to get more hostages in return for prisoner release. When Hamas rejected the extension, Israel resumed its bombing campaign. Since then, Israel has launched a broader offensive and massive bombings in Gaza, pushing the enclave's already displaced people to the southern coastal stretches. Simultaneously, Israel has stopped aid delivery to Gaza, plunging the enclave into an acute hunger crisis. According to the UN Children's Fund, since the end of the ceasefire on March 18, '1,309 children have reportedly been killed and 3,738 injured' in Gaza. Since October 2023, more than 50,000 children have been killed or injured, said the agency. Israel has remained defiant. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said he wanted Gaza to be 'completely destroyed' and its people should be moved to a 'humanitarian zone' in the south from where they should flee the territory to other countries. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has repeatedly warned the government against letting aid into Gaza. It was against this backdrop of Israel's indiscriminate attacks, Israeli Ministers' genocidal statements and Palestinians' mounting suffering that Western countries expressed rare public criticisms against Israel. The U.K., France and Canada issued a joint statement, 'strongly opposing' the expansion of Israel's offensive in Gaza, and asked the Jewish country to halt settlements in the West Bank. Friedric Merz, Germany's new Chancellor, said Israel's attacks 'are no longer justified'. Even Mr. Trump raised concerns about Gaza's hunger crisis. What is the U.S.'s stand? The Biden administration had occasionally expressed concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, but consistently supported Israel's war, both militarily and diplomatically. The Trump administration lifted even Biden era restrictions on arms supplies to Israel, and has been careful not to attack Israel over the conflict. But signs of differences have emerged between Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Trump over West Asia. This week, Mr. Trump confirmed reports that he had warned Mr. Netanyahu against carrying out attacks against Iran's nuclear facilities. Mr. Trump launched direct talks with Iran, seeking a deal to resolve the nuclear crisis (which in part has been worsened by his 2018 decision, during his first term, to unilaterally withdraw the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear deal). In early May, he abruptly ended the U.S. military campaign against Houthis — a sworn Israeli enemy and Iranian ally — by striking a deal with the Yemeni militants through Omani mediation. Although the Houthis continue to attack Israel, the deal with Mr. Trump remains intact. Mr. Trump's team also held direct talks with Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist entity, and concluded a deal for the release of an Israeli-American hostage. Mr. Witkoff, President's Trump's key mediator, has been actively parleying with multiple regional players, including Israel, Egypt, Qatar and Hamas, to push for a ceasefire. What is the Witkoff proposal? The Witkoff plan calls for a 60-day ceasefire. 'President Trump guarantees Israel's adherence to the ceasefire during the agreed-upon period,' says the draft document. As per the plan, 10 Israeli live hostages and 18 deceased hostages are to be released on days 1 and 7. In exchange for the release of the 10 Israeli live hostages, Israel will release 125 'life sentence' prisoners and 1,111 Gazan detainees who were detained after October 7, 2023. In exchange for the release of the remains of 18 hostages, Israel will release 180 deceased Gazans. Aid will be sent to Gaza immediately, and will be distributed through agreed upon channels, including the UN and Red Crescent. Israel will cease all its offensive military activities, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would be redeployed in Gaza's south and north within seven days. On day one of the ceasefire, Israel and Hamas will begin negotiations for a permanent ceasefire. Will there be lasting peace? The Witkoff proposal leaves out the most critical issue — the question of Gaza's future. Israel demands a total surrender of Hamas, while Hamas insists on a complete IDF withdrawal from Gaza. If Israel agrees to withdraw, Hamas would retain its presence and influence in the territory — an outcome that could cost Prime Minister Netanyahu the support of his far-right coalition partners. If Israel refuses to withdraw, Hamas may decline to release the remaining hostages and the war could continue. So the prospects for peace in Gaza remain bleak.
Scoop
4 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
Education Suffers Amid DR Congo Violence, WHO Greenlights RSV Vaccines, More Hurricanes Ahead For Haiti
According to UN Children's Fund, UNICEF, more than 290 schools have been damaged or destroyed in Ituri this year alone, bringing the total number of out-of-school children in the province to over 1.3 million. Protection crisis Between January and April 2025, a surge in violence displaced more than 100,000 people – half of them children. During this period, reported cases of abduction, maiming, sexual violence, and the recruitment and use of children by armed groups rose by 32 per cent compared to the same timeframe last year. John Adbor, UNICEF's representative in the DRC, referred to the situation as a 'protection crisis', stating: 'Violence and conflict are shattering children's right to learn – putting them at far greater risk of being recruited by armed groups, exploited, and abused.' 'The needs are immense, and our resources are not enough,' Mr. Adbor added, referring to UNICEF's emergency response in the region. With more than 1.8 million conflict-affected children now out of school across the DRC, UNICEF is prioritising mental health and psychosocial support through child-friendly spaces, reintegration of children formerly associated with armed groups, and treatment for acute malnutrition. WHO approves two new vaccines to protect infants from RSV Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of severe lung infections in young children globally, resulting in approximately 100,000 deaths each year among children under the age of five. Alarmingly, 97 per cent of these deaths occur in low and middle-income countries. Although RSV can infect people of all ages, 'it is especially harmful to infants, particularly those born prematurely,' said Kate O'Brien from the World Health Organization (WHO). Around half of all RSV-related deaths occur in babies younger than six months. New immunisation products On Friday, WHO issued recommendations for two new immunisation tools: a maternal vaccine, administered to pregnant women in their third trimester to protect their newborns; and a long-acting antibody injection for infants, which begins to protect within a week of administration and lasts for at least five months. Considering the global burden of severe RSV illness in infants, WHO recommends that all countries adopt either the maternal vaccine or the antibody injection as part of their national immunisation strategies. 'These RSV immunisation products can transform the fight against severe RSV disease, dramatically reduce hospitalisations and deaths, and ultimately save many infant lives worldwide,' said Ms O'Brien. Dire hurricane forecasts compound Haiti woes UN humanitarians have raised alarm over Haiti's heightened vulnerability to natural disasters, warning that the country's limited capacity to respond could be severely tested during the 2025 hurricane season – forecast to be significantly more intense than average across Latin America and the Caribbean. Running from June to November, the upcoming season poses a serious threat to the impoverished island nation, where economic crisis, ongoing gang-related violence and rampant insecurity have already displaced over one million people. Displacement sites at risk More than 200,000 people are currently living in displacement sites across the country, many of which are situated in flood-prone areas. Lacking proper shelter, drainage and sanitation, these camps 'leave families acutely vulnerable to storms,' said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is working with national authorities and humanitarian partners to prepare for the hurricane season. Ongoing efforts include contingency planning, mapping of high-risk areas – particularly displacement sites – and strengthening early warning systems. However, humanitarian access remains limited, and preparedness is severely hindered by the lack of pre-positioned supplies throughout the country. This is a 'direct consequence of underfunding,' said Mr. Dujarric, adding that 'funding remains a major obstacle' to the UN's emergency response in Haiti.
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
UN Rights Chief Calls For End To Daily Killings In Ukraine After Deadly Weekend Attacks
26 May 2025 The majority of those killed and injured were in major cities such as Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Mykolaiv, or in populated areas in other regions. Meanwhile, large numbers of long-range drones launched into Russia by Ukrainian armed forces injured at least 11 civilians over the weekend, according to Russian authorities. Silence the guns High Commissioner Volker Türk underscored the urgency for an end to hostilities. 'It is time to put an end to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, to commit to – and implement – a comprehensive ceasefire that stops the daily killing and destruction, and to start genuine peace negotiations, built on respect for international law,' he said. He highlighted that – even amid ongoing hostilities – people deprived of their liberty must be protected. Summary executions, torture and all forms of inhumane and degrading treatment of prisoners are always prohibited, in any circumstances, and must stop immediately. In addition, civilian detainees should be released as soon as the lawful reason for their detention ceases to exist and their protection against refoulement must be ensured, he said. Relief, but also loss High Commissioner Türk welcomed the recent exchange of prisoners of war and civilian detainees. Eight hundred eighty prisoners of war and 120 civilians from each side were exchanged. Most of the civilians appeared to have been detainees, but details on individuals included in the exchange are not yet available, according to his office, OHCHR. 'Many families can now breathe a sigh of relief because their loved ones have finally returned home,' Mr. Türk said. 'But at the same time, other families have lost relatives and their homes, as their communities across Ukraine came under attack.' Impact on children In a separate statement, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) expressed deep concern for the impact of the latest attacks on Ukraine's children. Munir Mammadzade, UNICEF Representative in Ukraine, said that in the past three days, at least three children were reportedly killed in Zhytomyr, and at least 13 children were injured in several regions across the country. 'Ukraine's children have suffered for far too long. How many more futures must be stolen? The senseless violence and loss of young lives must stop,' Mr. Mammadzade said. According to UNICEF, more than 220 children were killed or injured between January and April 2025 – a 40 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. 'Attacks on civilian areas must end, and children must always be protected,' Mr. Mammadzade emphasised. 'Above all, children need an end to this war.'
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Gaza: UN Child Rights Committee Condemns Mass Starvation Of Children Amid Aid Blockades
GENEVA (21 May 2025) - The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child condemned the continued obstruction of humanitarian aid to Gaza, urging the international community to pressure Israel to allow immediate and sustained access for essential food and medical supplies. 'More than eleven weeks after the obstruction of humanitarian access, the food security crisis is deteriorating rapidly to the point that more than 50 children have died from hunger and many others are on the verge of death. If the blockade continues, more children will die and up to 71,000 children under five could suffer from acute malnutrition over the next year,' the Committee said, drawing on numbers from the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). 'The right to food is a fundamental human right, intrinsically linked to the right to life, and as such, it is non-derogable under international law,' the Committee stated. It strongly condemned Israel's ongoing military actions in Gaza, which are killing and maiming women and children, including reportedly more than 100 children killed just last week, before accounting for the casualties from the latest strikes. These attacks are occurring on a massive daily scale and are pushing the humanitarian situation to a critical point. 'There is no justification for actions which clearly defy international humanitarian law as well as international human rights law, including the Conventions on the Rights of the Child, and the Convention on Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide,' the Committee said. It reaffirmed the importance of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)'s Advisory Opinion of 19 July 2024, along with its Orders issued on 26 January and 24 May 2024 in the case South Africa v. Israel concerning the application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip. In addition, recalling its country review findings on Israel adopted September last year, the Committee urged the State party to take immediate action to guarantee the right to life, survival, and development of all Palestinian children, stop the killing and injuring of children in Gaza, and to allow safe and unrestricted humanitarian access throughout the Gaza Strip.
Scoop
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
‘On Thin Ice': UN Chief Sounds Alarm Over Rapid Himalayan Glacier Melt
16 May 2025 António Guterres issued the warning in a video message to the inaugural Sagarmatha Sambaad, or 'Everest Dialogue,' convened by the Government of Nepal in Kathmandu. ' Record temperatures have meant record glacier melt,' he said. 'Nepal today is on thin ice – losing close to one-third of its ice in just over thirty years. And your glaciers have melted 65 per cent faster in the last decade than in the one before.' Named after Mount Everest (Sagarmatha in Nepali), the international platform convened ministers, parliamentarians, climate experts, and civil society to focus on climate change, mountain ecosystems, and sustainability. Two billion futures at stake Glaciers in the region have served for centuries as vital freshwater reservoirs. Their accelerated melt now threatens not only local communities but vast populations downstream who rely on Himalayan-fed rivers. Reduced water flow in river systems such as the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Indus threatens not only water but also food production for nearly two billion people across South Asia. Combined with saltwater intrusion, this could trigger collapsing deltas and mass displacement, the UN chief warned. 'We would see low-lying countries and communities erased forever,' he said. Children raise their voices Ahead of the summit, Nepal's children and youth stepped into the spotlight with their own call to action. In a declaration submitted to the dialogue, over 100 children and young people demanded urgent and inclusive climate action that recognizes them as rights-holders and climate actors – not just passive victims. Among their key demands: ensuring child participation in climate decisions, supporting youth-led programmes, and promoting their innovations and climate action. ' The climate crisis is a child rights crisis – disproportionately impacting their health, nutrition, education and well-being,' said Alice Akunga, head of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Nepal, which supported the deliberations. 'Listening to the voices of the 'future of humanity' is critical to designing and implementing meaningful and lasting solutions to address the adverse effects of climate change on children and youth.' Stop the madness In his message, Mr. Guterres reiterated his call on the world to 'stop the madness' of fossil fuel-driven global warming, a warning he made during his previous visit to the Everest region in 2023. At the time, he stood amid glacial basins in the Himalayas, warning that the 'rooftops of the world' were rapidly vanishing. 'And that is why you are gathered together focused on Sambaad – dialogue,' the UN chief said on Friday, applauding Nepal's climate leadership, including reforestation programmes, early warning systems and its goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045. Act now The world must act without delay to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C, he continued – the target set by the Paris Agreement on climate change – with the biggest emitters leading the way. This includes investing in renewable energy, fulfilling the $1.3 trillion climate finance goal agreed at COP29, doubling adaptation finance to at least $40 billion this year as pledged by developed countries, and providing robust, sustained support to the Loss and Damage Fund. ' Achieving these goals demands bold collaboration, ' Mr. Guterres concluded. 'The United Nations is your ally in this essential task.'
