Latest news with #UNHumanRightsOffice
Daily News Egypt
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily News Egypt
Israeli strikes intensify in Gaza as humanitarian system nears collapse
Israeli offensive in Gaza intensified Saturday, targeting multiple areas across the besieged enclave, further straining a humanitarian system already on the brink of collapse. The escalation comes amid stalled ceasefire negotiations and mounting international concern over deteriorating living conditions. Heavy bombardment was reported in eastern Gaza City and the north of the Strip, with local officials warning of an unprecedented breakdown in critical infrastructure. In the south, Israeli forces struck civilian sites, including the Martyr Jamal Abu Hamad Mosque in Abasan al-Kabira, east of Khan Younis, according to local sources. The municipality of Khaza'a declared the town 'a completely devastated disaster zone,' citing relentless shelling and widespread destruction of civilian life. Gaza City's municipality warned of a total collapse in public services, citing mass displacement and the paralysis of waste management and water systems. 'More than 250,000 tonnes of waste have accumulated in central Gaza, while clean water is becoming nearly unavailable,' the municipality said in a statement. Officials added that key services—including sewage treatment and garbage collection—are nearing total shutdown due to fuel and equipment shortages. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini warned that famine in Gaza can only be averted through urgent political action. 'The current trickle of aid mocks the scale of this collective tragedy,' he said. UN agencies and NGOs have been sounding alarms over severe shortages of food, fuel, water, and medical supplies, as access to Gaza remains heavily restricted. Ajith Sunghay, head of the UN Human Rights Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, sharply criticized the joint U.S.-Israeli aid delivery mechanism, calling it 'humiliating,' 'unsustainable,' and devoid of 'neutrality, fairness, and independence.' In an interview with Anadolu Agency, he warned that the current model hinders rather than helps the humanitarian response. In northern Gaza, Hamas' Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades claimed it had ambushed an Israeli ground unit in Atatra, near Beit Lahia, reporting close-range combat and casualties among Israeli troops. The al-Quds Brigades, affiliated with Islamic Jihad, said it shelled an Israeli troop and vehicle concentration near the Customs Authority compound east of Khan Younis using 60mm mortars. Gaza's Ministry of Health reported that hospitals are operating under 'limited and depleted technical options' amid growing power outages. Dozens of generators have reportedly been destroyed in Israeli strikes, including three high-capacity units recently hit. Officials warned that the collapse of the healthcare system is imminent without immediate fuel and medical equipment resupply. As the crisis deepens, diplomatic efforts continue with few signs of breakthrough. Former U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that a ceasefire deal 'is very close,' hinting that an announcement could come 'today or tomorrow.' According to reports, Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff presented a proposal that includes a 60-day truce, during which Hamas would release 28 Israeli captives—both living and deceased—in exchange for the release of 125 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and the return of 180 Palestinian bodies. A second phase would involve additional exchanges, a permanent ceasefire, and large-scale humanitarian aid deliveries. Hamas confirmed in a brief statement on Friday that it is studying the proposal and consulting with other Palestinian factions before issuing an official response. Meanwhile, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt's central role in mediation efforts during a meeting with former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Abdelatty emphasized Cairo's continued coordination with the U.S. and Qatar to broker a ceasefire and ensure the safe entry of aid. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tamim Khalaf said Abdelatty condemned Israeli actions as 'flagrant violations of international law and humanitarian principles,' while reiterating Egypt's demand for uninterrupted humanitarian access and protection of civilians.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
UN rights office 'concerned' as Kuwaitis lose citizenship
DUBAI: The United Nations' human rights office voiced concern on Wednesday after tens of thousands of Kuwaitis were stripped of citizenship, many of them women. More than 37,000 people, including at least 26,000 women, have lost Kuwaiti nationality since August, according to an AFP tally of official figures, although media reports suggest the real number could be much higher. The mass revocations have been cast as part of a reformist agenda spearheaded by Kuwaiti emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, in power since December 2023. 'We are deeply concerned about Kuwait's recent nationality revocations, particularly of individuals who renounced previous citizenships, and about the extension of such revocations to their dependents,' UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Seif Magango told AFP. 'Stripping people of their nationalities has a serious impact on their economic, social, cultural, and political rights.' The new ruling applies to women who became Kuwaitis through marriage since 1987. Official data show 38,505 women were naturalised by marriage from 1993 to 2020. It also targets people with dual nationality, which Kuwait does not allow and those who were naturalised for their achievements. The campaign has left thousands of people in a legal grey area and scrambling to restore their previous nationality. Kuwait has set up a committee to hear appeals, with more than 14,000 applying so far, according to the official Kuwait News Agency. However, Magango said: 'Their inability to challenge these decisions in court also raises serious concerns. 'This risks further marginalisation and social exclusion in Kuwait.' Anyone found to have obtained citizenship by forgery or fraud also loses their Kuwaiti nationality, along with their descendants. 'Retroactively revoking citizenship... and extending this to their descendants, raises serious human rights concerns,' Magango said. The UN office has urged Kuwait to 'review the nationality law to ensure it complies with international human rights standards and consider sustainable solutions to prevent statelessness', he added.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
UN Slams Kuwait for Revoking 37,000 Citizenships
DUBAI: The United Nations' human rights office voiced concern on Wednesday after tens of thousands of Kuwaitis were stripped of citizenship, many of them women. More than 37,000 people, including at least 26,000 women, have lost Kuwaiti nationality since August, according to an AFP tally of official figures, although media reports suggest the real number could be much higher. The mass revocations have been cast as part of a reformist agenda spearheaded by Kuwaiti emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, in power since December 2023. 'We are deeply concerned about Kuwait's recent nationality revocations, particularly of individuals who renounced previous citizenships, and about the extension of such revocations to their dependents,' UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Seif Magango told AFP. 'Stripping people of their nationalities has a serious impact on their economic, social, cultural, and political rights.' The new ruling applies to women who became Kuwaitis through marriage since 1987. Official data show 38,505 women were naturalised by marriage from 1993 to 2020. It also targets people with dual nationality, which Kuwait does not allow and those who were naturalised for their achievements. The campaign has left thousands of people in a legal grey area and scrambling to restore their previous nationality. Kuwait has set up a committee to hear appeals, with more than 14,000 applying so far, according to the official Kuwait News Agency. However, Magango said: 'Their inability to challenge these decisions in court also raises serious concerns. 'This risks further marginalisation and social exclusion in Kuwait.' Anyone found to have obtained citizenship by forgery or fraud also loses their Kuwaiti nationality, along with their descendants. 'Retroactively revoking citizenship... and extending this to their descendants, raises serious human rights concerns,' Magango said. The UN office has urged Kuwait to 'review the nationality law to ensure it complies with international human rights standards and consider sustainable solutions to prevent statelessness', he added.
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
UN rights office ‘concerned' as thousands of Kuwaitis lose citizenship
DUBAI — The United Nations' human rights office voiced concern on Wednesday after tens of thousands of Kuwaitis were stripped of citizenship, many of them women. More than 37,000 people, including at least 26,000 women, have lost Kuwaiti nationality since August, according to an AFP tally of official figures, although media reports suggest the real number could be much higher. The mass revocations have been cast as part of a reformist agenda spearheaded by Kuwaiti emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, in power since December 2023. "We are deeply concerned about Kuwait's recent nationality revocations, particularly of individuals who renounced previous citizenships, and about the extension of such revocations to their dependents," UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Seif Magango told AFP. "Stripping people of their nationalities has a serious impact on their economic, social, cultural, and political rights." The new ruling applies to women who became Kuwaitis through marriage since 1987. Official data show 38,505 women were naturalized by marriage from 1993 to 2020. It also targets people with dual nationality, which Kuwait does not allow and those who were naturalized for their achievements. The campaign has left thousands of people in a legal grey area and scrambling to restore their previous nationality. Kuwait has set up a committee to hear appeals, with more than 14,000 applying so far, according to the official Kuwait News Agency. However, Magango said: "Their inability to challenge these decisions in court also raises serious concerns. "This risks further marginalization and social exclusion in Kuwait." Anyone found to have obtained citizenship by forgery or fraud also loses their Kuwaiti nationality, along with their descendants. "Retroactively revoking citizenship... and extending this to their descendants, raises serious human rights concerns," Magango said. The UN office has urged Kuwait to "review the nationality law to ensure it complies with international human rights standards and consider sustainable solutions to prevent statelessness," he added. — Agence France-Presse
Yahoo
6 days ago
- 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.
