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CTV News
6 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
U.S.- and Israeli-backed group pauses food delivery in Gaza after deadly shootings
Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S.-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana) DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip -- An Israeli- and U.S.-backed group paused food delivery at its three distribution sites in the Gaza Strip after health officials said dozens of Palestinians were killed in a series of shootings near the sites this week. Israeli strikes across the territory, meanwhile, killed 26 people overnight and into Wednesday, officials said. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said it was in discussions with the Israeli military on better guiding foot traffic near the distribution hubs and enhancing military training procedures to promote safety. The move came a day after Israeli forces acknowledged opening fire as people headed toward a GHF site in the now mostly uninhabited southern city of Rafah, a military zone off limits to independent media. Gaza health officials, the Red Cross and the UN rights office said 27 people were killed on Tuesday, and witnesses blamed Israeli forces. Israel's military said it fired near people it described as suspects who it said approached its forces and ignored warning shots. It says it is looking into reports of casualties. Health officials say dozens have been killed since new aid sites opened At least 80 people have been killed in the vicinity of the sites or heading to them since they opened last week, according to hospital officials, including dozens in similar shootings at roughly the same location on Sunday and Monday, when the military also said it had fired warning shots. GHF says there has been no violence in the aid sites themselves but has acknowledged the potential dangers people face when traveling to them on foot. Thousands of Palestinians walk to the sites early each morning, desperate for food and hoping to beat the crowds, and pass near Israeli forces in the predawn darkness. GHF said it asked Israel's military, the Israel Defense Forces, to 'introduce measures that guide foot traffic in a way that minimizes confusion or escalation risks near IDF military perimeters; develop clearer IDF-issued guidance to help the population transit safely; enhance IDF force training and refine internal IDF procedures to support safety.' In a separate development, Israeli strikes across Gaza killed at least 26 people late Tuesday and into Wednesday, according to hospital officials. One of the strikes hit a tent in Gaza City, killing seven people, including two women and a seven-year-old girl, according to Shifa Hospital. The military said it was looking into the reports. Israel says it only targets militants and blames Hamas for civilian deaths because the militant group is entrenched in populated areas. A controversial new aid system Israel and the United States say they supported the establishment of the new aid system to prevent Hamas from stealing aid and selling it to finance its militant activities. Israel has not claimed that Hamas fired in the area of the GHF sites. The United Nations, which operates a longstanding aid system that can deliver to hundreds of locations across the territory, denies there has been any systematic diversion of aid by Hamas, saying it has mechanisms to prevent that. The UN has refused to take part in the new system, saying it violates humanitarian principles by allowing Israel to control who gets aid and by forcing Palestinians to travel to just three distribution hubs, two of which are in the southernmost city of Rafah. 'The world is watching, day after day, horrifying scenes of Palestinians being shot, wounded or killed in Gaza while simply trying to eat,' UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said in a statement. He called for a flood of aid to be let in and for the world body to be the one delivering it. Israel imposed a complete ban on food and other imports for two and a half months before easing the restrictions in May. UN agencies say lingering restrictions, the breakdown of law and order inside Gaza, and widespread looting have made it difficult to deliver assistance. Warnings of famine as the war grinds on Experts warned earlier this year that Gaza is at risk of famine if Israel does not lift its blockade and stop the military campaign it renewed in March, when it shattered a ceasefire with Hamas. Israel has since ramped up its offensive, in what it says is meant to pressure Hamas to agree to a ceasefire more favorable to Israel's terms. The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. They are still holding 58 hostages, around a third believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israel's military campaign has killed over 54,000 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. The ministry is led by medical professionals but reports to the Hamas-run government. Its toll is seen as generally reliable by UN agencies and independent experts, though Israel has challenged its numbers. Israel says it has killed some 20,000 militants, without providing evidence. The offensive has destroyed vast areas, displaced around 90 per cent of the population, and left people almost completely reliant on international aid. ------ By Wafaa Shurafa Associated Press writer Farnoush Amiri at the United Nations contributed to this report.
Leaders
18-04-2025
- Health
- Leaders
KSrelief Launches 30th Volunteer Medical Program at Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has initiated its 30th volunteer medical program at the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan, supporting Syrian refugees. The mission includes 12 volunteers representing a range of medical specialties. Since the launch of the initiative, the volunteer medical team has delivered healthcare services across several clinics—including dermatology, gynecology, bone tumors, pediatrics, family medicine, and physiotherapy—benefiting a total of 577 individuals. Related Topics : KSrelief Clinics Provide Healthcare to 2,668 Refugees at Jordan's Zaatari Camp UN Rights Office: 36 Israeli Raids in Gaza Killed 'Only Women and Children' 4th RIHF: KSrelief Addresses Challenges to Global Humanitarian Efforts US Security Cooperation in Mideast Must Account for Human Security: Col. Dahouk Short link : Post Views: 39 Related Stories
Leaders
13-04-2025
- Science
- Leaders
Saudi Arabia Clinches Grand Prix, Sets Record at Geneva Inventions Exhibition
Saudi Arabia has made history at the 50th Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions, capturing the prestigious Grand Prix, awarded to Dr. Saad Alenezi from Majmaah University. This milestone victory was part of a broader, record-breaking performance by Saudi innovators, who collected six international awards and an impressive 124 medals—marking the Kingdom's best showing at the event since its inception. The Saudi delegation stood out with 134 scientific inventions, competing against more than 1,000 entries from 35 countries. Representing a wide spectrum of institutions—including general and higher education, technical training centers, and university faculties—161 Saudi innovators participated, proudly showcasing the nation's creative and scientific prowess. Dr. Alenezi, recipient of the Grand Prix, expressed heartfelt thanks to the Saudi leadership for their continuous support of innovation. He also highlighted that the achievement reflects the Kingdom's steadfast commitment to nurturing creativity and empowering homegrown talent. Finally, student innovators shared in the excitement, voicing their gratitude for the encouragement they received. They expressed immense pride in representing Saudi Arabia on a global stage and raising its flag high at one of the world's premier innovation forums. Related Topics: Saudi Arabia Joins Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions 2025 UN Rights Office: 36 Israeli Raids in Gaza Killed 'Only Women and Children' GCC 163rd Ministerial Meeting Condemns Israel's Gaza Aid Blockade, Reiterates Support for Syrians Saudi Arabia Takes Part in Competition Law and Policy Sessions at UNCTAD Meeting in Geneva Short link : Post Views: 34
Al Jazeera
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
UN slams Myanmar's ruling military for breaching truce amid quake recovery
The United Nations rights office has denounced Myanmar's governing military for breaching the temporary truce in the civil war that was declared by warring sides last month following a deadly earthquake. Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said on Friday that the military attacks on armed resistance groups come when 'the sole focus should be on ensuring humanitarian aid gets to disaster zones.' The ceasefire declared after the March 28 earthquake that killed more than 3,600 people in Myanmar was supposed to last until April 22. A multi-sided conflict has engulfed Myanmar since 2021, when Senior General Min Aung Hlaing's military declared a coup and wrested power from the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Al Jazeera's Tony Cheng had previously reported that many earthquake survivors suffer as the military government has blocked aid to rebel-held areas. Since the earthquake struck, Shamdasani said 'military forces have reportedly carried out over 120 attacks. 'More than half of them (were) after their declared ceasefire was due to have gone into effect on 2 April,' she added. UN rights chief Volker Turk, she said, 'calls on the military to remove any and all obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian assistance and to cease military operations'. The UN rights office had determined that most of these involved aerial and artillery strikes, according to Shamdasani, 'including in areas impacted by the earthquake'. 'Numerous strikes have been reported in populated areas, many of them appearing to amount to indiscriminate attacks and to breach the principle of proportionality in international humanitarian law.' Shamdasani pointed out that areas at the epicentre of the quake in Sagaing, particularly those controlled by opponents of the military, 'have had to rely on local community responses for search and rescue, and to meet basic needs'. Amid the devastation, Shamdasani has urged the military to announce a full amnesty for detainees it has imprisoned since February 2021, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint. Amid the criticism of the military government, China announced an emergency humanitarian assistance of 1 billion yuan ($137m) to provide urgently needed food, medicines and prefabricated homes. China, which backs the military government, has also sent more than 30 rescue teams to Myanmar after the earthquake and provided about 1.5 million yuan ($205,000) in cash through the Chinese Red Cross.
