Gaza food desperation: Chaos and violence in food distribution centres
For months, aid agencies have warned that Israel is weaponizing famine in Gaza. Now, controversy is growing around food distribution hubs established by the US-backed, Israeli-approved Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
Palestinians have described scenes of lawlessness, gunfire, and despair at sites meant to provide lifesaving supplies.
Main image: Al Jazeera
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New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
RMAF must go high-tech to meet evolving threats, say experts
KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) must prioritise technological capabilities, cyber integration and layered air defence to adapt to evolving global conflicts, say defence experts. Chasseur Group security and defence analyst Munira Mustaffa said Malaysia could draw important lessons from conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, where a smaller force has managed to deny air superiority to a more powerful adversary. "Air superiority is no longer about numbers. Ukraine has shown that effective, mobile ground-based air defence systems and strong electronic warfare (EW) capabilities can deny access to contested airspace," she said. Munira was commenting on a statement by new RMAF chief Lieutenant-General Datuk Seri Muhamad Norazlan Aris on Thursday that the air force would adapt its long-term posture based on conflicts involving Russia, Ukraine, India, Pakistan, Iran and Israel. Under the Capability Development Plan 2055 (CAP55), the RMAF aims to enhance relevance by shaping its war-fighting capability to ensure threats are deterred and contained. CAP55, among others, calls for the procurement of unmanned aerial systems, airborne early warning platforms, long-range ground-based air defence radars as well as a ground-based air defence system. Munira said the RMAF should focus on several key areas, including investing in mobile and dispersed air defence systems, enhancing joint air-ground integration, expanding offensive and defensive electronic warfare (EW) capabilities, and building low-cost counter-drone systems using small, attritable platforms. "These drones have proven to be highly effective at a fraction of the cost of conventional platforms. For a country like Malay-sia, they offer lethality at range, economy of effort, and are well suited to our defensive doctrine. "Malaysia's current defence budget of US$4.8 billion, of which US$1.3 billion is allocated for maintenance and new procurement, means the RMAF will have to compete for limited resources across the armed services," she said. Munira also said the RMAF must adopt a phased and cost-efficient strategy that leverages existing assets while introducing new capabilities. "Rather than chasing expensive single-solution platforms, the RMAF should look at layered, interoperable systems. "Upgrading current assets, tapping into dual-use technologies with the Home Ministry, and seeking regional training and procurement partnerships are all viable options," she added. Cyber defence should be treated as the foundational priority, given the increasing dependence on autonomous and software-driven systems. "A cyberattack could compromise multiple systems, undermining both EW and drone capabilities," she said. She added that electronic warfare should come next, as it accounts for the majority of counter-drone operations and plays a crucial role in neutralising near-term threats. While she acknowledged the importance of conventional air power, Munira said the RMAF's future edge lied in integrating new and traditional capabilities. "The objective is to integrate cyber, EW and drone systems into a cohesive, layered defence structure." Meanwhile, Universiti Utara Malaysia defence expert Associate Professor Dr Mohamed Faisol Keling said the RMAF must consider the technological aspects of the current geopolitical conflicts, the influence of major powers and the role of international bodies in conflict resolution. "With a limited budget, focus should be given to more critical sectors rather than areas that can be modified, such as management or lower-cost contracts. "The RMAF should work with various universities and industry players to develop high-technology equipment using local expertise," he said. "Many universities can be brought in to collaborate on developing defence assets that align with our national capabilities. "We can look at how Indonesia is now producing its own defence products through local talent."
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
France offers safety support for Gaza food distribution amid crisis
PARIS: France has offered to assist in ensuring safer food distribution in Gaza amid growing concerns over civilian casualties during aid deliveries. Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated on Saturday that France and Europe are prepared to enhance security for humanitarian operations in the Palestinian territory. Barrot's remarks follow increasing criticism of deadly incidents at Israeli-supported aid centres. 'We stand ready, Europe as well, to contribute to the safety of food distribution,' he said, addressing both humanitarian needs and Israeli security concerns over aid potentially reaching armed groups like Hamas. The minister expressed distress over recent fatalities, stating, 'the 500 people who have lost their life in food distribution' in recent weeks. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed a Haaretz report alleging military orders to fire on Palestinians seeking aid as a 'blood libel.' Aid organisations have condemned the situation. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) labelled the current system 'slaughter masquerading as humanitarian aid,' while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that desperate civilians should not face a 'death sentence' for seeking food. According to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, over 500 people have been killed near aid centres since late May due to scarce supplies and chaotic conditions
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Gaza civil defence reports 37 killed by Israeli forces, including children
GAZA CITY: Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli forces killed 37 people in the devastated territory on Saturday, including at least nine children who died in strikes. Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP 35 people were killed in seven Israeli drone and air strikes in various locations, and two others by Israeli fire while waiting for food aid in the Netzarim zone in central Gaza. He said the dead included three children who were killed in an air strike on a home in Jabalia, in northern Gaza. Bassal said at least six more children died in a neighbourhood in the northeast of Gaza City, including some in an air strike near a school where displaced people were sheltering. The Israeli military did not respond to a request for comment by Saturday evening. As international criticism mounted over civilian deaths in Gaza, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Saturday that his country 'stands ready, Europe as well, to contribute to the safety of food distribution' in Gaza. Such an initiative, he added, would also deal with Israeli concerns that armed groups such as Hamas were intercepting the aid. Barrot did not provide any details on how France could help secure aid distribution to Gaza's civilians. Restrictions on media in Gaza and difficulties in accessing many areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by rescuers. AFP images showed mourners weeping over the bodies of seven people, including at least two children, wrapped in white shrouds and blankets at Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City. Video footage filmed from southern Israel showed smoke rising over northern Gaza after blasts. Other AFP footage filmed in Gaza City showed a cloud of smoke rising from buildings after a strike. In Jabalia, an AFP photographer saw civil defence rescuers aiding a man with blood on his back. - Gaza ceasefire drive - Israel launched its offensive in Gaza in October 2023 in response to a deadly attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas. After claiming victory in a 12-day war against Iran that ended with a ceasefire on June 24, the Israeli military said it would refocus on its offensive in Gaza, where Palestinian militants still hold Israeli hostages. Qatar said on Saturday that it and fellow mediators the United States and Egypt were engaging with Israel and Hamas to build on momentum from the ceasefire with Iran and work towards a Gaza truce. 'If we don't utilise this window of opportunity and this momentum, it's an opportunity lost amongst many in the near past. We don't want to see that again,' said Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari. Hamas's October 2023 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed at least 56,412 people, also mostly civilians, according to Gaza's health ministry. The United Nations considers these figures to be reliable.
