logo
France offers to help make Gaza food distribution safer

France offers to help make Gaza food distribution safer

PARIS: France 'stands ready, Europe as well, to contribute to the safety of food distribution' in the Palestinian territory of Gaza, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Saturday.
His comments came as criticism grew over mounting civilian deaths at Israeli-backed food distribution centres in the territory.
Such an initiative, he added, would also deal with Israeli concerns that armed groups such as Hamas were getting hold of the aid.
Barrot expressed anger over 'the 500 people who have lost their life in food distribution' in Gaza in recent weeks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyanu on Friday denounced as a 'blood libel' a report in left-leaning daily Haaretz alleging that military commanders had ordered soldiers to fire at Palestinians seeking humanitarian aid in Gaza
Aid group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on Friday denounced the Israel- and US-backed food distribution effort in Gaza as 'slaughter masquerading as humanitarian aid'.
And UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Friday that hungry people in Gaza seeking food must not face a 'death sentence'.
The health ministry in Gaza, a territory controlled by Hamas, says that since late May, more than 500 people have been killed near aid centres while seeking scarce supplies.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Taliban diplomat to take role as Moscow ambassador
Taliban diplomat to take role as Moscow ambassador

Business Recorder

time39 minutes ago

  • Business Recorder

Taliban diplomat to take role as Moscow ambassador

MOSCOW: A Taliban diplomat will on Tuesday assume the role as Afghanistan's ambassador to Russia, the Islamist group's first top envoy to Moscow since seizing power in 2021, Russian state media reported. Gul Hassan, a former consul in Pakistan, arrived in the capital earlier on Tuesday and will soon 'take up his duties', Russia's TASS news agency said. An official at the Afghan embassy told AFP that Hassan 'was due to arrive today'. Moscow has expanded its economic and diplomatic ties with the Islamist group since it returned to power in Afghanistan following a 20-year insurgency against the US-backed government in Kabul. Russia accepts Taliban's nominated ambassador to Moscow Several other countries including China and the United Arab Emirates have also accepted a Taliban-appointed envoy, though no state has yet officially recognised them as Afghanistan's lawful government. The group seized power after American forces supporting the country's internationally recognised government pulled out in 2021. Moscow has taken steps to normalise relations with the Taliban authorities since then, removing their designation as a 'terrorist organisation' in April and inviting them to official events. Russia had already accepted a Taliban-appointed charge d'affaires in 2022. Russia was the first country to open a business representative office in Kabul after the Taliban takeover, and has announced plans to use Afghanistan as a transit hub for gas heading to Southeast Asia. In July 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the Taliban 'allies in the fight against terrorism'.

PTI to take loyalty oaths from lawmakers amid defection fears
PTI to take loyalty oaths from lawmakers amid defection fears

Express Tribune

timean hour ago

  • Express Tribune

PTI to take loyalty oaths from lawmakers amid defection fears

Listen to article In a move reflective of deepening political unease, the parliamentary party of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to administer fresh loyalty oaths to its lawmakers, amid concerns of possible defections following a Supreme Court verdict on reserved seats. According to a report by Express News on Tuesday, the PTI has convened a crucial meeting of its parliamentary party in Islamabad on Wednesday. All members of the national and provincial assemblies affiliated with the party have been directed to attend. Party insiders said that the primary focus of the meeting will be the evolving political dynamics in light of the apex court's recent decision, which stripped PTI of its claim to nearly 80 reserved seats in national and provincial legislatures. Discussions will also centre around the political calculus in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), where shifting alliances could prove pivotal in the coming days. Read More: PTI loses court battle for reserved seats Particularly in K-P, where PTI-backed independents hold sway, the party leadership remains wary of overtures by rival political forces. Thirty-five of these independents—previously aligned with PTI—are expected to retake loyalty pledges, reaffirming their commitment to the party. Sources confirmed that a similar oath-taking exercise had been carried out post-elections, but fresh fears of desertions have prompted renewed action. The Supreme Court's short order, issued last week, overturned a July 12, 2024 verdict that had restored PTI's status as a parliamentary party and granted it access to reserved seats. The recent ruling has significantly altered the balance of power in the National Assembly, bolstering the position of the ruling coalition, which now stands within reach of a two-thirds majority—an outcome with far-reaching implications for constitutional amendments and governance.

Bob Vylan responds to official backlash following Glastonbury performance
Bob Vylan responds to official backlash following Glastonbury performance

Express Tribune

timean hour ago

  • Express Tribune

Bob Vylan responds to official backlash following Glastonbury performance

Bob Vylan has issued a statement following widespread official outrage over their comments at the Glastonbury festival, where they led the crowd in chanting "death to the IDF" and other pro-Palestinian slogans. In a more measured yet very bold and clear response on social media, the punk duo explained that their position was not about the death of any group of people, but rather the dismantling of what they described as "a violent military machine." "We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs, or any other race or group of people," Bob Vylan wrote, emphasizing that they oppose the actions of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), which they claim uses excessive force against innocent civilians. The band explained their use of the term "dismantling" rather than "death" when referring to the IDF, highlighting their focus on the military's role in the ongoing destruction in Gaza. The statement also addressed the controversy surrounding their performance, with Bob Vylan noting that the media's attention on their actions is a distraction from the broader issues at hand. The group criticized the government's silence on the matter, urging greater accountability for inaction regarding the situation in Gaza. The band's comments have sparked significant political repercussions, with the U.S. State Department revoking their visas ahead of their planned North American tour this fall. The U.K. has also launched a police investigation into the remarks made during the performance. Bob Vylan reiterated their call for solidarity in speaking out against injustice, concluding their statement with "Free Palestine" and stressing their commitment to using their platform to raise awareness of the issue.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store