Latest news with #Israeli-supported
The Sun
8 hours ago
- Politics
- 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
LeMonde
2 days ago
- Politics
- LeMonde
US approves $30 million funding for Gaza Humanitarian Foundation
The United States said on Thursday, June 26, it has approved its first direct funding for a controversial Israeli-supported relief effort in the Gaza Strip and urged other countries to follow suit. "We have approved funding for $30 million to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. And we call on other countries to also support the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) and its critical work," State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott told reporters. Starting in March, Israel blocked deliveries of food and other crucial supplies into Gaza for more than two months, leading to warnings of famine in the territory widely flattened by Israeli bombing since the massive October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, backed by armed US contractors with the Israeli troops on the perimeter, began operations at the end of May that have been marred by chaotic scenes, deaths and neutrality concerns. The Gaza health ministry says that since late May, nearly 550 people have been killed near aid centers while seeking scarce supplies. The GHF, which is officially a private group, has denied that deadly incidents have occurred in the immediate vicinity of its aid points. The GHF's interim executive director, John Acree, welcomed the US contribution and said it was "time for unity and collaboration." "We look forward to other aid and humanitarian organizations joining us so we can feed even more Gazans, together," he said in a statement. Major aid groups and the United Nations have refused to work with the GHF, saying it violates basic humanitarian principles by coordinating delivery with troops. Asked about the criticism of the operation, Pigott said the group has distributed 46 million meals so far, which is "absolutely incredible" and "should be applauded." "From day one, we said we are open to creative solutions that securely provide aid to those in Gaza and protects Israel," Pigott said. The financial support to the GHF is part of President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio's "pursuit of peace in the region," he said.
Daily Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
US approves $30mln in Gaza relief funding
AFP | Washington The United States said yesterday it has approved its first direct funding to support a controversial Israeli-supported relief effort in the Gaza Strip and urged other countries to follow suit. 'We have approved funding for $30 million to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. And we call on other countries to also support the GHF, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, and its critical work,' State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott told reporters.
The Journal
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
US approves $30m funding for controversial Israeli-supported relief effort in Gaza
THE UNITED STATES has approved its first direct funding for a controversial Israeli-supported relief effort in the Gaza Strip and urged other countries to follow suit. 'We have approved funding for $30 million to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). And we call on other countries to also support the GHF and its critical work,' State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott told reporters. Starting in March, Israel blocked deliveries of food and other crucial supplies into Gaza for more than two months, leading to warnings of famine in the territory widely flattened by Israeli bombing since the 7 October, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, backed by armed US contractors with the Israeli troops on the perimeter, began operations at the end of May that have been marred by chaotic scenes, deaths and neutrality concerns. The Gaza health ministry says that since late May, nearly 550 people have been killed near aid centres while seeking scarce supplies. Israeli forces have on a number of occasions opened fire on crowds of hungry people who were making their way to distribution points operated by the GHF. The first deadly incident happened on the morning of Sunday, 25 May, when 31 Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire , according to the Gaza Civil Defence agency. The GHF has denied that deadly incidents have occurred in the immediate vicinity of its aid points. There are often full internet blackouts in Gaza, but the GHF informs people in the region about the operation of distribution centres on Facebook with little advance notice. Major aid groups and the United Nations have refused to work with the officially private group, saying it violates basic humanitarian principles by coordinating delivery with troops. UN rights office spokesman Thameen Al-Kheetan warned this week of 'scenes of chaos around the food distribution points' of the GHF. Since the organisation began operating, 'the Israeli military has shelled and shot Palestinians trying to reach the distribution points, leading to many fatalities', he said. Kheetan cautioned that the system 'endangers civilians and contributes to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza'. 'The weaponisation of food for civilians, in addition to restricting or preventing their access to life-sustaining services, constitutes a war crime, and, under certain circumstances, may constitute elements of other crimes under international law,' he added. The man who was initially heading up the organisation, US military veteran Jake Wood, resigned the day before it began operating in Gaza, citing similar concerns to those expressed by the UN. A former USAID contractor, John Acree, took over as John Wood's interim replacement and evangelical preacher and former Trump campaign advisor was named Reverend Johnnie Moore was named the new chairman earlier this month. Asked about the criticism of the operation, Pigott said that the 46 million meals the group says it has so far distributed are 'absolutely incredible' and 'should be applauded.' 'From day one, we said we are open to creative solutions that securely provide aid to those in Gaza and protects Israel,' Pigott said. The financial support to the GHF is part of President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio's 'pursuit of peace in the region,' he said. -With additional reporting from © AFP 2025 Advertisement Related Reads UN condemns Israel's 'weaponisation of food' in Gaza as another 25 people reported killed 'I saw a man crushed': Behind the scenes of the humanitarian aid chaos in Gaza Israeli forces kill more than 50 and wound over 200 in latest massacre at aid site in Gaza Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Dozens of Palestinians killed making their way to Gaza aid hub: Report
Dozens of Palestinians were killed Sunday when going to a Gaza aid hub, officials and witnesses said, according to The Associated Press. Crowds were fired upon by Israeli forces close to 1,000 yards from an Israeli-supported aid foundation's site, witnesses said, the AP reported. Thirty-one people died and 170 were injured, the Gaza Health Ministry said, according to the outlet. Israel's army said in a statement it was 'currently unaware of injuries caused by (Israeli military) fire within the Humanitarian Aid distribution site,' according to the AP. A statement from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation pushed back on stories of disorder and gunfire near its sites and said that aid was provided by the foundation 'without incident,' the outlet reported. Israeli military action in the Gaza Strip since the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attack on the country has caused the mass destruction of infrastructure in the territory, as well as widespread death and injury among the residents of Gaza. The dire situation faced by Gaza's residents has resulted in international pressure on Israel over its treatment of those living in the territory, with figures like the newly-minted Pope Leo XIV calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron saying in a recent statement that they were 'strongly' against 'the expansion of Israel's military operations in Gaza.' 'The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable. Yesterday's announcement that Israel will allow a basic quantity of food into Gaza is wholly inadequate. We call on the Israeli Government to stop its military operations in Gaza and immediately allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza,' the joint statement, posted on the social platform X by Carney on May 19, read. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
